Author Archives: admin

About admin

I am a Catholic clinical psychologist with a solo practice in Omaha, NE. In the Franciscan seminary, I completed about 2/3rd of an M.Div./MA in Scripture. In my 3rd year of temporary vows, I discerned a call to the married life. My lovely wife Mary and I have a son, Michael, as well as a number of children preceding us to Heaven through miscarriages. We are delighted to be in the Omaha archdiocese and love the Heartland.

True Images

Posted on May 16, 2017 by admin

The use of imagery in therapy is common. We can use imagination to calm ourselves down or take a mental break. A popular guided meditation goes something like, “Imagine you’re sitting on the beach, the sun on your face, hearing the … Continue reading →

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Practice People

Posted on May 9, 2017 by admin

Years ago, I attended a 12 Step meeting for relatives of alcoholics. “Rick” also attended the meeting. At any good 12 Step meeting, you’ll find one or more people like Rick. When people like Rick speak, people listen. His sharings were humble, … Continue reading →

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Authentic Accompaniment

Posted on May 2, 2017 by admin

Pope Francis is calling the Church to be a field hospital for the wounded rather than simply a sanctuary for the saved. A crucial aspect of his vision is “accompaniment”. I’ve recently reflected on how authentic accompaniment works. This Sunday’s gospel … Continue reading →

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Jesus, I Trust in You

Posted on April 25, 2017 by admin

Catholics celebrated Divine Mercy Sunday yesterday. “Jesus, I trust in you” is its simple but profound theme. Divine Mercy Sunday is based on revelations to a Polish nun of the early 20th century, St. Faustina Kowalska. Jesus appeared to her in … Continue reading →

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This Lonesome Valley

Posted on April 11, 2017 by admin

As we begin Holy Week, we remember how “Jesus walked this lonesome valley” to the Cross. The old hymn, “Lonesome Valley”, goes on to say that we, too, will face our trials. You must walk this lonesome valley You have to … Continue reading →

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Living and Active, Part II

Posted on April 4, 2017 by admin

As my last post discussed, the Word of God is living and active. It is “living” because it speaks directly to my experience now, even though some parts of the Bible date back 2500 years or more. It is “active” because it … Continue reading →

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Living and Active, Part I

Posted on March 28, 2017 by admin

“The word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword” (Heb 4:12). A client last week shared how he’s discovering the power of the word of God. A cradle Catholic, he’s experiencing new life in the Lord, as … Continue reading →

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St. Joseph, Rock Star

Posted on March 21, 2017 by admin

I’ve recently come to realize a fundamental truth. St. Joseph is a Rock Star. He is the powerful icon of solid, grounded masculinity our anemic culture desperately needs. It’s not that I haven’t seen St. Joseph positively. My childhood parish had a strong Italian presence, … Continue reading →

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The Power of the Holy Spirit

Posted on March 14, 2017 by admin

In a previous post, I mentioned “Alpha”. It’s a kind of “Jesus 101” evangelization course that we’re kicking off at our parish. This weekend was the Alpha retreat, which is devoted to seeking to be filled with the Holy Spirit. … Continue reading →

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Community and Freedom, Part II

Posted on February 28, 2017 by admin

The relationship between community and freedom is foundational to the Christian worldview. First, we know that nothing happens apart from God’s directly willing it or permitting it (Rom 8:28 and many other passages). It follows that absolutely nothing happens by accident … Continue reading →

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