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Growing up, I never had a devotion to Mary. I mean, I liked the idea of her . . . but I didn’t have a relationship with her. The Virgin Mother was a porcelain statue, a gold-etched picture on a Christmas card. She wasn’t real to me. My only connection to her… TO CONT. READING CLICK HERE!
This weekend I helped lead a middle school girls’ retreat. The day was better than I had ever thought. Although I could go on-and-on about the great talks, Adoration, the dance party, and small groups, my favorite moment was one conversation I had with little Kaley while painting her nails. Oh yes, I forgot to tell you: we did pedicures! Continue reading
Tin-foil and cellophane candy wrappers, fake grass in pastel colors, and tie-dyed egg shells – most years it seems these are the only evidence in my life that Easter has come and gone. The jelly beans, chocolate bunnies, and candy are devoured. Continue reading 
My brother and I never talk about faith. The mention of “Jesus” in our everyday conversation might cause an awkward silence or a dismissive change of subject at best. It isn’t that my brother isn’t spiritual. He respects my passion, but at the end of the day, I know he sees me as some crazy “uber-Catholic” a.k.a. “Jesus-lover”. Continue reading
I learned something a little scary about myself this weekend while cleaning my bookshelves. As I rummaged through the piles, I was embarrassed to see the number of half-read and un-used “self-help” books…. TO CONT. READING CLICK HERE!
When I was around the age of 10, a heavy, horrible thunderstorm came that flooded our basement. I remember vividly my brother yelling for me to grab a shovel and come after him. A few neighborhood kids, my older brother, and I ran barefoot through the pelting rain, trying to gather dirt to dam the water streaming into basement walls. Continue reading
“Great news! I got a promotion . . . and I’m ENGAGED!”
My friend went on and on sharing the romantic story of how her tall, handsome, Catholic man proposed. Everything in her life seemed to be the stuff of her dreams . . . and mine. As she was oozing with excitement, I smiled and was happy for her, but inside I had this strange, silent but sickly feeling of envy…. TO CONT. Reading CLICK HERE!
A middle school youth told me he gave up the Wii for Lent. “Wow,” I said. “That is great!” He shrugged dismissively: “Not really. I still have my X-Box.” …Ok, that kind of defeats the purpose… Continue reading
Harsh criticism seized my blog as a commenter claimed: ”All I hear is a bunch of whining about something that you could repair if you weren’t too busy searching for attention”… ouch. At first, I was a bit hurt; then I dismissed him as a “hater.” I realize more and more in my ministry that I am not called to be successful, but faithful. Continue reading
Art & Culture: A Catholic perspective
As I watched the 2012 Grammy’s, I was shocked along with many Christians to see Nicki Minaj appearing in a red nun costume with a dancer impersonating the pope. Her stage performance was more “bizarre” than anything, Continue reading