Christian Family Movement USA-Taking Time to Make a Difference

Overview

2008 Issues

Programs - Taking Time to Make a Difference

Overview

CFM's column, "Taking Time to Make a Difference", has been honored three times by the Catholic Press Association for excellence in family issues and spirituality writing. The most recent award was a first place in 2008 from Catholic Press Association of United States and Canada for excellence in spirituality. The citation read, "The writer's style is sparse and clean, a joy to read. Each column is personal and evocative with just the right measure of opinion and humility. Genuine." Take some time now to read this weekly column by Paul Leingang, Current Director and Past-President of CFM, and send him your comments when you finish. Contact about subscribing for your newspaper.

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2008

December 19, 2008: Of words and actions at Christmas time
December 12, 2008: What do you see from the windows of your house?
December 5, 2008: Reflection on the family home, what it means
November 28, 2008: A short course in salvation history
November 21, 2008: What are we doing ‘for the children?’
November 14, 2008: Time to put a penny in the old man’s hat
November 7, 2008: Can you see what I am trying to say?
October 31, 2008: When the band plays on, what do you hear?
October 24, 2008: Time to take a tour of your family life
October 17, 2008: Of bits and rudders and tongues
October 10, 2008: When food is only a commodity, life is lost
October 3, 2008: When politics and religion converge
September 26, 2008: What do you see at your front door?
September 19, 2008: A plea to answer the call of one who is waiting
September 12, 2008: It’s not the answer, it’s the assurance
September 5, 2008: A leaf, a tree, an altar, and the view from inside
August 29, 2008: Just go down this street, turn left...
August 22, 2008: About the work of human hands
August 15, 2008: Keep Kids Alive Drive 25®
August 8, 2008: Turning the cheek? or the tables in the temple?
August 1, 2008: Summer at the lake or in the heat of the city?
July 25, 2008: Food: A right, not merely a commodity
July 18, 2008: Taking a look at our role as innkeepers
July 11, 2008: A family story, holiness at home
July 4, 2008: The common thread: Connection with others
June 27, 2008: How cultures are connected
June 20, 2008: Having fun with people having fun
June 13, 2008: It was big, but not big enough
May 30, 2008: Of brothers and sisters and strangers, all part of the family
May 23, 2008: Ours to use, but not to own
May 16, 2008: A priceless gift: Admission into a family
May 9, 2008: When did we see you homeless?
May 2, 2008: Who is my neighbor, and where is the line?
April 25, 2008: About married life and separate places
April 18, 2008: So what, yeah but, why not
April 11, 2008: What’s new? What’s news?
April 4, 2008: Of field and farm and family
March 28, 2008: Just getting what they deserve
March 21, 2008: Some nun, some singer, some ordinary event
March 14, 2008: An exercise to help us see reality
March 7, 2008: A little Barabbas in all of us
February 29, 2008: Taking the time to get ‘inside’ the fiesta of faith
February 22, 2008: The reality of homelessness, possibility of hope
February 15, 2008: Some simple thoughts along the way
February 8, 2008: . . . a time to say hello
February 1, 2008: Proposing an addition to the works of mercy
January 25, 2008: Looking forward to Lent
January 18, 2008: When will I ever have the time to . . .
January 11, 2008: After the storm, and what it means for us
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2007

