At Mass on Sunday, I sat behind parents with a young girl, probably about 4 years old. Dressed in a cute skirt, sweater and boots, she kept herself busy munching goldfish crackers in a Ziploc baggie, looking around at people, while Mass prayers began. Fr. Mike called little ones to the front of church, forContinue reading “Invitation”
Tag Archives: life
Early Bird Wisdom
It’s the second day of January. A new month, a new year. Cold air nips at anyone’s nose outside. The living room fire is so delightful! As I gaze out the window, winged life streaks by. Was that a robin?? In January?? Then, something flies by so quickly, but my trained eye notes something blue.Continue reading “Early Bird Wisdom”
Loving Signs
I am sometimes stopped at a traffic light alongside a bus, waiting to turn into the school campus. When I see the students by the windows, I think back to my own childhood, riding the bus early in the morning. Anticipation of the school day looms. Who knows what kind of morning the children haveContinue reading “Loving Signs”
Hear My Voice
When I sit close to the front of church at morning Mass, I occasionally hear someone make a noise behind me. Without seeing them, I can often identify who is making the sound. Joan has a certain way to clear her throat. Donald coughs in a low soft tone. Pam has a prolonged throat clearing,Continue reading “Hear My Voice”
Noah, God and me
While hearing Genesis 8: 1-12 proclaimed at Mass, I felt Noah’s gentle hand on my heart.Noah opened the hatch of the ark at the end of 40 days during the great flood. He firstreleased a raven that “flew back and forth until the waters dried off from the Earth.” It’sunclear if the raven stayed awayContinue reading “Noah, God and me”
HOPE
A trace of last night’s snow covered some of the ground, with tips of grass peeking through. Our first snowfall in over a year! The sun was out, and had melted most of the little white dusting. Two excited young brothers across the street were bundled up against the winter wind, swaying the barren trees.Continue reading “HOPE”
When Hearth Hits Home
Sitting near a beautiful large stone fireplace in a Franciscan Friary, I imagine its use in years past, heating the large high-ceilinged gathering space. Now it serves as decor. No more wood in its belly, presently filled with artificial green ferns. What a beautiful, stately hearth! The room is currently warmed by wall heaters, underContinue reading “When Hearth Hits Home”
Presence
“It is good to be here,” in the quiet, dimly lit chapel, following a well-attended Mass. A few people light votive candles, then kneel to pray. A young man, having just gone to Confession, re-enters the chapel to pray his penance. Two sets of dark wooden pews line the walls, facing one another, offering individualContinue reading “Presence”
Who’s There?
I have the Merlin Bird app on my cell phone, and use it often. Sitting on the screened-in porch, I listen to birds call in surrounding trees. When curious about an unrecognized song, I use the app to record and identify the kind of bird who sings so beautifully. I’ve come to be able toContinue reading “Who’s There?”
MORNING STILLNESS
I sit and listen to singing birds surrounding my gazebo. I sit and listen for God’s voice. My mind struggles to be still. I want to hear God’s voice! I want to see each bird I hear. I gaze ahead to the woods, beyond the screen, but I don’t see any calling birds. The geeseContinue reading “MORNING STILLNESS”
Pondering Christ 