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Sin? Not a problem.

Published June 11, 2018 • Written by Rachel Filed Under: Faith, Prayer, Resources, Young Adult

Sin? No problem. This Sunday we heard the Gospel reading on the Fall, of the moment sin entered creation and divided all that was meant to be united. Since then the human person has been faced with the conditions of inner division and brokenness as a personal reality and as a reality in creation. Yet,… [Read More]

Written by Rachel • Published June 11, 2018

Love as presence

Published May 2, 2018 • Written by Shawn Rain Chapman Filed Under: Blog, Faith, Family, Young Adult

I want to talk about a great part of my life, Mac, who has Cerebral Palsey, and about what it’s like to spend my days with “his Eminent Lovableness. ” Mac and I don’t actually “do” much. I mean, not really. We mostly just hang out together. We mostly just “are.” Fortunately, we are really… [Read More]

Written by Shawn Rain Chapman • Published May 2, 2018

This Advent, Let Our Relationships Be Transformed

Published November 27, 2017 • Written by Rachel Filed Under: Blog, Faith, Family, Marriage and Love, Young Adult, Youth

The King’s Criteria        In the rhythm of this getting-back-to-normal after the long Thanksgiving holiday, if we glance up we see that Advent is just ahead. And while Thanksgiving can often bring many blessings as we enjoy time together, oftentimes relationship challenges surface as well. We speak of Advent as a time to prepare… [Read More]

Written by Rachel • Published November 27, 2017

Making the Root of Holy Wisdom Our Own

Published November 13, 2017 • Written by Rachel Filed Under: Blog, Faith, Prayer, Resources, World and News, Young Adult

“…and he shall find her sitting by his gate.” You know those moments when you’ve been thinking about or reading about something, and then it happens to come up at Sunday mass? When the readings or the homily are about exactly what’s been on your mind/heart? I love when that happens! That happened to me… [Read More]

Written by Rachel • Published November 13, 2017

I Already Love You (The False Self Part II)

Published October 16, 2017 • Written by Rachel Filed Under: Blog, Faith, Prayer, Young Adult

Since the last post seemed have struck a chord with y’all (I received quite a response!) I wanted to pick up where we left off, and give you my two best “signposts” for how to move forward in this whole allow-your-false-self-to-be-chiseled-away thing. Signpost #1: Keep your eyes fixed on our merciful, loving Father There is… [Read More]

Written by Rachel • Published October 16, 2017

Litany of the False Self

Published October 2, 2017 • Written by Rachel Filed Under: Faith, Family, Marriage and Love, Prayer, Young Adult, Youth

You know those moments at work which you wish you could take back? Where you make a mistake in front of a whole group of your coworkers and your cheeks flush and you shrink a size or two? I had a few of those moments this week. And in God’s fantastic sense of humor, on… [Read More]

Written by Rachel • Published October 2, 2017

The Crowd Mentality of Today (Conviction & Stress Part II)

Published September 4, 2017 • Written by Rachel Filed Under: Blog, Faith, Family, Prayer, Resources, Social Media and Tech, Young Adult, Youth

When I was young I had an odd, somewhat unconscious anxious habit. Someone would say, “It’s like in that movie _______, ya know?” and I would say, “Yeah,” and they’d continue with their story. The conversation kept flowing, the other thought I was in tune with them, and all was well. Except that I had… [Read More]

Written by Rachel • Published September 4, 2017

Calling all young adults! – An invitation to sit down with our Bishops

Published August 1, 2017 • Written by Rachel Filed Under: Events, Young Adult, Youth

What are you doing next Monday evening? Young adults between the ages of 18 and 35 are invited to attend a Diocese of Austin listening session with Bishop Joe Vásquez and Bishop Danny Garcia on August 7 from 6-8 pm at St. Louis, Austin. This listening session will assist the diocese in preparation for the… [Read More]

Written by Rachel • Published August 1, 2017

#CatholicConvo Through the Eyes of an Texan

Published July 13, 2017 • Written by Rachel Filed Under: Blog, Events, Faith, Resources, Social Media and Tech, Young Adult

