Before becoming a mom, I taught for ten years in Texas public schools. I was then blessed with the opportunity to step away from the classroom for seven years to stay home and raise my young daughters. Looking back now, I see God’s hand guiding every season of that journey.

When I returned to teaching for the 2015–2016 school year, the Church had just welcomed a new pope. This past spring, after the passing of Pope Francis, I shared excitement with my students as we watched the white smoke rise over St. Peter’s Square as Pope Leo XIV became the 267th successor of St. Peter.

Since returning to Catholic education, our diocese has been shepherded by two bishops. I have worked alongside three pastors, one principal, and countless colleagues who have become some of my dearest friends. I taught through COVID.

My youngest daughter and I with the Most Reverend Thomas Olmsted, Bishop Emeritus of the Diocese of Phoenix at one of our school masses.

Over the past eleven years, I estimate that I have had the privilege of teaching and ministering to nearly 500 students and their families. Even more humbling has been witnessing somewhere between 50 and 100 students, and in some cases, their parents, become fully initiated into the Catholic Church. Those moments are reminders that God is always at work, often in ways we cannot fully see. The blessings have been abundant, and, God willing, I hope to spend at least another ten years in the classroom before hanging up my teacher’s hat.

As I reflected on these years this morning, I also thought about the challenges that come with this vocation.

Teaching is hard.

In middle school, we interact with more than 80 students every day. We wipe away tears, mediate conflicts, answer difficult questions, respond to concerned parents, and often go home emotionally and physically exhausted. The few quiet moments we have are interrupted by fire drills, assemblies, supervision duties, discipline issues, and countless unexpected interruptions. We come home with a lot of funny stories and headaches.

Yes, teachers enjoy about eight weeks off during the summer, a wonderful blessing, but many spend those weeks tutoring, teaching summer camps, waiting tables, or working other jobs because the salary simply isn’t enough. Teachers are leaving the profession at an alarming rate, and schools across the country continue to face significant shortages.

So why do I keep coming back?

It’s certainly not for the paycheck, and it’s definitely not for the glamour.

I come back because Catholic education is so much more than a career, it is a vocation.

As a Catholic educator, I have been entrusted with teaching my students the truths of our faith and introducing them to the person of Jesus Christ. My responsibility extends far beyond academics. My mission is to help form each student as a human person, deepen their relationship with Christ, and, ultimately, help lead them toward Heaven.

Simply put, my job is to help make saints.

As a mother preparing to send my two youngest children back to Catholic high school while cheering on our two oldest in college and trade school, I know firsthand that August and May can stretch the patience and emotions of both parents and teachers.

St. Elizabeth Ann Seton - this statue is right outside of the residence hall my daughter lives in at Seton Hall University named after St. Elizabeth

This August, I want to be intentional about slowing down.

There will always be lesson plans to write, emails to answer, papers to grade, meetings to attend, and endless items on the to-do list. But none of those matter more than the mission Christ has entrusted to me: sharing the Gospel and passing on the beauty of our Catholic faith to the next generation.

As another school year begins, my prayer is that every Catholic educator, every parent, and every student remembers the deeper purpose behind what we do.

May this school year be filled with growth, wisdom, and grace. When the inevitable bumps in the road come, and they will, may we remain firmly grounded in the Most Holy Trinity and in the beautiful Church Christ has given us.

May the Blessed Mother wrap us in her mantle, and may the saints intercede for us as we strive to do God’s will each day.

Immaculate Conception Chapel, Seton Hall University

St. John Baptist de La Salle, St. Thomas Aquinas, and St. Elizabeth Ann Seton

Pray for Us.

As I reflect on those years of waiting, I wonder if Anne and Joachim ever felt frustrated or abandoned by God. I think about my own prayer life and the conversations I have had with others about prayer. So often we pray when life is not going according to our plans: “Jesus, please heal me. Jesus, please heal my parents.
Jesus, please help my child.”

Sometimes I wonder how often we bring the same requests before Him, only to become discouraged when the answers do not come in the way or in the timing we expect. We begin to ask ourselves, Does He even hear me? Why is this still happening? I’ve been praying for years, and nothing has changed.

Yet God has a plan for each of our lives. He is always working, even in ways we cannot see. Perhaps the illness you are carrying is teaching you patience, perseverance, or a deeper dependence on Him. Grandparents are among God’s greatest gifts. They continue giving long after they have finished raising their own children. They offer wisdom, encouragement, and unconditional love when it is needed most. I experienced this gift firsthand. Just six weeks after our second daughter was born, we moved from Texas back to Arizona with a newborn and a two-year-old. Our house sold so quickly that we had to put everything into storage and move in with my parents. Looking back, I can only describe it as a tremendous blessing. Having two extra sets of loving hands made all the difference.

Charlotte struggled with reflux and colic. There were days when she cried for hours, and as a new mother I often felt helpless. My mom would gently take her from my arms and say, “Let me have her. You go lie down and get some sleep.” That simple act of love saved me on more days than I can count.

A year later, we welcomed another little girl into our family. Those early years would have been so much harder without the unwavering love, support, and generosity of my parents. Their presence was a beautiful reminder of God’s care for our family.

Saints Anne and Joachim, pray for us.

Carlo believed that regularly receiving Jesus in the Most Holy Eucharist was one of the best ways to grow closer to Him. He has many quotes on this topic, but this one is my favorite: “The more often we receive the Eucharist, the more we become like Jesus, and the more we get a foretaste of Heaven.”

Jesus gave us His Body and Blood through the Eucharist, which He instituted at the Last Supper. When people question the True Presence of Jesus in the Eucharist, the best place to turn is the Bread of Life discourse in the Gospel of John.

In John 6:53–55, Jesus states: “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless you eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink His blood, you have no life in you.”

When you read John 6 and compare this statement to Carlo’s quote about the Eucharist being a foretaste of Heaven, it is easy to understand why Carlo spent years of his short life cataloging Eucharistic miracles.

