October 28, 2021
October 28, 2021
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Happy Birthday, Evelyn Waugh! (Catholic Writer’s Almanac, October 28)

“The trouble about the world today is that there’s not enough religion in it. There’s nothing to stop young people doing whatever they feel like doing at the moment” – Evelyn Waugh.   A year later, Waugh scandalized the public by entering the Catholic Church. Tod Worner has an excellent article about it here. Happy Birthday, Evelyn!
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October 5, 2021
October 5, 2021
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Strange but True #PrayerStories

Has God ever done something extraordinary to get your attention? Some heavenly sign that changed the way you looked at life? On a cold winter’s day in January 1983 I woke up in the ICU. About a week had passed since my car accident — leg in traction, tubes coming out all over my body. My car had slid down a hillside road on a patch of black ice, and skidded into oncoming traffic. The impact was so hard, my seat belt broke. I had severe internal injuries, crushed pelvis and femur, and required a complete blood transfusion. I spent a month in the hospital, […]
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September 9, 2021
September 9, 2021
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The Day I Argued with God: A healing #PrayerStory

This week I’ve been thinking a lot about why God heals certain people, and not others. My uncle Don passed away yesterday, and I also found out that a friend from my Bethany days — a lovely, prayerful lady who has been battling brain cancer for several years now — has had her cancer return. When I go for my uncle’s funeral next week, I hope I get a chance to hug her one more time. (Please pray for Joyce.) It was at Bethany that God began to teach me about the reality of healing, and God’s purpose for it. Jesus healed many people over […]
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September 3, 2021
September 3, 2021
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#PrayerStories: How My (Then) Foster Son Changed the Way I Pray

Every night, it was the same: I’d tuck him in bed and make sure St. Michael was on his bedside table, then I’d go and tuck in the others. About 30 minutes later, I’d peek back in his room, and hear him crying. So I’d go and settle into the white enamel rocker in the corner and begin to hum his favorites (he was partial to Barry Manilow). And soon, very soon, I’d feel a little pat on my lap. It was time to cuddle! Read all about it today at CatholicMom.com.  #PrayerStories #FosterParenting #BedtimeDrama
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August 20, 2021
August 20, 2021
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What is #PrayAcrossAmerica? And how do I get involved?

This fall Ave Maria Press is going to be releasing The Ave Prayer Book for Catholic Mothers, a beautiful, full-color collection of favorite prayers and #PrayerStories of more than 70 faith-filled, inspiring Catholic moms with children of all ages and stages. (Preorders go on sale September 1, 2021.) More about that later, except to say … As this book was in development, I got to thinking about the thousands of Catholic women across the country who needed this kind of encouragement, and I started praying about how I could connect with these sisters of mine in a very practical, personal way. During this “season of COVID” I […]
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August 7, 2021
August 7, 2021
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Transfigured Silence

This weekend I’m enjoying a little down time on retreat at the St Joseph and Mary Retreat House near Mundelein Seminary. As it happens, it’s right near the National Shrine of St Max Kolbe, so I know where I’ll be heading on my way home! Tonight’s readings included the Gospel about the Transfiguration, how the glory of the Lord burst on the senses of all present, so they could see with new eyes the divine reality present right in front of them. There in that darkened chapel, after the final benediction, the monstrance glowed with a captivating shine. Suddenly a song from my youth group […]
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July 7, 2021
July 7, 2021
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On Gentle Pens and Poison Tongues

Grief does strange things to people. When the heart feels like it has a hole large enough to drive a truck through, it can be easy to lash out at others. Even (and perhaps especially) those who love us most. So when I recently found myself on the receiving end of this kind of toxicity, I had to take a moment and breathe. The temptation was — and is — strong to set the record straight by returning fire for fire. But retaliation does nothing to put out the fire. It merely doubles it. What does it mean to be “strong” in this context? It’s something I’ve […]
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July 1, 2021
July 1, 2021
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The Stations of Our Lives: A Visit to the National Shrine of Our Lady of Good Help (Champion)

The National Shrine of Our Lady of Good Help in Champion, Wisconsin was a kind of “home away from home” for Father Ubald, who frequently visited this Marian site of visitation — the only approved apparition site in the U.S. — to conduct his healing prayer services and to recharge his spiritual batteries. And so when I had an opportunity to go and see this beautiful place, which was to be the site of Fr. Ubald’s memorial Mass, Craig and I leaped at the chance. And we are so glad we did! From the white marble Stations to the underground oratory, which contains relics from […]
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June 1, 2021
June 1, 2021
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When It’s Time to Say Goodbye

Maybe it’s just that time of life: Death has tapped me on the shoulder three times in the past two weeks. Twice our family has driven at least eight hours over the course of a weekend to pay our respects, all the while talking about why a God who loves us would allow a horrible thing like Death to enter the world. What I’ve come to realize is that dying is not the worst thing that can happen. Or should I say, “becoming dead.” Dying can actually be painful and scary as much for the loved ones looking on as for the one who is […]
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