Dear Friends of Joseph House: When we consider people in need—”the poor”—we may focus on how they’re different from us. Do we ever consider how we’re the same? Does that change how we want to respond to them? Our founder Sr. Mary Elizabeth once shared a story from the early days of the Joseph House…
Dear Friends of Joseph House: The month of June is the turning point of the year. As we approach the summer solstice, the days stretch out with long hours of sunlight, while the darkness of night takes a temporary retreat. But for human beings, darkness isn’t confined to the night sky. Summer days notwithstanding, darkness…
Dear Friends of Joseph House: We were talking not that long ago about what it means to be in charge. We laughed because being the “head honcho” is not always glamorous. In our line of work, it usually means you’re the one pushing a broom, cleaning up after everyone has left. This shouldn’t be too…
Dear Friends of Joseph House: When the tomb of Christ opened on that first Easter Sunday, a new reality for all people also opened up: resurrection is just as real as the cross. Although rooted in history and the bodily nature of existence, the Resurrection of Jesus reveals an entirely new horizon for the whole…
Dear Friends of Joseph House: We read with interest about a series of meetings that started at Harvard Divinity School between Nuns and Nones, “nones” referring to young adults, or millennials, who profess no religious affiliation (about 25% of the population). Apart from the obvious differences—such as the age gap—the two groups discovered they share…
Dear Friends of Joseph House: We rarely get the chance to do great things for other people. Our days are filled, however, with moments to do little things. These are precious and not to be squandered—they are capable of doing so much good. Sometimes the moment occurs unexpectedly. The key is to be ready at…
Dear Friends of Joseph House: January is a hopeful time. We open a new calendar and all the empty spaces are there waiting to be filled in. The year is fresh and each day a new possibility. Maybe this is the year we will keep our resolutions. January is also the middle of the cold…
Dear Friends of Joseph House: In 1944, a letter was printed in the Stars and Stripes newspaper that contained the following: It is 0200 hours and I have been lying awake for an hour listening to the steady even breathing of the other three nurses in the tent, thinking about some of the things we…
Dear Friends of Joseph House: What if you woke up today with only what you thanked God for yesterday? Reflecting on this can help us see all the things we take for granted: a place to live, a warm bed, food, clothing, our health, family and friends… the list goes on and on. It’s easy…
Dear Friends of Joseph House: You’ve heard the adage, “All the flowers of all of the tomorrows are in the seeds of today.” This brings to mind the question: what seeds have I planted in the course of my day? Of my words and actions, what has taken root? Will something beautiful grow? And who…