These miracles provide evidence that Jesus truly gave us His flesh, not merely a symbol. When we do not attend Mass or are unable to receive Jesus in the Eucharist because of absence or sin, we deny ourselves the foretaste of Heaven that Carlo describes.

I cannot help but think about the more than 20 years I spent away from the Church, not realizing what I was missing. I was no longer united with Jesus in the Eucharist. No wonder my life became one sin after another. I have often said that if you truly knew, in every fiber of your being, that Jesus is present in the Eucharist, you would never leave. The truth is, I did not fully understand that myself.

We were taught to believe in the Real Presence as children, but nowhere in my upbringing or catechesis did we discuss or learn about Eucharistic miracles. I believe this can be a game changer for my students.

I begin the school year with an in-depth study of Eucharistic miracles for my sixth-grade religion class. We explore Carlo’s website while students create a fun “travel brochure” project in which they research the history of a miracle, the key people involved, and interesting things to do in the town if they were to visit. The kids love exploring the website and reading a book that contains some of the stories.

I cannot help but think of Carlo whenever I teach this unit because I was using his website 12 years ago when he was virtually unknown to the world. How wonderful it is that a 15-year-old boy could teach the world about Jesus and the power of His True Presence in the Eucharist.

I am blessed to teach teenagers and to be the parent of teenagers. They have an incredible capacity for love, and they are the future of our beautiful Church. May we see them, encourage them, and recognize the value they bring to our world and their desire to know and to receive the sacraments.

St. Carlo Acutis, Pray for Us!

“But the Counselor, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, he will teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance all that I have said to you.” John 14:26

They had just witnessed Jesus resurrecting from the dead, but Jesus was concrete and a person of flesh. That was easy enough to understand. The Holy Spirit? How do you even begin to explain this third person of the Holy Trinity?

When I started reflecting on this feast today I thought about my own life as a wandering Catholic. I wandered for over 20 years thinking I didn’t need the church. I didn’t need all of the rules. I shut myself off to the beauty and the grace that flows from the Blessed Trinity. I was confirmed at the age of 16 and didn’t really understand how the Holy Spirit worked in my life. I think I knew at a basic level, but I don’t know if I ever understood the importance and the gifts that were there for me to experience. I get a chance for future generations (my own children and the ones I am blessed to teach).

So how does it work? This is just my simple explanation that I have come for my own personal understanding and use it in my teaching. Take the wind for example, you can’t “see” it but you can see and feel the effects, the wind blowing through the trees, the beautiful and peaceful sound it makes when you are in the pines. The Holy Spirit works in the same way to connect you to the peace and joy that the Church offers you.

The Holy Spirit is at work through the sacraments. It helps us grow in holiness by the fruits (patience, kindness, gentleness, self-control, joy, goodness, faithfulness, love, and peace) You know the Holy Spirit is at work through the acts that follow such as: conversion, a movement behind changes in a school or church, and moments where faith and courage are displayed. The Holy Spirit inspires prayer and it builds the Church by inspiring us to spread the gospel. The Holy Spirit connects us to the love of God our Father, and Jesus Christ His son.

What a gift for us all to reflect on this Feast of Pentecost. Jesus told the disciples at his Ascension 10 days prior, go make disciples of all nations baptizing them in His name. On the Feast of Pentecost we are called to build His church. How can you do that? Start in your home, minister to those in your family, attend mass weekly, get involved in your parish life, sign up for a holy hour in your adoration chapel, the possibilities are endless.

St Augustine wrote extensively about the work of the Holy Spirit including this prayer. It’s one of my favorites. I hope it inspires you today to ask the Holy Spirit to guide you and draw your heart into deeper communion with our Lord and His Son.

When they arrived, instead of finding Jesus’ body, they were greeted by an angel who told them, “Do not be afraid; for I know that you seek Jesus who was crucified. He is not here; for he has risen, as he said. Come, see the place where he lay.” (Matthew 28:4–6)

Women at the Empty Tomb - Fra Angelico

There are many themes present in the resurrection story that a priest could choose to explore. Fr. Michael took a simple, yet profoundly practical approach. He pointed out that there was a huge stone that needed to be rolled away. The women knew this—they had been there when the stone was put into place. Instead of worrying about how they would move it, they went forward in faith, trusting that God would bless their path and their mission.

What stones do you have in your life? How heavy are they? Do you lie awake worrying about how you will move them, or do you have faith like the women who were the first to proclaim the Resurrection?

Many of Jesus’ male disciples fled after his arrest, but these women stayed near the cross, observed the burial, and returned to the tomb. Their faithfulness reminds us that God will move the stones in our lives in His time. May we show the same faith as these women, who set out on their mission without worrying about the obstacles or setbacks they might face. They simply followed their hearts to care for our Savior and were rewarded with the gift of being the first to witness and proclaim the Resurrection of Jesus.

Christ is Risen. Indeed, He is Risen.

The Easter Vigil is the perfect time to welcome people into the Catholic Church because it beautifully symbolizes transformation. The liturgy begins in darkness and moves into light, mirroring the journey from sin and death to grace and eternal life.

The Vigil is divided into four parts. The first is the Service of Light (my favorite). This begins outside the church with a fire that includes palms from the previous Palm Sunday; the ashes are later preserved for Ash Wednesday. The congregation then processes into the church, led by the flame of the Paschal Candle. Each person lights their candle from this single flame, a powerful symbol of shared faith.

Next is the Liturgy of the Word, during which seven Old Testament readings are proclaimed. These begin with Creation, continue through the story of Abraham, the Exodus, and the Prophets, and culminate in the Gospel of the Resurrection.

Following this are the Liturgy of Baptism and the Liturgy of the Eucharist. Catechumens are baptized, confirmed (if age-appropriate), and receive the Most Holy Eucharist for the first time.

