Spirituality
Calm in the Storm of Anger
In the environment of the numbing “breaking news” of shootings, crime and attacks, the issue of anger remains an inescapable concern of contemporary life. As a practitioner of mediation, my thoughts turn to the relationship between the genesis of anger and the expression of it: What do we do with our anger when it occurs? Let’s take a closer look. Anger is an inevitable dimension of human experience. None of us can circumvent the certain experience of anger with the inherent challenge to navigate its various gremlins and impulses. As an intense emotion, with anger, culture matters. Anger is [...]
Blessed assurance
The "universal prayer" of the Catholic Church, the Liturgy of the Hours has been a meaningful source of community for me on my journey as a religious sister. Joining in prayer with the Christian community at consistent periods of the day unites me with others across the world whose prayer "rises up like incense before the Lord" (Psalm 121: 2). Knowing that others across the world are joining in this same prayer is a powerful gift, a true source of strength for enacting the "work of God" in mission. As the light of this new day refracts through the clouds to [...]
An Autumnal Walk in Audubon Park
As a child, many of us undoubtedly read a magazine called “Highlights.” If so, you will remember a featured page in each issue where one searched for “hidden pictures.” This was my “go-to” page in every issue of Highlights, living up to its motto of “fun with a purpose.” Fascinated with the necessity of looking with focused attentiveness, with searching shapes and contours, and with discovering intricate details, that “search and find” puzzle both absorbed and distracted my attention during most visits to the pediatrician’s office. While walking this morning, my gaze fell upon an autumnal leaf suspended in [...]
Giving Thanks
It might have been the sound of our students' voices raised in the chorus of The Sound of Music or the peeling of bells in the cupola at just the right moment in the play. It might have been the crisp touch of fall in the air or the sunlight falling through the shaded oaks of St. Charles Ave. It might have been our cross country team powering though a muddy track to bring home our 11th state championship or our volleyball and swimming teams driving and diving for a victory. It might have been the festive closing of the [...]
Not by Accident
These comments were shared on June 1st during the 133rd Graduation of the Class of 2017-2018 at the Academy of the Sacred Heart in New Orleans, LA. Good evening! Welcome to the Board of Trustees, parents, friends and family and, especially to the Senior class of 2018. This evening, we celebrate a culminating event in your graduation from The Academy of the Sacred Heart, but, more significantly, we celebrate the circuitous journey of each one of you to this solemn moment. None of you have arrived here by accident. Your sitting here has not occurred by some random phenomena, but [...]
