Our Lady of the Assumption and Our Baby
One of my favorite aspects of Scripture is the meaning of people’s names. They are never random; they always have deep significance, revealing something about the person’s very essence. God...
On the Feast of the Transfiguration of the Lord
I will never forget that ecstatic feeling, as we sat on top of "First", the minor summit above Grindelwald, Switzerland. We were a troupe of 10, making our way to...
Saint Alphonsus Liguori + Rheumatoid Arthritis
I was nineteen and it all happened very gradually. First I was noticing achy knees and feet, but thought it was due to all of the running I had been...
Martha, Martha // Anxious and Worried about Many Things
One time, I snapped at my husband about the day’s Gospel reading. We didn’t hold opposing beliefs. We didn’t interpret a fundamental teaching differently. We simply read the words uttered...
Meeting at the Golden Gate // Saints Joachim and Anne
Imagine having to learn Scripture, not through paging through the pages of your Bible, but by walking into your church and viewing its artwork. The Legend of St. Joachim, Meeting...
Saint Marguerite Bays // From Seamstress to “Godmother”
Marguerite Bays was born to a farming family in Switzerland in 1815, the second of seven children. She grew up helping her parents with household chores and gardening. In her...
On the Feast of Saint Charles Lwanga and Companions
Everyone loves the stories of the young hero/heroine. Our hearts swell along with the music when justice is done and good conquers evil. Really, we need these stories to remind...
Friendship on the Feast of the Visitation
We were on our usual weekend double date when Angie told us she was pregnant, her first. I was pregnant too, four months, my second. Our husbands beamed as we...
Pentecost: The Exclamation Point
Recently my daughter and I attended a retreat for those preparing for Confirmation. In retreat fashion, the group was in the church basement acting out a skit from the scene...
The Complementary Intercession of Saint Joseph and the Blessed Mother
The old adage states that “behind every strong man is a strong woman.” Secular culture has typically subscribed to the notion of the man being the one who takes action,...
Teaching Children About Courage with the Saints
When I was pregnant with my son, my first child, I stumbled upon a quote by C.S. Lewis: Since it is so likely that children will meet cruel enemies, let...
A Brief Overview of the Various Rites Within the Catholic Church
When Catholics consider what distinguishes our Faith from Protestant and Evangelical denominations, we naturally think of the Mass. Catholics attend the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass. Other Christians do not....
