Above all, trust in the slow work of God. We are quite naturally impatient in everything to reach the end without delay. We should like to skip the intermediate stages. We are impatient of being on the way to something unknown, something new. And yet it is the law of all progress that it is made by passing through some stages of instability— and that it may take a very long time. And so I think it is with you; your ideas mature gradually—let them grow, let them shape themselves, without undue haste. Don’t try to force them on, as though you could be today what time (that is to say, grace and circumstances acting on your own good will) will make of you tomorrow. Only God could say what this new spirit gradually forming within you will be. Give Our Lord the benefit of believing that his hand is leading you, and accept the anxiety of feeling yourself in suspense and incomplete. -Pierre Teilhard de Chardin, SJ Reflect "For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future." Jeremiah 29:11 Listen For musical inspiration for your restful Sunday, listen to our BIS Rests playlist. [bctt tweet="BIS Rests: Slow + Hopeful //"] Curated by Sarah Stanley. You can find out more about her here.

I've met my own modern-day St. Elizabeth of Hungary. Mary Jo Copeland is the founder of Sharing and Caring Hands, based in the Twin Cities. Mary Jo began serving the underprivileged on the streets of Minneapolis in 1985 once her twelve children were attending school. With her prayerful guidance, what began as a way to prevent people from slipping through the cracks of systems designed to help them succeed has become the area’s largest ministry serving those who are homeless, hungry, or disadvantaged. The hallmark of her noble work is the practice of physically washing the feet of those who come to receive services from the organization. A Full Life is One Worth Celebrating I met Mary Jo on a college service trip in Minneapolis. She is as sweet and unassuming as you might imagine one in her line of work to be: bobbed hair pinned back, long skirt, and walking shoes. She shared the mission of the organization, its evolution, numbers of volunteer services, and other pertinent information. But, I learned two important things about her in that meeting: Her day begins early with adoration and the rosary. She and her husband go out dancing. Weekly. Of all the life-altering and impactful work she has spearheaded over the last 30 years, her relationship with her husband is what is held most dear. What a witness. St. Elizabeth of Hungary: Wife and Servant to the Poor Today the Church celebrates the feast of St. Elizabeth of Hungary, another woman whose "yes" to the Lord resulted in radical service to the poor of her own time. From a young age, St. Elizabeth was influenced by the teachings of St. Francis of Assisi and is said to have spun wool to make clothes for those in need. Her best-known miracle occurred while she was secretly bringing the castle’s bread to the poor, hiding it beneath her cloak. On her way, she passed her husband’s hunting party. In an effort to dispel any idea that she was stealing from the castle, her husband asked her to reveal what she held. When she opened her cloak, rather than bread, red and white roses appeared, eliminating any suspicion of theft and confirming for Louis that her charitable work was blessed by God. Certainly within her marriage, Elizabeth is remembered for taking the lead in charitable giving, but was greatly supported by her spouse in so doing. After she was widowed at age 20, she continued to serve by building a hospital and personally attending to its patients. Elizabeth’s life was quite short. She died at the age of 24. Nonetheless, she is remembered for her unlikely tendency toward charity and service, precisely because of her nobility—to which, she responded: How can I bear a crown of gold when the Lord bears a crown and thorns and wears it for me! Women Worthy of Imitation Of all the stories of those who have lived holy, God-honoring lives, the stories I like best are the ones no one saw coming. Those people from whom the world believed it knew what to expect. Each of these two women's service to God through service to those on the margins far outweighs what anyone might have imagined them capable of - whether as a mother of twelve or a young widowed princess. These women are kindred spirits. The give of themselves in both the role of the served and the servant. They see an unmet need and they meet it. We recognize these women among us. Maybe it’s your mom, sister, grandma, aunt, neighbor, best friend; maybe it’s you! Maybe it’s the kind of meaningful work you are praying for. Maybe it feels laughable that God could be calling you into the deep waters to do important work. It may have felt laughable for Mary and Elizabeth as well. It is worth mentioning that each woman is known for the groundedness they describe within their marriage. It isn’t that their husbands work(ed) by their side and gave it all up for the greater glory; but that they each recognized and honored the sacred work God had invited their wives to take part in. This is important because there are countless examples of vowed religious women who have worked tirelessly to change the world by their charism, zeal, energy, and enthusiasm. The collection of married women who serve, and serve better because of their vocation as married women, are a quiet minority, and they are worth celebrating. Is your spouse your greatest sideline support system? Do you offer the same support? Perhaps this is the type of marriage for which you are praying—either within your current relationship or a future vocation. What kind of fruits might we see on behalf of the Kingdom if we were to follow the lead of women like Elizabeth of Hungary and Mary Jo, to encourage and be encouraged by those closest to us? [bctt tweet="Celebrating St. Elizabeth of Hungary //"]

