Journal of Sacred Work

Erie Chapman Foundation

  • Days 207-208 “I Know You by Heart”

    Bit by bit Mary has lost her ability to do any of the most basic aspects of self-care. Her world has narrowed within the confines of the four walls of her room. Restricted to bed she relies on her husband… Continue reading

  • Days 193-194 Because

    A Blessing - By Duncan Ferguson Because the earth is fragile, go carrying it in caring hands. Because the world is poor and starving, go with bread. Because the world is in danger, go with hope. Because the world is living lies,… Continue reading

  • Days 186-187 Beloved

    “And did you get what/you wanted from this life, even so?/ I did/ And what did you want?/to call myself beloved, to feel myself beloved on the earth.” -Raymond Carver   A prayer by "Ann" called, “The Holiness that Pervades… Continue reading

  • Days 179-180 Widening Circles

    "I live my life in widening circles that reach out across the world. I may not complete this last one but I give myself to it. " — Rainer Maria Rilke Note: This reflection is my response to an audio… Continue reading

  • Days 158-159 The Conversation Project

    “Everyone has got to die, but I always thought an exception would be made in my case." Author, William Saroyan, on his deathbed.  The majority of us are not comfortable having conversations about the prospect of end of life. Why… Continue reading

  • Days 151-152 The Greatest Gift

    Morning holds a special dignity of her own. Awakening in the quiet sanctity of her arms, listen as life begins to stir. In his book, “Eternal Echoes” John O’Donouhue encourages us to greet each day in the ancient tradition of… Continue reading

  • Days 145-146 Meet Brandi

      Today we welcomed a new companion into our family. Meet Brandi, A Labrador Retriever who is almost three. Her family surrendered her to a shelter because they were moving to Japan. As I write to you this twilight eve… Continue reading

  • Days 131-132 Abundance

    Note:  Special thanks to artist, Marie Benzing, CSJ for her beautiful watercolor, "Abundance". This reflection is compliments of Ministry of the Arts.   "There is within each one of us a potential for goodness beyond our imagining for giving which seeks no reward;… Continue reading

  • Days 124-125 A Warm and Tender Hand

    National Nurses Week begins on May 6, Florence Nightingale’s birthday. As this week unfolds I hope you will think about some of the Florence’s you may  know, the unsung heroes that we work alongside with day in and day out.… Continue reading

  • Days 117-118 In Our Brokenness

    Life’s poignancies are what make it so crashingly beautiful. On my drive home from work tonight I was thinking about the twists and turns of life. Every day we are faced with the split second decisions. Some of our experiences… Continue reading