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 […]
Perspective
The inconveniently necessary Lent
I don’t like Lent. I don’t like the color. I’m much more a green-and-white than a purple-and-gray type of gal. I don’t like the music. Everything is in a minor […]
Perspective
Exercising my right to choose
I was cleaning the kitchen, the TV on in the background, the faces of glitz and glam celebrities flashing across the screen, the sounds of applause filling the room as […]
Perspective
A thrill of hope
The arena was perfectly silent. Twenty thousand young people knelt at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis as the Eucharist was exposed in a monstrance on the altar in the center […]