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Advent at Home: Resources and Family Traditions

The Christmas decor and “Advent” calendars of all shapes and sizes are already showing up in stores and online. It reminds us that the beautiful spiritual season of Advent is approaching. Advent is a season of quiet anticipation — a time to slow down, prepare our hearts, and make room for Christ’s coming. As the…

Mary, Rosaries, Scapulars and Crowns

In the month of May, the Catholic Church honors the Blessed Virgin Mary. And it is not just one day but 31 days! The Blessed Virgin Mary has been honored with the title “Mother of God” since ancient times. We have enjoyed a special devotion to her ever since. The Angel Gabriel greeted Mary with…

Mercy, Trust and NFP

Alleluia! He is Risen! Lent is over (phew!), and we are now in the Easter season – a time for celebrating with family, rejoicing in the Risen Lord, the Feast of the Ascension, and awaiting the birth of the Church at Pentecost. It is a joyful season that also includes the Feast of Divine Mercy…

Waiting and Celebrating – Part Two

We all desire to purposefully enter into the true spirit of Advent. Enter into the season of waiting for the birth of our Lord. However, sometimes life can get in the way of our best intentions and time gets away from us. December 26th arrives, and we wonder “What just happened?” Isn’t it reassuring to…

Waiting and Celebrating Advent

Do you want more from your Christmas preparations? More than frantic shopping, late nights of cleaning, decorating and wrapping, and multiple weekend commitments? On December 26th do you find yourself wondering what just happened? It IS possible to get more out of all your hard work-and learn to work hard for the right things. You…

Parenting in a Gender Confused World

Written by Anne Marie Williams. Originally published in Family Foundations CCL couples already know that our current culture is confused to the core about what it means to be a man or a woman. Many parents feel at a loss on how best to approach discussions about gender with their children in a way that…

Stress and Success in Postpartum

Written by Anne Marie Williams. Originally published in Family Foundations The postpartum period is uniquely full of the emotional highs of welcoming new life into the world as well as certain stresses like sleeplessness, round-the-clock caregiving, and adjustment of expectations between husband and wife. Couples practicing natural family planning and seeking to avoid pregnancy encounter…

Especially the Shoes…

Written by Sharon Drees, CCL volunteer. The best things in life are almost never the big things we plan for—big changes, big purchases, the gaining of great power or prestige. In my experience, the best things in life are in the little moments of love and the small details that surround them that no one…

Tolkien Imparts Timeless Lessons

Tolkien, the Fox Searchlight biopic set for release this Friday, May 10, follows young John Ronald Reuel Tolkien through events early in his life — from school years to World War I — that would ultimately lay the foundation for his world-changing fiction. The narrative is delivered as a series of flashbacks as soldier Tolkien…

French President Ignites Fury of Twitter Moms

In reference to impoverished African families and child brides, French President Emmanuel Macron exclaimed in September, “I always say: ‘Present me the woman who decided, being perfectly educated, to have seven, eight or nine children.’” Macron’s remarks finally hit social media this week, and hell hath no fury like moms with big families on Twitter.…