News of Sunday’s eruption of El Fuego Volcano in Guatemala hit me first thing on Monday. Its devastation is a reminder both of the power of nature and the way people’s lives can be changed in an instant.            I first heard about it through texts and emails from others who know I often visit Guatemala. In fact, I feel a special bond with the beautiful and ...

The sign at Memorial Park in Waterville tells passers-by the park will be closed for 850 days, from June 11, 2018 to September 30, 2020!            This park is situated along the Maumee River and is part of the ‘staging area’ for the building of the new bridge. I can’t wait to go to the newly opened park in only 28 months.          ...

            Saturday morning I was at Resurrection Cemetery for a burial. As I looked out from under the tent, I could see trees, bushes, lawn, and hedges of countless shades of green. After what seemed to be a long gray winter, the sight was most welcomed.            This time of year produces fresh and tender leaves on most ...

            I sat on the bank of the Ohio River in a little park in Troy, Indiana, a very small town in the southern part of the state. At that point, the river is wide and flows with purpose. This spot, one of my favorites, is only a few miles from the monastery where I was making retreat. The spiritual symbolism of watching water flow was enough to justify my ...

            As birds grow up, they leave the nest. Some parent birds ‘encourage’ their little ones to fly away by pushing them out of the nest. Most adult birds keep an eye on the fledgling little ones, helping them navigate the challenges of life.            It’s not uncommon that humans use the ‘leaving the nest’ phrase as a ...

             As I watch the bricklayers cover all the yellow insulation on the exterior of our new building, I am aware of the many aspects of the construction that are already invisible to the viewer.            The footer, as important as it is, lies beneath everything and cannot be seen. The cement blocks on the walls were ...