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I was interested in pursuing social work from a fairly young age. When I was in high school, my big sister was getting her Master’s in Social Work. It drew my attention then – deepening over time.  I loved the focus on providing care, honoring dignity, and meeting people’s needs. Volunteering in the community has been an important part of my life. Still, what really drew me to social work is the profession’s commitment to justice – to going upstream, affecting policy, and cha

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year! I love saying those words as many times as I can during the season. Anyone who knows me, knows I LOVE everything about the Christmas season. I love Advent and the time it gives us to prepare our hearts for the birth of our Savior, then the Christmas season itself-Hello 12 Days of Christmas, and the reminder on Epiphany that “wise men still seek Him”. Even though I love this season, it is not my favorite because it is a constant reminder tha

This year has gotten me nostalgic so please try to bear with me. I’ve been thinking about the “Christmas Magic” that once existed for me as a child. My brother used to wake me up so early on Christmas morning so that we could stare at the tree (read: presents). Singing in the children’s choir on Christmas Eve. Later attending midnight mass and hearing the melodic and transcendent notes from the adult choir. Waiting and being in awe of snow. Enjoying the Christmas cookies my f

Two years ago, writing for the same solemnity we celebrate today , I began my reflection like this:  As far as images of God go, I am really  not a fan of ‘Our Lord, King of the Universe.’ The emphasis on God as dominating male conqueror, the ultimate embodiment of power and military might, feels not only inaccessible, but deeply troubling to me. Yikes. Little did I know then how much more viscerally, how much more urgently  I would be recoiling at this imagery, if taken only

“Keep death daily before your eyes.” This is one of the “Tools for Good Works” from the Rule of St. Benedict (Chapter 4). It is a simple line, no context, no explanation. Just one in a list of things to do to do good. Gazing at death is something we are particularly bad at in our society. We pay good money for anti-aging creams, sports cars, and supplements (well, some of us do) to feel like we can look away from death. Yet, St. Benedict calls it a “Tool for Good Works.”   Al

“So he went down and dipped himself in the Jordan seven times, as the man of God had told him, and his flesh was restored and became...

“Nothing we do is complete, which is another way of saying that the kingdom always lies beyond us.” There is a sense of beautiful irony...

If you have ever seen a post about a charity, GoFundMe or anything in regards to donating money and you have scrolled by with the thought...

Today is the 20th Sunday in Ordinary time. As I listened to the readings for today I instantly thought of my friend Kris. I haven’t seen...

I know that Wisdom’s Dwelling goes to great lengths to ensure its readers and contributors are more than adequately offered pieces for...

There are times when I hear scripture being proclaimed and I want to look around saying “did anyone else hear this?” It’s thought...

In our first reading, I am stricken by the Lord’s posture. “The Lord remained standing before Abraham,” despite Abraham’s pleading. It...

As Jesus and his disciples were on their way, he came to a village where a woman named Martha opened her home to him.  She had a sister...

I facilitate Urban Plunge Immersion Retreats. During these retreats students learn about, serve, and hopefully encounter in small...

Jesus’ instructions to his disciples in today’s gospel strikes right at my anxiety. He tells them to go forth, “carry no money bag, no...

Today the Church celebrates the Solemnity of Saints Peter and Paul – two men to whom God entrusted large parts of the early Church, and...

Growing up in my family, we had a special traditions around yearly birthday celebrations. The birthday person got to pick what they...

Come, Holy Spirit! Today we celebrate the solemnity of Pentecost. In the readings today, we hear about the apostles receiving the Holy...

I keep thinking of the moment when Jesus tells the disciples that they don’t need to know the times or the seasons for when God does...

Without in the least trivializing the splendid readings for this last Sunday of the Easter season, let me share that decades ago, I began...