Mark Lepper
@thelepper.bsky.social
MDiv. Hospitality Coordinator @ Benedictine Retreat Ctr. Friend of Dorothy Day. Spiritual Director. Centering Prayer practitioner. Benedictine Oblate. Dishwasher for the revolution. "If Henri Nouwen reincarnated as a Muppet." L'Arche for Life! He/Him/His 🏳️🌈
There's a good chance that my cat took my FitBit and hid it somewhere in my apartment.
January 14, 2026 at 2:53 PM
There's a good chance that my cat took my FitBit and hid it somewhere in my apartment.
Reposted by Mark Lepper
I'm a pen pal w/ 2 men who are incarcerated. One celebrated his birthday last month & he's in a low-security facility & was able to bake a cake for himself and his roommates. He sent me the recipe for "prison cake." It involves Oreos, Swiss Miss, root beer, and other stuff. I can't wait to make it!
January 12, 2026 at 3:37 PM
I'm a pen pal w/ 2 men who are incarcerated. One celebrated his birthday last month & he's in a low-security facility & was able to bake a cake for himself and his roommates. He sent me the recipe for "prison cake." It involves Oreos, Swiss Miss, root beer, and other stuff. I can't wait to make it!
It doesn't matter what kind of person she was. It doesn't matter who she left behind. It doesn't matter how young or old she was, or what her ethnicity was. No one deserves to be murdered like that.
January 8, 2026 at 10:17 PM
It doesn't matter what kind of person she was. It doesn't matter who she left behind. It doesn't matter how young or old she was, or what her ethnicity was. No one deserves to be murdered like that.
Reposted by Mark Lepper
his name is Jonathan Ross and he shouldn't get a good night's sleep for the rest of his life www.startribune.com/ice-agent-wh...
Star Tribune identifies ICE agent who fatally shot woman in Minneapolis
Jonathan Ross was dragged in a separate incident last year by a fleeing driver, according to court records.
www.startribune.com
January 8, 2026 at 7:09 PM
his name is Jonathan Ross and he shouldn't get a good night's sleep for the rest of his life www.startribune.com/ice-agent-wh...
Reposted by Mark Lepper
I had my first hospice volunteer training this afternoon led by the social worker who also coordinates volunteers. Met a nurse who told me some wild stories until the social worker told her to leave because she didn't want me to run away. 😂
I start my hospice volunteer training on January 6. We decided it was probably better to wait until after the busy-ness & excitement of Christmas.
January 6 is also Epiphany, the celebration of Christ's revelation to the world, when the Magi arrived.
I'm sure there's something theological there.
January 6 is also Epiphany, the celebration of Christ's revelation to the world, when the Magi arrived.
I'm sure there's something theological there.
It's National Hospice and Palliative Care Month. I got a text from the hospice social worker today that apparently there's been a hold up in the process because they need my middle initial. So now they have that so we shall see where it goes.
Hug a hospice worker! (They probably need it).
Hug a hospice worker! (They probably need it).
January 7, 2026 at 1:54 AM
I had my first hospice volunteer training this afternoon led by the social worker who also coordinates volunteers. Met a nurse who told me some wild stories until the social worker told her to leave because she didn't want me to run away. 😂
I forgot about the time in my friend's dorm room when I was stretching and knocked his fish-shaped wooden cheese board off the wall and it hit me in the face, cutting the bridge of my noise, and causing me to bleed. Luckily no stitches or bruising but a weird cut on my face for a while.
Probably the time I broke my big toe walking down a dark hallway at a friend's house and walked into a TV (CRT, not flat screen).
Or, the time I broke a different toe playing Capture the Flag at a church lock-in and I slipped and fell and kicked a wall while trying to avoid being caught.
Or, the time I broke a different toe playing Capture the Flag at a church lock-in and I slipped and fell and kicked a wall while trying to avoid being caught.
What's the most ridiculous way you ever hurt yourself? I got out of the tub, skidded in water and tripped over the toilet. Ankle sprain.
😅
😅
January 6, 2026 at 2:01 AM
I forgot about the time in my friend's dorm room when I was stretching and knocked his fish-shaped wooden cheese board off the wall and it hit me in the face, cutting the bridge of my noise, and causing me to bleed. Luckily no stitches or bruising but a weird cut on my face for a while.
