Planning Confession
Posted on March 21, 2021 Leave a Comment
By Charla Spalluto Misse
Going to confession is not “regularly recurring” on my schedule. When I go to confession, it takes a lot of planning.
Of course, it takes spiritual preparation to truly search my heart, consider the implications of my actions and thoughts and assess whether I was listening and answering God’s call. Read More
I Stole a Lemon
Posted on March 18, 2021 Leave a Comment
By Sarah McDonald
I have a confession to make: in March of 2009, I stole a lemon off of a St. Joseph’s altar. There was a beautiful bowl of large, fresh yellow lemons just sitting there at the corner of the table, and I took one.
Why, might you ask, would I steal something from this beautiful altar, let alone one solitary lemon?
Well, at the time, I was dating my now husband. His Italian grandmother told me that if I stole a lemon from the St. Joseph Altar and prayed to St. Joseph that night, I would be married or engaged by the next St. Joseph’s day. Read More
An Altar of Our Own
Posted on March 16, 2021 Leave a Comment
By Jenny Dendinger
When COVID-19 first hit, churches everywhere made the painful decision to cancel their Saint Joseph altars. Despite being disappointed, our family decided to honor St. Joseph by building our own altar at home.
Since we were trying our best to isolate, it meant working with what we already had in the house. Much to my surprise, our limited options actually increased the excitement of pulling everything together. Read More
You CAN Start Over at Any Minute
Posted on March 11, 2021 Leave a Comment
By Ana Borden
There are 1,440 minutes during the course of every day, and we make numerous decisions that can change the direction of each of our days for better or worse.
God gives each of us the freedom of choice. Like most parents, my husband and I desire for our children to know the difference between making good versus questionable decisions, but, most importantly, have the strength to choose to make the best decision that leads them closer to God. Read More
Spiritual Desert
Posted on March 9, 2021 Leave a Comment
By Stacy LaMorte
During this season of Lent, we are reminded that Christ spent 40 days in the desert being tempted by Satan.
When my sister and I were moving out to California, we stepped out of the car to take a picture in the Mojave Desert, and it took our breath away. It was over 20 years ago, and I remember how I felt standing there as though it were yesterday. Read More
Raising Healthy Teens in the Time of the Pandemic
Posted on March 8, 2021 Leave a Comment
Clarion Herald associate editor Christine Bordelon speaks with an expert panel about how Catholic schools are monitoring the mental and emotional heath of students during the pandemic.
Armor Up!
Posted on March 7, 2021 Leave a Comment
By Michelle Macicek
God gives us all the defense we need in the Bible.
Over the past few months, I have been reminded again and again of the battle we have here on earth. Read More
Experiencing the Most Energized Lent Yet
Posted on March 4, 2021 Leave a Comment
By Ana Borden
Since the pandemic and restrictions started nearly a year ago, I have searched for any opportunity to find positivity and be grateful for moments during this time of uncertainty and chaos.
On days when I feel most cloudy in spirit, I seek deeply to find what lesson God wants me to learn during these times. Read More
Excessive or Essential?
Posted on March 2, 2021 Leave a Comment
By Jenny Dendinger
After half of us tested positive for COVID-19, my family spent most of January in quarantine. Thankfully, we only experienced mild symptoms, so isolation was the hardest part.
Returning to the “virtual front pew” was more difficult than we anticipated, but we did our best to offer it up as we waited out our quarantine. Read More
Marriage is worth it
Posted on February 28, 2021 Leave a Comment
By Mary Bruno
Chris and I watched our wedding video with our daughter on our qnniversary or “mersary,” as she calls it, a few weeks ago. We can’t relive the joys of that special day enough. Read More
Self-Image is transformed through self-gift
Posted on March 14, 2021 Leave a Comment
By Megan Lacourrege
I remember first becoming body conscious in elementary school. Girls were called “fat” or “ugly.” Unfortunately, I was in that number many times, and it deeply affected my self-esteem.
I was a bit surprised to discover that this way of making fun of others continued well past school. Most shocking to me was discovering that women treat other women this way. Shouldn’t they know, most of all, how much these insults hurt? Read More