Author Archives: richp45198

About richp45198

I am a clinical psychologist and have an abiding interest in matters spiritual.

Favorite Bible Passages

Last Sunday I was assigned to do the reading at Mass. It was from 2 Timothy and was a favorite passage of mine; however, the translation watered it down and so, when I read it, I did so with the … Continue reading

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Disputed Passages

Recently my son Ben posted this quote by Walt Whitman on his Linkdin page and invited readers to reflect on what they have learned on their “disputed passage” “Have you learned lessons only of those who admired you, and were tender with … Continue reading

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Fr. Mychal Judge: A 9/11 Remembrance

In recognition of the 24th anniversary of the 9/11 tragedy, I repost this tribute to Fr. Mychal Judge, a man who deserves to be recognized as a saint. At this point in my journey, I have a need to surround … Continue reading

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Chaplain (CPT) Emil J. Kapaun: A Saint for Our Time

I had never heard of Fr. Emil Kapaun until I saw the documentary “Fighting Spirit: A Combat Chaplain’s Journey”. The film focuses on the healing journey of former Chaplain Justin Roberts trying to recover from combat PTSD. He learned of … Continue reading

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August 3 Six Years Later

I wanted to repost this in honor of loved ones lost on 8/3/19 as well as in tribute to those families that suffered those losses. Sadly, what I wrote 6 years ago has come to pass. No progress has been … Continue reading

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On Spiritual Experience

I recently had a spiritual experience. Our family was gathered on the coast of Oregon and one evening the area was enveloped in fog. I felt drawn to the fog and so I walked through the fog down to the … Continue reading

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Excerpt from”Turn to the Beatitudes”

Here is an excerpt from my latest article “Turn to the Beatitudes” published in St. Anthony Messenger, A link to the full article is provided at the end. Christianity is in the news on a regular basis these days. Where … Continue reading

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On Being A Psychotherapist

I long maintained that being a psychotherapist was a strange way to make a living. It is a job that relies on human suffering. It is a job with an uncertain outcome for the honest psychotherapist knows that we do … Continue reading

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“Woke”

I have struggled with the meaning of this emotionally charged word that has come to represent a certain category of persons who have come under fire and threat these days. Here is the Miriam Webster definition: “aware of and actively … Continue reading

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The Catholic Church and Clergy Abuse: Impact on Faith

I have been reading a disturbing book titled Jesus Wept: Seven Popes and the Battle for the Soul of the Catholic Church by Philip Shenon. Shenon studies the ongoing battle between progressive and conservative Catholics, made more intense by the … Continue reading

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