Creative Ways to Give Alms this Lent
Is almsgiving something you practice seasonally during Advent and Lent? Is almsgiving something you give more thought to when the priest reminds you of the needs of the parish and...
BIS Reads // In a Far-Off Land
Murder mysteries abound these days, but how many are modeled on the parable of the Prodigal Son? In a Far-Off Land by Stephanie Landsem is a captivating piece of historical...
Having Another Kid Without Losing It
I run into many people who can’t believe I have “so many” kids. Whether at the grocery store, at the library, at church, or at public gatherings or parties, people...
Weekly Wallpaper // 311
Be with me, Lord, when I am in trouble. // Psalm 91:1 Love this from today's readings. Let His word dwell in us richly, sisters. Download your F R E...
Venerable Anne de Guigne // The Power of Obedience
I was a bit skeptical when learning about a girl who is just 10 years old and on the way to canonization, but then I remembered about others who were...
A Poem for Ash Wednesday
At the imposition of ashes, I looked everywhere for signs and symbols. Big ones, that might say something loud. I talked to the cross, the person hanging there. Asked questions,...
Fasting Ideas for Those Who Shouldn't Fast from Food
Looking back at past Lents, I can recall doing Whole30, giving up alcohol, giving up sweets, and then there were a couple of years when I didn't up food at...
40 Short Bible Verses to Memorize for Lent
Our annual season of fasting and repentance is days away. Many of us have yet to determine what we will do to foster a closer relationship with God during this...
Taking the Pen
…all the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be. // Psalm 139:16 God is the ultimate Author—the most romantic and creative....
BIS Reads // Habits for Holiness
In the afternoon between 2-4 p.m. you can find me in a rocking chair, holding my daughter, and reading a book. I know... I’m supposed to be on a tight...
Rocks, Chairs, and Popes
If you have had the opportunity to watch the first seasons of The Chosen, you too might have extra appreciation for the figure of Peter. In the series, Simon (Peter)...
Building Cultural Memory
In my years teaching in public schools, I started to notice a subtle but steady presence of cultural orphan mentality. I talked with 5th graders who did not know anything...