The power of a strong wife. A common denominator during the icebreaker discussions about perseverance was the support we each received in times of trouble from our wives. Nearly universally, even when our wife didn't fully understand the details of a work or career crisis, they knew this: "Do the right thing", "Don't compromise your Faith or your integrity", "I am here for you, however this works out." Our spouses have been our ports in the storms of our lives, our rocks we

Dear Steve & Evelyn, It's closing in on midnight here in NYC. Exhausted and exhilarated at the same time. What a night! How much were you two praying for this mission anyway?? The Lord blessed us with SO much help! Fr. Daniel Ray made sure the altar at the Basilica was more filled with Beauty than we'd ever seen it, with candles galore, and the doors wide open to the streets bringing lots of passersby in to be in His Presence on the altar. The two Dominican priests repor

The discussion tonight revolved around how the Christian virtue of Charity has such a transformative impact on not just the person who is the object of a charitable act, but also on the giver and on the witnesses to the scene. Charity transforms us. It’s the habit we need to perfect to become the pure souls we’ll need to be to stand in the presence of God. It’s the Path to Heaven. The Good Samaritan, Rembrandt, 1630 A small act, a giant impact. In the icebreaker, we had e

Louis-Jean-Francois Lagrenee, “Justice Disarmed by Innocence and Applauded by Prudence”, 1766 The time horizon matters. In unpacking several of the ice breaker cases, a common theme was time horizon. There were several examples of where one of us did not get the response we wanted on a proposal, or on our next career move, and were disappointed, even bitterly so. But then, over time, the wisdom of the decision, or at least the consequences of the decision, brought us to a

Charity (Part 1) True Charity is Supernatural In his opening remarks, Fr. Michael talked about the difference between "Natural" Charity and "Supernatural" Charity. Natural Charity is what most of us are accustomed to; being "nice" to others, lending a helping hand when we can. Supernatural Charity is Charity infused with, and directed to, the Holy Spirit. This higher level of Charity knows no bounds, no limits, and no restrictions on who it is directed to-- friends and ene