This year, we had 23 children and 4 adults baptized at the Easter Vigil. Our school was given permission by our priest to offer sacrament preparation during the school day, with formation for families alongside it. We worked closely with our pastor, deacon, and youth minister to bring the sacraments to our school families—especially students who were unbaptized. In addition, seven more students will receive First Communion and Confirmation in May with the rest of the parish preparation program.

There are so many stories behind these 30 students. Many siblings entered the Church together—two families of four, three families of three, several pairs, and two individual students. It was truly a family affair. To be part of this and to witness it unfold has been one of the most incredible moments of my career as a Catholic school educator.

One grandmother approached me after the liturgy and said, “I didn’t know if I would live to see the day when my grandchildren were baptized.” That statement captures the urgency of offering “catch-up” sacrament programs for children who have fallen behind. Whether due to COVID, which disrupted many families’ sacramental journeys, or because of one-size-fits-all approaches to preparation, one truth remains: Christ is always waiting for us.

He calls us to meet people where they are, to form them, to walk with them, and ultimately to bring them to Him. That journey may look different for each person—and that is okay. The end result is worth whatever path it takes to meet our families where they are and to help grow the Kingdom of Heaven.

Each year during Lent, my students reenact the Stations of the Cross in real time on a Friday for our school and parish community at St. Gabriel the Archangel in Cave Creek, Arizona. After the stations are completed, the students carry a large cross through the congregation. As dramatic music plays, parishioners reach out to touch the cross as it passes over their heads. Every year, at least one or two people come up to me afterward and say that the performance and prayers brought them to tears. That is what Lent is all about. During this season we are called to increase our prayer, fasting, and almsgiving. I am incredibly proud of my students for helping others meditate more deeply on the Passion of Christ.

Many Christians were unable to travel to Jerusalem to retrace the steps of Jesus’ Passion. Because of this, churches began creating places locally where believers could pray and reflect on these events. Chapels and outdoor paths were built to represent the moments of Christ’s journey to the cross, allowing Christians to experience this devotion close to home. Over the centuries, this tradition continued to grow and spread throughout the Christian world.

In 1686, Pope Innocent XI allowed the Franciscans to erect the Stations of the Cross in churches. Later, in 1731, Pope Clement XII officially fixed the number of stations at fourteen. By the eighteenth century, most Catholic churches had incorporated the Stations of the Cross into their churches.

The traditional fourteen stations begin with Jesus being condemned to death and end with his burial in the tomb.

Today, almost all Catholic churches offer some form of the Stations of the Cross prayer and reflection during Fridays during Lent. These gatherings are often followed by a fish fry or another meatless meal. It is a wonderful way for the community to come together while focusing on what matters most during the Lenten season.

As we move closer to Holy Week, I pray that your spiritual life continues to grow and deepen. Consider taking time to experience this beautiful tradition as often as you can during Lent.

This story has resonated with me on a personal level as a divorced Catholic. My marriage ended unexpectedly when I was forty, leaving me with three young daughters. Divorce was not what I wanted, and the pain it caused my children and me did not disappear when the marriage was over. It simply changed shape. I was able to receive healing through an annulment and blessed to marry for the first time in the Church in 2018 to my second husband. I have two husbands. One is the father of my children, and the other embraced me, like the woman at the well, with love and compassion.

What surprised me most about my experience was not the divorce itself, but the judgment that followed. Some Catholics questioned how a divorced woman could teach religion in a Catholic school. Others spoke about divorce in ways that deepened wounds instead of healing them. In one online Catholic group, I repeatedly left feeling more broken than before. I didn’t need lectures. I needed love and support. I left that group and sought out people in my school and church community that were understanding and kind to my children and me.

Jesus did not shame the Samaritan woman. He did not define her by her failed relationships. He met her, spoke truth with compassion, and entrusted her with the Gospel. Our priest gave a homily yesterday where he asked everyone to consider the following question: Are you reaching out to those on the margins? Are you showing the love that Jesus showed to the Samaritan woman? Over the years I’ve been talking to the parents of my students. I’ve watched several families experience the difficulties of divorce. I’ve talked to mothers who feel like there is no place for them in the church. Why is that? What would it look like to love first, as Jesus did?

I think this gospel is given to us during Lent for us to examine that exact question. Do you reach out to those on the margins? The Samaritan woman recognized Jesus as the Messiah. She went into town to proclaim the gospel to all who would hear. The apostles baptized her and gave her the name of Photini which means, “the enlightened one.” She converted others to Christianity, including five of her sisters, and two of her sons. She left Samaria for Carthage and was eventually brought to Rome under the orders of Nero and martyred for the faith in the year 66AD. May our faith be as courageous as St. Photini’s — and our hearts as merciful as Christ’s.

St. Photini, Pray for Us.

Previously, our little chapel was only open on Tuesdays and Wednesdays. I would take my students weekly and would stop in from time to time on my own. I was not in the habit of taking a holy hour because those days were hard for me with my family and their schedules. The days just didn’t line up. When perpetual adoration began, it was a game changer.

Adoration with my little friends

When my priest asked me to commit to a holy hour, that was a different kind of invitation. It pushed me to make a commitment, and I was able to choose a day that worked better for my schedule, so I took the plunge. My husband decided to sign up with me, and the evenings we go together are my favorite time. Having this appointed time in my life isn’t like another appointment or another “thing I have to do.” It’s time for me to bring everything to Him.

My mind races from the moment I wake up until I go to bed, and I often get caught in the trap of that racing turning into anxiety and worry. Brief stops in the chapel were never enough for me to sit long enough to give Him everything. It struck me during my holy hour last night that I had never stayed long enough to truly listen. This commitment has been a game changer in ways I can’t fully describe yet, because the gifts are still unfolding. What I can say with certainty is that I am less anxious, and I find myself talking to God more throughout my day. The positive impact of a holy hour on spiritual growth should not be underestimated. I am grateful to my priest for shepherding us toward a deeper love and devotion to the Eucharist. In the words of St. John Bosco, “The devil is powerless when you sit in front of Him.”

