Running Changed My View on Confession
I don’t go to confession nearly as often as I’d like, but when I do, it's always this image of the vast towering cross and Jesus that is before me as I kneel and rest back on my feet, confessing my...
View ArticleFunerals, Their Charm, & Praying for the Dead
When I was a little girl, I loved funerals. Death meant family time, good food, and prayer. What more was there? Catholics have a special relationship with death because, in a way, we still get to know...
View ArticleOn the Choosing, Keeping, and Caring of Catholic Godparents
Choosing good godparents is an important part of planning a Catholic baptism. A godparent must be a Catholic in good standing; being at least 16 years old and having received all four Sacraments of...
View ArticleFive Ways we Benefit from the Most Holy Rosary
As we fought through traffic to deliver the meal post-school pick-up, my oldest asked why we “always” make a meal for a new family. In a subtle way, he was trying to figure out why the baby didn’t get...
View ArticleA Teacup of Grace is Enough
Similar to the British, the French also have an afternoon teatime they call "le Goûter," which consists of tea and sweets to tide them over to their uncivilized dinner hour of 8pm. The idea inspired me...
View ArticleThe Rosary is Boring (and that’s actually pretty great)
Sometimes people complain that “the Rosary is boring.” And yeah, sometimes I would have to agree. The scripted words. The stanzas of prayer. The repetition. The seeming lack of personal involvement....
View ArticleThe Holy Souls Need Your Prayers
The Catholic Church teaches after death; the holy souls can no longer earn merit through prayer or good works; therefore, they cannot pray their way out of purgatory. As the Catechism of the Catholic...
View ArticleThe Gift of the Rosary
My very first rosary was given to me by my grandmother when I was around 5 years old, It was blessed in Rome and had a strong but natural fragrance when from what I remember...roses I’m certain. The...
View ArticleBiblical Friendship
My family moves on average every other summer. Usually, we are heading into parts unknown, with little connections already established. Certain faith-based ministries allow me to connect and network...
View ArticleIntroducing Lectio Divina to Little Ones
Whether you have young children, or would like to introduce Lectio Divina to children in your school, retreat centre, or prayer group, I hope you can use the tips I’ve developed to bring the joy of...
View ArticleThe Value of Novenas [and Remembering to Actually Pray Them]
The Value of a Gift Prayer is a powerful gift. Perhaps you have not thought of prayer in terms of a gift. The interesting thing about gifts is that in order for them to be useful, each needs to be:...
View ArticleMemories on the Other Side of Our Humanity
Of all the memories I have, I ran from one memory in particular for decades, its wreckage surfacing periodically in the waters of my soul - ugly pieces covered in sharp barnacles, full of wormholes,...
View ArticleCreative Ways to Lean Into Holy Week (When You Don’t Feel Like You Can)
While we continue to wait for the outcome of this virus and its effects on our society, now more than ever we can lean into some creative ways to walk with Jesus this Holy Week. Let's jump right in and...
View ArticleThe Best Gift from Jesus
Peace springs forth from faith. It is a calmness in the midst of a storm that reassures us that we are not alone and that God has everything in hand. Peace is not a guarantee that everything will work...
View ArticleWhat Not to Say to a Catholic Newlywed (Whether You’re Catholic or Not)
Over the last year of married life, I’ve come to learn a lot about myself, my husband, and my relationship with God. I’ve also come to realise that anyone and everyone has an opinion on the above, and...
View ArticleComplete Surrender
“Father, into thy hands I commit my spirit!” Luke 23:46 The last seven words of Christ. Here, upon the Cross, is the Word made Flesh. The second Person of the Holy Trinity. The Redeemer, the Savior,...
View ArticleTread Softly, Pray Fiercely
"As we continue to move forward, let each of us visit, and re-visit, the uncomfortable question at hand – are our actions, both in real life and on social media, bearing good fruit?" The post Tread...
View ArticlePraying the Rosary Well
In October the Church celebrates a month dedicated to the Holy Rosary. Many saints have promoted the Rosary as the weapon for these times and as one of the greatest prayers of the Church. For the past...
View ArticleHead over Heart: A Quarantine Story
This year so far has been a pilgrimage like no other. I think the COVID-19 pandemic knocked a lot of people out of commission in many different ways. My quarantine story as a Catholic throughout this...
View ArticleBattling Acedia
Anxiety, depression, listlessness, sloth, apathy—those are just a few of the emotions I’ve experienced the last year. Let’s face it, 2020 was rough and the pessimist in me is feeling 2021 doesn’t look...
View ArticleHow to Turn a Sob Story into a Good Confession
The other day my husband and I had a decently intense conversation about the merits of a sob story. One of us (my husband) prefers to speak to a contractor in simple terms. His details are succinct and...
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