As we approach Holy Week, I’ve been thinking about all my friends and readers who are going through RCIA this year to be confirmed this Easter. Are you afraid about making your first Confession? I was. I was terrified. I was so excited to be confirmed, but the anxiety of making that first Confession loomed over me. It felt like an excruciating torture I was going to have to endure before being … [Read more...]
When Donkeys Talk: Book Review and Giveaway!
Soon after delving into Tyler Blanski’s new book, When Donkeys Talk: A Quest to Rediscover the Mystery and Wonder of Christianity (Zondervan 2012), I knew I had found a kindred spirit. And it wasn’t just because mutual friends kept showing up in the text: G.K. Chesterton, C.S. Lewis, Anne of Green Gables, Jane Austen, and even Martianus Cappella. You see, like Blanski, I have always been a … [Read more...]
Catholicism: Empowering Women for 2000 Years (Part IV: “My Body Isn’t Broken,” The Church and Contraception)
Another post about birth control, Haley? Really? It's true. Sorry, folks. But I think Catholic teaching on contraception is really crucial to understanding the respect for womanhood that the Church affirms. This is Part IV of this series, so be sure to read about how Marian doctrine, the Catholic understanding of vocation, and the female saints and doctors of the Church empower women before … [Read more...]
Catholicism: Empowering Women for 2000 Years (Part III: Female Saints and Doctors of the Church)
So we’ve talked about how Marian doctrine taught me to celebrate my womanhood and how the Catholic idea of vocation honors women. But I want to share with you how learning about the saints and doctors of the Church taught me to love the diversity and strength of women in the communion of saints. In Part II I shared how before converting to Catholicism, I felt that my gifts didn’t fit in … [Read more...]
Holy Time: Lent and Cleaning Up My Whiny Soul
(Please join us in the Little HolyDays Lenten Link-Up by sharing your posts about this liturgical season. Linky below!) “I CAN’T do it! It’s TOO HARD!” whined my then 3-year-old son as he sat in the middle of his messy room and cried at the idea of having to clean up the toys, books, and stuffed animals scattered everywhere. Maybe I’m asking too much, I thought. He’s clearly overwhelmed. … [Read more...]
Preparing for Lent
Lent is almost upon us! It’s very early this year beginning a week from today, Ash Wednesday. This season of the liturgical year is represented by the color purple: the color of the bruised heart. This is the uncomfortable time preceding Easter when we remove distractions, focus on spiritual formation, and take an honest look at ourselves in order that we might prepare our hearts. Here’s a few … [Read more...]
Catholicism: Empowering Women for 2000 Years (Part II: But Women Can’t Be Priests!)
Last week I shared how understanding the Marian doctrine of the Catholic Church empowered me to celebrate my femininity. If you missed Part I: The Blessed Virgin Mary, go back to start there. “But Haley!” you might be thinking. “Empowered? Really? Women can’t be equal to men in the Church because they can’t be priests!” We’ve all heard about this issue in the media lately ad nauseum. Certainly, … [Read more...]
A Simple Meal for St. Brigid’s Day, February 1st
Tomorrow is St. Brigid's Day, so I wanted to share a post I wrote for our neglected real food liturgical year blog. Included is a simple recipe for a seasonal soup to be paired with bread and honey butter. It's quick, easy, and as St. Brigid's Day falls on a Friday this year, vegetarian. Enjoy! February 1st celebrates the Feast of St. Brigid (c. 451-525), a nun, abbess, and friend of St. … [Read more...]
Catholicism: Empowering Women for 2000 Years (Part I: The Blessed Virgin Mary)
This is a series that I’ve been thinking about for months, but have been hesitant to dive into. Women and Catholicism is a hot button issue in so many circles. Story after story comes up on my news feed about how the Church oppresses women, discourages women’s rights, and promotes inequality between the sexes. According to media portrayals, the Church is stuck in the dark ages. “If only this … [Read more...]
The Feast of St. Thomas Aquinas: Recipe for Grilled Pork Chops Lazio Style
January 28th is the feast of St. Thomas Aquinas. This is a post Daniel wrote for our woefully neglected real food liturgical year blog a couple of years ago. This meal was amazing. Reading the writing of St. Thomas had a huge impact on our conversion, so he holds a special place in my heart. Happy Feast! Thomas was a 13th century Dominican priest and scholar from Aquino, Italy who made gigantic … [Read more...]
