After a week of losing sleep over the suffering of little children taken from their parents at the border, many days of speaking out and also of sending what money I could to organizations trying to help these separated families, I texted to one of my sisters in Carmel, still feeling very sad. I asked… [Read More]
The American Personality and our Mission as Catholics
It is a day to celebrate, to be with loved ones, and to pray for our nation. Let it also be a day to reflect on who we are, and who are called to be! What is our mission as Catholics in the US? And what does it mean to talk about our mission as… [Read More]
A Sign of Our Times: The Temptation of Survivial
The temptation of survival begins with fear in our hearts deceiving us that there are not enough jobs, resources, and food even though statistically we throw away half of our food every year. The spirits of fear and greed trick us into believing we are no longer safe, and we must protect and preserve all… [Read More]
Meditation and Decisive Times
We live in decisive times. And while perhaps that’s always true in some way, I think we can say that in a particle way about our times today. I don’t have to describe it for you too much, because you live it as well. Tensions are high. The pace of available information is frenetic. And… [Read More]
Resist like a Catholic II: protesting Neo Nazi-ism with the Aggies
There has been shock and outrage at Texas A & M and in my community over an unwanted visit from Neo Nazi Richard Spencer, engaged to speak on campus by another Neo Nazi, Preston Wiginton. Both men are white supremacists who advocate for a “peaceful ethnic cleansing.” Though everyone was appalled, it became apparent that… [Read More]
No Room at the Inn: an ongoing true story
My youngest daughter begged me to help a friend of hers whose family had no place to live. It was an emergency situation. They had tried everything. Her friend had come to her in tears- a friend who I had only ever seen smile and laugh- a kid I remembered by his radiant smile. This… [Read More]
Don’t Hinder The Kingdom; Another Reflection on the Immigrant Crisis
And they were bringing even their babies to Him so that He would touch them, but when the disciples saw it, they began rebuking them. But Jesus called for them, saying, ‘Permit the children to come to Me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these.’ -Luke 18:… [Read More]
Immigration – St Ignatius Martyr Parish Social Ministry Council Panel Series
This year the ACNM in partnership with Saint Ignatius Parish Social Ministry Council is excited to be hosting a monthly pot-luck speaker series featuring the many social ministries in Austin Texas In our first panel which took place September 30th we discussed how Catholics are responding to the needs of immigrants in our nation and how you can be… [Read More]
When you see… A Reflection on the Immigrant Crisis
According to the local folklore, the drama at Sacred Heart in McAllen all started with what a few saw. A little over a month ago, a few sharp-eyed Catholics noticed a gathering of dirty young women at the bus station. Maybe it was a passing glance. Maybe it was out of the corner of the… [Read More]
Imaginary Lines; Real Problems
Fun fact #1: the distance between the house where I live today and the Capitol of Texas is Approximately 13 miles. Now that I think about it that is about as close to the Texas political process as I care to reside. On the other hand the distance between the hospital where I was born… [Read More]
Immigration Reform is Important
Here in the Central Texas, we live off one of the busiest paths in the country that brings people and products to and from Mexico. Many of us have spent a considerable amount of effort planning how to be navigate through or around I-35 so that we can get to the places we need to… [Read More]
The Irish Struggle (Review: “Flight of the Earls”)
As a Notre Dame grad, I am always in the company of proud Irishmen (and women). Even though St. Patrick’s Day was suppressed for the Fifth Sunday of Lent this year, I managed to wear a little bit of green, and I randomly heard a track from my twin friends’ St. Patrick’s Day compilation on… [Read More]
