Father Dennis Holtschneider, CM, is currently President of the Association of Catholic Colleges and Universities. Some years ago, he shared how he first learned about St. Vincent. It was through the stories his grandfather told about his 22 years as a member of the Vincent DePaul Society.
Those familiar only with the younger lives of St. Vincent and St. Louise would have been surprised by their lifelong journey.
Vincent and Louise would not have been considered a good bet as a relationship that would work out.
Every renter knows that a security deposit holds them responsible for for excessive wear and tear or damages.
What if God withheld a security deposit on our common home… earth?
“How was your Easter?” Is our experience of the Resurrection the greatest news we never talk about!
Are we seeking him among the dead? Do we share our joy?
Change is a fact of our life, whether we like it or not. So, there is a question we must ask about how we minister.
What a difference there is between the Master and the woman’s accusers! They cited the Scriptures to condemn her; Jesus, the very Word of God, completely rehabilitates the woman, restoring her hope.
Jesus began with a group of most ordinary people. No all-stars in the eyes of the influential. Jesus spent much of his time forming a team filled with a sense of common mission.
Let’s think of a large family in which there is a son, the firstborn, who admires and loves his father beyond measure. He asks all his brothers and sisters to put their signature on the gift.
Emmaus describes Jesus encountering confused disciples. He first listens to their pain, then makes connections they had missed. They recognize him when they break bread together.
This is how Pope Francis looks to lead the Church into the third millennium.
Christians must rediscover and always keep alive “the Eucharistic amazement”. We must rediscover the Eucharistic wonder.
Have i ever gotten beyond my own dreams to think of God’s Dream?
Do I recognize I have a part in God’s dream?
Can I accept my responsibility in God’s dream of the kingdom of peace, justice and love?
There are two approaches to problem-solving. – “Whack-a-mole” or “Big Picture”. Both have limitations. Both are necessary. Pope Francis and St. Vincent were aware of and fostered both approaches!
“Listening is much more than allowing another to talk while waiting for a chance to respond…The beauty of listening is that, those who are listened to start feeling accepted, start taking their words more seriously and discovering their own true selves. Nouwen