Youth
Spiritually Motivated
I was at the Newman Center today and got to chatting with a couple of brothers who were touring the college campus. They talked about their family of 11 children and the colleges that some of them had attended. It was important for them to have a source of spiritual stability and support, which is […]
Sharing My Story
The other day I came across a few prayer cards to Our Lady of Lourdes. Typically I go to Mass on the feast day, which is today. I thought it would be nice to go to the Newman Center for Mass with my friend who also was there when we buried my father 3 years […]
The Sweatshirt
Since we are in the throws of winter, it is cold and occasionally snowy outside. I’m trying to conserve energy and cost by keeping the thermostat down. To me, it is also cold in the house, so I wear my layers. I was looking for a warm and comfortable top layer and came across a […]
Blessed by Young People
We have a new caregiver coming over twice a week. She is young, patient, kind, and wonderful with my mom. The best thing is that mom is very comfortable with her. She was over this afternoon for a few hours. When we said our prayers after dinner tonight, we thought of people we wanted to […]
Selfless Saint
Our friend came over today and brought with her an article from the local Catholic Herald. It was the obituary of an elderly gentleman who I had met a couple of times. He was the founder of the Fostering Hope organization that I volunteered with a few years back. The goal of the organization was […]
Car Conversation
My grandson bought himself a violin for Christmas last year and has started taking lessons. This afternoon, his mom and dad needed a little help. My sister and I worked it out so I could take my grandson to his lesson. They were all very grateful. But it was a blessing for me to spend […]
Blessed Time
Today I was running errands and perusing outdoor games. I came across a water balloon slingshot and was reminded of my Youth Ministry days. I particularly thought of the Workcamp trips that we would take each year. We spent one week serving the community and fixing up houses for those who were unable to do […]
Teenage King
Today is the feast of St. Louis. My mom remembered that at dinner time, perhaps because we used to live in the city of the same name. So we learned more about him. St. Louis IX was King of France in the 13th century, having become king at age 13. Throughout his reign, St. Louis […]
Summer Camp Memories
My mom receives “the Word among us” magazine that includes daily Mass readings and reflections. Tonight I read one of the articles that she pointed out to me. It was written by a young man who was deeply impacted by his experience at a Catholic summer camp. He eventually became involved in the organization as […]
There Is No Other
This morning I prayed with Isaiah 45:15-25. The words, “I am the Lord, there is no other,” reminded me that it was the theme for a retreat I took the high school youth to many years ago as a youth minister. I was immediately taken back to the place, the summer heat, the music, the […]
Still Finding God 