Each of us has times when we are that squirming, fussing child at Mass.

It was late afternoon, and my son and I were running late for an appointment—again. As we walked across the parking lot, a woman approached us. “Would you help me?” she said. I could see the distress in her eyes, and I could tell she really did need help. She pointed to her car, which […]

I learned last week that China has closed its international adoption program. The closing is a blow to a program that has brought so many families together.

The other day I was chatting with a colleague who is a relatively new mom. We were talking about the challenges of working while raising a child. Her baby boy had started walking while they were on vacation, and she was relieved not to have missed seeing that happen for the first time. She mentioned […]

Summer is my favorite time of the year. I love everything about it—the heat, the long sunny days, and the lack of routine. This summer we didn’t plan much for our teens, and that only enhanced the time off. It was a season of freedom—no bedtimes and no early mornings. It was glorious. And we […]

That is part of being a parent—offering, inviting, hoping, and loving, and recognizing that your child might take a different path.

’Tis the season for back-to-school shopping, and last week I found myself at the computer store, picking up a laptop. The store employee behind the counter rang up the purchase and then looked at me. “Do you want to get the warranty on that?” “No,” I said. “It costs almost half the price of the […]

Each of us needs nourishment today and tomorrow. We need something to sustain us through the challenges and obstacles along the way.

His name is Stephen Nedoroscik, but they call him Clark Kent. After hours of waiting for his turn, he pulls off his glasses, strides up to the pommel horse, swings around with incredible skill and strength, and dismounts. He’s an athlete and an artist. He has an eye condition that prevents him seeing while he’s […]

My birthday happens to fall on July 26, the feast of St. Joachim and St. Anne, our Blessed Mother’s parents. We don’t know much about their lives, but we know that they became parents late in life—and later the grandparents of Jesus. Their story shows us a few things: Faith can move mountains. God has […]