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Nothing hollers, “Welcome to the South, y’all!” like this row of wooden rocking chairs I encountered at the Charlotte Douglas International airport while traveling to Birmingham last week for a Catholic media event. (More on that trip in the weeks to come!) What images come to mind when you you see a wooden rocking chair? . . . → Read More: The Sacredness of a Rocking Chair 
There. I proudly admit it. We are THAT couple who babymoons at a Benedictine retreat center. . . . → Read More: Babymooning at a Benedictine Retreat Center? 
Given we are expecting another child this fall, the godparent selection process is once again the topic du jour in Das Schmidt Haus. Frankly, once the Baptism is completed, we don’t get a do-over. The godparents we choose are part of the child’s Baptismal record. Forever. So just as we are asking the Holy Spirit to guide us in naming our child, we are praying for the Holy Spirit to guide the godparent selection process as well. . . . → Read More: Why Godparents Matter 
On May 18, 2013, along with eight other men in our diocese, Joel petitioned for and received the Ministry of Acolyte. It is one of four formal, liturgical steps toward diaconate ordination. Two years ago these nine men began with the Rite of Candidacy, last summer they received the Ministry of Lector, and now the Ministry of Acolyte. God and bishop-willing, all nine will take part in the Rite of Ordination come August 2014. In {pretty, happy, funny, real} fashion, I proudly share a few photos from the Rite of Acolyte, all taken with my new iPhone while wrangling an energetic preschool and a don’t-fence-me-in toddler. . . . → Read More: And here’s to you, Mr. Acolyte 
A bride wakes up on the day after her wedding staring at her diamond ring but has forgotten completely about the one who put it on her finger. We’re sometimes like her, no? As Christians, how easy it is to occasionally forget about the person of Christ. The Corpus Christi procession is a remedy for such amnesia. We take to the streets and publicly, proudly proclaim our love for the One who loves us so completely that He gave up his body for us . . . and continues to do so. . . . → Read More: A Corpus Christi Procession to Remember 
Does your diocese or parish offer a healing Mass for those who have suffered perinatal loss (miscarriage, ectopic pregnancy, stillbirth, and infant death)? This week on Catholic Women Now, Julie and I welcome my husband Joel Schmidt who has been working hard with Adam Storey, director of our diocesan Marriage and Family Life Office, to initiate such a Mass. Julie and I also welcome Maria Campbell, parishioner at All Saints Catholic Church, Des Moines, who discusses her experiences with pregnancy and infant loss. . . . → Read More: This Week on Catholic Women Now: A Discussion on Pregnancy and Infant Loss 
When we remember together, it takes on a different character. Rather than simply recalling the past, this communal remembrance brings the sacrifice of those who have given their lives for our freedom into the present day. Further, it somehow becomes eternally present whenever we gather to remember. Does any of this sound familiar? Substitute Jesus for the person(s) you remember today, and this is the essence of the sacred Eucharist. . . . → Read More: Memorial Day and the Mass 
Since “retiring” from the workforce in order to care for my young children, I’ve spent a great deal of time pondering spiritual friendships. If I had to pick one word to describe that first year of transition between being a working out-of-the-home mom to an at-home mom, the word is loneliness. My heart longed for a spiritual friend. What do we need to do to gain just one spiritual friend? Three biggies… . . . → Read More: Spiritual Friendships — The Elixir of Life 
One might think that when a man is called to deacon formation, the journey leads him and his family closer to Jesus and His Church. True enough. However, the demands of this journey have provided a plethora of opportunities for our family to get really good (read, bad) at being busy. Many of the spiritually strengthening devotional practices that were once a regular part of my life have given way to the all-consuming formation process. I’m running around performing acts of service like Martha yet still feeling hungry for something deeper. It all came to a head one recent evening while eating dinner with my family — a fist pounding on the table and tears streaming down my cheeks kind of encounter. At that point, Joel insisted it was time to walk away from the diaconate, if only to get me OFF. THE. LEDGE! . . . → Read More: Me Time, Jesus Time and Tips from Vinny Flynn 
The life of this simple laborer has much to teach us, but only if we’re paying attention. . . . → Read More: Childhood Lessons from Saint Isidore the Farmer…Sort Of |
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