THIS is what a vibrant parish looks like

THIS is what a vibrant parish looks like

I knew from the get-go that St. John the Baptist Church in Madison, Alabama, was an active and vibrant parish. After all, the people there scooped up 550 copies of my Complete Idiot’s Guide to the Catholic Catechism in order to use it as a text during the Year of Faith. That’s some serious Catholic mojo happening there. Then, as if that wasn’t enough, I received an email a while back asking if I’d be willing to come down and do a series of talks for the parish. That’s typically something that would happen on a diocesan level, at least where I come from, so the fact that a single parish would have the resources and motivation to do this intrigued me. Clearly they get it: If you don’t feed people, they just might walk away. And at St. John the Baptist Church, the people are being fed, and not just tiny scraps but endless buffets of spiritual goodness from what I saw on my recent visit. (more…)

The taste of a memory

The taste of a memory

When I went to visit my grandmother at the nursing home yesterday, I packed a little cooler bag with my lunch, thinking it might be nice to eat with her. I just threw some random stuff in the bag as I ran out the door — yogurt and water, an apple and a cheese stick. Much healthier than my normal lunch, truth be told.

I got to her room, parked myself on the edge of her bed and took out my blueberry yogurt, and as I sat there, stirring up the blue-purple concoction, a memory came flooding back like a tidal wave. (more…)

On the road…Stop by if you’re in Alabama

On the road…Stop by if you’re in Alabama

Today I head to the Jersey Shore to give a two-day retreat — “Creating Calm Amid Life’s Chaos” — to the principals of the Diocese of Metuchen at the San Alfonso Retreat House in Long Branch. Work with an ocean view. Not a bad way to make a living. We’ll be talking about all sorts of fun stuff, from cravings and everyday prayer to community and friendship. Can’t wait to get started.

Then on Saturday I fly to Alabama — my first time in that southern state — to give a few talks to the folks at St. John the Baptist Church in Madison, not far from Huntsville. If you or anyone you know will be nearby, please tell them to join us. I’ll be speaking to the adult faith formation program on Sunday morning at 10 a.m. That talk is titled “Pilgrim’s Progress: Walking the Journey of Faith Together.” (more…)

Italy alert: We are now under the one-year countdown to the most amazing pilgrimage

Italy alert: We are now under the one-year countdown to the most amazing pilgrimage

One year from now we will be just back from the most amazing pilgrimage, a 13-day food and faith tour of Italy that will take us from Montecatini, Florence, Siena, and Assisi to Rome, Naples, Salerno, Sorrento, and the Isle of Capri. There’s still plenty of time to save up some money and vacation days and join us for a wonderful weaving of spirituality, sightseeing, and one fabulous meal and hotel after another. You can find the full itinerary HERE. (more…)

Foodie Friday: Ladling out lentil to start soup season

Foodie Friday: Ladling out lentil to start soup season

Foodie Friday is back after a long hiatus, thanks to a favorite recipe that inspired me to kickstart the old weekly recipe post. The beginning of soup season always makes me a little giddy, in a foodie sort of way, and this week we dove into the cool weather cooking with a hearty and satisfying lentil soup that also happens to be vegan. I didn’t do that on purpose but it’s a nice coincidence. Try this on a cool autumn or winter night, and you won’t be disappointed. (more…)

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