Common good

After a COVID hiatus, some things are reopening and getting back to a semblance of normal, including one of my ministry commitments. At the entrance to the facility where I volunteer, a poster indicated two mask-wearing selections — optional for those vaccinated and mandatory for those unvaccinated.* Clear and simple, right? A short time later,…

A circle of women

While on retreat with members of my spirituality group, we celebrated the courage and commitment of Mary Magdalene. The gospel of John (20:1-18) tells this story: Following the crucifixion, Mary Magdalene went to Jesus’ tomb and saw it was empty. She ran back and told the other disciples, who headed to the burial ground. The…

Compare and Contrast

This past weekend, we celebrated Independence Day. July 4th is when the United States commemorates the adoption of the Declaration of Independence by the Continental Congress on July 4, 1776. The Declaration was signed by representatives of all thirteen American colonies justifying and announcing independence from British rule. The most famous signature was that of…

Tell your story

“Not everything that counts can be counted.”[i] Cindy was pregnant when she was diagnosed with cancer. Her child was a toddler when she died. When she realized that the hoped-for miracle was unlikely, Cindy set a goal: to make sure her children remembered her. She chose hospice care for the last months of her life…