Dear Friends, I love the month of March -- spring arrives, we celebrate St. Patrick’s Day and those of us who are sports fans revel in the excitement of college basketball and March Madness! Last year at this time, March Madness was cancelled, theatres went dark, and the St. Patrick’s Day parade was cancelled. Churches closed, people...
Dear Friends, As we begin Lent I can’t help but think of these words from Pope Francis’ Ash Wednesday message: "love is a gift that gives meaning to our lives. It enables us to view those in need as members of our own family, as friends, brothers or sisters. A small amount, if given with love,...
Dear Friends,The Roman philosopher Seneca said “Every new beginning comes from some other beginning’s end.” Isn’t this true of this new year? We have the opportunity to start anew - with new leadership and a focus on building bridges and bringing people together rather than tearing one another down.As I listened to President Biden’s inaugural...
Dear Friends,Over the holidays I had a chance to see a report on Good Riddance Day - a day inspired by a Latin American tradition to give people a chance to rid one negative thing from their lives and add a good wish for the upcoming year. For me, I want to return to normal....
Dear Friends,A hero can best be defined as a person who is admired or idealized for courage, outstanding achievements, or noble qualities, so let me tell you about my heroes.As I was thinking about this crazy, mixed up year and all that I have to be thankful for, I am truly honored and proud to...
Dear Friends,As we prepare to vote in the coming week, I saw this quote in a magazine by Sharon Salzberg and thought it was appropriate for us at this time. She said, “Voting is the expression of our commitment to ourselves, one another, this country, and this world.”In just a few short days we will...
Dear Friends,What a month September turned out to be! In New York City, parents have had to scramble to find ways for their children to learn safely, guests are rushing to complete the census and register to vote, the country is mourning the death of Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg and, during Hunger Awareness Month, our...
Dear Friends,Summer is here, and I’ve been thinking about all of the things we traditionally do during the summer: barbeques, the beach, block parties, and plenty of outdoor fun. This year, though, we are challenged to find new ways to stay cool, beat the heat, and try to go on with our day-to-day activities while...
Dear Friends,As we move into the fourth month of the COVID-19 pandemic, we are faced with record unemployment, longer lines and more and more guests in need of healthy food and vital social services. We continue to respond in the true Vincentian way -- to serve all who come to us as if we were...
Dear Friends,In just 3 short months our lives have been changed forever. We will never go back to the way things were and should we? Over the Memorial Day weekend, we took time to thank those who serve and protect us; I took time to think about what I am most thankful for - family,...