When Hope Seems Lost
Posted by Rachel Balducci in Family on Thursday, December 22, 2011
Once upon a time, there was a boy named Larry. He was a good boy, raised in a good family. But somewhere, somehow, Larry lost his way.
He wandered in the desert for many years, seeking solace in drugs and alcohol. In the midst of this, his parents prayed. They prayed and their friends prayed and they continued to hope for their son, even as he seemed to slip further and further away.
This boy, Larry,... READ MORE
Which Came First?
Posted by Arwen Mosher in Family on Tuesday, November 08, 2011
We had a chicken costume in 3-6 months size, and we have two babies, so what could we do but make an egg?
Actually, I wasn’t planning on dressing the babies up at all, since basic non-frivolous tasks take all my energy these days. Kids demand costumes, but babies don’t care, so why bother?
But we only have two babies once. One chance to make a hilarious double costume so we can enjoy the photos for... READ MORE
Poolesville Compliments
Posted by Rebecca Teti in Faith on Tuesday, October 11, 2011
Here’s a teen taking to heart the pope’s challenge to use social media to make Christ’s presence felt.
In the course of her regular perusal of her teen’s facebook page, a friend of mine came across her child’s new “friend.”
“Poolesville Compliments” is an anonymous member of the student body at the local public high school.
He or she posts daily to Facebook with something highlighting the successes... READ MORE
Encouraging Strangers
Posted by Rachel Balducci in Family on Wednesday, September 28, 2011
I grabbed lunch with my sister today and walking to our table I passed the sweetest little family.
They were seated at a long table. Mom and Dad sat across from the children—a row of four toddlers who all looked like they were three. I couldn’t help myself, I had to inquire.
“Are they quadruplets,” I asked, being totally nosey but also quite smitten. There they sat, this row of identical looking cherubs,... READ MORE
4 Minutes and 52 Seconds of Truth
Posted by Lynn Wehner in Faith on Wednesday, February 02, 2011
Check out this great pro-life speech from one of the “new guys” on Capitol Hill.
A couple (of many) highlights ...
“We can use any euphemism, like ‘fetus’ or ‘dividing tissue’ or ‘embryo,’ or just simply ‘inconvenience,’ but no one comes to the family and says: How is the embryo? No one says to a pregnant woman or hears a pregnant woman say: Excuse me, I just felt the fetus kick. No one comes to a... READ MORE
God's Promises Greater Than Our Hopes
Posted by Rebecca Teti in Faith on Thursday, December 02, 2010
Continuing his series on women saints, the Pope spoke yesterday about Julian of Norwich.
She’s a good example of “spiritual maternity,” given that she was an anchoress—a hermit living withdrawn from the world—and yet
We know that Julian also received frequent visitors, as attested in the autobiography of another fervent Christian woman of her time, Margery Kempe, who went to Norwich in 1413 to receive... READ MORE
Not Too Late
Posted by Lynn Wehner in Faith on Thursday, December 02, 2010
As we celebrate life and wait with expectant faith this Advent for the coming of our Savior, we can read this story with great joy.
Thanks to a new alliance announced this week between the Pro-Life Action League and Resurrection Medical Center and The Women’s Center, some women in the Chicago area who have begun the abortion process in the second trimester—and then change their minds—can save their... READ MORE
Inspiration in the Desert
Posted by Lynn Wehner in Faith on Thursday, November 18, 2010
Many people dear to me have been struggling lately. Trudging through the desert. This quote is for them ... and for all of you who could use a flood of wisdom and hope.
Or maybe it’s not even for you. Pass it along. Here’s your chance to be a “good sharer” today ...
“Don’t think all is lost when your feet feel the hot desert sand, your cheeks the burning sun, your stomach the pangs of hunger. The Holy Spirit is leading you where Jesus went, and there he will show you what demons you need to face. But fear not. The very same Spirit who led Jesus into the desert is leading you, and he will empower you with his word to stand as champion over the world’s greatest enemy.”
George T. Montague, SM
Holy Spirit: Make Your Home in Me, The Word Among Us Press
"There Is More"
Posted by Rebecca Teti in Faith on Thursday, November 04, 2010
Last Saturday the Pope met with 30,000 kids, 30,000 teens & young adults and additional 10,000 teachers for a rally of Italian Catholic Action Youth.
Benedict XVI held a Q & A session during the rally.
Here are some highlights.
First, a child asks him what it means to grow up.
As is his wont, the Pope begins by sharing a memory that shows his understanding of the kid’s desire to be grown:
The best... READ MORE
Can You Miss Someone You Never Knew?
Posted by Rebecca Teti in Marriage on Thursday, June 24, 2010
That’s the feeling Joe Carter has after watching this tribute to legendary basketball coach John Wooden, and I’m with him.
Coach Wooden passed away earlier this month. The poem he cites at the end of the piece was written for him by Swen Nater, a player he coached. Nater explains the poem:
Once, when we were discussing life in the Hereafter, he told me he was once afraid of dying because he feared... READ MORE