  “Uplifting, motivating, challenging, community, transformative.” That’s how Theresa Prudhomme, a mid 20s young professional from Katy, describes her experience of #CatholicConvo in 5 words or less.  The weekend before last, while we were all firing up the grill and making July 4th plans, Theresa joined thousands of lay leaders, religious, priests and bishops from across… [Read More]

Written by Rachel • Published July 13, 2017

Summer for your Soul

Published June 26, 2017 • Written by Rachel Filed Under: Blog, Faith, Family, Prayer, Young Adult

  In the Sunday homily yesterday, the priest preached about the relationship between the body and the soul, taking this line of scripture from the Gospel reading as a starting place: “And do not be afraid of those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul; rather, be afraid of the one who can destroy… [Read More]

Written by Rachel • Published June 26, 2017

Freedom & our relationship to God: Are we galley slaves or free children?

Published June 12, 2017 • Written by Rachel Filed Under: Blog, Faith, Prayer, Young Adult

In the echoes of Trinity Sunday, I found myself thinking about how we are called to relate to this mystery that is the Triune God, and how we are made in the image of God.  The priest reflected on this during his Sunday homily, about how it’s pretty much impossible for our minds to capture how… [Read More]

Written by Rachel • Published June 12, 2017

How does modern man best hear the call the conversion?

Published April 3, 2017 • Written by Rachel Filed Under: Blog, Faith, Young Adult, Youth

In this liturgical season of conversion, we are faced with the question: Just exactly how does “conversion” happen? How is change possible in our daily lives, and in a lasting way? I’d like to go deeper into thoughts from my last post, as a kind of part II (see: Living Lent Like a Little One)…. [Read More]

Written by Rachel • Published April 3, 2017

Living Lent like a Little One

Published March 20, 2017 • Written by Rachel Filed Under: Blog, Faith, Family, Prayer, Resources, Young Adult, Youth

Lent is a season of conversion, a call to repentance, a time of turning back to God. To me, these are Christ’s most striking words on conversion: Amen, I say to you, unless you turn and become like children, you will not enter the kingdom of heaven.  (Matthew 18:3) Unless you turn and become! We shall not enter… [Read More]

Written by Rachel • Published March 20, 2017

Meditation and Emotions (Part II)

Published February 20, 2017 • Written by Rachel Filed Under: Blog, Faith, Prayer, Resources, Young Adult

This is a follow up to my last post, Meditation and Decisive Times, where I attempted to sketch the basics of what it means to meditate on life, as a way to grow in love and closeness to God, and a way to help foster a deep and integrated inner life.  Out of this deep inner… [Read More]

Written by Rachel • Published February 20, 2017

Meditation and Decisive Times

Published February 6, 2017 • Written by Rachel Filed Under: Blog, Events, Faith, Prayer, Resources, Young Adult

   We live in decisive times. And while perhaps that’s always true in some way, I think we can say that in a particle way about our times today. I don’t have to describe it for you too much, because you live it as well. Tensions are high. The pace of available information is frenetic. And… [Read More]

Written by Rachel • Published February 6, 2017

Tis Humility

Published December 26, 2016 • Written by Rachel Filed Under: Faith, Family, Prayer, Young Adult

A remark during the homily at midnight mass really struck me. The priest reflected how each Christmas is different, not because the Gospel story changes -indeed the story is everlasting – but because we come to Christmas each year a little bit different. Each year we bring with us the lived experiences of the whole past year…. [Read More]

Written by Rachel • Published December 26, 2016

Objectivity & Healthy Self-love: An Advent reflection on “Catholic Guilt”

Published November 28, 2016 • Written by Rachel Filed Under: Blog, Faith, Prayer, Young Adult

“Catholic guilt” came up recently in a conversation about psychology and religion. It also came up sometimes back in my grad school counseling classes. In these conversations, I often hear the question, “Isn’t “Catholic guilt” psychologically unhealthy?” I think it’s a great question. Can there be something unhealthy about guilt? I think so. How can we clarify… [Read More]

