Articles on Community
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Compassion through Contemplation
Article by Catherine Kerr (featured in November 2017 eNews) Compassion means to understand another’s pain at such a deep level that it’s like feeling it yourself. Many mentors have told me over the years that the essence of pastoral ministry is connection and presence, being with. One seminary professor liked to say that the most…
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Sisters on Retreat
Today’s post is by Francie Thayer My two (biological) sisters and I don’t get to be together all that often. We live in different time zones and have lives that make it tricky. But once a year we do get together—just us—for a “Sisters’ Convention.” For two or three days in various locations, we gather…
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Saint Bonifacia’s Ordinary Way
Today’s post is by Mary van Balen The liturgical calendar in early August celebrates the lives of three women saints: St. Teresa Benedicta of the Cross (Edith Stein), St. Clare, and Saint Bonifacia Rodriguez y Castro. If you’re like me, you’re familiar with the first two. But who was the third, Saint Bonifacia? Her memorial…
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Running Alone
Today’s post is by Jeff Nelson Ever since I was in seminary (close to 15 years ago), I’ve tried to maintain a regular workout regimen. For most of this stretch, I have refused to exercise around other people. The times when I’ve done so have made me self-conscious, and I convinced myself it would be…
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Hospitality
Hospitality is the way we turn around a prejudiced world one heart at a time. Hospitality binds the world together. ~Joan Chittister
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Pilgrimage: The Way of the Heart
Article by Carole Crumley (in January 2017 eNews) This past month, it seems that everything in my life has been in motion. Trips to stores, shops, the post office have multiplied exponentially. Precious visits to family and friends have kept us on the road. Christmas scripture readings have magnified this sense of movement. A young…