News that the Obama girls will be attending Sidwell Friends School in Washington, DC sent me a journey to learn more about the school. I’ve long been fascinated with Quakers and regularly contribute to the Friends Committee on National Legislation. In the library under Holy Peace Chapel at Mt. Irenaeus hangs a framed poster with … Read more
I came across this quote from Marianne Williamson. I first heard it a couple of years ago at Mt. Irenaeus. I think it’s a powerful thought and one worth sharing again and again. Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure. It is our … Read more
This morning found me out the door early for a change. It had been almost three Sundays since I’d made the trip from Franklinville to Mt. Irenaeus. I’ve fighting off the flu and now a real tough chest infection. I’ve been down the last few weeks in a slump I haven’t been able to shake. … Read more
This morning as I opened the garage door for my short drive to the running track I noticed that my little car was covered with a familiar white coating. The first snow is always a reminder that winter is soon to come. Here in Western New York, the first snow is also frequently called, “squaw … Read more
The resting place at the top of the mountain at Mt. Irenaeus. La Posada is one of my favorite places at Mt. Irenaeus although it has been many months since I hiked here. I decided to walk along the Mountain Road following brunch today. It was a great day to be in the woods. Everything … Read more
I came across this very good TED Talk by Phillip Zimbardo and it reminded me of the writings of both Thomas Merton and Thich Nhat Hanh. We all have within us the seeds of good and evil. Good and evil reside within us all. They are not external forces acting upon us.
Psalm 63 is one of my favorites and my favorite version of it is in the King James Bible. The psalm was written by David when he was in the wilderness of Judah. These verses have been with me for two days now. But the king shall rejoice in God; every one that sweareth by … Read more
Garden at Mt. Irenaeus Tonight after work I drove nearly thirty miles to be part of a gathering of Partners in MInistry at Mt. Irenaeus. The mountain as we call it is one of my favorite spots. I almost blew this meeting off. In fact it was only Monday that I decided to come. I … Read more
I took this picture as I was walking up the trail to Holy Peace Chapel at Mt. Irenaeus this morning. It was a beautiful morning and one of the nicest of the summer. Today’s readings were very meaningful for me. Psalm 63 was read after the first reading and it really embodied how I’ve been … Read more
I got this quote in today’s mail from the Merton Institute and it really resonated for me. The second sentence here is right on target. Paradoxically, I have found peace because I have always been dissatisfied. My moments of depression and despair turn out to be renewals, new beginnings. If I were once to settle … Read more
