Announcements Events Serve Give The story of "Mike" I sometimes reminisce about my time at Port Saint Vincent de Paul. When I do, the story of “Mike” bubbles up. Mike was not the usual homeless individual. Mike came to the Port due to a combination of his own obstinacy and the intentional neglect of others. A farmer well past his hay-baling years, Mike had foolishly taken in … [Read more...]

Announcements Events Serve Give A Conscious Relationship with God “Call to me and I will answer you and tell you great and unsearchable things you do not know.” Jeremiah 33:3 A number of years ago, I saw a photo entitled “School Prayer.” In it one sees first graders in prayer. Their faces are serious. Most have their eyes closed with a strained, stressed look. Their … [Read more...]

Announcements Events Serve Give Help. Love. Serve. Here is a poem by Barry Hannah that I ran across many years ago. For me, it speaks of what Jesus might have said when he appeared to the disciples in the first days after his resurrection. I love the phrase “There are no more rulers.” As you read this this week, what phrase or phrases pop out at you? Feel free to tell me when we see … [Read more...]

Announcements Events Serve Give Old Rugged Cross This is one of the hardest days we face in our Christian tradition. For this Good Friday, we face the fact that Jesus of Nazareth, whom we name as Messiah, died. There is no getting around this fact. Jesus died. His death was not pretty. It was not meant to be pretty. For it was done by Rome.  If we have … [Read more...]

Announcements Events Serve Give Heading into Holy Week This Sunday is Palm Sunday- the beginning of Holy Week.  As I was growing up, I never paid much attention to Holy Week.  We would always take a trip down to Peoria to visit my grandparents.  When I was a grade schooler, Easter Eggs and candy highlighted those … [Read more...]