A New Blog Design, Radio Gigs, Hobnobbing with Blogging Greats, and Roller Coaster Rides!
7 Quick Takes: Info on Ordination, Lino’s Visit, Charism Workshop, Speaking Gigs & More!
Tap tap tap … is this thing on? Let me interrupt our blogging radio silence to share these very important details. 1. Diaconate Ordination! Joel’s deacon stole and invites for ordination arrived two weeks ago. The invites still sit in the box, so it seems we need an office assistant to even get them addressed and […]
“Framily” Ties
Joel and I were recently reviewing stats from the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops’ 2013-14 study of permanent deacons. Take a guess — what’s the average age of deacons in the United States of America? How many are in their 40s like Joel? I won’t spill the beans here, but if you’re curious, head on over […]
Bringing the Monastic into My Domestic: Summer in the Little Oratory
Oratory. Ever heard of that word? Until a few years ago, I wasn’t familiar with it, and believe it or not, I actually remember my first encounter with it. It was July 2010, our first trip to Conception Abbey in Missouri for Joel’s weeklong summer diaconate formation classes. While attending the initial all-you-need-to-know-for-the-week type of meeting, […]
My 2014 Spiritual Board of Directors
Here we are marching quickly through the first quarter of 2014, and I’ve yet to host the official-yet-unofficial oath of office for my 2014 spiritual board. So here and now I present to you my 2014 Spiritual Board of Directors: seven saints reaching out to me, inspiring me, and uniquely supporting my vocation as wife and mother.
Can Miscarriage and Abortion Grief Coexist Peacefully?
How should parishes and dioceses enter into the grief of post-abortive parents? How should the local Church recognize and remember the lives lost to abortion?
Helping Heal Hearts Wounded by Miscarriage
“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.
If I Could Just Be More Extroverted…
About a month ago I read an article in the Wall Street Journal titled “How an Introvert Can Be Happier: Act Like an Extrovert.” As an introvert, the story, naturally, piqued my curiosity. There are many misconceptions floating out there in the universe about introverts and our behavior. A universe, mind you, that just so happens to be dominated by extroverts. So let’s help clear the air a bit. Adapted from Carl King’s 10 Myths about Introverts, here are a few misconceptions many have of us reflective and reserved types.
Just who are these Practicing Catholics anyway?
August 12, 2013, marked the third anniversary of this blog. We’ve grown up a lot in three years time. Well, we’re three years older, anyway, and hopefully a bit wiser. We would like to take this opportunity to welcome our newest followers and formally introduce ourselves. Feel free to introduce yourself; we look forward to hearing from you.
Could Fr. Lukas Etlin be the Missouri “Mystery Priest”?
By now, you’ve most likely heard the story of the “Mystery Priest” from the car accident scene in Eastern Missouri. Interestingly, we were at Conception Abbey in Missouri last week for deacon formation. As you might imagine, this was a hot topic of discussion with both the deacon candidates and the monks. One of our professors indicated he might have a clue about the identity of the mystery priest. He believes it may be Servant of God, Father Lukas Etlin, O.S.B., a monk of Conception Abbey, who died in a car accident in 1927.