The Mass is the heartbeat of the Church.
We called her Bamas.
She was my dad’s mom. She had a collection of unique accents in her home that I always loved as a kid. Her blown-glass balls sparkling in the windows. Her vintage Mrs. Butterworths jars lining the shelf in the foyer. Her statues of portly friars adorning the living room.
By my favorite was the tangle of brass bells hanging on her door. Continue reading “It Sounds Like Home”
5 Simple Ideas to bring Christ into the everyday moments of your life throughout Holy Week.
St. Paul says we make up for what’s lacking in Christ’s sufferings (see Col 1:24). This isn’t because Christ’s Passion is in any way incomplete, but because Jesus offers us an opportunity to share in His Cross. What’s “lacking” is our participation – not Christ’s deficiency, but ours.
Here are 5 simple ways we can participate in Christ’s passion, by offering everyday moments of our life in union with His suffering. Continue reading “Tweak Your Holy Week – 5 simple ideas”
The checkout aisle betrayed me with a kiss.
We had gathered all the items on our list. We had made a successful compromise: no to toys, yes to character band-aids. We had taken our place in line – my three children, my 9-month pregnant belly, and I.
And then the consumerist tempter showed up. Continue reading “My Grocery Store Way of the Cross”
The irresistible call of a baby belly: a miracle you can touch.
“I don’t know what it is…” admitted my lab tech (a young, not-so-bad-looking guy), “but some part of me just needs to connect with that part of you.”
Please, try to be more awkward as you stand there with your hand on my belly and a needle shoved in my arm…
“Do you get that a lot?”
Um yeah, usually from the old ladies at the grocery store. They hardly ever ask first. They just stretch out their old wrinkled hands and go for it.
What is it about pregnant ladies and their giant bellies? How is my stomach all of a sudden an acceptable place to put your hands? Continue reading “Why Does Everyone Want to Touch Pregnant Ladies?”
Today’s the 2nd Sunday in Lent
Find the Mass Readings here: 2nd Sunday in Lent, February 25, 2018 Continue reading “#MyMassTakeaway: Put to the Test”
Life is sacred in its creation.
It’s sacred from the moment it springs into existence. The very moment a human sperm fertilizes a human egg, and God blesses it with the gift of a soul.
Life is sacred in its vulnerability. It’s sacred while at the mercy of its mother for 9 months in the womb. It’s sacred in the helplessness of old age. And in the beautiful needs of illness and disability.
Life is sacred when it needs protection.
The least of these stir up our love and compassion. They exude unspoken pleas for protection. We fight for their rights.
But our fight doesn’t end there.
Life is also sacred in its living. Continue reading “Life is Sacred in its Living”
Lessons from Mary: how I reconciled with “A mother is the heart of the home.”
My birthday was coming up and I had big plans.
I was going to do all the things I wanted to do for me. It was going to be a whole day of me-ness. I planned to take off first thing in the morning, meet a friend for breakfast, do some shopping by myself, have a nice lunch in a coffee shop, maybe even do some writing, and come home to a quiet dinner with my husband.
I had been feeling overwhelmed with meeting everybody else’s needs, and I was sick of it. For once I wanted to just do what I want. To not have to answer to anyone else. I was becoming more and more short-tempered. Less engaged in effective discipline. More shouty than problem-solvey.
So I was going to escape. For an entire day. Happy birthday to me. Continue reading “Inspired to be the Heart of the Home”
I’m not a doctor or a therapist. I can’t diagnose or treat depression. I can only offer you encouragement and thoughts from my own personal experiences. If you’re suffering from depression, please seek professional help (I highly recommend Pastoral Solutions Institute tele-counseling services). If you’re experiencing suicidal thoughts, please call 911 or the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline 1-800-273-8255 immediately.
I remember the darkness.
The whole family had gathered around the dining room table. It was a typical holiday meal overflowing with food and fun.
But to me their mirth was raucous laughter. Their conversation was frivolous and obnoxious. Their jokes were abhorrent.
I couldn’t stand to be in their company. So I grabbed my plate and retreated to the kitchen to pick at my meal in sullen silence. Continue reading “How I Was Set Free From the Darkness of Depression”
Today’s the Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception
Find the Mass Readings here: Immaculate Conception: December 8, 2017 Continue reading “#MyMassTakeaway: Beginnings – the Immaculate Conception”
Why do we call God “Father?” Exploring the Catholic Church’s teaching on God’s paternal and maternal qualities, and clarifying the use of gender-based titles.
Can we call God, “Our Mother?” I mean, after all, we call Him “Father” even though we know God is neither male nor female. So what’s the big deal with replacing one title for another?
If you’re new to my blog, I’ll have you know: I’m Catholic. Strictly Catholic. I adhere to all the teachings of the Roman Catholic Church, even the ones I may not fully understand.
As a Catholic, I believe that God reveals Truth to us in three ways:
And it’s there I turned to find the answer to this question. Continue reading “Is God our Mother?”
