Author Archives: Greg Iwinski

If you know anything about me, you know that I love Latin. It may be a dead language, but it’s alive in my heart – and it’s the language of the Church. So it’s no surprise that ‘Gaudete’ Sunday is one of my favorite Sundays of the year. You’ll hear people call it ‘the joyful Sunday’ or ‘the one with the pink candle,’ but let’s take a look at the actual Latin word. (Stick with me, even if you’re not a Latin fan.) Gaudete means ‘rejoice!’ Literally – with the exclamation Read more [...]

It seems weird that someone could have trouble writing their blog – I mean, it’s just their thoughts on paper (or pixels). But this week’s piece has had me starting over more than a CD with a scratch in it. And, if I’m completely honest, it’s because Thanksgiving means one thing to me – family. It’s when the Iwinski gang comes together all across the country to give thanks. But I know that not everyone has a perfect family, or even a totally functioning family. In some families, Thanksgiving Read more [...]

So it’s almost Advent – a time of preparation. In other words, a time of waiting. I don’t know about you, but whenever I have to wait around somewhere for a while, I start to notice things I’d never see otherwise. Whether it’s the doctor’s office or a train station, when we are forced to sit and wait – we can see an entirely different world. Sometimes it’s just noticing the quiet of nature, or the subtle sounds of what’s going on around us. Have you ever been waiting like that? Read more [...]

I’m beginning to think that my ‘blog’ ideas only come up at Mass. It’s always at some point during the liturgy that an idea pops into my head for the week’s literary offering. This week, it was just before Communion at the sign of Peace. As I turned and shook hands with the stranger to my left, I was surprised by the earnestness in her voice. “Christ’s peace be with you,” wasn’t simply a phrase but a genuine prayer. As we began to pray the ‘Lamb of God,’ I was still thinking Read more [...]

Every so often, I run into something in life that totally confounds me. It can be a little fashion issue – like socks with sandals or jean shorts. Other times I’m flabbergasted by our lack of common sense… why does the stewardess need to teach me how to use a seat belt everytime I get on a plane? How does she think I got to the airport – horse and buggy? But one of the things that makes the least sense to me is how timid most Catholics are about Reconciliation. Yes, I know it’s an elephant Read more [...]