ischmalzried

I have often struggled with what to do during Adoration. What prayers should I say? Should I just sit and listen? Do I stare at Jesus on the cross? Last summer, my husband purchased a book whose title intrigued him. It arrived a month or so before our daughter was going to Malaga, Spain, for a 3-month Spanish language immersion program. I was nervous about her being away for that stretch of time, and I knew nothing of the area she was going to. The title of the book is What the Heart of Jesus Does and Says in the Tabernacle. [...]

During our Catechesis of the Good Shepherd sessions, our St. Benedict Classical Academy Early Learning students thoroughly enjoy the beauty of a lit candle. They never tire of gleefully proclaiming, “Christ is the light of the world!” multiple times throughout the cycle. They love watching its flickering flame, touching the beeswax, snuffing the fire, and watching the smoke ascend with their prayers to Heaven, during time at the prayer table or hearing proclamations from the Holy Bible. Starting with the first lesson of preparing our prayer table in September and ending with our last celebration of Pentecost in June, the [...]

I celebrated my birthday two or three weeks ago. Although this one is not terribly important, it snuck up on me, and by the time I realized it was coming, there it was. After some treats and well-wishes from friends and family, the day was over for another year. Don’t get me wrong; I don’t have a problem getting older, and I’m looking forward to many more birthdays before I’m called home. But after having a few birthdays, they just aren’t so exciting anymore. My mind is occupied with the day-to-day activities of career and family life, and special occasions no [...]

In the month of March, many families find they are spending considerable time at basketball gyms and hockey rinks, fans everywhere are tweaking their March Madness brackets, and the hint of spring sports is in the air. In light of February’s Winter Olympics, Pope Leo recently wrote a beautiful letter titled “Life in Abundance,” on the value of sport. As a coach and athlete, I was thrilled to learn that the Pope has so much to say about the sublime potential of athletics. For those who have ever wondered if all the practices, driving, or time spent at siblings’ games are [...]

As I sit in Mass on Sundays, my eyes are often drawn to the beautiful sight of mothers with their infants, holding them close, swaying back and forth, or nursing them. The image of the mother and her child conjures feelings of peace, security, and harmony. As the mother gives of her body in order to carry the child in her womb and continues to sustain his life outside of the womb, she epitomizes self-giving love. Her love mirrors Our Lady’s love for her Son and for all of us, reminding us that we are loved unconditionally and always held under [...]

This Great and Holy Lent calls us to set aside worldly cares and turn our full attention toward Christ. As we fast and make sacrifices for His sake, we are invited not into emptiness but into fullness, to be filled with the Holy Spirit. Repentance is not meant to be reluctant or burdensome, but something we embrace freely and joyfully, offering ourselves in love to the One who first loved us. At St. Benedict Classical Academy, we strive to live this invitation together as a community, shaping our days around prayer, worship, and the pursuit of virtue so that our students [...]

Lent is a time for asceticism and mortification. Both practices have been essential to the Catholic church for centuries. As we prepare our hearts for Easter, we are called to pray, fast, and give alms. Perhaps the most important things we can do are to exercise self-control, self-denial, and healthy detachment, all of which are necessary to achieve holiness. How do you make sense of losing everything? When we lost all our worldly possessions in a house fire this summer, I was left with the realization of just how truly attached to “things” I was. I had dubbed myself as a [...]

At St. Benedict Classical Academy, I am always eager to discover a new patron saint to share with my students, and with February break travel approaching, I found myself wondering whose intercession to seek for my upcoming flights. That search led me to St. Joseph of Cupertino, known as the patron saint of air travelers and pilots because he would sometimes levitate during moments of intense prayer. Even more beautifully, I discovered that he is also the patron saint of students and test takers, especially those with learning challenges, making his story one I was excited to share with my students. [...]

Each week in fourth-grade religion at St. Benedict Classical Academy, we begin by learning about our Saint of the Week. As we study each saint, I often share a personal story of how that saint has touched my life. This week's devotion, Our Lady of Lourdes, celebrated on February 11, is connected to one of my favorite stories to share. As a sophomore in high school, I read the article An Unexpected Miracle at Lourdes. I remember vividly sitting by myself after reading this touching article and praying, “Lord, I would love to go to Lourdes one day and serve.” That [...]

Today, February 2nd, marks the 40th day of the Christmas/Epiphany Season, when the church celebrates the Feast of the Presentation of the Lord and the purification of the Virgin Mary. In the Atrium of the Early Learning Program at St. Benedict Classical Academy, children deepen their relationship with God through moments of contemplation and prayer. The Atrium, home to the Catechesis of the Good Shepherd religious education program at our Schoolhouse, includes a lesson on the Presentation of the Lord. This lesson highlights the paradox of light between the power of the Almighty God and how He is present in the [...]