In her book Whispers of Mary, Gayle Somers introduces us to ten Old Testament women and shows us how each of their stories leads us to Mary, our Blessed Mother.

Back-to-school prayers offer encouragement for all those who are going back to school: students, teachers, and parents alike.

The new Blessed Conversations study Home is all about Mary’s virtues, and they are presented in a way that makes it easy for us to put them into practice.

I reach to pick up my newborn and he nuzzles his way under my neck. Instinctively he knows where his place of comfort is. He knows that underneath my neck, against my chest, and wrapped in my arms is his new home outside of the womb. This is where we both experience warmth, connection, and love.  As I admire God’s work through my baby, I think about the last time that I allowed myself to be wrapped in the Father’s arms like this.  The LORD is my shepherd, I shall not want; he makes me lie down in green pastures. He leads me beside still waters; he restores my soul. (Psalm 23:1-2)  I also long for this type of intimacy in my spiritual life. Caring for the needs of my husband, children, and household is a gift that I don’t take lightly. At the same time, I realize that it can become all-consuming when I don’t allow myself to be embraced in the Shepherd’s arms.  One of the things I get asked a lot during my postpartum time is, “How are you?” Although this can be a loaded question—not just for a postpartum mom, but for all women—the answer for me in this season is, “In need of rest.” Not just physical rest, as in sleep, but a deeper rest, as in allowing myself to sit down and enjoy a meal instead of eating as I cook it, rest from preemptively thinking about what’s coming up the pipeline, rest from the standards and expectations I hold myself accountable for so that I may receive more joy and life in Christ.  Receive His Tender Care Everything we need is in the arms of the Shepherd Himself. There isn’t anything more that we need outside of His tender embrace. When we find ourselves overwhelmed by daily life, we can approach the good Shepherd in our vulnerability and ask Him to hold us.  The good Shepherd desires that I take the same approach as my newborn, who trusts that I will care for all his needs. When we consider the tenderness a shepherd takes with his flock to ensure their safety and wellbeing, we can see that Jesus leads us in that same way. Maybe it’s hard for us to imagine being cared for like sheep, because we have been in an ongoing cycle of going through the motions of following Him in word but not in action. We can delude ourselves into thinking we know how to follow Jesus well when, in reality, we are pretending to follow and are grasping to take the reins to lead. Follow Sometimes I find myself believing there are greener pastures than the one to which I have been led. Perhaps if I was to graze in a different field altogether my life would be easier, look more successful, or be more exciting. It’s tempting to think that what we consider ideal is better for us than the Father’s plan for us. This year’s Blessed is She Advent devotional, Found, will unpack for us the meaning of Jesus as the Good Shepherd in our lives. All of us have a deep desire to be sought after and cared for and Jesus wants to reveal that to us. In our busyness of living in the world, we are all in need of being found. Advent offers us a clean slate to begin again as we begin a new liturgical year. We can access what our prayer life needs through this theme of being found.  This journey of faith is one we can never walk alone. If you are like me and need the extra layer of accountability and encouragement, the BIS community has several ways to keep you focused on the Good Shepherd this Advent season.  After you purchase the Advent devotional you will receive an email link to the Found channel in the BIS app. Here you will be able to connect with other women, receive prayer prompts, playlists, and other ways to supplement your Advent prayer practices. Attend the Advent kickoff to create space for His coming. Join the BIS community live on the app on December 2, 2023, at 12 PM EST for a time of prayer, encouragement, and community. An RSVP link will be in your post-purchase email. Beth and Jenna will be on the Blessed is She podcast every Wednesday during Advent to share reflections on walking with the Good Shepherd.  If you are looking for in-person community in your area you can find a regional group near you, connect with a virtual group on the BIS app, or start your own.  Journey The Advent devotional has a built-in road map that makes it easy to follow along and removes the doubt of how to make the most out of the journal.  Sundays / Narration on the week’s theme Mondays / Old Testament Scripture and specific lectio divina prompts Tuesdays / Story (by one of our amazing writers), along with questions  Wednesdays / New Testament Scripture and specific lectio divina prompts Thursdays / Story and questions  Fridays / Sacred mosaic art and specific visio divina prompts Saturdays / Rest and receive It may seem overwhelming to look at the daily prayer practices all at once, but it's simply a recommendation as you are welcome to use the journal in whatever way works best for you and your current season of life. The daily prayer practices aren’t meant to be checkboxes, but invitations to grow deeper in prayer.  Find Shelter in Him We are all tempted to get lost in hot cocoa bombs, Christmas carols, twinkling lights, sugar cookie decorating, ugly Christmas sweaters, white elephant parties, and gift giving. However, for us as Catholics and Christians this isn’t the sole focus of what makes it “the most wonderful time of the year.” For us it's waiting for the tiny babe to arrive in the manger and creating space in our hearts to encounter Him there. This season of Advent, if we allow it, can be transformative for us. We can find the shelter we have been searching for in our Good Shepherd. Only He can lead us to greener pastures, living water, and provide what we need to live a life of abundance in Him.  Come away with us this Advent season and be Found in the Good Shepherd’s arms. 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

Seeing Jesus in the monstrance being carried by a priest up and down countless rows during the Eucharistic Procession at the Steubenville West Conference was something that I wasn’t prepared for. It hit differently than sitting in the twenty-five-person-capacity chapel that I was used to back home.  I had often spent time with Jesus in Eucharistic Adoration, but this was my first time having Jesus come to me.  Each time the priest took Jesus to a different section you could sense the room change. Shoulders would relax, barriers were lowered, tears were wiped, noses sniffled, and it was very clear that Jesus was there.  {formbuilder:OTk3ODc=} Whatever we were doing leading up to Eucharistic Adoration was a faint memory as we encountered Jesus and allowed Him to look at us as we looked back at Him. As Venerable Fulton Sheen says, “We become like that which we gaze upon. Looking into the sunset, the face takes on a golden glow. Looking at the Eucharistic Lord for an Hour transforms the heart in a mysterious way." What I have learned since that moment in that huge auditorium is that, no matter my surroundings or the amount of noise I may be drowning in, whenever I spend time with Jesus in Eucharistic Adoration, He pierces through all of it and offers me His peace. In the silence that tiny host removes all the worldly gunk that I carry around. There is no greater refuge, security, or comfort than when I spend time with Jesus. When I have no agenda, prayer books, journal, or feel like I have to get something out of my time with Jesus, I receive a freedom that makes me feel new.   It's hard for my human mind to comprehend that Jesus makes Himself available to us through Eucharistic Adoration, but He loves us that much.  Sister, maybe you haven’t made Eucharistic Adoration part of your prayer life, or maybe you're scared of allowing Jesus to look at you because of past sin or the weight that you’re carrying right now. Whatever it is, He is patiently waiting for you. There is only one you and He longs to be in relationship with you. Will you allow Him to look at you? You can lower your guard and know that the Shepherd will care for you.  Maybe if you’re apprehensive you can ask a friend or family member to go with you. If you’re having a hard time feeling like Jesus is really present, try praying, Jesus, “I do believe, help my unbelief!” (Mark 9:24) 

I had never seen an auditorium packed with thousands of Catholic youth like I did that summer. I can still see the sea of young people worshiping, praying, and praising. I had signed up to be a chaperone for my first Catholic youth conference with our parish and it burst my cradle-Catholic bubble. At twenty-four, I thought I knew everything the Church had to offer but had never experienced anything quite like the Steubenville West Conference.  Even as an extrovert it made me uncomfortable, because the Catholic Church I knew was genuflecting, staying in your pew, and participating at appropriate times—anything outside of that was irreverent. But when the band began to lead praise and worship, I felt as if I had unearthed a precious gem. I had never heard music like that before. Everywhere I looked, arms stretched out wide and waved freely in the air; this was unlike anything I had ever witnessed before. Was this really the Catholic Church? The same one I had grown up with? It was all new to me and completely outside of my comfort zone, but somehow in that discomfort I felt like I was rediscovering the Church in a new way.   “In my Father’s house there are many dwelling places” (John 14:2). There is room for you! You belong here.  When the next singer and speaker took the stage and led everyone through prayer with his guitar, the ginormous auditorium suddenly felt like an intimate campfire session. You could hear the crowd sing along softly and even with all the various vocal ranges and tones, it all sounded like one harmonious symphony.  {formbuilder:OTk3ODc=} In this space, I slowly felt my apprehensions and doubt dissipate.  I began to see how Jesus isn’t limited to the structure of Mass, the silence of Eucharistic Adoration, or the instruction I received from my catechism teachers.  I found Jesus among thousands of young people and it felt like the beginning of something new.  A part of me felt both joy and disappointment: joy for being in this space that helped bring the Church to life, and disappointment because it took so long for me to experience this. I was tempted to feel “too old” for this to be my first time, as most of the attendees were going as teenagers, and a majority of chaperones had gone before as well. Nonetheless I was there, and I knew there was something for me, too—even if I felt like my season for this type of thing had passed.  Is there a time when you felt like the Church came alive to you in a new way and reinforced that you belong?  Jesus, thank You for the ways You open new doors to encounter You in the Church. Today we ask You to give us the confidence and the grace to know we belong. Amen.

