African Meals

I’m often asked how the food was in Africa. It was very palatable, not spicy at all. Because the Sisters operate farms where they grow their own crops, the food is fresh and free from chemicals. They also raise their own animals. Breakfast was eggs, cheese, pancakes, yogurt, sausage, peanut butter on bread. Chapati (chewy, […]

African Masses

Africans celebrate the Eucharist with enthusiasm. Music is accompanied by instruments, clapping, whistles, and whoops. Although our convent Masses in Africa were normal length, our Sunday Mass at humongous St. Veronica Church lasted two hours because of the many hymns the choir sang and the processions. (At the offertory, people brought up things for the […]

Introduction to Visit to Africa

Since I arrived home from three weeks in Eastern Africa, many have asked me about my visit to our Notre Dame Sisters there.  In the next several blog posts, I will present highlights and details of my time. For now, here is some basic information: How long did it take to get there?  2 ½ […]

Everyday Ways to Boost Mental and Emotional Wellness

Providentially, Scott Sanders offered to provide a guest blog post to cover one of the weeks I will be in Africa. I hope you find it helpful. Busy parents, parish volunteers, and professionals carrying family responsibilities often work hard to live their faith while running low on emotional bandwidth. The tension is real. Prayer and […]

Lessons from Trees

Trees have been on my mind, especially as I take my daily walk along our forest, hoping the black bear isn’t lurking there! I thought of writing a post about trees and then discovered I had written one years ago. So here it is again slightly adapted. I said to the almond tree, “Sister, speak […]

Advice for Those Grieving Lost Spouses

During August I will be with the Sisters of Notre Dame in Africa. So, instead of a post from me this week, here is a guest post written by Patricia Sarmiento. I hope if you are grieving your marriage partner you personally find these words helpful. Maybe you can refer it to someone else who […]

St. Julie Billiart, Walking Love of God

During the rest of this year I’ll be speaking to groups about St. Julie Billiart, the courageous woman responsible for starting the Sisters of Notre Dame. My handout for the talks is a collection of wise things St. Julie said. It occurred to me that others may benefit from her wisdom, so my blog this […]

Daphne Saves Elephants, etc., in Kenya

Some kind soul who heard I was going to Kenya anonymously sent me Dame Daphne Sheldrick‘s fascinating memoir, Love, Life, and Elephants: An African Love Story. She learned to raise newborn elephants and saved the lives of numerous wild animals and released them. In the book alongside her memories of being a conservationist, Daphne reveals […]

False Self-Concepts, Be Gone!

My friend Roman Vaynshtok, a Reiki practitioner and teacher, wrote a thought-provoking article with advice for having true self-concepts and becoming the person God meant us to be. He allowed me to share it with you on my blog . . . How Beliefs Form Our beliefs and preconceptions often form quietly. They are shaped […]

Hummingbirds: God’s Intricate Creation

I chose an apartment on the third floor so I would be on a level with birds. One day while I was standing on my balcony, a hummingbird flew right by my nose. That was probably because of the hummingbird feeders on my neighbors’ balconies. My feeder was not a success. Ants loved it. However, […]