Lent for Pregnant Moms
Laura DeMaria
February 21, AD2024
2 Comments
It’s Lent, and you know what that means – it’s time to fast! But what if you can’t because you’re pregnant? While moms-to-be may not
Americans Want More Kids, and That’s a Great Thing – Part 2
Laura DeMaria
November 15, AD2023
1 Comment
In Part 1, we learned that while Americans report wanting larger families, societal and economic factors prevent them from achieving their ideal family size. Catholics
Americans Want More Kids, and That’s a Great Thing – Part 1
Laura DeMaria
November 14, AD2023
7 Comments
A recent poll from Gallup found that “Americans’ belief that the ideal family size includes three or more children has been rising steadily in recent
How to Make Your Home a Domestic Church
Laura DeMaria
August 31, AD2023
3 Comments
“The family is, so to speak, the domestic church. In it parents should, by their word and example, be the first preachers of the faith
Deciphering the New Padre Pio Movie
Laura DeMaria
June 13, AD2023
1 Comment
You’d be forgiven for thinking that Abel Ferrera’s new movie, “Padre Pio,” is less a story about the beloved saint and more a commentary on
Why Go on Retreat?
Laura DeMaria
March 31, AD2023
4 Comments
Have you ever been on a retreat? The word may call to mind a quiet monk’s cell or a sunny beach. If not, perhaps you
Prepare Your Heart for Lent
Laura DeMaria
January 31, AD2023
1 Comment
Lent, which begins with Ash Wednesday on February 22 this year, is just around the corner. Now, before the season starts, is the time to
Reasons for Hope at the End of the Year
Laura DeMaria
December 31, AD2022
1 Comment
The year 2022 has arrived at its end. How were the past 12 months for you? Many people will be ready to move on from
Evangelizing a Post-Christian World
Laura DeMaria
November 30, AD2022
10 Comments
After the recent midterm elections here in America, CatholicVote CEO Brian Burch wrote, “Imagine a candidate for office saying, ‘My goal is to inspire Americans
The Great Resignation is a Spiritual Crisis
Laura DeMaria
November 2, AD2022
3 Comments
The Great Resignation occurred in 2021 and was followed by the 2022 phenomenon known as “quiet quitting.” While pundits attribute these workplace trends to a
Recognizing Jesus
Laura DeMaria
September 30, AD2022
9 Comments
At Eastertime, I am always struck by the deep sadness of the scene by the tomb when Mary Magdalene does not recognize Jesus. In fact,
For Whom Should I Pray? Part Two
Laura DeMaria
July 30, AD2022
1 Comment
In Part One, we considered the many pressing causes in the world that require your prayer – yes, yours! – with an emphasis on prayer
For Whom Should I Pray? Part One
Laura DeMaria
July 29, AD2022
4 Comments
Do you know where to begin in prayer? For some, not knowing for whom or what to pray is an obstacle to ever getting started.
Meet the Church’s 10 Newest Saints
Laura DeMaria
June 30, AD2022
No Comments
Last month, Pope Francis held the first canonization in St. Peter’s Square since 2019. Our church now has 10 new saints – six men and
Creating Peace in Your Corner of the World
Laura DeMaria
March 24, AD2022
2 Comments
As we enter what is being termed the “endemic” phase of the coronavirus pandemic here in the United States – meaning, the virus is here
Living the Spiritual Seasons of Our Lives
Laura DeMaria
February 28, AD2022
3 Comments
Two years ago, I wrote an article called “How to Stick with Lent During Coronavirus.” It was the first COVID-related article at CS, published on
How to Make Spiritual New Year’s Resolutions
Laura DeMaria
January 6, AD2022
1 Comment
The beginning of a new year provides an opportunity to not only set material goals in our daily lives – like losing weight, traveling, or
When You Want to Give Back to God
Laura DeMaria
May 31, AD2021
3 Comments
You may look at your life, especially as we get further from 2020, and think, “How blessed I am!” Even in a year like the
Pope: 2021 is The Year of St. Joseph
Laura DeMaria
January 10, AD2021
2 Comments
Last month, Pope Francis declared the coming year – from December 8, 2020 to December 8, 2021 (the Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception) – the
Advent: Giving 2020 Back to God
Laura DeMaria
November 22, AD2020
4 Comments
The end of the year is coming quickly, and with it, the season of Advent. Advent begins on Sunday, November 29, just one week from
Prayer is Critical to Being a Good Leader
Laura DeMaria
September 6, AD2020
No Comments
Abraham Lincoln said, “I have been driven many times upon my knees by the overwhelming conviction that I had nowhere else to go. My own
Ecclesiastes and Turning Politics Over to God
Laura DeMaria
July 10, AD2020
5 Comments
A friend recently told me that the Old Testament book that brought her back to the Catholic faith was Ecclesiastes. “What is it about?” I