Does anyone remember the books in the series Chicken Soup for the Soul? I’m probably dating myself here but I often binge read the Chicken Soup for the Soul books from my local library as an adolescent. I can’t help but think about the personal essays from that series when I read Crystalina Evert’s book, Women Made New!—and see that craft carried out through a Catholic lens.   It’s not so much about the storytelling but the writers’ experiences and lives themselves that make this book a treasury of wisdom. The chapters are set up in a very easy format, making it very manageable to read, unlike other books that make you feel like you have to crawl to the end of a lengthy chapter. There were moments when I couldn’t put the book down because I was so enthralled with one of the writer’s stories. Other chapters invited me to pause and put the book down so I could really process what I was reading. It’s not the type of book that you can read in one sitting (at least for me it wasn’t). It is meant to help you open your eyes for the first time or even third time to areas of your life that need freedom through the Divine Physician’s healing, forgiveness from others and yourself, and awakening to the person God created you to be.  So much of our pilgrimage on this earth can feel like a backed-up gutter. Leaves piling up from old wounds, trauma, fear, doubt, and worry—but God in His divine providence never created us to live that way. Women Made New! allows the reader to begin working towards cleaning out that gutter little by little. Through sixteen chapters of stories from various writers and EWTN personalities, the book covers a wide range of topics from sorrow, what happens when we fall prey to the noise of the world, the feminine genius, living enslaved by past wounds or trauma, to letting go of generational wounds from divorce, as well as many others.  Each chapter begins and ends with quotes by Mother Angelica, whose voice I can hear saying them with the delightful wit and flavor that she was known to have. {formbuilder:OTk3ODc=} It was refreshing to read the stories of longtime EWTN personalities and get to read their work on a more personal level, rather than watching them behind the television screen interviewing others.  I enjoyed that there wasn’t just one theme throughout the whole book but a slew of stories that we as women can relate to and bond over. Even if there was one chapter you couldn’t completely relate to, there was still something you could walk away with, or someone you know who had walked a similar path and can now understand a little better, or someone to whom you can offer compassion and support.  Women Made New! is a book that should be shared among other women. Once you have read it, you can easily let someone else borrow it regardless of where they are on their faith journey.  Even with all of its positive features, I would have liked the book to include more diversity. The Church is so wide and far-reaching; whenever there is an opportunity to include various voices, it adds to the symphony of the Church. The voices of minority women would have enhanced what was already a good book and improved it further.  Overall, this is a great book to ask for as a gift, read with a prayer partner, or give to a friend who may not be practicing their faith right now or may be going through a trying time. Women Made New! meets women where they are and encourages the reader to step boldly into the light of Christ and use their own journey as a means of helping others. 

Recently during Advent our family hosted what the kids named Blessed is She Advent kids’ club. We invited my son’s classmates to join us in doing the Blessed is She Advent kids’ journal on Sundays. We were already going to do it as a family, so what was another couple of kids? I had no idea what this would look like or what it would be like, as I had never attempted anything like this before. To be honest, I was extremely hesitant to follow through with this idea because I didn’t want to be judged for the way our house looked or the fact that it’s not an HGTV-looking home. As I worked through these insecurities and remembered the reason why we were doing this, though, the apprehension slowly went away.  A Gift to Kids and Parents All four Sundays during Advent the parents of my son’s classmates were extremely kind and warm. They took turns bringing snacks, good snacks, too (you know, the kind that adults get to enjoy as well).  My insecurities and hesitations were quickly filled with gratitude at the outpouring we received for hosting. Parents who I normally would not have had an opportunity to interact with or hadn’t met before went from being so and so’s parents to actually having names. The resistance I built in welcoming new faces into our household helped me see that although I may fare well in the hospitality department, I could still work towards welcoming those who I may not know as well as my inner circle.  A Lesson on Welcoming Strangers Through the Holy Family The wise men have always been a mystery to me. They heard Jesus had been born and wanted to pay him homage (see Matthew 2:2).  When I picture myself in this scene it plays out very differently than how Our Blessed Mother responded. If strangers (or even relatives) come to our house unannounced, you know I am running up the stairs with the baby and making my husband handle it! When I am holding a newborn and recovering from birth I’m not the type of person that welcomes anyone dropping by. Postpartum me and unexpected visitors just don’t bode well together. I don’t even like receiving an Amazon delivery because it means the doorbell will ring.  Our Blessed Mother, on the other hand, didn’t refrain from welcoming the wise men. She didn’t demand any explanation from them or shoo them away. There was no peep hole to look through and tell Joseph to handle it (unlike I would).  There isn’t much written about the dialogue between the wise men and the Holy Family but we can gauge how these strangers were welcomed:  …and on entering the house they saw the child with Mary his mother. They prostrated themselves and did him homage. Then they opened their treasures and offered him gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh. // Matthew 2:11 Our Blessed Mother witnessed the reverence these unknown men had toward her son and she didn’t need further explaining. There were no further introductions needed.   Perhaps this is why Our Blessed Mother didn’t feel threatened by them. These perfect strangers through their presence potentially affirmed for Mary what she already knew about her son.  Her fiat was firm in all things and all circumstances—even in this scenario.  These strange men didn’t just pass by; they went further by offering gifts. They weren’t required to, but who wouldn’t travel this far without bringing gifts fit for a King?  They also didn’t share with Mary that they were warned to go a different way; they simply did it without causing alarm. What a gift another person’s foresight can be, even when we don’t know that person is looking out for us.   {formbuilder:OTk3ODc=}  Welcoming Strangers Like Kids Do  Over the course of the last couple of years my kids have shared stories of their best friends. Best friends who I had never met before and had only known by name. They shared stories of games they played when their school was continuing to be cautious against COVID, like shadow tag (instead of tagging someone on the shoulder, you tag someone’s shadow with your foot).  They never had to go into their best friend’s home to know, welcome, or meet them where they are.  Their innocence is a vessel of welcome because they haven’t been corrupted by the world. Their welcome for another person is real and unfiltered. They don’t size someone up before they can spend time with them. I see what a difference it makes in trying to live this way as an adult. When you have a heart for others you don’t know—like kids do—the walls come down sooner and you can receive the joy of getting to know someone else with sheer delight.  In today’s culture it has to be the right time or the right season to welcome someone into our home. We have to go to coffee dates, play dates, and even out to dinner before we allow people into our home. Every stranger who knocks on our door is an opportunity to meet Jesus Christ, who identifies himself with the foreigner who has been accepted or rejected in every age (cf. Mt 25:35-43). // Pope Francis Your Home is a Place of Encounter Our home is the most vulnerable place where we can invite others and maybe that’s a bit scary sometimes, because we want to keep people at a surface level. We worry that we won’t be regarded as highly if we let people in. Maybe it’s too much of a risk some of us aren’t willing to make.  The wise men didn’t enter a physical structure but a place of encounter with Jesus Himself.  We are all looking for a welcoming place. We see that every Sunday when we congregate for after-Mass donuts or attend other social events at our local parish. None of us want to stay strangers, but sometimes we do have to take the first step in being inviting. It takes a lot of prayer, courage, and forgetfulness of self, but look at the magi and how they became the first to welcome the King of Kings.  Let’s be the first to welcome and host, because it is Jesus Whom we are ultimately inviting. Scripture Verses To Pray With When did we see you a stranger and welcome you, or naked and clothe you? // Matthew 25:38  Welcome one another, then, as Christ welcomed you, for the glory of God. // Romans 15:7 Do not neglect hospitality, for through it some have unknowingly entertained angels. // Hebrews 13: 1-2 Be hospitable to one another without complaining. // 1 Peter 4:9 More on the Epiphany Just in case you need a refresher on today’s feast day, here are two worthy blog posts for you to read:  Witness of the Epiphany Celebrating the Epiphany On the Epiphany and Welcoming Strangers #BISblog // -->> CLICK TO TWEET

