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Even though the Feast of Francis doesn’t come until October, August is a month to celebrate our Franciscan Heritage.  We write today (August 2) on the Franciscan Feast of Portiuncula which recalls a small chapel in Assisi, a foundational home for the Franciscan family...

2021 has been an uncertain time for many things but clearly for our nation.   As we celebrate July 4th this year we celebrate the 244th birthday of our nation.  The opening words of the Declaration of Independence gives us a clear challenge as a nation:: “We hold...

In our Catholic tradition May was always focused on Mary and June was dedicated to the Sacred Heart.  From our childhood many of us may have seen pictures of the Sacred Heart of Jesus around our homes as a symbol  of God’s abundant and selfless love through the heart...

I had the privilege of time in our hermitage.  As you would expect everything was still and peaceful and I found myself being overwhelmed with this awesome sense of gratitude.  I am convinced that gratitude in many ways is a doorway to wonderful surprises.  At that...

On Saturday, August 22, Boy Scout Troop 225 from the church of St. Joseph in Aston, Pennsylvania, restored the walking path (blue trail) that leads from Red Hill Farm to the Hermitages. Eagle Scout Peter Rigotti and approximately 20 scouts, parents, and friends...

Sojourners has a wonderful article on how White Liberals Perpetuate Racism.    It is a powerful statement that can help to educate us all on the system wide reality of Racism and the role we have had in its existence. Here is a link to the article:...

The Eucharist, among other things, is a memorial of Jesus’ sacrifice for us, of his great act of “being broken”, of giving himself over in love. Properly understood, the Eucharist, as a ritual, gives us another kind of “real presence”. It makes present for us the...

Sr. Dominica sent me these jokes several weeks ago and I think we need some jokes now. THIS IS WHY WE LOVE CHILDREN 1) NUDITY  I was driving with my three young children one warm summer evening when a woman in the convertible ahead of us stood up and waved. She was...

Creator God, We look to you during this time of illness, uncertainty, & physical distancing from others.  Be with us as we place our anxieties and fears in your hands. Free us from the illusion of invincibility, so that we might remember our actions affect others,...

Stop. Just stop. It is no longer a request. It is a mandate. We will help you. We will bring the supersonic, high speed merry-go-round to a halt We will stop the planes the trains the schools the malls the meetings the frenetic, furied rush of illusions and...

Lockdown Yes there is fear.Yes there is isolation.Yes there is panic buying.Yes there is sickness.Yes there is even death.But,They say that in Wuhan after so many years of noiseYou can hear the birds again.They say that after just a few weeks of quietThe sky is no...

Henri Nouwen tells a story  about his community at L’Arche: There is one of my friends who is quite handicapped but a wonderful, wonderful lady. She said to me, "Henri, can you bless me?" I remember walking up to her and giving her a little cross on her forehead. She...

It is an astounding how many come for ashes on Ash Wednesday.  They remind us of our mortality and call us to repentance and a desire for transformation.  It's good for us to reflect on that call  during this Lenten Season but I am also reminded of the beautiful quote...

I had the privilege of time in our hermitage.  As you would expect everything was still and peaceful and I found myself being overwhelmed with this awesome sense of gratitude.  I am convinced that gratitude in many ways is a doorway to wonderful surprises.  At that...

Last week, on a very hot day, the Meyer Group gave back by volunteering time beautifying the grounds at Clare House where retreatants can stay and reflect close to nature in a quiet and serene atmosphere.  Clare House and our Hermitages are located within natural...

The first three days of this week were filled with bright sunshine and flowers and a softness in the air.  It is as though all of nature is excited to be around and blooming.  It is a time when, seeing all the flowers, you recognize and begin to appreciate all that...

The past four weeks have been stressful because I was under a lot of pressure to get our new website  up and running.  Somehow or other I managed and now I feel rather happy with myself.  I am fortunately or unfortunately one of those people who do well under...