We interrupt this previously scheduled blog silence to explain that I’ve simply been unable to compose two coherent words for the past few days. With our son away at college in Cambridge and several friends in Boston, I was majorly preoccupied last week watching the events surrounding the Boston Marathon …

Update: Lisa here, requesting additional prayers for all of those who lost their lives and loved ones in West, Texas. We will resume normal publishing on Monday and appreciate your prayers during this time of loss. LMH This morning, our country is on edge, praying with and for our friends …

“In the mystery of the Resurrection lies the summit and the highest intensity of our Christian self-awareness, and therefore that of my new awareness of myself of the way in which I look at all people and all things,” writes Msgr. Luigi Giussani. The power of the Resurrection gives us …

Two years ago on Good Friday, the kids and I planned to pray at 3 p.m. in honor of the moment Jesus gave in to his suffering and died on the cross.  However, at 2:58 I found myself driving home from our Zoo trip with exhausted kids in the backseat.  After making the …

Scripture: Lectionary 276: April 18. Acts 8:26-40. Psalm 66:8-9.16-17.20. John 6:44-51: Today’s Scriptures USCCB Video Reflection Saints of the Day Luke encourages us to read Scripture and not to be afraid to tackle the whole Bible. We have a very interesting event in the early missionary effort of Philip the …

One very hot summer several years ago, I went on a three week vacation to visit family, and my husband Stephen stayed behind.  When I returned, I asked him how his three weeks had gone. “Great,” he said. “I went to Mass all three Sundays.”  My stomach turned and formed …

I hold the little book in my hand.  It’s smaller than my hand, actually.  Forty-five pages long, I read it in about half an hour last Thursday sitting in my car in the parking lot of Walmart as my baby slept in his carseat.  After I had finished, a hope …

Scripture: Lectionary 275. April 17. Acts 8:1-8.  Psalm 66:1-3,4-5,6-7. John 6:35-40: Today’s Scriptures USCCB Video Reflection Saints of the Day One of the negative and oppressive actions that cause a movement to grow is persecution.  We have seen how the apostles rejoiced when they were flogged and put in prison …

A discussion at the pillar household with our youngest daughter about a certain fellow student who asks to borrow a pen and notoriously never returns it and our daughter keeps loosing pencils or pens to this one student.  I say, then it’s time to stop “loaning” to this particular student. …

“Go into the whole world and proclaim the gospel to every creature.” (Mark 16:15) In many ways, the Internet has opened many doors for new evangelization opportunities. Bringing the message of Christ to The Worldwide Public Square is only a mouse click or a finger tap away. It’s easy. Almost …

Celebrate First Sacraments…Every Year! I think the celebration of First Sacraments shouldn’t be limited to JUST the actual event, but should be celebrated annually as an anniversary! I think it makes sense to celebrate all the First Sacraments received by all or most of the family members within the same …

Today I had a temper tantrum.  I became impatient with all of the little things, like one child’s barely worn clean clothes thrown in the laundry anyway, another child’s barely worn clean clothes found on the floor, and a waist belt that broke as I was walking out the door.  …

Vocational Discernment Retreat May 31- June 2, 2013 Hosted by the Daughters of St. Paul – young women between the ages 18 to 30 are invited to attend. 172 N. Michigan Avenue, Chicago, IL Contact Sr. Helena: helraphaelfsp@aol.com 617-850-5584 www.DaughtersOfStPaul.com

Scripture: Lectionary 274. April 16. Acts 7:51-8:1. Psalm 31:3-4.6-7.8.17.21. John 6:30-35: Today’s Scriptures USCCB Video Reflection Saints of the Day We learn of Stephen, one of the first named as deacon, who is for us a primary model and mentor for witnessing to the Good News of Jesus, to the …

Today, we’re happy to partner with our friends at CommunionCards.net to offer a special contest for our families celebrating the First Holy Communion season. Here’s a message from this contest’s sponsor: At CommunionCards.net, we know how important the First Holy Communion of your son or daughter truly is, that’s why we offer outstanding …

If you were to ask me about some of my “most played” favorites on iTunes, near the top of the list would be the music from Advent at Ephesus by the amazing Benedictines of Mary, which was the theme music for my Advent season. So imagine my glee when I …

Years ago I attended a lecture which described average moral development. When a child or even some adults choose to act justly because they fear punishment, they are illustrating the most primitive level of morality. Even when a child or immature adult choose the moral alternative in the hopes of …

…I must admit, when a Christian friend asked me this question during the recent selection of Pope Francis, I probably didn’t articulate as well as I could have. I muttered something about how he is the successor to Saint Peter, but – truth be told – I couldn’t answer much …

Scripture: Lectionary 273, April 15. Acts 6: 8-15. Psalm 119:23-24.26-27.29-30.  John 6: 22-29: Today’s Scriptures USCCB Video Reflection Saints of the Day During the past three weeks of the Easter season our readings have centered on the following: Baptism, the Eucharist, witnessing to the Gospel and Resurrection,  and deepening one’s …

Like many of us I began this year full of hope and the idea that I could work towards making my dreams come true in a very tangible way.  But I failed to make concrete plans, life intruded on my dreams, and some things have changed.  So now I find …