I’m sitting at Dunkin Donuts across the street from St. Bonaventure University. Today began with yoga, a short drive from Franklinville to the St. Bonaventure University Chapel and a chance to gather one last time with friends and classmates from this year’s Franciscan Institute. Earlier when first awakened I remembered that it was on this … Read more
For the second time in the last four years I am embarking on an educational journey at St. Bonaventure University. Yesterday and today were my first classes at the Franciscan Institute. I’m taking a course called “Retrieving a Franciscan Philosophy for Social Engagement.” This class leapt out of the catalog in March and after two … Read more
Today is the birthday of my lovely wife. Today we celebrate her life and all that she means to all of us who come in contact with her. She’s a remarkable individual with an incredible talent for bringing out the best in people. She’s not only my wife and best friend but the mother of … Read more
The second is this: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ There is no other commandment greater than these.” Mark 12:31 These are word easily read but not easily practiced for me. They are words whose point I missed for much of my life and to this day I have difficulty loving and caring for … Read more
Today one of the scripture readings at Mass was the 63rd Psalm. Today’s Mass at Mt. Irenaeus was offered for the repose of the soul of Rachel Kotula. Rachel was the mother of Br. Joseph Kotula, OFM who rose to read this psalm today. As Brother Joe read the responsorial psalm his voice cracked at … Read more
Today was one of those year ending days in school when it all got a bit overwhelming with tests, test results, people who needed help. I was down and shared that with my colleague and friend David who always has a good word or joke to share. His enthusiasm and kindness are legendary. Today while … Read more
Let them individually and collectively be in the forefront in promoting justice by the testimony of their human lives and their courageous initiatives. Especially in the field of public life, they should make definite choices in harmony with their faith. — Secular Franciscan Rule, Article 15 I think of this often and in fact this … Read more
Give us this day our daily bread. One day at a time. Live in the present moment. All of these familiar phrases from different traditions all speak to living in the now. Staying with my breath but not concentrating on myself. Staying selfless and thinking of others and working for their needs is really the … Read more
In a couple of weeks I’ll be attending classes at St. Bonaventure University’s Franciscan Institute. In preparation for that I received an instructive email from the liturgist yesterday. Each day begins with morning prayer and ends with evening prayer and in between is the Eucharist. I loved this quote taken from the mail. Institute liturgies … Read more
After completing my last post and walking along the Allegany river I thought of the words of our Secular Franciscan rule. Secular Franciscans, together with all people of good will, are called to build a more fraternal and evangelical world so that the kingdom of God may be brought about more effectively. Then I came … Read more
