What’s New

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...

As a child, I always felt uneasy about saying in the Act of Love “I love you above all things, with my whole heart and soul….” Yes, God was important, and I was supposed to keep on the good side of that important person. But my bike and dolls were very high...

In John’s gospel Mary Magdalene goes to the tomb of Jesus “while it was still dark.” In that gospel darkness is the realm of Satan, the enemy of human nature. Recall the first words “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He...

It all started with a teacup.  My brother and sister had just arrived at our home in Walton, NY, a small town on the West Branch of the Delaware.  As they settled into comfortable chairs in our family room around our wood- burning stove, we served tea.  The...

Springtime means budgeting and planning for IVC regional directors. At the same time, we’re reflecting on the current year with our volunteers and agencies with an eye toward continued service and partnership this fall. As IVC regional directors, we live in a constant...