From the journal… Had a conversation this morning about the need for places of ‘being’ these days…Places of hope, where that can be found or expressed for the good of a larger whole. Otherwise, places to simply lay down the burden carried, the concerns, the anger…And what to offer so that the Centre might be…
Tag: God
Speaking and Listening in Languages (Or, Dying, Death, and Political Critique)
This week, there were two speakers at the Centre where I am the director—full houses for both of them. The topics were from decidedly different realms— The first, delivered by a Catholic theologian and Assistant professor at the Atlantic School of Theology, was on J.D. Vance, his brand of Catholicism, and the New Right. The…
From the Journal…An old prayer for new days
16 February, 2025 7:01 AM; At the end of the hall with tea that is cooling to a sippable temperature. Oh! I just looked out the window and the show is starting…It’s a beauty. Thank you for the ways you remind creation that there is always hope. Especially now. With the everything-everywhere-all at once-ness state…
Why Opera? A Poem
There is a program coming up at Barat Spirituality Centre. It was promoted on CBC radio last evening by the speaker who is giving the talk and my inbox has been pinging non stop since dinner last evening! The New York Times headlines have also been popping up one after another with the latest unfortunate…
Happy New Everything
A friend offered me this greeting in an email she sent somewhere within the array of days surrounding Christmas and New Year’s. I loved it…both the simplicity of it and the depth. It was especially fitting in that the last time we had talked, I was not having a good day and was in a…
55 Lessons
It has happened again: another trip around the sun; another candle on the cake. I’ve learned a lot while sailing this ocean of time and space and thought to begin a list, in no particular order, of lessons learned. I simply stopped at 55, though I was pleased to see that I could have gone…
Advent II, 2024
Advent II, 2024 When I set out, I could not knowhow long, how far, how many,nor the sometime bitterness of the wind,nor the soul-deep warmth of the faintest fire.It is quite the adventure of unknowing, thisletting loose of any clarity beyondmy awe of magnitude and all that fills it.How much I feel, how small beneaththe…
Advent I, 2024
Advent I, 2024 I will go—this much I know.The journey, enticing; theway, uncertain; questionsremaining yetno longer oppressing;The destination,I do not doubt,revealed along the way.I will go—not I myself,alone with my wanderingsof mind and imagination,but with others, with wonder,sharing stories, seeking light. Kimberly M. King
Inside, Outside, Music
I don’t know about everyone else, but sometimes I learn things I already know all over again, as though it was the first time. This most recently came to light when I was driving for an hour, heading home from a beautiful conversation with a friend. Before leaving, I had asked for a musical recommendation…
Safe journeys
Years ago, I was a week in a retreat house run by a men’s monastic community. Every evening after Compline had been chanted, the Abbot would offer a blessing that ended with wishing everyone a peaceful night and a happy death. At the time, I thought that a bit morbid to hear every evening. I…
Consider the Lilies 