I recently read this passage by theologian and Franciscan sister, Ilia Delio. It came to me at a time when I have been watching the decline in and nearness of death for our family dog, Frodo, a best friend, brother, confidante, and constant companion for my 18-year-old son, Gabe, for most of his life. Many…

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year from the Center for Spirituality and Enrichment!  This past summer, I had the lovely privilege of supervising a graduate student from Saint John’s School of Theology in Collegeville, MN while she worked on her field education. Her name is Katie Jonza and she is studying for a degree in…

November is a special month for many reasons…the end of the harvest and the celebration of its bounty, the definitive change in light, the movement of fall toward winter, and in the church, the remembrance of the saints and all those who have passed through the veil before us. For me, it is a time…

As for many, morning walks have been my lifeline and place of grounding during the Covid-19 pandemic, bringing me perspective and a sense of peace in the midst of a turbulent world. The natural beauty of the Duluth area offers me a glimpse of God—and, therefore, hope—every time I step out of my door. Recently,…

In 1931, the English author Aldous Huxley wrote a novel entitled Brave New World. When I read this book many years ago for a high school English class, I felt discomfort and fear at the possibilities being presented in this classic work. While our experience over the last two months certainly bears little resemblance to…