Dominican Sister of Hope Bette Ann Jaster, OP is an environmentalist. After co-founding Earthlinks twenty years ago, she has worked to legalize beekeeping in the Village of Ossining, advocated against fracking in Westchester County, and even created space at...
The emphasis of Pope Francis on the care of creation has made us all more aware that ecological concerns are “not an optional or a secondary aspect of our Christian experience.” That awareness continues with the World Day of Prayer for the Care of Creation. Pope...
“It’s a beautiful tomato,” Josh Arcaro coos just outside of the kitchen at Mariandale Retreat and Conference Center. “I would cut this up into sixths or eighths, leave it raw, drizzle it with extra-virgin olive oil.” Mr. Arcaro is the...
Dutch-born theologian Henri Nouwen said that we are all called to be mystics. But, in a busy world with long to-do lists and lots of good HBO shows to fill our spare time, what is the value in zipping our lips and just being? Our in-house Spiritual Director and...
The Garden at Mariandale was put to bed for the winter. As I stand before the seventeen raised beds, now seeded with winter rye to bring fresh nourishment for the spring, I am caught in a kind of reverie. I recall the fresh energy of new beginnings from former spring...