The Lord speaks to our hearts in innumerable ways, and delighting the senses is an ideal way to evangelize through hospitality. Imagine flying ten hours overseas with overcoming jet lag heavy on your mind. Now imagine biting into a soft, buttery pastry called cornetto (an Italian twist on a French croissant, often filled with hazelnut-flavored chocolate) followed by a sip of steamy hot, dark-as-night espresso. Suddenly, jet lag seems like a far off memory. This Italian breakfast was served to me and about twenty-five other friends and family members, in the home of a young couple who moved from America to Rome nine years ago (John and Ashley Noronha). A group of us traveled to Rome the day before to attend my future brother-in-law’s Diaconate Ordination later that week at St. Peter’s Basilica. When I heard that his family was invited to an Italian home for breakfast, I thought it was a kind gesture for this couple to welcome us. Later, I learned that this invitation was not just for his immediate family of four, but for all of those who traveled to Rome for his ordination. We wondered how they were going to fit nearly thirty people in their Italian apartment while making and serving coffee and breakfast for all of us; but they insisted, and in our weariness, we were not about to turn down such a thoughtful invitation. The Holiness of Delight As we walked to the couple's apartment, we were greeted by one of our hosts, John, who was walking up to the front gate with a large box of freshly baked cornetti in his hands. His wife, Ashley, welcomed us at the door downstairs and led us up to their living room where the sound of soft music, the scent of fresh flowers on their table, and a colorful spread of cornetti, fruit, Italian cured meat, juice, and espresso awakened our tired senses. The couple’s home was made warm by their loving welcome, great attention to detail, and attentiveness to their guests. Even before stepping into their home, I felt a sense of comfort just by seeing their smiling faces. Why did they show so much genuine interest in each of us and go out of their way to prepare their home to welcome us? Why, on a work day, did they offer their time to show us care and love? How to Evangelize Through Hospitality A few days after the ordination, I saw John and Ashley at Mass, and afterward I thanked them again for their generous hospitality. Ashley told me that showing hospitality is what they love to do and that it is part of their family mission as a couple. She shared about the charism of hospitality that they wrote for their family, which is: “To offer a place of warmth and welcome where the visitor - Christ - can discuss any topic in an atmosphere filled with Christ’s love. We pray for all who enter our home.” She also shared with me their entire mission statement: "Simplicitas et Humilitas cum Compassio et Cartias, cum Delectatio" which means, “Simplicity, Humility, Charity, and Compassion...with Delight.” Through the living out of this charism and mission, I saw how John and Ashley evangelize through hospitality. I experienced their love for Christ through the love they showed for us and their ability to see Christ in each of us. Simplicitas (Simplicity) To detach themselves from worldly things that are not of God, while keeping at the forefront of their minds Philippians 4:11-13, which speaks of knowing one’s strength because of Christ who empowers us and provides all we need. While at their apartment, never for a moment did I feel that there was an object in their home too valuable or too fragile to touch. Through their gentleness, they opened their home as though it were my own. Your home and life do not have to be fancy in order to evangelize through hospitality. Humilitas (Humility) To embrace authentic humility by acknowledging their gifts and talents and responding to these strengths with a spirit of thanksgiving and deep gratitude. The couple showed great humility during our visit. One of the very first things they did after we settled into their living room was to share with us a brief introduction of who they are and what they do. This was immediately followed by a question of my brother-in-law’s parents, asking them to share with the group what it is like to have raised a son who is entering the Priesthood. They were genuinely curious and interested in their guests. They desired to hear how God has made His love and presence known in the lives of other families. Caritas (Charity) To nurture a spirit of loving neighbor through their Love of God, based on the theme of their wedding, "As I have loved you" (John 13:34) and "We love because he first loved us" (1 John 4:19). Their charity was made evident by how they took sincere interest in each person who entered their apartment. Compassio (Compassion) To offer both sympathy and empathy as they treat others as they themselves would like to be treated. As I watched John and Ashley interact with their guests, I read compassion on their faces as they reacted to the trials their visitors spoke about. They opened their doors and their hearts to evangelize through hospitality. Delectatio (Pleasure) To delight in each other and radiate the joy and happiness that comes from the reason for our hope. John and Ashley were so excited to hear about the fast-approaching wedding of myself and my fiancé. I could see the joy and love that John and Ashley had for one another. They enthusiastically expressed how amazing the call to the vocation to marriage is, and in their joy, they radiated Christ’s love. It made us even more excited for the Sacrament of Marriage! Show the Love of Jesus Pope Saint John Paul II encourages us to evangelize through hospitality by pointing to 1 Peter 3:15-16: Always be ready to give an explanation to anyone who asks you for a reason for your hope, but do it with gentleness and reverence. This young couple concludes their mission statement with the same idea: to give others the reason for their hope (this reason being Christ and the Church). They have heeded John Paul II’s words when he said: Only those who have opened their hearts to Christ can offer a hospitality that is never formal or superficial, but identified by ‘gentleness’ and ‘reverence’. John and Ashley welcomed us into their home, while giving us ample reason for their hope, simply by virtue of who they are as individuals and as a couple. They welcomed each visitor with the goal of showing reverence to them as they would show reverence to Christ. By seeing Christ in each visitor, the couple pointed us toward Jesus, helping each one of us grow in awareness of the deep love He has for us. A Further Mission John and Ashley recently founded The Truth & Beauty Project. It was just approved as a 501-c non profit. They are coming to the United States to do a fundraising tour! For more information about this extended mission and how you can meet them and get involved, visit their website. [bctt tweet="Evangelize Through Hospitality #BISblog //"] In the comments below, tell us about a time when you received the love of Christ through the hospitality of another!