My mind has a tendency to wander. I float between writing notes on my phone, post-it notes, my Blessed is She planner, and the notepad on the kitchen counter. I end up being all over the place in hopes of staying organized, jotting down ideas for something I want to write about, and then attempting to piece it all together later. When I don’t reign in the mental scroll of what’s next on my personally-inflicted corporate task list, I lose track of my intentions. I begin the day with intention and then focus begins to taper off. By mid-afternoon, I’m a crabby, grumpy, and tired mama (especially before dinner time). Combatting Excuses I’m not a busy person as much as I like to occupy myself. It probably stems from some misguided need to be productive. The problem with my busy-bee approach is that it offers little time to quiet myself and be still. It keeps me from getting to the bottom of the roots of old habits mixed in with poor habits which continues the cycle and has led me straight to burnout. Excuses become acceptable and, before I know it, I am giving into a bad habit and lack the discipline to reign it in. Taking Time Over the summer, Jesus spoke to me through a wise and holy priest who said, “Take your time.” I can’t tell you how much I needed those words. They are such simple words, and yet they completely calmed my inner restlessness. It's almost like I was a candle, flickering continuously underneath a draft until I was repositioned and the wick became calm and still. As I have slowly unpacked what it means for me to take my time, it has opened my eyes to the self-inflicted expectations and demands I place on myself. It has been so liberating for me to come back to these words throughout the day. When the toddler explodes into a complete and utter melt down... Take your time. When my kids begin to argue over who can play air guitar (because one of them has had guitar lessons and the other hasn’t )... Take your time. When I send an e-mail with directions and other pertinent information and someone responds asking for the directions... Take your time. This concept isn’t exclusive to what I am actually doing as much as it is the practice of taking my time to respond to these daily occurrences. My response to all of these situations is typically met with feelings of agitating, aggravation, annoyance, and frustration. When I take my time to process my response to a situation, I can’t blame anyone for frustrating me, annoying me, or agitating me because no one has the power to do that. It's like when I remind my son that his sister (who doesn’t want to hear the intricate details about LEGO descriptions) doesn’t have the power to make him angry because he is choosing to respond in that manner. The battle to remain in peace is at every moment of the day. Blaming someone or something else is normally seeped in excuses. Taking Deep Breaths I take a deep breath and take my time in doing so. I feel better when I say those words in my mind. I feel at ease. Suddenly, the hesitation to take my time because of this-or-that excuse envelops me with peace. I give myself permission to take my time and suddenly I’m not as tense, stressed, hurried, or feeling the need to apologize for being human. Why do I fall into quicksand for the sake of speed and efficiency when it ends up costing me more in the long run? What’s the rush to not take my time? What do I think I will really gain by living encumbered to do things a certain way? Undoing the Worldliness I haven’t had a “real job” in years, yet my urgency to get things done and respond as if the earnings of stockholders depend on me is something I am learning to undo. I can’t force the confessional line to go any faster, I can’t will traffic to ease up, I can’t make my children eat faster when we have somewhere to be, and I can’t make myself work as if there are four other versions of me. The reality is that my life with Christ is always going to be counter-cultural. I am constantly going to be battling against the noise, distraction, worldly temptations, vanity, and materialism that the world proposes will fulfill me. The truth is that only Peace Himself can allow me to experience happiness. The Prince of Peace I am tired of allowing excuses to consume me and get in the way of interior freedom. Jesus came into this world with nothing and yet He is everything. This babe of Bethlehem stripped of any and all worldly attachments gave us the greatest gift of Himself. Jesus came and countered everything the world says we need. This Godman entered into this world fallen to sin, and the gift He offers us as a feeble and vulnerable newborn is His lasting peace. It doesn’t make sense, but His love has no bounds. Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give it to you. Do not let your hearts be troubled or afraid. // John 14:27 Peace. It is peace we are impoverished from. It is peace we seek as we walk in this valley of tears disillusioned and weary. [elementor-template id="761780"] Practical Ways to Enter into Peace This Advent Season The Church in her wisdom invites us into these moments of time and space with Christ. These liturgical seasons can change our prayer lives if we allow them. Shedding layers of what we have consumed from the world and trading it in return for peace Himself. The calm we yearn for can only come from Him. Non-Negotiable Prayer Time Prayer in the morning is non-negotiable for me as praying in the morning lifts my heart and praise to the Lord. Whatever transpires during the day leads me back to the Scripture verse I prayed with or a particularly Saint whose words I am meditating on for the week. Worship Music While I love a good Christmas jingle, I love worship music that grounds me and invites me into the quiet anticipation of Jesus’ birth. It draws me away from consumerism and sugar cookies and fuels my need for God’s peace. Prayer Environment This Advent season I am going to allow my prayer space to reflect the peace I am longing for. A Blessed is She candle, a statue of the Holy Family, a journal, and this Advent devotional will adorn my little corner of the house. This will be my sanctuary from the pressure of making our house into a winter wonderland. I am going to welcome the bare spaces in our home that aren’t decorated and allow Jesus to fill them. Sacraments Confession is mandatory for me during Advent. I go to Confession regularly, but there is something special about cleaning your heart to welcome the Baby Jesus. Eucharistic Adoration and increasing my daily Mass attendance will be part of my Advent practices as well. I can easily get lost looking for the perfect holiday cookies to bake, Christmas wrapping paper, and thoughtful gifts for family and friends. I can fall prey in making Christmas less about Jesus and more about worldly delight. Peace is here to stay. Peace is a Person and not a thing. Peace has a Name. His name is Jesus. Sister, what takes your peace away (whether it’s a holiday season or not)? Can we hold onto prayer like we do our shopping bags? Can we take the time to give Jesus our time like we do when we spend hours on Amazon? LITURGICAL PLANNERS Our Liturgical Planners are based on the Litany of Humility. Enter into prayer every day alongside this beautiful Litany. Order your days in His peace. GET YOUR PLANNER

