October 22 St. John Paul II (1920-2005) “Open wide the doors to Christ,” urged John Paul II during the homily at the Mass when he was installed as pope in 1978. Born in Wadowice, Poland, Karol Jozef Wojtyla had lost his mother, father and older brother be

Ponder: Am I truly present to all interactions I have in a day. Pray: God of creation, take away my fear of people and things that are different so that I may see our common bond.

Ponder:  Of all the things that I consider “mine”, are there any that really deserve that title? What would I not share with another? Pray: God of creation, we love our fences, our doors and our locks. Help us to remember all those persons without the pr

October 19 St. Isaac Jogues, Jean de Brébeuf and Companions (1607-1646) (1593-1649)saac Jogues and his companions were the first martyrs of the North American continent officially recognized by the Church. As a young Jesuit, Isaac Jogues, a man of learnin

Ponder: Can I try today to look closely at someone I might otherwise ignore and to see them as family? Pray: God of creation, help me not to want more and more but to appreciate the many gifts you have already given me. Help me to share these gifts with

Ponder: How central is God in my life? How can I improve our relationship? Pray: God of creation, it is so easy for me to think I’m in charge, that one small failing won’t affect much. Help me to realize that everything I do has an impact for good or ill

October 17 St. Ignatius of Antioch (d. 107?) Born in Syria, Ignatius converted to Christianity and eventually became bishop of Antioch. In the year 107, Emperor Trajan visited Antioch and forced the Christians there to choose between death and apostasy. I

Ponder: What does my local homeless shelter need for its guests? What can I provide? Pray: God of creation, when riches for one mean poverty for another, help me to seek the welfare of all.

Ponder: What steps can I take now to reduce the impact I have on the Earth and its resources? What can I give back? Pray: God of creation, help me to see ways that I can repay the Earth for some of the bounty it has given me.

Ponder: How many “thous” are on my life? How might I begin to widen my circle? Pray: God of creation, fill me with the wonder of your presence in everyone I meet so that we may all become one.