What’s New
How Does God Measure Success?
Recently in a session of spiritual direction I said “Do you think the kingdom of God took a big step forward when Constantine decreed that Christianity would be the religion of the Roman Empire? Or when a king in Germany or France converted to Catholicism and ordered...
Teenagers
This reflection comes from Ignatian Volunteer Kate Kniest, who finished her second year of service at Cristo Rey St. Martin College Prep in Waukegan, IL. It was originally printed in IVC Chicago's Footprints blog. Walking through the halls of Cristo Rey St. Martin...
Listening
In the midst of a pretty wretched period of our human “progress,” with wars again in the Middle East, as well as in Ukraine, Central African Republic and elsewhere, with a ghastly spread of Ebola in West Africa, with a tragically intransigent House and God only knows...
Peach Pie
Many food items can be frozen so that they will be available at any time of year. But freezing does not preserve some food as well as it does others. Fresh peaches and fresh peach pies are far better tasting than peach-based products that are made to last for a long...
Love & Lunch
Little Millie said to her mother, “Can we go to see Luisa today?” It was Wednesday, Love & Lunch at Our Lady of Loretto Food Pantry and Parish Social Ministry in Hempstead Long Island. Her mother explained that she had many things to do. Millie insisted that she...
Lost and Found
Stories abound of characters in very difficult circumstances who say: “I’m lost!” Such an exclamation conveys intense pain, confusion, or hopelessness, deriving its power from the feelings of a person who is literally lost, and is in the fearful situation of having...
Recruiting
“To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under heaven…” (Ecclesiastes 3:1) As with every organization IVC has seasons: recruiting...
“Dad, you don’t get it, do you?”
This article by my son John in America Magazine explains exactly what I had to learn many years ago on my first service trip with John and accompanying students while we were working with Haitians and Dominicans in the Dominican Republic. I share the article and my...
Worrywart
As a consultant who works for myself, I know well the vagaries of clients and cash flows. In the seven years I’ve operated my own business, I’ve had some good stretches, and a few not-so-good stretches where I would find myself sleeplessly staring at the ceiling in my...