Friar Side Chats

We believe that each of us can take some concrete, simple steps to help build the Kingdom wherever we might be. So whether you’re in a summer internship, volunteering with DukeEngage, working a summer gig, or chugging along with your career, there are so many ways to maximize your experience and bring something special to your workplace. (Don’t sell yourself short: you can do this! We’re here to walk you through it.)

When we’re in the midst of travels big and small, do we take the time to appreciate the journey or are we fixated on getting to our destination? How can we better appreciate our travels (even the horror stories!) and allow for incredible encounters with Christ along the way?

Summer Sundays find many of us away from the familiarity of Duke Catholic Center Mass or our local parish. And of course we “know” the Mass is the same wherever we go, but what do we do when we find ourselves comparing Masses and missing the familiar scenes and faces? From bake sales for the little old ladies to the unique architecture of each church -- we dig into just how we can appreciate our Mass experience wherever we are!

Sitting down with senior Luke Duchemin, we dive into the mom factor: that unique selflessness and spirituality that our mothers and mother-figures in our lives offer us. What makes our moms such incredible witnesses of love and sacrifice? How can you be more like your own mother? And how can Mary, as the ultimate mother, help us grow closer to Jesus?

Lent is a time of sacrifice. Why, then, is the end of the Lenten season sometimes such a difficult time? For some of us, we might be struggling with some guilt over not fulfilling our Lenten promises. But nevertheless, Easter should be a time of celebration, joy, and singing “Alleluia!” So how can we move joyfully from a great/mediocre/failed Lent to the joy of the Easter season?

We’re all accustomed to the phrase: “to walk a mile in someone’s shoes.” Yet whose shoes are more important to walk in than the God of Creation, Jesus Christ? Join us as we dig into the powerful spiritual impact the Stations of the Cross can have on our lives. After all, we know that Jesus walks with us in the midst of the burdens of our lives, but it’s never more clear for us than when we actually take the time to walk with him as he carries his.

We're obviously a bit biased when it comes to college basketball. But it's undeniable that the Cameron Crazy experience (or the experience of any avid fan, really) offer some serious life and spiritual wisdom when you get down to it: from goal-setting and dreaming big, to appreciating the details and giving 100%.

“I’m just a college student!” "Well, I'm still paying off student loans..." "But my parents support me." We each have our excuses for why now isn't the ideal time for us to be generous with our resources - limited as they may be.

Still, Almsgiving is one the three pillars of Lent and Jesus specifically calls us to care for those in greater need than us. Whether it is our time, treasure, or talent (or ideally all three!), it is essential we develop a habit of intentionally giving of ourselves to the marginalized.

Join us as we dig into Ash Wednesday and this Lenten season through the lens of our 2018 theme of Commitment. To what (or whom!) do we commit when we set out our Lenten penance? How can we recommit ourselves daily? And why is it so important that we set a Lenten penance anyway?

We all know that what we eat impacts our body, but what about the media we consume on a regular basis? Do we take steps to ensure that the music, movies, social media, and even news we're ingesting is going to nourish our lives? Don't worry if you're not there yet, we have some great tips for you. (And it doesn't just mean cutting everything out!)