I was telling some friends recently that I'm amazed at how quickly Lent flew by this year.  It came during the intense time of preparation for the final stage of my doctorate, so I'm guessing that may have had something to do with it, but as I talked to people, they had the same experience.  Maybe it's that we're all just too busy.  Today is a day for quiet reflection.  It...

As providence would have it, I had the chance to spend a few days last week working at a conference in Ocean City, Maryland.  I've stayed at the particular hotel a number of times, and I'm sure it was chosen by the sponsors because every guest room is ocean front.  I took this photo the morning after I arrived. Even though it was cold and windy, I still sat on my little balcony to...

My sister and I were down in Washington DC last week for a couple of big events.  The first was to see the famous blooming cherry trees surrounding the tidal basin.  Sadly, that late winter storm caused most of the blossoms to freeze, reducing the dramatic show to a whimper.  Having built this event up over the last several months, my sister couldn't wait to see those beautiful...

Tomorrow is Ash Wednesday and marks the beginning of the penitential season of Lent.  As I think about the days ahead, I'm grateful for the chance to be introspective, to see and pray through the parts of my life which need work.  It's time, probably overdue.   Maybe it's the same for you.  This morning, I was thinking about the last lines of Psalm 139, one of my...

Yesterday evening, I sent my doctoral treatise to my director at Catholic University of America.  It took almost five years to get to that point of hitting the send button, but in a flash, it was on it's way, to begin the final stage of reaching my goal of achieving a doctorate.  All that's left to do now is my defense.  While still a big deal, it will be nothing like...

Tomorrow will be a big day for our country, with the inauguration of a new president, Donald Trump. Regardless of where you stand politically, people of faith should be praying hard for our country and for the new president and his administration. Although many, including myself, had hoped and prayed that the election mudslinging would come to an end, in many ways it seems to be intensifying....

This past weekend, I had to the joy of introducing a group of about twenty people to Ignatian Spirituality.  What a joy it was to see so many of the retreatants have "ah ha" moments, some of which might truly be life-changing for them. I certainly pray that is the case, and I hope the on-line continuation of our time together proves to be even more fruitful.  Anyone who reads...

Happy New Year!  I don't know about you, but I'm really ready for the new beginning which always comes on January 1st.  Sure, many people make resolutions which quickly fall by the wayside as the days and weeks roll along, but that shouldn't stop you from trying.  On this first day of January, I feel like I'm up for the challenge of sticking to my resolutions this year.  A...

We're in between seasons right now in Maryland.  One day, it's cold and you need a coat.  Then a few days later, it's warm enough for shorts and a tee-shirt.  Before we know it, though, winter will settle in and we'll be cold for months.  I like these back and forth days, since they remind me that there are just some things I can't control.  Weather is one of them, and...

This is the theme which was chosen for the 36th General Congregation of the Jesuits, presently meeting in Rome to elect the 30th successor of St. Ignatius.  For the last several days, over 200 Jesuits from all over the world have been meeting, praying and getting to know one another, since most have never met each other.  It's hard to believe that, in the span of 476 years, there have...