Written by Rachel • Published November 28, 2016

Pocket-Sized Pointers for Picking a Partner (Review: “101 Tips for Marrying the Right Person”)

Published November 8, 2016 • Written by Lindsay Wilcox Filed Under: Blog, Marriage and Love, Young Adult

Today’s review is of a short book, so this will be a short review. Following on the heels of their successful book 101 Tips for a Happier Marriage, Jennifer Roback Morse and Betsy Kerekes have released a guide for getting to marriage in the first place. This new title basically begged me to read it:… [Read More]

Written by Lindsay Wilcox • Published November 8, 2016

Therese of Lisieux & The Marian Jubilee of Mercy

Published October 3, 2016 • Written by Rachel Filed Under: Faith, Marriage and Love, Prayer, Young Adult

It’s possible that St Therese of Lisieux is one of those saints of whom we hear so often that we think, well, we already know that story – next! Yet I think we often only capture her “slogan” of childlikeness, and in skipping over it, we miss the profound and prophetic truth manifested in her life…. [Read More]

Written by Rachel • Published October 3, 2016

A Labor of Love

Published September 5, 2016 • Written by Rachel Filed Under: Faith, Family, Prayer, Young Adult, Youth

We often get distracted from the best thing because we pursue many good things. This thought is the key with which Fr Patricio Rodriguez, ISP, opened up this passage from the Gospel of Luke in a recent homily: At daybreak, Jesus left and went to a deserted place. The crowds went looking for him, and when they… [Read More]

Written by Rachel • Published September 5, 2016

Drink like a Catholic (Professional)

Published August 25, 2016 • Written by Cristóbal Almanza Filed Under: Faith, Young Adult

Let me begin by clarifying – I don’t mean drink like it’s your job. Unless of course, you’re a sommelier. The past two years, I have published posts about the relationship between our faith and drinking. I still get some interesting questions and discussions about the topic. If you haven’t, I recommend reading Drink like… [Read More]

Written by Cristóbal Almanza • Published August 25, 2016

Finding God, Funny Times, and Failing Health (Review: “Operating on Faith”)

Published August 2, 2016 • Written by Lindsay Wilcox Filed Under: Blog, Faith, Marriage and Love, Reviews, Young Adult

I tend not to like vignette-style books. I never did like The House on Mango Street, critical acclaim and racially diverse protagonist notwithstanding. I do, however, enjoy stories of young adults living the Catholic life with joy, not bitterness. It’s refreshing, and it’s my reality. With a lighthearted approach in mind, I read Operating on… [Read More]

Written by Lindsay Wilcox • Published August 2, 2016

How To Make Your Dreams Holy

Published July 16, 2016 • Written by Josue Filed Under: Blog, Faith, Young Adult

Do you ever lament the consistent or occasional impurity of a dream? At some point in our life, we learn what triggers nighttime temptations. For some it is the Facebook scroll through that one person’s profile. For another it might be flirting through text or phone conversations or Snapchat. For someone else it might be… [Read More]

Written by Josue • Published July 16, 2016

For Catholic Bloggers (ATX Catholic Reflection Day Quick Takes)

Published May 5, 2016 • Written by Rachel Filed Under: Blog, Faith, Prayer, Social Media and Tech, Young Adult, Youth

For bloggers, as people who are often plugged in, absorbing information, writing and interacting online, etc – how blessed a day of reflection can be! I think this was a common sentiment for all of us that attended the ATX Catholic Day of Reflection last weekend. Speaking for myself, it was a great gift to… [Read More]

Written by Rachel • Published May 5, 2016

The Healing Path of Catholic Psychotherapy – Quick takes

Published April 18, 2016 • Written by Rachel Filed Under: Blog, Faith, Family, Marriage and Love, Resources, Young Adult

