Author Archives: kmwanek

A few weeks ago, I was at a meeting and was struck by some words from the person leading us in the closing prayer.  We were sitting outside and she prayed, “Lord, thank you for these mosquitoes, because being able to feel these bites means that we’re alive.”  Wow- what a powerful perspective. She tookContinue reading “Rooted in Gratitude”

I’m currently reading a book called, Heart of the Christian Life: Thoughts on Holy Mass, by Pope Benedict XVI.  The book has been filled with countless pieces of wisdom and many statements to reflect on.  One passage towards the beginning of the book that jumped out as I was reading is, “The Sunday precept is not,Continue reading “Nourishment for the Journey”

Last Wednesday was the first session of faith formation.  As we worked through the first class of the year, the moments of quiet were few and far between.  Most of the students just kept talking and having side conversations.  Eventually, we began working through the first lesson in “Encounter: Discovering Jesus”, which is an exercise/experienceContinue reading “Breaking Down Walls”

A few weekends ago, we painted our living room.  Now, we are preparing to paint the kitchen this week.  Over the weekend, we moved stuff from the kitchen to the living room and to other parts of the house so that we could get the ceiling done.  Our kitchen table chairs are in the livingContinue reading “Not Worthy”

Last month, as I sat at the front of the church basement as my parish held the annual meeting, I hoped that someone else would volunteer to be a new nominee for treasurer.  Not to my surprise, no one jumped up to volunteer or to nominate anyone else for the position.  Instead, I was votedContinue reading “Serving Generously”

I spent the weekend helping paint our living room.  As we worked on this project, I was thinking about how much work and preparation there was before we could start painting.  We moved all the furniture to the middle of the room, took picture frames and all decorations off the walls, washed the walls, tapedContinue reading “Doing the Work No One Sees”

Over the weekend, I heard a song called, “Just Want You” by Sarah Reeves.  In the chorus, the artist sings, “I don’t want it if You’re not in it, I Just want You.  No, I don’t want it if You’re not in it, I just want You, God.”  It is a beautiful song that allowedContinue reading “How We Respond”

I bought an alarm clock a few days ago.  A basic alarm clock that many of us probably had to use back before we had iPhones.  I bought this alarm clock in hopes that it will help me to stop being so dependent on my phone as an alarm.  The dependency I have had onContinue reading “The Number One Spot”

Last week, I was reading through The Compass, the newspaper of the Green Bay Diocese.  I came across the Letters to the Editor section.  The two letters that were there were from Catholics who appeared to be mad about some Church teachings, specifically on abortion and gender.  They shared their disappointment and disapproval of the CatholicContinue reading “Get Uncomfortable”

“Immediately Jesus stretched out his hand and caught him, and said to him, ‘O you of little faith, why did you doubt?’”  This line struck me when reading Tuesday’s (8/2) Gospel.  I remember this gospel passage where Jesus walks on water coming to life for me back in elementary school, at the summer vacation bibleContinue reading “An Outstretched Hand”