Category Archives: This and That

On the same day that I made my last post, I completed a book I was reading about the Jesus Prayer. The author is Frederica Mathewes-Green. The title of the book is The Jesus Prayer: The Ancient Desert Prayer That Tunes the Heart to God. I forwarded my post to Frederica, asking her to letContinue reading “An Orthodox Perspective on Presence”

Most people know that it is the custom of Catholics to make sacrifices during Lent. The typical stereotype revolves around giving up chocolate, or cookies, or some such thing. The idea is that sacrifice helps us to recall the need for repentance. In the Lenten season we are supposed to be especially aware of ourContinue reading “Encounter Versus Knowledge”

This article has been reprinted in its entirety from the Winter 2021 issue (Issue 102) of TAU-USA magazine. Its author is Jan Parker, OFS, the National Minister. (TAU-USA is a publication of the National Fraternity of the Secular Franciscan Order.) For discussion questions on this article, click here. As Clare once said to Agnes, “LetContinue reading “A Call to Prophetic Creativity”

So, I have spent the morning looking back through the blog, reading the most recent posts, and preparing myself to begin writing again. It did not seem like it had been so long, but the last post was made on September 18, 2020, almost five full months ago.  The post describing my cancer diagnosis isContinue reading “Health Update”

I have been diagnosed with squeamish cell laryngeal cancer (cancer of the vocal chords). I know from past experience that having a family member or friend tell you about a diagnosis like this causes many questions. In order to answer those questions as completely as possible, I am putting all the information at my disposalContinue reading “Laryngeal Cancer”

A few weeks ago, as the restrictions related to the Covid-19 pandemic were at their height, I was feeling the need to get out of the house. At the same time, I was also feeling the need to spend some quality time in solitude, contemplation and prayer. I went on line and checked out theContinue reading “Slideshow from The Shrine of Christ’s Passion”

Hopefully, you will not find this too personal, but I am feeling a strong need (which will soon be clearer) to share it. It’s Saturday morning.  I did not sleep well last night.  Sometimes this happens if I worked too hard physically the day before.  The soreness makes me restless and uncomfortable and we preppedContinue reading “Dancing in Heaven”

The OFS Rule is the heartbeat of who and what we are meant to be as Secular Franciscans. As is noted in the page “About Formation,” it is one of three key resources that we must have available to us at all times if we are to thrive in the life we have professed. InContinue reading “One Click to the Rule”

Just received this in my email yesterday from my good friend and fraternity sister Patricia who works for the McGrath Institute for Church Life at the University of Notre Dame. It is a free resource meant to facilitate the celebration of a May Crowning in the home. Thought it might be something that many FranciscansContinue reading “Free Resource for May Crowning”