The Incarnation of Christ, celebrated in the liturgical season of Christmastide, takes on a richer significance for me with each passing year. The story of the Nativity is fuller–but undeniably stranger. It loses the saccharine quality of greeting cards and becomes complicated. Christmas becomes more intricately connected to Holy Week and I’m reminded that the miracle of the Incarnation isn’t … [Read more...]
Liturgical Living at a Glance: October 2015
I’m always trying to figure out how to make it easier for families to observe the Christian Year because we felt so overwhelmed when we first started that journey (which is why we wrote the book we wish we had then). I thought it might be helpful for our family to have resources compiled for the month ahead so that we can plan in advance which special saints days we want to observe and I hope … [Read more...]
How Hogwarts Prepared Me for the Liturgical Year
From middle school through college I eagerly anticipated each new HP book release but I don’t think I could have even articulated what drew me in. Looking back, it was more than compelling plots and endearing characters. What I found alluring was the magical world Rowling created. A world full of traditions that brought people together into a strong community where you belonged. I recently saw … [Read more...]
NFP Should Be a Part of Parish Life
I have a proposal. It’s about bringing NFP out of the shadows and into parish life. Because as young Catholic married folk, we need help. We love and embrace the teachings of the Church on marriage, fertility, and openness to life. We desire to be faithful to these teachings by choosing not to contracept and acknowledging the truth that sex and babies are designed to go together. And we are … [Read more...]
Edel Gathering Recap (Or, that time I had to emcee and had laryngitis)
Okay. I'm completely overwhelmed with the idea of recapping Edel 2015 because it was a jam-packed whirlwind of awesome. Here's some highlights: I rented a car like a real grown up woman. For real. AND I learned how to use the cruise control. My friend Alyssa and I road tripped it to Charleston, SC on Thursday morning to meet up with my bestie and podcast co-host Christy Isinger Thursday … [Read more...]
Beauty for Your Family Altar: A Review and Giveaway of the Sacred Art Series {Sponsored Post}
This post is sponsored by the Sacred Art Series from Bloomfield Books. All opinions are my own. I love to fill our home with sacred art. It's important to Daniel and I to create an environment of beauty for our kids. And we want there to be images in our home that help them learn about our Christian faith. We have tons of great and beautiful picture books about the saints but when it … [Read more...]
Liturgical Living at a Glance: April
I’m always trying to figure out how to make it easier for families to observe the Christian Year because we felt so overwhelmed when we first started that journey (which is why we wrote the book we wish we had then). I thought it might be helpful for our family to have resources compiled for the month ahead so that we can plan in advance which special saints days we want to observe and I hope … [Read more...]
Why Mary Has to Hold the Cards: Thoughts on the Annunciation, Assault, and Free Will
In Dante Gabriel Rossetti’s Annunciation, we see the angel Gabriel visiting Mary in her bedroom. He stands tall while she shrinks back on her bed. Her face is difficult to read. Is she deep in thought? Or is she paralyzed by fear? The image is deeply unsettling and it’s hard to ignore the fact that it looks like we are witnessing an assault on a young girl. This is problematic on so many … [Read more...]
Liturgical Living at a Glance: March
Ok, folks, I know I'm really late on getting this one out there, sorry! BUT, we were sick last week, our house is on the market, and my baby godson and his twin are in the process of being born (!!) while we watch their five siblings sooooooo......excuses. I got 'em. I mean, adding an extra five kids to your household should get you out of most anything, right? Ok, on to the good stuff! I’m … [Read more...]
Rob Bell’s “Tribe”, MacLaren’s Pub, and the Homeless Guy I Have (Almost) Nothing in Common With
My 22-month-old daughter had made it through most of evening Mass, but after receiving Communion I was holding her in the back of the church so she could wave to her favorite statue of St. “Shoesoff”“ (Joseph) and kiss his “feetsies.” She waved and beamed to the parishioners walking back to their pews. “Hi!” she grinned at an unkempt man wearing an old military coat and multiple bandanas around … [Read more...]