Probably the time I broke my big toe walking down a dark hallway at a friend's house and walked into a TV (CRT, not flat screen).
Or, the time I broke a different toe playing Capture the Flag at a church lock-in and I slipped and fell and kicked a wall while trying to avoid being caught.
Or, the time I broke a different toe playing Capture the Flag at a church lock-in and I slipped and fell and kicked a wall while trying to avoid being caught.
What's the most ridiculous way you ever hurt yourself? I got out of the tub, skidded in water and tripped over the toilet. Ankle sprain.
😅
😅
January 6, 2026 at 1:59 AM
Probably the time I broke my big toe walking down a dark hallway at a friend's house and walked into a TV (CRT, not flat screen).
Or, the time I broke a different toe playing Capture the Flag at a church lock-in and I slipped and fell and kicked a wall while trying to avoid being caught.
Or, the time I broke a different toe playing Capture the Flag at a church lock-in and I slipped and fell and kicked a wall while trying to avoid being caught.
My last day on retreat at St Gregory's Abbey. Time seems to move a little slower here, more contemplative and prayerful. I wasn't quite sure what to expect, as I'd never been here before, but it was a restful time away and a wonderful way to start this new year.
January 4, 2026 at 6:34 PM
My last day on retreat at St Gregory's Abbey. Time seems to move a little slower here, more contemplative and prayerful. I wasn't quite sure what to expect, as I'd never been here before, but it was a restful time away and a wonderful way to start this new year.
Reposted by Mark Lepper
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This quote from Barbara Brown Taylor (from the book GOD IN PAIN) has been a big part of my Christmas prayer these past few weeks:
"He did not come to put us to shame with his divinity. He came to call us into the fullness of our humanity, which was good enough for him."
This quote from Barbara Brown Taylor (from the book GOD IN PAIN) has been a big part of my Christmas prayer these past few weeks:
"He did not come to put us to shame with his divinity. He came to call us into the fullness of our humanity, which was good enough for him."
January 2, 2026 at 6:54 PM
⚓
This quote from Barbara Brown Taylor (from the book GOD IN PAIN) has been a big part of my Christmas prayer these past few weeks:
"He did not come to put us to shame with his divinity. He came to call us into the fullness of our humanity, which was good enough for him."
This quote from Barbara Brown Taylor (from the book GOD IN PAIN) has been a big part of my Christmas prayer these past few weeks:
"He did not come to put us to shame with his divinity. He came to call us into the fullness of our humanity, which was good enough for him."
So, I put my profile on the Spiritual Directors International "Find a Director" directory. You can check it out & if you're in the market for a spiritual director and want to give it a try with me, I'd be honored! www.sdicompanions.org/profile/mark...
SDI Profile - SDI Companions
We are the home of spiritual companionship. Spiritual directors, life coaches, chaplains, and all those interested in the spiritual journey connect here. If
www.sdicompanions.org
January 2, 2026 at 10:47 PM
So, I put my profile on the Spiritual Directors International "Find a Director" directory. You can check it out & if you're in the market for a spiritual director and want to give it a try with me, I'd be honored! www.sdicompanions.org/profile/mark...
What a great day! In fact, I'd even say it's been the best day of the year so far!
January 2, 2026 at 2:56 AM
What a great day! In fact, I'd even say it's been the best day of the year so far!
I tried it twice... Once at 1:30pm and again at 7:30pm thinking I'd get a word that I liked better. But I got the same one. This does not bode well for me in 2026.
January 2, 2026 at 12:35 AM
I tried it twice... Once at 1:30pm and again at 7:30pm thinking I'd get a word that I liked better. But I got the same one. This does not bode well for me in 2026.
Happy New Year from St Gregory's Abbey in Three Rivers, Michigan!
May 2026 be a year that we all grow in compassion, gentleness, love, and holiness!
May 2026 be a year that we all grow in compassion, gentleness, love, and holiness!
January 1, 2026 at 2:41 PM
Happy New Year from St Gregory's Abbey in Three Rivers, Michigan!
May 2026 be a year that we all grow in compassion, gentleness, love, and holiness!
May 2026 be a year that we all grow in compassion, gentleness, love, and holiness!
A cold but beautiful day at St Gregory's Abbey today.
