Reflections

I recently returned to the place where so many seeds of faith, friendship, learning and service were first planted — Our Lady of Mount Carmel Grammar School. As I walked along the old school grounds, so many memories came rushing back— all the fun and games we played during recess, the games of punchball and Buck Buck, the monthly Hot Dog Days, ice cold cartons of milk, the school bell, the upper gym which became our version of Hoosiers, our beloved Sisters of Charity and lay teachers, my classmates, and the priests and church that defined that formative period of my life. What has stayed with me most over these past 57 years is the increasing realization that it was these ordinary moments and extraordinary people who helped shape the person I became—and the person I believe God is still calling me to be. I am forever grateful.

“May the road rise to meet you. May the wind be always at your back. May the sun shine warm upon your face, and the rains fall soft upon your fields. And until we meet again, may God hold you in the palm of His hand.” — The Irish Blessing I love celebrating St. Patrick’s Day. …

“𝘽𝙪𝙩 𝙬𝙝𝙞𝙡𝙚 𝙝𝙚 𝙬𝙖𝙨 𝙨𝙩𝙞𝙡𝙡 𝙖 𝙡𝙤𝙣𝙜 𝙬𝙖𝙮 𝙤𝙛𝙛, 𝙝𝙞𝙨 𝙛𝙖𝙩𝙝𝙚𝙧 𝙨𝙖𝙬 𝙝𝙞𝙢 𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝙬𝙖𝙨 𝙛𝙞𝙡𝙡𝙚𝙙 𝙬𝙞𝙩𝙝 𝙘𝙤𝙢𝙥𝙖𝙨𝙨𝙞𝙤𝙣 𝙛𝙤𝙧 𝙝𝙞𝙢; 𝙝𝙚 𝙧𝙖𝙣 𝙩𝙤 𝙝𝙞𝙨 𝙨𝙤𝙣, 𝙩𝙝𝙧𝙚𝙬 𝙝𝙞𝙨 𝙖𝙧𝙢𝙨 𝙖𝙧𝙤𝙪𝙣𝙙 𝙝𝙞𝙢 𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝙠𝙞𝙨𝙨𝙚𝙙 𝙝𝙞𝙢.” 𝙇𝙪𝙠𝙚 𝟏𝟓:𝟐𝟎 I don’t really remember when I first heard the Parable of the Prodigal Son, but it captivates me every time. …