I drafted this article in the wake of the horrific Stoneman Douglas shooting in Florida, and for some reason I kept it in draft because so many souls are hurting and looking for answers, and God wants us to know He will never forsake us (Deuteronomy 31:6).  Since first drafting my thoughts, I received three … Continue reading The Presence of Evil Doesn’t Mean the Absence of God

This Advent, our "Advent By Candlelight" evening of reflection for women included a formation talk entitled "Let Yourself Be Loved".  We included advent calendar bookmarks with scriptures for each day of December leading to Christmas about God's love for us. Letting ourselves be loved sounds pretty easy.  But sometimes humans find many hurdles to real … Continue reading Advent-ageous Prayer

Wow; for some reason today's reading from Daniel really took my breath away.  Maybe it is because I had never read it before or it didn't seem familiar to me, even though I know the story of Daniel.  We always associate Daniel with the lion's den, and coming out alive and unharmed by the protection … Continue reading The Hand Writing on the Wall

Having a "business meeting" (the "busy-ness" of God is always good!) we did not have our Encounter With Christ, but my daily meditation on the church's readings were fruitful and offered a new glimpse into where I needed to move next in my quest for spiritual growth. The first reading from Ezekiel 47; Every month … Continue reading The Temple

Heavy paper taped down through the main pathways of our home, due to repairs to the bathroom floor, has made these last few days, er, interesting.  It's the same paper we used in high school cheer-leading to make big banners we would decorate to say, "Go Rocks! Beat the Bears!" or "GO BIG GREEN! FIGHT … Continue reading Bothered and Annoyed

I was in the zone.  Having lunch with a friend who inspires me, and we share the same kind of vision for ministry.  I really felt like I was in the zone.  It was one of those moments, as it is when God is at the center of something, when I really feel like I … Continue reading Putting God first, in the Zone

A gunman massacres at least fifty people, injuring hundreds, at a country music festival in Las Vegas; officials and investigators looking for answers to a question that no one may ever be able to answer.  In the wake of such tragedy, human nature wants the "why".  Why would someone do something so awful? Why did … Continue reading My Home is Within You

I changed my tagline today on my blog, you may have noticed.  I am still "Catholic and a Mom", as my previous one stated, but yesterday, I had a question pop into my head; kind of a summons to collect my overall message in life. "What would you tell someone who struggles to believe in … Continue reading It Really Is Going To Be OK

Luke 8:16-18 16 “No one who lights a lamp conceals it with a vessel or sets it under a bed; rather, he places it on a lampstand so that those who enter may see the light.17 For there is nothing hidden that will not become visible, and nothing secret that will not be known and come to … Continue reading “When things become known…”

I love how the Holy Spirit seems to work in themes within our group (and notably in my own world).  Maybe this is the case in your life? Anyway around it, we must have more work to do on increasing our fortitude, as not only was it in the gospel for this upcoming Sunday's liturgy, … Continue reading Fortitude Rides Again

Martha or Mary? That is the question...at least that was the question that began our monthly retreat for September.  A group of us gathered to watch "The One Thing Needed: A Retreat Guide on Martha and Mary" presented by Fr. John Bartunek LC, which we obtained from RCSpirituality.org.  The focus of the retreat meditating on … Continue reading Martha or Mary?

Hurricane Harvey arrived for dinner.  Although "his" entrance into middle Tennessee was gradual, and not as uncivil as his arrival into Texas, he wasn't yet bold enough to prevent us from having our Encounter with Christ this week, since we met earlier in the day.  The people of Texas and everyone affected by the flooding … Continue reading Serve It Up

This week here in middle Tennessee, we are preparing for what is being called a "once-in-400-year-opportunity" to witness a solar eclipse, which will take place for many of us in the mid-section of our nation during the day on Monday.  It is amazing to think we will get to witness something so rare, and for … Continue reading “O Woman! Great is your faith!”

