This morning I was shocked and saddened to read of the brutal killing of Father Jacques Hamel, a Catholic priest in France. Father Hamel was assisting at a small rural parish while the pastor was on vacation. While saying Mass, Islamic terrorists entered the Church, forced him to his knees, and slit his throat reportedly…
He is Risen!
Happy Easter! It is getting late, but I just wanted to write a brief post. I love Easter; I love all of Holy Week! I was blessed to have a wonderfully full week with Church and family. I feel exhausted physically, but refreshed spiritually. Not a bad combination. This morning I sang the Easter Sequence…
#WorthRevisit: Arrivederci, Italia!
Time for another #WorthRevisit! Most people are busy posting about Lent, and I do have thoughts in my head about this beautiful Holy Week, but today I am shifting gears. In the fall of 2013, Bruce and I celebrated 20 years of marriage with a trip to Italy. We saved up for a long time,…
Preparing for Lent
In just under a week, the Catholic Church (and others who use a liturgical calendar) will begin the beautiful season of Lent. 40 days of fasting, prayer, and alms giving, all with the purpose of growing close to Christ. I realized, I better start getting my Lenten plan together. Of course, there will be the…
My 2016 Spiritual Board of Directors
Happy New Year! It has been quite a while since I have written anything. I could blame it on the “holiday rush,” but that would be disingenuous. I was just too scattered in my various projects…everything from making birthday and Christmas cards to writing new talks for some 2016 events to trying to stay healthy!…
Advent & the Year of Mercy
I am excited to be starting a periodic column in The Catholic Post; the official diocesan paper for Peoria. It is related to my work as PDCCW Evangelization Chair. Here is a link to the issue. My article is on page 17…something my husband has already shared on Facebook! So grateful for his support! Ways…
30 Days of Gratitude…Day #3
Hey, look…it’s around 10:00 pm again! This better not become a habit! Bruce is working another 12 hour shift, and he called me a couple of hours ago while on break. He asked about my day; I spent most of it in Peoria for a Diocesan Council of Catholic Women event. I knew it would…
The Holy Innocents
(In the liturgical calendar of the Latin Church (Roman Catholic), December 28th is the Feast of the Holy Innocents. This year, the 28th was on a Sunday, and the primary Feast of the Holy Family was celebrated. Because of my pro-life work, I am copying this post from my old blog, posted last year.) …
I Love Him, and His Mother Too
I have a fabulous Mother-in-law! Her name is Dorothy, and she is filled with joy! I rarely see her upset. She is down-to-earth, loves to laugh, is dedicated to her family, and is a feisty Euchre player. She and her husband raised my husband Bruce quite well, thankfully. He is also pretty low-key (usually) and…