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Spiritual Reflections

These are reflections given by Loretto members at a variety of services.

Reflection on the Eighth Sunday in Ordinary Time

By Eileen Custy SL / February 27, 2022 /

Have you ever wondered what purpose a giraffe serves in this life? Do they enhance nature? Can they be domesticated? They can’t carry a burden; It would slide right off…

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Reflection on the Seventh Sunday in Ordinary Time

By Maria Visse SL / February 20, 2022 /

Today we are a week and a few days away from Ash Wednesday.  Lent begins. As I looked back on the Sunday Gospel events it has been a quick history of…

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Reflection on the Sixth Sunday in Ordinary Time

By Johanna Brian SL / February 13, 2022 /

A couple of weeks ago, Eleanor Craig introduced me to a treasure trove of books containing theological, pastoral, exegetical and homiletical perspectives on the Sunday readings.  Delving into these books…

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Reflection on the Fifth Sunday in Ordinary Time

By Elaine Prevallet SL / February 6, 2022 /

The story is clear, and it gives us a lot to think about. Jesus wishes his disciples to open themselves to a new way of living, a radical change. They…

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Reflection on the Fourth Sunday in Ordinary Time

By Eleanor Craig SL / January 30, 2022 /

Jeremiah 1:1-19       Psalm 71: 1-17       1 Corinthians 13:1-13       Luke 4:21:30 This morning’s Gospel reading from Luke follows directly from last Sunday’s reading.  And the two together bring to completion Luke’s…

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Reflection on the Third Sunday in Ordinary Time

By Agnes Ann Schum SL / January 23, 2022 /
A nun sitting in a wheelchair smiling for a picture with three friends with dark hair indoors.

Human history reveals many periods where people lost a sense of God’s transcendence.  It may even be argued that human beings have been wandering and lost more than they have…

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Reflection on the Second Sunday in Ordinary Time

By Kathy Wright SL / January 16, 2022 /
Colorful banner featuring these words from Unamuno's quote "to remain silent is to lie." Banner by Robert Strobridge CoL

When I first read the readings for today, I thought I had made a mistake. I double checked and then looked back to find that the first reading today was…

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Reflection on the Baptism of the Lord

By Mary Swain SL / January 9, 2022 /

Imagine what this day in Jesus’ life must have been for him.  He has just taken part in a purification ritual that John, his cousin, does with the people.  Jesus…

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Reflection on the Feast of the Epiphany of the Lord

By Susan Classen CoL / January 2, 2022 /

These words from Wendell Berry call to me this Epiphany Sunday: “And we pray, notfor new earth or heaven, but to bequiet in heart, and in eye,clear. What we need…

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Reflection on the Solemnity of Mary, the Holy Mother of God

By Eileen Custy SL / January 1, 2022 /

Mary, the holy mother of God, or in Greek, “Theotokos.” That title goes back to the Council of Ephesus in 431 AD. Nestorius held that the divine and human natures…

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Reflection on the Feast of the Holy Family of Jesus, Mary and Joseph

By Eleanor Craig SL / December 26, 2021 /

1 Samuel 1:20–28        1 John 3:1-24        Luke 2:41-52 Yesterday we celebrated Jesus’ “Birth Day,” and today we celebrate his family. Jesus was given to us in a family, given to…

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Reflection on the Nativity of the Lord

By Maria Visse SL / December 24, 2021 /

A child is born to us.  Some of you may know that in one of my former lives I was a labor and delivery nurse.  So, this night has doubly special…

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