Katie Prejean McGrady

Columnist

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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,” […]

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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. […]

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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 […]

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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 […]

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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 […]

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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 […]

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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 […]

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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 […]

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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 […]

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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 […]

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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 […]

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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 […]