These are my take-a-ways from the annual Catholic Psychotherapy Association Conference, The Face of Mercy: The Healing Path of Catholic Psychotherapy, which happened in Austin this past weekend. I’d like to distill a bit of the core message I experienced, and at the end, I’ll also share a few of the great resources we were given (Disclaimer – these… [Read More]

Written by Rachel • Published April 18, 2016

We Are All Teachers of Virtue (A Response to Archbishop Cordileone’s “Knowledge, Virtue, and Holiness”)

Published March 29, 2016 • Written by Lindsay Wilcox Filed Under: Faith, Family, Young Adult, Youth

You may remember the news headlines about Archbishop Salvatore Cordileone of the Archdiocese of San Francisco. They focused on the bristling of some archdiocesan school teachers at the prospect of having to sign a statement affirming their support of the Catholic faith. As a former Catholic high school teacher myself, I thought it was much… [Read More]

Written by Lindsay Wilcox • Published March 29, 2016

Your Battle Plan Against Porn (Review: “Cleansed”)

Published March 15, 2016 • Written by Lindsay Wilcox Filed Under: Blog, Faith, Marriage and Love, Resources, Young Adult, Youth

I hate pornography, so I am a fan of resources for people who also hate pornography but have a better sense of how to fight the good fight than I do. I’m not foolish enough to think that the problem of porn addiction is going to quietly disappear from our society, so I keep my… [Read More]

Written by Lindsay Wilcox • Published March 15, 2016

Keep Worship Weird

Published March 7, 2016 • Written by Rachel Filed Under: Blog, Faith, Prayer, Young Adult, Youth

  You might say that the speed at which “Keep Austin Weird” took off says something about how innate this motto is to the nature of our city. It captures in a just few words one essential part of that “something else” about the this town that keeps native here and draws new neighbors in droves…. [Read More]

Written by Rachel • Published March 7, 2016

The Last Stand (Review: UnDivided)

Published March 1, 2016 • Written by Lindsay Wilcox Filed Under: Blog, Reviews, Young Adult, Youth

It’s bittersweet when a journey comes to an end. I loved the ending of Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows. I was sad to watch that chapter of my life (pun intended) come to an end, but I was very satisfied. I feel the same way about UnDivided, the final book in the Unwind “dystology”… [Read More]

Written by Lindsay Wilcox • Published March 1, 2016

Accountability to Faith: Romans 1-3

Published February 27, 2016 • Written by Josue Filed Under: Faith, Young Adult

Saint Paul makes some pretty dramatic points in this letter. Some of them are so dramatic, different Christian groups and denominations have based their theology on those few statements. The first three chapters have some of those verses: “ever since the creation of the world his invisible nature … has been clearly perceived in the… [Read More]

Written by Josue • Published February 27, 2016

The Mystery of Iniquity – Rejoicing in weakness

Published February 22, 2016 • Written by Rachel Filed Under: Blog, Faith, Family, Young Adult

Each Lent it seems I come back to this theme – how do we think about sin and weakness? It’s been helpful for me to examine my own understanding – I can’t make much sense of redemption if I have a distorted view of the sin and weakness that necessitated such a Savior. And an unhealthy view… [Read More]

Written by Rachel • Published February 22, 2016

How to Stay Motivated During Lent

Published February 15, 2016 • Written by Britt Echtenkamp Filed Under: ACNM, Blog, Faith, Prayer, Resources, Young Adult

If you’re anything like me, you get to Day 6 of Lent and you start amending your sacrifices, making them easier and less painful. You may even have a conversation with yourself that looks like this: Scene: I’m quietly engaged in a task. My brain is wandering in thought. Suddenly, Brain taps me on the… [Read More]

Written by Britt Echtenkamp • Published February 15, 2016

Tending the Souls of Aggie Catholics: an interview with Sister Celestina Menin of the Apostles of the Interior Life

Published February 9, 2016 • Written by Shawn Rain Chapman Filed Under: Faith, Prayer, Resources, Young Adult

