Sisters of St. Francis of the Holy Cross in Green Bay, WI

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Travel tips

Recently our pastor shared the story of how he bought a new bumper sticker for his car. It said: “Slow down. Chill out. Enjoy the ride.” He was hoping that irritated drivers behind him, anxious to get somewhere fast, would read the message and calm down. Apparently that bumper sticker wasn’t too effective, and Father Joe has since removed it. Read More

In search of "God moments"

One of the first things I do when Advent begins is get my CD with George Handel’s musical masterpiece, “The Messiah”, and insert it into the player in my car. I listen to it as I drive throughout the season. My favorite part is when the soloist proclaims the words from the prophet Isaiah: “O thou that tellest good tidings to Zion, get thee up into a high mountain ...." and concludes with the words, “Behold your God.” Read More

Grateful for God's call to religious life and teaching

I was getting very excited; it was the beginning of a new school year and I was going to be teaching a seventh grade religion class. However, my enthusiasm was quickly deflated when, on the evening of our open house, a boy indicated that he was not looking forward to being in my class. After some prodding from his mother, he accepted the little gift that I had bought for each student. Read More

To Preach or Not to Preach

Each year as the Feast of St. Francis of Assisi approaches, I feel a bit overwhelmed. There is so much about him and his life on which to focus: his conversion, love of Christ crucified, life of poverty, relationship with all of God’s creatures, founding of a religious order. Which aspect of his life should I concentrate on during my personal prayer? What would I share during a small group discussion? Read More

Walking on water

“This week shall stand at the head of your calendar.” That’s the sentence I write at the top of my journal page as I begin my retreat each summer. However, as I moved through my retreat this year, I was beginning to feel a little disappointed. For several days I had been intensely focused on the Sacred Scriptures, but I was at a loss as to what the Lord was really trying to reveal to me. Read More

O come, let us adore him

Christmas candles and winter in North America make it easy to visualize the Gospel of John’s description of Jesus as a light shining in the darkness. Read More

Witnessing Royal Events

This is a week of mourning and transition. As the United Kingdom remembers and celebrates the life of Queen Elizabeth, the world community grieves the loss of a remarkable woman. A person who fulfilled her official duties for over 70 years, until two days before her death, the queen was also a devoted mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother, cherishing her time with her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren at her summer home in Scotland. Inheriting the legacy of his mother, Prince Charles has assumed his role as king. Read More

Relics left behind

One of the highlights I experienced early this summer was an event that took place in my parish. I am a member of St. Bernadette Parish in Appleton, and for two days we were privileged to have the relics of St. Bernadette present in our church. The relics were in a beautiful gold container encased in a glass box. The box was set in front of our statues of the Blessed Virgin Mary and St. Bernadette. Read More

It all began with First Communion

One on my favorite Sundays of the Easter Season is Good Shepherd Sunday. I think it is because this was the Sunday I made my First Communion so many years ago. I can remember the day as if it were yesterday. I can remember the excitement of getting ready at home, lining up outside of church to walk in, and the moment I received Jesus in the Eucharist for the very first time. There was a feeling of being so close to Jesus and a sense of joy that I was so loved by God. Read More