If you're a Catholic and a podcast listener, it's likely that your listening time counted into at least a few of the 365 million downloads of the wildly popular "The Bible in a Year Podcast" has garnered. The show, hosted by Fr. Mike Schmitz, has sat perched near the top of Apple's charts for … [Read more...] about Join Fr. Mike Schmitz for a Yearlong Journey through the Catechism
Faith
A Visit to “Visualizing the Virgin Mary” – Day 1
I'm blessed to live only a few miles from the Getty Center, a world-class museum and research and conservation institute. The Getty's holdings are so immense that I typically limit my visits to one particular area during my regular visits. Now through February, the Getty is featuring a special … [Read more...] about A Visit to “Visualizing the Virgin Mary” – Day 1
Getting Together in Person and Virtually
This weekend, I am in Anaheim for the Archdiocese of Los Angeles' annual Religious Education Congress. For as long as I can remember, Congress has been a bright spot in my year: a chance to gather with friends and colleagues from around the country, to catch up, and to be renewed. This year, while … [Read more...] about Getting Together in Person and Virtually
Join Me for an Online Women’s Retreat
I'm always happy to partner with my friends at Jordan Ministry Team to pray and praise. Next Saturday, we'll be gathering for a virtual Lenten retreat with a theme that's really calling to my heart. For me, Lent is always an opportunity to quiet my heart and seek God's voice in the busyness, but … [Read more...] about Join Me for an Online Women’s Retreat
St. Nicholas Christmas Show
Opportunities to gather in-person to celebrate the Christmas season feel more plentiful this year, but very few of them offer families the opportunity to truly understand the "reason for the season" with as much attention and care as the St. Nicholas Christmas Show. Jointly sponsored by Adventure … [Read more...] about St. Nicholas Christmas Show
Big News for The Bible in a Year
For the last year, I've watched and listened as the amazing The Bible in a Year podcast project unfolded at Ascension Press. Last week, I had the great joy of attending a press conference which not only shared the phenomenal success of the project but announced three major "next step" projects that … [Read more...] about Big News for The Bible in a Year
What Now?
For many friends with whom I'm connected on social media, the news of my mother Anne's passing on April 29 is not new "news". Although on a limited basis because I don't have words to properly describe the cavalcade of emotions I'm feeling, I have been sharing a bit. I'd thought that by now, I … [Read more...] about What Now?
Does Suffering Make Me Better or Bitter?
Most Sundays, I have the great blessing of "attending Mass" alongside my family in Chicago via the wonders of technology. Greg and I typically attend Saturday evening Mass outdoors at our parish, but these Sunday mornings with my Dad, my sister, and her family have become a precious part of my … [Read more...] about Does Suffering Make Me Better or Bitter?
Bless Us, O Lord: 3 Minutes with Robert M. Hamma
Today, I continue my ongoing series of conversations with published authors as we’re joined by Robert M. Hamma, author of the newly released book Bless Us, O Lord: A Family Treasury of Mealtime Prayers. LMH Bob, congratulations on the publication of Bless Us, O Lord. Would you please briefly … [Read more...] about Bless Us, O Lord: 3 Minutes with Robert M. Hamma
OSV Innovation Challenge – A Conversation with Jason Shanks
Innovativation? Creation? Imagination? Perhaps these aren't the first words that you think of when you ponder the Catholic Church. After all, our roots span millennia. Tradition is a hallmark of our teaching. But just as Jesus brought new ways to share the Good News of his father's love for … [Read more...] about OSV Innovation Challenge – A Conversation with Jason Shanks
Global Prayer Challenge for Mothers
When faced with challenges and situations whose solutions are beyond our control, sometimes, the only thing we can do is pray. We may think of this with discouragement, wondering if our offerings to God can truly make any difference. I was encouraged to learn recently about the Global Prayer … [Read more...] about Global Prayer Challenge for Mothers
Great Events: Great for Family and Friends
The past few months of home confinement due to the COVID-19 pandemic have reacquainted many of us with the world of family entertainment. One can only "Netflix and chill" for so long before one goes crazy! Many of us have rediscovered the fun of puzzles, board games, and other ways to combine … [Read more...] about Great Events: Great for Family and Friends
What Will 2020 Bring?
This morning, as I sat for my quiet time, I took a few moments to look back at my goals for 2019. There they were, annotated at the start of last year’s planner, neatly printed and even segmented into categories. I was so ambitious back then, noting for myself that 2019 would be the first year in … [Read more...] about What Will 2020 Bring?
Give Remarkable Gifts This Christmas Season
Yes, I do realize that it is not yet Halloween. And yes, I do realize that most of us are nowhere near ready to think about holiday giving yet. But do yourself a huge favor and continue reading anyway! Why the early push? Because I don't want you to miss the opportunity to order some truly … [Read more...] about Give Remarkable Gifts This Christmas Season
Can I Master Belief?
Today in the Church, we pause to reflect upon the life of St. Thomas. I spent some of my quiet time this morning reading and praying over a blog post I wrote in 2017 after having visited the St. Thomas Mount National Shrine in Chennai, India with Unbound (read that reflection here). It is … [Read more...] about Can I Master Belief?
Letting Love Fuel Action
This week's headlines have been awash in emotion. The sight of a father and daughter washed ashore and lifeless makes us feel. The sound of twenty candidates taking the dais to debate on concurrent nights stirs emotion. The everyday circumstances of our own lives feel our hearts with any number … [Read more...] about Letting Love Fuel Action
