One of the remarkable aspects of our time in Yuma this winter has been our association with St John Neumann parish where we have become part time parishioners. This is a wonderful Catholic Christian community offering daily Mass and all sorts of other activities calculated to grow one’s faith life. As you know, Helen and … More Driving out the Fear

Spending the winter months in the desert gives one a different perspective at night for most often the night sky is clear and the stars and planets are clearly visible. Helen and I have had the opportunity to experience this perspective this winter at Yuma Arizona located as we are in the Foothills area which … More MOVING OUT OF THE SHADOWS

In the Gospel of Mark [5: 21-43], Mark records 3 encounters of people with Jesus. Please read this scripture through a couple of times. Jesus has returned from Gerasene having crossed the Lake by boat. He is met by a large crowd. Jesus is firstly approached by Jarius, president of the synagogue, begging Him to … More VOYAGE OF ENCOUNTER: PART IV

The story of the encounter of the rich young man with Jesus recorded in the Gospel of Mark [Mark 10: 17-31] illustrates the degree to which Jesus wants to connect with us. Please read that scripture through slowly a couple of times and in your imagination put yourself at the scene as the exchange takes … More VOYAGE OF ENCOUNTER: PART III

The encounter of Jesus with the woman at the home of Simon, the Pharisee, [Luke 7: 36-50] is instructive in so many ways. The scriptural passage should be read through a couple of times. The artist depicts the scene and in doing so brings to life background information that flesh’s out the Gospel account. Note … More VOYAGE OF ENCOUNTER: PART II

[A special thanks to Fr. Greg Adolf, Pastor of St. Andrews parish in Sierra Vista, Arizona, for the inspiration for these blogs on the Gospel of Encounter which flowed out of a day of Recollection that Helen and I took in at our home away from home parish [St John Neumann] at Yuma Arizona on … More A VOYAGE OF ENCOUNTER: PART 1

In my blog posted on November 11th, 2015, I commented on the inauguration of the Kingdom of God with the birth of Jesus as a critical manifestation of God’s mercy. The incarnation was in the planning stage since the fall of Adam and Eve and perhaps before that. The all good and gracious God was … More The Kingdom of God: both “among” and “within”

I sit and think about the many Christmas seasons that have come and gone and the preparations that have been made to make Christmas “merry” without any real attention to the spiritual preparation that should accompany this time of year. Advent really is about God’s mercy for the “Incarnation” witnessed on that first Christmas paved … More In Search of Advent

I awoke with a feeling of disquiet I knew that although this was just another day The time had come to trust the mirror And gaze without anger or self reproach deep within For my soul was in need of restoration.   The Spirit seized the moment and whispered Gently and I gladly listened in … More Facing the Dragon

If you have ever been a sports fisher and you have spent time on the water trolling for your meal you will know that going down into the depths to catch your fish requires specialized equipment including perhaps a fish finder and depth finder as well as a down rigger or some other apparatus to … More Angling in the Deep!