Once in awhile someone’s story really connects me to my life like no other. I am a fighter by nature and that is good as long as I recognize the enemy, me. I must admit that most of the time, I make the mistake and think you, whether you are a religious or political leader or just my next-door neighbor are the enemy. Less often, I recognize the enemy, me and go about making the necessary changes to subdue the foe. I could tell you of a few experiences in my life that illustrate that, but none would begin to compare to Suzanne Barakat’s story as she tells it in her TEDWomen October 2016 talk: Islamophobia killed my brother. Let’s end the hate.

This sentiment, that I am the enemy, is in direct conflict with what I’ve seen in this past presidential campaign season where the candidates spent all their time telling us about the enemy, their opponent. I don’t think we came up with any winner, but actually a bunch of losers. I put myself in that bunch. It’s time to face the enemy, ourselves and thank you Ms. Barakat for showing us how.

Dan O’Donnell, a layman has covenanted with the Chicago Community. In addition to the standard covenant, Dan promises to work at connecting all partners known and unknown, to a conscious following the the way of Jesus, the way of the cross which Dan believes transforms all failure, democratizing the human journey

CPP

We are a community of laymen and laywomen who, with vowed Passionists, seek to share in the charism of St. Paul of the Cross through prayer, ongoing spiritual formation, and proclamation of the message of Christ Crucified.