Marriage to Baptism: One Path of Accompaniment One important thing we’ve learned through Agapè is that marriage formation doesn’t end at the wedding day, nor does the Church’s role. Very often, the next major moment a couple re-engages with the parish is at the...
“Destroy this temple and in three days I will raise it up” John 2:19. On November 9th, we celebrate the feast of our first temple with the dedication of St. John Lateran Archbasilica Cathedral in Rome. The church was dedicated in 324 A.D. and is still today the home...
Agape Catholic Ministries: Building Christ-centered families, one family at a time. Christ himself said, “Without me you can do nothing.” John 15:5. This is especially true for marriage. Marriage was instituted as a sacrament by Christ at the wedding feast of Cana....
As a child, one of my favorite movies was Sleeping Beauty. A sweet, simple, beautiful girl who could talk to animals, was beloved by a man the first time he saw her, and got to be rescued and live happily ever after was exactly who 5-year-old Michelle wanted to be. As...
Joshua and I have learned from our parents that people love to ask, “Do you know what causes that?” when they learn that you have, in their opinion, “too many babies.” U.S. families are small: the average number of children per household is two. Most people just...
The other day, I went to confession for the first time in four months. It’s been difficult to go to confession since my son has been born. Really, it’s just hard to do anything when I can’t predict how long it will take. Something about waiting in line in the church...
"God moves among the pots and pans." -St. Teresa of Avila We recently had some friends over for dinner: two female graduate students, a working 26-year-old man, and a newlywed couple weeks away from having their first child. And of course, me and Joshua with our...
Dear Sisters, I understand why you’re scared. Know that it doesn’t make you any less of a woman, of a Catholic, and absolutely, not less of a wife. Being a mother is difficult. Giving up so much of your time, your body, and your life is frightening. Waking up every...
When I had free time, I didn't know how to use it. What was I going to do with all of my free time? My mind wandered over the possibilities: projects I’d neglected, plans that needed some “quiet thinking time,” and conversations that were probably overdue. Earlier...
"Let go, let God" This is a phrase I’m sure you’ve seen around, maybe written on a sticky note in your friend’s planner, maybe posted to a classroom wall in a Catholic school, or maybe as a piece of kitschy wall art for sale at the Hallmark store. To me, it has...