Recently, I felt a tugging at my heart to immerse myself more deeply in Scripture. “Man does not live by bread alone,” Jesus says to us, “but by every word that comes from the mouth of God” (Matthew 4:4). Nowhere does God speak more directly to our hearts, souls, and minds than in Holy Scripture. But between college courses, work, friendships, volunteering, and a thousand other commitments, I thought I had no time to live Scripturally. I simply didn’t have twenty minutes or an hour in my day to sit down and meditate slowly on Bible passages. But from this desire to know Him more through Scripture, God provided many opportunities to spend time with His Word that were compatible with my busy lifestyle. 5 Ways to Live Scripturally (Even if You Can't Join a Bible Study) Music Lots of praise and worship music is actually based on the Bible. Music is a great way to get to know the Word of God, because it can be played at virtually any time—in the car, while doing chores, while working at the office, during other times of prayer, or while getting ready for bed. Many Catholic and non-Catholic artists have written beautiful songs based on Biblical stories or verses: Matt Maher’s “Isaiah 61” focuses on the anointed prophet (Isaiah 61) and Bethel Worship’s “You Came (Lazarus)” tells the story of Lazarus as Jesus raised him from the dead (John 11). Music is repetitive and easy to meditate on, making it the perfect way to become intimately familiar with Scripture. Daily Devotions Don’t have time to pick out a specific chapter or story from the Bible to read each day? Neither did I. But daily devotions can be a good way to study Scripture with someone else’s guidance. The best thing about devotionals is that there is literally something for everyone. Some take less than five minutes, others take up to an hour. Some include a reflection, others present Scripture by itself. They can be accessed in books or online. Devotions can provide you with journaling prompts, short prayers, or active ways to live Scripturally in day to day life. Daily Mass Although daily Mass may seem like a huge commitment at first, the liturgy itself is usually quite brief—sometimes less than half an hour. At Mass, we hear the daily readings and are guided in our understanding of them by our parish priests. We also come face-to-face with Christ in the Eucharist, literally the Word of God made flesh! Daily Mass makes the love of God in Scripture tangible through the Sacrament of the Eucharist. Many parishes offer Mass in the early mornings before office hours begin, at noon hour, or in the evenings, making this a fairly accessible way to live Scripturally and Sacramentally in the midst of a hectic schedule. [bctt tweet="Mass makes the love of God in Scripture tangible through the Eucharist. #BISblog //"] Rosary The rosary is a beautiful devotion to Mary, and it finds its basis in Scripture. Not only are the Hail Mary and Our Father prayers both based on Scripture (Luke 1 and Matthew 6:9-13), but the Joyful, Sorrowful, Glorious, and Luminous mysteries take us on a journey through the most important events of the New Testament. By praying the rosary, we invite Mary to walk with us through Scripture, to help us understand her Son and His Word with the same love and intimacy that she does. A rosary is also a great “on-the-go” prayer: I like to say it in the car, in the shower, while cooking dinner, or while waiting in lines. It’s a great (and portable) way to center your day in Christ. Plus, you don’t even need an actual rosary with you to pray it—God conveniently gave us ten fingers! Art For those of us who are visual people, seeing the Word of God represented in art is the best way to connect mentally and emotionally to the events and truths of Scripture. While classical paintings and sculptures can be viewed online and are a great way to connect with Scripture stories, some resources publish new art weekly to be used as computer or phone wallpapers that include an important verse from Scripture. Others, like independent Christian businesses, sell prints or stickers including Scripture verses. If you aren't already, follow Blessed is She on social media and access the beautiful images they post daily. These are invitations to pause in the middle of a hectic day and put God in the center of our hearts. We are All Called to Live Scripturally It can be incredibly intimidating to start reading Scripture from scratch. With so many books, stories, important people, and verses, at times I didn’t even know where to begin. But in our journey to know God more intimately, and to discern His will for us, Scripture is hugely important! The Father speaks directly to us through Holy Scripture. If we put the Word of God at the center of our hearts and minds, God Himself will be at the center of our hearts and minds. He will speak to us, guiding us through the difficulties (both large and small) we all encounter living as modern Catholics. You don’t have to be a religious sister or an expert in theology to benefit from these easy ways to encounter Biblical truth! Take things one step at a time—Jesus Himself will walk with you through the greatest love story ever told: the Biblical story of God’s love for us. Sisters, I pray that you can encounter the Lord in His Word today, and be grounded in the truth of His faithfulness and love. What are some of your favorite ways to live Scripturally? Let's talk about them in the comments below! Katherine DeCoste is a student of English and History at the University of Alberta in Edmonton, Canada. When she isn't writing papers or studying for exams, she spends her time playing music, writing poetry, and striving to serve the Lord in small things. HIS WORD CHANGES LIVES God is speaking to you through His Word. In this personal study, you will learn to hear God's voice by reading slowly and praying deeply. BEGIN THE JOURNEY

Stay awake! For you do not know on which day your Lord will come. // Matthew 24:42 Keep this reminder close to you by downloading the phone and desktop wallpapers below by MJ of Pars Caeli. Phone wallpaper Desktop wallpaper

Glory be to God for dappled things— For skies of couple-colour as a brinded cow; For rose-moles all in stipple upon trout that swim; Fresh-firecoal chestnut-falls; finches’ wings; Landscape plotted and pieced—fold, fallow, and plough; And all trades, their gear and tackle and trim. All things counter, original, spare, strange; Whatever is fickle, freckled (who knows how?) With swift, slow; sweet, sour; adazzle, dim; He fathers-forth whose beauty is past change: Praise Him. - "Pied Beauty" by Fr. Gerard Manley Hopkins Reflect By means of corporal and temporal things we may comprehend the eternal and the spiritual. St. Augustine Listen For musical inspiration for your restful Sunday, listen to our BIS Rests playlist. I recommend praying with “Dappled Things” by Alanna Boudreau. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P3pu9CbQvdg [bctt tweet="BIS Rests: Corporal + Eternal //"]

I love Thanksgiving. I love the meal planning and preparation, the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade, the football on TV, and of course, the family time! In addition to the big day spent with our families, many of us want to celebrate the gratitude we feel for the friends who feel like family. The friends who understand us on a deep level. The Francis to our Clare, the Ignatius to our Xavier, the Pope John Paul II to our Mama T. Every year I wish I could spend a day of intentional thankfulness with those people who feel like family. God bless the millennials for coming up with "Friendsgiving." What is Friendsgiving? In today's pop culture, there are ample weird trends and tons of random national holidays (I'm looking at you, #nationalavocadotoastday). But there is one evolution in particular I'm happy to support: Friendsgiving! Essentially, Friendsgiving is a traditional big Thanksgiving event, only it's celebrated with your friends. Since Thanksgiving Day is typically reserved for family gatherings, Friendsgivings usually take place the weekend before or after the big day. During this time of year, many of us are caught up in family, job, and education responsibilities that it can be intimidating to even think of adding another event to our calendar (much less planning one). But it is possible to host a memorable and meaningful event without requiring all our time and energy. I'll show you how to put together an easy Friendsgiving with a Catholic twist! How to Host a Simple Friendsgiving 1. Invite Friends Online You can keep this event casual and relaxed by setting the tone from the get-go. You can send paper invitations, but I suggest either creating an event on Facebook or emailing your guests. It keeps everything low-key and low-pressure. And saves a tree or two (go, Captain Planet!). 2. Make it a Potluck Friendsgiving doesn't have to involve the traditional Thanksgiving meal. In fact, I think mixing it up helps the day stand out for your guests. Ask everyone to bring a pot of their favorite soup. Bring some recipe cards to exchange. That way, everyone gets to try each other's favorite family recipes and soak up every last drop with chunks of warm French bread. It also takes the pressure off you, the host, to execute an entire multi-course meal on your own. 3. Make Your Table Cloth an Activity Use brown packaging paper for your table cloth. You can find this kind of paper at Hobby Lobby or Michael’s or on Amazon. It's inexpensive and very trendy. Use chalkboard markers to write your guests' names at their places. Leave crayons on the table for kids to draw. When everyone leaves later that night, it's easy clean up for you! Simply roll up the paper table cloth and discard (sad Captain Planet). 4. Choose Simple Centerpieces If you're feeling fancy and want to create centerpieces, cut some foliage from your yard (or your neighbor's yard) or collect some pretty fall-colored leaves. Sprinkle them down the middle of the table. Add some freshly sliced citrus fruits like lemons and limes, or oranges and dried cloves, or even cinnamon sticks! These items look beautiful and provide a festive fragrance. 5. Practice Gratitude Either before or after the meal, circle around the table and allow everyone the opportunity to express what they are grateful for this year. Use this time to really contemplate where you’re at in life and to acknowledge the ways God is blessing you. 6. Invite a Priest Seriously! Invite your parish priest to attend your Friendsgiving. Priests love to be among their community. Ask your priest to say a prayer of thanksgiving for the past year and to pray a blessing over everyone in attendance. 7. In-Source Entertainment Have any musical friends? Invite them to play an instrument while everyone enjoys dessert and coffee. Ask if they're willing to lead the group in a few songs of thankfulness to God before everyone departs for home. November and December are undoubtedly busy seasons. However, I hope that this Friendsgiving guide makes it a little easier for you to host and celebrate those friends who are family. [bctt tweet="How to Host a No-Stress "Friendsgiving" #BISblog //"] Have you ever hosted a "friendsgiving"? Think you might try it this year? Let us know about your plans in the comments below! Written by Susana Starbuck. Find out more about her here.

