August 15, the Assumption of Mary—I’ve always wondered about this holy day. As a child, I imagined Mary floating into the clouds similar to Mary Poppins but without the umbrella. As a young adult, I didn’t give it much thought…
Our Lady of Mount Carmel continues to be a significant part of my BVM life. History tells the story of Hermits who lived on Mount Carmel in the 12th century and later of miracles attributed to Mary saving John…
BVMs Anne (St. Edwin) Buckley and Ann (St. Remi) Harrington attend a rally in Dubuque, Iowa, to advocate for a future free from gun violence. (Photo, 2018) Each year on National Gun Violence Awareness Day, thousands gather across the country…
Mary, on this blue-sky, sun-warmed spring weekend, I appreciate taking a walk with you. You know I need to make time for such refreshers. A favorite walking space is the parkway along the Mississippi River. Sadly, that area and much…
An ancient homily for this day begins, Something strange is happening—there is a great silence on the earth today, a great silence and stillness. . . . God has fallen asleep in the flesh . . . and God has…
The Lord’s Resistance Army (LRA) under Joseph Kony terrorized the population of Northern Uganda for 22 years. “During this time, over 300,000 people have been killed, millions have been displaced from their homes and over 26,000 children abducted and forced…
In Christ’s resurrection the world arose. In Christ’s resurrection, the heavens arose, in Christ’s resurrection the earth itself arose.” (St. Ambrose, De excessu fractris sui, bk. 1) Karl Rahner writes that the power of the resurrection is flourishing as the…
On October 24th, 1993, Marguerite (Maggie) Barankitse (b. 1957), a Tutsi, was working in the bishop’s compound in Ruyigi (Burundi). A mob armed with machetes and clubs broke in to kill Hutus who had taken refuge there. Maggie was tied…
Though Women’s History Month celebrates the often ignored accomplishments of women, it’s important to recognize all types of women achievement. If we’re not careful, by including one group of women and excluding another, we can actually create further marginalization. This…
Perhaps a seed was planted in my soul early on when my dad, a devout Catholic who rarely quoted scripture would say: "What does it profit a man/woman to gain the whole world and suffer the loss of his/her immortal…