Partners In the Mission

May 14

Should we go with the oak or pine? I’m leaning toward the oak. BTW, a Sister of Mercy recently shared with me the symbolism behind this “Mercy Cross” design. Catherine McAuley experienced many tragedies growing up and found much meaning in Christ’s suffering on the cross. She spent many years living with a protestant family who did not allow crucifixes in the home. Instead, Catherine focused her prayer on a door, specifically the cross implied by the molding. In the Mercy cross, the smaller cross within the larger cross symbolizes our suffering in the context of Jesus’ suffering and paschal mystery. Purchase your own Mercy Cross here.

Should we go with the oak or pine? I’m leaning toward the oak.

BTW, a Sister of Mercy recently shared with me the symbolism behind this “Mercy Cross” design.

Catherine McAuley experienced many tragedies growing up and found much meaning in Christ’s suffering on the cross.

She spent many years living with a protestant family who did not allow crucifixes in the home. Instead, Catherine focused her prayer on a door, specifically the cross implied by the molding.

In the Mercy cross, the smaller cross within the larger cross symbolizes our suffering in the context of Jesus’ suffering and paschal mystery.

Purchase your own Mercy Cross here.

May 12

Working With Faith

Last night, I got to present a talk at Theology on Tap for the Muskegon Deanery in the Diocese of Grand Rapids.

I began by referencing The Clown of God by Tomie dePaola. No matter how insignificant your work may seem, it can give glory to God.

I then referenced Laborem Exercens by sharing the three-fold spirituality of work offered by John Paul II.

  1. Through work, you can participate in the work of the Creator
  2. Jesus was a worker himself - a carpenter
  3. The toil of work is best viewed in light of the paschal mystery

These were my starting points. Here’s my mind-map of the rest of my talk.

May 10

Cerberus-Caritas deal includes Catholic escape hatch - FierceHealthcare

May 04

“Money is like gasoline during a road trip. You don’t want to run out of gas on your trip, but you’re not doing a tour of gas stations. You have to pay attention to money, but it shouldn’t be about the money.” —

Tim O’Reilly interviewed at INC.com

His life is a vivid demonstration that interesting things can happen when you are working for more than money.

Talk about mission integration!

/via Daring Fireball: ‘Interesting Work for Interesting People’

Running a hospital: I was wrong. I am sorry. -

Robert Quinn would call this “Embracing the Hypocritical Self.” 

Read more of the story.

May 03

Can profitability and religious mission be integrated? -

Yes.

But what do we mean by profit?

Usually, we think of profit as money going into the pockets of CEOs and stockholders. Hospitals with a religious mission must be profitable too! The difference here is that the money that would otherwise go straight into the pockets of a few people goes into community benefit programs that support the stakeholders of the hospital - the members of the community, especially the poor and vulnerable.

/via FierceHealthcare

Apr 29

(via) Captain Integrity

(via) Captain Integrity