Around the Province - The Eastern Province of the Congregation of the Mission

Divine Mercy, Pay It Forward Sunday

Apr 19, 2020 / Around the Province

“Pay it Forward” and Divine Mercy Many may remember a movie in 2000 called “Pay It Forward.” The lead line in the movie was, “When someone does you…

The Emmaus Road – To Emmaus? or Back To Jerusalem?

Apr 14, 2020 / Around the Province

We are all on a journey! But where are we heading? Direction matters I am on a road. I know I am on an Interstate highway. But I…

Reimagining the Story of “Doubting Thomas”

Apr 14, 2020 / Around the Province

I thought I knew the meaning of the story of ‘doubting Thomas.’ That is until I read, “Like Thomas, I Don’t Always Believe” by Ryan Henderson Espinoza. Now…

Engraving An Image (John 13:1-15)

Apr 14, 2020 / Around the Province

In his biweekly post, Fr. Tom Mckenna CM, asks us to visualize a video clip that would capture Jesus and his fundamental message. Recently I’ve been paying attention…

We Walk In the Shadows of Silence

Apr 14, 2020 / Around the Province

Fr. Joe Agostino, CM, Coordinator of the Vincentian Family Office, led the Good Friday Services at the Motherhouse of the Eastern Province in Philadelphia. He reflected on standing…

The Way of the Cross Through Mary’s Eyes

Apr 07, 2020 / Around the Province

Creighton University’s Online Ministry offers a glimpse into Mary’s sufferings by suggesting some things might have gone through a mother’s heart as she watched helplessly as He carried…

Holy Week Through the Lens of “Saving Private Ryan”

Apr 07, 2020 / Around the Province

It can be tough to preach to a community of priests and brothers. It could be tougher when in the era of physical distancing we were literally spread…

A Vincentian View: Pope Francis’ Urbi et Orbi

Apr 07, 2020 / Around the Province

In his bi-weekly reflection on FamVin, Fr. Pat Griffin, CM, draws our attention to the way in which Pope Francis gave word to our feelings as he preached…

Holy Saturday, Jesus In the Tomb, and Our Closed Churches

Apr 07, 2020 / Around the Province

Everyone agrees! This Holy Week is like none other experienced by anyone alive today. It is especially painful with our churches not being open to celebrate Eucharist. We…

There Has Got To Be a Better System

Apr 07, 2020 / Around the Province

There has got to be a better system! I don’t know about you, but I shake my head when I read about the various shortages of critical equipment…

A Parable in Time of Pandemic – God Speaks

Apr 03, 2020 / Around the Province

It is a story of uncertain origins but appears in many places on the internet. The Lord will save me After a horrible flood, the waters rose so…

Blessings in a Crisis?

Mar 31, 2020 / Around the Province

A Vincentian currently with the Vincent de Paul Society, Jim Claffey, looks at making the pandemic a call to do things better. As leader of the Vincentian Family…

Words – and Words (John 4:5-42)

Mar 31, 2020 / Around the Province

Fr. Tom McKenna, CM, in his biweekly reflection for Famvin, asks us to reflect on how get past that first, surface-only understanding and move into the ever-expanding territory…

Keeping the Soup Kitchens Open?

Mar 31, 2020 / Around the Province

In his weekly reflection for FamVin.org, Fr. Michael Carroll, CM, reflects on Who Will Run the Soup Kitchens? I had originally planned to begin a series about the…

Stepping Back With Pope Francis

Mar 31, 2020 / Around the Province

As I was looking for the text of Pope Francis’s extraordinary blessing/reflection on the world at this time of crisis, I came across this passage. It is from…