Author Archives: faithfullyirreverent

During the early days of the pandemic, we discovered “fairy doors” while out for a walk. These tiny doors miraculously brought my community together and offered a whimsical sense of connection during an otherwise chaotic time. Click here to read the full story @grottonetwork.

Since my little ones were born, I have cut back on my professional and volunteer obligations. It is the volunteering that I miss the most – both ministries at the parish and volunteering with local community organizations. Jesus calls me to be engaged with the world, engaged with the joys and the suffering of others.Continue reading “How to Volunteer with Your Family in 2023”

Our parish doesn’t have a cry room. We typically sit in the back along a side wall, which is mercifully close to the bathroom and the back door for when our 3-year-old inevitably gets antsy. This past Sunday, it had already been a morning even by the standard of the typical morning hustle. Spilled milk.Continue reading “Will you Carry the Baby Jesus?”

Go to The Grotto Network to learn more about my three strategies for navigating your parents’ divorce.

Here’s what I adore – the spirit of generosity that pervades the holidays. Here’s what I abhor – billionaires making obscene profits off the backs of overburdened warehouse employees due to my generosity. Hence, my 2022 guide includes gifts from either local businesses here in San Diego County or ethical businesses with a larger missionContinue reading “Christmas Gift Guide 2022”

I do not own a glue gun. Glitter makes me cringe. I am not a crafty mom. That being said, all hail to the crafty moms who use their fabric-scissors-cutting-skills to evangelize! Catholic Icing is a fantastic website for the moms who aspire to do so. When my son’s kindergarten announced that there would beContinue reading “Make Your Family Advent Wreath”

It took most of my adult life but I finally bought 4 sets of Advent candles at once. This decision saves me the inevitable post-Thanksgiving scramble to find candles. The previous last minute candle frenzy mirrored too much of the secular holiday season…go go go. Here is my proposition for this upcoming Advent season, let’sContinue reading “Advent at Home”

Poll: How did you select godparents for your children? Anecdotally, many people seemed to choose a sibling or close relative. Others honored a “spiritual mentor” by offering the role. Some people took proximity into their discernment and opted against long-distance godparents. Some suggested that distance played no role in their decision-making whatsoever. One couple toldContinue reading “God Grandparents”

Queen Elizabeth II was an icon. She came from a generation of British women who helped win WWII and usher in the modern era. At the age of 21, years before becoming queen, she publicly pledged to serve her country and never wavered from that duty. She was self-sacrificing and dutiful in a way thatContinue reading “Icons”

When my son, Daniel, was less than 2 years-old, he stared down a boy who was 3 or 4 years older than him. For the better part of an hour, I had observed this older child throwing tanbark, taking toys and kicking down sand castles. Daniel was settling himself on top of the slide whenContinue reading “Brave”