Flos Carmeli is Latin for “Flower of Carmel.” As a child, I was under the impression that Our Lady of Mount Carmel was actually pronounced "car-a-mel." It made sense to me that Our Lady would be named after a delicious, smooth, and decadent rich candy. After all, she is the sweetest mother. Sweet as Caramel Instead of enrolling me in summer camp or something else that I deemed worthy of my time as an adolescent, my mom took me to church with her for nine straight days during the feast of Our Lady of Mount Carmel. We sang hymns to our Blessed Mother, prayed the Rosary, attended Mass, and at the conclusion of the novena, we enjoyed a parish-wide potluck. Those hymns still awaken my inner child. I can still see the printed novena booklet with the stamp on the back that says not to remove it from the church. That time spent praying to Our Lady of Mount Carmel and getting to know her more intimately each summer is one of my most treasured memories now. I was able to savor the Faith in a way that I didn’t know would impact me later in my adult life. Generational Devotion It wasn’t until much later that I realized my mom’s commitment to the novena to Our Lady of Mount Carmel is because she was named after her, as was her mom. Both of them have Carmen in their names. My Grandma’s full name (God rest her soul) was Maria del Carmen and my mom is Carmen Elizabeth. Again, I never really connected the dots in my youth. Maybe you have a devotion in your family with a connection like that, too? My Grandma had a great love for this title of Our Blessed Mother and passed it on to my mom who passed it onto my siblings and me. What a priceless family heirloom prayer can be! Our family hasn’t been one to pass down handkerchiefs that great grandparents wore tucked into their suits or wedding rings that belonged to great, great grandmothers, but devotions like the one to Our Lady of Mount Carmel have remained. Everything that has been passed onto us is in the form of prayers, traditions of the Catholic Faith, and family celebrations (with the exception of tamale recipes). O gentle Mother, who in Carmel reigns, share with your servants that gladness you gained and now enjoy. // Flos Carmeli The Brown Scapular Our priest held the tradition of enrolling all the first communicants in the brown scapular. I have worn one ever since. My brown scapular has been an armor for me through some of my most trying moments as a teenager, young adult, and now as a wife and mother. I remember reading in the Pieta book that was given to me as a first communion gift, “whosoever dies clothed in this scapular shall not suffer eternal fire. This is Mary’s Promise made to Saint Simon Stock, July 16, 1251.” Those words aroused a great fear within me. Did that mean I could never take it off? What about when I showered? Did it have to wear it then, too? Clothed in Grace As my knowledge of the brown scapular grew I realized that Our Blessed Mother wasn’t after the nuances I was hung up on as much as wearing it reverently as a way to be clothed in her maternal intercession. For example, in my early twenties when I wanted to enjoy a night out on the town, Mama Mary would remind me not to wear clothing that didn’t honor my feminine dignity. There was no way to hide my scapular with a tube top or spaghetti strap shirt, so I ditched the outfit. Just that subtle brown cord sticking out of my clothing reminded me to be respectful towards myself and honor Our Blessed Mother. In a way, wearing the brown scapular has reminded me to WhomI belong. My brown scapular is a hidden sign to the world but a visible sign to me of my relationship with Mama Mary. A famous 18th century preacher once said, “The scapular is a bone fire set ablaze by a spark from the heart of Mary.” Our Blessed Mother stops at nothing for us to be close to her just like her Son. Some people get tattoos to demonstrate their love for Mary, but when you look closely, the scapular is more than that and is given freely. Enrolling in the Brown Scapular If you have never been enrolled in the brown scapular or are unclear about how to wear it (as I was when I was first enrolled), the Sisters of Carmel have an extensive FAQ that will provide you with peace of mind. If you would like to learn more on how to incorporate Carmelite spirituality into your daily prayer life or read the lives of Saints that practiced the Carmelite way, check out this blog post. One day through the rosary and the scapular, I will save the world. // Our Lady to Saint Dominic Third Order Carmelites One of my favorite aspects of our parish-wide novena was seeing the new third order Carmelites become enrolled in what looked like a very oversized brown scapular. Each year, a new group of women would line up in front of the altar and profess their vows, committing themselves to live out Carmlite spirituality. It was very powerful for me to see these women witness their desire to grow in holiness despite already being married and some of them being grandmas, too. Here is some additional information about third order Carmelites: Questions and answers about lay Carmelites What does "third order" mean? Discerning the third order Carmelites What is the life of a Carmelite if not one of contemplating, adoring, and loving, God incessantly? // Saint Teresa of the Andes More about the Flos Carmeli Want to learn even more about Our Lady of Mount Carmel, the Carmelites, and the brown scapular? What the scapular isn’t. Why wear it. A closer look at the Carmelite rule and timeline. Videos If you are a visual person and enjoy a quick video or two these will help you understand various aspects of the brown scapular. Fr. Mark-Mary and Fr. Gregory Pine explain how the scapulars work and the different types that exist. Learn about the origins of the brown scapular. Flos Carmeli Prayer O beautiful Flower of Carmel, most fruitful vine, Splendor of Heaven, holy and singular, who brought forth the Son of God, still ever remaining a Pure Virgin, assist me in this necessity. O Star of the sea, help and protect me! Show me that Thou art my Mother. O Mary, conceived without sin, pray for us who have recourse to Thee! Mother and Beauty of Carmel, Pray for us! Virgin, Flower of Carmel, Pray for us! Patroness of all who wear the Scapular, Pray for us! Hope of all who die wearing the Scapular, Pray for us! St. Joseph, Friend of the Sacred Heart, Pray for us! St. Joseph, Chaste Spouse of Mary, Pray for us! St. Joseph, Our Patron, Pray for us! O sweet Heart of Mary, Be our salvation! Amen. Do you have a devotion to Our Lady of Mount Carmel? How did that come about in your life?   [bctt tweet="Flos Carmeli #BISblog //" via="no"]

My family was invited to a celebration with some extended family members I had not seen in many years. I was uncertain about extending the olive branch. The hurt from the past started to surface like debris brought up by the ocean's waves. Hurts that belonged to other family members, hurts that I had heard of or witnessed, began to rupture the wounds I thought were healed years ago. I relegated myself to carrying the yoke of my past, acknowledging the weight but not knowing how to reduce it. Different scenarios played out in my head: How would I be perceived? How would my husband be received? What about my kids? Would they be warm towards my children or would they pay the price for the distance that had formed over the years? I grappled with additional anxiety because my mom, who often helps us navigate these particular family dynamics, was away in Mexico at my grandmother’s bedside. My siblings and I follow my mom’s lead when we interact with these family members. She shields us from the tension as we make our rounds with cordial greetings to family members. Now she was not here to buffer the tension. While my heart raced as I strategized worse-case scenarios, my kids were incredibly excited to meet family they had never met before. Their joy was no match for the unease I felt. Ignoring the invitation was not an option, even though the apprehension consumed me. I knew this offering of peace was from the Lord and I wanted to humbly obey. I felt Jesus ask me to trust Him and remain in His peace. [elementor-template id="707561"] There were not many words exchanged at the celebration, other than, "How have you been?" and, "I'm so happy you are here.” The kids played happily with dogs they had never met before. They giggled with delight as their faces were licked repeatedly. I imagined so much pain, yet none of it manifested in the worst-case scenarios I envisioned. My sleepless nights resulted from my refusal to acknowledge that I missed these family members and so deeply yearned for them to be in my life. My good name may have been swept up in the inheritance of family dysfunction, but in that moment, the past became a vibrant rainbow after a severe thunderstorm. I remained in the moment, which passed all too quickly. Jesus makes all things new, even the ruptures in our families that cause us intense pain. Today, I invite you to welcome the olive branches in your own life and families that will lead you to a greater freedom. [bctt tweet="Jesus makes all things new. #BISblog //" via="no"] // Are you being asked to foster familial bonds even though there has been pain in the past? // How is Jesus inviting you to surrender any wounds by remaining with Him in the pain, trusting Him to heal?   P.S. Grab this free wallpaper for your phone or computer to remind you of your focus during this summer series (and beyond)!   [bctt tweet="REMAIN Series // An Olive Branch #BISblog //" via="no"]

