Don

Today is my brother’s birthday, he is 53 and also the Feast of the Epiphany. It’s the twelfth day of Christmas if you still celebrate a traditional Christmas. I was out and up early. A trip to nearby Arcade, New York and then off to Rochester, New York armed with a Lands End gift certificate … Read more

I’ve just finished viewing the “River of Secrets” on CNN and I’m convinced more than ever of the futility of war. This is a gripping story that doesn’t glorify the War in Iraq. It doesn’t demonize our incompetent national leadership who lied our way into this conflict and put these and thousands of other young … Read more

A friend sent me this link. We’ve been friends for a long time and like all good friendships ours continues through peaks and valleys. We were in business together at one time and this guy taught me a lot about putting people first. I hope you’ll like this link and that it will cause you … Read more

Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure. It is our light, not our darkness, that most frightens us. We ask ourselves, who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented and fabulous? Actually, who are you not to be? You are a child of … Read more

“The killing of the guilty is not the way to rebuild justice and reconcile society, rather there is a risk of nourishing the spirit of revenge and inciting fresh violence.” – Vatican spokesperson Fr. Federico Lombardi S.J., on the execution of Saddam Hussein. (Source: Holy See Press Office) Jim Wallis of Sojourners has a very … Read more

The rule and life of the Secular Franciscans is this: to observe the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ by following the example of St. Francis of Assisi who made Christ the inspiration and the center of his life with God and people.Christ, the gift of the Father’s love, is the way to him, the … Read more

Mass at Mt. Irenaeus today was a very intimate experience. There were only about ten people there including the celebrant Fr. Louis McCormick, OFM. New Years Day is probably not a time when many people attend church. The Friars of Holy Peace Friary at Mt. Irenaeus had invited us to join them for Mass this … Read more

I came upon this prayer after Mass today at Mt. Irenaeus. The prayer was written by Sr. Dianna Ortiz, OSU. I first became acquainted with Sr. Dianna through her book, “The Blindfold’s Eyes.” The book was lent to me by Br. Vianney Justin, OFM a torture survivor and dear friend a couple of years ago. … Read more

If you love truth, be a lover of silence. Silence, like the sunlight will illuminate you in God.–St. Issac – 7th Century Hermit Monk

A few minutes ago I was watching one of the most popular Sunday talk shows and they were speaking of the political ramifications of Bush Administration’s intransigence in Iraq. They were questioning and cajoling each other. There was a good deal of humor in their responses but in all of this there was a stupor … Read more