Please remember in your prayers… Mr. Joseph Kolinsky the brother of deceased confrere Fr. Artie Kolinsky, C.M.
Month: August 2018
Three Marks of Vincentian Service
Three marks of Vincentian service… and 3 one-liners from Vincent.
“There’s an elephant in church!”
Imagine the scene at Sunday Mass. A child cries out “Mommy, there is an elephant in church!” And people are talking about this elephant. In today’s church, there are certainly many people talking about the elephant of clerical sexual abuse and coverup. But are we all talking about the same thing? 6 Blind Men “See” […]
Floods – Getting Right to the Point!
Without wasting any words the Provincial of our Province in Southern Idia gets right to the point with the facts, what has been done and needs to be done.
The Fig Tree I Sit Under Today
That past moment under a fig tree is present today for each one of us. Jesus sees us sitting under the fig trees of our daily lives!
Writing, Yes, Writing, Letters
We face an overwhelming amount of written words. Such a volume lessens the impact of any one sharing. Letters demand more attention and engagement. They remind me of what prayer should look and sound like.
The Limits of Pope Francis’ Imagery
Pope Francis’ Imagery and the Vincentian “Both/And”
+Mr. Richard E. Oszustowicz – Fr. Joe Agostino’s Brother-in-law
Please remember in your prayers…Mr. Richard E. Oszustowicz the brother-in-law of Fr. Joseph Agostino, C.M. who died last weekend.
What Did Mary Know.. And When Did She Know It?
“What did he know… and when did he know it?” There are questions heard in so many circles today, especially political and ecclesiastical… What did Mary know and when did she finally fully know?
Pope on Clerical Sexual Abuse and Coverup
In a letter addressed the People of God Pope Francis speaks on clerical sexual abuse and coverup. Here are 6 quotes that struck me
Nobody Helps the Poor Better Than the Poor
FamVin recently shared a story of learning from the poor in a subway. Javier Chento, reflecting on the story, was reminded of the words of Frederic Ozanam 170 years ago: “nobody helps the poor better than the poor themselves”
Sayings That Shaped Us
I think of the Vincentian “sayings” I have absorbed over the 60 years of living as a Vincentian. “Leaving God for God”, “Let us love God but let it be by the sweat of our brows and the strength of our arms”, always come to mind. What sayings have shaped us?
The Planted Word
If ever I and our world needed to hear this message – it is now. Once again, thank you , Tom, for reminding us of this essential dimension of our Vincentian call!
Wanting to Do Something Remarkable for Others – Surprised by joy
Celebrating a milestone, Walner Diaz toward wants to do something remarkable for other … and has been surprised by joy.
What I Know About the Queenship of Mary
Mary spent her life pondering so many things in her heart. Now she is a servant queen … serving God’s plan. All this became finally and fully clear to her in her Assumption.
Mary’s Assumption – When It All Made Sense
Mary, did you know? Probably not! No matter… now you know… and understand!
Jesus’ Oxygen Mask
All our Vincentian Family heroes and heroines needed the oxygen of a clear vision of who called them and what was their mission… Something that comes in prayerful awareness. How did they replenish their spiritual oxygen sources?
What Do Jesuits and Vincentians Have in Common?
Fr. Pat Griffin reminds us of what Jesuits and Vincentians… and indeed each of us, have in common.
Lord, Teach Us to Think Anew!
Are we ready to leave the box of our normal thinking and to find the opportunity that lies disguised in this challenge. Show us the truth that will set us free.
Prayers requested for Brother Al Smith, C.M.
Prayers requested for Brother Al Smith
Hiroshima Or the Explosive Power of Vincent’s Gift
I don’t like to think of Hiroshima… I would rather recall some forgotten truths about St. Vincent dePaul. Why? Because they are explosive in a creative way.
Warning! “This Experience Changed Me”
Pope Benedict explained it well… ” love of neighbor is a path that leads to the encounter with God, and that closing our eyes to our neighbor also blinds us to God.”
The McCarrick Situation
We know that each of us will have our own reactions. Reactions that will range from paralysis to fiery action. I knew I had to write.
Swept Up Into
All of them had been contentedly drifting along on the still surface of what you might call conventional religion, not realizing there was a current of explosive energy running beneath. Then something shows itself in their lives, and the placid, controllable stream grabs hold and sends them off. That certain something is God’s Spirit.
Speaking the Same Language … Vincentian
Even though they speak the same language, “Boomers” and “Millennials”, Republicans and Democrats, speak different languages. What might be the characteristics of speaking “Vincentian”?
Rom 16, 13 reads: "Greet Rufus, chosen in the Lord; and greet his mother—a mother to me also." If this…
Have a blessed Holy Week!
I have never thought about the people that were named in the Gospels. I would agree that they may be…
Generally, I love the laconic nature of Mark's Gospel. The Passion narrative is very compelling in its starkness, with one…
Father John, Blessings to you as you step cautiously down that new path. Grace and Peace be with you!