Perspective
Sharing abundantly
Every morning, as we wait in the drop-off line at school, my daughter Rose and I share a pack of belVita breakfast cookies. It’s usually my breakfast, half of it […]
Perspective
A good job — with Jesus
Right above my desk, hanging on the wall with a crumpled piece of Scotch tape, is a card someone gave me last March. “You are doing a freaking great job,” […]
Perspective
In defense of hope
Our bedtime routine with our 3-year-old daughter is quite simple. Bath. Nighttime snack of strawberries and grapes. Read books. Brush teeth. Potty. Say our prayers. Tuck her under the covers. […]
Perspective
We need grace to succeed in our resolutions
I learned the act of contrition in second grade. Mrs. Tartamella would patiently practice with us every day. We’d go through the prayer line by line, and when we’d get to […]
Perspective
Jesus is coming
My younger sister and I used to fight over who would get to blow out the candles of the Advent wreath. We’d light the candles at dinner, and as soon […]
Perspective
My saint friends
“Hey babe, grab the saints blanket, will you?” I called out to my husband. A few moments later, he returned with a black blanket, the New Orleans Saints signature gold […]
Perspective
Fleeing with the Lord
We fled. We woke up early, checked the weather reports, turned on the news and hastily packed the car, cramming in essentials: wedding photos, clothes, toddler toys, infant car seat […]
Perspective
A necessary shake-up
We were newlyweds, and as a late wedding gift, a priest friend invited us to attend our bishop’s annual fundraising gala. A black-tie affair, my husband needed a tuxedo and […]
Perspective
Caught, not taught
“Mom, you too slow. I do it.” The almost 3-year-old began to say the Hail Mary, complete with a little head bow at the name Jesus and a profoundly loud […]
Perspective
Laughing over God’s good plans
Andy was my sister’s friend. I’d see him from time to time when I came home from college. Nice kid. One summer my parish needed an interim youth minister, so […]
Perspective
Rooting out racism
My husband and daughter go for a walk nearly every day. I’ve never worried for their safety. Our neighborhood is pretty quiet. But in the past few weeks, I’ve also […]
Perspective
The benefit of Catholic schools
“A lot,” my mom said. “A whole lot.” And she went back to washing the dishes. I shrugged and laughed, and pressed her for an actual answer. “Honestly, I don’t […]