This quote came from a letter she wrote to her daughters, Pauline and Marie. What does this quote reveal about Zélie? For me, it’s her humble and practical approach to holiness. She didn’t know she was going to be a saint when she wrote this, but she achieved sainthood by doing simply what she wrote … chopping wood (the daily tasks of motherhood) that are very often as hard as stone.

What are your stones? Finances, health, your marriage, caring for an aging parent, stressful job, balancing motherhood, and children are the usual ones for most. Her words also express a little bit of regret. I have been feeling this quite a bit over the last few years as I’ve watched my oldest daughter and son walk away from the faith.

Zélie Martin had 5 daughters and buried four children before dying of breast cancer at the age of 45. I’m almost certain she was speaking about motherhood when she wrote this letter. It made me reflect on the early years as a mother. What we did in the home; was it enough? Did I model the faith well? Did my children see me in prayer? Aside from bedtime, did I pray enough with them? Thankfully, my youngest daughters are holding strong and I pray fervently that the fire of Christ will continue to burn in their hearts and guide their paths.

There is very little I can do for my children who have left the home but pray. The years I had them home are gone. Prayer is powerful and I know this. I have not lost hope - but should I have started sooner, done things differently? Probably. In the words of Zélie, “In any case, better late than never.” I try not to let myself stay in a place of regret for very long because it is not usually a good place to be. The fact that Zélie experienced this feeling makes her seem more relatable to me. She shared my struggles.

We have so many things distracting us from holiness. Our children have many distractions as well. The devil has inserted him in the Internet, the number one tool that tempts and pulls us into away from Jesus. When I was able visit Lisieux this summer I walked from Les Buissonnets to St. Peter’s (the childhood church of St. Therese) .

I realized when were were in Lisieux just how simple times were almost 150 years ago. Family time, church, prayer, school, playing outside - repeat. More face to face interactions with one another - parents and kids interacting more with one another and families attending mass on Sunday was what they centered their lives around. Most cities and towns in Europe had the church at the center of town and everything flowed from the church. Her childhood was contained in one square block as she only walked about 4 blocks to church. Therese ended up moving across town at the age of 15 to live in the Carmelite cloister with three of her sisters, where she would take her last breaths at 24 years of age.

The tomb of St. Therese in the Carmelite Monastery - Lisieux, France

Fast forward to the year 2026 - Club sports and other activities run the lives of many families, no time for church, very little time to sit down to dinner. We don’t make the time to just slow down and spend time with one another the way families did in years past. What can we do about this now? I don’t know the answer, which is precisely why this quote stirs something in me. I have three more years left with two children at home and prayer is certainly powerful enough to lead my oldest children back. I’m certain that my parents prayers are what led me back after a 20 year departure.

2026 - Jesus, allow me to give you my whole heart, to pray daily like I’ve never prayed before. Protect my children. Keep them close to you and bring those who have wandered back to you. I will ask you to walk with me each morning before my feet hit the ground. I desire a life in heaven with you for eternity and want my husband and children to be in heaven with me.

Sts Louie and Zelle Martin, the patron saints of families, marriage, parenting, illness, mental illness, infertility, and widowers …. pray for us.

What do we do when we are spiritually challenged, when we are facing a long uphill staircase that seems never ending? It’s not always so easy to navigate. Do we turn to God or turn away from God? For many years of my life, more than half I would just push forward. I would just hold my head up high, grit my teeth, and climb them. I had others in my life that held my hand and helped me climb them. That worked for a bit, but it was my divorce 10 years ago that literally brought me to my knees. It was such a sad time and frightening time in my life but something deep inside was calling me back to the Church. I got on my knees that night when my world was crumbling around me and begged Jesus to take my hand, to hold me close and He did. Each day with three little girls I was climbing the uphill staircase, but not alone. I felt His presence immensely.

Fast forward 8 years and I found myself in Rome with my mom and daughter, Charlotte. We were able to climb the Holy Stairs or the “Scala Sancta” as they say in Latin. These stairs are a set of 28 marble steps located near the Basilica of San Giovanni in Laterano in Rome. These steps are believed to have been part of the praetorium of Pontius Pilate in Jerusalem and Our Lord was said to have climbed the stairs during His Passion (John 18:28) The stairs were brought to Rome by Saint Helena, mother of emperor Constantine. I wasn’t sure I would be able to make the trip due to my health issues, but after switching my care to Mayo I was able to start a new medication trial that gave me hope after three hospital stays in six weeks. All of the stairs in my life, He has been there. There is something beautiful about tying all of my struggles to His suffering, His cross.

Charlotte climbed the stairs right alongside me on her knees and the symbolism hit me hard. She has her whole life ahead of her and to know that she understood the importance of climbing these stairs in her young spiritual life made me say a little prayer in the moment that I repeat daily …. Lord, never let her lose her love for You. I have four children. I am praying daily for my oldest daughter and son to return to Him, and offer a prayer for the other two that they will never leave. The stairs are really different for everyone, but Jesus knows the pain of climbing the stairs that led him to his final judgement. He took those steps one in front of the other while being mocked and whipped, carrying his cross. I got to go up the same stairs, on my knees, calling out to Him … keep me close to you Lord and bless my inheritance.

Charlotte and I a few days before our climb

Memento Mori by Frans van Everbroeck

Purgatory has been a hotly contested topic over centuries now with many Christians, especially those of the newly constructed “non-denominational” churches stating that purgatory just simply doesn’t exist. Those who die with Christ rise with Christ - yes, we know this to be true! We also know that in order to reach heaven one must be perfected and not many leave this earth without attachment to sin. It does not give a warm and fuzzy feeling at a funeral when the priest says we need to pray for this person to enter heaven. It would be much easier to say that everyone who loves God goes straight to heaven.

Catholicism requires more from us, it requires us to “remember our death.” The state of your soul at death matters and that should be worrisome and it should be of great concern. This is why we pray for the souls in purgatory - that they may be loosed from their bonds and brought into the beatific vision with Jesus Christ.