December 31, 2025 at 1:29 AM
A cold but beautiful day at St Gregory's Abbey today.
I was just reminiscing about the summer of 2003 when I, a gangly and awkward 26 year old, was doing a unit of CPE at a hospital in Duluth, MN. As chaplains, we were expected to wear suit coats/blazers, and I only had one at the time. So I went to JC Penney and bought one.
December 30, 2025 at 2:51 PM
I was just reminiscing about the summer of 2003 when I, a gangly and awkward 26 year old, was doing a unit of CPE at a hospital in Duluth, MN. As chaplains, we were expected to wear suit coats/blazers, and I only had one at the time. So I went to JC Penney and bought one.
So, today on my private retreat, we had what I guess you could call a winter storm. It snowed almost all day, sometimes pretty heavily with freezing temperatures and strong winds, resulting in several inches of snow. One can only wait in anticipation to see what tomorrow holds.
a close up of a woman with curly hair and a hair clip in her hair .
Alt: A scene from Rocky Horror Picture Show. Frank N. Furter in all of their gender bending glory, is wearing a black corset, black gloves, a pearl necklace, and makeup is saying "Antici" and then it cuts to Janet whose eyes are wide and she's hanging on Frank's every word. It then cuts back to Rocky and he says "pation." And Janet reacts.
media.tenor.com
December 30, 2025 at 2:04 AM
So, today on my private retreat, we had what I guess you could call a winter storm. It snowed almost all day, sometimes pretty heavily with freezing temperatures and strong winds, resulting in several inches of snow. One can only wait in anticipation to see what tomorrow holds.
After an almost 10 hour drive, mostly in the rain and some of it in torrential downpour, I arrived this afternoon at my destination: St Gregory's Abbey in Three Rivers, MI. So far I've prayed and eaten supper with the Brothers and am looking forward to a better night of sleep than last night!
December 29, 2025 at 1:44 AM
After an almost 10 hour drive, mostly in the rain and some of it in torrential downpour, I arrived this afternoon at my destination: St Gregory's Abbey in Three Rivers, MI. So far I've prayed and eaten supper with the Brothers and am looking forward to a better night of sleep than last night!
I'm hoping to get up and get an early start on my drive tomorrow. Which means I should go to bed early to get some sleep. But I'll be anxious about waking up and leaving on time, so I most likely won't sleep well. Which probably isn't good when I've got a long car trip the next day...
December 28, 2025 at 12:17 AM
I'm hoping to get up and get an early start on my drive tomorrow. Which means I should go to bed early to get some sleep. But I'll be anxious about waking up and leaving on time, so I most likely won't sleep well. Which probably isn't good when I've got a long car trip the next day...
Reposted by Mark Lepper
I think if I were a drag queen, my name would be Salvation Amy.
November 7, 2025 at 3:07 AM
I think if I were a drag queen, my name would be Salvation Amy.
I bought snacks for my road trip to my private retreat which I leave for on Sunday in the wee morning hours. Now I just need to clean my apartment so my cat-sitter isn't appalled at my housekeeping skills. Instead I'm binge watching The Great North on Hulu.
December 26, 2025 at 6:45 PM
I bought snacks for my road trip to my private retreat which I leave for on Sunday in the wee morning hours. Now I just need to clean my apartment so my cat-sitter isn't appalled at my housekeeping skills. Instead I'm binge watching The Great North on Hulu.
I was at a Catholic mass this morning, and it was really beautiful and well done, but I found myself sitting there thinking, "I'm pretty sure I'm a Quaker."
December 25, 2025 at 7:42 PM
I was at a Catholic mass this morning, and it was really beautiful and well done, but I found myself sitting there thinking, "I'm pretty sure I'm a Quaker."
As someone who spent 12 years of my life living with people with disabilities, I'm very aware of how mutually transformative those relationships can be. Here is a beautiful story of one of those mutually transformative relationships for your Christmas.
December 25, 2025 at 2:48 PM
As someone who spent 12 years of my life living with people with disabilities, I'm very aware of how mutually transformative those relationships can be. Here is a beautiful story of one of those mutually transformative relationships for your Christmas.
And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord... That's what Christmas is all about, Charlie Brown.
December 24, 2025 at 11:28 PM
And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord... That's what Christmas is all about, Charlie Brown.