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7 Quick Takes :: How Mary Became My Queen, My Mother

7 Quick Takes :: How Mary Became My Queen, My Mother

Venerable Archbishop Fulton Sheen once said of Mary, “She existed in the Divine Mind as an Eternal Thought before there were any mothers. She is the Mother of mothers, she is the world’s first love.” #1 Slow beginnings My first real encounter with Mary was through the quiet actions of my grandma, who had a beautiful devotion to Our Blessed Mother and who also happened to be named Mary. She had a simple white statue of the Blessed Mother outside…

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Five Simple Ways to Invite Mary Into Your Heart, Your Home, Your Family

Five Simple Ways to Invite Mary Into Your Heart, Your Home, Your Family

One of the last things Jesus did before he died was give us His mother Mary to be our mother. From the Gospel of John, “‘Woman, behold your son.’ Then he said to the disciple, ‘Behold your mother.’ And from that hour the disciple took her into his home” (19:26-27). Jesus’ final words not only pertained to Mary and John, they also included me and you and all of humanity. “Jesus Christ, after having given us all he could give,…

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The Lord’s Gaze

The Lord’s Gaze

Today’s Gospel reading (John 4:5-42) is one of my favorites. I didn’t realize it was, until I heard our pastor read it today at Mass. Many emotions and memories flooded me, as I heard of gentle Jesus meeting this Woman at the Well. I remembered how this Bible story reminds me of the sacrament of Confession. Jesus meets the woman where she’s at, and He loves her, even with all her failings and shortcomings. Like the Woman at the Well,…

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Three Lessons I Learned While Learning to Run

Three Lessons I Learned While Learning to Run

It’s 6 p.m., and I am running around the kitchen, putting the finishing touches on my family’s dinner. I ask Anna to set the table and Olivia to fill the water glasses. As I call my family to dinner, I fill up my water bottle and lace up my running shoes. I call out to my family, “Save some for me!” And I head out the door. I am very much in favor of family dinner, and I strive to…

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Change of Attitude, Change of Heart

Change of Attitude, Change of Heart

This time of year is very full. It is busy, as we approach the Thanksgiving holiday next week and as we anticipate the Advent and Christmas seasons. The world tells us we are already behind in our Christmas shopping, but we haven’t even sliced the turkey yet! In the liturgical calendar, we are experiencing a time of fullness, too. We are coming to the close of the month when we honor the holy souls. Tomorrow is also the last Sunday…

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Half Asleep

Half Asleep

I hear him stir. Oh, maybe he’ll fall back to sleep. The tiredness weighs upon my entire body. A few seconds later, I hear his little cry. He needs me. As much as I love my sleep, I have to remember what I’m here for. Why I’m needed. Who it is that needs my help, comfort and love. What a blessing! How humbling! That this child doesn’t need just anyone; he needs me. I pull myself out of the coziness…

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A Little A-ha! Moment

A Little A-ha! Moment

There are so many beautiful quotes by St. Therese of Lisieux, aren’t there? Here’s one that was e-mailed to me today: Receive Communion often, very often … there you have the sole remedy, if you want to be cured. Jesus has not put this attraction in your heart for nothing … When I was praying this morning from my Magnificat, many of the Scripture passages that were quoted pertained to children, which makes perfect sense, since St. Therese often is…

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A Rough Start

A Rough Start

Our day started out rough. I was tired. I went to bed way too late for the time I need to rise. You see, it is in everyone’s best interest if the mom of this family wakes up and gets ready (including coffee and prayer) before the kids. So, I did it anyway, despite my tiredness. I appreciated this explanation of the act of rising being a mortification of sorts. I had not thought of it like that before, and…

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