Assess: Reflect on how you currently celebrate Advent and Christmas. Are you happy with your family traditions? Did you choose them, or did they just happen for no good reason? Do you and your spouse agree on them? Are they focused on Christ? Do they reinforce the values you want to communicate to your children? Continue »

"I baptize you in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit," said the priest. It would have been more accurate to say, "I baptize you in the name of the Father, the moth wing, and the Holy Spirit." Continue »

What kind of home is the most fertile ground for religious vocations? What characterizes the parents of children who become nuns, priests, brothers, and consecrated virgins? Continue »

We’re often urged to "pray for vocations." Almost always, this is meant as an encouragement to ask God for more priests and religious for service to the church. Certainly, this intention is crucial and timely. Continue »

Dolores Campbell was seven months pregnant with what she thought was her twelfth child, when she found out that she was carrying twins. Continue »

Want to help your children discern whether they’re called to religious life, or to married or single life in the world? These suggestions can help. Why not focus on two or three this Lent? Continue »

It would be great if husbands and wives were always at the same place along the same spiritual path, but life is often much more complicated. Continue »

Soccer is a popular sport in our home, and at one time or another—and often simultaneously—all four of our children have played the game. Continue »

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There’s something addictive about reading the lives of the saints. For one thing, the stories are entertaining, and full of drama in exotic locales. Continue »