Article
The Scandal of Love: The Unstoppable Passion of God
Saint Peter Chrysologus (406-450) was a man of passion. Often times, we look back at the saints and strip them of their power. They can become still pictures, of sorts. These pictures reveal beauty, yet they remain static. Such mental …
Article
Lectio Divina: Praying with the Scriptures
The Scriptures is one of the greatest riches possessed by Christians. Often attributed to Saint Jerome, there is the saying that "ignorance of Scripture is ignorance of God". However, Catholics are often less comfortable and deft with Scripture than Protestant …
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Right Here, Right Now
Holiness is an easy endeavor. At least the spiritual writer, Jean-Pierre de Caussade, believes that is the case. In his book Abandonment to Divine Providence, de Caussade urges his readers to live in the moment and do what is right. …
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To Youth: Be Peacemakers, Be Builders of a Better World
VATICAN CITY, SEP 23, 2001 (VIS) - The Holy Father arrived at Eurasia University in Astana at 6:30 p.m. today and, following a tour of the campus, held a meeting with young people in the university’s Great Hall. About 8,500 …
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Papal Plea: Never Use Religion as a Reason for Conflict
VATICAN CITY, SEP 23, 2001 (VIS) - John Paul II traveled this morning from Astana’s apostolic nunciature to the Square of the Motherland, where at 10:30 a.m. he celebrated Mass with the ordinaries of Kazakhstan, guest bishops and priests working …
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Saint John Paul II: Statement on the Tragedy, 12 September 2001
I cannot begin this audience without expressing my profound sorrow at the terrorist attacks which yesterday brought death and destruction to America, causing thousands of victims and injuring countless people. To the President of the United States and to all …
Article
Why Is the World the Way It Is?
Why is the world the way it is? Why is it full of wrong? Why are her eyes so big? Why is his neck so long? Why is she so dark? Why am I so light? Why is she called …
Article
Worldwide Prayer
Overview This outdoor prayer exercise is based on the belief that prayer is effective and blessings can travel like ripples all the way around the world. The young people form four small groups as part of a wider circle that …
Article
When Tragedy Challenges Faith
When a Natural Disaster Strikes Natural disasters such as hurricanes, tornados, wildfires, and floods can challenge our trust and belief in God. We may ask: How could a loving God let bad things happen? How could God let us down …
Article
September 11: Prayer Service for Families Coping with the Tragedy
Gathering Come together as a family. Set aside time for reflection and discussion. Turn off the news for a few moments. Gather together in a circle. Join hands if you wish. Take a moment of silence. Someone may want to …
Article
Statement of the U.S. Catholic Bishops
This is a day of national tragedy. Though we do not yet know its full extent, we mourn those who have lost their lives and pray for their eternal rest and for the consolation of their families. We pray for …
Article
Be At Peace Among Yourselves
"Be at peace among yourselves." (1 Thessalonians 5:13) "None of us is alone in this world; each of us is a vital piece of the great mosaic of humanity as a whole." (Pope John Paul II, Israel-Palestine) Think About That …
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September 11: In Memory and In Hope: A Prayer Gathering
Materials Needed newsprint masking tape markers reflective music candles Preparation Prior to the beginning of the prayer service, set up several areas for small groups of five to seven people to cluster around. Each area should have a piece newsprint …
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September 11: In Memory and In Hope: A Liturgical Gathering
Materials Needed incense charcoal brazier or some type of container to hold burning incense candles Music Suggestions "Be Not Afraid," Bob Dufford, Gather Comprehensive (Chicago: GIA Publications, 1994), no. 608. "Grant Us Peace, Lord," Tony Alonso, Fresh As The Morning …
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The attacks of September 11 were a horrible tragedy . . .
The attacks of September 11 were a horrible tragedy that hit the United States out of nowhere. My prayers and the prayers of people all over the world go out to not only the ones directly affected but to America …
Article
Innocence was bliss . . .
Innocence was bliss But it's so different after this I know we're not untouchable But we'll prove to be unbeatable So put back on your smiles and say, "Tomorrow will be a wonderful day."