Recently, St. Mary’s held a “School of Prayer.” This was a series of talks on various forms of prayer as a response to popular request from the students. The Busy Student’s Retreat is largely based on daily spiritual direction over a week’s time, and is very successful here. I asked Sister Celestina if  that enthusiasm… [Read More]

Written by Shawn Rain Chapman • Published February 9, 2016

Love Lessons: a Valentine’s Quiz

Published February 3, 2016 • Written by Adam Shaivitz Filed Under: Faith, Young Adult

It’s the season of love, so let’s take an early Valentine’s Day quiz. But it’s not like those silly social media quizzes. Even though the stores are stocked with flowers, candy, hearts, greeting cards, Cupid and more, this quiz will dig a little deeper.   Question number one: Read this passage slowly. Does it sound… [Read More]

Written by Adam Shaivitz • Published February 3, 2016

What You Should Give Up for Lent, Based on Your Personality Type

Published February 1, 2016 • Written by Britt Echtenkamp Filed Under: Blog, Faith, Family, Resources, Young Adult

Lent is just 9 days away (eeep!), and while you may not have discerned what to add and/or delete from your life for those 40-ish days, it’s most certainly on your mind. And if it wasn’t on your mind, it is now after reading that sentence! You’re welcome. As a just-for-fun, not-to-be-taken-too-seriously way to prepare… [Read More]

Written by Britt Echtenkamp • Published February 1, 2016

Longhorns Forging a Culture of Encounter In Our Own Backyard – CARITAS 2016

Published January 25, 2016 • Written by Rachel Filed Under: Blog, Faith, Prayer, Social Justice, Young Adult

The week before classes started at UT this January, nearly 80 Longhorn Catholics came back to town early – to go out in mission. This is the 4th year of Austin CARITAS (Catholics Answering the Redeemer’s Invitation to Authentic Sanctity), where UT students give up a week of their winter break to serve those in need… [Read More]

Written by Rachel • Published January 25, 2016

You, Too, Can Discern the Will of God (Review of Fr. Mike Schmitz and Peter Kreeft)

Published January 19, 2016 • Written by Lindsay Wilcox Filed Under: Blog, Faith, Prayer, Reviews, Young Adult

A little over a year ago, I reviewed a book about discernment, decision-making, and the will of God by a non-Catholic Bible scholar and teacher, Gary Friesen. I haven’t run out of things to discern in the meantime, though, so this year, I decided to share some Catholic advice. In the spirit of teaching to… [Read More]

Written by Lindsay Wilcox • Published January 19, 2016

Humility Alone Conceives the Truth – a poem

Published December 28, 2015 • Written by Rachel Filed Under: Faith, Family, Prayer, Young Adult

I hope you are all having a restful and blessed Christmas season! Pope Francis invites us to contemplate what God teaches us in coming as a child: “He makes himself small, he becomes a child, to attract us with love, to touch our hearts with his humble goodness,” and also”Pope Francis said the creche reminds us that… [Read More]

Written by Rachel • Published December 28, 2015

A Clarion Call to Catholic Men (Review: “Into the Breach”)

Published December 22, 2015 • Written by Lindsay Wilcox Filed Under: Blog, Faith, Family, Marriage and Love, Reviews, Young Adult

Although I am not a man, nor am I married to one, I greatly enjoy reading about Catholic men’s spirituality. I’m blessed to have so many examples of strong, outwardly faithful men in my life. Honestly, one of my favorite things is hearing my male friends talk about their personal religious lives as if it’s… [Read More]

Written by Lindsay Wilcox • Published December 22, 2015

When Christmas Brings Out Your Inner Grinch

Published December 21, 2015 • Written by Britt Echtenkamp Filed Under: Blog, Faith, Family, World and News, Young Adult

I went to a major retailer to pick up a couple last minute gifts, when I noticed that a big sign on their front door. It read, “OPEN 24 HOURS UNTIL CHRISTMAS EVE!” Ugh. I hated that sign – to me it represents everything that’s wrong about commercialized holidays. Yes, gift giving can be a… [Read More]

Written by Britt Echtenkamp • Published December 21, 2015

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