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 greater community? Or is it a regular habit that you maintain? Wherever you fall in the action of almsgiving, it is important to take a moment to reflect upon why you give, how you give, or why you don’t. If you need some guidance, read this post about becoming interiorly poor. Our external way of giving is often reflective of our interior poverty. Giving alms to the poor is one of the chief witnesses to fraternal charity: it is also a work of justice pleasing to God. // Catechism of the Catholic Church, no 2462 Creative Ways to Give Alms this Lent (and Beyond) Understanding what drives our motives towards almsgiving can help us increase our desire to be charitable, or derail it completely if our intention(s) is mostly out of obligation. Spend some time thinking about these questions before you commit to the way you will give alms this Lenten season. It will make a difference in how you give and what you receive. Remember when you leave this earth, you can take with you nothing that you have received, only what you have given: a full heart, enriched by honest service, love, sacrifice, and courage. // Saint Francis of Assisi Treasure Going on a grocery run? Perhaps add a thoughtful meal for someone else in your cart. If you are already at the store, maybe double up on the recipe you are making to bless another family or someone in your circle of friends. We can accept the invitation to be charitable without needing to wait for a crisis. Being open to demonstrating love isn’t exclusive to a person who is grieving, recovering from surgery, experiencing job loss, or welcoming a brand new baby. Our day-to-day lives can be a bit mundane and the thoughtfulness we can offer to one another can change our attitude of complacency to a more joyful disposition. Where there is charity and wisdom, there is neither fear nor ignorance. // Saint Francis of Assisi Books This is a hard one for me. I love my book stacks. I have stacks on my nightstand and on the floor in the living room. (No wonder my kids don’t understand why they have to put theirs away.) Some of them have accrued dust and some of them I rotate depending on the season I am in. There are so many books sitting on my shelf that I take more pride in owning them than in reading them at this point. All of those book recommendations from Instagram accounts I follow are waiting to be broken open. If I’m being radically honest, I probably won’t read them anytime soon and could pass them on to someone else who would benefit from reading them. If letting go of your precious books is too much to ask, then maybe consider lending them out so they aren’t just accumulating dust. This is a good way to ease into getting a feel for what it would be like to live without them. If, in a week or so, you don’t miss them, you can slowly make your way through other titles that you can donate. Almsgiving isn’t merely about giving; it helps cultivate a proper detachment. Even something as inconsequential as giving away books can properly order our desires and help us create more space in our lives. What Is Your Treasure? Books may not be your treasure, but what is it that you are attached to that makes you feel like you could never give it away? Sometimes we are attached to things because we were at a point in our lives where we had to really work hard for that item and, as a result, won’t give it away even if we no longer have any use for it. Almsgiving is a great way to invite Jesus into those areas of our lives that we cling onto stuff knowing it doesn’t do anything for us anymore. Give away those shoes that you are never going to wear again. I know you paid for them with your hard-earned money; but imagine what it will be like when you detach yourself from them. Imagine the freedom that will come with it. If it's not shoes, maybe it's your purse collection, clothes that may still have tags on them, or maybe clothes that you are holding onto from your 20s that you are hoping to fit into someday. Almsgiving doesn’t just serve our neighbor, it frees us from the bondage that can take root when we own too many things. Lent is a fitting time for self-denial; we would do well to ask ourselves what we can give up in order to help and enrich others by our own poverty. Let us not forget that real poverty hurts: no self-denial is real without this dimension of penance. I distrust a charity that costs nothing and does not hurt. // Pope Francis [bctt tweet="Let us not forget that real poverty hurts: no self-denial is real without this dimension of penance. I distrust a charity that costs nothing and does not hurt. // Pope Francis #BISblog //" via="no"] Time and Talent Giving of our time is probably one of the best ways to give generously, especially if money is tight or is something that you are still figuring out how to give on a regular basis if you don’t do so already. Time and talent offerings are usually spoken about separately, but technically, if you have time, then it may be a good way to put your talents to use as well. Tech Help Is there a nursing home nearby? If you are good with technology maybe you could offer a Spotify list for the home. Perhaps the staff could take song requests and the gift of your time and knowledge of using Sound Cloud, Spotify, or other music hub will gift others with nostalgia, comfort, promote memories, and give joy to any otherwise regular day at the nursing home. If your computer skills are more than just connecting to WiFi then maybe consider offering your help to someone who doesn’t know how to clear cookies or other potential viruses on their computer. Sometimes the time and patience we offer to our elderly through our talents is a way for them to feel important. If you aren’t sure where to begin, ask your parents or grandparents if they know of anyone who could use some tech help. Tutor at No Cost Are you good at math? English? A foreign language? Another subject? Offering your skills at no cost is another way to give freely and meaningfully. Perhaps there is a middle schooler in your neighborhood that could use help in math. Use the Lenten season to give of yourself in a way you have never done before. Take the time to pour yourself into someone who is behind in a certain subject or could use the nudge that only you know how to give in a certain subject. Music Do you play the piano, guitar, or another instrument? Offer your gift to someone with kids. Music lessons can be really expensive and most parents don’t always want to play taxi. You may not be a good babysitter but having a jam session with someone else’s kids can give you the opportunity to share music while giving a mama a break. If that’s not your thing, consider helping out at the parish as the Lenten season is busy and sometimes a backup pianist or cantor is a luxury. Local School Help Maybe you are part of a moms' group and understand the power of women on a mission. Call a local inner-city school and identify what the needs are. Maybe they could really use some new titles in their class library, fresh pencils, or notebooks. Something that would be financially feasible for a majority of us may not be when you are living below poverty. Sometimes one phone is all that it takes to open the door to help others. After you coordinate school supply donations, remember the teachers by baking them a fresh batch of cookies. Kind acts like these make almsgiving less of an obligation and more of a way for joy to overflow from us because of our love for our neighbor. Thoughtfulness is never restricted to one way of doing something for someone else or a group of people. The Giving of Your Presence What is one thing that only you can do? Not in a way that’s prideful, but in a way that is meaningful to your own unique identity that the Father has given you. We see in Scripture that Jesus offered His own presence. He didn’t offer monetary donations to the poor. Instead He would offer a word, eat with sinners, heal the outcast with just one touch of His Hand, etc. I know we aren’t Jesus, but what we learn from Him is the gift that we are to others. Can we offer our presence as a lasting form of almsgiving to someone close to us? It's easy to send flowers or an Amazon care package in the mail, but what about our presence? The presence of a lengthy phone call or video call or the presence of committing to something you have to show up to rather than writing a check (although the Church needs both). Additional Resources If you need other ideas on ways to give practically during Lent scroll down to read ideas to get out of your comfort zone. Use that coffee, boba tea, or other treat money towards a meaningful non-profit. Denying yourself that $6 beverage for forty days is $240 that could benefit one of these worthy causes: Vagabond Missions Mary's Meals The CFRs Sidewalk Advocates for Life Saint Bryce Missions However you decide to give alms this Lent, let it be from a place of detachment and a sincere desire to do a “work of justice that is pleasing to God.” [bctt tweet="Creative Ways to Give Alms this Lent #BISblog //" via="no"] MARY SHOWS US THE WAY Just as a mother might pass on a beloved family tradition to her daughters, Mary shares the recipe for growing in virtue with us. This study on Mary's Virtues will breathe new life into your everyday, beginning right in Mary's home. GET HOME STUDY

I first heard of Reform Wellness during Lent on this episode of the Poco a Poco Podcast. I, like so many, have been spiritually formed by the Franciscan Friars of the Renewal and know that anyone invited on the podcast shares a similar heart for the Friars and their work. “Reform is a functional medicine and holistic wellness practice rooted in Christ. We redefine health as the state of the body and soul together.” Naturally, afterwards I began following Reform on Instagram and really became intrigued with the idea of Christ Centered Wellness: Our mission is to empower people to grow in wholeness and become the best versions of themselves: physically, mentally, and spiritually. Choosing Reform Wellness There isn’t anything in the Catholic sphere that really bridges the gap of physical wellness regarding the mind, body, and soul. I have seen other businesses that tackle one or the other but not the integration of all three. I knew Reform would be more than what came to mind when I heard the word "wellness," which is homemade kombucha, some sort of green smoothie, and an exclusive gym membership that gives you access to a spa-like resort (that’s probably due to living in Las Vegas, NV, and seeing all spectrums of fitness and wellness to the extreme). Because Fr. Innocent is the chaplain of Reform I had a feeling the course would be unlike one I had ever taken and that the influence of the Franciscan Friars of the Renewal would be a part of the process which is what intrigued me to begin with. As I continued to prayerfully discern if I was in the right season and could place myself in the right posture to receive what the program had to offer, I became aware of my answers to the following questions. Is God Calling You to Reform? We invite you to prayerfully consider Reform Online™ if you find yourself… Switching between diets that don’t work or craving food freedom Losing sleep and struggling to manage daily stressors Craving community and feeling isolated Confused, exhausted, and chasing an image of health Searching for meaning in the mega and mundane moments Overextending yourself while ignoring your health in the process Feeling unbalanced in your work, home, and social lives Craving change or a better way of living Filling your calendar with busy work solely to feel productive/keep busy Living reactively instead of proactively Feeling disconnected from your faith and purpose The last time I was in any type of wellness routine was before I got married and had kids which was a little over ten years ago. With so many changes to my body over these last couple of years, I realized it had been a long time since I had taken a sincere inventory of the state of my overall wellness. During the last couple of years I have been very focused on my prayer life and growing in community with my Blessed is She small group which has brought me immense joy and gratitude. However, other areas of my life felt disconnected to my overall wellbeing. With an increased awareness of how I talk to myself with judgement instead of compassion, being burnt out from doing work outside of the home that was unfulfilling, settling to be the people pleaser and never saying “no,” the time felt right to pursue Reform Wellness. During The Course At first glance, the program looked too good to be true. Would I really be able to work my way through Reform’s nine wellness pillars of faith, nutrition, functional movement, rest, community, personal growth, environment, play, and stress management through a Catholic lens? Reform’s motto is: Take care of your body as if you are going to live forever and take care of your soul as if you are going to die tomorrow. // Saint Augustine It is such a radical statement, and yet one I had never considered. I figured fatigue, exhaustion, mood swings, sleepless nights, and craving sugar were just part of being a mom of small children. I hadn’t considered that there could be other matters at play. When I reach for that dark chocolate or pick-me-up latte at 3 p.m., I just thought I was participating in refueling myself for the next leg of the day. You know the homework, dinner, and bath time routine. While refueling isn’t unhealthy in of itself, what and how I was refueling my body was misaligned with what my body was actually asking me for. I didn't have the mindset to question why I was eating the sweet treats I was reaching for, or the reasons I was overcommitted to things outside of the home. I was just used to volunteering for this thing or being involved in that thing and never gave a second thought as to how any of these things took away from my energy, joy, or time. Being able to have the space to consider the nine pillars and the areas where I felt I disconnected helped me start to do the slow work of bringing order to those places of my life that were begging for it. Jesus-Centered Formation The Holy Spirit will open your eyes to the things you have had on the back burner because maybe at the time it felt too hard to face the realities of certain unhealthy habits or a lack of boundaries left you feeling defeated. The truth is that God is always asking us to surrender every part of our humanity over to Him, body and soul. Reform opened my mind to new ways of praying, listening, and actively looking for the Lord in my daily life as a wife and stay-at-home mom. It helped me realize how deeply interconnected every aspect of our person is and how it all belongs to Jesus. He doesn’t just want to take care of our spiritual lives; He wants to take care of our mind and body too. The Hard Truth It is hard when you are doing this and your spouse may be on a different journey in terms of wellness or your kids don’t need to change their diet or their lifestyle. However, the beauty of Reform Online is that because you are growing into new habits it will affect your family incrementally. While I did have a tiny inclination to overhaul at the beginning, the Reform team continued to remind me and other students that that is the way of the world and not how Jesus produces new fertile ground for growth. Even when I caught myself thinking, “I am falling behind,” I would remember that the format of the program is there to help and not to add stress to Type A+ personalities like myself. As lay people, we may think that sisters, brothers, priests, and other religious don’t have it bad because they are in the right environments that don’t produce as much stress, toxic relationships, burn out, fatigue, or tax their mental health. But, after all, they are human beings. They too need rest, to reduce stress, and to recommit to placing Jesus at the center of their lives each and everyday. The difference is we fall out of obedience or a desire to be committed to a rule of life that will help us cultivate ways to become a Whole™ person in order to be Holy™ (as Reform teaches). Living in the world we fall prey to making excuses and being okay with complacency without really knowing that we are. In my own prayer life I have compartmentalized the order of things that I thought were most important to take to the Father when in reality every aspect of my well being is connected. Discover Reform Wellness If you are interested in journeying on the next Reform Online course consider joining this free webinar to learn about Christ-Centered Living or read Fr. Barry Braum’s blog post to help you discern if this course is for you. Lastly, if you are a CFR fan and want to read Fr. Innocent’s Reform journey check it out here. The next Reform Online Lenten class begins February 28th and goes through May 20th. Don’t allow cost to discourage your wellness journey. Reform Wellness offers payment plans as well scholarships through Reform Alms. To find out when scholarships are available sign up here. Reform doesn’t replace health for an Idol. It empowers you to take the discouragement that you may feel in some areas of the pillars of faith, nutrition, functional movement, rest, community, personal growth, environment, play, and stress management and provides you with concrete steps to do something about it with Jesus leading the way. Reform offers a community Rosary and Divine Mercy Chaplet prayer every Wednesday at 12p.m. EST. The zoom link is always posted on the Reform IG account prior to the community prayer. Reform is offering our readers a 10% off discount of all products and services through January 31st. Use code BIS10.   [bctt tweet="Your New New Year's Resolution #BISblog // " via="no"]

