Relationships are the very essence of community. Here at Sts. Clare & Francis we are committed to nurturing the highest quality relationships to better reveal the true nature of God as he/she expresses herself through individuals. To that worthwhile and challenging end, we present a new weekly column intended to offer you thoughts and ideas on enhancing all your relationships, although with a spotlight on healthy, life-expanding community.

Since the beginning of 2015, the following columns have been offered by way of our parish newsletter. Drawing from a variety of professionals with a heart for this work, every week they offered a new topic for consideration, reflection, and perhaps use in your own life. If you find the columns valuable or interesting, we invite you to forward them to a friend. We ask your prayers for our journey through this year.

Yours in outstanding relationships,

Art Maines, LCSW
Coordinator, Being Imperfect Together

What Do We Mean by Healthy Relationships? - Art Maines, LCSW
Press Reset - Sue Self, LCSW
Acceptance: A Great Place to Start - Art Maines, LCSW
Connections That Make a Difference - Helen Gennari, MSW, LCSW
5 Ideas for Handling Criticism Well - Art Maines, LCSW
When We Stress, We Regress - Art Maines, LCSW
When Buttons Are Pushed… - Sue Self, LCSW
Messages from Snow-Covered Trees - Helen Gennari, MSW, LCSW
Observing Without Judgement - Helen Gennari, MSW, LCSW
To say or not to say? These are the questions - Art Maines, LCSW
Saving Grace - Sue Self, LCSW
Choosing Deeper Relationship - Clarence Heller, Spiritual Director
A New Season - Helen Gennari, MSW, LCSW
An Essential Choice: Forgiveness or Resentment - Art Maines, LCSW
You’re Part of a Community - Lucky You! - Art Maines, LCSW
We do not see things as they are. We see them as we are - Helen Gennari, MSW, LCSW
Disagreement, Respect, and Our Political Differences, Part 1 - Art Maines, LCSW
Disagreement, Respect, and Our Political Differences, Part 2 - Art Maines, LCSW
Share Your Wealth with the Community - Art Maines, LCSW
The Stories We Tell Ourselves - Art Maines, LCSW
The 5 Faces of Reasonableness - Art Maines, LCSW
How Easily We Forget - Helen Gennari, MSW, LCSW
The Art of Listening, Part 1 – Art Maines, LCSW
The Art of Listening, Part 2 – Art Maines, LCSW
Patients Now! Part 1 - Art Maines, LCSW
Patients Now! Part 2 - Art Maines, LCSW
Disconnection the Need for Forgiveness - Helen Gennari, MSW, LCSW
Janus Throws a Party, and The Community is the Real Guest of Honor - Art Maines, LCSW
A Major Reason Why People Can Be Jerks Sometimes, and What to Do About It, Part 1 - Art Maines, LCSW
A Major Reason Why People Can Be Jerks Sometimes, and What to Do About It, Part 2 - Art Maines, LCSW
Seeming Opposites Reveal the Unity in Community - Art Maines, LCSW
Why It's So Hard to Be Wrong - Art Maines, LCSW
Showing Up - Sue Self, LCSW
Perfect Imperfections - Sue Self, LCSW
Lessons from a Sister ECC Community - Art Maines, LCSW
What Do We Mean by “Drama” - Art Maines, LCSW