by marybeth | Mar 25, 2025 | Faith Traditions, Lent, Reflections
Lent is here. It is a stark contrast to the warm glow of the Christmas season. I often try to prepare for Lent as the Jewish people prepared for Passover. I empty our home of sweets and pare down our pantry to basics. The decorations are minimal with candles on the...
by marybeth | Feb 12, 2024 | Faith Traditions, Life, Prayer
I’ve been thinking a great deal about conversion lately, especially as we gathered over the holidays with friends and family. Time together gives many opportunities for conversations to be shared as we hear the ups and downs of each other’s year. As a parent...
by marybeth | May 2, 2023 | Faith Traditions, Mercy and Suffering
This year as I prepared for Lent, I began to ask Jesus to show me what He wanted me to give up. What sacrifice could I make that would be great enough to form me closer to Him? How could I show my devotion to Him more clearly? Nothing. Radio silence. All I could see...
by marybeth | Jan 2, 2023 | Faith at Home, Faith Traditions
As I write this, Christmas is a few days away. As you’re reading this, we will be celebrating fully as a Church the Christmas season. As I sit by my Christmas tree whose branches hang a little lower than they did at the onset of Advent, instead of the carol Silent...
by marybeth | Dec 6, 2022 | Faith at Home, Faith Traditions, Family
How to Raise Children Who Express Gratitude, One Family Tradition at a Time May we all look for small ways to cultivate gratitude, forming our families closer to the heart of Jesus. Raising a grateful family is a challenge in modern culture but well worth the effort....
by marybeth | Apr 29, 2022 | Faith Traditions
The other morning, in the early haze of dawn, I asked my husband how I could support him spiritually. He was quiet for a while and then said, “What you are doing is enough.” Not to be dissuaded from helping my husband get to heaven, I thought of the myriad choices...
