I never thought we would have an American pope, so I had no expectations for how that might different for me, as an American. I had never considered what it would be like to hear a pope talk in English with an American accent.

God doesn’t give us grace just at our baptism and confirmation, but over and over in abundance.

What a gift this pope could be—and is—to our Church. What a blessing to have a pope who has so much to bring to this time.

The rain is just what the rosebush needs.

Once upon a time I was a second grader at St. Pius X School in Towson. One day, our teacher, Sister Suzanne, announced to my class that it was time to prepare for the May Procession.

​Weeks ago, when it became clear that Pope Francis’ health was failing, I thought I had come to terms with the possibility of him passing away. When I woke up to the news that he had died, however, I realized I wasn’t prepared at all. Yes, we knew he was elderly and battling double pneumonia. […]

The miracle of Easter shows that anything and everything is possible for God, and that even death does not have the final word.

Weeks and weeks ago, I was walking down the seasonal aisle at the grocery store when I stopped to look at the Easter candy. I spotted chocolate bunnies who were posed as if they were taking selfies. I thought of my niece in college several states to the north. I knew she would be amused. […]

This weekend, we said goodbye to one of our little zebra finches, Hermione.

A baby giraffe. A new little—well, not so little—life in the world. It was just the spark of joy this gray April day needed.