Please ensure Javascript is enabled for purposes of website accessibility

Here for a Reason

 Contact Us

When you move, you misplace things you were sure you had, things that were important to you, especially if you move twice and each time was a downsize. The resolve to find those things that, of course, you would never have thrown out, sets you rummaging. And then you find things. Some of them are just as you had hoped; you greet them with a triumphant ah-ha! Others are complete mysteries, things you did not even know you had and do not know how you came by.

It fell from a box of assorted, unsorted papers, both old and new. Thin as newsprint, measuring just 2 by 3 inches, it fluttered like a still-live moth, finally freed from the press of papers. Its flicker caught my eye and I lifted it from the debris of closet cleanup. It bore the date of my birth and read: Lawrence and Memorial Associated Hospitals, Inc. VISITORS CARD. It was slightly yellowed with age but seemed otherwise freshly minted, corners square, edges almost crisp, no crease, no fold, no wrinkle. I could not help but note wryly that it had weathered the years better than I. On the back was my father's name with permission to visit my mother in room 436 during the hours of 11:00 am and 12 noon daily with the notation that he "works at Cocoa Cola Plant 3-11." Apparently, his hours were an exception to normal visiting times, given the shift that he worked.

I can only explain its condition by assuming that my father had kept it in his wallet all the years until his death at age 60, and when my mother was confronted with the prospect of emptying her dead husband's wallet, she chose to store this somewhere safe. My dear sister, Beth, did much of the sorting through our parents' house and may be the one who sent it to me, though neither of us recall the sending or the receiving. Nonetheless, there it was resting upon my lap like a calling card from heaven. I had not even felt the stroke of angel wing upon my cheek as it arrived.

What to make of such random, serendipitous moments? As I look over the newsletters of late, there is a theme that seems to say pay attention. It was there last month when I wrote "there's so much more going on." (to revisit blog) It was there in November when I wrote, "it matters..." (to revisit blog).

Once again I felt the deep tug to consider the why of here and now, the placement and circumstances of our life. It was in that wondering that I happened upon a podcast series, "Foundations for Being Alive Now," that comes from Krista Tippet of On Being at NPR. I recognized that the series offered a solid foundation for the kind of conversation I want to have, conversation that helps us explore purpose, connection, and awareness. I contacted the folks at On Being and have received permission to use their four-part series of podcasts as the springboard for my own upcoming Lenten offering:

FOR SUCH A TIME AS THIS

You may recognize this phrase from the story of Esther when Mordecai says, "Who knows—perhaps it was for a time like this that you became queen?” (4:14) It seems an appropriate reminder that all of us are born into a certain time and place and faced with its consequences. I believe that we, too, like Esther, are a part of God's plan for such a time as this.

In partnership with St. Placid Priory, I invite you to join us on four consecutive Wednesday mornings in March. Each session will begin with listening to one of the podcasts from "Foundations for Living," followed by a conversation inspired by its themes:

  • The Generative Narrative for Our Time
  • Living the Questions
  • Taking a Long View of Time and Becoming Critical Yeast
  • Calling and Wholeness

For 90 minutes, we will have the kind of focused, faith-probing conversation that helps us pay attention to our place in the grand scheme of things. As you plan your Lenten journey, mark your calendar to provide yourself with nourishment along the way:

We begin on March 8th in Standard Time; the remaining Wednesdays, March 15th, March 22nd, March 29th are in daylight time:

  •   9:00 am - Pacific
  • 10:00 am - Mountain
  • 11:00 am - Central
  • Noon - Eastern

Cost: $40

To register go to: The Priory

Not the Bronte Sisters but...

I'm very proud of my sister, Terry, another writer in the family. The MacInnis sisters work in different genres, but often from the same starting point, we write about parts of our shared story that need attention brought to them. Where I write about the women in Scripture often overlooked, Terry reminds us of our country's recent past lest it be forgotten.

Long before Confederate symbols made front page news, they triggered racial strife in the deep South. Terry's historical novel, YANKEE GIRL IN DIXIE, is based on actual events that took place in Pensacola, FL in the 1970's, a time when Terry was there herself, a young teacher from Connecticut, confronted with the challenges of that time and place. As we know, these challenges, though altered, are with us still today. I think you'll gain insights in reading this book and enjoy a thoroughly well-told story along the way.

To learn more, go to Terry's website: Tams Tales

Speaking of proud...

Most of you know I have partnered frequently with another "sister," my dear friend, Betsey Beckman, who has enlivened many of my retreats and other offerings. CONGRATULATIONS to Betsey who just performed at Carnegie Hall this past Sunday, February 19th. She was a special guest for THE STORY OF GOD: A Journey of Faith, Hope and Unity featuring John Angotti and ValLimar Jansen. You can read more about it by visiting Betsey's website: The Dancing Word. No doubt, Betsey will have more postings about the event in the near future.

It was just a year ago that I was in Seattle for the book launch of WHY THESE WOMEN: Four Stories You Need to Read Before You Read the Story of Jesus. I remain grateful to Fr. John Madigan, the then-pastor of Sacred Heart, Bellevue, for hosting the event and for the dear folks who turned out to support me. Thank you! The wings you provided my book have served it well.

If you have not yet read the book, you may preview it at: WHY THESE WOMEN on Amazon. As a subscribed member of my newsletter, you are also free to Contact me for special pricing.

If you are brand new to Sisters in Scripture, I would love to have you stay in touch. To get regular emails, sign up here

(Kathleen with Fr. John Madigan and Chris Hall, interviewer)