December 28, 2007: ‘He did more than get them singing’
December 21, 2007: Words of power, words of justice
December 14, 2007: How will we know this is the one?
December 7, 2007: An Advent reflection: Light from light
November 30, 2007: . . . of fathers and begotten sons
November 23, 2007: A name above all names
November 16, 2007: . . . seen and unseen . . .
November 9, 2007: Heaven and earth, and you and me, too
November 2, 2007: In the house of my father and mother
October 26, 2007: I believe in one God
October 19, 2007: He’s looking at me!
October 12, 2007: Encouragement to put love into action
October 5, 2007: Doers, not hearers only
September 28, 2007: What is it that is overwhelming?
September 21, 2007: Not even a walking stick?
September 14, 2007: A day to support the family meal
September 7, 2007: Don’t let friendship slip away
August 31, 2007: You just never know . . .
August 24, 2007: So how is your day?
August 17, 2007: In the name of . . .
August 10, 2007: Of music and a great Amen
July 27, 2007: Watching us, and watching over us
July 20, 2007: What did he really say?
July 13, 2007: Wind and waves and what to watch for
July 6, 2007: That they all may be one . . .
June 29, 2007: Words that must be spoken
June 22, 2007: Who are these people?
June 8, 2007: Involvement and commitment
June 1, 2007: Seeing first the face of Jesus
May 25, 2007: What to watch and when to watch it
May 18, 2007: Meet, pray, write and send
May 11, 2007: When I was thirsty . . .
May 4, 2007: A tribute to Terry
April 27, 2007: An old idea with a new application
April 20, 2007: A neighbor, not a number
April 13, 2007: About things that are unfinished
April 6, 2007: Have you seen him yet?
March 30, 2007: Take the time to tell the difference
March 23, 2007: A small fire may be just enough
March 16, 2007: Down the hall, down the hill
March 9, 2007: A full adventure package
March 2, 2007: Following the followers? Or the leader?
February 23, 2007: Working toward a well-formed conscience
February 16, 2007: Another way to look at things
February 9, 2007: Taking the time to listen
February 2, 2007: Sharing the good news
January 26, 2007: They know who I am
January 19, 2007: When you need a good answer . . .
January 12, 2007: Guess who’s coming to lunch
January 5, 2007: What exactly does that mean for you?
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2006

December 22, 2006: Of choirs and sleigh bells
December 15, 2006: A free gift for all
December 8, 2006: Time to take another look at the script
December 1, 2006: From magazines, bishops and bibles
November 24, 2006: We were towing the car . . .
November 17, 2006: Did you hear the story . . .?
November 10, 2006: Scraping old wallpaper away
November 3, 2006: Thoughts on life in between
October 27, 2006: A pilgrimage of everyday life
October 6, 2006: What we went to see . . .
September 29, 2006: Here I am Lord
September 22, 2006: Do you want to have power?
September 15, 2006: The beginning of a beautiful relationship
September 8, 2006: Ordinary witnesses of extraordinary value
September 1, 2006: Time to pay attention to each other
August 18, 2006: Of dreams and realities
August 11, 2006: Thoughts on crime and punishment
July 21, 2006: The footsteps of a saint
July 14, 2006: Time for a family meal
June 30, 2006: Helping families to stay connected
June 23, 2006: Winning, not everything, not even enough
June 16, 2006: Music, film and family connections
June 9, 2006: We are each other’s keepers
June 2, 2006: Keeping connected with family, faith
May 19, 2006: Transformation, celebration, affirmation
May 12, 2006: Then and now, and what to do about it
May 5, 2006: Through the eyes of one person
April 28, 2006: A lesson from the garden (tiller)
April 21, 2006: An invitation to the feast
April 14, 2006: A few words about Father Sam
April 7, 2006: More than tacos and sauerkraut
March 31, 2006: Traffic lights and other controls
March 24, 2006: Do what you have to do . . .
March 17, 2006: A man was walking along the river . . .
March 10, 2006:. . . to change a lightbulb
March 3, 2006: Our God is the God of runaway slaves
February 24, 2006: If the other really became my brother . . .
February 17, 2006: On the day after Valentine’s Day
February 10, 2006: Where in the world . . .
February 3, 2006: Truth, justice and fresh veggies
January 27, 2006: Leftover plywood — a view of creation
January 20, 2006: About truth in action
January 13, 2006: About hopes and healings
January 6, 2006: Maximum effort for minimum pay
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2005