Practicing hospitality is a Biblical encouragement that we, as Christians, should strive to execute. But it can be difficult to practice when it comes to holiday gatherings. Family and friend dynamics can make keeping the peace during the holidays a challenge in and of itself. For inspiration, we turn to St. Meinrad. The Hospitality of St. Meinrad Saint Meinrad was a man who took his hospitality very seriously. He was a hermit, living far back in the woods. He treasured his solitude, but his holiness and wisdom drew people to his isolated cave. He welcomed them all. One day, two men came to visit. The Holy Spirit told Meinrad earlier that day that they were there to rob him of the little he possessed and would kill him. When the two men arrived, St. Meinrad welcomed them into his home as he did any other guest. He prepared a meal and set it before them. The three men broke bread. After the meal was complete, the two thieves plundered the cave and, discovering that there were no valuables, beat Meinrad to death. Holiday Tension I am no Saint Meinrad. I love having people into my home, but I don’t love conflict. I am possibly the most conflict-averse person on this good earth. My M.O. for conflict is to hide in an out-of-the-way bathroom for twenty minutes. Not the best approach to keeping the peace during the holidays. I can see Saint Meinrad and Mama Mary having a solid giggle over the fact that I am writing this. However, the holidays are fast approaching. I couldn’t be more excited. These beautiful weeks bring such diverse gifts such as travel, seeing far away family, and the wrapping paper aisle at Target. Recently, my daughter and I were flipping through a holiday catalog. We were dreaming of having a bigger house with a huge kitchen table so we could invite hordes of people to Thanksgiving dinner. We talked about the menu, the decorations, the smells, and the sounds. We talked about the guests. My daughter named the people we would want to invite. Her list included people of every shade of the political, racial, religious, socioeconomic, and nationality spectrum. Each person is someone for whom our family is profoundly thankful. The dream of all these people sharing a meal at my table made my heart glow; then the thought of all of these diverse people starting to converse made my stomach churn. What if hot-button topics are discussed? What if someone shuns another? This world is filled with brokenness and isolation and fear. It’s so overwhelming. It’s so disheartening. It’s so much easier to hide in the bathroom. Each of us loves someone with whom we disagree, whether it’s on politics, faith, or child-rearing. It's likely that someone in your tribe has the ability to push your every last button. To that end, here’s a helpful list to help you weather any potential conflict and enjoy your own beautiful, diverse, loving family. [bctt tweet="Here's how to handle potential conflict during the holidays and enjoy your beautiful, diverse family. #BISblog //"] Tips for Keeping the Peace During the Holidays 1. Keep it calm. What drives you nuts with your loved ones? Is it a facial expression? Backhanded compliments? Insults muttered just out of earshot? I’ve found it helpful to identify my buttons in advance and consider how I generally respond to them. It’s much easier to keep a level head in real life conflict if I take the time to identify those things that drive me the most crazy. After keying in on them, I can formulate a way for my heart and my mind to respond, not react. It also prepares me to maintain an attitude of love in those situations where I am most likely to allow my mean side to show. 2. Keep it away from the table. One of the biggest keys to keeping the peace during the holidays to to protect the table. In the wardroom (the naval officers’ dining area), there are three taboo topics for discussion: sex, religion, and politics. We’ve found that to be a good rule in our home when we have guests. It also substantially lowers the risk of my flinging mashed potatoes at someone’s head. If a guest insists on debating something controversial in the middle of Thanksgiving dinner, tell the person that you would like to hear his or her perspectives on the subject after the meal. If you’re the hostess, you can politely tell him that it’s a rule in your home not to discuss controversial subjects at the table. If you’re a guest, you can simply tell him that you would prefer not to discuss it at that moment. Either way, should the person push the issue, smile, reiterate the offer to listen later, and turn to another guest and change the subject. Then after the meal… 3. Keep it considerate. People want to be heard. They want to feel like what they think matters. The vast majority of us have good intentions, but we vary wildly on how to make the world a better place. Instead of immediately closing yourself off to those of opposing viewpoints, ask your guest why they hold a certain position. It’s hard to listen if we’re marshalling our counter arguments in our head. So try to listen to understand. Remember the prayer of Saint Francis: O Divine Master, grant that I may not so much seek…to be understood as to understand. 4. Keep it on target. No one likes to be ambushed. No matter what the topic is, keep the discussion relevant. For example, if you’re discussing the relative merits and demerits of raising chinchillas, don’t use the topic to manipulate the conversation into All the Offenses of Christmases Past. If there are personal issues that need to be addressed, a more private and directed approach is likely to yield better results than a sneak attack under cover of chinchilla husbandry. It may not be you careening off the subject. Either way, suggest going out for coffee or bundling up for a private walk to air (and hopefully resolve!) grievances. A change of venue and some fresh air often provides a moment for each person to calm down and approach the conversation with a clearer head. 5. Keep it humble. Keeping the peace during the holidays requires humility. Human beings love to be right, and even more, we love for other people to see and acknowledge that we’re right. This is part of what makes humility the most challenging piece to this puzzle. When we’re engaging in conflict – even respectful, civil conflict – we think we’re right (Why else would we stand by our position?). And beyond being right, we also believe we have the moral high ground. We may in fact have the moral high ground; however, we are not tasked with convincing anyone of this. That job belongs solely to the Holy Spirit. Humility isn’t slinking away, pretending that we’re wrong. It’s leaving room for God’s endless wisdom, grace, and perspective in our relationship to others. In these situations, our Heavenly Father is just as busy parenting us as He is parenting the other person. He wants open ears and soft hearts from both sides, but he can use just one. Let it be ours. What are your best tips for keeping the peace during the holidays? Let us know in the comments below! [bctt tweet="Keeping the Peace During the Holidays #BISblog //"] Tiff Mansfield is a homeschooling mom to three usually charming offspring, wife to a legit real world superhero, and a lover of good bourbon and giant feathery hats. You can find out more about her here.