St Monica wrote of her own death, ‘“Lay this body wherever it may be. Allow no care of it to trouble you. Only this I ask of you: remember me at the Altar of the Lord wherever you may be.” - She was quite aware of the importance of the prayers for the dead asking for them before she even died.

Today we pray for the dead and we remember that purgatory is not a place of refreshment it is a place of great sadness, suffering, and longing for those who are there. The souls in purgatory cannot do anything for themselves once there, they rely on the prayers of the Church Militant (us) to pray for them. St. Thomas Aquinas writes,

“Some are saved after the fire, and yet so as through fire.”

This refers to 1 Corinthians 3:15 and reflects his view that the souls in purgatory are ultimately destined for heaven but must first be purified from the remnants of sin.

There is a beautiful tradition of praying for the dead in the Catholic cemeteries where we visit our faithfully departed family members and those who have no one to pray for them.

Eternal rest grant unto them, O Lord,

and let perpetual light shine upon them.

May they rest in peace. Amen.

Bishop Barron Catholicism - The Saints

When I was growing up the saints were really not taught or discussed as much as they are today. I knew of St. Maria Goretti because it was my home parish growing up and aside from her and a few Biblical saints such as Veronica or Mary Magdalene.

There is a saint for everyone. Sometimes the we find the saints, and sometimes they find us. Therese found me and she continues to inspire me in my daily life.

When planning my birthday trip to France, I knew that wanted to retrace the steps of her “little” yet “grand” life. Lisieux is 120 miles northwest of Paris in the Normandy region with a population of 19,000 people. It is charming and quaint with a mix of countryside and city. We took the train from Paris and realized pretty quickly there were no Uber or taxi services. We ended up walking in the rain until we found a taxi that was off duty and convinced him to drive us to our hotel just a few miles away.

We found this beautiful park and garden across the street from our hotel and enjoyed walking around in the 60 degree temps. The first stop on our “Steps of Therese” tour was just beyond this government building pictured at St. Peter’s Catholic Church.

Louie Martin, Therese’s father, brought his five daughters here to live with a relative when Therese was just four years old after the death of his wife, Zelle Martin. This is the church where Therese attended mass, received her sacraments, and fell in love with Jesus and the Church. We took our time looking around at all of the statues and the spots devoted to her. There was just something so special about standing in the same spot that Therese and her family would have been over 100 years ago. They walked to the church each Sunday from their home.

We were happy to find out they had an evening mass. As the church began to fill, I couldn’t help but laugh when a French middle school on a field trip attended entered the church. The kids were mostly naughty. We sat behind them and I watched several teachers tapping kids on the shoulder to shush them and even moving a few of their friends over to sit next to them for closer supervision. We saw them the next day at the museum as well. I thought to myself that my students would have behaved much better and I knew I would have to share that part of my trip with them when I returned.

The next day was my 50th birthday and we started our day walking over to the Carmel Convent that Therese lived for the last 9 years of her life. She died at the young age of 24 from complications of tuberculosis. There were so many beautiful gardens to stop at on the way. What a beautiful morning walk to start my birthday! The chapel at the convent houses her tomb and contains a museum with many of her personal items on display.

Our next stop was the Basilica built for Therese. It was everything you would expect it to be and more. It was a long, uphill walk but we made it It was only a few miles, but I keep looking up to this beautiful church on the top of the hill knowing that the walk was necessary and part of the pilgrimage. We attend mass in the crypt and spent time exploring all of the beautiful nooks of this treasure.

The tomb of Sts. Louie and Zelle Martin, parents and saints to Therese and her sisters.

Patrick purchased this beautiful icon of these two amazing parents and saints and it has a place of honor on our mantle reminding us that our job is to try to lead our family to holiness. Part three of my stories from Lisieux will feature Louie and Zelle Martin. They had five daughters that lived to adulthood including Therese and all became nuns.

The most special part of the day came when we departed for Les Bussonnets, the childhood home of Therese. You can read about that here!

Blessed Carlo Acutis and Pier Giorgio Frasatti will be canonized on September 7th by Pope Leo XIV. I have been using Blessed Carlo in my teaching on the Eucharistic Miracles for over 10 years before I even knew who Carlo was. He died at the age of 15 from advanced Leukemia. He is the perfect example of how kids living in the 21st can find holiness in this chaotic world we find ourselves living in. Pier Giorgio, the “Man of the Beatitudes” as coined by St. Pope John Paul II at his beatification, lived a life of holiness through his dedication to the poor.

I would encourage you to go here to read more information about these two soon to be saints.

Who were these incredible young men and what did they have in common?

-Both were Italian and born in the 20th Century

-Both died young of disease (Pier at 24 from Polio, Carlo at 15 from Leukemia)

-Both had a profound love for Jesus and the Eucharist

-Both were born into wealthy families

-Both will be canonized together as a way to cement their legacy as relatable saints for the younger generation.

Saints Pierre Giorgio Frasatti and Carlo Acutis, Ora Pro Nobis

I’ve had the pleasure of being a certified teacher for 20 years now. I started my teaching career in public school, and have spent the last five years teaching middle school students at a Catholic school outside of Phoenix, Arizona. Most teachers will agree that the greatest reward of teaching comes from watching students grow academically and socially. When you work in a Catholic school you have an added bonus and responsibility, which is to help guide them as they form their spiritual life. Our youth face a difficult task of navigating a social and public landscape that is often in complete opposition to the teachings of the church. The job of being a catechist has become increasingly difficult with each passing year. Our children are bombarded with messages that are counter-cultural to what they see on television, view online, and encounter with their peers. This is why it is more important than ever to teach the truth and to give young adults the tools they will need to defend the faith. The best way to do this is to live the truth and teachings of the church in your own life. The love you have for our Lord should pour out of your heart and be visible for all to see through not only your actions but your words.

