I'm embarrassed to say that I only recently became aware of an important historical site in my home state of California. On our recent trip to Fallen Leaf Lake (which has a story all its own), Greg and I made a visit to the Manzanar National Historic Site. In 1942, the United States government … [Read more...] about A Visit to Manzanar
Travel
Field of Honor® at Mission San Juan Capistrano
Yesterday, I had the distinct honor of attending the opening of the 2021 Field of Honor® at Mission San Juan Capistrano. Having grown up in Orange County, I fondly remember family visits to the Mission. But it's been years since I've been back to the historic site founded by Father Junipero Serra … [Read more...] about Field of Honor® at Mission San Juan Capistrano
Australia Memories! See What They Said…
I'm grateful in so many ways to my friend and co-worker in the vineyard Nathan Ahearne for his generous coordination of my recent speaking mission in Australia. Nathan recently shared this article written immediately following my visit. Along with the video he created, this summary gives you a small … [Read more...] about Australia Memories! See What They Said…
Australia Journal Kicks Off!
Once again, I am counting my blessings and packing my bags as I prepare Friday to embark on the journey of a lifetime: my very first speaking mission to Australia! I'm traveling at the invitation of some very generous faith communities in Australia. As I anticipate all of the things that I'll … [Read more...] about Australia Journal Kicks Off!
Celebrating Venerable Father Patrick Peyton
This morning, as I sit in Boston Logan Airport counting my blessings, I'm fondly remembering this weekend's beautiful Mass in celebration of the life and legacy of Venerable Father Patrick Peyton, C.S.C. Over the past year, my life and heart have been inextricably linked with this audacious … [Read more...] about Celebrating Venerable Father Patrick Peyton
Kenya Journal: Day Seven – February 25, 2018 – Transfigured by Love
Today, we had the great privilege of worshipping and receiving the Eucharist with the parish community of Christ the Savior Catholic Chapel in Meru, Kenya. When we drove the short distance to the parish and entered through metal gates, I did not understand that we were actually entering the grounds … [Read more...] about Kenya Journal: Day Seven – February 25, 2018 – Transfigured by Love
Kenya Journal: Day Six – February 24, 2018 – Saturday in Tharaka County
Today’s journal entry will be short, as our visit to remote Tharaka County had us on the bus and walking dirt roads for many hours. I’m tired, very tired… but it’s a joyous kind of tired. Tharaka-Nithi County is one of the 47 counties of Kenya located in Kenya's former Eastern Province. The … [Read more...] about Kenya Journal: Day Six – February 24, 2018 – Saturday in Tharaka County
Kenya Journal: Day Five – February 23, 2018 – The Power of Story
The disciples approached him and said, "Why do you speak to them in parables?" He said to them in reply, "Because knowledge of the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven has been granted to you, but to them it has not been granted. To anyone who has, more will be given and he will grow rich; from anyone … [Read more...] about Kenya Journal: Day Five – February 23, 2018 – The Power of Story
Kenya Journal: Day Four – February 22, 2018 – Malaika, My Angel
We began today with a love song. Since song and dance are woven into the fabric of everyday life in Kenya, it's become a tradition that at many of our daily Unbound functions, we are greeted with musical entertainment. Today, was no exception, when the elders and mothers of Unbound's Nanyuki … [Read more...] about Kenya Journal: Day Four – February 22, 2018 – Malaika, My Angel
Kenya Journal: Day Three – February 21, 2018 – Empowered Mothers and Walking the Line
Today, I straddled the Equator and prayed intentionally for the grace to "walk the line" in my life. In a sense, we are hitting our groove here in Kenya. Our group of sponsors has become a family of sorts. We watch out for each other, reminding friends to apply sunscreen and to drink sufficient … [Read more...] about Kenya Journal: Day Three – February 21, 2018 – Empowered Mothers and Walking the Line
Kenya Journal: Day Two – February 20, 2018 – Family Fun Day!
Can you remember the very first time you or your child traveled? How about the first time you went to a zoo, slept in a hotel or even used a camera to take a photograph? The past few days, we Unbound sponsors were treated to the joy of being witnesses to these "firsts" as we welcomed our … [Read more...] about Kenya Journal: Day Two – February 20, 2018 – Family Fun Day!
Kenya Journal: Day 1 – February 19, 2019 – Getting There and Gathering
The joy is palpable, but to be honest so are the nerves. On this, my third Awareness trip with Unbound, I recognized some of the feelings in my stomach as a series of on-time arrivals carried me from the podium of the Columbus Catholic Women’s Conference through O’Hare airport in Chicago and … [Read more...] about Kenya Journal: Day 1 – February 19, 2019 – Getting There and Gathering
Kenya Journal: Journeying to Kenya with Unbound in 2018 #UnboundAdventure
Hujambo! Are you ready to pack your bags and embark upon another #UnboundAdventure? I'm thrilled to share that in February, we'll again be journeying with my friends at Unbound to see the work being done by Unbound staff and sponsors in the country of Kenya. This will be my third trip to Africa, … [Read more...] about Kenya Journal: Journeying to Kenya with Unbound in 2018 #UnboundAdventure
Encountering God along the Pilgrim’s Path
I am still unpacking--literally and figuratively--from my recent pilgrimage along The Notre Dame Trail. In preparing to share the experience tomorrow morning for my monthly appearance on Relevant Radio's Morning Air program, I was praying yesterday before Mass about the difference between travel and … [Read more...] about Encountering God along the Pilgrim’s Path
The Trail Continues
As I sit in my office dressed in my favorite walking shoes and itching for the crunch of a few miles under my still-sore feet, I feel the need to put something... anything... into writing about how I am feeling following the experience of just having walked The Notre Dame Trail. For those who … [Read more...] about The Trail Continues
Three Wins for the Non-Gambler in Vegas
My "office" for the past few days had a rainbow of neon lighting and the hum of electronic chimes as "white noise". While I wasn't actually "working" on the casino floor at the Luxor, our stay in "sin city" provided me with the opportunity to catch up on "what happens in Vegas". Let me point out … [Read more...] about Three Wins for the Non-Gambler in Vegas