This time of year stirs our hearts to be generous in how we give and to whom we give, but there is another facet of this desire to be charitable that gently moves behind the scenes to do something for others ... and that is kindness. Kindness is what beckons each one of us to do something for someone else. Being kind doesn’t have to be seasonal just because modern culture presents it that way. There are ways to foster this into our lives until it becomes a daily habit. Kindness is the natural fruit of goodness of the heart. // Saint Katherine Drexel The Contagious Effect of Kindness Kindness has to be more than an occasional “pay-it-forward in the Starbucks drive-thru line” for it to take root and become a daily practice. There is nothing wrong with a little pay-it-forward action and I have been blessed to be the recipient of such kindness. It’s not about affording your beverage of choice; the gift is the unexpected kindness of a stranger. If we take this approach and apply it beyond the kindness of the drive-thru, we can spread these acts of kindness far beyond Advent and Christmas because our human capacity to love is far greater than what we allow it to be. Put Your Grocery Cart Back + Follow Him Okay, it may not have the same connotation as “take up your cross and follow me,” but the premise is similar (stay with me on this one). We all have a cross to bear but may be programmed to think it has to be under the guise of some type of suffering, burden, hardship, or illness. In our daily life, the tiny crosses we bear are part of our bigger crosses, too. It can be really inconvenient to put the grocery cart back in its corral. After walking the grocery store, checking out, loading up the car, and feeling the angst that comes when littles ones are completely over the shopping trip, putting the cart back is the last thing you may want to do. Even without little ones, the temptation to not put the cart back is very real. We may not be able to consider our choices at that moment, but the effects are lasting, regardless of which choice you make: The temporary fix // Don't put the cart back, get into the car sooner, and zoom out of the parking lot like a race-car driver. The long-term influence // Do the right thing because it is the right thing to do and, as a result, help to make someone else’s job easier. How Can A Grocery Cart Help Us Put Others First? So many companies are short-staffed this year. We have all felt the effects of living in a fast-paced world with services that are understaffed. Our mindset of immediacy may not match the reality of our external circumstances. The void of understaffed industries gives us an opportunity to be kinder, more patient, and more loving. This is the gift we can offer to one another. Let’s roll with this example of not putting the grocery cart away (pun intended!). What are the ramifications for someone else? Someone thinks there is a spot open to park their car but there is a grocery cart there. Yes, that is easily resolved by moving the cart out of the way in order to park, but wouldn’t it have been better if it wasn't there to begin with? We all play a role in doing someone else’s job whether that’s easy for us to accept or not. That grocery cart that wasn’t returned to its corral has now rolled off and has dented someone else’s car. Now there is a dented car and most likely someone who will be annoyed that it happened with no one to listen to their grievances. Everything has a chain reaction whether we give thought to it or not. Put the “pay it forward in the Starbucks drive-thru” kindness to the test. It may be easier to pay for someone else’s drink than to walk a couple of extra steps to put a grocery cart away. One costs us financially and the other encourages us to actually be courteous. The Chain Reaction of Kindness We can see the influence we have over one another when we become aware of the impact of something as simple as putting the grocery cart away. There is a great temptation to fall into the mindset that “it's not my job.” While it may not be our job to collect the grocery carts, we can practice putting our neighbor first by taking the time to put the grocery cart away. We can practice those random acts of kindness outside of the Starbucks drive-thru line and be the brother and sisters in Christ that God calls us to be. Miss no single opportunity of making some small sacrifice, here by a smiling look, there by a kindly word; always doing the smallest right and doing it all for love // Saint Thérèse of Lisieux Serve When You Expect to be Served Our whole reason for going out to eat is to not have to cook and wash the dishes. It truly is a luxury and no easy feat with tiny tots when this outing occurs. Do we expect to be served even though we already are? Obviously it is not necessary to wipe down the town table and clean up completely, but is there a way to make someone else’s job a bit easier? We’ve all seen the server handle a large tray of plates while gathering the rest. At that moment, we can serve or expect to be served. Out of kindness, we can gather the utensils around us, stack up the plates, and hand them over because we have a Christ-centered heart. These seemingly insignificant acts of kindness help us cultivate a “put your neighbor first” mentality. Dying to self is not easy, but once we take one small step of thinking about the other person it becomes a habit and changes the hardness of heart that we experience in the world. Spread love everywhere you go. Let no one ever come to you without leaving happier. // Saint Teresa of Calcutta Bag It Up The other day I was at the grocery store and the line behind me was getting long without another cashier nearby. I hesitated about whether or not to help bag my items because the cashier might perceive me as being impatient. However, I just dug right in. Working together with the cashier turned out to be fun. It reminded me of when I was little and used to play at the grocery store check out stand at my local museum. Suddenly, I forgot about the long line and just became immersed with putting the cold foods with the cold foods and the cereal boxes with the other dry goods, etc. While bagging up my groceries isn’t my job, I found it to be spontaneous and joy-filled because it was outside of the norm of my typical shopping trip. I was able to do something tangible for someone else and at the same time share a laugh with a stranger, which I would have missed had I taken out my phone or ignored the tug to help. Paying it Forward All Year Long Sometimes we miss the opportunity to share joy and bring the love of Christ to others because we don't think it will make an impact. We are so busy, so hurried, that we don't recognize the opportunity to offer a kind gesture. Sometimes we don't act because we think "it's someone else's job." This isn’t just about putting grocery carts away or bagging up your own groceries (unless the opportunity presents itself) as much as it is an invitation to be open to practicing small acts of kindness that have an immeasurable impact. If you are a person who needs research to back up this idea of “doing good unto others as you would have them do unto you,” check out this quick read about the scientific benefits of kindness. This Advent, let's challenge ourselves to prepare our hearts to receive Jesus by practicing tiny acts of love towards our neighbor in order to be receptive to the Father’s love for each one of us.   [bctt tweet="Slow Down, Make the Connection #BISblog // " via="no"]