The old adage, “Don’t just talk the talk, walk the walk” comes to mind when I think about being an example for young people. Children need to see you at mass and receive the sacraments. Just recently my students attended a retreat where the sacrament of Reconciliation was offered by several priests. There was a lull in the participation where children were looking to see who would go up next. I decided it would be a good idea to hop up and head into the confessional to demonstrate that I am a sinner in need of the sacrament of Reconciliation just as much as they are. The kids looked a bit surprised, but I noticed when I got back to my pew to pray some of my reluctant students went up to receive confession.

Here are the three things I love most about being a Catholic School Teacher:

1. Being a Catholic school teacher helps us fulfill our baptismal call to proclaim the Good News of Jesus Christ. Each year I teach a unit on the four gospels with my middle school students. I split them into groups of four and as a group they read their assigned gospel cover to cover. Students take turns reading aloud, and jotting down their favorite verses, and events. It’s an amazing thing to sit back and watch the gospels come to life with the voices of children proclaiming the words to their classmates. We complete this project in the spring and the John group always loves hearing their gospels being read at mass during Easter. Students learn about the symbols, the historical settings, and most importantly the beautiful records we have of Jesus starting with Matthew and the genealogy of Jesus, and ending with John’s breathtaking account of the crucifiction and resurrection. Catholic school teachers should have Bibles in their classrooms and use them regularly. Students can prepare themselves for mass reading the gospel ahead of time, and teachers can help them understand the messages and how they apply to the liturgical cycle. Students love being selected to read aloud in class and they will often say, “Oh, I know this one” after we get just a few lines in. It’s one thing to proclaim the gospel, it’s another to live it. The most important thing we can realize as a catechist is that we are called to bring the good news of Jesus Christ to our students.

2. Worship, Prayer, and Spiritual Growth

One of the things I love most about my job is I get paid to pray and learn more about my own faith. Teaching the faith also allows and encourages me to grow in my faith because I am always looking for new topics and content to attract and drive instruction for my students. I have recently fallen in love with the Divine Mercy Chaplet and St. Faustina thanks to an episode I watched online about her incredible story. I took this new knowledge immediately to my students and we are now praying the chaplet together weekly. I know in order to teach the faith I need to know the faith and do my best to answer the hard questions that come my way. We go to mass weekly as a school, have adoration available throughout the week in the church, and pray the Rosary together as a school. We discuss the importance of prayer through studying the saints, the life and passion of Christ, and get to do this together as a faith family under the guidance of our priest and school leaders.

3. Helping Students Seek and Encouraging them to Live a Sacramental Life

Just as students come to us needing differentiated instruction in content areas, students also come to us needing differentiated spiritual formation. A classroom of 25 students in a Catholic school usually consists of several students who are not Catholic, or have not received all of their sacraments. Mix in your cradle Catholics with strong formation and family engagement, and combine that with students who have received the sacraments but do not attend mass regularly. You will also have Catholics who go through the motions and may not even believe in the real presence of our Jesus Christ in the Eucharist. Here is the beautiful thing! You can reach all of your students when you start teaching the sacraments because if you do it well, you don’t have to “sell” anything. The Church sells itself when you use an engaging curriculum and deliver your content in a variety of mediums including digital lessons, guest speakers, and units of study that include topics such as Eucharistic Miracles, the lives of saints, and Marian Apparitions. Our Diocesan curriculum calls for an in-depth study of the sacraments, and this is one of the most important units I teach. Each year, I will typically have one or two students who have not received all of their sacraments, or even some who are not Catholic. I always get excited when this happens, because I know that once they experience the true beauty of Jesus Christ in the sacraments there is a good chance they will be hooked and will be called to receive the sacraments! I keep this challenge to myself, and get to work … quickly!

We start the year with Eucharistic Miracles and this unit has changed the minds and hearts of many of my students. I have watched many students come on their own accord wanting to seek the sacraments, which is more impactful than anything else I can do for their faith formation. Pointing children to the sacraments and watching their hearts open to receive God’s grace and mercy through the sacraments is priceless. When you give a child the gift of the sacraments, you are in turn helping them with the salvation of their soul. I have also seen family members come into the church with their children because they see the fruits of teaching a sacramental life through their children. There is no greater gift we can give than watching children and adults become initiated in our church and fall in love with our Lord.

At a time where our world is changing, we need a church that stays the same and catechists who are not afraid and to live their faith outwardly. In conversations I have with Catholic educators it often comes up that they feel inadequate at teaching the faith because they do not feel holy or knowledgeable enough on all of the topics in their curriculum. We compare ourselves to priests and religious persons who have had years of study beyond what we have completed. I understand the sentiment because I also feel like I am stumbling at times in my own spiritual growth and understanding. I have found that using my own vulnerability shows my students that I am in just as much need of a savior as they are. I think that relatability goes a long way when it comes to connecting to them. It’s ok to be a bit uncomfortable when teaching something new. In the words of one of my favorite saints, St. John Paul II, … “Be not afraid.” The sky's the limit on what you can teach when you get them on fire for the faith.

This article was published in the Catechetical Review @ The Franciscan University at Steubenville. https://review.catechetics.com/catholic-schools-three-things-i-love-most-about-being-catholic-school-teacher

We stayed in Lisieux for two nights, giving us plenty of time to explore the places where Thérèse spent the last 20 years of her life. Several people I know have a "Thérèse story"—a miraculous experience that can only be explained by her intercession. I have a few of my own.

Marie Françoise-Thérèse Martin was born on January 2, 1873, in Alençon, France. She lost her mother, Zélie Guérin, to breast cancer at just four years old. After Zélie’s death at age 45, her husband Louis Martin and their five daughters moved from Alençon to Lisieux to live with family at a beautiful home called Les Buissonnets ("The Hedges").

