My Experience in a Catholic Worker House: LACW and "Black Jesus"

This summer I spent part of my vacation visiting the Los Angeles Catholic Worker. The Catholic Worker movement, initiated by Dorothy Day and Peter Maurin in the 1930s, began with people talking. They talked about what it would take to create a world where it was easier for people to be good. They talked about what it means to live justly and love one’s neighbor. They talked themselves right into action.

We Say Yes Prayer

I wrote this prayer and reflection for work. We are a group of many religious faiths, coming together to move our collective work of striving for a just and sustainable world.

“The real job is to lay the groundwork for a deep change of heart on the part of the whole nation so that one day it can really go through the metanoia we need for a peaceful world” – Thomas Merton

"What do you plan to do or to be with your one, wild and precious life?"

It was the middle of the afternoon on June 3rd when I arrived at the Catholic Theological Union both nervous and excited about what would happen the next couple of days. When I walked through the doors of where I would be staying, I was greeted with smiles and a warm welcome. After I settled into my room, I walked downstairs to the Student Lounge to pick up my program materials for the weekend and I began to meet some of the other participants from all over the United States.

iFeliz Pascua! - Happy Easter!

I grew up in Mexico, and Easter Sunday there was very different than the Easter we celebrated in the U.S. once we moved here.

A Reflection on Lent

I am sure if they took a poll on one’s favorite liturgical season Lent would most likely not come out on top. In most cases Lent is viewed a sort of a downer. As Ash Wednesday approached I began to reflect on what Lent is really all about. I must honestly admit that while growing up I never thought too highly of Lent.

"I also have to do something" - A Reflection from a Christian Base Community in Nicaragua

“I have a lot of faith in God so I pray that God will keep this project going. But I can’t just pray; I also have to do something.” Doña Socorro, the woman who shared with me this insight, is the coordinator of a daycare for children of low-income parents who work outside the home. The project is one of many carried out by a Christian base community in Nicaragua.

"They have no wine" - A Reflection on Cana and Haiti

“They have no wine.”

The Mystery of Christmas

Advent: The Season of Hope

Two young woman are sharing their reflections on the season of Advent with us.

Advent: The Season of Hope (by Liz Weigel)

All Saints: Daily Reflections on Saints, Prophets, and Witnesses For Our Time by Robert Ellsberg is currently one of my favorite books. This book is a source of hope for me and isn’t Advent about Hope? Hope for the coming of our Savior, Jesus Christ. Hope for the birth of a new world order, one where peace and justice reigns.

Discernment as a Means to Life - My CoC Experience (by Rachel Longoria)

Rachel Longoria is a CoC alumna from the August 2009 conference. Rachel is a sophomore at University of St. Thomas Houston TX, majoring in environmental science.