During a year where there has been less ‘togetherness’ than we’re used to, it feels especially profound to draw near to those we love in prayer in this intentional way.
Bringing Christmas Into Lent
Author: Lorelei Savaryn
Hi, I'm Lorelei, Catholic convert and debut author of middle grade contemporary fantasy The Circus of Stolen Dreams and The Edge of In Between (Penguin Random House)! I'm a former classroom teacher and instructional coach. I live outside Chicago with my husband, 4 spunky kiddos, and our dog Saint. I love spending time with my family and eating anything chocolate.
The Night I Wore Make-Up After Months Without
The other night, JP and I were doing something that required us to leave the house, and, since leaving the house is a special occasion these days, I decided to put on a bit of make-up, which hasn't happened, I don't think, since maybe Thanksgiving?
Learning to be Present
If you find yourself listening to the running commentary in your own mind, struggling with negative thoughts or worries or fears, if you are feeling like your life is somehow a mismatch for the things you feel are truly important, this might be a good resource to check out!
What We’re Teaching Our Children About Prayer
I understand prayer a lot differently now, I think, in part, because I understand God differently.
Meet Saint (Maker) Savaryn! (& Reflections on 2020, too)
Because of this, one of my biggest take home messages of the year has interestingly been an intense reaffirmation of how often the most worth-it things are not the easiest.
When Saying “Yes” Hurts
The first yes that Mary gave to the angel found its fulfillment in the silent and continued yes of watching her son suffer for the salvation of all.
The First Day I Chose to Go to Mass
There was something very different about the first time I decided I wanted to go to Mass, the first time I chose it for myself.
Five Fun Advent Traditions to Try This Year!
If you're looking to add something manageable and meaningful to your own Advent season, this might just be the place to start.
Leaning into the Saints as a Catholic Convert
For some reason, the Saints seemed so out of reach. It was tough to think that people existed who walked this earth let God fill them so much that there wasn't room for anything else. Meanwhile, I felt so far from that. I lose my patience so easily, and tend to seek my own comfort, and am prone to anxiety and worry about things I can't control. I feared that I'd read something by a Saint and be frightened off...of what, I don't exactly know. But I didn't trust that it would be helpful, at least not for a while.
Why Didn’t God Just Take Away the Tree?
I love having conversations with the kids about our Catholic faith. Their insights and questions astound me and amaze me time and time again, and it's such an honor and a privilege to engage with them. Recently, while doing a short follow-up at bedtime to our most recent faith formation lesson, in which our six-year-old … Continue reading Why Didn’t God Just Take Away the Tree?
This Catholic Family 