How Catholics can create more supportive communities
Some of us Catholic women are very fortunate in where we live. We are those who live, by happenstance or by design, in a community of Catholic Christians who are…
Thoughts on my year of poverty in a time of inflation
One year ago, my family did an experiment to live on the poverty line, which at the time was a little over $30,000 a year. We blew the budget by…
Finding God in the most unlikely place: My marriage
“I think that’s a lie.” She said it gently, but still it pulled me up short. My new spiritual director shifted in her seat and smiled. I had been talking…
Dignity of life isn’t just a Catholic thing
For 18 years I have been privileged to work in traditional book publishing, first in the mainstream field with an emphasis on children’s books, and then as a freelancer working…
A rising generation of new matriarchs
Hispanas/Latinas tend to be very strong women: “Mujeres Fuertes.” I have quite a few of these “alpha females” in my family. They run the show and are not to be…
The American Dream may not work with Catholic culture: A Latina’s perspective
As the daughter of an immigrant, I’m among the first generation in my family where the mother worked outside the home. This has become normalized in American culture, but it’s…
Struggling as a newlywed? You’re not alone
Have you heard of the “honeymoon phase” of a relationship? The time when everything is easy, life is fun and simple, and you feel totally in love with your boyfriend…
When going through deep tragedy, let yourself be loved
Elizabeth Leon never saw herself as a writer. Though she frequently recorded her thoughts in personal journals, she kept them tucked safely at home, for her eyes only. But that…
What I’ve learned from my family’s decision to become FOCUS missionaries
Last spring, I asked my husband if he had, once again, considered the call to full-time mission life. He smiled and reminded me that he had just received a promotion…
Love your loved ones … by going to confession
I recently took my two youngest children with me to confession. It was the middle of the week, so we met with our pastor in his office. Afterward, my 4-year-old…