I'm sorry it's been so long since my last post.  Like it is for most of you, time seems to be moving at breakneck speed, and I can't believe Thanksgiving is here.  Last weekend, I led a Making All Things New retreat for a wonderful group of people, some traveling from as far away as Indiana.  What a gift it was for me to share some practices drawn from the spirituality of...

I have always been drawn to the sea.  Growing up in Southern California, I was close to the Pacific Ocean, and my family went often during the summer.  On a couple of occasions, we rented a beach house and it was a wonderful gift to walk out the front door and be on the beach in minutes.  Camping adventures on Catalina Island provided new revelations about the vastness and power...

This Wednesday (October 4th) is Walk Maryland Day, and whether you live in Maryland or not, try and get out for a walk and enjoy being outside.  According to the American Diabetes Association, walking is probably the safest and least expensive form of physical activity.  It can fit into just about everyone's schedule, and only 30 minutes of walking per day, five days a week, can...

One of my childhood friends was in Washington DC recently, and we had the chance to get together one evening and catch up.  At some point, we got to talking about food, and she made a comment which went something along the lines of "who doesn't like a lentil soup?"  We had a great time talking about both the past and the future, but for some reason her comment about lentil soup...

Here in Maryland, it's starting to feel, at least a little bit, like fall.  I love it.  To me, the change of seasons reminds me that there are many things, including weather, that are outside of my control.  The recent hurricanes are sadly a clear indication of this.  May God bless and strengthen those who have been effected by these incredible...

This past Saturday, I returned from a weeklong silent retreat.  The Retreat Center where I was is at the top of a large hill, I guess too small to be considered a mountain, but for me, I felt like I was far, far away from the daily rhythms of my busy life.  It had been several years since I made an extended retreat, and boy did I ever miss them.  As providence would have it, the...

Today, July 31st, is the Feast of St. Ignatius.  Without a doubt, adopting the spirituality rooted in the life of this great saint has made a huge impact in my life.  Nearly ten years ago, I happened to sit across a dinner table from Fr. George Lane, the publisher of Loyola Press.  The initial conversation started with Fr. Lane asking me, "so what do you know about Ignatian...

Where has July gone?  I'd like to say I've spent most of it at the beach, up in the mountains, someplace where I'm called to slow down and relax.  Well, my July hasn't been that.  I've been super busy, but I hope the results of all this activity will bear fruit in the future. First off, I've been working on my health. If you follow this blog, you know that my favorite...

Each year, my friends and colleagues at Loyola Press offer a wonderful gift to those devoted to Ignatian Spirituality.  For the entire month of July, which ends on the Feast of St. Ignatius, daily updates will include articles, blog posts and videos to help you gain new/deeper insights into the spirituality which developed out of the life of this great saint.  You'll find everything ...

Do you remember the movie, Dead Poet's Society?  I was a teen when it came out, and there was a lot in the film which struck me.  Sometime back, I showed just the beginning of it to my religious ed. class, the part where Robin Williams had his class gather around the trophy cases in the school hallway.  He told them to move in close and listen intently.  Did they hear...