Blogs

One of my most precious memories is pushing my four-year-old nephew in a wheelbarrow on a farm. He was laughing hysterically and this made me laugh. Life is full of joyful moments like that one. Reflecting on them warms the heart. We feel joy when someone does us a favor, when we accomplish a difficult…

This Friday is the Feast of the Sacred Heart of Jesus. It fittingly occurs during June, the month dedicated to the Sacred Heart. To some people this title for Jesus smacks of times gone by. On the contrary, the concept of the Sacred Heart is relevant and meaningful. Take the idea of heart. To us,…

May ended with a bang: On May 31 we celebrated the Visitation and Memorial Day. At our Mass in the Notre Dame chapel, Father Jay wove together three events. He pointed out that Mary surrendered her life to God and this showed in her loving service to Elizabeth, our veterans gave their lives to serve…

Don’t expect God to talk to you on your cell phone. He doesn’t zoom or text either. God communicates through the written word in a sacred book: the Bible. For thousands of years people have found strength, courage, and comfort in Scripture. It is a powerful book because it is God’s Word. One way to…

An important role of new parents is naming their child. It used to be that Catholic parents named their baby for a saint, like Patrick, or for a feast, like the Assumption. Nowadays they choose a name to honor a relative, like Aunt Caroline, or to imitate an idol, like Taylor Swift, or to be…

I was going to write this week’s post about paying compliments. Then I discovered that one on that topic that I wrote six years ago had value (with some revision). So I compliment myself: Good work, Kathleen! I recall once introducing my niece to someone and remarking what a great job she does at her…

This is not the blog post I intended to write. But then a friend emailed me this incredible video, which I had to see twice. Morning prayer included the Canticle from Daniel 3:57-88, which calls on all creatures to “bless the Lord.” One line is “You dolphins and all water creatures, bless the Lord.” Simply…

This week two friends informed me of outstanding pieces of music. I found the pieces on youTube and was delighted to listen to them. Music has the power to lighten our spirits and move us to tears. It makes our feet tap and our hands clap. It moves us to get up and dance. Animals…

Every day I pray the Our Father in the Rosary and in Morning and Evening Prayer in the Divine Office, and (before COVID) at Mass. Often I glide over the words unconscious of what I am saying. St. Teresa of Avila taught that slowly and reflectively praying this prayer and the Hail Mary are sufficient…

I don’t know about you, but lately I’ve been experiencing a number of deaths, in particular friends and Sisters. Thank goodness, there is Easter to remind us that this world of ours isn’t the end. A whole new world lies on the other side, and it’s supposed to be more breathtaking than this gorgeous one…