Lent is a time for reflection on how far we are from God. Fasting is the great reminder to us. I know because somewhere in the middle of Lent, rationalization sets in whenever I fail at my Lenten resolution. Those in my circle who have fallen from the faith make a point of arguing, it’s not reasonable. Why does God want us to sacrifice? How does fasting do anything for the world or you? What’s the point? How does not... Read more
Painting by Katie Hall back when she was Katie Hall (my cousin). It’s the grotto and Notre Dame and the walk where my husband and I took that first fateful walk together. I also associate that university with Lent because it was there I experienced my first “successful” Lent, and a few others, where going out into the desert meant an encounter with Christ and the beginnings of a vocation. It’s also my dad’s alma mater, he sang me the... Read more
As followers of this blog know, I teach high school English. Part of teaching involves encouraging teenagers to set SMART goals –specific, measurable, achievable, relevant and timebound. One of the ways one motivates people between the ages of 14-18 is to set a good example. Stupid me created a public SMART goal. I pointed out that for the past twenty-three years, I’d been working on learning a particular piano piece. However, because I had no end point, I’d made little... Read more
It’s almost time for Lent! Are you ready? Over the years, I’ve written pieces for Aleteia, National Catholic Register, Catholicmom, and the Catholic Standard about Lent. Some of the best ones are “What to Give up for Lent,” and “Ways to Make This Lent a Feast of Virtue,” and “This Lent, Try Becoming a Friend of Jesus,” and “Ten Tips for When Your Kids don’t want to do Lent.” At fifty-seven, I’ve experienced those Lents that can only be described... Read more
By now, scads of Catholic internet ink has been spilled explaining why February 14th being both Saint Valentine’s Day and Ash Wednesday is an example of God’s perfect timing. Infinite love for even that in us which is finite is the definition of God’s love, as manifested on the cross, and by His most sacred heart. With that in mind, some Catholic candy business entrepeneurs pitched custom Catholic candy hearts for the occcasion. Here at Chocolate For Your Brain, we... Read more
Back in 2007, my oldest participated in a contest which pitted teams from Catholic schools across the archdiocese. The question, “Who is Don Quixote’s sidekick?” came up. “The Man of La Mancha” is my son’s favorite musical. He wrote his initial college application essay about Cervante’s knight errant. He knew this one. “Sancho Panza,” he buzzed in. However, this was prior to the age of ubiquitous internet, and the answer key held a typo. Flip phones didn’t cut it. They... Read more
A famous soccer player hurt themselves six minutes into their final game and declared this proved, “There is no God.” However, that’s such a silly arguement, it shouldn’t receive any press. What it proves is, what we’ve always known but constantly try to forget; our bodies will fail us. We will suffer. It is part of life. We will eventually die. This is also part of life. None of us needed proof that our bodies would fail us, but if... Read more
Recently, I visited with a bright young woman who is in graduate school and working as a substitute at our school who wondered if she were really capable of teaching. That same day, I’d heard a successful published author voice a similar worry about her writing. My own daughter worried about a major she wanted to try, because she hadn’t tried it or done it up to now. They all allowed their worries to melt their joys. Imposter syndrome is... Read more
In the world of nothing important has happened…Bank of America, US Bank, Truist, Chase and Wells Fargo all had problems with direct deposit yesterday. They didn’t get the payments out to those who are owed money. The ACH (Automatic Clearing House) problem has not been resolved today. However, it’s not being discussed by the media –in the New York Times or WTOP, or follow ups on Real Clear Markets, or the Washington Post. Notably, no numbers of how many were... Read more
The other day I talked about prayer and being a witness taking courage. Then, I went to a dinner. One of the keynote speakers talked about being shot not once but twice because she wanted to be educated, and those doing the shooting, didn’t think women should aspire to such things. I sat thinking about how easily we opt to read or to enroll in school, or to dream beyond the day. We in this country, do not fear the... Read more
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