Yesterday was a small but mighty burst of Christ for our group.  I was told to report that we spent much time "lovin' on each other".  What is more Christ-like than that? We had a birthday to celebrate, and LOTS of babies coming into the world through our empowered home-schooling moms with clans of four … Continue reading Peace Seeking

This upcoming Sunday's gospel, John 14:1-2, Jesus is again reminding his audience (the disciples) that he and The Father are ONE.  John's gospel so convincingly explains to us how Jesus and God, the Father, are one in the same, connected and inseparable.  Some of the disciples characteristically struggle with the understanding of Jesus' relationship with God … Continue reading Only Grace

During a rough patch in my parenting career, not so long ago, I decided to adopt praying the Seven Sorrows of Our Lady, Mary, mother of Jesus.  I have a special rosary that focuses on the seven sorrows that Mary faced in her lifetime, and asking for her to pray for us as we think … Continue reading Joys and Sorrows

Today I went to the chapel and took my rosary, feeling compelled to pray before the Blessed Sacrament with Mary, Jesus' sweet mother, and my mother, a mother most holy; to accompany her and Jesus along the path of the story of our salvation. If you go to a reputable source to look up the … Continue reading Joyful Mysteries

The Road to Emmaus is one of the most human stories in the New Testament.  As we studied this scripture today in prayer group, meditating with the Holy Spirit for the upcoming Sunday's readings, the revelations poured out.  Had we three days to delve into this particular passage in Luke (24:13-35), it wouldn't have been … Continue reading Everyone’s Disciple

In memory of a couple who remain grandparents, and GRAND parents for eternity.

"There is more merit to one hour of meditating on my sorrowful passion than there is to a whole year of bloody scourging." (Jesus to St. Faustina). Take the next three days to read over the four gospel versions of the passion.  See how they differ in detail? See how each author has a different … Continue reading For the Sake of His Sorrowful Passion

Something I am working on in my spiritual life, for actually a few years now, are night prayers.  The idea being simple; that before you go to bed, you give your life once again to the care of the Lord.  I am sure that, simply speaking, we can say that before modern civilization, we may … Continue reading Night Prayers

About two years ago, at my son's confirmation, we filed into the pews of the church and we waited for the mass to begin.  My husband and I were getting situated and whispering where we could see our sons (one confirmation candidate, one sponsor), when my daughter poked me on the shoulder. "Mom, you have to … Continue reading Divine Iced Tea

Recently I was listening to a podcast meditation about the gospel where Jesus calls the Apostles (Matthew chapter 4) and they dropped what they were doing and followed him into a life of discipleship and public ministry.  I often try to imagine this scene, and cannot get past two things; why he chose who he … Continue reading A Heart that is Searching for God and Obedience

We don't get a lot of snow here in music city, but colder and freezing conditions justify the onslaught of the brine used to salt roadways at least a few times each winter.  Back in Ohio, it would be at least a weekly event where the wet looking stripes paving each lane of the major … Continue reading Smudgy View

During our spiritual exercises weekend, Fr William told so many awesome stories to illustrate his points on our spiritual journey toward Christ.  One story that affected me greatly was the story of the stones.  Women who had suffered through an abortion were invited on a spiritual retreat weekend, whereby they were given a stone to … Continue reading The Rock and The Stone

March 2, 2016 Deuteronomy 4:1, 5-9; Psalm 147, Matthew 5:17-19 Today’s readings were about God’s goodness to His people (Jerusalem) and how important it is that we remember His law, and don’t expect that law to change to fit our perspective of the world, but to be careful and guard our adherence to that law. … Continue reading Part of a Letter

I am back to square one here in our new state of residence, Tennessee.  Dear friends would remind me that it one of the top five stressers in a person's life to relocate, and the greater the distance, the greater the stress (she added for effect). So from Ohio to Tennessee may only be 6-7 hour … Continue reading Let Him Gaze Upon You

Checking out at the grocery the other day, Cirque had a few items in the basket that she had picked up in the hair "pretties" section of the store, as I searched for the shampoo that matched my coupon in the same row. A few minutes later, I noticed something sticking out while waiting in line … Continue reading Mas–scary

My sweet friend Kate and I were talking the other day about what it is like to have a teenager.  Kate has three adorable little dark-haired boys with camel length eyelashes, dark hair and brains the likes of which most 30 somethings I know do not have. I was sharing my latest egomaniacal sufferings of having … Continue reading Kiss Me Kate

Jesus asked St. Thomas Aquinas what he wanted...."You have written me well, Thomas," he said, and offered him anything Thomas wanted in return. "Nothing Lord. I am doing it all for You," is all the saint could say. From Adore Te (St. Thomas Aquinas) O Thou memorial of our Lord's own dying! O living bread, … Continue reading You have written me well….

