The Real Waste of Time
Posted by Arwen Mosher in Faith on Tuesday, October 18, 2011
I got to confession last weekend for a sorely-needed first time in a long time. It ended up turning into a mini-spiritual-direction session with the compassionate-but-fair priest. (I felt sorry for the people behind me in line.)
More than a week later, I’m still thinking about one of the insights he gave me. It hadn’t occurred to me before. And I thought I’d share it with you in case you haven’t either.... READ MORE
Keeping Christ in Christian
Posted by Rachel Balducci in Family on Thursday, October 06, 2011
A friend of mine recently shared this perfect cartoon and yes it’s obviously hilarious but it also gave me lots to think about.
It’s very easy, when trying to do the right thing, to get caught up in a black/white way of thinking. It’s easy to point out how others are falling short in being a Christian—and then lose sight of our own failings in the midst of that.
When I think about the times I have... READ MORE
Can "Reparation Therapy" Work?
Posted by Rebecca Teti in Marriage on Wednesday, September 14, 2011
My intent was to publish something about the Triumph of the Cross, today’s feast.
I decided this reflection on same-sex attraction provides an exemplar of how a cross can lead to triumph.
Responding to homosexual scoffing at so-called “reparation therapy,” a chaplain for the Courage apostolate wrote this in his local paper.
The plain truth is that people with same-sex attractions experience them... READ MORE
Fighting Our Crosses
Posted by Danielle Bean in Faith on Wednesday, July 27, 2011
Colleen Duggan offers a lovely reflection over at Catholic Digest, in which she shares some beautiful insight she gained about “fighting her crosses” through the words of her young son.
It’s typically the little stuff Jesus wants me to surrender — the wiggle worm sitting next to me, the request for one more cup of water, or reading the same picture book for the 1000th time. These are the things He wants, the things that make Him happy.
Definitely read the whole thing. You’ll be glad you did.
Tree of Life
Posted by Rebecca Teti in Reviews on Tuesday, July 12, 2011
My friend Tom Hoopes calls Tree of Life “Into Deep Silence” for lay people.
I like that description, although the film isn’t merely a quiet meditation on a way of life.
It poses a question to the viewer, the same question the main character must grapple with.
Which is the path to happiness: what the film calls “the way of nature” or “the way of grace?” Is life just “one dang thing after another,” and each of us must grasp what goods we may? Or is it, even in the midst of suffering and sorrow, ordered, mysterious and profoundly beautiful?
I loved this film, although it took me a while to surrender to its meditative pace.
It’s been said the most effective apologetic in our culture is the argument from Beauty, and this unusual film makes a strong case for “the way of grace” without forcing the conclusion.
Have you seen it? What did you think?
Babies Crazy May
Posted by Arwen Mosher in Family on Wednesday, June 01, 2011
When I woke this morning and realized it is June, I breathed a sigh of relief.
On May 1st, I got up and said to my husband, “This will probably be the month we have the babies!” I had no idea what a crazy month it would be.
The wild ride began on May 2nd, when I was 33 weeks exactly, with a visit to labor & delivery triage that gave us our first indication the twins might be coming sooner rather than... READ MORE
Ups and Downs
Posted by Arwen Mosher in Family on Wednesday, March 02, 2011
As part of training for his new job, my brother had to take a cold-weather survival skills training course.
Among other things, it involved his being outside overnight in single-digit temperatures.
“I have never been so cold and hungry in my life,” he says. He told me about pacing the beach at 2am, trying to keep warm, wanting to quit but having no choice but to keep going and make it through the... READ MORE
True Confessions
Posted by Rachel Balducci in Family on Thursday, February 10, 2011
Excited talk of the new Confession App has led to a statement from the Vatican clarifying that the application is “not a substitute for the personal dialogue between the priest and the penitent required for the sacrament.”
“This app is intended to help a person prepare for the sacrament of confession,” stated Jesuit Father Federico Lombardi, director of the Vatican press office. “It is not intended... READ MORE
Resolution Prayer
Posted by Arwen Mosher in Faith on Monday, January 03, 2011
I know it’s now 2011 and we’re looking forward, but does anyone care to join me in a little 2010 retrospective? I’ve got something neat to share, I promise!
Last January I made a one-word resolution: JOY. I felt that, in spite of the blessed circumstances of my life, I was failing to appreciate it properly and live joyfully day-to-day. In 2010 I wanted to change that.
Making a resolution like JOY,... READ MORE
Grace for Thanksgiving
Posted by Danielle Bean in Faith on Thursday, November 25, 2010
Things will be a bit quiet around here as the bloggers take a break to enjoy the holiday weekend with their families.
I hope that you know, dear readers, that I count you and the community we share here at Faith & Family among my biggest blessings this Thanksgiving. You all are such an encouragement and inspiration to me in my motherhood. Thank you for being a part of what we do here. I hope you all will enjoy this special day with those you love most. God bless you and your families!
Grace for Thanksgiving
O Gracious God, we give you thanks for your overflowing generosity to us. Thank you for the blessings of the food we eat and especially for this feast today. Thank you for our home and family and friends, especially for the presence of those gathered here. Thank you for our health, our work and our play. Please send help to those who are hungry, alone, sick and suffering war and violence. Open our hearts to your love. We ask your blessing through Christ your son. Amen. (source)
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