by Barbara | Apr 2, 2020
I am one of those souls that schools, charities, and hospitals love to see coming. I have a condition, which prohibits me from saying no to most requests for help. I have said it before, and it bears repeating, I am pretty sure that I wasn’t born with the...
by Barbara | Mar 28, 2020
The easy answer to that question is because it is, but so is yours. We each are so beautifully, uniquely one of a kind. A precious and irreplaceable jewel. As an exquisite priceless jewel there is nothing you can do to increase or decrease your value. You are gorgeous...
by Barbara | Jan 15, 2019
Have you ever put much thought into the passage in Genesis, “God created man in his image, in the divine image He created him, male and female he created them”? I recently gave a talk to the women and teens of our youth ministry program about this very passage. As I...
by Barbara | Dec 29, 2018
My work predominately involves the preparation of men and women for marriage in the Catholic Church, as well as listening to those who are struggling within their marriage. This gives me a particular perspective on some of the common communication struggles that can...
by Barbara | Dec 29, 2018
This piece serves as a follow up from my previous article entitled, “What Wives Want Their Husbands to Know.” While these articles are in no way exhaustive, they are common stumbling blocks I encounter in my work in marriage ministry. Both in the preparation side and...
by Barbara | Oct 28, 2018
What is it about we humans wherein we want diamonds, but we settle for broken glass? We see this in many areas of our life; jobs, exercise, and relationships to name a few. We want good things for ourselves, meaningful work, a sleek rock-hard body, a learned mind, a...
by Barbara | Jun 21, 2018
In my work preparing engaged couples for marriage, I find myself pondering what might have been different for us, if my husband and I would have been required to take the same prep that is currently offered in the Diocese of Phoenix. While we were married in Phoenix...
by Barbara | Jan 7, 2018
What is the deal with Catholics and doughnuts? I have memories of being bribed by doughnuts through much of my young and snarky life, to either behave in or attend extra masses. My father was successful at getting all five kids to join him at daily mass in the sacred...
by Barbara | Jul 31, 2017
Yesterday I got the flu. I tried to ignore it, but like a thunderstorm, flus do not go away just because you ignore them, they actually pick up intensity. Last night I could no longer hold that storm at bay so I crashed in the way of taking to my bed. Thunderous...
by Barbara | Dec 24, 2015
Oh light from on high, for us You came, Shattering the darkness, our ignorance, and shame. You came as Innocence, a babe in Virgin's womb, In poverty You entered, no place for humble child to room. Angel choirs filled the night sky, Mountains, valleys, with all...
by Barbara | Nov 25, 2015
Thanksgiving-the National Vigil of Black Friday? What? Wait. NO!! Yes, I'm afraid we seem to have lost our way. This day, I thought was to stop, sit still, remember and be grateful. To surround ourselves with family and friends, you know those people that we are most...
by Barbara | Nov 22, 2015
As I proceed with my recovery I am currently seeking relief through therapeutic massage. Don't be confused with the massage word meaning I am in bliss, and total relaxation. That I am not. No, therapeutic massage is something quite different indeed. If you have...
by Barbara | Nov 15, 2015
It's been awhile since I updated my blog. What a roller coaster of a year. A move in January, a wedding in March, hit by a car two days later. Months of recovery. A new granddaughter in June. Lots of doctors visits, physical therapy appointments, and work all squashed...
by Barbara | Jul 18, 2015
About 8 months ago, I brought a meal and spent some time visiting a friend of mine who was having another bout with cancer. Two months ago that same friend brought dinner to me as I recovered from my accident. Two weeks ago I stood at her bedside as she unconsciously...
by Barbara | May 10, 2015
It's Mother's Day here in the USA. Why should we bother to continue this day of remembrance? Well for one thing, we all have mothers. Mothers are indispensable, a necessity whether they are our biological, adopted, or spiritual mothers. Mother's care, or at least they...
by Barbara | Apr 24, 2015
Its been a month since the accident. Each day a new beginning, challenge and opportunity presents itself. What do I do with it? While being hit by a car was never on my bucket list, it has provided me with a way to reach out to others who have experienced or are in...
by Barbara | Apr 5, 2015
It's been almost three weeks since I was hit by a car riding to work. That's the day my life made a hard stop and took a radical step backwards. I am back to baby steps. On one hand it is kind of surreal, on the other hand, it is very real. Each day is a new...
by Barbara | Feb 25, 2015
I meet so many young adults who are "spiritual but not religious." What does that mean? It is like saying I love coffee but smelling it suffices I love to experience nature but I don't leave my house. I love God....but I can't imagine actually going to church and...
by Barbara | Feb 17, 2015
What's the big deal anyway with Lent? Why does it matter, isn't that old school, a practice best left in the Dark Ages? What ever difference does it make to give up chocolate, or candy or beer or coffee? How will that make the world a better place? How will that feed...
by Barbara | Feb 6, 2015
I admire those who can speak the truth in all seasons. Those whom I am bringing to mind have a holy zeal that doesn't allow them to remain silent in the face of untruths. They are bold in their love of the Lord. We are in a time where not speaking up to keep the...
by Barbara | Dec 16, 2014
This Advent hasn't waited for me to get it together yet. It hasn't paused while I spread myself so thin attempting to buy, sell, close, prepare, shop, wrap, pen cards, post or consider gift giving. It simply has marched onward, ready or not. I keep trying to refocus...