December 23, 2005: The promise of a great light
December 16, 2005: . . . I was in prison . . .
December 9, 2005: Marriage: ‘The heritage of humanity’
December 2, 2005: In tribute to Patty Crowley
November 25, 2005: New stories to tell on Thanksgiving
November 18, 2005: When ‘How are you?’ means something
November 11, 2005: Spending the time between life and death
November 4, 2005: Do something . . . or feel useless
October 28, 2005: Making plans for a fall weekend
October 21, 2005: Thoughts about ‘sending them off’
October 14, 2005: Forgive us our lane changes
October 7, 2005: Do we offer bread or stones?
September 30, 2005: Who will pay for this?
September 16, 2005: Could it be a trend?
September 9, 2005: The hurricane: A personal view
September 2, 2005: Using Gospel technology
August 26, 2005: Searching through the news of the day
August 19, 2005: What can you say?
August 12, 2005: Encouragement to celebrate ‘Family Day’
August 5, 2005: No longer a stranger
July 29, 2005: What to do when it happens all the time
July 22, 2005: . . . an extraordinary marriage . . .
July 8, 2005: Why do you stand here idle?
July 1, 2005: A family meal, a family blessing
June 24, 2005: Witness to a series of surprises
June 17, 2005: Giving voice to those in need
June 3, 2005: You too can make a difference
May 27, 2005: Just something that needs to be done
May 20, 2005: Of lions and fences and freedom
May 13, 2005: A quick and extraordinary accomplishment?
May 6, 2005: A photo ID, a key, and other things
April 29, 2005: Who are you?
April 22, 2005: Reflection on a time of waiting
April 15, 2005: Into your hands, Lord . . .
April 8, 2005: Who did you go out to see?
April 1, 2005: . . . if possible, so far as it depends upon you . . .
March 25, 2005: . . . what I remember is . . .
March 18, 2005: Big news, good news, reason to celebrate
March 11, 2005: What may be needed for the journey
March 4, 2005: What do you see?
February 25, 2005: Romero — A witness for all of us
February 18, 2005: An unexpected caller
February 11, 2005: Of times and tides
February 4, 2005: What did you go out to see?
January 28, 2005: How much time do I have?
January 21, 2005: Measure for measure
January 14, 2005: From the extreme to the ordinary
January 7, 2005: What can I do?

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2004

December 24, 2004: Finding the story within us
December 17, 2004: Some questions at Christmas time
December 10, 2004: In the beginning, and throughout the year
December 3, 2004: Directions given, directions taken
November 26, 2004: . . . and these thy gifts . . .
November 19, 2004: It’s not the time to be hiding
November 12, 2004: After the election . . .
November 5, 2004: Behold, the catalogs are coming
October 29, 2004: . . . what did you go out to see?
October 22, 2004: A family pilgrimage
October 15, 2004: About freedom and doing right
October 8, 2004: A gathering of neighbors
October 1, 2004: Faith and politics a personal view
September 3, 2004: Not who, what, when but why
August 27, 2004: Do you have ears to hear?
August 20, 2004: Thoughts on a Tuesday without telephones
August 13, 2004: Back to school with hope and joy
August 6, 2004: Ordinary courtesy in daily life
July 16, 2004: My contribution is . . .
July 9, 2004: The blessings of a summer storm
July 2, 2004: An encouragement to 'faithful citizenship'
June 25, 2004: Out of poverty, into prosperity
June 18, 2004: . . . without money, without price
June 11, 2004: A brush and a spill with greatness
June 4, 2004: Facing fear, facing forward again
May 28, 2004: Too graphic? You can make a difference
May 21, 2004: Who will you reveal?
May 14, 2004: Blood has no language, no race
May 7, 2004: About the work of human hands
April 30, 2004: A little truth may not be enough
April 23, 2004: . . . I have called you friends
April 16, 2004: About truth and topsoil
April 9, 2004: Along the road to redemption
April 2, 2004: Eternity and practicality
March 26, 2004: Taking the time . . . to prepare a meal
March 19, 2004: Bringing light to the darkness
March 12, 2004: Some thoughts on living and giving
March 5, 2004: Traveling in time
February 27, 2004: Getting used to it
February 20, 2004: The best job in the world
February 14, 2004: The worth of our words
February 7, 2004: After Christmas, before Lent
January 30, 2004: 'None of the above' is not good enough
January 23, 2004: Challenge to find a new perspective
January 16, 2004: Give gifts to a stranger?
January 9, 2004: . . . and before we could do that . . .

