Whose Name is Discouragement
The last day of the year. A 2.5-hour drive to a friend’s house in Sycamore, IL became a harrowing 7.5-hour excursion toward and then away from South Bend, IN. Though...
Loving God with Our Hearts, Souls, and Minds
We are all invited to be part of the world’s greatest love story. God’s ultimate desire is for us to become one with His complete and perfect love. And if...
MYSTERY: Discovering the Depth of the Rosary
Perhaps the best person to teach us about the life of Christ is His mother, Mary. After all, she was there with Him from the moment of the Incarnation to...
Giving Our Lives to Jesus: Lessons from St. Joseph
A poor but noble man was once betrothed to a beautiful, virtuous young woman. Before the wedding, his fiancé became pregnant. But she was—and would remain—a virgin the entirety of...
Forgive + Heal
The Father’s love does not force itself on the beloved. Although he wants to heal us all of our inner darkness, we are still free to make our own choice...
Catholic Simplicity: Soulful Minimalism
At long last, winter is giving way to warmer temperatures and spring is on the horizon. More sunshine, more time outside, and spring cleaning. I love purging the clutter and...
Renewal and Encouragement for Lent
Like a new year, Ash Wednesday can come with excitement, plans, and goals. We are determined that this Lent will be the best Lent ever! Perhaps you had at the...
Believing I'm Beloved
I stand in line in the grocery store, and my line of vision drifts to the magazine stand next to me. And suddenly, I’m inundated with images of women. Women...
Awesome Catholic Apps
Many people are disengaging from their smartphones and tablets. They're deleting apps and shutting down their social media profiles. So often, it seems that when something becomes such a big...
Rejoice + Exult
Rejoice, Jerusalem, and all who love her. Be joyful, all who were in mourning; Exult and be satisfied at her consoling breast. -Introit, Laetare Sunday Reflect Let the period of...
Finding God in the Midst of Grief
My dad died suddenly two years ago. The day was traumatic and a lot like I imagine hell to be; a disorienting collapse of reality, overwhelming fear, and plain old...
The Healing Power of Confession in My Life
To be loved but not known is comforting but superficial. To be known and not loved is our greatest fear. But to be fully known and truly loved is, well,...