Article
Moral Decision Making and Real-Life Applications
If you have used the Saint Mary's Press textbook Growing in Christian Morality, then you're familiar with the LISTEN process for making moral decisions. The process is introduced in the textbook and is used throughout the companion student casebook. LISTEN …
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On the Frontier of Justice in Ghana
"Africa has been the land of hope, salvation, and redemption. Abraham had come to Africa, Joseph from slave to savior. It was the land of refuge for Jesus and helped to carry his cross. Will we continue to dismiss Africa …
Article
Waiting for God
One day last week, I was sitting at breakfast with the three sisters I live with in Seattle. They are members of the Congregation of Saint Joseph of Peace. It was an ordinary morning at breakfast. Nothing unusual happened. I …
Article
Hunchback of Notre Dame: A Movie Activity
Disney's 1996 movie The Hunchback of Notre Dame can serve as a great starting point for discussions on the following topics: Moral Development. One can find examples of Quasi relying on childlike, adolescent and adult morality--which makes sense for an …
Article
Peaceful and Loving Advice
Peace to this household of God. This is one of the directives in Luke 10:1-20. Stay in a house that offers peace; it is good to be in this house of God. I had surgery back in May for the …
Article
What Time Is It?
What Time Is It? I have a feeling that the disciples asked Jesus, "What time is it?" quite a bit in the Gospels. What time is it? How can we tell God's time here on earth? Those are simple questions …
Article
You Were Called
The shadows are falling, and they are lush. The curtains are closing, the audiences hush. Your life's dawning was so long ago. All experiences mesh with vast undertow. You were called, but the voice was faint. No one called you …
Article
Pentecost Reflection
There is a vocal exercise I do with my choir every time we gather for rehearsal. It's very simple. I ask them to take in a deep breath and sigh. Take a moment to breathe deeply and sigh. This warm-up …
Article
My God Is Still Working
My God is working still, and I am working. God's mercy and promise can be found in the Book of Isaiah. These images of God's goodness are breathtaking, especially as we await spring weather. We are assured of God's mercy. …
Article
Patch Adams - Movie Reflection
Patch Adams is a great movie to use with students! It is the fact-based story of Hunter "Patch" Adams, the founder of the Gesundheit Clinic. Robin Williams plays the lead character with grace and skill. Synopsis: After spending some time …
Article
Leadership and Service
Back in July, all the conditions seemed ideal for my first attempt at climbing Mount Rainier. I was in the best physical shape possible. I was emotionally and spiritually ready to climb Tahoma, the "Mountain of God." The weather that …
Article
Anointed to Love
Luke 4:21-30 begins with the phrase, "Today this Scripture passage is fulfilled in your hearing." It is the same phrase that ended a previous passage of Luke. The Spirit of God has anointed Jesus; where the Spirit of God has …
Article
Emergency Phone Numbers
When in sorrow, call John 14. When men fail you, call Psalm 27. If you want to be fruitful, call John 15. When you have sinned, call Psalm 51. When you worry, call Matthew 6:19-34. When you are in danger, …
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Excerpts from Listen for a Whisper: Prayers, Poems, and Reflections by Girls
God is with her. God works for her. God fills her. God chooses her. God accepts her. God praises her. God listens to her. God cries with her. God knows her. God loves her. We are her. Quotes taken from …
Article
An Easter Reflection
I was living in Louisville, Kentucky, at the time my younger sister gave birth to her second child. I arrived at the hospital just shortly after she had the baby, and the nurses allowed me into the birthing room to …
Article
The Sacred Ground of the Mountains
I came to know the mountains of Washington long before I moved here a couple of years ago. I first fell in love with this area back in 1984 when I came to visit my sister and brother-in-law right after …
Article
U.S. Students Work for Salvadoran Students
Katie Murphy visited El Salvador in the summer of 1999 as part of the Frontiers of Justice project, a learning opportunity for Catholic high school teachers cosponsored by Catholic Relief Services and the National Catholic Educational Association's Secondary Division. Her …
Article
Undergraduates and Theology: Why Bother?
