Michael Swan
@mmmswan.bsky.social
Freelance journalist and photographer who has been covering the Catholic Church for 25 years. Married to Yone. Trying to learn Portuguese at an advanced age.
Just imagine what Mary was actually saying in the words to the angel Gabriel, “I am the handmaid of the Lord. Let what you have said be done to me” (Luke 1:38, JB). henrinouwen.org/meditations/...
I Believe Good Things Will Happen - Henri Nouwen
Just imagine what Mary was actually saying in the words to the angel Gabriel, “I am the handmaid of the
henrinouwen.org
December 17, 2025 at 3:04 PM
Just imagine what Mary was actually saying in the words to the angel Gabriel, “I am the handmaid of the Lord. Let what you have said be done to me” (Luke 1:38, JB). henrinouwen.org/meditations/...
A few shots from a walk in the park – Taylor Creek Park in Toronto.
December 9, 2025 at 5:12 PM
A few shots from a walk in the park – Taylor Creek Park in Toronto.
The best guides are willing to be silent yet present, and are comfortable with unknowing. God’s Spirit is ultimately the sole source of spiritual guidance, comfort, and knowing. henrinouwen.org/meditations/...
The Aid of a Spiritual Companion - Henri Nouwen
When seeking spiritual guidance, we are susceptible to a superficial search for easy answers and shallow meaning. Living into a
henrinouwen.org
December 9, 2025 at 4:02 PM
The best guides are willing to be silent yet present, and are comfortable with unknowing. God’s Spirit is ultimately the sole source of spiritual guidance, comfort, and knowing. henrinouwen.org/meditations/...
The first task of seeking guidance then is to touch your own struggles, doubts, and insecurities – in short, to affirm your life as a quest. henrinouwen.org/meditations/...
Your Life as a Quest - Henri Nouwen
Sometimes we feel so much fear and anxiety, and identify so closely with our suffering, that our pain masks the
henrinouwen.org
December 7, 2025 at 3:27 PM
The first task of seeking guidance then is to touch your own struggles, doubts, and insecurities – in short, to affirm your life as a quest. henrinouwen.org/meditations/...
Historically, Gaza was situated at the frontier between Asia and Africa, at the crossroads of cultures since Neolithic times. It was an oasis, a haven before the inhospitable desert, a seat of learning & an affluent trading centre on routes... coveted by many. www.indcatholicnews.com/news/53821
Paris exhibition: Treasures Saved From Gaza | ICN
On October 16th, ICN published a letter from Emek Shaveh - an Israeli NGO working to prevent the politicization of archaeology in the context of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict in partnership with ex...
www.indcatholicnews.com
December 1, 2025 at 2:15 AM
Historically, Gaza was situated at the frontier between Asia and Africa, at the crossroads of cultures since Neolithic times. It was an oasis, a haven before the inhospitable desert, a seat of learning & an affluent trading centre on routes... coveted by many. www.indcatholicnews.com/news/53821
We are sent to teach and heal, to break down walls that divide people into different categories of value. henrinouwen.org/meditations/...
Embracing All of Humanity - Henri Nouwen
We are sent into this world to be people of reconciliation. We are sent to teach and heal, to break
henrinouwen.org
November 30, 2025 at 3:06 PM
We are sent to teach and heal, to break down walls that divide people into different categories of value. henrinouwen.org/meditations/...
The god of Trump, and the god of those Christians pledged to recover the old hegemony they once treasured, is a god we should all fear.
mailchi.mp/e5b8ae731a5f...
mailchi.mp/e5b8ae731a5f...
Pontifex Minimus: The gods we create
mailchi.mp
November 28, 2025 at 5:23 PM
The god of Trump, and the god of those Christians pledged to recover the old hegemony they once treasured, is a god we should all fear.
mailchi.mp/e5b8ae731a5f...
mailchi.mp/e5b8ae731a5f...
Through contemplative prayer we can keep ourselves from being pulled from one urgent issue to another and from becoming strangers to our own and God’s heart. henrinouwen.org/meditations/...
Dwelling in the Presence - Henri Nouwen
If there is any focus that the Christian leader of the future will need, it is the discipline of dwelling
henrinouwen.org
November 27, 2025 at 2:47 PM
Through contemplative prayer we can keep ourselves from being pulled from one urgent issue to another and from becoming strangers to our own and God’s heart. henrinouwen.org/meditations/...
Preparing ourselves for our death, helping others prepare themselves for theirs, means we realize that our spirits and theirs will touch generations yet to come. Yes, we have to die with Christ, but we will be raised with Christ so as to send the Spirit of Christ. henrinouwen.org/meditations/...
Opening a Whole New World - Henri Nouwen
I want to leave you that very deep word that Jesus says about death: “It is for your good that
henrinouwen.org
November 26, 2025 at 3:15 PM
Preparing ourselves for our death, helping others prepare themselves for theirs, means we realize that our spirits and theirs will touch generations yet to come. Yes, we have to die with Christ, but we will be raised with Christ so as to send the Spirit of Christ. henrinouwen.org/meditations/...
