Even in the West, where we have built up huge walls to keep it out (and bread and circuses to keep us busy when the siege is strong and infiltrations are many), pain makes its way into our lives. Pain may not be the right word; I'm not talking about the sudden "oops I stubbed my toe" sensation, but … [Read more...]
A Paean to the Reliable Naysayer
Many of the personalities that populate our parishes seem to come out of central casting: the community historian, the pious worshiper, the issue advocate, the reliable worker ... the list goes on and on. When priests seek advice from other preists about how to best lead, manage, and serve them, … [Read more...]
A Reflection on a Quiet Celebration
This past Saturday I had the opportunity to do something special; I concelebrated with a man on the 44th anniversary of his ordination to the priesthood. From the outside it looked pretty simple: just a quiet service in a small chapel. On this, what I hope to be the first of a "40 Days of (Old Ca … [Read more...]
