Natural instinct makes me quickly make the sign of the cross whenever I come too close to a close call. Well, the other day something profound happened to me. It wasn’t natural instinct that brought me to this, it was a deep spiritual moment where I found myself staring at Jesus. He was nailed to a cross. I started thinking about His arms and legs and heart. I thought of how He walked and talked, and ate and drank, and befriended strangers, encouraged His friends, smiled at kids, honored His mother, danced at weddings, and cried at deaths. I thought of how He believed in the goodness of the ..read more

Tell me, what’s not to love about Saint Lucy? I love her courage and devotion. On the off chance that you aren't aware, let me be the one to share with you that Saint Lucy is our patron saint of those who are blind and with eye-trouble. Reading about her life and her love for God can help restore vision to anyone, even those with twenty-twenty eyesight. Our eyes can deceive us. We all have problems seeing things. We don’t always get things right at first glance. Think of how many times we disregard someone because they seem odd or peculiar. Also, we easily fall prey to thinking highly of peopl ..read more

“You drag along like a band of sand. You don’t do your share. And so it’s not strange that you are beginning to feel the first symptoms of lukewarmness. Wake up!” (Saint Josemaria Escriva) It is not that I don’t have other things to worry about, but I find myself spending a lot of time worrying about lukewarmness. When it comes to my cup of coffee I want it either hot or cold. Definitely not lukewarm. I know, I know. Trivial! What I really should be worried about is becoming a lukewarm Christian. I know Jesus doesn’t want my lukewarmness. Why would He?  Having lukewarm faith is all talk ..read more

“And once the storm is over, you won’t remember how you made it through, how you managed to survive. You won’t even be sure, whether the storm is really over. But one thing is certain. When you come out of the storm, you won’t be the same person who walked in. That’s what this storm’s all about.” (Haruki Murakami) Tornados unfortunately do not just come in the spring and summer, or in the deep south. They can blow in anywhere anytime. Truth be told, they are not just weather related either. Tornados big and small can spring up out of nothing and hit our personal life with little or no warning ..read more

“Church is a hospital for the broken, lost, empty, confused, desperate, and rejected. Every sinner has a future, and every Saint has a past. How do we break the chains of addiction and bondage? By prayer - prayer for you and prayer with you! There isn't a single person within the 4 walls of the church that doesn't have something they hate or regret about their past. We've all made mistakes and will continue to - BUT His Grace is enough!! There are things that I'd never want to admit out loud about myself, but God knows. And He loves me nonetheless. So whatever you've done, whatever you're doin ..read more

“To be faithful, to be creative, we need to be able to change. To change! And why must I change? So that I can adapt to the situations in which I must proclaim the Gospel. To stay close to God, we need to know how to set out; we must not be afraid to set out.” (Pope Francis) I proclaim myself to be a big fan of Pope Francis. I can hardly believe I would have missed this opportunity altogether if I hadn’t gone out walking with a friend. She told me about the Mission that was going on at her Parrish, Divine Word Catholic Church in Kirtland, Ohio. Mere miles from our home! The Priest giving the t ..read more

“If a little flower could speak, it seems to me that it would tell us quite simply all that God has done for it, without hiding any of its gifts.”  (St. Thérèse de Lisieux) More than any other season, I think Spring reveals newness. And I’m always up for something new! Especially a well needed breakthrough. I am forever amazed at the first signs of Spring. It is hard to comprehend the endurance, patience, obedience and sheer faith in life that this season brings forth. All those tiny seeds that have been underground, lying dormant, just waiting to spring forth is miraculous. Brings to min ..read more

And so little time. This to do list makes me smile. To Do: Wake Up Make Coffee Drink Coffee Make More Coffee Now that we are filled with caffeine, let's make a list of important things to do. Here’s a short list you can add to: To Do: Pray.    Did you know the words: “God help me” is a very powerful prayer? Long ago someone wise told me I should pray using those three words repeatedly throughout the day--it has changed my life. (I often say it when I sit down to write a blog post. Praying it helps!) Sip some joy.   Tea is always in season. A hot cup of tea, a few snowflakes or r ..read more

Be patient. Listen with your ears and your heart.   Know that God’s plans are better than our plans (no matter what we are going through!) Saint Catherine Laboure wrote the following:  “Whenever I go to the chapel I put myself in the presence of our good Lord and I say to Him 'Lord, I am here. Tell me what you would have me do.' If He gives me some task I am content and I thank Him. If He gives me nothing, I still thank Him since I do not deserve to receive anything more than that. And then I tell God everything that is in my heart. I tell Him about my pains and my joys, and then I ..read more

Hygge (pronounced as "hoo-gah") if you have not heard the rave that has been going on about this noun, is defined as a “quality of coziness that produces feelings of contentment and well-being.” It is considered a notable characteristic of Danish culture. I’m not really surprised since Denmark has been voted over and again as one of the top happiest countries in the world. Although I am not Danish, and I’ve never been to Denmark, I do have a strong desire to bring forth some of their hygge into my life!  The more I read about hygge the more I crave a life of creating a warm atmosphere wh ..read more