from our confreres

There is no doubt that we face great challenges in our world and in our Church. It always gives me solace to know that every age of our world and church has confronted similar or even greater challenges than we have today.

What do Howard Schultz of Starbucks, Steve Jobs of Apple, Walt Disney, and Bill Marriott, Jr., have in common with Vincent de Paul? They demanded excellence in serving their customers—defining ridiculously high standards and exhorting their people to exceed expectations, take swift action and strive constantly for improvement.

St. Louise de Marillac (1591-1660) was a great friend and valuable collaborator of Vincent de Paul and co-founded the Daughters of Charity with him. 

At his very core, John Richardson was a humanitarian, a progressive, a Christian, and a Vincentian Catholic priest. Later in his career, John became a missionary in Kenya after a full life at the age of 73; he went to serve in Nyeri, Kenya. We all remember the wonderful letters he wrote from Kenya. Those beautiful letters showed us the depth of the man, his values, and what was important to him.

I have reflected on Loran’s wisdom over the years when thinking about family, classmates, students, friends and co-workers. It helps to know that everyone is odd and to be able to laught about it. Jesus found imperfect people, too. He taught them, healed them, forgave them, and laughed with them (“He was like us in all things but sin”).

In reflecting on life and other distractions this week after Easter and before spring really blossoms, I am savoring memories of Dave and other good friends who have fortified me over the years and cherish those memories and the blessings that come with them.

It is easy, it seems to me, to be overwhelmed these days with the Russian invasion of Ukraine and all the suffering and death innocent people are experiencing.

We start the week with Palm Sunday and end it with Easter about to burst forth. Christian communities around the world will be concluding Lent and celebrating the Risen Christ. Jews will be celebrating Passover. Ukrainians will be clinging to life, many in a new country where they take refuge.

My friend and confrere, Vitaliy, is moving around Ukraine driving trucks and riding trains to move tons of medical supplies and food to Ukrainians.