This is the first parallel I noticed between her life and mine. I married a widower whose wife, Theresa Rose, also died of breast cancer—at the age of 44. Thérèse is often called “the Little Flower” and had a deep love of roses. My husband’s birthday is October 1st, which also happens to be her feast day. It felt especially meaningful that he planned this beautiful trip for us. I believe he received some spiritual gifts from this special place as well.

Therese’s Childhood Home

When we arrived at Les Buissonnets, a group from Brazil was finishing their guided tour. The guide suggested we explore the gardens while she wrapped up with them, and then she’d walk us through the house.

Early June is still springtime in France, and everywhere we looked, flowers were in full bloom. The gardens at Les Buissonnets—especially the roses—did not disappoint. It was a dream for me, knowing Thérèse loved this garden and often played in it as a little girl.

This was such a treat to me. Therese used to sit in this very spot when she was a little girl. She loved to play in the garden.

A statue in the garden captures the moment when, at age 14, Thérèse begged her father for permission to enter the Carmelite convent. Her plea eventually reached Pope Leo XIII in Rome, who told her to follow the direction of her superiors. Ultimately, her bishop relented and allowed her to enter at just 15—though the typical age was 21. Thérèse lived only to 24, so it was truly providential that she was admitted so young.

After walking the garden, we were welcomed into the home by two kind women working there. As it was close to closing time and no other visitors were around, we had the house to ourselves. Having watched Bishop Robert Barron's Pivotal Players episode on Thérèse many times, it felt surreal to walk through the rooms in person. From the outside, the home looks large, but the interior is small and intimate, with narrow hallways, steep stairs, and cozy rooms. It felt like time had stood still.

Entry room or what we would call a family room. The fireplace would warm the downstairs.

Master Bedroom where her father slept.

Therese’s bedroom

A replica of the statue of Mary that Therese said healed her.

One of the most beautiful stories shared by our guide was about a statue of Mary in Thérèse’s room. As a child, Thérèse would often suffer from overwhelming fits of anxiety and inconsolable crying. During one particularly difficult episode, her father began a novena for her. At the end of the novena, Thérèse said the statue of the Blessed Mother in her room smiled at her. In that moment, she felt that although her earthly mother was gone, Mary had taken her under her protection. That realization brought her the peace she needed to heal and move forward.

Though the original statue now resides in the Basilica dedicated to her, a replica remains in her room. Our guide even gave me one of the roses from the table to take with me. I truly felt as if Thérèse wanted us to have this quiet, private time in her home.

I have prayed to her many times—especially for our son, Ryan, as he struggles with missing his mother, and for strength, patience, and love to help me parent all of our children through their own challenges. Thérèse is often invoked by those suffering from illness and chronic conditions, which I currently face myself. She knew how to suffer and always united her suffering with the cross. That is a powerful example for all of us.

A picture of Therese painted by her sister Celine

A beautiful painting of Thérèse, created by her sister Céline, hangs in the house. All five Martin daughters entered religious life; four, including Thérèse, joined the Carmelite order. Her sister Léonie is currently in the process of beatification as a “Servant of God.”

Each time one of her older sisters left for the convent, Thérèse felt a deep sense of loss. But instead of despair, she turned that sorrow into resolve, entering the convent herself at just 15.

Thérèse’s parents, Louis and Zélie Martin, were canonized by Pope Francis on October 18, 2015—the first married couple to be declared saints.

This trip was a spiritual gift in every sense—a perfect way to celebrate my 50th birthday. As we were leaving, the women who gave us the tour sang “Happy Birthday” to me in French. It was such a sweet, unexpected gesture that added to the sense of grace surrounding the whole experience. We left feeling as if we had stepped back in time and touched something beyond this world—something only heaven could offer. It was a beautiful merging of past and present, with God gently connecting us all together.

Louie and Zelle Martin

If you’ve ever wondered this, let me ask you a question: Have you ever asked a friend to pray for you? Have you ever joined a prayer chain to pray for others? That’s exactly what the saints do for us. They are our friends in heaven who intercede on our behalf.

The saints are men and women who lived here on earth and achieved the ultimate goal: heaven. While many were religious—priests, nuns, bishops, or even popes—not all lived in convents or the papal palace. The Catholic Church has an official canonization process, which you can read more about if you're interested. Simply put, a saint is someone recognized as having lived a life of heroic virtue and is believed to be in heaven in full communion with God. The canonization process involves a thorough investigation of the person’s life and verification of miracles attributed to their intercession. Everyone in heaven is a saint. The “named ones” are the ones officially recognized by the church. If you die in a state of grace and enter heaven (or go to purgatory and eventually enter heaven), you will also be a saint!

In my years as an educator and evangelist, I’ve found that the saints are a topic of great interest. Whenever I offer a class on the saints, people show up—everyone has a favorite. If I offered a class on understanding God or the precepts of the Catholic Church, I might get a few scholarly participants, but most would decline. Here’s why (just my humble opinion): God can sometimes feel difficult to relate to. He is the Creator of the Universe—someone we’ve never seen with our own eyes or captured in a photograph. God exists outside of time as we understand it, omnipresent and infinite.

The saints, on the other hand, were simple men and women who lived ordinary lives while striving to grow in love for the Blessed Trinity—Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. That’s something we can relate to more easily.

Saints are so integral to our lives that cities, churches, and schools are named after them. When you look at California most of the major cities were named after saints or angels - San Francisco (St. Francis) San Diego (St. Juan Diego), Santa Barbara, San Clemente (Saint Clement) Santa Monica, Santa Clara, San Jose, Los Angeles (City of Angels). These are the first that come to mind, and I’m sure there are more. Outside of California you have St Paul, MN, St. Louis, MO, St. Augustine, FL, San Antonio, TX just to name a few.

Saints are known as “patron saints” for particular areas or places they may have lived or overcome in their own lives. There are patron saints for just about everything!

