Just last night I walked past the village library and I thought to myself what an anachronism a public library has really become. I actually remember using card catalogs and microfilm. Continue reading “Words and worlds apart”
Evenings of Re-creation
Summer is a special time at Mt. Irenaeus. This year the theme “live with gratitude” will be celebrated by each of the presenters. Each Wednesday evening beginning June 27, 2007 and continuing for six Wednesdays until August 1, 2007 those times of special reflection will begin with Mass at 4:45 pm Continue reading “Evenings of Re-creation”
Living by the sword has its risks
George Bush’s favorite reason for the Iraq War is “fighting them there so we don’t have to fight them here.” I knew that was simplistic and misleading but had nothing to refute that until now. In today’s New York Times there is an article that is quite informative and alarming. Continue reading “Living by the sword has its risks”
Memorial Day
The following came in an email from Jim Hein, SFO (Secular Franciscan Order)
The son-in-law of Anne Kramar, SFO, St. Clare Fraternity in Omaha has recently returned home from Iraq. His name is Jim; he is married to Anne’s daughter, Mary Jane. Jim and Mary Jane have three children, the oldest (boy) is graduating from High School this year. Jim was serving his third tour of duty in Iraq. Upon completion of his second tour he was called up for a third tour – it was the time period that the Federal Government put into effect the “stop loss” policy. Continue reading “Memorial Day”
Random acts of senseless kindness
Today is the Feast of Pentecost. One of the stories from Fr. Bob’s homily today was taken from a real life event that occurred at Bakersfield College in California. Fr. Bob used the story to illustrate the powerful effect we have when we bless others. Continue reading “Random acts of senseless kindness”
Satyagraha
Satyagraha is a relentless search for truth and a determination to search truth.–Mahatma Gandhi
As I sit here this morning on the edge of the hundred acre wood that borders our property I am surrounded by peace and yet I know that in much of the world there is violence and killing some of it sponsored by my own government. It pains me deeply to know that my countrymen are being hurt, killed and in some cases doing the killing of others. We are all brothers and sisters in this world. Continue reading “Satyagraha”
Three book meme
Paula has tagged me for a three book meme. That’s easy and difficult at the same time because I easily have three favorite non-fiction books but should everybody read them. Well, here goes my presumption. Continue reading “Three book meme”
Soldiers
Today I picked up the wrong lunch on my way out the door. I was on the road for my day job and I picked up a brown sack with what I thought contained two peanut butter and jelly sandwiches. Continue reading “Soldiers”
Nonviolence invites us to…
I first read this a year ago and it is true or truer now than then.
Nonviolence invites us:
* To learn to recognize and respect the sacred in every person, including in ourselves, and in every part of creation. The acts of the nonviolent person help to free this sacredness in the opponent from obscurity or captivity.
* To accept oneself deeply, “who I am” with all my gifts and richness, with all my limitations, errors, failings and weaknesses. To live in the truth of ourselves, without excessive pride, with fewer delusions and false expectations.
* To recognize that what I resent, and perhaps even detest, in another, comes from my difficulty in admitting that this same reality lives also in me. To recognize and renounce my own violence, which becomes evident when I begin to monitor my words, gestures, reactions.
St. Pacificus
Tonight after a lovely dinner in Ellicottville, New York with my wife and daughter I drove over the mountains to Olean, New York. On my way I passed through the sleepy little hamlet of Humphrey. Continue reading “St. Pacificus”