It's the time of year when we all turn a bit inward. When the weather drives you inside the desire for the cozy and comforting can't help but increase. After the frantic pace of the summer and the bustle of the fall, by the time the frost starts appearing in my windows each morning I'm ready for deep blankets, plump pillows, and a stack of good books to get me through the long dark days. This cozy book list contains some of my favorites - new and old to add to your own stack. Books that wrap around you like a warm blanket; snuggly and comfortable. A Cozy Book List Little Women by Louisa May Alcott A classic I always want to pull out each year when the snow first starts to fall. I find myself understanding a new character a little better as I get older. The perfect book to be reminded of the good in a simple, well lived life. Murder on the Orient Express by Agatha Christie Really any of Ms. Christie's works could fit into this cozy book list, but with the movie coming out why not pull out this classic of mystery and suspense? Perfect for binge reading over a long weekend. The Blue Castle by L.M. Montgomery While we all know Anne - with-an-E, we should all be just as familiar with Valancy Stirling. This little book is guaranteed to put a smile on your face and, with its amazing descriptions of the wilderness, make you long for a good warm coat and a pair of snowshoes to explore the Canadian wilderness. A Man Called Ove by Fredrik Backman A new classic, Fredrik Backmans tale of a grouchy old curmudgeon and the people who change him is sure to win you over. Father Brown by G.K. Chesterton The endearing mystery series of about the joyful and simple Father Brown is like a good friend you need to visit often. Another classic mystery series that has recently been produced for the screen, I think you'll enjoy the full scope of the Father Brown series in its entirety with the complete works just enough to last you through a long winter. The Princess Bride by William Goldman Another good friend to revisit, or meet for the first time, is this genre-stretching book. Filled with wit, humor, adventure and yes, kissing. It's a perfect pick to transport you away after a long day in the real world. Bonus: Add As You Wish to your list. It's Cary Elwes memoir of making the classic movie (the audiobook is worth it for many actors coming back to read for their parts). Sourdough by Robin Sloan This fun read spins a fantastic tale that starts with its heroine being entrusted with a rare and precious gift: a sourdough starter. Fresh and crisp like a perfect loaf sourdough bread, this book is sure to hit the spot. The Awakening of Miss Prim by Natalia Sanmartin Fenorella A young librarian, the quintessential modern woman, takes a job in a remote French village where her beliefs and assumptions are challenged by a community of very unique exiles from the world. Animal, Vegetable, Miracle by Barbara Kingsolver This delicious food memoir tells the story of one family and their journey away from the modern food model. You'll feel as if you're sitting in her kitchen as she takes you through an honest and interesting glimpse of a family searching for more through the meals they eat. Kitchens of the Great Midwest by J. Ryan Strandal A story about the bittersweet moments in life and the power of good food, Strandal's novel explores community and identity in a delicious language we all speak. A perfect companion to this season of baking. [bctt tweet="Cozy Book List #BISblog //"] Have you read any of these? What is your favorite book to curl up with on a long winter's night? Molly Walter is a Catholic convert, wife and mother to two children on Earth and four babies called home to Jesus. She has a deep love of her faith, her family, literature, handcrafts, gardening, and Star Wars. When not working full time outside the home or wrangling her next family adventure, she blogs about all the good things in life. Find out more about her here.

In you, Lord, I have found my peace. Such a beautiful truth we rest on... that in Him, we have found all our peace. Keep this reminder close to you by downloading the phone and desktop wallpapers designed by Emily Rachelle. Phone wallpaper Desktop wallpaper

O tender Father, You gave me more, much more, than I ever thought to ask for. Thank you, and again thank you, O Father, for having granted my requests, and for having granted those things that I never realized I needed or sought. -Saint Catherine of Siena Reflect The secret of happiness is to live moment by moment and to thank God for what He is sending us every day in His goodness. St. Gianna Beret Molla Listen For musical inspiration for your restful Sunday, listen to our BIS Rests playlist. [bctt tweet="BIS Rests: Abundance + Gratitude //"] Curated by Debbie Herbeck. You can find out more about her here.

