A few weeks into the pandemic last March, Fr. Fabian Marquez, pastor of El Buen Pastor Mission in the Sparks Colonia of El Paso, in the heart of one of the poorest neighborhoods in Texas, counted the weekly collection from the parish. The grand total was $45. During a ...
I might as well have put up my hand and shoutedhaltin the midst of a stampeding herd of cattle. The beautiful harvest moon above was extinguished and the stars disappeared as if they were candles being snuffed out one after another. I knew when I was defeated. Hurriedly, my feet beat a...
It would be a great shame to miss them in the midst of circumstances that threaten to smother and snuff out the joy of living every day. I’m still trying to figure out the exchange-rate, but I think the inflation of the difficult times has made the coins I have saved up worth much...
It has been nearly ten years since we moved out of that drafty, old Victorian home across town. A lot has happened since then. I’ve acquired a new son…well, a son-in-law, really, but the process of bringing him intoourworld cost about the same as having a child at the hospital....
Although, I am often privileged to be part of the worship team on-stage, on this day I stood in the midst of the main group on the floor level. My mind, as is too often the case, was on the more practical issues of my life—work, finances (or the lack thereof), uncertainties of...
But, then I wonder if in the midst of the laughter, the impact of these thoughts on this ridiculous practice makes its way to the target. We have our own words in our culture for the practice.Self-absorbed.Self-centered. Selfish.