A Thank You Letter
Posted on June 16, 2020 Leave a Comment
By Kristen Bourgeois
Fear and anxiety are contagious. And, I was swept up in it when the news broke that the coronavirus had made its way to Louisiana. I let myself sink into that fear of the unknown and the anxiety of keeping loved ones safe while trying to balance a home life under the new state mandated stay at home order.
Fear makes people do weird things, such as hoard toilet paper. But what really was happening was fear was making people selfish. That’s one of the things fear does. Read More
Praying During a Pandemic
Posted on June 14, 2020 Leave a Comment
By Charlotte Phillips
It has been three months since our lives have been turned upside down as a result of COVID-19. Our older two kids have just finished the final 9 weeks of the school year around our kitchen table as my husband and I work, and our little two play and ask for snacks every five minutes. Read More
Rooting Out Racism
Posted on June 11, 2020 Leave a Comment
By Jenny Dendinger
With a heavy heart, I spoke to our children about the evils of racism during our bedtime prayers. This wasn’t the first time we’d discussed the topic, but their innocent faces always look the same – shocked and confused.
While I mournfully described the last moments of George Floyd’s life, their eyes widened and became glossy with tears. It wasn’t easy to explain something so evil, but I prayed for the Holy Spirit to guide my words. Read More
Letting Go and Letting God
Posted on June 9, 2020 Leave a Comment
By Sarah McDonald
I am a planner. I like to have a schedule and know what is happening when and where. I still have a written calendar as well as my phone-based calendar so that I can make additional notes as necessary. Plus, I still think I remember better when I handwrite it.
On March 1, 2020, life was moving along as always: we were looking ahead at coveted summer camp spots for the kids and talking with our friends about getting the same beach house this year for our annual friends’ trip. Read More
Cooking Together Makes the Meals Taste Better
Posted on June 7, 2020 Leave a Comment
By Gaby Smith
During quarantine, my family and I were trying to find things to do. Other than going outside and watching TV, there wasn’t much.
One day, my son came up to me asking me if I needed help cooking dinner. My immediate thought was, “This will be A LOT to handle … I can handle it myself.” Then, I took a mental deep breath and said, “Of course!” Read More
Noise Reduction
Posted on June 4, 2020 Leave a Comment
By Charla Spalluto Misse
Last winter, I visited my sister in New York City. Because I expected long wait times for plane boarding and during travel, I brought prayer cards and my rosary to spend my free time in reflection. I also had a few chances to walk the big city streets alone; each time I stepped out into the street, I started a rosary. Surprisingly, I finished not one decade the entire trip! Read More
When Family Planning Doesn’t Go as Planned
Posted on June 2, 2020 Leave a Comment
By Megan Lacourrege
Many newly married couples dream of what their future families will look like. It can become disillusioning, then, when that plan doesn’t become reality. For some, that means have more children or having them spaced closer than anticipated. For others, like my family, it’s meant the opposite.
Our initial family planning aspirations were dashed when, soon after marriage, we had a very early miscarriage. We hadn’t been aware until then that a loss that early was possible. There was encouragement when we were able to conceive our daughter soon after. Read More
Trusting in the Slow Work of the Resurrection
Posted on May 30, 2020 Leave a Comment
By Charlotte Phillips
This time of quarantine brings with it a laundry list of emotions. Some days are filled with joy – the kids play nicely together, my husband and I get our work done with little interruption, and no one complains about dinner.
Other days do not go as smoothly – the kids are all craving attention at the exact moment my husband and I are on work calls, mean words are said, and tempers are lost.
Most days fall somewhere in the middle, just as pre-quarantine days did. While I am saddened by the reason we are forced to stay in our homes, good has come from our time spent together as a family. We are no longer rushing from one event to the next. While we are still dividing our time between work obligations and schoolwork, most afternoons allow for leisurely family walks or bike rides, and bedtime is less rushed with additional stories and new prayers. Read More
Sharing the Blessing
Posted on May 28, 2020 Leave a Comment
By Jenny Dendinger
Most Holy Trinity Parish in Covington recently paired with CRC Global Solutions to distribute a truckload of food to the needy during this time of crisis. Since my sister-in-law knew we could use the help, she generously offered to go wait in line.
When she pulled into my driveway, every spot in her SUV that wasn’t occupied by a child was overflowing with food. We unloaded and unloaded until my porch and walkway were covered in groceries. After looking at all we had, she took a few things for her family and then went on her way to share the blessing with her parents. Read More
Following Christ’s Footsteps
Posted on May 24, 2020 Leave a Comment
By Charla Spalluto Misse
I was recently blessed with the opportunity to attend a prayer service with one of the Medjugorje visionaries, Ivan Dragicevic. Following a mass, his talk, and a rosary, he experienced an apparition of Our Lady. One of her messages to those present was to pray for vocations. Read More
National Day of Prayer
Posted on May 26, 2020 1 Comment
By Kim Roberts
Recently, we observed a National Day of Prayer across the country where we were encouraged to pray for those who have been impacted by COVID-19.
A Louisiana politician that I follow on Facebook appealed to his constituents with a post telling them that the National Day of Prayer is “a call to come together as a nation, a community of faith and pray for those that are suffering in our communities.” Read More