I’m an introvert through and through, but I’m also created for fellowship and connection. In my adult years, this yearning in my heart for connection with other women has pushed me to do what I otherwise might have shied away from—hosting gatherings in my not-so-magazine-worthy home. Turns out, it’s not so hard, or scary, to open up my imperfect home to other women in love. With a fresh pot of coffee, hot water and tea bags, and a love-filled welcome, friendships are born and nourished. You never need a formal reason to open your home or apartment for fellowship, but I’ll give you a great reason to do so this Advent! It’s time for the Blessed is She Advent Gathering, coming December 2! The 2017 Blessed is She Advent Gathering I’m eagerly planning my retreat already, and I want you to host one with me. With me? Absolutely. Solidarity, sisters. Because here's how it works: The gathering will be “live” on the website on December 2. So at that time, women who are gathered to watch and pray together will be celebrating this fellowship together in spirit, despite geographical distances and time zone differences. You can virtually attend with one friend or with fifty. Either way, we'll all be together. Let’s get started planning! Go refill your drink and let’s make plans for a beautiful, simple, gathering with friends in December. How to Host the Advent Gathering 1. Be Willing My first tip is to simply say “yes” to hosting or co-hosting with another woman locally. Co-hosting has been a great way for me to feel more comfortable planning events like this one. A few years ago, one of my friends (whom I met through Blessed is She) co-hosted with me. We each invited a few more friends. Since we already knew each other, the pressure of meeting all-new women or the worry of not knowing who to invite was relieved. Even though you can purchase the retreat and participate on your own, the fellowship with a small (or large!) group is so rewarding. Many of my dearest friendships have grown from these kinds of gatherings. The Lord really does want to bless us with friends. This is a great opportunity for authentic community with your sisters in Christ! 2. Access the Event I love that Blessed is She has done the hard work of planning a retreat for me. While I love getting women together for spiritual growth, planning a retreat is not my forte. You can sign up for the Advent Gathering here, and you'll be emailed your very own hostess guide. On December 2, you'll be able to watch the talks live. You'll hear from our very own Director of Ministry Advancement, Beth Davis as well as our Spiritual Advisor, Father John Parks. These talks will be dynamic and inspiring, inviting us into the heart of the season. 3. Review the Guide Once you receive the hostess guide in your email, take a few minutes to read through it. The guide will answer any questions you have. If you have further questions, you will have time to email the team before your gathering. (Don't worry, discussion questions will be shared from the event on the live stream! We will have plenty to talk about.) 4. Spread the Word Decide where you’ll host (your home, a friend’s home, your parish, etc.). Invite your friends, your mom, your sisters. Maybe extend the invitation to a neighbor or coworker. Encourage your friends to bring a friend with them. Since December is the season of parties, plan to send the invitations soon so you have priority on the calendar! Invites can be as simple as a phone call, an email invitation, or a Facebook event. If you’re feeling ambitious, send cards in the mail! 5. Plan Your Space This part is my favorite, but it’s not necessary. Truly, all you need is the willingness to host and a welcoming smile. My home is a busy one filled to the brim with children; it’s not perfected for Instagram or a magazine. My decorating is low-key. Maybe yours is, too. Keep it simple, give it your special touch. When I prepare, I wipe the table and kitchen counter and light a few candles. During the Advent Gathering, my Advent wreath will be a centerpiece on the table, and a few other holiday decorations will be strewn throughout the house. Twinkling lights are a sweet and simple touch. Finally, I always love to display fresh flowers around the house, so a quick stop by the floral department a day or so before the retreat will be on my to-do list. What about food? Food prep can be overwhelming at times. Personally, I like to have food at gatherings, but again, it’s not necessary! You can choose what works best for you and your group. You can skip food and stick with hot drinks. You can invite your friends to bring a dish to share and have a potluck lunch/brunch with your retreat. Or, if baking is your love language, then delight your guests with your favorite recipe for a winter morning. I like to go the potluck route, and I provide the hot drinks. Usually guests enjoy bringing something to share and it relieves me of the burden of doing it all. 6. Press Play Your guests have gathered, your food and drinks are prepared, and now you are ready to sit and watch the talks. Follow the instructions in the guide and welcome the Holy Spirit to lead your group into a prayerful time of fellowship. Relax. Pray. Share. Rejoice. Enjoy! A note about the theme The theme for the retreat is “Out of Nothing” from the Latin Creatio Ex Nihilo (creation out of nothing). The talks will focus on God as Creator from the beginning of the world, to our own personal beginnings, and to new beginnings with Him in our spiritual journey. Out of nothing, the Lord created in love. Out of what little I have to offer, the Lord will cultivate friendship and faith with the women who gather with me. Do you want to host, but are afraid to step out in faith? Let me encourage you, sister. You do not need to have or do anything special. The only requirements to host the Advent Gathering are willingness and a smile. God created our amazing world from nothing, and Blessed Is She has created this beautiful retreat for you already. All you need to do is say “yes." Sign up for the Advent Gathering here [bctt tweet="The only requirements to host the Advent Gathering are willingness and a smile. //"] Will you be hosting or attending an Advent Gathering this year? Let us know your plans in the comments below! Gina Fensterer is a Colorado native at heart, but the West Coast beach life suits her just fine. She currently lives in small coastal area of California with her husband and six children. She finds daily life to be more than enough to practice virtue, and sometimes blogs about raising up saints at Someday Saints. She loves the Jesus prayer, coffee at any time of day, homemade salsa, photography, and sleepy toddler snuggles.

When was the last time you doubted or feared anything? This morning? Yesterday? I doubt quite frequently. I never knew how much this weighed on my faith life until my first year of graduate school. I was insecure about what God wanted me to do. I doubted my vocation, schooling, and career path. I was apprehensive about choosing between a social science major or an education major. I was going through deep waters in my faith walk. It was a fruitful yet painful season in my life. It was then that I learned what "doubt" entailed in the full extent of its definition. Many times, we think fear is something possessive over us. That it is an emotional blockage we cannot easily break. Sisters, I have news for you! We can penetrate it once we surrender wholeheartedly to our God. God wants to make us a new creation invariably through His amazing grace and mercy. How do you think the saints became saints? They were transformed through God's grace and unfailing love. He helped them break through their struggles and made them models for the Church. A dear friend of mine once told me, when I felt I could not fight anymore, to reflect on the beautiful stories of the saints. They did not live leisurely while spreading the Gospel. Some were beheaded, burned, and killed in other horrible ways, and yet their faith in God stood firm. We Can Change the Story on Fear In the lives of the saints, fear was transformed into courage and obedience. Fear is an emotion that God can change for our good. I struggled in my attempts to be fearless. I struggled to muster up the courage to speak in public, to strike up a conversation with the barista at Starbucks, to build community with fellow Catholics on community nights. But once I offered this struggle in daily prayer, this area of my life slowly transformed. I began to act out courageously and confident in the One who works for my good. It was amazing! God will push us into uncomfortable seasons, but He never leaves us. [bctt tweet="God will push us into uncomfortable seasons, but He never leaves us. "] Once I was asked to speak at a Young Adult retreat. This would be my first time speaking in front of my peers, many of whom I knew personally. I was asked to share my testimony and, let me tell you, it took me a week to walk out of my fear. That week, I experienced "growing pains" in my faith journey. I knew this was something God wanted me to do, but I struggled with my fear and insecurity. Every day, I would turn to Him in prayer, and He faithfully arrived. I thank God for giving me the spirit of peace and courage to act outside of my comfort zone. That day, I accepted the challenge of living fearlessly. It is a constant battle, but when God guides us, we can never go wrong. He Will See It Through Through speaking at the retreat, the Holy Spirit reminded me that everything is possible with God. It was one of most profound moments of my life. In that moment, I felt the warm presence of God's unfailing love and mercy. God has everything under control; all He asks is that we trust in his plans for our lives. In the book of Philippians, Paul sends a similar message, "being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus" (Philippians 1:6). He will finish the work he has begun. What better news could I have received in that God-appointed time?! Through my weakness, His strength is known. Having faith and keeping it is a daily task. I have to remind myself to surrender and immerse myself in God's word daily. He wants to speak to us, all we have to do is become hypersensitive to His calling. Following the narrow path is not easy, but we can rest assured that God is with us every step of the way. During particular trials of doubt and fear, it may seem that He is not there. But the teacher is always whispering to the depths of our hearts, giving us the strength we need to overpower our circumstances. Let us continue to pursue Him and to be captivated by His immense love for us. Let us become a new creation. Let us set the world on fire by becoming who we were meant to be through Christ Jesus. As St. Augustine beautifully put it: Faith is to believe what you do not see; the reward of this faith is to see what you believe. How have you overcome doubt and fear? I'd love to hear your stories in the comments below! Johana Castillo strives to live a faith-filled life on the island of Oahu. She loves the beach and outdoors and the sweet smell of coffee. These help her serve as a Youth Leader and teach energetic little ones in a Catholic school.

