Sister Maria Assumpta walked up to the board and put up a basic compass shape. Rather than north, south, east, and west, she replaced them with Work, Rest, Play, and Pray. Very simply, she told us, “Your lives should always live in a balance with these four things. Welcome to my new series, “Pray, Work, Rest & Play,” where I share a bit about how we’re striving to incorporate an order, a “rule” of sorts, to our daily routine here at Das Schmidt Haus. A routine that organically involves prayer, work, rest, and play. . . . → Read More: Pray, Work, Rest & Play: The Inaugural Edition
I originally set out for this post to be a birth story of sorts. But the would-be narrative about a most blessed and holy event is simply not going to happen here and now. I guess I’m running with C.S. Lewis’s advice here: “Life is too deep for words, so don’t try to describe it, just live it.” Right on, chief, right on. This little babe has brought new hope and true healing to our family — hope and healing I didn’t even know we (read, I) needed. So I’m not even attempting here and now to put words to all this spiritual goodness percolating within me. I’m simply trying to live, learn, soak it up, and hopefully continuing to grow into the mom God is calling me to become … the mom I want to become, too. So for now, enjoy some photos of Lydia’s first hours of life — {pretty, happy, funny, real} style. . . . → Read More: Welcome to the World, Lydia Ann!
The Church fathers, St. Benedict in particular, wrote about the need for Otium Sanctum or Holy Leisure. It refers to an ability to rest and take time to enjoy beauty, to be at peace through the activities of the day, to pace ourselves. Or, as Pope Francis might say, simply wasting time with one another. Do you waste time with your children? What does that look like in your home? Do we, collectively, even know how to waste time with one another? . . . → Read More: Wasting Time and Holy Leisure
Sunday, October 27th, 2013 | By Joel & Lisa Schmidt
A day of holy distractions for us here at Das Schmidt Haus! Meet the newest edition to our family, Lydia Ann, and head on over to CatholicStand.com to read our latest post titled Holy Distraction: The Case for Sacred Art & Architecture. . . . → Read More: A Day of Holy Distractions
Several have stopped by our digital space looking for a labor and delivery progress update, and we apologize for going AWOL. For now, an update … sort of. God’s orchestra is still playing this concerto in a minor key. Stay tuned for the final resolution. . . . → Read More: An Anniversary, A Past Due Date, Decisions and a Plethora of Emotions
Any Antiques Roadshow fans in das haus? While not a regular viewer, I’ve occasionally stumbled on the show and then find myself drawn into the fascinating stories and truths behind the heirloom on display. When the episode ends, I typically look around my house and think: Well, shoot. Look at all this junk. I sure don’t own anything worthy of an Antiques Roadshow spotlight. But maybe I just needed to look a little closer … . . . → Read More: My Not-Ready-for-Primetime Antiques Roadshow Investigation
Sunday, October 6th, 2013 | By Joel & Lisa Schmidt
“Open your hearts to life!” has become a recurring theme in Pope Francis’s pontificate. It’s also the theme for the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops’ 2013-14 Respect Life Campaign that kicked off in parishes across the nation on Respect Life Sunday. The phrase “Open your hearts to life” can be a difficult one for many couples who are quite open to life yet find their hearts overflowing with grief due to pregnancy/infant loss or infertility. This is one area that seems to be a bit off the radar screen and weighs heavily enough on our hearts to call us to action. . . . → Read More: Helping Heal Hearts Wounded by Miscarriage
Lino Rulli is just plain funny. So funny, in fact, that he almost runs the risk of not being taken seriously. However, in his latest book of humorous anecdotes and thoughtful reflections, he engages and entertains, yet enlightens and evangelizes. I recently welcomed the opportunity to interview Lino about Saint, and he didn’t disappoint. Following the interview, learn how to win a free copy of the book. . . . → Read More: Take 5 with Lino Rulli (and Win a Copy of His New Book)
I am honored to host the blog tour kickoff for the newest book in the CatholicMom.com Book series, Small Steps for Catholic Moms, by Danielle Bean and Elizabeth Foss. It’s a perfect prayer companion for busy moms. Learn more about this terrific spiritual companion and enter to win a copy! . . . → Read More: Kicking off the “Small Steps” Blog Tour
Saint Thérèse of Lisieux died on this day in 1897. So did my dad. Well, not in 1897, of course. Rather, on September 30, 2009. And it’s no small coincidence that his death occurred on the same day as the saint who is known for doing small things with great love also died. This one’s for you, dad! I pray one day my kids will proudly say the same of me as I do about you! . . . → Read More: Doing Small Things With Great Love. I Hope.
Hail and blessed be the hour and moment in which the Son of God was born of the most pure Virgin Mary, at midnight, in Bethlehem, in piercing cold. In that hour, vouchsafe, O my God! to hear my prayer and grant my desires (mention your intentions here), through the merits of Our Savior Jesus Christ, and of His Blessed Mother. Amen.
Thousands of people gathered in the Basilica of Our Lady of Guadalupe July 31, 2002, for the canonization of Juan Diego, to whom the Blessed Mother appeared in the 16th century. Pope John Paul II celebrated the ceremony at which the poor Indian peasant became the Church’s first saint indigenous to ... […]
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