Author Archives: kmwanek

On Friday, I worked my last shift at Eddie Whipp’s Dining Hall.  It was a part time weekend job that I started when I was 14 and in eighth grade.  Having worked there for 14 years and five months, literally half of my life, it will be a huge change to not work there anymore. Continue reading “Unchanging”

A few weeks ago, I was talking to some people who were part of a pilgrimage group that had stopped at my parish.  They were talking about their experiences of the day.  They talked about the small towns and rural areas they walked through and how beautiful the fields, trees, and trails were.  They wereContinue reading “The Beauty Around Us”

The Gospel we heard at mass over the weekend may appear to be challenging at the surface level.  But Jesus is just telling us about the reality of living our faith and following Him.  He wants us to be on fire with love for Him and, if we are, this will come with a cost. Continue reading “Already Blazing”

The Gospel we heard at mass this past weekend should serve as an awakening for all of us.  It is a reminder to be vigilant and live our faith daily.  Jesus tells us, “you also must be prepared, for at an hour you do not expect, the Son of Man will come” (Luke 12:40).  AreContinue reading “Vigilant and Prepared”

Today’s Gospel (8/5) is one of my favorite passages in scripture.  We read the story about Jesus walking on water and Peter doubting.  It is so relevant in our world today and a much needed reminder to trust and stay focused on Jesus, especially in the storms around us.  What is greater; our fear orContinue reading “Do Not be Afraid”

Last week at work, I had my annual performance review.  While it’s a necessary part of the job, it brought up thoughts about how much our jobs seem to define us, at least in the eyes of other people.  I always strive to do my best and I want to be an employee who isContinue reading “Help me to Be a Saint”

Last week, there was an attack on a Catholic church in Gaza, which resulted in death and injury.  The horrifying event was a reminder that Christians in other parts of the world go to church with the risk of being harmed or even killed.  In the US, we not only have the freedom to worship,Continue reading “Free to Worship”

The next best thing after having an encounter with Jesus is seeing other people encounter Jesus.  Last week, I was blessed to experience both while on a Catholic Leadership Retreat in Wyoming.  At the end of the day, that’s what we want; for people to encounter Jesus in a profound and life-changing way.  We wantContinue reading “Remember Your Peak”

Over the weekend, in preparing for an upcoming retreat, the team leaders all took time to run through our witness talks for the different themes of the day and share pieces of our stories and how our faith has been impacted in different ways.  As we took time to share and discuss our ideas forContinue reading “The Power of a Witness”

Over the past week, I have been using the Hallow app to pray through a Sacred Heart Retreat.  Since the month of June is dedicated to the Sacred Heart of Jesus, it has been a great way to reflect and pray with this devotion.  Some of the days have been about various obstacles to givingContinue reading “Hearts on Fire”