Charity Reflections

This season brings many challenges: to continue the hard work of protecting all from the coronavirus, to work for healing of broken persons and unjust structures, to hold the common good as central. We pray for students, teachers and parents, for those who are...

July 31 marks the foundation day when Elizabeth Seton began the community in Emmitsburg. By Regina Bechtle, SC On a hot summer day in 1809, a group of women made their way to a lush valley in the rolling hills of northern Maryland, near the village of Emmitsburg. They...

“I live in hope – you know, and if in this world all is blasted, still we will hope and hope to the last.” – St. Elizabeth Ann Seton (Elizabeth Bayley Seton, Collected Writings, Volume 2, 649) Hope by its nature desires something in the future, and expects to receive...

Readings: Exodus 24:3-8; Psalm 116; Hebrews 9:11-15; Mark 14:12-16,22-26 Bread is the staple of many cultures: white, rye, sourdough, Middle Eastern pita, tortillas and pan dulce from LatinX countries, French baguettes, Ethiopian injera flatbread, Irish soda bread,...

From centuries ago, the words of our founders still resound, full of wisdom and insight for today. Saints Elizabeth Ann Seton, Vincent de Paul, and Louise de Marillac invite us to open our hearts to Christ’s gift of the Holy Spirit, to our neighbors around us,...

Readings: Deuteronomy 4:32-34, 39-40; Psalm 33; Romans 8:14-17; Matthew 28:16-20 Have you ever wondered about the number of times in a single day you make the Sign of the Cross? I hadn’t really thought about it until I was recently waiting for a Saturday 5 PM Mass to...

READINGS: Acts 2:1-11; Psalm 104; 1 Corinthians 12:3-7, 12-13; John 20:19-23 In her book Mary for Today (Thomas More Press, 1977), Sr. Patricia Noone, SC reflects on Mary’s presence among the early disciples as they awaited the coming of the Holy Spirit: “The...

“Go to Him with faith, love and confidence – He will help. Fill yourself with his Spirit and He himself will govern.” – St. Elizabeth Ann Seton (Elizabeth Bayley Seton, Collected Writings, Volume 3B, 38) As we prepare for Pentecost, the practical advice of St....

Readings: (Seventh Sunday of Easter) Acts 1:15-26; Psalm 103; 1 John 4:11-16; John 17:11b-19; (Ascension) Acts 1:1-11; Psalm 47; Ephesians 1:17-23; Mark 16:15-20 Change is in the air! The warmer spring weather helps, of course. More than in previous years, it seemed,...

READINGS: Acts 10: 25-26, 34-35, 44-48; Psalm 98; 1 John 4:7-10; John 15:9-17 Themes abound today: Eastertide readings; the feast of St. Louise de Marillac, special for the Sisters of Charity and the entire Vincentian Family; Mother’s Day. Many threads in today’s...