Getting to know something… or… someone? This is the basic focus of catechetics.
In this Vincentian Mindwalk I explore how the lyrics of a Broadway helped me better understand Catechetical Sunday.
Mindwalk Podcasts: Latest posts and thoughts...
Jesus Talks About Tough Choices
Luke, a generation after Jesus, uses Jesus’ stories to help Gentile Christians who faced painful choices. Luke, a Greek speaking outsider himself, wrote primarily to those who, like him, were outsiders to the “in” group. He used Jesus’ own stories to speak to the everyday problems these second-generation followers – rejection from the Pharisees and rejection by their own families.
How Many of Us Have Reimagined Labor Day?
Most of us think of Labor Day as marking the last hurrah of summer. In this Vincentian Mindwalk I try to reimagine the historic origin of Labor Day… as well as a restful BBQ recorded in the New Testament.
Problem-solving – “Whack-a-mole” or “Big Picture” Thinking
Which do people prefer? – “Whack-a-mole” or “Big picture" thinking” It occurs to me that there are two approaches to problem solving. - “Whack-a-mole” or “Big Picture”. In the “whack-a-mole” approach focus is on immediate problems as they pop-up. But we can solve one...
Recognizing the Body Of Christ Today
My early understanding of the feast of Corpus Christi My earliest associations with the feast of Corpus Christi were of processions and "40 hours devotion." Gradually I became aware of the Body of Christ frozen in time in Michelangelo’s masterpiece, The...
What Must We As Vincentian Family Do?
With the disciples on the road to Emmaus, we are all struggling to make sense of the past few weeks since the murder of Floyd George.
What is the Most Important Room in the World?
What is the most important room in the history of the world… and our lives? The Oval Office, Buckingham Palace? … Would you believe a simple “upper room” in Jerusalem! Why? Because in that room on the day we call Pentecost, the most powerful movement in history was...
Forgotten truths about Vincent’s Genius
Vincent’s passion for the poor expressed itself through an empowering humilty that invited others to share their gifts in mission.
Vocation Sunday With Pope Francis and Two Vincentians
Both Pope Francis and our Superior General have written letters in advance of Good Shepherd or Vocation Sunday. They struck some very personal chords!
St. Vincent de Paul’s Inner “Doubting Thomas”
Re-imaging the story of “Doubting Thomas I thought I knew the meaning of the story of “doubting Thomas.” That is until I read ‘Like Thomas, I Don’t Always Believe’ by Ryan Henderson Espinoza. Now I doubt if I can ever read the passage unique to John’s...
“Pay it Forward” and Divine Mercy Sunday
“Pay it Forward” and Divine Mercy Many may remember a movie in 2000 called “Pay It Forward.” The lead line in the movie was, “When someone does you a good deed, don’t pay it back, pay it forward.” In Ryan Hyde’s movie it is described as an obligation to do three good...
Ten Things Pope Francis Said at World Youth Day
We all know Pope Francis has a way with words. Here are ten things Pope Francis said to young people (and to us) at World Youth Day.
Pope Francis, an octogenarian, addresses the weariness of hope
Pope Francis encourages us to allow our wearied hope “to return without fear to the deep well of our first love,” “to be purified and to recapture the most authentic part of our founding charisms”