When Opposites Attract
Three Spouses Tell Their Tales
Savers and Discarders*: Not till I was taking down our first Christmas tree did I become keenly aware of an important difference between my new husband and me. Phil watched as I tenderly wrapped the special ornaments from family and friends, then with equal care, packed the cheap Wal-Mart ones back into their original packages. Continue »
Stress and the Holy Family
Learning how to conquer anxiety
As we celebrate the Feast of the Holy Family, we read in the Gospel that Joseph had just been told in a dream to go to Egypt with his family because the life of the baby Jesus was in danger. Continue »
Celebrate the Twelve Days of Christmas
This year, don’t rush the season. Savor it!
Christmas trees go up the day after Thanksgiving and go out the day after Christmas, just before the ritual of returning and exchanging gifts. The time in between is a flurry of parties, shopping, and school events. Continue »
A Surprise from the Christ Child
A wise aunt and a kindly Santa prepared the way.
When the street corner Santa asked Richard and Bernie what they wanted for Christmas, the four-year-old identical twins had their answers ready: “Some Lincoln Logs and a doctor kit and a Lionel Train that makes real smoke.” And there was something else. Continue »
The Gift of Good Traditions
How Christmas Present Can Affect Christmas Future
My parents had a rule about December twenty-fifth: No one could so much as touch one present until after we had attended Christmas morning Mass together. Continue »
A Simple Way to Pray with the Advent Wreath
Prayers for Every Day During Advent
For many Catholic families, the Advent wreath is a treasured tradition. In the darkest days of winter, as we gather around the dinner table, the candles remind us of the light of Christ. This is the perfect time for family prayer. Continue »
