Lent

Grinch Returned Easter

A friend shared a reflection with me that was written by a retired Christian pastor. It really touched my heart, so am sharing it here. THE GRINCH THAT RETURNED EASTER Sometime in the last 2000 years—Resurrection Sunday got hijacked. It got commercialized into bunnies and eggs, chocolate rabbits and “tip of the hat” church attendance. […]

Good Friday Prisoners

On this Good Friday, at 3:00 my parents and I searched for a Stations of the Cross that we could pray. We came across the recording of Pope Francis and started watching. He was once again in a mostly empty St. Peter’s Square, with a handful of people who would be processing with the cross. […]

God’s Service

As we enter into the Triduum, I admittedly have been struggling the past few days. I can’t even really explain it, but likely a combination of many factors – every day stress topped with a lack of social interaction, missing my friends and other family members, not being able to attend Mass or receive the […]

God is Still With Us

A family friend called this morning and told me that her sister suggested she listen to the homily from her parish. Our friend listened to it and thought I would really enjoy it as well, so she told me how to find it. My parents and I sat down this evening and listened to it. […]

Contemplating Lent

It has been a long while since I have been with my prayer group, but I was able to go tonight. It was wonderful to be with faithful friends and to know they have been praying for me and my family. We read the scripture about Jesus being tempted in the desert and discussed the […]

Bittersweet

My parents celebrated their 67th wedding anniversary today. They said several times that they couldn’t believe how much time has gone by and that they are still here to celebrate. It just happened to also be Good Friday. The weather outside was just about perfect, so we decided to pack a picnic lunch and head […]

Holy Thursday Experiences

Holy Thursday Mass tonight was beautiful. It was pretty traditional with chanting and moving hymns. As I watched the priest wash the feet of 12 people, I remembered when I had my feet washed and what an incredible moment that was. I remembered inviting some youth to have their feet washed and watching their reactions. […]

Powerful Service

I watched a reflection today from Dynamic Catholic that included a story about how one person chose to serve a stranger in jail due to a chance phone call. It was an interesting and powerful story, so I would like to share it here. The reflection is first followed by the story. I Found God today […]

Not Failing Lent

I have been doing my best to do Lent well. I always have good intentions at the beginning and am determined to pray and fast without fail. Unfortunately,  I have not been as perfect as my intentions would have me to be. A particular meditation video that I watched this morning really hit my heart. […]

Seeking a Connection

Today in church, a young couple with a little girl came and sat next to us in the rows of chairs closest to the entrance. When it came time to share the sign of peace, the little girl made her way out of our row to exchange a handshake to everyone nearby. When she approached […]