Franciscan Month Reflection Series

For me, Halloween or All Hallows’ Eve, has always been magical-- and mystical. While Wikipedia is intent on explaining the difference between these two terms, I will explain how they are intertwined. I vividly remember my childhood Halloweens: the decorations, the costumes, going out after dark, and of course, the CANDY. So. Much. Candy. For me, there was magic in the air. Jack O’ Lanterns glowed on porches, children were transformed into costumed creatures, and did I mention candy? Full disclosure: I trick-or-treated until I was 28 because I loved it so much I didn’t want to let it go. All of this is the magical part. Even now, as fall begins to encroach on summer, I sense Halloween in the air, dark clouds passing over the moon. The wind whispers, “All Hallows’ Eve is coming.” Combine this with the colorful falling leaves, cooler air and pumpkin spice lattes (!?), and I can feel the harvest season ending as the barren winter approaches. Halloween bears the message that All Saints Day

  The Lord GOD has given me     a well-trained tongue, That I might know how to speak to the weary     a word that will rouse them […] He is near who upholds my right;     if anyone wishes to oppose me,     let us appear together. Who disputes my right?     Let him confront me. See, the Lord GOD is my help;     who will prove me wrong? ~ Is 50:4-9a For your sake I bear insult,     and shame covers my face. ~ Psalm 69:8 “See, you lowly ones, and be glad;     you who seek God, may your hearts revive! For the LORD hears the poor,     and his own who are in bonds he spurns not.” ~ Psalm 69:33-34 Then Judas, his betrayer, said in reply, “Surely it is not I, Rabbi?” He answered, “You have said so.” ~ Mt 26:25   To act and do good in accordance with our values, principles and beliefs are becoming something difficult in our society because we will find ourselves in situations or with people that will try to silence and humiliate us for not accepting our opinions. There

It has been a distinct honor to be an active part of the St. Francis College community in Brooklyn, NY ever since my son enrolled at SFC in 2016. Having been born in Brooklyn and considering SFC myself as a potential college choice many years ago, I knew SFC was a special place. The energy was different, the people were different – I knew this would be a great fit for my son, but I also couldn’t help but think: “How can I become more deeply involved in this community!” That thought started a journey that has guided me to the Executive Suite at SFC as I now serve as Interim President. During my journey, I have learned a great deal about St. Francis of Assisi and his deeply compelling life of genuine love and the genius of his ministry. Most of us, I’m sure, are familiar with God’s answer to Francis when he was at a point of confusion and indecision in his life. God said: “Francis, go and rebuild my church which, as you see, is falling down.” It is widely understood that Francis thought

On the cusp of my fifth anniversary of working at St. Francis College, I find myself reflecting on the many opportunities I have been given to introduce the Franciscan tradition to students, faculty, and staff. Each time, I feel like my spiel is a bit more refined. The encounter with the leper, the battle of Perugia, the stigmata, a prisoner of war, Clare going out the death door, the voice of God, undressing for Assisi's townsfolk, Greccio, Gubbio, Leo: there are many intriguing, inspiring, and inviting scenes to share which make up the illustrious story of the origins of the Franciscan tradition. I particularly enjoy telling the story of Clare creating a new path for her life. I find that students are captivated by the courage that Clare enacts when she makes the bold decision to deny the path laid out for her and to, instead, do something for which, given her place in society, there was certainly no precedent. This is a captivating scene in her life for us to consider, but what

On his deathbed, St. Francis freed his Brothers by saying, “I have done what was mine to do, may Christ now teach you what you are to do.”  Why did he say this? So that his Brothers would not try to become him.  God created each of Francis’ Brothers to be who they were, not who St. Francis was.  The key for them finding out what was theirs to do was discovering whom God intended them to be.  Now, 800 years later, self-awareness for our students is just - if not - more important.   A Franciscan view of career suggests each of our students needs to know who they are so that they can see the Good inside themselves, and share that Good to maximize their contribution to transform a world desperately in need of their Good. Sadly, for most college students, self-awareness is in short supply.   On my radio show Thank God For Monday, guests advise that today’s college graduates are not self-aware.   Sure, they know accounting and biology and information technology, but are hopelessly cluele

...I have possessed a life-long love for education. Well, not so. As a young girl, I constantly complained about school and its drudgery. Nevertheless, my demanding mother, a first-generation American of Japanese parents, took academic achievement very seriously. Her constant reply was, “School is work. Work is good. Now get to work!” As a point of honor, I obeyed. It was not until later in life that I began to sincerely appreciate the real value of education. And, it was not until I began my work as a professional and a scholar in higher education that I could honestly define school in the loftier terms so often used by college educators and serious students. Rather than “work,” I now find myself characterizing the college experience in such high expressions as “the joy of learning,” “the search for truth and beauty,” “understanding the human experience,” and “faith seeking the reason.” These lofty aspects of education are important and too often overlooked. Nevertheless, they are not