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In the July 18th edition of our local newspaper, the Walton Reporter, there is a picture of three children standing on the steps of the Walton Theatre, Mara, ten years old and her two brothers, Meyer and Maddox, ages seven and four respectively. Mara had just heard...

In May 2012 IVC volunteers from NY, NJ, Syracuse, and Boston, came together for our final retreat in Long Branch New Jersey on the Jersey Shore. The weather cooperated, and we were able to enjoy inside and out. The author of this year's book, Tomorrow's Catholic,...

Spiritual reflection is related to, but not the same as, seeing our reflection in a mirror. When we look at ourselves in a well-lighted mirror, we see, in present time, our face or other external components of our bodies exactly as they are. When we reflect upon our...

Catholicism has a great sense of place, a faith rooted in special locations around the world.  There is the Holy Land, of course, but in the last two millennia Catholicism has developed a long list of sites around the world with special meaning: the Vatican, Santiago...

How does a volunteer become an IVC volunteer—a “man or woman for others,” committing considerable time, effort and spiritual attention to serving the poor—during a time in life when others their age are taking it easy? In recent interviews with 10 prospective IVC...

For many of us who have been reading through Michael Morwood’s Tomorrow’s Catholic, there arise strong feelings. Maybe these are feelings of elation and hope that someone (at last?) has articulated the doubts, hopes, fears that we all have about our Church. Maybe they...

In the gospel readings for the last few days before Pentecost we hear Jesus’ prayer in John chapter 17. It is the last prayer before he goes to his death. Try to put yourself in his place. You have had a mission in life, and you have done your best to carry out that...

On the morning of the day I type this, Rev. Larry Rice--a homeless activist (and some say, selfish clown) who runs the New Life Evangelistic Center--was released from the St. Louis City Justice Center.  Yesterday, Rev. Rice and three others (one supporter and two...

Last week at the shelter, 4 year old Brandon was having a rough day. He was cooped inside with all of the other children (mostly girls) and no one was treating him well, as he let everyone know through constant crying fits. Since I wasn’t that busy, I offered to take...