56 years ago Thomas Merton warned…

56 years ago, Thomas Merton warned that the failure to enact the Gospel’s social implications would result in an “Earthly Hell.” “Social Implications” is about the Great Good. Merton’s role as a mystic voice of awareness, soul searching, compassion, and peace is even more remarkable considering the ways conflict, confusion, doubt touched his personal life. […]

The Widow’s Mite

For example, assuming Both Richard Rohr and Bishop Strickland of Tyler TX preached today on the Gospel, (Mk 12:38-44 or 12:41-44) I can just imagine, maybe they would be as different as night and day. The widow had no plan B, no savings to fall back on, no tomorrow. How many of our hierarchy would […]

GREEN JUNCTION: The earth’s natural balances have been disrupted BY JULIE PELLER PH.D

The severe, unprecedented weather associated with increasing concentrations of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere is more concerning every passing year. The recent record heat in the US Northwest made headline news for several days. Temperatures in Portland, Oregon, reached 116oF, higher than other cities in the US have ever reached, except Phoenix and Las Vegas. […]

GREEN JUNCTION: What resources from Mother Nature do you treasure and protect? BY JULIE PELLER PH.D

The reason we hear about semiconductors in the news is due to the shortage of semiconductor chips. Semiconductors are materials that have properties that are essential in most electronic devices. Silicon is the most widely used semiconductor. It is an element and is often produced by heating silicon dioxide (sand!) at very high temperatures, along […]

Green Junction: Global Warming is Climate Change by Julie Peller Ph.D.

Green Junction Unusual weather events have become more common and generally are a result of the earth’s changing climate. The science of climate change is incredibly complex with extensive consequences, yet many want to describe it or deny it in very simplistic ways. The term global warming is defined by the United States Geological Survey (USGS) as […]

Green Junction: Heavy metal pollution is a problem by Julie Peller Ph.D

Exposure to heavy metal pollution is a problem around the globe. Many heavy metals, such as lead, chromium, arsenic, and mercury, can lead to serious harm upon exposure, often in meager amounts. Heavy metals can be taken in the body through food, water, air, and commercial products, such as old paint, treated lumber, old pipes, […]

Holy Week Reading

During this Holy Week, I am reading more of Bonhoeffer and the similarities of thinking at times between him and Louis Putz CSC. The concept of a “religionless Christianity” seems to be having more appeal today, especially in the US and Europe. Even though, as a historian, I would at first knee-jerk say it would […]

You are the Church

“Economic justice and equality are, in principle, akin to political justice and equality. To understand this is to understand how economic and political democracy involves parallel institutions.” ~ Mortimer J. Adler “This is our destiny, to do the best and the greatest that is now to be done.” ~Isaac Hecker And with these two thoughts/quotes in […]

Green Junction: “Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself.” By Julie Peller Ph.D.

In wearing face masks, practicing physical distancing, getting vaccinated, and following other public health measures, we live God’s commandment, “Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself.” Moreover, when we respect, value, and show gratitude for the gifts of others, their expertise, the services they provide, especially during difficult times, we live according to this law […]