Do you desire to have a lifelong Catholic marriage? In the twenty-first century, that is a tall order. How can we be sure if we are dating someone that if we marry we will be able to persevere? How important is that perseverance thing? For a Catholic—indeed for any...
When my now husband, David Kruse introduced himself to me, he wanted to set up a phone call across Oceans to get my take on him starting a Catholic Record Label. I laughed and told him it was a silly idea because there’s no good Catholic music out there. Here’s what I...
As a lifelong Catholic, I've always had a running list of spiritual experiences and goals I hope to achieve before my time on this earth is through. Call it my "Catholic Bucket List" if you will. These are the dreams and aspirations that stir my heart, drawing me...
Gentlemen, have you ever had your wife completely turn down your advances, seem completely disinterested in your attempts to woo her, and instead be totally annoyed with you? If your answer is yes, then you’re meant to read this. Why might she be reacting in this...
Why is mainstream summer music about bikinis and crazy parties? It’s like the weather changes and suddenly the radio is a bit more “party culture” than normal. That is, unless, of course, you tune in to the Christian stations. Here is a playlist you can listen to all...
The USCCB launched the National Eucharistic Revival on Corpus Christi Sunday, 2022. This movement was designed to draw Catholics into a deeper relationship with the Eucharistic Lord and is centered around four pillars: (1) Personal Encounter with Christ, (2)...
Henry Wadsworth Longfellow said: “For bells are the voice of the church; they have tones that touch and search the hearts of young and old.” There is a sweet, holy sound to the clear chiming of church bells. The Tradition Of Bells Bells have long had a traditional...
I didn’t go looking for the Sacred Heart; the Sacred Heart found me. My mom always had a statue of both the Sacred Heart of Jesus and the Immaculate Heart of Mary that had a special place in the home while I was growing up. In addition, I grew up about five minutes...
You may have wondered, “Should Catholics use pronouns?” It may be near impossible not to. In the English language, we use pronouns all the time to keep sentences from becoming repetitive and clunky. Without possessive pronouns like “their,” we’d have to say...
We sometimes wonder why our prayers are not answered in the way that we hope. And often, we will never know because there are so many variables, including the fact that we may actually be asking God for something that’s not good for us in the long run. Or we may be...
On December 30, 2020, I literally lost my mind. Collapsing on my living room floor, I did not have another coherent thought for nine weeks. Although I began drinking when I was young, I eventually became addicted and my drinking spiraled out of control. It overtook my...
Marriage is truly an adventure that requires careful packing. After saying "yes," you leave your childhood home, bid your farewells, say your see-you-laters (definitely not goodbyes), pack your entire life into a handful of suitcases, and embark on a new journey with...
I’ve been praying novenas for almost twelve years now and I’ve found they’re a great option for when you don’t know what to say, when you have a specific intention you’re praying for, and when you’re trying to “pray always.” Novenas are a traditional prayer that dates...
Summer is coming on fast and that means more time with your kids, more time outside, more family time…basically more time! More time together is great in theory, but when we come to it without planning, we can find ourselves sitting around watching a show or listening...
What Do Catholics Need For Spiritual Survival? A Crucifix in every room Rosary for every family member Pray the rosary daily Beeswax candles Holy Water frequently sprinkled and available for blessing St. Benedict medals worn and placed around one's home and property,...
Did you know that each month has a traditional Catholic devotion associated with it? We can focus on each devotion month by month to grow in our faith and traditions. Make notes for yourself, write them in your calendar, and pray a specific prayer each day of the...
Imagine with me for a second: You’re standing on top of a 30-foot cliff, about to jump into a level 3 white-water rapid in Colorado…you hold the instructor’s hand as he attempts to console you...“just walk straight forward, pull your feet together as you fall, just...
Since 1264, the Feast of Corpus Christi is celebrated on the Thursday following the Solemnity of the Holy Trinity. Catholics across the world will commemorate this day with a Eucharistic procession through their city. If your parish doesn't do this,...
Summer is my favorite time of the year here in Ohio. I love everything about it, especially the warm weather and the long nights. Having my kids home from school can be incredibly exhausting, but it's absolutely the highlight of the summer months. So many...
The first time I visited the Blessed Sacrament, I was eight years old. I did it in the context of the preparation for my First Communion. The sister who was preparing us told us with much reverence and passion that inside the tabernacle was the door to Heaven. At...
October 16th and 17th (in the post- and pre-conciliar liturgical calendars, respectively) mark the feast of St. Margaret Mary Alacoque. It is from this beautiful saint that the Church and the world came to practice the devotion to the Sacred Heart of Jesus. Under the...
It can be difficult to keep our love for the Lord alive. Daily life, responsibilities, and busyness seem to get in the way of our relationship with God. Hardships and times of suffering can stir up feelings of bitterness and resentment toward God that cause...
In June Catholics celebrate the Feast of the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus. You may have seen various depictions of the image that was given by Our Lord to Sister Margaret Mary Alacoque in 1675. Did you know that you can have an image enthroned in your home? Do you have...
June 3rd is the feast of St. Charles Lwanga and Companions. These great saints have been officially designated as martyrs for the Catholic faith. Officially, St. Charles Lwanga is the patron of converts, torture victims, and the African Catholic Youth Action....
It’s summertime in the Northern hemisphere and therefore, for the great majority of people, vacation time. You have probably looked forward to this moment and have great expectations about what you will do, the money you will spend, the places you know, and the...