by Father John Catoir My aim in my work is to encourage everyone I come into contact with to live a more joyful, optimistic life. In the face of all the troubles we encounter in this world today, I realize that this task can seem daunting to some. But I also know that everyone can […]

I recently moved to a new city, so I’ve been trying to find a new running group. Last week, I joined a group that had no idea what the word “hospitable” meant. The leader greeted returning runners, who clumped into small gaggles of people who were not interested in talking to the new girl. Nobody said hello, nobody welcomed me.

FOR MANY PEOPLE around the world, summer means vacations. When I grew up in Hong Kong, we did not have the practice of family vacations. Early in my career, our family went to wherever I had a summer conference. It was not quite a vacation as I always spent part of the time away from the family, laboring and stressing over various duties.

ON A CLOUDY Saturday morning, I sit in my usual prayer spot by the patio door and watch the birds in the yard. I admit, I find them endlessly fascinating. The little sparrows who process almost solemnly by my small statue of St. Francis; the tiny, brilliant yellow birds who make a quick appearance and then flit away; the occasional bright red cardinal; the bevy of robins; the shiny, noisy blackbirds; the pairs of turtledoves who stay so lovingly close together – they all intrigue me.