Editor’s Note: One of the graces throughout Joel’s diaconate discernment has been the opportunity to become friends with the wives of the other discerning men. One, Charlotte Hunkele, has become a spiritual mentor; she has a gift to articulate and explain the faith in such beautiful ways. During one of our retreat weekends, Charlotte shared … [Read more…]
I know, I know – a blogpost with words defeats the purpose of “Wordless Wednesday.” It’s just we are so excited to announce our pregnancy and I can’t be totally shushed into a wordless mommy today! Baby Schmidt is shown here at almost 15 weeks. Big sister Lucy (who turns three on September 1) came with … [Read more…]
In our continuing focus on Natural Family Planning Awareness week, I would like to highlight the good work of our friend Kristan Doerfler who writes The Emmaus Road blog, the Catholic voice on HoustonBelief.com (hosted by the Houston Chronicle). As one might imagine, she has a broad, diverse readership that can result in a litany … [Read more…]
In honor of Natural Family Planning Awareness Week, please once again welcome contributing author Renee McGuire to The Practicing Catholic. Renee and husband Kerry are fellow parishioners at St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church in West Des Moines, IA, where they also teach NFP classes. Part 1 of their story appeared yesterday. Pick-up from Part 1. … [Read more…]
In honor of Natural Family Planning Awareness Week, please welcome contributing author Renee McGuire to The Practicing Catholic. Renee and husband Kerry are fellow parishioners at St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church in West Des Moines, IA, where they also teach NFP classes. Part 1 of their story appears today; please stop back tomorrow for … [Read more…]
Last week I learned about a Novena for Ourselves and our Siblings, organized by two young Catholics, Trista and Bryan, who are active participants in “The New Evangelization” and doing their share to spread the good news of Jesus Christ through the use of social media. So what’s a novena? It’s simply a devotion consisting … [Read more…]
This past Sunday, my son celebrated his fifth communion. I know because he told me. He’s been counting and says he plans to keep counting until he is an old man hobbling down the aisle. I hope he does. Personally, I love to envision him bent over a walker, shuffling down the aisle, murmuring, “three … [Read more…]
My sister-in-law, Lori Eoriatti, passed away in January of this year. Lori suffered from aplasitc anemia and was only 38 years old at the time of her death. Written with a grateful heart, today’s entry is dedicated and inspired by Lori. Lori lived an amazing life, or perhaps it is better to say Lori lived … [Read more…]
It was August 2009 and I needed a favor. I had determined the best person to ask was my sister Sarah. In a weak, desperate moment I said what every normal person says when favor-seeking, “If you do this for me, I will run Dam to Dam with you.” (Dam to Dam is a 20-kilometer … [Read more…]
This past weekend, the Second Sunday in Ordinary Time, the Church gave us Psalm 40:2, 4, 7-8, 8-9, 10. Here am I, Lord; I come to do your will. In true fashion, my daughter Kristy and now son-in-law Tyler walked down the aisle to those words. And the vows, “I, Tyler, take you Kristy to … [Read more…]