Reflections – Contemplatio
Sparkill Dominicans Remember Pope Francis
Pope Francis (d. April 21, 2025). May he rest in peace. With heavy and hopeful hearts, we mourn the passing of Pope Francis, a humble servant who led with love, compassion, and courage. His life was a living example of the words often attributed to St. Francis of Assisi: “Preach the Gospel at all times, […]
Earth Day 2025
On April 22, 2025, we will celebrate the 55th anniversary of Earth Day. While we’ve come a long way since that first Earth Day in 1970, we still have a very long way to go as we respond to the call of Laudato Sí, the encyclical by Pope Francis which will mark its tenth anniversary […]
Reflections for 5th Sunday of Lent
As we draw closer to commemorating the events of Holy Week, we are confronted this weekend with a story that encapsulates what Jesus had spent three years trying to teach his disciples: the importance of mercy and compassion over judgment. He emphasized the overall Mosaic Law, which taught that justice was to be tempered with mercy (Micah 6:8), and which the religious leaders of the day had conveniently forgotten.
Reflections for the 4th Sunday of Lent
Fourth Sunday of Lent, 2025 This Sunday’s reading from the Hebrew Scriptures describes a key transition moment in Israel’s history. Joshua records a huge event, the Lord saying, “Today I have rolled away from you the disgrace of Egypt,” in a measured and powerful proclamation. The exodus period of wandering is over; the time/or settlement […]
Reflection for the 3rd Sunday of Lent
Preacher: Michael Keegan, St. Thomas Aquinas College – Class of 2026 A reading from today’s Gospel as written by Luke: Jesus told this parable: “A man had a fig tree that was planted in his vineyard. He came looking for fruit on it and found none. He told the vineyard worker, ‘Listen, for three years […]
Feast of the Annunciation
Sr. Helen R. Boyd, OP Today we hear these words: “Fear not Mary for you have found favor with God,” and later, “For you shall conceive and bear a son who will be called Son of the Most High.” Mary responded, “How can this be since I know not man?” Others in the Old Testament […]
The Gift of the Desert
Filled with the Holy Spirit, Jesus returned from the Jordan and was led by the Spirit into the desert for forty days, to be tempted by the devil. [Luke 4:1-13] All three Lectionary cycles give us the same gospel story for the First Sunday of Lent: an account of Jesus’ temptations in the desert-a clear […]
Feast of Fra Angelico
Today we take time to honor one of our Dominican brothers who became an outstanding artist of his time; namely, Fra Angelico who was born Guido di Pietro in 1395 during the early stages of the Renaissance. There was excitement in the atmosphere as men and women entered the era when the arts were considered […]
Pilgrims of Hope
Thanks to Sister Cecilia LaPietra, who shared this reflection on February 2, 2025, at St. Francis of Assisi Church in West Nyack for the celebration of Vita Consecrata on the Feast of the Presentation of the Lord. We are happy to be here with you, Parishioners of St. Francis of Assisi Church and with you […]