Doing What’s Right When It’s Hard: A Lesson from a Vietnam Veteran
by Mikaela VanMoorleghem, MPA
When my Uncle Jim VanMoorleghem was drafted in 1967, he was just 19 years old. The letter began the same way thousands of others did during the Vietnam era:
“Greetings: You are hereby ordered for induction into the Armed Forces of the United States…”
If you didn’t…
Read More
The Quiet Strength of Hope
by Mikaela VanMoorleghem, MPA
When I think about hope, I don’t see it as something light or easy. For me, hope has always felt steady, grounded, and sometimes even hard-won, but it doesn’t ignore pain or struggle. To me, it’s the quiet but persistent reminder that even when the…
Read More
Honoring Lives Lost, Reflecting on the Choices We Make
by Mikaela VanMoorleghem, MPA
Today was a moment that shook the world. I am sure all of you can remember exactly where you were when you first learned what was happening on 9/11. I was standing in my very first apartment on my own, getting ready for work and…
Read More
Backpacks, Blessings, and the Beauty of Creation
by Mikaela A. VanMoorleghem, MPA
As summer winds down and school buses start rumbling down the streets again, I find myself thinking about fresh starts. There’s something sacred about the back-to-school season. Maybe it’s the smell of sharpened pencils, the newness of school supplies, or the way the morning…
Read More
Mid-Year Reflection – 2025
by Mikaela VanMoorleghem, MPA
What have I learned?
At the start of this year, I felt heartbroken. I entered 2025 anxious not knowing what was to come. So many decisions unfolding around me seemed to carry heavy consequences—particularly for women, immigrants, our environment, and those struggling to make ends meet….
Read More
With the Hands of St. Joseph, With the Heart of Pope Francis
As we step into May and celebrate the feast of St. Joseph the Worker, we do so with hearts full of reflection and hope. This year feels especially meaningful. With the passing of Pope Francis, we hold his memory close—particularly his prayer intention for this month: “For working…
Read More
The Joy of Resurrection: The fuel That Drives Me to be an Agent of Change
by Mikaela VanMoorleghem, MPA
As we prepare to celebrate the joyous resurrection of Jesus this Easter, I am reminded of the power of hope, renewal, and sacrifice. But as I reflect on the joy of the resurrection, I also think about the journey that led to this moment—the suffering,…
Read More
Reflecting on Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s Legacy on the Anniversary of his Assassination
by Mikaela VanMoorleghem, MPA
Today, we mark the anniversary of the assassination of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., a pivotal moment in American history that continues to influence our collective pursuit of diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI). Dr. King’s deep commitment to these principles serves as a guide, inspiring…
Read More
Reflections on the Triduum: A Journey of Faith, Service, Suffering, and Hope
by Sr. Margaret Hickey, ND
We have entered into the Triduum—Holy Thursday, Good Friday, and Holy Saturday. May these days fill you with you with many graces leading into the great joy of Easter Sunday!
In my journey through Lent I often reflect on current events in relationship to the…
Read More
Breaking Stereotypes: Notre Dame Sister Theresa Maly Advocates Against the Death Penalty
by Mikaela VanMoorleghem, MPA
Sr. Theresa Maly’s journey into the movement to abolish the death penalty began years ago within the Notre Dame community. During summer gatherings and assemblies, discussions on social injustices resonated deeply. The issue of the death penalty, in particular, caught her attention. It was contradictory…