The Vehicle of Hope comes at a moment of extreme humanitarian crisis. UN agencies estimate more than 20,000 children have been killed... while tens of thousands more suffer from injuries, preventable diseases, malnutrition and severe psychological trauma. www.indcatholicnews.com/news/53785
Former Popemobile unveiled as mobile clinic for Gaza's children | ICN
Caritas today unveiled 'Vehicle of Hope,' the former Popemobile transformed into a mobile pediatric clinic designed to reach Ga...
www.indcatholicnews.com
November 26, 2025 at 3:11 PM
The Vehicle of Hope comes at a moment of extreme humanitarian crisis. UN agencies estimate more than 20,000 children have been killed... while tens of thousands more suffer from injuries, preventable diseases, malnutrition and severe psychological trauma. www.indcatholicnews.com/news/53785
If we understand God’s solidarity, if we see God as the One who did not cling to power but gave it up, who did not cling to the ability to solve everyone’s problems, we have the mind of Jesus Christ. henrinouwen.org/meditations/...
God’s Solidarity - Henri Nouwen
God loves us so much that he does not simply take our suffering away; he suffers with us. If we
henrinouwen.org
November 25, 2025 at 4:41 PM
If we understand God’s solidarity, if we see God as the One who did not cling to power but gave it up, who did not cling to the ability to solve everyone’s problems, we have the mind of Jesus Christ. henrinouwen.org/meditations/...
"The time has passed for scepticism or delay on climate change. We are already seeing its effects in this country and around the world - and they will only worsen. " www.indcatholicnews.com/news/53775
Bishop Arnold: Statement on the closing of COP30 | ICN
Bishop John Arnold, Bishop of Salford and Lead Bishop for the Environment for the Catholic Bishops' Conference of England and Wales (CBCEW), has issued the following statement following the conclusion...
www.indcatholicnews.com
November 25, 2025 at 4:28 PM
"The time has passed for scepticism or delay on climate change. We are already seeing its effects in this country and around the world - and they will only worsen. " www.indcatholicnews.com/news/53775
To overcome that constant need to determine my comparative place, and to be simply who I am, can make me whole. henrinouwen.org/meditations/...
Not Comparing - Henri Nouwen
To come to that inner place of not judging in the face of the enormous variety of human experience and
henrinouwen.org
November 24, 2025 at 3:26 PM
To overcome that constant need to determine my comparative place, and to be simply who I am, can make me whole. henrinouwen.org/meditations/...
Nostalgia for some gauzy past situated vaguely between the 16th and 18th centuries has not brought about a more vital or realistic church, in Hall’s view. api.neonemails.com/emails/conte...
api.neonemails.com
November 23, 2025 at 4:46 PM
Nostalgia for some gauzy past situated vaguely between the 16th and 18th centuries has not brought about a more vital or realistic church, in Hall’s view. api.neonemails.com/emails/conte...
“We are called to walk with communities facing floods, droughts, and displacement, ensuring their stories shape global decisions.” www.ucanews.com/news/church-...
Church steps forward at COP30 to demand climate justice- UCA News
Catholic Church leaders at COP30 call for climate justice, ecological responsibility, and stronger funding for vulnerable nations as global negotiations face key disputes.
www.ucanews.com
November 19, 2025 at 3:38 PM
“We are called to walk with communities facing floods, droughts, and displacement, ensuring their stories shape global decisions.” www.ucanews.com/news/church-...
We are called to see the world as God sees it; that is what theology is all about. henrinouwen.org/meditations/...
How to Perceive the World - Henri Nouwen
Spiritually we are in God, in the Lord, at home in God. Our true identity is that we are God’s
henrinouwen.org
November 19, 2025 at 3:11 PM
We are called to see the world as God sees it; that is what theology is all about. henrinouwen.org/meditations/...
For the first time, a Catholic diocese in Canada has announced its divestmen. Its decision is especially significant as Canada – with the US, Australia and Norway – is among those most responsible for fossil fuel expansion since the Paris Agreement. laudatosimovement.org/news/62-fait...
As COP30 meets in Brazil, 62 faith institutions announce fossil fuel divestment commitments - Laudato Si' Movement
62 faith institutions announced their divestment from fossil fuels press release
laudatosimovement.org
November 19, 2025 at 3:08 PM
For the first time, a Catholic diocese in Canada has announced its divestmen. Its decision is especially significant as Canada – with the US, Australia and Norway – is among those most responsible for fossil fuel expansion since the Paris Agreement. laudatosimovement.org/news/62-fait...
We remember God as love and ourselves as God’s beloved. henrinouwen.org/meditations/...
The Power of Remembering - Henri Nouwen
When we “remember” God, we are touching the divine nature within our very souls. For God knows us from eternity
henrinouwen.org
November 17, 2025 at 5:40 PM
We remember God as love and ourselves as God’s beloved. henrinouwen.org/meditations/...
