I haven’t seen the film yet, but this little clip featuring superstar surfer Bethany Hamilton makes me so anxious to see the soon-to-be released film Dolphin Tale 2. In this video, Bethany (who lost her arm in a shark attack but remains an awesome inspiration for so many) shares how her personal faith in Christ has enabled her to overcome obstacles and live life to the fullest. As you watch, you’ll see footage of Bethany swimming with the main dolphin,... Read more
In my prayer time this morning, I was rushed and distracted. As a result, I almost skipped reading today’s first reading from Ezekial 34. I’ll be honest — all too often my daily prayer time, spent partially contemplating the day’s gospel, is simply another “to do” item on my list. But something caused me to pause long enough to read the words of the prophet as he addressed the leaders of his time through the “parable of the shepherd”. His... Read more
The Fighting Irish faithful are again licking our wounds as headlines of a potential cheating scandal make news in advance of the season opener on August 30 at home against Rice. I know that blogging about Notre Dame on a Catholic website is tantamount to opening the floodgates. But because of something I read today, I can’t help myself. Around the same time as I watched a press conference with Coach Kelly outlining the ongoing academic cheating scandal and investigation of four... Read more
Today, we celebrate the Solemnity of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary as we watch Pope Francis’ historic visit to Korea and pray for the ongoing strife in the Holy Land and Iraq and Syria. Closer to home, many of us grieved this week with the death of Robin Williams. So many needs, such pain, so few answers. When we are tempted to despair, we do well to remember Pope Francis’ beseeching of our Blessed Mother, “Mary, Queen of Heaven,... Read more
A few weeks ago, in Schaumburg, Illinois, I was speaking to a group of assembled Catholic bookstore owners and vendors when one of my favorite authors walked into the room. If you’ve had the opportunity to hear her speak in person, you will know that Immaculée Ilibagiza is a strikingly beautiful woman. You’d also probably join me in agreeing that her physical beauty is only a tiny glimmer of the beauty that lies in this woman’s heart. So when she walked... Read more
I’m in a bit of a funk today. Perhaps it’s to be expected. I woke up in my own bed for the first time since the morning of July 6th. And instead of feeling comforted by the sound of my wonderful husband still slumbering nearby, I felt overwhelmed by the massive “to do” list scrambling around my brain. So I made a wise choice, rose from bed, and went immediately to my favorite prayer spot to ponder today’s gospel. But... Read more
Last week, when I was at the Catholic Marketing Network conference, I had the great privilege of signing and giving out the very first galley copies of my new book The Grace of Yes: Eight Virtues for Generous Living. The process of writing this book has truly changed the way I perceive the world around me. I seem to be constantly listening and watching for examples of “Yes” wisdom and acts that point to the beauty of a life lived... Read more
Pope Francis led us in prayer today with three separate posts on Twitter for those living in Iraq: These were followed up with a press release (included below) from the USCCB’s Committee of International Justice and Peace. It is clear that these persecuted families need our immediate prayers and attention. Please join me in praying the prayer below today, tomorrow, Sunday, August 17th and every day until these families receive relief from their suffering. WASHINGTON—The chairman of the Committee of... Read more
I’m popping in to offer an update for my radio silence here on the blog. If you’ve been following my “Epic Road Trip” via Facebook or Twitter, you perhaps know that I’m perched atop a beach chair adjacent to Lake Michigan for the week, enjoying time with my extended family. The environment doesn’t lend itself to getting work done — I want to take this time to enjoy my loved ones, including my parents. But days like these bring up... Read more
Where did the week go? Another seven days on our epic road trip have zipped by. This week finds us in the Midwest — in Schaumburg, in Chicago and now at a lake house in Indiana. This part of the country is so different from New York City. Our time in the heartland is yet another reminder for me of how diverse and beautiful our Church can be! One of the best aspects of the week was the opportunity to... Read more
Lisa Hendey
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