They seemed happily unaware of traditional teachings.... I thought them unchurched. The invitation to spell out what I see happening today in theological education for undergraduates is too good to pass up. I’ve been teaching undergraduates for nearly 30 years. …
Article
Central Characteristics of Roman Catholicism
Catholicism is a remarkably rich religion, characterized by a complex tapestry of beliefs, practices, values, rituals, traditions, and more. When viewed "from the outside"--that is, by those who do not share its communal life--Catholicism is probably most frequently identified by …
Article
Don't Cancel that Guilt Trip
A few weeks ago it was brought home to me how strongly our society has rejected the idea of struggling with one's conscience as necessary or beneficial. I was teaching Alice Walker's novel The Color Purple (Harbrace, 1982), and the …
Article
Jesus Always Liked You Best
Martha, Martha, you are anxious about many things . . ." Okay, I admit it up front. I am a recovering Martha. I like to think I'm on the road to Mary who has chosen the better part, but I …
Article
Who's Sorry Now?
For those of us old enough to remember, the phrase, "Love means never having to say you're sorry," produces a wry smile. It takes but a moment of reflection to realize the profound untruth of this statement. Life without "I'm …
Article
Everyday Works of Mercy
Are you more Christian than you give yourself credit for being? My belief is that there are many like that--that many dedicated Christian people have compartmentalized their lives and have excluded important and central areas of their lives from what …
Article
What's God Like?
God's creatures draw upon images and symbols, concepts and narratives--all to know their Creator better. I was 8 years old that day I nervously tiptoed into our living room. My mother was opening the drapes, flooding the room with light. …
Article
O Lord, Hear My Cry
"I'm going for a walk," I declared, not caring if my husband actually heard me or not. I slammed the front door behind me and marched angrily out of our home, strutting down the walkway and into the street, oblivious …
Article
Columbine High's Selfless Heroes
The stories of Columbine's heroes rise like a "tide of inspiration" for this Denver mother. Starting the third laundry load, I pause, puzzled by a pin on my daughter's t-shirt. At 14, she tosses shirts into the hamper with glad …
Article
Glorious Nature
Theme: Francis proclaimed, "We are sister and brother to animals and plants, water and soil, earth and sky." Just as we meet the dancer in her dance, the painter in his art, and the poet in her finely crafted words, so …
Article
Getting to the Heart of the Matter
Step 1: Look at the situation What exactly is happening? Why is it happening? Who is involved? What are their motives? How is it happening, that is, by what means or method? When and where is it happening? Step 2: …
Article
From Isolation to Liberation
At the age of ten, I was diagnosed with pre-leukemia. Before being diagnosed I had to undergo numerous blood tests and very painful bone marrow tests. These tests continued after the diagnosis. I had to miss the last part of …
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Fruit from the Vineyards of Faith Community
Participants in this summer's workshop "The Catholic High School as Faith Community" offered one another insights from their experience in the "vineyards" of Catholic high school teaching and campus ministry. We are happy to pass some of their "fruit of …
Article
Committing to Your School's Catholic Identity and Mission
A group of fifty-four religion teachers, campus ministers, and administrators from thirty-seven Catholic high schools across the United States gathered in June 1995 to share dreams, struggles, and moments of grace around the theme of building faith community in their …
Article
Community Service Courses:
This past semester, at the end of a year-long service program at a residential treatment center for emotionally disturbed youth, two students from my community service course wrote a poem to express the significance of their experiences. These are the …
Article
Emmaus Poem
A strange place to make a new beginning here on a dusty road not leading much of anywhere in a time when the ritual seasons have already turned and at dusk almost dark, in fact what an unsuitable place and …
Article
We Come to the Feast
Recently I have been paying attention to where and with whom I have shared meals over the past several weeks. Now I must confess that for the most part my dining habits have consisted of special meals on a tray …
Article
Shameless Flattery and Groveling
I must be a magician with talent enough to spare . . . Yes! That would explain how it is I can make assignments disappear . . into thin air. I think my mind is plagued with such topics as . . Nuclear War. I simply cannot devote my …
Article
Color the Moment
Well, here we are at the end of an incredible school year. It seems like everyone I've been talking with this week remarks on how quickly the year has gone. "It seems like only yesterday that we were walking in …
Article
Catholic Identity
For a couple of years, Saint Mary's Press sponsored a listserv discussion group online. Discussions on a variety of topics were pursued via e-mail. In this article I hope to summarize some of the highlights from postings on the timely …
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