UPDATED to fix the link. My apologies! *** I was amused at some of the reactions to my post about my formative youth group experience. For those who are concerned that I haven’t got a pastoral side to me, tune in to the Mike Allen Radio show this Friday morning (or catch it on podcast later), where we’ll be talking about how the Church can navigate the challenges of employees who publicly reject Catholic teaching. Hint: You can get an idea of... Read more
Every week at Mass, I see this really nice couple. I think we first met in about 1990 or so, because their daughter was part of the crowd I ran with in high school. She and I were in our Catholic parish’s youth group together, and we had mutual friends at school. I went to their house once for a post-dance party. I met the parents again a few years ago — we’d both long since moved from our old... Read more
From the inbox, a question re: Discussing Modesty from a friend who said he’d be willing to see it answered on the blog. Here’s the original question: Hi Jen,Being of a similar mindset on Faith and parenting (and having the common Family Honor reference point between us), I have a question for you (and your husband)? I have a Catholic friend who is a marginally-involved Catholic who has a daughter who is VERY into dance. She’s 13, tours the country... Read more
My reversion to the Catholic faith was in some ways launched in full force when I was on a trip to San Antonio, touring about, and failed to feel the presence of God upon entering a Catholic Church. I tell the whole story here, and here’s the bit about Texas: But I wasn’t really happy. I spent several years trying this and that in the spiritual cafeteria. We attended the local Unitarian Universalist congregation, but it never really took. On... Read more
Kathy Schiffer reports that the Archbishop of Miami has laid out his response to the recent legalization of gay marriage in Florida: Archbishop Thomas Wenski, archbishop of Miami, has warned archdiocesan employees that any action in support of Florida’s now-legal same-sex marriage could cost them their jobs. “Because of the Church’s particular function in society,” the archbishop wrote, “certain conduct, inconsistent with the teachings of the Catholic Church, could lead to disciplinary action, including termination, even if it occurs outside the normal working... Read more
Wishing you many happy returns of the day, and I have to report we had a lovely one, organized by a brave friend. What we did: About a half-dozen families, meaning a couple dozen kids, turned out at the parish gym (event sponsored by a parish group). We decorated a bit on the theme, just enough to make it festive. Kids played soccer until we were mostly gathered and ready to start. Quick grace and then potluck lunch. A few... Read more
Over at Tom McDonald’s blog today, you can find out all kinds of things about how I pray. Something I mention but don’t elaborate on there, because I didn’t want to overwhelm a perfectly good blog: The reason writing is so bad for praying is that there’s always a story or an argument in my head, and it can absolutely own me. Arguments aren’t too terribly bad, in that you can get away with sort of “bringing them to the... Read more
Here’s the story: Christmas morning at Mass we were doing really good, not getting fussy that the church was a tiny bit crowded, not complaining about the hymns (which were good, so that was easy), even thinking about Jesus and stuff. I received Communion. As I was walking back to my seat, I sensed a disturbance in the force. I glanced back, and there’s my kid, standing before the Blessed Sacrament, and she looks like she’s about to burst into tears.... Read more
In a private forum we’re discussing a sad and decidedly personal (so no, I’m not going to link to it) article by a woman who was seeking God in her native Catholic faith, and was told at every turn, “Quit acting so holier-than-thou!” It is no surprise that, isolated and mocked for practicing the very religion she’d been reared in, she eventually decided it was not the place for her. I wish I could say hers was an unusual case,... Read more
Matchmaking time. Jen Fulwiler’s Patron Saint Generator is up and running. If you haven’t done so already, go get yourself an assigned saint for 2015. I did this in 2014, and got Don Bosco on my case. We had started out with a rocky relationship some years ago, so I was a tad nervous when we were paired last winter. But we’ve come to an understanding and we’re friends now. Still, I had to hold my breath when I clicked... Read more
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