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. […]

Green Junction: What to do about plastics? By Julie Peller Ph.D.

I often write about plastic pollution since it is one of the greatest threats to the earth. Our current lifestyles rely on these materials, meaning that plastic production will continue to increase, at least in the short term. Another reason I regularly highlight this environmental threat is because each of us can make a difference […]

Green Junction: 90% of all toys are plastic. By Julie Peller Ph.D.

An estimated 90% of all toys are made of plastic. These are used for a short time or even several years but have a much longer lifetime on earth as garbage. Most plastics are made from fossil fuels. Newer plastics that contain a portion of material derived from plants are marketed as bioplastics; however, these […]

Reflecting on the year, as a historian

Is authoritarianism the default model for nations? Do we understand that authoritarianism produces a level of conceit, militarism, overextension, and bureaucratic calcification in leadership? Study the patterns throughout history. Is authoritarianism the new wealth, power & Prestige? History/Philosophy teaches us that when governments move toward authoritarianism, it is because the people don’t believe it could […]

Green Junction: “We should rejoice when we sacrifice.” By Julie Peller Ph.D.

I extend warm wishes of joy and peace this Christmas and New Year to all of you.Julie I recently read that “we should rejoice when we sacrifice, giving something back to God or to someone whose needs are greater than ours.” This beautiful sentiment can be extended to creation. The someone can be Mother Earth: the land, air, and […]

Thinking about Christmas

I wonder how many pastors or parishioners understand the history of Christmas. From the time of Jesus’ death, the birth never had the same significance as Easter until the 1400s. It didn’t become a liturgical celebration until around 333 because the Holy Roman Empire needed to deal with the pagan solstice. What better way than […]

Green Junction: Season of Creation by Julie Peller Ph.D.

Green Junction In this Season of Creation (9/3 – 10/4), Pope Francis reminds us to take “decisive, urgent action to transform the climate crisis into an opportunity.” The high severity of natural disasters in just the last few months has touched the lives of nearly one-third of the people living in the US. From the […]

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 […]

Reading just may haunt us.

I am what many call an “active retiree‘. I retired from a career job but not from being active in the world and helping it become better. I do virtual book clubs along with public speaking, and the book clubs are more like discussion groups virtually via “Zoom”—all as a labor of love to encourage […]

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. […]