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2003

December 26, 2003: Christmas time to share our stories
December 19, 2003: A public service reminder . . .
December 12, 2003: At last, a promise of Christmas success
December 5, 2003: Of busy days and telephone calls
November 21, 2003: Of miles and measures
November 14, 2003: Let's go to the numbers
November 7, 2003: And now, live from . . .
October 31, 2003: A picture from a graduation
October 24, 2003: A baptismal reflection
October 17, 2003: Going beyond 'acceptance'
October 10, 2003: Doing nothing?
October 3, 2003: About more than a school dance in Georgia
September 26, 2003: . . . and the next item is . . .
September 19, 2003: An unexpected grace
September 12, 2003: A story about charity and justice
September 5, 2003: Inside or outside, what's important?
August 29, 2003: Jesus revealed in a quiet conversation
August 22, 2003: Of images for today and tomorrow
August 15, 2003: Stories from real life
August 8, 2003: Finding the way, ready to follow
August 1, 2003: Was it John the bicyclist?
July 25, 2003: Of a coffee cup and a river of justice
July 18, 2003: Once there was a poor family . . .
July 11, 2003: Bridges may be icy
June 27, 2003: An unexpected lesson
June 20, 2003: Changing the world but with God's design
June 13, 2003: Outside advice supports family approach
June 6, 2003: Finding a broom that will stand on its own
May 23, 2003: It's not the same, for them or for us
May 16, 2003: ...especially for strangers
May 9, 2003: Of spring and sustainability
May 2, 2003: A rainy day acknowledgement
April 25, 2003: Who are you going to believe?
April 18, 2003: Challenge of Easter: Be hope to others
April 11, 2003: Family shapes the life of a 'Catholic worker'
April 4, 2003: Thoughts in the check-out line
March 28, 2003: Are you one of the thirty-six?
March 21, 2003: Lord, have mercy
March 14, 2003: Two wrongs take an interesting turn
March 7, 2003: The birth of a granddaughter
February 28, 2003: Pray, fast, learn, give
February 21, 2003: Routines and when to break them
February 14, 2003: What value is our daily bread?
February 7, 2003: Build a ladder, bring some one to Jesus
January 31, 2003: A leaky faucet, a Lenten plan
January 24, 2003: Who would you be?
January 17, 2003: Telling the stories of our faith
January 10, 2003: A dangerous proposal

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2002

December 27, 2002: Finding the truth of our faith
December 20, 2002: Bringing Jesus into the world
December 13, 2002: Seeking truth and goodness
November 29, 2002: Being thankful for your blessings
November 22, 2002: Comfort at a time of uncertainty
November 15, 2002: Licenses and rites of passage
November 8, 2002: Reasoning through the seasons
November 1, 2002: Some questions about family and work
October 25, 2002: Some gifts to consider
October 18, 2002: When Monday lasts all week
October 11, 2002: Married life: Who really cares
October 4, 2002: Seriously: Let's talk about Christmas
September 27, 2002: Is there plywood on your window?
September 20, 2002: Re-discovering the value of the family
September 13, 2002: Now is the time to ask: What if . . .
September 6, 2002: This time it was real but what's next?
August 30, 2002: An approach to 'all things' of the earth
August 23, 2002: Prayer and actions at the start of a journey
August 9, 2002: Who are my mother and my brethren?
August 2, 2002: It's not just what we believe...
July 26, 2002: What do you hear? What do you see?
July 19, 2002: The road is made by walking
June 28, 2002: We need 'the news'-the news needs you
June 21, 2002: Truth is a matter of justice
June 14, 2002: Responding to anger in pain, with prayer
June 7, 2002: Responding to a 'gentleman of the road'
May 24, 2002: Accepting the names people call us
May 17, 2002: Family secrets on each end of the scale
May 10, 2002: I wonder what he thought about me
May 3, 2002: Faith is not a private matter
April 26, 2002: Uncovering hope in the midst of violence
April 19, 2002: Is it a refrigerator, a fridge or an icebox?
March 29, 2002: A season of life
March 22, 2002: Who are 'the hungry' and 'the thirsty'?
March 15, 2002: . . . until you use me up
March 8, 2002: 'To build a village'
March 1, 2002: To bear witness to the truth
February 22, 2002: Two phone calls and a lesson learned
February 15, 2002: Suggestions for an alternative Lent
February 8, 2002: A new look at old places
February 1, 2002: A family game for Lent
January 25, 2002: Two views of one family
January 18, 2002: Recommending a 'set of initiatives'
January 11, 2002: You've got questions? God has answers

