When I started in ministry, over forty years ago, I decided I was in it for the long haul. I watched others more talented than I, burn through and burn out. They gave non-stop, never bothering to recognize their own needs or set boundaries against the ever-present demands of ministry. They usually left after three […]
Read More
So many Christmas memories surface each December, precious gifts from a time long past. Perhaps we share similar memories. I’m sharing some of mine in the hope of sparking your own. Christmas Trees Each December we would drive into the country and walk across snow-covered ground to find the perfect Christmas tree for our home. […]
Read More
Long before James Barrie wrote of roses in December and Theresa of Lisieux spoke of showering roses from heaven, Our Lady of Guadalupe gave roses to a simple peasant as a sign. What is the significance of roses in December in this day when roses can be purchased through florists all year round? Has it […]
Read More
The Holidays are filled with memories. Some great, others not so great. Those are the ones we would like to forget. But what do we mean when we say memory is holy? And what is God’s Holy Memory? Alzheimer’s There’s been news lately about the possibility of an Alzheimer’s vaccine. Sign me up! My mom […]
Read More
Thanksgiving is my favorite holiday. No big expectations or pressure to find the perfect gift. Just a meal with family and friends and a focus on giving thanks. However recent articles about the other side in attendance at the first Thanksgiving, the Native Americans, has left me wanting to shout—don’t mess with Thanksgiving! That First […]
Read More
As the American celebration of Thanksgiving approaches, we, here in the US, are reminded about the importance of giving thanks for all we have. The Psalms are full of words of thanks and praise, praising God for who God is and thanking God for all God has done. But what is a sacrifice of thanksgiving, […]
Read More
We are already into the “shop till you drop” holiday shopping season. This past weekend I raced to Target to beat the holiday rush and get toys for my grandchildren. I was met by families with excited children running up and down the aisle pointing out the toys they wanted. My mom, however, takes shop […]
Read More
November 1 is All Saints Day. Catholic grade school children are parading school halls dressed like their favorite saint. We Catholics get two days of celebration. Halloween to end out the spooky days of October, and All Saints Day to introduce November, a time for giving thanks. All Saints Day also reminds me—I’m no saint! […]
Read More
Chances are you’ve heard the phrase, “the devil is in the details,” meaning that something that appears to be simple can end up being much more complicated and difficult than you expect as you work out the minutiae. I believe God is in the details too. Some people think God is a big picture guy, […]
Read More
Beauty is therapy was a treatment premise of Dr. James Decker Munson, one of the founding doctors of the Northern Michigan Asylum in Traverse City, Michigan. He served from 1885 to 1924 and was a proponent of moral treatment of patients. Beauty is Therapy is also the title of a memoir by Earle E. Steele […]
Read More
