Author Archives: faithfullyirreverent

As milestones go, one’s 20th High School Reunion hardly seems significant compared to the funerals, weddings, graduation, etc. affected by this virus. And yet, milestone it was. Reunions often seem to prompt some kind of mild (or full-on crisis-level) identity crisis.  Is this who I wanted to become?  No offense to my 18 year-old self,Continue reading “Slow Fade of Friendship”

Just in time for Lent, this curry is vegan and gluten-free. Sweet potatoes are one of those all-time magical foods. My little ones universally love them.  Even though they won’t try this curry per se, they will happily eat the cooked sweet potatoes with a side of rice. Sweet potatoes are nutritionally dense, filled withContinue reading “Sweet Potato and Chickpea Curry”

For the last few years, there has been a distinct trend in my online social networks.  As Ash Wednesday approaches, it becomes clear that there are a few people preparing to give social media up for Lent.  Last year, I puzzled that I may be one of the few remaining Catholics on social media whoContinue reading “Why I Am Finally Giving Up Social Media for Lent”

Americanah by Chimamanda Ngozi Adiche Author Chimamanda Adiche was born and raised in Nigeria.  She now splits her time between Nigeria and the United States.  One has to wonder how much of Ifemelu, one of the two main characters in Americanah, is modeled on the author’s own experience.  Ifemelu is a strong, vibrant woman whoContinue reading “Books for Black History Month”

Today is my 39th birthday. My friend, Ada, recently pointed out that I spent most of my “ideal age” in a global pandemic.  In high school, our group of friends like to debate endlessly about our respective ideal ages.  Hans advocated for 32.  When his ideal age came and went, I asked him what heContinue reading “An Unideal Age”

Hi Friends, For those of you who do not follow me on social media, I just wanted to share some exciting news! Verily Magazine just published my 6th Date piece in their magazine.  This is the first time that one of my pieces has been offered in a non-Catholic publication.  They like me.  They reallyContinue reading “6th Date – Printed in a Magazine!”

Outdoor Mass during the pandemic has become affectionately known in our household as Mass on the Grass.  I spend much of Mass on the Grass trying to keep Daniel, my toddler, from launching himself into the bushes, pulling cords from the nearby speaker and generally wreaking havoc on parish property.  A couple Sundays ago, heContinue reading “A Moment in the Labyrinth”

In November, about the same time that I was writing my first two immigration pieces for the blog, my office received a call from a Catholic church in North County.  One of the couples who was scheduled to attend our Celebrating Your Love retreat for engaged couples would be unable to attend their upcoming date. Continue reading “Separated: Inside an American Tragedy”

When I first created Faithfully Irreverent, I considered making travel one of my main topics/categories.  With the realities of COVID, I hardly wanted to make others wistful for the travel that they were not doing.  As the pandemic has dragged on, I find myself fantasizing about one place in particular. Santa Fe, New Mexico IfContinue reading “Land of Enchantment”

“While people in Palestine & in many other places in the world are struggling to achieve democracy, there are those in the U.S. who are actively sabotaging theirs.” -Tweet from Palestinian official, Hanan Ashrawi Things that I did today for the first time: Type the words insurrection and sedition; I wrote a couple papers onContinue reading “A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Capitol”