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2001

December 28, 2001: A serious resolution for the new year
December 21, 2001: Gifts for the days after Christmas
December 14, 2001: A workshop view of Christmas
December 7, 2001: Of time and treasure in the family
November 30, 2001: A call to be life and light to the world
November 23, 2001: Family questions, Gospel answers
November 16, 2001: Continue baking and continue taking
November 9, 2001: To whom shall we go?
November 2, 2001: Family life: Whose business is it?
October 26, 2001: An exchange of experiences and gifts
October 19, 2001: Lessons from an 'ordinary' couple
October 12, 2001: Time to support marriage and family
October 5, 2001: Time to offer comfort and respect
September 28, 2001: It was a pretty good day
September 21, 2001: A time to acknowledge what is ours
September 14, 2001: A time for families, a time for hope
September 7, 2001: A name in the news
August 31, 2001: Now and at the hour . . .
August 24, 2001: Reflecting on the family
August 17, 2001: A gift, unexpected
August 10, 2001: Learning as a luncheon guest
August 3, 2001: When I was in Brazil . . .
July 27, 2001: Proposed: A job and a half
July 20, 2001: A union of families
July 13, 2001: A call to be an ordinary peacemaker
July 6, 2001: 10 ways to make a difference
June 29, 2001: Prayer and action
June 22, 2001: It's always the same thing, unless . . .
June 15, 2001: Food for thought, food for action
June 8, 2001: Real people and other revelations
June 1, 2001: For the hungry, why don't we . . . ?
May 18, 2001: A time, a season, a larger family
May 11, 2001: A prayer for good news
May 4, 2001: A 'chance meeting' in Birmingham
April 27, 2001: Keys, locks and opening the doors
April 20, 2001: Action, one family at a time
April 13, 2001: A season for all men and women
April 6, 2001: An ordinary, extraordinary man
March 30, 2001: This is a courtesy call ...
March 23, 2001: I was hungry and ...
March 16, 2001: Seeking peace in the home and family
March 9, 2001: Between ashes and new fire
March 2, 2001: Death penalty: What can we do?
February 23, 2001: My nephew and my brother
February 16, 2001: A guide for the days to come
February 9, 2001: Reflections on marriage
February 2, 2001: Make a Difference
January 26, 2001: What are you reading?
January 19, 2001: A lesson from the frying pan
January 12, 2001: Offering forgiveness
January 5, 2001: So, how did you spend the time?

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2000

December 15, 2000: A time to wait, a time to act
December 8, 2000: Risks, strains and stresses
December 1, 2000: Flashing lights and other signs
November 24, 2000: Between Thanksgiving and Christmas
November 17, 2000: Not quite as far as forever
November 10, 2000: Far away, but close to home
November 3, 2000: One Family at a Time
October 27, 2000: From Amsterdam to Colorado
October 20, 2000: What time is it? Whose time is it?
October 13, 2000: A gift to parents and to the community
October 6, 2000: A one-lane bridge and other questions
September 29, 2000: In praise of "criminal quality" virtues
September 22, 2000: A Jubilee challenge
September 15, 2000: I'm mad at them, so I won't help you
September 8, 2000: Families are facing a crisis of time
September 1, 2000: Gift of the earth, work of human hands

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