Can you imagine otters without water? Have you ever watched them at the zoo? They constantly move and play and swim. They don't do a lot of laying around. You can always count on the otter exhibit for entertainment. It isn't like the lions who you think are going to be prowling about and attacking … Continue reading Otters with a Challenge

Easter give us the most wonderful tools as mothers....graces, graces, graces, and little plastic eggs. Huh? Yes, you heard me. The season of Easter goes on for weeks, use those leftover plastic eggs again and again. Write down the chores that need done for the day on small slips of paper, and then stuff them … Continue reading Easter Chore Ideas

This Lent was such a roller coaster of devotion for me. I began by participating with my prayer team in the "Game On Diet" (modified version). We were to spend 30 days (or 4 weeks) following a regimen which included, but was not limited to, getting at least 7 hours sleep per night, drinking about … Continue reading There is pain in the offering…

We now interrupt this irregularly scheduled program to bring you the usual commercial for the sacrament of Pennance, or CONFESSION!! Everyone's favorite topic. Not because I am on my high horse, but because I need it so much.... Ok, so you are perfect and you don't need forgiveness. You didn't do anything. OR you did … Continue reading Clean Your House; Make Way for Grace

A bull in a china shop...you've heard that one. That was me, and still is some days. Zeal makes us and breaks us. We get a fire in our heart for God and we want to tell the world. It's like falling in love. We get this indescribable joy, and we want to jump on … Continue reading A Cow in a China Shop

The cover of our parish bulletin this week (printed text from Philip J. Sandstrom, STD) read "He is God, not of the dead, but of the living!' As brothers and sisters of the Lord Jesus, the first-born from the dead, we rest assured that death's sting is a springboard to life with him. We who … Continue reading God of the Living

Wow. Today was a big one. Long (we got that extra hour of sleep in consolation for the upcoming winter), and a benchmark of sorts. We made our first high school visit today for LB. Yes, for those of you reading who went to public school, like myself, this was a high school visit. You … Continue reading Higher School

There are some people in our lives who sit quietly, listening, paying close attention, and planning their next move. Katrina is one of them. Kat listens to the little things you say;  she watches as you gently touch a scarf in the store that appeals to you, or if you say "yum" to a certain brand … Continue reading Katrina Knows…

Did you know that sunshine in Ohio is scarce? In case you didn't, let me give you an example. We have had some monster winters and there has been an increase in the number of vitamin D-deficient people in our neck of the woods. For Spring Break, we traveled to the south, where we met … Continue reading 20 Minutes of Son

A friend of mine is struggling with her oldest daughter, who continues to be in a bad relationship where neither the daughter, nor her fiance, has a steady job or medical insurance. These are the parents of my friend's only grand baby and  have recently decided to get married, despite lack of income and a harried existence looming around them. … Continue reading Just Buy the Dress

I recently had a conversation with a dear one, discussing the dryness of prayer at times. It was the book recently published about Blessed Theresa of Calcutta's "dark night of the soul"  that gave way to the discussion that even the faithful suffer a loss of feeling the Lord's presence in their prayer at times. Remember … Continue reading Seeking to Console Him

LB just made it back from camp today. Hair with remnants of the mud pit, bruises from paintball, and a nasty rash on his chest that he says is from the recurrent friction of grass from a huge, soapy tarp dubbed the "slip and slide", his raspy voice was the dot on the exclamation of … Continue reading Camp wow

Did you know that as your day goes on, you can make every little thing a prayer? These summer months present a challenge to us as moms and I hear more often than not that people "don't have time for prayer" in the summer months, with all the commotion and "present company" being kept at … Continue reading Small Sacrifices

We got the dress on clearance at a very "fru fru" store. We practiced the hair style, shopped for shoes--10 stores and perhaps 27 pairs tried on--and bought tights. We discussed jewelry, and it was decided that pearls were the most appropriate and flattering. Even little complimentary earrings were purchased. But meeting Jesus for the first … Continue reading First Family Communion

God uses every moment we give him. I didn't get far with my morning offering today. It seems the spiritual forces are in serious conflict during this Holy Week, and distractions are far from sparse. So on the way to get my brakes fixed this morning, I prayed, "I offer You this day, my prayer, … Continue reading I will worship while I’m waiting…

So you can't be in church in all week. Your boss can't give you the time off, your two-year-old doesn't understand "SSSHHHH!!" for the three-hundred and thirty-ninth time, and your school-aged children are going to turn into a McD's french fry if you have to drive through one more time. But there are many ways we as … Continue reading Simple Ways to Observe Holy Week

"Have you ever heard the term 'small potatoes'?" He asked, as I kneeled looking at the pretty lattice-work that parted us in the confessional. "Hmmm, I think so." I was frozen with curiosity and hanging on his every word. "You know, it is like when something happens and you have to decide, is it a big … Continue reading Small Potatoes

"PRAY your prayers".