"Blessed Pier Giorgio Frassati, pray for us." My southern son stumbles over the Italian name in the adorable way only toddlers can as he concludes our nightly prayer. He may confuse a few syllables, but he generally understands that this man, this almost-Saint, is special to our family. During our engagement, my husband and I chose a patron saint for our marriage and future family. Today, I'm sharing how you can find a patron saint for your family, too. Why Does Your Family Need a Patron Saint? When we are confirmed in the Catholic faith, it is common to choose a patron saint. Ideally, we choose a saint we admire, someone who possesses the type of virtue we want to spend our lives cultivating. Perhaps this saint has similar interests or has experienced similar life events. Maybe they are strong in an area we feel weak. Traditionally, we even take this saint's name as our own. This saint, in return, is charged with praying for us in a particular way throughout our life. Choosing a patron saint for your family works the same way. When we're living with a group of flawed people, we are all likely to need specific intercession to help us love one another in the midst of familial chaos and imperfection. Having a patron saint for our families can create a family bond, provide a special intercessor when trials arrive, and illustrate a masterpiece of faith and love to admire and emulate throughout our lives together. Additionally, choosing a patron saint is a great exercise for those who aren't married but who are living with other people. I've chosen patron saints with housemates in the past and saw wonderful benefits in our personal and spiritual lives. If you're living with friends, siblings, or parents, try choosing a patron saint for your household! How to Find a Patron Saint for Your Family You're ready to find a patron saint for your family, but there are so many to choose from! While this is a good problem for the Church at large, it can be difficult to narrow your options to a saint who will really resonate with your entire family. I suggest following these steps to find your patron saint. 1. Ask the Lord The first step is probably the most obvious: pray about it. Ask Jesus if there is a certain saint He has in mind for your family. Whose intercession would be most beneficial? Whose example would be the most influential? Take this petition to Mass, to adoration, to your rosary, to your prayer time as a family. Be patient with the Lord and explore His promptings toward certain saints. 2. Look at Your Individual Patrons Another way to select a patron saint for your family is by noting your family members' patron saints. Is anyone named after a saint? Who are the confirmation saints in the family? Perhaps there is a running theme or a certain saint that strikes everyone. 3. Observe Your Family's Experience, Devotions, and Interests Perhaps your patron saint will find you via your family's individual life events and enjoyments. Has your family been through a trial during which you relied heavily on a certain saint's intercession? Maybe your struggle with fertility, unemployment, lack of community, illness, or moving will bring forth your patron saint. Does your family have a shared devotion? Your love for the Liturgy of the Hours, the Sacred Heart, or Divine Mercy may lead you to your patron. Does your family share a hobby? Activities like sports, education, travel, reading, and cooking have been enjoyed by saints for centuries. Look to your family's shared human experience and you will find several saints there waiting for you. Using a guide like this one can be helpful when locating patronages and saint biographies. 4. Pray a Novena Once you have an idea of who your patron saint might be, pray a novena to that saint as a family. Read about the saint's life and explore their virtues together as a family. This will help solidify your confidence in that particular saint's patronage while immersing your family in their life, stories, miracles, and legacy. 5. Let Chance Decide But what happens if you still can't decide on a patron saint? If there is a divide in the family over who should be your patron, if there are pillow fights occurring and a stalemate encountered, you have a couple of options: If you've narrowed it down to a few saints, but just need help with the final decision, write their names on separate pieces of paper, say a prayer for guidance, and draw from a hat. Use a tool like the Saint's Name Generator to randomly select your family's patron saint. Say a little prayer together beforehand to be open to whomever you select. You can also do this at the beginning of each year to select a saint for your family to learn about and imitate during that year. Ultimately, you can't go wrong! So don't stress if you're not able to agree and don't worry about selecting "the perfect saint." All the saints are perfect for your family because the saints' intercession is perfect. This should be fun and valuable for your family, so enjoy the process and relish your family's patron! The Other Saints You Need in Your Life Having community is vital. We need people who understand who we are and want to become, what we struggle with, and where we hope to spend eternity. We need friends who encourage us in our pursuit of holiness and happiness. And just like we need our inner circle of friends on earth, we also need an inner circle of friends in heaven. We would be wise to cultivate friendships with the saints along our journey of life. If you want to learn and chat more about saintly friendships, virtually attend our workshop tomorrow night! It's called Finding Your Tribe, and we will be discussing the 10 types of saint-friends every woman needs. I hope to hang out with you there! Does your family have a patron saint? Who is it? [bctt tweet="How to Find a Patron Saint for Your Family on the #BISblog //"] Olivia Spears lives in Kentucky, where sweet tea and bourbon flow like milk and honey. She works from home as an editor and social media manager while raising her children and laughing with her husband. Although she now spends most of her free time away from the internet, past adventures are still on her blog. You can find out more about her here.

