Category Archives: Franciscan

Rethinking religion

Posted on April 5, 2021 by Don Watkins

Today’s edition of The Guardian had a lead article about how the religious right is fueling the decline of religion in America. I think that’s true but it goes deeper than that. While observing the Easter Vigil on Saturday night … Continue reading →

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This light that has overcome the darkness

Posted on April 4, 2021 by Don Watkins

I’m a fan of Matthew Fox. He and other theologians like Ilia Delio and John Duns Scotus have influenced my thinking too. Today is Easter for many in the world and the familiar greeting among many of the world’s Christians … Continue reading →

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Celebrating the Passion

Posted on March 28, 2021 by Don Watkins

Today is the first day of Holy Week in the Catholic Church and other Christian churches as well. Today at Mass they Passion of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ will be read. We will remember how he rode triumphantly … Continue reading →

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Who am I to judge?

Posted on March 19, 2021 by Don Watkins

Pope Francis got some flack when he first came to the papacy in 2013 when he said he was not in a position to judge gay clergy. I don’t think he’s changed his view but it certainly seems that the … Continue reading →

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The Sheep and the Goats

Posted on December 26, 2020 by Don Watkins

Earlier today I came upon a quote from Matthew 25 which sums up the Jesus message. “I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me.” … Continue reading →

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Against all odds

Posted on December 13, 2020 by Don Watkins

Despite voter intimidation, gerrymandering, voter suppression, lies, threats of violence to voters and officials Joe Biden is President-elect of the United States. Today was the Feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe. The second Marian Feast in less than a week’s … Continue reading →

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All inclusive

Posted on November 3, 2020 by Don Watkins

The word catholic is defined as all embracing. However there are some Roman Catholics who are single issue voters. The paradigm is changing. Fr. Dan Horan OFM who represents the emerging millennial Catholic conscience is one of the reasons I … Continue reading →

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Donate to FAN

Posted on November 1, 2020 by Don Watkins

I learned this week that the Secular Franciscan Order in the United States is no longer officially supporting the Franciscan Action Network. I was very saddened to learn this. Franciscan Action Network(FAN) actively engages in peace making, care for creation, … Continue reading →

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Radical Equality

Posted on September 20, 2020 by Don Watkins

Today’s Gospel in Catholic churches everywhere is drawn from the Matthew 20: 1-16. It’s a familiar parable of the landowner who is hiring people to work in his vineyard. You’ve heard it many times I’m sure. The landowner goes out … Continue reading →

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Welcome Fiona

Posted on August 11, 2020 by Don Watkins

A couple of years ago while I was visiting Assisi the leader of our pilgrimage invited us to pray a special prayer request in the Basillica of St. Clare in front of the cross of San Damiano. This is the … Continue reading →

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