Dear God,         Thank you for asking John to write to us. It is truly a beautiful letter and touched me deeply. I know you don’t mind if I repeat it here since it is so powerful: “God so loved the world that he gave his only-begotten Son, so that everyone who believes in him, might … Continue reading Dear God, →

Easter Blessings to all, In this year of covid-19 we have had to reshape our way of doing mission. We have switched from going to our mission partners sites, to helping our mission partners by sending funds and supplies. Through your generosity to the Faith Promise Appeal and other requests throughout the last year, we … Continue reading Orphanage Classroom Building Fund FINAL CALL →

Rome, Italy - Church of S. Maria Immacolata and S. Giovanni Berchmans: Jesus resurrected appears to Mary of Magdala. Fresco painted by Mario Prayer (1887-1959). He was an Italian painter, mainly of frescoes for churches or large halls. The Scripture choices during this Easter octave are truly rich in meaning not only to understand  the reality … Continue reading “Mary!” →

Photo by Alem Su00e1nchez on Pexels.com This is going to be a very short reflection this week. The current massacres in Georgia and Colorado are very disturbing and I am left without words to express my grief and shock. Thinking back to the Columbine massacre in 1999, to Sandy Hook in 2012 and all the other ones our country … Continue reading Life and Death: a Mystery →

Photo by Pixabay on Pexels.com Most of us are familiar with that famous passage from 1Cor. 13 that speaks of love, “Love is patient; love is kind...” But do you recall the totally awesome verse from the same section of St. Paul’s letter found in verse 12: “Now we see indistinctly, as in a mirror; … Continue reading Have you met God? →

Reflection by Natalie Bayci- University Mission Director (Retired) Since the beginning of the Diocesan University Mission trip to Sucre, in 1994, we have been helping at the orphanage in Ta Ta Juan Dios. Initially it was students from the University of St. Francis. Beginning in 1997, students from Benedictine and Lewis Universities joined the University … Continue reading Orphanage Classroom Building Fund →

Photo by Pixabay on Pexels.com We are now heading toward the fourth Sunday of Lent. Many spiritual writers have helped us to expand the ways that we can understand almsgiving and penance. Surely these times of the pandemic are days of penance and “giving up” many treasured things. Often we hear it said that just … Continue reading The Gift of the Cross →

As the challenges of the pandemic continue, are you feeling that this kind of life will never end? The temptation is great to believe that we can now relax certain restrictions and just return to the life we once knew. In fact some states are reopening all businesses with no guidelines and not requiring masks. The medical … Continue reading Mission Animation: Let the rain come! →

As I write, I am snuggled in my basement on a snow day. This winter has been a bit colder and snowier than the last few in the great mid-west of the United States. I am marveling at how the seasons, year after year, become habit. We have grown accustomed to mild winters. It is … Continue reading University Missions: Outpoured →

Photo by Ahmed akacha on Pexels.com During this Lenten season the readings for the Eucharistic liturgy and for the liturgy of the hours, often features the writings of the prophets of the Hebrew Scriptures. While praying with the psalms I came across a reading that was indicated for that day. It was Isaiah 56: 6-8 … Continue reading How can you give alms? →