Reflections
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Renewal of Vows
On November 21 the Oblates and Visitation Sisters will renew our vows. Leading up to the renewal of vows, I presented a retreat to the Visitation Monastery in Toledo, what surprising lesson did I learn? ... Read More
Pray for Us
It is difficult for me to ask for prayers. This year during an event with fathers of students at St. Francis de Sales School, I shared the story of the Oblates and added a request to pray over a profession box for the next Oblate. Why is this box so important to Oblates and how can your prayers make a difference? …Read More
Ready - Set - Worry
We are told in Scripture that we need to be vigilant, awake, and alert. Yet, sometimes this alertness changes to worry and anxiety or fear and anger. What do we do when this happens? How can St. Francis' writing help us when we hit that tipping point... Read More
One Thing Left
My students in our Salesian Leadership class are preparing presentations drawing upon Fr. Thomas Dailey's, OSFS, book, Live Today Well. How can Salesian Spirituality help to unite oneself with God throughout the day? When does this strategy start?
I’d Rather
Hearing stories about physical feats is a common experience at boys' high schools. But, stories about courage that require only mental strength do not flow so easily - whether asking the girl to homecoming or even scarier feats...
Vocation Story
Over this week I met with the Oblates who are directly involved in our vocation and formation programs. Everyone has their own unique stories and experiences of their vocation journey. As I prepare to celebrate 15 years as an Oblate, here is mine…
Delighting and Inviting
Like many of you, I am fortunate to have an incredible travel experience this summer that I will not soon forget. I have spent the past weeks in Annecy, France with brother Oblates from around the world. There are many stories and insights to share, but I want to focus on the lessons I learned from the gathering table...
To Be Like Him
For a long time, I believed that my older brother and I were nothing alike, aside from both being Oblate priests. However, in his major works, St. Francis de Sales makes the point that we become like what we love. How is this reflected in our lives and how can this teaching help us be more like Jesus…
Falling, Healing, Persevering
When I was a senior at DeSales University I joined the cycling team. I enjoyed the sport but quickly learned that even the best cyclists fail. How can the classic saying “get back up and try again” be applied to our spiritual lives?
Heart to Heart
Last week, almost 90 members of both provinces of the Oblates of St. Francis de Sales came together for the first joint meeting between provinces since 2018. During our time together, we focused on spiritual renewal and examined Pope Francis’ writings on our patron saint...
This is Going to be Messy
Camp DeSales in Brooklyn, MI begins sessions with “messy games” to set a tone of humility and freedom for the retreat. What sacrament leaves us a little messy but very free? How can we continue to bring the gifts of that sacrament into our lives?
Nowhere Else
I often confuse our loving God with a dutiful one. With our spirituality emphasizing God’s presence in the here and now, I often feel I am not ready for Him. Have you felt this? What is God’s reply?…
And Here Comes the Holy Spirit!
As I prepare for Pentecost, I think of two Oblates who have impacted my life. and how the work of the Holy Spirit through them made many lives richer…
“Come and Meet My Son”
The priest always sits next to the grandma at wedding receptions. I love this for several reasons but most of all because I learn more about who God is when I’m seated next to a grandma…