Participants in an upcoming retreat at the Franciscan Spiritual Center in Milwaukie will learn what a spiritual memoir is, how to select structure it and how to develop themes. Friday, September 03, 2010
This week a new neighbor arrives to the north. He is the Most Rev. Blase Cupich, recently appointed the sixth bishop of Spokane. He succeeds Bishop William Skylstad, who has served more than 20 years as eastern Washington’s shepherd of the flock. Spokane is a diocese with more than 80 parish communities and is home to Gonzaga University’s Bulldogs.
In late July and early August I was back in the Midwest on vacation, most of the time being spent with my family. For one week, fourteen of us shared a rented house along the eastern shore of Lake Michigan. I must confess that sharing bathrooms, food and beach towels with thirteen other people is not the way I am accustomed to living any longer. But it was great fun. It also helped me recognize how blessed I am with the gift of family, even though the gift of my priestly ministry keeps me away most of the year from these treasured companions on life’s journey. Wednesday, August 25, 2010
Next year at this time, God willing, I shall be with a group of young adults from our archdiocese in Madrid for World Youth Day. The theme of this gathering, which will be held from August 16 through 21, is “Rooted and Built up in Jesus Christ, Firm in the Faith.” Planners expect nearly 600,000 young people from countries other than Spain, about 25,000 of them from the United States. Pope Benedict XVI was the first to register for the gathering.
Sept. 5, 2010 Twenty-third Sunday in Ordinary Time
Today’s Gospel could have as easily appeared in the daily newspaper as in our Scriptures. Each day we hear new stories of mortgage foreclosures and housing developments that have not been completed. We know of businesses that closed and banks that have failed. Each day we calculate anew the cost of waging war and not seeking peace. We are not as likely to ignore the “hidden” costs that seem part of every project and plan.
Aug. 29, 2010, Twenty-Second Sunday in Ordinary Time Every group has its own protocols for seating at major dinners. Most of us are reluctant to admit that we sometimes desire a seat at the head table and, upon reflection, we are not proud of ourselves for thinking about it at all.
For the media, there is nothing like a “White House Wedding” even if it’s not at the White House and the president isn’t there. For days, if not weeks, the media were preoccupied with who might or might not be invited to Chelsea Clinton’s wedding. After the event, it seems there were some very disappointed people.
