Faith and Hope – Lost Sheep Found

July 4, 2020

The Great Escapade: A Taste of Freedom and A Bit of God’s Grace

As America celebrates her birthday and hard-won independence today, I wanted to reflect a little on the word ‘freedom.’ The Fourth of July this year is an odd one for the history books, one without live fireworks, large picnic gatherings, or even concerts. Most of us for months now have lost the freedom to come and go as we please, to face the world without a mask covering, to grieve a dying loved one in person, or even to attend class at school, all in the name of protecting the well-being and health of others around us.

May 23, 2020June 8, 2020

Sister Clare Crockett: Surrendering Fame for the Abundant Life

A story about an ordinary Irish Catholic young woman named Clare Crockett really caught my attention the other day. Clare was an aspiring actress who grew up at a time of division and violence in Ireland. Worldly and attention-seeking, she wanted to achieve success making movies one day. By her own account, she didn’t want to be just any average film actress but a “famous” one.

What made her story jump out at me? Because of how God chose ordinary people to carry out His most important work on earth. He drew people in wherever they were in their lives.

I could have looked for any story to read, but the Holy Spirit somehow led my eyes to hers.

May 3, 2020June 8, 2020

Seeking God’s Refuge in a Pandemic Pandemonium

Lent had always been the one season of the Church year I looked forward to with such anticipation. This year, as before, I was intent on accompanying Jesus into His Passion, Death, and rising with Him in His glorious Resurrection on Easter morning. Not to mention welcoming a new goddaughter at the Easter vigil.

Then the pandemic stepped in and uprooted everything.

April 23, 2020May 29, 2020

God’s Song for the World: ‘Jesus Loves You’

Jesus loves you! Yes, YOU!

After enduring weeks of pandemic-induced emotional upheaval, fear and uncertainty, imagine being greeted with that simple message of His love.

That’s exactly what I got today. From a chance encounter with a random stranger.

Let’s be honest here. These many weeks of isolation and stay-home orders have not been a walk in the park. In this time of Darkness, where is the Light? But just as the apostle John witnessed the empty tomb and believed with his own eyes Jesus’ Resurrection, he witnessed life after death. He witnessed hope. My friends, that is the Light in this time of Darkness! The light and hope of His Risen Presence overshadow all darkness, even a pandemic of this magnitude. He asks us only to believe and trust in Him.

April 2, 2020June 8, 2020

Faith and Fear in the Age of Coronavirus

Today while I was in the grocery store standing in line at the checkout lane six feet apart from everyone else, the customer ahead scolded at me because my shopping cart was slightly beyond the yellow tape on the floor as I was getting “too close to her space.” My shopping cart was no more than 1 mm beyond the yellow tape! Face mask and gloves in place, the customer ahead of me was clearly ready for battle against any germs and viruses that would dare invade her space … LOL!

As Saint John Paul II once said, “A person’s rightful due is to be treated as an object of love, not as an object for use.”