Category Archives: religion

“The Prayers of All Good People Are Good”

I used to teach Willa Cather’s My Antonia quite often when I taught English at community colleges. It is still one of my favorite books. The one line that has stayed with me all these years is one said by Jim Burden’s … Continue reading

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Second Sunday of Lent

I went to Mass today with surprisingly little trepidation. I was ready for the hugs and even the one friend who was teary. I was ready to listen to the Scriptures. And I knew the first reading, Genesis 15, at … Continue reading

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“Habits” interview on A Nun’s Life

This interview is almost two years old, but I didn’t realize it was available as a podcast. I had so much fun doing this interview with Sister Julie Viera and Sister Maxine Kollasch. For those who would like to hear … Continue reading

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Red River Valley

I have been driving around North Dakota the last few days. It is something I’ve wanted to do for quite a while. North Dakota was one of three remaining states of the contiguous 48 that I had not been to … Continue reading

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Cemetery Committee Report

As a new pastoral council member, last night I attended the annual parish meeting. By far the best report came from the Cemetery Committee. They are a group of older men– looking for volunteers– whose cemetery management and development is … Continue reading

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Props for Father Daniel

Father Daniel Durken died on Saturday, March 29, at the age of 85. For me, he will always be the model of what a priest should be and can be. Hard working, fully engaged with Scripture, prayer and with people, … Continue reading

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Mindfulness in Mid-November

I know I’m writing a novel, but yesterday was a poem of a day. It has been a long time since I’ve been so genuinely and completely, simply happy in a day. After some really bitter cold around here– single … Continue reading

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The Art of The Saint John’s Bible– complete!

I believe one of the very highest highlights of my writing life so far has been to open a book that I wrote (published last week), The Art of The Saint John’s Bible: The Complete Reader’s Guide, and read this … Continue reading

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Long Prairie

Today was one of those miraculous days during which things unfold again and again into the extraordinary. Today we went to Long Prairie. Long Prairie is a little more than an hour from where we live. You take the interstate … Continue reading

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The Verdict

The first news I heard when I woke up yesterday was the verdict in the George Zimmerman case. My heart was heavy. I know what message this sends to black boys even if it was actually just a matter of … Continue reading

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