Mark Piper, a Packers fan in an unholy land, is the director of Mercy Associates for the Sisters of Mercy of the Americas West Midwest Community. He resides in Chicago with his family and holds a master's in public policy from DePaul University and a bachelor's from Saint Xavier University; he is an alumus of Amate House, an AmeriCorps-approved year of service organization sponsored by the Chicago Archdiocese.
He writes for NCR's Young Voices blog.
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Mark Piper
Column
Everyone forgets about Mary Oliver's grasshopper
The poet famously asked, what is it you plan to do with your one wild and precious life? Now that I have reached the age of 30, the question has turned into an examen.
Column
A 2018 happiness thread to keep my misanthropic heresy at bay
Young Voices: When I see evil and folks who might get my ire up, I think of these people with good and working hearts, people committed to the Gospel and building God's kingdom.
Column
Thoughts on women in ministry, in a bit more than two sentences
Young Voices: Ten years ago, a seminary application asked me to comment on women in ministry. Most any answer I could have given then would have been an impoverished one.
Column
Realizing the 'missionary creativity' Pope Francis calls for
Young Voices: Pope Francis talks about "missionary creativity," and here are eight perhaps not-so-obvious steps that parishes can take to answer his call — to be more welcoming and spiritually fulfilling as communities.