I wasn't sure which was more humorous, the fact that the boy who was to spell "WALK" in the first round tripped on his way up to the mic to spell it, or that the girl who had the word "QUICKLY" took the longest pause of the evening to think carefully about its spelling. Maybe … Continue reading Spelling B-E-E?

I have many memorable moments from Ash Wednesdays past. It seems to me that perhaps every year begins Lent with a new spiritual growth theme for me, which becomes clear and evident on Ash Wednesday. I took a big gulp and said it. I asked for it. I said the words "Lord, let me feel … Continue reading Humility Granted: an Ash Wednesday to Remember

Ash Wednesday has become one of my favorite days of the year. It isn't because it is the day following the indulgence of Mardi Gras, or because it is a time to start the spring break "diet", but because it has always been a day of clarity. Not just spiritual clarity such as "Ok, what … Continue reading Ashes to Begin the Journey

Jeanne had an appointment with a doctor in a not-s0-great part of town, partially the reason she may have been able to sell this dental practice at a "low low deal". She told him to meet her around noon, and when she arrived just before, she entered the empty office space and then locked the doors, watching … Continue reading Easy Come, Easy Go

We sign on the dotted line all the time these days. We sign away on credit card slips, checks to pay bills, petitions, permission slips, and who knows how many times we sign our name when we complete a mortgage loan for a new home? But a most beautiful and deliberate signing of names was … Continue reading Please sign here…

My daughter is a strong girl. Actually her dad calls her "All girl with a fist" as a take-off of the better known "Stands With Fist" from the movie "Dances With Wolves". Aptly named, when her brother suggested she do Amelia Earhart for her latest school report, a biography, she was very content. Kids in … Continue reading If the boot fits…

I have heard through  many resources and personal accounts that a weekly family meeting can be beneficial in a home. It has pressed on my heart recently to have a moment on Sunday evenings to sit down and have a family meeting, which would include prayer, formation, and small goals to focus on growing in virtue for … Continue reading Family Meeting

"And what would you say Mr. Darcy, would you consider pride a fault or a virtue?" Continuing with Jane Austen month reflections, we must begin at the beginning. Pride. Pride is considered a virtue in so many ways. We have pride for our country, pride for our home (name a sausage after it), pride in … Continue reading Jane on Virtue

Grammy's Thanksgiving has always been a bit special. It is the catch-all dinner. By that, I don't mean a Charlie Brown Thanksgiving where we eat popcorn, toast, and whatever else the cupboard has to offer--no, I mean it is the place where every lonely heart is welcome. It has become a slow-grown tradition over the years that … Continue reading Grateful to Contribute

A prayer meeting the other day began with a brief bit of formation on Christ the King. This beautiful feast day which takes place the last Sunday of Ordinary Time before Advent in the Catholic church, was instituted in 1925 by Pope Pius XI.  Ironically, 80+years ago he felt that the world was in a decline … Continue reading A Feast Fit for Christ the King

When I get the chance to pop in a favorite flick of mine, there is a certain list I return to again and again. They are some of your typical "chick flicks", but also on occasion something a little different catches my eye.  I cannot determine why, but certain moods evoke certain movies, and since … Continue reading Mom’s Movie Night

When I was a youth minister, I took some time getting to know the kids on my leadership team.  We would have meetings and talk and sometimes they would drop by after school and hang out in my office, telling me about their day. They accepted whatever it was that I could offer to them … Continue reading The Purple Present

LB sets the standard in our home. He is the one who will gently correct with the most righteous answer to a problem, and coerce a little brother or sister to do his or her job without a fuss, and offer reward ("I will play Mariokart with you if you do what Mommy said") for a … Continue reading Little Bosco Wisdom

Jeanne checked in at the conference hotel a few hours early. She wanted to unload her luggage and freshen up after the long drive. As she checked Jeanne into her room, the front desk clerk squealed with excitement "OOHH! You are our 1000th guest! You have won a free room upgrade, free breakfast buffet, complimentary appetizer during our … Continue reading Queen for a Day…

Take some time to think about the gift of free speech and how to use it to serve the Lord. Here are some thoughts: "May the spoken words of my mouth, the thoughts of my heart, win favor in your sight, O Lord." (Ps 19:15) "We can use our treasured capacity for speech to offer … Continue reading Reflect on Pslam 141

New to the neighborhood, a zealous Jeanne skimmed the church bulletin looking for opportunities to become involved. Alas! An opportunity that sounded perfect for her vibrant spirit and excellent communication skills. The parish was in need of small group leaders. These leaders would help coordinate services from different parish groups. The participants in the groups were … Continue reading Jeanne the Archangle Earns Her Wings