- By Melannie Svoboda SND
Next Monday, January 20, 2025 is, as we know, Inauguration Day in the United States. This is the day Donald J. Trump will be sworn in as President and James D. Vance as Vice-President. We hold both of them in special prayer. It is also a day for all Americans
- By Melannie Svoboda SND
On December 24, 2024 Pope Francis initiated the Year of Jubilee for 2025. It will conclude on January 6, 2026. Here are a few answers to some questions you might have about this special year. What is a jubilee year? A jubilee year is a deeply rooted tradition in the
- By Melannie Svoboda SND
That scripture verse is one of my favorites. In fact, many years ago, one of my artistic friends, made me a clay vigil light holder with the two words “Be still” carved out on one side and the word “peace” on the other. When I put a small candle inside
- By Melannie Svoboda SND
We’re all very familiar with the story of the first Christmas. But here are a few other stories that flow from that first Christmas. The real meaning of Christmas: A priest friend of mine went into a large discount store to buy a nativity set. When he didn’t see any
- By Melannie Svoboda SND
Today I’d like to offer this reflection on the person in my mirror. Maybe you can say similar things to the person you see in your mirror… Dear person I meet every morning in my mirror… … the person who’s been with me every moment of my life, and who’s
- By Melannie Svoboda SND
You probably already know something about trees. You may know, for example, that they absorb carbon dioxide and produce oxygen, thus helping to maintain a healthy environment for other life forms–such as ourselves. They also reduce soil erosion. And they provide food and shelter for a wide variety of wildlife.
- By Melannie Svoboda SND
The readings for Advent are filled with good news. Here are a few samples: “Justice shall flourish in his time and fullness of peace forever” … (Ps. 72:7) “In days to come… they shall beat their swords into plowshares and their spears into pruning hooks” … (Is. 2:4) “The calf
- By Melannie Svoboda SND
One perk in life is having friends who work in a library. They are forever recommending good books for you to read. My library-friend recently recommended this book to me: A God in the House, edited by Ilya Kaminsky and Katherine Tower. The blurb says the book is “a collection
- By Melannie Svoboda SND
I’ve been doing some reflecting on healing these days–not merely the physical kind, but other kinds as well. Here’s a little prayer that arose from my reflecting… “Heal Us, Loving God” Heal us, Loving God, from our tendency to judge others. Remind us that we have no idea what burdens
- By Melannie Svoboda SND
Several times a year I devote my blog to humor. After all, humor is good for our physical health. Laughter enhances our intake of oxygen, stimulates our heart, lungs, and other muscles, and increases the endorphins that are released by our brain. Laughter is good for our spiritual health too.