We are moved to give during the Christmas season and may restrain from going overboard on the Christmas gifts because of our awareness of others going without. Our culture emphasizes the charity we give outside of our homes during the Christmas season but Thanksgiving offers us an invitation to offer that same charity to the person we sit next to and across from during the Thanksgiving meal. Thanksgiving is a feast for the heart and everything that fills it. A warm meal, connection, conversation, community, familiar faces, and a place to feel secured by the love of others is available to us on this day. We intentionally gather with family, friends, and loved ones to set time apart to share a meal while expressing gratitude for everyone and everything that surrounds the table. The Heart of the Family Look around the table. What do you see? Maybe the table decorations catch your eye and the fall colors of the table exude joy, warmth, and welcome. The table settings evoke hospitality as your eyes land on your plate and the shiny utensils that have been set out for you. Your seat is a reminder that you have a place of belonging here at this table. Perhaps it's been a while since you have sat at this table or have gathered for a meal with extended family. Take a minute to look around and give the thanks to the Lord for this moment to be present. To be there. Who Do You See? Last year's Thanksgiving celebration may have been outside the norm. Perhaps not everyone was able to gather together, some were constrained because of travel restrictions, or there was a desire to protect the elderly in your family and taking a meal versus sharing one was the most prudent decision for that time. Maybe there are family members who aren’t present this year. Take the time to remember them. It’s okay to feel the ache. Be present to the family members who are still overcome with grief. Fight the temptation that feeling the heartache or grief will sour the mood or make the gathering feel less like Thanksgiving. If anything, this kind of vulnerability with family leads to more openness, receptivity, love, and gratitude towards one another. In the world we may not be allowed to feel this ache, but under the same roof with our family it is where we find this type of refuge. If you are blessed with having everyone at the table praise the Lord for the gift of everyone's lives and to be able to share this meal together once again. Far too often we take these moments of togetherness for granted because we may experience them on a regular basis and the gratitude escapes us. Take the Time to Notice This is a good time to check in with the hearts of the people surrounding you. Has there been a significant source of suffering? Has there been immense joy? Is someone having a hard time with the season of life that they are currently in? You don’t have to get into family drama or past hurts to listen to the hearts of your loved ones. Sometimes relating to one another is all that is needed to allow Jesus’ permission to offer His healing grace. 1 Thessalonians 18 encourages us: In all circumstances give thanks, for this is the will of God for you in Christ Jesus. This is an opportunity for us to practice this with the people who need us the most and who we sometimes overlook precisely because they’re our family. The Heart of a Good Conversation This is an extraordinary moment to sit together with family to exchange stories, laugh, cry, reminisce, and share memories with everyone who is gathered. It’s nice to exchange pleasantries (“Oh the turkey is so moist!” ... “So-and-so makes the best stuffing, baked beans, green bean casserole"). It's easy to keep the conversation there, but that’s not what creates memories or drives fruitful conversation. Maybe there is a part of us that is apprehensive about the conversations that take place. Maybe we cringe when a certain family member shares the same story repeatedly like a broken record. Instead of cringing or allowing that agitation to rise up within us, maybe we can put aside how it makes us feel and turn our hearts towards this person with gratitude. We Get to Choose How We Respond While we cannot control other people’s behaviors at the table, we can choose to respond differently than the way we have responded at previous family gatherings. Often times in my own life I have noticed that when I change my attitude towards a certain family member about their favorite topic of conversation (that I may not share) and just allow myself to be grateful for them (not necessarily what they’re talking about) I am able to tolerate that conversation that I otherwise would have been annoyed about. For one day we can put our annoyances, frustrations, and reservations towards our family or individual family members aside and allow the gratitude for them to lead us to experience that joy which is far too often fleeting in our worldly lives. Lean into the Quiet Conversation Maybe you have the exact opposite problem at your family table as the forks clunking on the plates are a reminder of the lack of conversation. This lull during dinner may feel awkward, but it is good. We are so used to living with noise that we forget how necessary being still and quiet is for us. There may be an automatic response to fill that moment with dull conversation, but just remember you can do that any other day. This is a day of thanksgiving. Although the quiet can feel unsettling it is a good way to be thankful for the other and enjoy one another’s presence. We don’t always need to talk to experience that harmony and unity of a family. Savor the Meal The conversation should represent the feast itself. As you savor the meal, glance up from your plate and savor the moment. New memories are being created; ones that the little people around the table will grow up to share at their own table someday. This meal has taken time; maybe the collective time of the family as others contributed to the meal or the meal has rested on one person’s shoulders. Someone chopped the celery and carrots, baked the pies, carried the turkey from the store to the car, put it in the freezer, took it out to thaw, and then cooked it. This meal has taken several steps to get to the dinner table and the conversation should reflect that. The time table for conversation should equal the amount of time and intention it took for each meal that is on the dinner table. Maybe we should take a cue from our little ones and take our sweet time to eat our dinner. Typically chatty children are reminded to eat their dinner before it gets cold. That’s the kind of pace we need to adapt at the table on Thanksgiving. Taking our sweet time because we are lost in good meaningful conversation, are wrapped up in the moment, unguarded, and have lost track of time. Prayers for the Thanksgiving Table Before the feast, read this article and put these steps into action when you feel the anxiety creep in of having to get everything done. On the day of, download these prayer cards and place them at the table for everyone to look at. Pray the Thanksgiving service meal and lead the conversation with intention. Print out this PDF for a Thanksgiving table blessing. Being intentional about how the meal begins can create that space for a deeper sense of gratitude. Let’s take a note from St. Thérèse of Lisieux and approach this Thanksgiving with childlike love. Let’s embrace the moments when the house starts to look untidy, the floors start to become filled with crumbs, and a little pumpkin pie that fell off the table that was stepped on by tiny feet looks like the inside of a diaper. We know Thanksgiving isn’t about pretenses or putting up a false image of our ideal but when the temptation does arise look around at who is there. Let the laughter fill the house, let the memories that are being made shun the voice that says, “things aren’t going how you envisioned them.” Be present to all of it. Let your heart be grateful. That’s all you need.   [bctt tweet="Who's at Your Thanksgiving Table this Year? #BISblog //" via="no"]

