It was to be just an ordinary evening, or so he thought. Time to bring wood in for the stove. Perhaps he could snatch a little time for himself, briefly away from his busy family. Finnian, his little shadow, had other ideas. The good father could not resist those bright blue eyes, alive with curiosity. … Read moreWhat the Little Boy Said
One brilliant autumn afternoon I turned my face to the sun and felt its warmth, drinking it in, as New Englanders do, knowing that winter snows would soon beat upon us. I do not take this sunny day for granted. I am standing in the middle of a football field exhilarated by the presence of … Read moreRadical Thanksgiving
How blessed I was this summer to visit Ireland with my husband. We joined 22 other Americans on a Catholic pilgrimage, visiting towering cathedrals and the crumbling ruins of monasteries and castles. One of my favorite stops was the coastal village of Cobh, famed as the last stop of the ill-fated Titanic on her maiden voyage. … Read moreFather Browne’s Saving Grace
In this third installment of our pilgrimage through Ireland, we head north to the remote village of Knock in central Ireland, past fields where sheep peacefully graze in lush green pastures. The Gaelic word for Knock is Noc which means hill. It was here on August 21, 1879 that a small group of poor Irish … Read moreThe Mystery of Our Lady of Knock
November is a stark time of year here on our small farm in Maine. Trees are stripped bare by blustery winds. Maple leaves, once bright and golden, cover the ground, and now are made brown and slimy by cold rains. Garlic and tulip bulbs lie buried under the hard soil, planted with hope of new … Read moreWhispers from the Grave
