It’s time to reclaim the quest for Eden
I once read in Father Karl Stehlin’s “The Nature, Dignity, and Mission of Women” that when God created women, “He made her with a memory of Eden.” It is for…
Drop everything and think of heaven
You’re busy. You’re being pulled in a million different directions, distracted by a million different hopes, worries and fears. Maybe your health isn’t great. Maybe your job isn’t thrilling. Maybe…
Cinderella is the perfect parable for the kingdom of heaven
Minds wander, and mine was doing such a thing one day when it struck me that Cinderella sets forth a perfect little parable for the kingdom of heaven. Perhaps the…
How to live for heaven here and now
Several years ago, I climbed the tower of the Blarney Castle to kiss the Blarney stone. Though I could have survived without the experience, as I am not a fan…
What is keeping you from heaven?
It was a jarring moment when I realized I didn’t love God. Or, rather, I didn’t love God as I should — simply because of who he is. The epiphany…
Remembering the souls in purgatory during November and year-round
During the month of November, the Church invites us to remember the holy souls in purgatory. But after receiving the indulgences this month offers (which I’ll address later), we often…
10 ideas to meditate on to grow in true contrition
Sometimes, the two hardest words in the English language to say are “I’m sorry.” It means swallowing pride, admitting fault and promising to do better next time. Whether I’m apologizing…
Five inexpensive ways to give your space a Catholic touch
Stained glass, beautiful blues and golds, intricately sculpted wood, a marble altar rail — these are just a few of the things you will see when you walk into my…
There’s never enough time, and that’s OK
After surviving a year of pandemic-infested wedding planning while teaching rotating bouts of online and in-person instruction at my high school, I believed July would be my breath of fresh…
Getting to the heart of why we pray
“Pray first” is the advice on the lips of most Christians when asked for help. This guidance rarely falls on ears that haven’t heard the cliché before. Yet, as necessary…