October brims with the anticipation of all that fall brings. Nature begins to point us towards a slower shift in our routine as the leaves change colors, we change out our summer wardrobe for warmer clothes, and we prepare for a new season that will lead us to a new liturgical year. October is filled with wonderful Feast Days but it is also the month of the Rosary. Our Catholic Faith is full of traditions that give us an invitation to go deeper in the ways we live out our prayer filled lives. It is fitting that we have a whole month dedicated to praying and asking Our Blessed Mother to intercede for us before we dive into the busy-ness that November and December can bring. Ways to Honor Our Lady of the Rosary in October If it's been a while since you prayed the Rosary or found joy in praying it, we hope these liturgical ideas will spur some excitement in praying the Rosary with your family and friends. Outside with Mama Mary Enjoy the cooler temperatures without breaking a sweat and bring your Rosary along with you. You can pray as you go for an evening walk with your Rosary in one hand and your water bottle in the other. Kids love to be involved in the Rosary as well. Assign an older child the task of keeping track of the decades. The count does not have to be perfect—saying a few extra Hail Marys is always a good thing! Garden Flowers If you are in a creative mood, cut some flowers and place them in a vase for Our Blessed Mother before you pray the Rosary as a family. Make the month of October a time for your household to honor the Blessed Mother by your flower offering. It doesn’t matter what kind of flowers you have. Just like mothers delight when their children give them flowers off the sidewalk, our Blessed Mother is sure to love the gesture as well. Rosary Walk Find a Rosary garden at a nearby parish. Some parishes have gardens in the shape of a Rosary. Take time out of your day to change scenery by praying a decade or welcome others to pray the whole Rosary with you. Getting out of the house and onto church grounds can help support you in your intention of praying the Rosary. Outdoor Rosary Collect sticks, rocks, and leaves to create your own Rosary outside. Invite Godparents, grandparents, or friends to pray an outdoor Rosary with you. If it’s not a fire hazard, use votive candles as the Our Father beads. An evening Rosary will allow you to enjoy the sunset, candlelight, and cooler outdoor temperatures to pray together. If you have access to a fire pit, make s'mores to end the prayerful evening. Hike Go on a hike and take your beads with you. Experience the beauty of the world while praying the Rosary. Find a shaded spot to say the Hail Holy Queen and set up a picnic to refuel from the hike. Let your body rest and receive from the scenic view that surrounds you. Art Paint a picture that represents Our Blessed Mother. Do you know a friend who is an artist? Grab the necessary supplies and have him/her lead you in a painting of the Immaculate Heart of Mary or a flower that represents Our Blessed Mother. This can be done via Zoom or in-person. Some paint businesses offer the option to paint something besides the paintings that are normally available. Send them the painting you have in mind and see if you can turn it into a BIS night out! Scroll to the plant section of this blog post to give you some flower inspiration! Draw There are so many benefits to drawing and you do not have to be a kid to partake. Draw our Blessed Mother a picture or find one on the Internet to print out and color alongside your children, friends, or family while you pray the Rosary. On the Go Pray the Rosary on the road. Keep a prayer card of Our Blessed Mother with you in the car. When you are dropping off the kids to school, going to the grocery store, Church, the gas station, or the gym, pray a decade from when you leave until you arrive at your destination. Pick up where you left off on the drive to your next errand. By the end of the day you have done a whole Rosary without evening knowing it! Sing Sing hymns to Our Blessed Mother. You don’t have to be a singer to lift up your prayers! Singing is a great way to lift up our hearts and honor Our Blessed Mother. Sing along to these ten Marian hymns. Or listen to the Salve Regina in Gregorian chant as a way to quiet your heart and mind before praying the Rosary. The Ave Maria in Latin is another beautiful song that can accompany the ending of a Rosary as well. Extra Rosaries Do you have too many Rosaries in your house? Give them away to a friend who does not have one. It is easy to assume that every Catholic household is inundated with Rosaries, but reach out to your inner circle and see if anyone needs one or two. The gift of giving someone a Rosary is a grace to the recipient and to you as well. Food It's not a month of liturgical activities without food! Invite your extended family over for a meal and decorate the table with accents that represent Our Blessed Mother. Place a statue of Our Lady at the center of the table and take turns sharing all the ways Our Blessed Mother has interceded for your intentions in your family. Invite grandparents to share their fondness of the Blessed Mother as well. End the evening with a Rosary in thanksgiving for the lovely meal and opportunity to gather together. Learn about a Different Title of Our Blessed Mother Our Blessed Mother has so many titles. Do you know them all? I certainly don’t! This is a good time to research a title of the Blessed Virgin Mary that you aren’t familiar with and share your knowledge with your family. Godparents, grandparents, aunts, and uncles can benefit from what you learn as well. Maybe there is an icon of the Blessed Virgin Mary that has always intrigued you but you have never researched. Include your children and Godchildren and have fun creating a mini-presentation on the chosen title of Our Blessed Mother. Gather with family and share your findings. Make Rosaries Make Rosaries at your local parish and learn how to make them! Join your parish Rosary makers group to learn how to make Rosaries. We don’t always need an exclusive invitation to ministry life if there is something that piques our interest. Learn the Rosary in Latin or another Language Do you have a love for learning different languages? YouTube offers the Rosary in several languages. Maybe you feel most drawn to pray the Rosary in Latin or Spanish. Regardless what language you say it in, Our Blessed Mother hears us and learning a new language offers us an opportunity to lift up our voices in the diversity that makes up the Catholic Church. Consecration Renew your consecration to Our Blessed mother or find out more about it here as well as other books about Mary. Growing in Your Love for Mary and the Rosary There are a variety of ways to incorporate praying the Rosary throughout the month of October. We can use any of these practices long after October and include them in our family life as we see fit. Our Lady of the Rosary, pray for us!   [bctt tweet="Ways to Honor Our Lady in October #BISblog //" via="no"]

Welcome to our Remember series, where we pause to reflect on how God has proven faithful in the past so to help us place our trust in Him in the present. We look to the future, knowing that God always keeps His promise and that He always makes a way. We invite you to pray with us, to write your own Psalm (see the end of the post!), and share with others about how God has been faithful in your life. My husband sat on the hospital chair with his disheveled hair, composed but worried, his mind preoccupied from the bad news he received the day before. I was happily in a newborn fog, holding our daughter in awe of the gift of her life. This was the first time I couldn’t meet my husband in disappointment or in the worry of what would come next for our little family. The nurse came in to perform our daughter’s hearing test. She advised us not to worry if our daughter didn’t pass the first time and mentioned that the test would be billed to our insurance. My poor husband received another sucker punch in less than 24 hours of being reminded that he wasn’t providing financially anymore after unexpectedly losing his job the day before our daughter was born. Hours before, he had just helped me birth our third child with no medical intervention and marveled at the gift of her new life. After the nurse walked out, he called the insurance company to confirm our daughter would be covered. I felt cheated that our daughter’s birth was clouded by my husband’s concern to provide. The weight of being the provider has never fallen on my shoulders; however, I felt that this new baby would outshine any other difficulty that we were facing. “The Lord will provide,” I said from the hospital bed (which I truly believed). But I have always had a tendency of oversimplifying things in an effort to put a positive spin on it. My husband was in a different mindset and there was nothing I could say to give him the confidence that everything would be okay. In the coming months, the effects of his job loss would manifest itself in toxic stress. That stress would spill into parts of our marriage, child rearing, and overall livelihood. After four months of being unemployed, my husband secured a job. Those months while he was home were a blessing as he handled the kids' school drop offs and pickups, made the lunches, and gave me the space to care for my postpartum body and our newborn. That time really helped us work as a team and rely on one another completely. That teamwork wavered once the stress of the new job took over and memories of being eliminated took a grip on him. We both became short-tempered with each other, frustrated, exhausted from having a baby that wasn’t too keen on sleeping, all of which manifested itself in different ways. We tried being grateful even though we knew the intensity of the stress was not sustainable. Had we relegated ourselves to the idol of job security over our peace of mind and our hearts? Had we become the Israelites pursuing false gods under the pretenses of financial stability being more important than emotional well being? Seeing my husband absorbed by a new job that broke his spirit wasn’t what either of us had envisioned for our family. We needed the Provider Himself to intervene and break these chains that bound us to a job that was providing financially but was sucking the positivity out of everything else in our lives. Pope Francis announced the year of Saint Joseph in December 2020. It sounded great but was not something I could chase in blogs or books yet. Lent 2021 arrived and we both knew we needed a prayer overhaul. We fasted together, offered up the same things, went to Confession together regularly, added weekly Mass into our routine, and went to Saint Joseph for the first time in our marriage. The job situation wasn’t improving but there was no way my husband was going to quit (especially during a pandemic). We began our 33-day Consecration to Saint Joseph right before Lent. I had done many consecrations on my own and with my small group but this was the first time my revert husband completed one alongside me. We took everything with us: the job loss, the new job that turned out to be tumultuous, and our family's illnesses. We gave everything that had grieved us, afflicted us, and distanced us from one another to Saint Joseph in hopes that our relationship with God the Father, as well as our own, would be restored. Saint Joseph taught us new ways about God’s perfect orchestration in our lives. We both found a father in Saint Joseph who we knew by name, but with whom we had not yet sought a relationship. Saint Joseph was the hand that brought us to the Provider. We both felt comforted in his paternal care. During our waiting and holding tightly to our consecration to Saint Joseph, my husband secured a more suitable new job. Our household started to reflect the interior transformation we were experiencing. The faucet that had been leaking from the upstairs bathtub was finally fixed, the sliding glass door that wouldn’t open unless you used your whole body against it was like new, and the garage that had been neglected for over a year was organized with everything in its right place. The man of the house was present to the needs of the home as well as the people inside of it. Together, we began to welcome the outpouring of the Father’s provision. Together, we remembered that there is not anything that could keep us from Him. We have continued some of our Lenten practices to remind us to thank the Father for bringing us out of our own Egypt into His loving and caring hands. There are points in our lives where we are willing to forgo peace of mind because we think the situation we are in is the best for us, even if it's causing us physical, emotional, or spiritual harm. We can’t see our way out of something that is so toxic because we don’t have the clarity we need. God the Father does and He does provide. It may not feel like He is in those moments when you are sinking in quicksand but His is the hand that saves. Where in your own life are you sinking? Where do you need God’s saving hand? If you would like, we invite you to write your own psalm to help you remember the marvelous works of the Lord. We walk you through it here. Keep this psalm handy. Pray it when life makes it difficult to see Who reigns sovereignly.   [bctt tweet="REMEMBER Series // Physical + Emotional Healing #BISblog //" via="no"]