When my husband and I got married we were blessed to meet the now-Saint John Paul II in person. I wore my wedding dress and Pope John Paul II made the Sign of the Cross over us, took our hands in his, and gave us a nod. It will forever be seared in our memory … Read More
The Great American Saints
The year 2020 has certainly brought many changes and challenges, causing stress and certain anxieties never before experienced. Timing couldn’t be better for us to connect with a few of our great American Saints and one of our Blessed. We can learn how they lived, prayed, and ultimately accepted God’s will in hopes that we … Read More
How I Met My Mother
Growing up Catholic, I remember disliking the great task that was praying the rosary. In my grade school days, every day of October was increasingly tiresome as each year my class would daily pray a rosary during this month dedicated to it. My mind would wander, my mouth would yawn, my attention span was totally … Read More
Medjugorje and Life Coaching
For the past three years as fall approached, I found myself eagerly awaiting a pilgrimage to Medjugorje. The visits to the small village in Bosnia-Herzegovina completely changed my life. Amid the chaos and confusion going on now in the world with the pandemic, social unrest and the upcoming election, I find myself yearning for Medjugorje. … Read More
Recalling the Medieval in Montana
Along with many others in the world today, my travel plans this summer were affected by disappointing cancellations, postponements, forbidden border crossings, and destination changes. My husband and I were initially looking forward to accompanying his parents to the Holy Land this June, a first-time pilgrimage for all of us. We were counting our daily … Read More
Finding Jesus in the Wild West
In late 2019, I had booked and planned a trip to Poland and Germany for May of 2020 with a fellow coworker here at Tekton Ministries. We were going to explore the homeland of St. John Paul II and then end our pilgrimage with a quick stop in Germany, where we were going to attend … Read More
The Goodness of God’s Answers
Have you ever prayed fervently for something to happen only to have the exact opposite thing occur? And you couldn’t understand why in the moment, but later on it became really clear? If so, you are in good company! St. Monica, like most mothers, worried about her son, the future St. Augustine, and the state of his soul. When … Read More
How to Make the Virgin Mary Queen of your Life
Crowning Mary with a garland of flowers while singing songs and celebrating a special Mass was a favorite tradition in my Catholic school. It’s from this simple act repeated every year for 12 years that made Mary queen of my heart. Mary’s queenship is a direct result of the doctrine of her Assumption, naturally flowing to when she was crowned Queen of Heaven. … Read More
Living Life on the Mountaintop
After five too many months of being stuck in my Indianapolis home for a series of quarantines, curfews, and stay-at-home orders, I most excitedly hopped a plane and made my way to the great state of Colorado. This summer has been a rough one. I found myself surprised when I learned of kids starting school … Read More
Prayer of Examen
St. Ignatius of Loyola, whose feast day we celebrate on July 31st, has gifted the church with a unique expression of spirituality. His Spiritual Exercises are integral in the lives of the members of the Society of Jesus, more commonly called the Jesuits, which he founded in 1540. Though few others are able to participate … Read More
The Two Freedoms
The month of July is dedicated to the Most Precious Blood of Jesus – a devotion that has existed within the Church since the 16th century. July also happens to be a big month for the United States, the month in which the most uniquely American holiday occurs – Independence Day, or the Fourth of … Read More
Be a Living Sanctuary
“If I am delayed, you will know how people ought to conduct themselves in God’s household, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and foundation of the truth.” 1 Timothy 3:15 I made my first pilgrimage ever in September, 2018 to Medjugorje, Bosnia and Herzegovina. This is a place of alleged apparitions … Read More
Home is Where the Heart is
Did you know that some months of the year have different themes in the Catholic Church? The traditional dedications for the months are: January – Holy Name of Jesus February – Holy Family March – St. Joseph April – Blessed Sacrament May – Blessed Mother June – Sacred Heart July – Precious Blood August – … Read More
Living a Life Surrounded by the Eucharist
This year, I’ve been particularly noticing the great amount of celebrations within the Church calendar, especially those since Holy Week. I don’t know if it’s just a special quirk of extra attentiveness, or if the tumultuous events that have filled 2020 so far have kept me looking out for the hidden brightness in our world … Read More
The Renaissance Man Cave Revisited
It can be hard to reflect on an experience that you’ve never had before. Shortly after I began my employment at Tekton, I was tasked with writing a reflection on the Upper Room. Having never set foot in the same country as the Upper Room, I scoured the Internet for all the info it had … Read More
