When we got off the plane, we found out a snowstorm had canceled all the flights to the East Coast.

This Advent and Christmas season, the time is right for us to rediscover that familiar story and experience God’s presence in a new way, knowing we are exactly where we need to be.

That day when I had that sudden thought, the child who would become our younger son was newly born and not far away. Only God could have known that.

There is nothing like that wait for the baby to arrive, especially in those final hours before the birth.

I went outside, slipped into the driver’s seat, and glanced up to discover that the windshield was covered. Instead of the frost I’m used to seeing, however, the glass was enveloped in a beautiful, delicate pattern of ice.

Sometimes when we’re planning the Thanksgiving menu, someone will say, “But of course, it’s not about the food.” It’s about being together. Yes, yes, naturally. But the food stories tell us so much about the traditions and the people we love.

The story I want to share with you today features one of my favorite saints, St. Therese of Lisieux who was born 150 years ago this year. This story comes from Shaela Blanchard, who lives in Colorado. Shaela is a stay-at-home mother of three little ones—11, 3, and 8 months. She is also a business owner.

During this season of gratitude, may you see God’s hand in the greatest joys of your life and know that he was also with you in the challenging times.

I always love watching the children approach the altar for a blessing on their way to learn about God during the Children’s Liturgy of the Word.

~1~ During this month when we pray for All Souls, one of my favorite traditions is filling our prayer basket with the names of loved ones who have died. Every day we pull a name and pray for that person (or people, in some cases) that day. I didn’t have a chance to fill the […]