Chaplain’s Corner

Without having known him, I would not be the chaplain I am today. Let me take this opportunity to memorialize a longtime client. For the last 16 years of his life, Darold W. spent his days at St. Ann Center…

Oh, to be listened to. What a feeling! When was the last time you had a conversation devoid of distractions? Let me guess. It was probably the day before cell phones came on the market. This past week, a client…

Jumbo jellyfish, plump and pink, floated side by side, weaving squirmy tentacles into a wavy blanket that reached from the shore thirty feet into Long Island Sound. Upon arriving at the beach, heavy-laden with beach chairs, towels, cooler, beach balls…

I didn’t see it--but the “Things to Do List” for the reopening of St. Ann Center was probably longer than Santa’s list of good girls and boys! Sr. Edna and staffers were meticulous while working on building updates, completing mounds…

By way of an introduction to today’s topic, allow me to share a 100% true story. It’s a doozy! When I was a rookie chaplain intern, greener than green, my Clinical Pastoral Education Supervisor thought it would be a good…

Just as the 12-year-old girl finished placing a midnight blue velvet bow in her long auburn hair, the doorbell rang. For weeks, she had looked forward to seeing her cousins. With glee, she ran through the house to welcome her…

“Cleanliness is next to Godliness.” I’ve heard that one for years. I need to know though, what’s the catchy saying for “clutterliness?” (Is that even a word?) In “BTP” times (Before The Pandemic), clutter could easily be blamed on our…

The not-so-good-at-grocery-shopping gene was passed down to me through my father. It’s a fact. One Sunday morning after church, my mother was preparing breakfast and requested my father’s help. Could he do a quick errand? Would he mind going to…

May 4, 2020 “Patience is a virtue.” I don’t understand why people quote that statement as a way to help someone with their impatience. Who’s thinking lofty thoughts about being virtuous when only seconds away from an emotional meltdown? Navigating…

April 20, 2020 Dear St. Ann Center Family, “This too shall pass.” In light of all that is happening in our world today, these words have often come to my mind. Another way of expressing that thought could be, “nothing…