February 4, 2024
February 4, 2024
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How Can I Pray for You?

  Believe it or not … Prayercast (at CatholicMom.com) going to be a year old this summer! Maria and I were just conspiring the other day, to figure out what we need to do to take our podcast to the “next level” (she’s great that way). Uh… how about I put it on my website and social media pages? Duh, huh? It’s been a great year so far … From our first show with Fr. Fred Jenga (President of Holy Cross Family Ministries) to  our most recent one with “Arthur the Clumsy Altar Server” author Theresa Kiser, it’s been a great adventure — learning from […]
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November 18, 2021
November 18, 2021
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3 Prayers Every Mother Needs

This afternoon I’ve been invited to be on Dorothy Pilarski’s “CatholicMomsGroup” podcast … if you found this from listening to Dorothy’s program, welcome! (If not, you can find it here.) Every mother has a unique #prayerstory, because God meets us where we are. He sees us at our most harried and vulnerable, and understands the challenges we face. He sees you, bleary eyed and in desperate need of a shower and coffee (not necessarily in that order), and still he thinks you are beautiful. Beloved. A saint in the making. Yes, it’s true. One of the ways he makes us saints is by humbling us […]
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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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September 7, 2012
September 7, 2012
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Are you listening, St. Dimas?

A new friend of mine, who shall for the present remain nameless, recently gave me a beautiful rosary to intercede for my family. This same friend also gently suggested that I ask St. Dimas for a bit of celestial intervention. Now, this was an unfamiliar name, and so a little research was in order. I came across this post by Lance Mannion, which offered the following explanation: Dimas is the patron saint of thieves.  He is not their patron saint the way St Anthony is the patron saint of lost items.  You pray to St Anthony to help you find something you’ve misplaced, like when your […]
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January 30, 2011
January 30, 2011
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“Part the Waters, Lord”

One of the best parts of my Evangelical heritage is the music–four part hymns, solid Gospel and contemporary Christian recording artists such as the Gaither Trio, Keith Green, Second Chapter of Acts, Michael Card, and Evie Turnquist. (In one of my most rebellious moments, I sneaked a contraband cassette tape of Fleetwood Mac’s “Rumours.” I don’t remember actually playing it — just having it in my room was enough.) My taste in music is quite a bit more eclectic now — from Big Band sounds to Top Forty with a smattering of alternative and international and show tunes. Give me a little Cole Porter or Jennifer […]
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December 30, 2010
December 30, 2010
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A Blessing for Not-So-Holy Families

It was like scratching an itch that had been building up for years. Then, the day before Christmas, the proverbial straw landed. Finally, this ol’ camel scratched in the form of a carefully worded e-mail. Ahhhh . . . camel crap. We’ve been shoveling it for days now, with no end in sight. Someday I’ll get around to sharing details, but for now I’ll summarize it this way: Nothing, not even righteous indignation, feels good enough to justify hurting someone you REALLY love. And sometimes even the most justified comeback can have consequences you never intended. In this case, the easy “Sorry” won’t work. You […]
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October 15, 2008
October 15, 2008
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Spiritual Fitness: Setting the Pace

Today, the feast day of my favorite saint Teresa of Avila, I got a letter from Joanna Davis, a grad student and SPO missionary from my church. Joanna is living and working with a group of college students to help them grow strong in the faith. Although she is not married and has no children, in a sense she too is an “Extraordinary Mom,” for she is using her spiritual gifts to raise up spiritual children.
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August 16, 2008
August 16, 2008
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Prayer for Couples Who Want to Adopt

The “Our Father” — the most basic prayer Jesus taught His followers — is an prayer that is especially appropriate for prospective adoptive parents. After all, we became God’s children through adoption … He understands a heart that yearns to connect, arms that ache to embrace.
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August 4, 2008
August 4, 2008
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Mother’s Helper: Guest Post by Allie O. Williams

“Look what we found!” exclaimed our son, Rob. As the oldest & tallest he was the default spokesman, thrusting a muddy mitt in my face, his fist clutching a clay encrusted hunk of plastic. “It’s Mary and I found it,” cried our littlest neighbor Maggie firmly asserting her role. “But it was in our yard,” hollered our daughter, Elizabeth.
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