On this week’s episode of Good Things Radio, Brooke shares a list of “Movies that will change your life.” What qualities does a film need to contain to qualify as “life changing?” According to C.S. Lewis, art functions as a “window” onto worlds unseen. He writes, “as humans we seek an enlargement of our being.” In … Read more
The Sacred Sink
May Flowers: Creating a Mary Garden
Welcome to Spring! Resurrection, new life, a fresh season! So much to celebrate. Many children will be making their First Holy Communion, Confirmations, and graduating from one chapter to another. May brings great abundance for the heart and senses. May is also known as “The Month of Mary.” Did you know? Alfonso X of Castile … Read more
Honoring Mom
With tissues and tears, I’ve been reminiscing about the heritage of women in my family. A big thank you to my mom for opening a doorway back in time as she joins me on the podcast. This special Mother’s Day episode speaks to the legacy of family and the priceless jewel of faith, tested over time and … Read more
Buffalo Beauties!
A big thank you to the incredible ladies behind the Buffalo Catholic Women’s Conference this weekend! I had the undeserved honor of speaking to a full auditorium of women, along with Rachel Balducci (cue the high-pithed squeal!) and Matthew Leonard. It was so exciting to meet them in person! Connecting with perfect strangers and leaving … Read more
A Lenten Dance with Daddy
Last year, my husband surprised me with an old-timey wooden record player and music system. Since the day we plugged it in, it has been like a melodic time machine carrying us back through the years. My mom brought over her old 45 records with songs that filled our home when I was a little girl. Her vinyl collection … Read more
He Loves Us Best!
Happy Saint Valentine’s Day. I’ve been humming the hymn “Joyful, Joyful” (the version from Sister Act!) all day.. . My son Grant was born on Valentine’s Day. This year he turns 13. A teenager. Love came to me that day in all of it’s 8lb 11ounces of fresh new skin, fluffy brown hair, and blue … Read more
The Agony and the Ecstasy of Autism
World Autism Awareness Day is Saturday, April 2. To hear the special podcast of “Good Things Radio” dedicated to this theme, click here. Autism affects 70 million people, globally. Each person is different. I do not seek to speak for anyone else. But since our family is counted among that number, I do want to take … Read more
National Bible Week: A Book for the Family
“The treasures of the Bible are to be opened up more lavishly so that a richer fare may be provided for the faithful at the table of God’s Word” (-Sacrosanctum Concililum 51) The USCCB has declared November 15-21 National Bible Week, in celebration of the 50th Anniversary of the Second Vatican Council Dogmatic Constitution on … Read more
Simple Ways to Observe All Souls Day
We are just a few days away from the Feasts of All Saints and All Souls. It’s times like this that I am reminded how much I love the Liturgical cadence of the year. November is the Month of Holy Souls. A time of change, darkness sets in earlier, vibrant colors fade away, and animals … Read more
Testing the Spirit
Testing the spirit: Several weeks ago, my spiritual director challenged me to “test the Spirit” about a little flame that had been flickering in my heart. The little flame, was a retreat. Specifically, a Good Things Radio retreat, which my friend Jennifer and I have dreamed about since our first “Weary Women’s Weekend” getaway in … Read more