"Governments and opposition groups... lack respect for human dignity; they are harmful to the core & maliciously selfish. Meanwhile, our land is rich in resources, which are misappropriated... while the common people suffer in abject poverty," www.indcatholicnews.com/news/53716
Sudan and South Sudan's Bishops appeal for urgent action amid massive humanitarian crises | ICN
The Bishops of Sudan and South Sudan say they are overwhelmed by the escalating violence and the appalling human conditions resulting from ongoing conflicts in both countries.The Bishops' Pastoral Sta...
www.indcatholicnews.com
November 17, 2025 at 5:35 PM
"Governments and opposition groups... lack respect for human dignity; they are harmful to the core & maliciously selfish. Meanwhile, our land is rich in resources, which are misappropriated... while the common people suffer in abject poverty," www.indcatholicnews.com/news/53716
It is this loss of spirit that is often hardest to acknowledge and most difficult to confess. henrinouwen.org/meditations/...
Confession and Peacemaking - Henri Nouwen
Nobody can escape the agonizing losses that are part of our everyday existence – the loss of our dreams. We
henrinouwen.org
November 16, 2025 at 2:39 PM
It is this loss of spirit that is often hardest to acknowledge and most difficult to confess. henrinouwen.org/meditations/...
We can trust by entering into places of pain, we will find the joy of Jesus. henrinouwen.org/meditations/...
Compassion Grows a New World - Henri Nouwen
As disciples of Jesus, we are sent to wherever there is poverty, loneliness, suffering of any kind. We are given
henrinouwen.org
November 15, 2025 at 6:56 PM
We can trust by entering into places of pain, we will find the joy of Jesus. henrinouwen.org/meditations/...
... outcome of original industrial revolution was a dominant land-owning class had to come to terms with power of new industrialists & entrepreneurs... today's tech revolution has given a new oligarchy spectacularly greater wealth & unaccountable political power. www.indcatholicnews.com/news/53700
Ian Linden: The Pope and the Lords of Silicon Valley | ICN
Much has been made of Pope Leo's time in Peru and his closeness to the late Pope Francis from Argentina. Being first American Pope has been no less newsworthy. But his impact on the USA is proving mor...
www.indcatholicnews.com
November 15, 2025 at 6:51 PM
... outcome of original industrial revolution was a dominant land-owning class had to come to terms with power of new industrialists & entrepreneurs... today's tech revolution has given a new oligarchy spectacularly greater wealth & unaccountable political power. www.indcatholicnews.com/news/53700
Praying then becomes effortless, inspired and lively, or peaceful and quiet. When you recognize the festive and the still moments as moments of prayer, then you gradually realize that to pray is to live.
henrinouwen.org/meditations/...
henrinouwen.org/meditations/...
To Pray is to Live - Henri Nouwen
Maybe someone will say to you, “You have to forgive yourself.” But that isn’t possible. What is possible is to
henrinouwen.org
November 14, 2025 at 8:16 PM
Praying then becomes effortless, inspired and lively, or peaceful and quiet. When you recognize the festive and the still moments as moments of prayer, then you gradually realize that to pray is to live.
henrinouwen.org/meditations/...
henrinouwen.org/meditations/...
May ecological conversion inspire development of a new, human-centred international financial architecture that ensures all countries... the poorest & most vulnerable to climate... see the dignity of citizens respected ...ink between ecological debt and foreign debt.
www.vatican.va/content/leo-...
www.vatican.va/content/leo-...
Message from the Holy Father Leo XIV delivered by Cardinal Secretary of State Pietro Parolin at COP30 in Belém (7 November 2025)
MESSAGE FROM HIS HOLINESS POPE LEO XIV DELIVERED BY CARDINAL SECRETARY OF STATE PIETRO PAROLIN AT THE THIRTIETH SESSION OF THE CONFERENCE OF THE PARTIES TO THE UNITED NATIONS FRAMEWORK CONVENTION ON C...
www.vatican.va
November 13, 2025 at 3:56 PM
May ecological conversion inspire development of a new, human-centred international financial architecture that ensures all countries... the poorest & most vulnerable to climate... see the dignity of citizens respected ...ink between ecological debt and foreign debt.
www.vatican.va/content/leo-...
www.vatican.va/content/leo-...
We feel compelled now in this environment to raise our voices in defence of God-given human dignity. Catholic teaching exhorts nations to recognise the fundamental dignity of all persons, including immigrants. www.indcatholicnews.com/news/53687
US Bishops issue 'Special Message' on Immigration | ICN
As the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) gathered for their Fall Plenary Assembly in Baltimore, today, 12 November, they issued a Special Message addressing their concern for the ev...
www.indcatholicnews.com
November 13, 2025 at 3:46 PM
We feel compelled now in this environment to raise our voices in defence of God-given human dignity. Catholic teaching exhorts nations to recognise the fundamental dignity of all persons, including immigrants. www.indcatholicnews.com/news/53687