You shall love the Lord, your God, with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind. // Matthew 22:37 Keep this reminder close to you by downloading the phone and desktop wallpapers below by Marie of Fawnly Prints. Phone wallpaper Desktop wallpaper

As kingfishers catch fire, dragonflies draw flame; As tumbled over rim in roundy wells Stones ring; like each tucked string tells, each hung bell's Bow swung finds tongue to fling out broad its name; Each mortal thing does one thing and the same: Deals out that being indoors each one dwells; Selves — goes itself; myself it speaks and spells, Crying What I do is me: for that I came. I say more: the just man justices; Keeps grace: that keeps all his goings graces; Acts in God's eye what in God's eye he is — Christ — for Christ plays in ten thousand places, Lovely in limbs, and lovely in eyes not his To the Father through the features of men's faces. - "As Kingfishers Catch Fire" by Gerard Manly Hopkins Reflect To love another person is to see the face of God. Victor Hugo, Les Miserables Listen For musical inspiration for your restful Sunday, listen to our BIS Rests playlist. [bctt tweet="BIS Rests // Sight + Truth:"] Curated by Laurel Muff. Find out more about her here.

For years women have asked us for a Catholic Journaling Bible. Years. There were Protestant journaling Bibles available, but a Catholic one? With all of our rich and beautiful books in one great big Book? It didn't exist. Until now. The Original Catholic Journaling Bible The Lord called this into being. We prayed. Doors opened. And we had the privilege of creating something new, on the firm foundation that is Christ. So here it is, sweet sisters. You asked us to make a Catholic Journaling Bible, and so we did. [bctt tweet="You asked us to make a Catholic Journaling Bible, and so we did. //"] With the great honor of working with Our Sunday Visitor as the publisher, we got to design the very first NABRE Journaling Bible. It is available for pre-order here, and once we receive the Bible from OSV, we will ship it to you. We anticipate receiving the Bibles around the beginning/middle of January. So what is a Catholic Journaling Bible? What makes it different? What makes it fruitful in our spiritual life? We sat down with Beth Davis, the Director of Ministry Advancement for Blessed is She, to sneak a peek behind the curtain of its creation. The Blessed is She Catholic Journaling Bible: An Interview Wow! A journaling Bible! What does that even mean? My Bible is filled with notes and highlighting and Scriptures for cross reference. It's beautiful, but it's a mess! I know other ladies who don't like to write in their Bibles because there isn't a lot of room in the margins, and our notes can distract from or cover up the words of Scripture. But with a journaling Bible, there is space to ask questions, make notes to remind yourself of inspirations from the Lord, write prayers, or even journal what you're learning or living this season. How should the Catholic Journaling Bible be used? How can this deepen my relationship with the Lord? There are no rules for a journaling Bible! You can create or study or draw or share your heart with the Lord in the margins. You can use pencil or pen or markers or paint. You are entering into a conversation with the Lord through His Word. This gives you room to connect with God according to the personality and mind He gave you. This is the first Catholic Journaling Bible. What makes it different from a Protestant Journaling Bible? From the USCCB: Catholic and Protestant Bibles both include 27 books in the New Testament. Protestant Bibles have only 39 books in the Old Testament, however, while Catholic Bibles have 46. The seven books included in Catholic Bibles are Tobit, Judith, 1 and 2 Maccabees, Wisdom, Sirach, and Baruch. Catholic Bibles also include sections in the Books of Esther and Daniel which are not found in Protestant Bibles. These books are called the deuterocanonical books. The Catholic Church believes these books to be inspired by the Holy Spirit. Does this Bible have the imprimatur? It does! IMPRIMATUR: ✠ James A. Hickey, S.T.D., J.C.D. Archbishop of Washington August 27, 1986 What translation is used in this journaling Bible? The Catholic Journaling Bible is published by OSV and designed and laid out by Blessed is She. The NABRE is the translation Our Sunday Visitor has license to, so that's the one used in this Bible. How is the journaling Bible set up? What are the dimensions of the Bible? The Bible has a sturdy linen cover. Each page of text has nearly 2" margins, and has one column of text on each page as opposed to two. The dimensions are 6.25" x 9". The regular footnotes and endnotes are still included for your reference and deeper understanding of the text. What's the significance of the seed on the cover? "The seed is the word of God." (Luke 8:11) This is the inspiration verse for the Catholic Journaling Bible. With each section of the Bible the illustration grows - from a seed in the Historical Books sprouting into a tree by Revelation. How much hand-lettering is present in the Bible? One verse for each book of the Bible is hand-lettered. How did you choose the verses from each book? Was there a theme? I was able to find seed-themed verses in many of the books. The Gospels are all about the seed, and we end with a beautiful verse in Revelation about the tree of life: "On either side of the river grew the tree of life that produces fruit twelve times a year, once each month; the leaves of the trees serve as medicine for the nations." (Revelation 22:2) But most of the verses were chosen simply because of their profound beauty and truth in order to encourage and affirm women as they spend time in the Word. What fruit do you hope this Bible bears in the lives of women? I hope our Catholic Journaling Bible becomes a place of encounter for God our Father and His precious daughters. I pray that spending time in the Word wouldn't feel like an obligation, but a joy. That the Word becomes a safe refuge, a creative outlet, and a two-way conversation. That women would discover who God is in its pages and look forward to their time with Him there. What was your favorite part of working on this Bible? I was able to choose a verse for every book of the Bible that would then be hand-lettered by Erica. It was such a gift to me! While Erica and Jenna slaved away on design and layout and the business part of it all, I got to spend time in my own marked up Bible, revisiting stories and verses that had been meaningful to me throughout the years. God's Word truly is a love letter to us - reading and rereading God's promises to us throughout Scripture was a truly grace-filled time. [bctt tweet="God's Word truly is a love letter to us. // @thebethdavis"] I want one! How do I order? You can order on our website by clicking here! As a bonus, when you purchase your Catholic Journaling Bible through the Blessed is She site, you'll receive a free download of our mission statement as a "thank you." Have you ordered your Catholic Journaling Bible yet?! Get yours here.