Let us all dedicate some prayer time in the upcoming week to the doubting Thomases we have in our own lives. Immediate family, extended family, close friends — we all know and love those who struggle to believe what they cannot see. My humble prayer will be: “Lord, please let me, even in my wounded imperfect state – as you were when you appeared to the twelve after your Resurrection-, serve as an inspiration of faith to those for whom... Read more

This is hysterical. A marshmallow willpower test. Back in the 1960s, a researcher learned a lot about willpower from studying hundreds of four-year-olds left alone in a room with a marshmallow or cookie… The Columbia University studies, now known in collegiate circles as the “Marshmallow Tests,” sought to find a common element among the children who could resist giving into the most primal test of willpower—a sweet treat, left on a table for them, with (supposedly) nobody watching. The tykes... Read more

(1) Like most everyone, I gave up sweets. All of them but extra-dark chocolate, that is. When we were all discussing this Lenten fast (and exception) on a Saturday night in Lent while enjoying Red’s daughter’s birthday cake, Mr. MaryAlice nodded, unsurprised, with complete understanding and deep wisdom as he said: “depriving a mother of dark chocolate is like depriving a diabetic of insulin.” Even a stranger could tell from this statement alone that Mr. MaryAlice is a seasoned father... Read more

I am re-reading Graced and Gifted by Kimberly Hahn, and I highly recommend it to all of our readers. Kimberly writes like a big sister who gently guides you in what you need to know, humbly sharing what she has learned through experience. The introduction, which could stand alone as an article and which I plan to use with my mothers’ group, explains the Five “P”s of the motherly vocation that Holly Pierlot introduced as part of the Mother’s Rule... Read more

A young mother ventures out with brood in tow in the hopes of getting her oldest to preschool on time. They are already running 15 minutes late and pull into the parking lot amidst a downpour. She thankfully has packed the golf-size umbrella. No sooner do they pull into a parking space, but she quickly realizes that some serious strategizing will have to take place in order to get all three young children, herself, mongo umbrella, and mom purse into... Read more

On a rainy day, new paint, paper, and brushes are a real treat. The brushes and paints fit nicely in the Easter baskets and were a great and inexpensive alternative to candy. Don’t worry, we did buy candy, but much less of it thanks to the paints. And just because I couldn’t resist, below is a shot of our kids at Easter Sunday Mass. And as an aside, the weather is expected to be in the 70’s this weekend, and... Read more

I have the oldest builder child, and he is preparing to receive his First Communion in May. There are many things that we have done to prepare, but through our parish CCD we get to participate in a new tradition, The Banner. I had not heard of these before my godson’s First Communion, but apparently it is the “done thing” now. At our parish, the banners are made during a retreat, but we were sick and missed it, so I... Read more

On Saturday I ran more miles than I have children, which is a lot! In a cold driving rain my brothers, husband and I ran a 10k road race in Central Park. The race was a part of Scotland Week in New York City, which was pretty funny because 1 — none of us are Scottish and 2 — there were runners in kilts. My husband held back and ran with me, and without him I would surely have quit,... Read more

On behalf of all of us here at Building Cathedrals, we wish you and your families a blessed Easter Triduum! In order to celebrate most reverently with those we love most, the builders are going to take blog pause for a few days, resuming again at the start of the Easter Season. We hope you enjoy a most holy Easter! God bless! Read more

A blessed Holy Thursday to all of you! Here is a recipe for “Resurrection Rolls” that I found here. I think that I will make these on Holy Saturday with the children (and bake them on Easter morning), in addition to dying Easter eggs. We always struggle with finding the balance of activities with our children on Holy Saturday – it is such an in-between day, as it well should be! Good Friday has come and gone, and Saturday is... Read more