There was the picture looking at me from the computer screen. It was an old picture from the middle of the 20th century, a classroom filled with native American children. And there were two things I noticed. First, the children’s hair. Knowing what I know about the indigenous peoples of the Americas, girls have beautiful,…
I recently was starting to help some people who have migrated to Boston with their language. I always begin telling them about my own mistakes in learning another language. Then, I start to tell them about knots. What are knots? Knots are the leftover after you have a confusing experience. You hear something announced on…
When I was 24 years old, I worked part-time in a parking garage behind Fenway Park. Unlike what you may think, there were no perks for working there: I couldn’t go into games, I didn’t get into dugouts or the player’s clubhouses. No free food or good views of the game. There was, however, one…
Back in 2009, I had helped out the Franciscans looking for financial support to build churches in places that couldn’t afford to build their own. They do the fundraising, and after they get the funds, they coordinate with the local people on the ground and the local community that they’ve identified as a one to…
I once started to volunteer helping to teach English as a second language. My first class, one of the first things I do is I ask, how did you learn your first language? Then we start making a list: mom and dad, other family members, the TV and radio, friends and neighbors, school, signs, music,…
The other day I stopped by my neighbor’s apartment across the hall. It’s been a while since I stopped by because we haven’t crossed paths so much like before. Her husband passed away about 2 months ago, and she often now stays with her daughter. She is Russian and speaks very little English, and so…
Spinal Tap. Best in Show. Waiting for Guffman. A Mighty Wind. These are some of the movies that have been produced by Christopher Guest over the past 30 years or so. They are comedies and what makes them a little bit different is that they are mockumentaries, which is a fake, funny documentary. But what…
Just a note to make you aware of a great opportunity in Boston this summer. Fr. Peter Grover is offering a free summer course on the 4 Gospels, and if you want to learn truly from the best – and for free at that! – this is a great opportunity. If you like my reflections,…
Hi everyone! You are invited to a meeting in Boston for Barriers To Bridges, the mission effort that I’ve begun in Ecuador. It will be focused on what’s happened in the last 6 months and how you and others can get involved and follow your inspiration. It should be fun and engaging! If you plan…
I have a master’s degree in mechanical engineering and a minor in mathematics, and I worked for 8 years in research and development. I helped to design the latest and greatest aircraft carrier, and have years experiencing teaching or tutoring engineering, math and physics. But when I go to Chontal in Ecuador, does anybody ask…
There was a young boy, wondering about what had happened to his father. His father had passed away, and he was wondering about his Dad’s fate. Was he in heaven and happy? Would he see him again? This was the young boy who approached Pope Francis with this question because it was too difficult to…
Over Christmas this year, I was in the village Chontal. The priest had asked that I lead the Christmas celebrations this time. They usually send a nun or two for the 9 day Christmas novena, culminating in the Christmas Eve celebrations. What typically happens is that the nuns come and join up with the usual…
