Des Moines

It’s Ordination Day! Praying for Vocations

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“Behind and before every vocation to the priesthood or to the consecrated life there is always the strong and intense prayer of someone: a grandmother, a grandfather, a mother, a father, a community … Vocations are born in prayer and from prayer; and only through prayer can they persevere and bear fruit.” — Pope Francis’ … [Read more…]

A Wannabe Runner, a Half Marathon and the Finish Line | 13.1 Random Thoughts

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Did you know the first Wednesday in June is also known as National Running Day? Yeah, me neither. But Twitter told me, so I guess it’s a bona fide thing. If I had my act together, I would have written this post 24-hours earlier, giving me a chance to capitalize on the #NationalRunningDay social media chatter. … [Read more…]

Putting the FUN into Fundraiser | A sock hop for Mary’s Meals

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Some people just have a knack for putting the FUN into a fundraiser. This post is all about that. First, I highlight a bit about Mary’s Meals, the organization at the center of this fundraiser, next I share some details and photos of the sock hop, and finally I share some exciting news for Iowans related to Mary’s Meals.

Finding Holy Leisure in Flowering Crabapples

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Pope Emeritus Benedict once said, “We live in a society in which it seems that every space, every moment must be ‘filled’ with initiatives, activity, sound; often there is not even time to listen and dialogue … Let us not be afraid to be silent outside and inside ourselves, so that we are able not … [Read more…]

Divine Mercy Sunday – What “She” Wore

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One of these days I’m going to take that fancy camera of ours and spend a few hours simply wandering around our home parish, the Basilica of St. John in Des Moines. For now, the iPhone has done a fine job capturing her beauty, and here’s a few “what she wore” on Divine Mercy Sunday … [Read more…]

A Saint Peg Doll Exchange – Des Moines Style

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If you follow the popular Catholic-crafty blogs such as Catholic Icing, you’ve probably seen Lacy’s posts on how to paint saint peg dolls and participate in a peg doll exchange. Those posts certainly inspired several gals (some husbands, too!) here in Des Moines to get out our brushes, call on the intercession of some holy … [Read more…]

Desperate for Respite – Event for Families with Special Needs

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While this post is intended for our Des Moines area readers, I’m sharing it here because Joel and I so often hear from families with special needs who simply desire and need a bit more support from their local parishes. Collectively, there is a sense that our Church can and should do better. But how? It truly … [Read more…]

7 Quick Takes: Info on Ordination, Lino’s Visit, Charism Workshop, Speaking Gigs & More!

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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 … [Read more…]