My name is Aiden Meyer and I am the senior data and operations manager for Faith in Place, an organization dedicated to cultivating a powerful multifaith movement that works for environmental justice through connection, education and advocacy. We achieve this by partnering with communities of faith from diverse religious traditions across Illinois, Wisconsin and Indiana […]
Community & Lifestyle
AI and you
Research all you may about the origins of AI. Acknowledge the contributions made to this concept by the many mythologists and mathematicians, philosophers, physicians, psychologists, sociologists and scientists who have made their personal contributions to this explorative and even invasive system of information gathering, developing and implementation upon and within the various realms of human […]
Of life, purpose and Jane Goodall
Recently I came across a video clip of Dr. Jane Goodall, filmed near the end of her long, beautiful life on this planet. She spoke, of course, about the fact that we cannot separate ourselves from nature but also spoke movingly about each of us having a purpose and how our actions make a difference. […]
Paving the way: How UIS champions first-generation college students
As the University of Illinois Springfield continues to grow and evolve, one student population stands out for its resilience, drive and increasing presence on campus: first-generation college students. These students are the first in their families to navigate the world of higher education – a journey that often comes with unique challenges. Our enduring mission […]
Making the ordinary special
Among the songs that I remember from my parents’ collection of phonograph records of Yiddish folk music was a melancholy and poignant melody whose lyrics expressed the lament of a poor and humble tailor that the holiday season and its celebrations were coming to an end and that he would soon be returning to his […]
Growing central Illinois one skill at a time
Central Illinois employers are facing a critical shortage of skilled workers. The relentless pace of technological change worsens this problem. Hiring alone won’t solve this crisis. To keep pace with evolving demands, employers must make targeted investments in professional development, building the skills their teams need to adapt and thrive. As new technologies transform every […]
On love for the poor
Care for the poor is both “the burning heart of the Church’s mission” and the heart of Pope Leo’s first message to the world’s Christians. The apostolic exhortation, released earlier this month, is called Dilexi Te – I have loved you – and subtitled On love for the poor. To take in its message, I […]
United Way volunteers make lasting impact during Day of Action
This fall, the community came together in a powerful demonstration of service and teamwork during United Way of Central Illinois’ fall Day of Action. A total of 211 volunteers, organized into 26 teams, rolled up their sleeves and made a difference in our community. The day began with a kickoff luncheon sponsored by PNC. Volunteers […]
Migration and our faith tradition
Since June 4, we have had yard signs posted on the blocks around the Dominican Sisters Motherhouse. These signs are based on Catholic Social Teaching principles which come from the Gospel and the living tradition of the Catholic faith. I am quick to say that these messages are not unique to our faith tradition. Many […]
Haman, hatred and a hangman’s noose
The seeds that men plant bear their own fruit. Hatred is one of those seeds. Enter Haman. The Persian kingdom was under the reign of Ahasuerus, who, for whatever reasons, had appointed Haman over all of the nobles and princes of Persia. Now Haman was a descendent of Agag, the king of the Amalekites, whose […]
The voice within
Hello, my name is Dr. Roxanne Casey. As a child reared in the inner city of Chicago, I overheard women often talking about the constant inequalities due to society limiting them to domestic roles, submissive wives and mothers. I lacked understanding as a child regarding their conversation, but I recalled their conversation when I was […]
What if we truly dared to love?
Just when we think the divisions in this country can’t get any worse, they do. Overnight, the cracks in our society become crevasses, the crevasses, chasms. We are in danger of splintering into innumerable pieces which can never fit together again. Aside from being appalled, how is a person of faith to deal with this […]
