America, God, and True Freedom
Freedom is not free. I saw these words on a wall at the Korean War Veterans Memorial in Washington, D.C. this past fall. I was there on a trip with...
How to Host a Blessed is She Summer Gathering
Every year, I look forward to the longer and slower days of summer. And every year, it seems that those summer days fill up more quickly than I anticipate. There...
Fostering Holy Friendship with Non-Catholics
Growing up, I went to Catholic school. I was involved in my church—Friday nights were youth group, Thursdays were worship group rehearsal, Sunday nights were Adoration and Confession, etc. Because...
Be a Missionary to Ireland (Without Leaving Your Home)
When The Blessed is She team first discerned and decided that the theme of the Blessed is She retreats for 2018 would be Wild, I had no idea just how...
Food as Ministry
Have you ever found yourself standing in the light of the refrigerator in the middle of the night, postpartum body and emotions at extreme levels, crying into a delicious dessert...
What The Office Taught Me About the Beauty of Ordinary Life
I love NBC’s hit television series The Office. I converted all my family and friends into fans and quotes from the characters are part of my daily conversations. My high...
4 Things I Learned About Faith as a College Student
What do you think about when you hear the words “American college culture"? If you are anything like me as a high school student, this phrase brings to mind two...
5 Ways to Sustain Friendship Through Life Changes
A number of years ago, a friend of mine shared with me that I had previously stood her up. We made a plan to meet for coffee and I, in...
Believing in Beauty
After I buried my daughter, I walked into my mother’s kitchen and beheld a granite island clothed in a rainbow of fruits and vegetables for guests at the funeral reception....
Catholic Wedding Gift Guide: Meaningful Ideas for the Happy Couple
I can hear the bells ringing already. Wedding season is upon us, sisters! If you have friends who will soon be goin’ to the chapel and if you’re looking for...
What is Marian Consecration?
As Catholics, we have an incredibly rich spiritual buffet presented to us. Holy Mother Church offers prayers, devotions, liturgies, and traditions that speak to every personality and life stage of...
Why and How to Start a Meal Train
The arrival of a new baby. Loss of a loved one. Financial difficulty. Illness. Hospitalization. These are just a few of the situations that bring out a family’s need for...