Lost your keys? St. Anthony may be able to help? It was recorded that once a novice monk stole a book of Psalms from Anthony of Padua. His book was returned after his prayers were answered and the monk who took it repented. He is often shown holding Jesus - not your keys - why is that? It was reported once that he had a mystical vision of the child Jesus, and while having this vision, someone saw him holding the child Jesus in his arms. He has been depicted like this in art to show his love for Jesus and his childlike love for him.

St. Joseph is known as the saint you pray to for a happy death. Why? We believe he likely died in the arms of Jesus. Who wouldn’t want Jesus at their side when their earthly life was over?

St Joan of Arc - Patron saint of France and soldiers. You don’t even have to be Catholic to understand she was a warrior for Christ. She was burned at the stake in Rouen France for her belief in Christ and is included in many secular history books.

St. Peter - Patron saint of fishermen, locksmiths, and popes. Jesus gave him the keys to the Kingdom of Heaven. He is almost always pictured with his symbol, the key.

St. Teresa of Kolkata (often referred to as ‘Mother Theresa’ - she won the Nobel Peace Prize for her work on serving the poor in the slums of Kolkata, India. She is the patron saint of the Missionaries of Charity (her order) and World Youth Day.

These are just a few saints that I’m quite certain most of the world, Catholic/Christian or not, would be able to identify and tell you something about.

I am going to follow this post with a few posts about my recent pilgrimage to France, where I was able to walk in the path that several lesser-known saints walked - St. Bernadette, St. Therese of Lisieux, Sts Louie and Zelle Martin. Their stories are worth an entire post of their own. I can’t wait to share them with you!

Who are your favorite saints? Are you named for a saint? Do you live in a city named for a saint? Leave a comment for me, and we can share our love of saints together!

All you holy men and women of the Church and in Heaven … Ora Pro Nobis (Pray for us)!

My goddaughter, Emmy, and Dad October 21st, 2019 - 2 days before he reposed.

We started going through his belongings and found many reminders of his servant's heart, including countless rosaries in his car, prayer cards in his nightstand, and books on the shelf. After the dust settled, we picked up his phone, and lo and behold, this appeared on his screen saver. I was standing there with his phone, and this message hit me right between the eyes. This message was for me. I was the prodigal daughter.

I think about death a bit differently now after losing him so unexpectedly. What if you knew today was your last day on earth? It sounds so cliche and I'm sure there are books, movies, and songs with the title, but if you think about it if you knew today was your last day what would you do differently?

Why would Dad have this as his screensaver? Was it because he had three daughters who all grew up in the church and left? Did he see himself as the Prodigal Son at some point in his life? I really don't know because I was never able to ask him, but I do know this much, when I saw this on Dad's screen, I knew that his soul was ready for eternal life. If he didn't make it to heaven right away, his stay in purgatory wouldn't be long. He understood one of the most basic principles that any Catholic or Christian can learn. It's never too late to come home. Dad loved his family, his church, and our Creator. We all took so much comfort in that when he died.

You likely know the story of the Prodigal Son. My faith journey resembles elements of the story. I think it's fair to call myself a "prodigal daughter". What was once lost has been found, Praise be to God. I was a cradle Catholic with two loving parents who raised me in the faith, only death could separate them. While I did not squander an inheritance like the Prodigal Son, I did live a life of self-indulgence and spent many years away from God. It was a slow departure from the church beginning with my freshman year of college.

Looking back on those years, I think the departure started even before I left the church. I was not well formed in the faith. Not because of anything reckless or for a lack of good instructors. It was just the Church we were given after the Second Vatican Council. Our catechism lacked a teaching of church history. It was surface level and our experiences in the church were marked by contemporary music, teens circling the altar for prayer, and retreats that offered personal and spiritual connection. The faith community I grew up in was made up of incredible people and catechists (including my parents) The church of the 1980's was more about the individual and less about sacred tradition and church history. I was a part of a beautiful faith community and received all of my sacraments in the Diocese of Phoenix, but left with many unanswered questions that paved the way for the 20 plus year road I traveled winding my way back to the Church.

My story is a rather interesting one and I'm not going to tell it all at once. This blog is a way for me to share my heart with you along the way.

St Paul Outside the Wall, 2024 - The Prodigal Daughter came home.

I am a wife, mother, sister, Catholic school teacher, and am approaching my 50th birthday at a rate that I wish I could slow down. There are so many things about the faith that I was never exposed to at a young age, in-depth studies of the saints, Eucharistic Miracles, and Mary Apparitions (Fatima, Lourdes, Our Lady of Guadalupe and many more) I am blessed to teach theology at the middle school level at a Catholic school in the Diocese of Phoenix.

My reversion came on strong after a tragic end to my first marriage leaving me a single mom with three little girls and a broken heart. I dropped to my knees one September afternoon when everything came crashing down and cried out, "Lord, I need you, abide in me, guide my path." While tears poured down my face and fear of the unknown made me tremble, I knew in that moment it was the time to come home. One phone call to my parents and a very long visit and confession with a priest and I was embraced just as the Prodigal Son was embraced by his father.

"Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you; I am no longer worthy to be called your son.' But the father said to his servants, 'Bring quickly the best robe, and put it on him; and put a ring on his hand, and shoes on his feet; and bring the fatted calf and kill it, and let us eat and make merry; for this my son was dead, and is alive again; he was lost, and is found." Luke 15: 21-24

The following Sunday I went to receive communion for the first time in 20 years. The same priest who heard my confession smiled a deep smile and said, "The Body of Christ, my Beloved Daughter." Once again, tears welled up in my eyes and I knew in that moment that I was home. There was no going back to a life without Christ at the center of it. 10 years later and I’m still going strong. Once you invite Jesus back into your heart he will remain close. The last 10 years have been beautiful, messy, and busy. They have been filled with a second marriage, growing teenagers, new adventures students, and many beautiful faith discoveries along the way. One thing they have in common is that each and every day has been blessed because of the invitation I accepted 10 years ago. Welcome home, my prodigal daughter. Jesus always comes for the lost sheep. He carries you home and rejoices in your return.