EP 42: How Mary Brought a Medieval History Professor to the Catholic Faith with Dr. Rachel Fulton Brown
It’s not uncommon for converts to Catholicism, especially among some former Protestants, to be very hesitant when it comes to Mary. The feelings can vary
EP 39: The (Alleged) Miracle of Fulton Sheen with Bonnie Engstrom
In reading the Bible, we can see the workings of God in the lives of these ancient peoples. He performs miracles, He saves, He is
The Pro-Life Arguments You Need to Know
If you’ve seen or been a part of any abortion debate, especially an abortion debate on social media, it probably didn’t bring out the best
Telling Your Daughter She’s Perfect Isn’t Going to End Well. Here’s Why.
I read a blog post recently in which the writer took to celebrating her toddler’s emphatic “No’s!” and fearless behavior as proof of God’s loving
EP 37: Taking Your Seat at The Catholic Table with Emily Stimpson Chapman
In preparation for the launch of my husband’s latest book, I had promised my children a celebratory dinner and lots of decorations. There would be
How to Be Better at (Almost) Everything: Why This Isn’t Your Typical Self-Help Book
Not long after our second child was born (she’s three and a half now which she makes sure everyone knows), my husband Pat Flynn, or
Don’t Be Scared of Yeast: Bread Baking for Beginners
Even though I grew up with my dad baking bread, yeast was still a source of wonderment and intimidation. So temperamental, easy to mess up,
EP 36: How to Have Well-Behaved Children at Church with Steph Hampton
I’m not sure what strikes ordinary everyday fear in a parent’s heart than the thought of bringing a baby or young child to church or
The Tasiest 30 Minute, Gluten-free Minestrone Soup
After years of thinking my husband didn’t like soup, I just discovered that I was (happily) wrong. He likes it! Now, I’m not sure why
EP 35: Go to Confession! Here’s Why
I am a person who is typically rather stubborn, bossy, and prone to bouts of anger when things don’t go as I’ve planned them, even
EP 34: Can You Be Catholic and a Feminist? with Leah Moler
Say the word “feminist” these days, and I bet a very clear mental image pops up. One of pink crocheted hats, a shirt with “Feminist
EP 33: Finding Mercy and Hope in the Vocation of Motherhood with Catholic Writer Jeannie Ewing
When I first came across Jeannie Ewing’s writing, it was on CatholicMom.com. I was enchanted. Her way with words drew me in, emotionally connected me
30 Minute, (Almost) One-Pot Low Carb Chicken and Zucchini Ramen Bowl
My husband loves eating out for lunch, and it drives me crazy knowing that I can make almost anything he’s going to order at home
EP 30: Made for This with Catholic Doula Mary Haseltine
Openness to Life: Fertility, Natural Family Planning, and Childbirth in the Catholic Faith My fertility has always been perfectly timed. It is a gift to
Hollywood Getting It Right: 2018 Movies Actually Worth Seeing as a Catholic Christian
If someone were to tell me earlier this year that Mission Impossible: Fallout was going to be one of my favorite movies that I’d see
How to Celebrate Christmas like a Catholic
Have you ever read the children’s book Mooseltoe? In it, Protagonist Moose is determined to provide his family with the perfect Christmas experience. He bakes, he
What the Catholic Church Has to Say about The 10 Commandments
If you’ve ever thought to yourself, “Why doesn’t life come with a handbook,” let me tell you – it DOES. And it’s called the Catholic
The Best Chicken and Rice Soup You Need to Make
We’ve been in soup mode 24/7 since the cold weather really kicked in. And when I say “we” I mean my husband, my youngest child,
Using Scripture to Find Joy in Everyday Suffering
Everyday life is full of many little struggles – impatience, upset, disappointment. Not enough sleep, a stain on your favorite shirt as you’re trying to
How to Survive Road Trips with Small Children, Plus 4 Super Low-Prep Travel Activities for Kids
Tomorrow morning we head out for a three-week, 2000 mile road trip…and yet I have time to sit down, relax, and write a little blog
How to Make Vanilla Sugar, What to Use It for, And Why It’s a Great DIY Christmas Gift
Every year around about September, I tell myself I’m going to make a bunch of vanilla extract and get it ready for Christmas cookie baking.
Cleaning Schedules: A Pinterest Delusion or Actual Reality?
You know those cute little cleaning schedule posts on Pinterest? Monday’s you clean the bathrooms, Friday’s the bedrooms. Monthly the appliances, etc etc etc. You
The Catholic Mama Podcast EP 18: Combating the “I’m a Good Person, I Don’t Need God” Argument
It’s a phrase I’ve heard a lot since starting to share my faith: “You might need religion,” the argument goes, “But I’m a good person without
Saints and Feasts: St. Matthew’s Fish and Lentil Stew and Turmeric Fennel Bread
Once a month, my parish puts out a call for meals that will be delivered to and served at a local soup kitchen. And each
EP 17: The Grace of Enough with Haley Stewart
I’ve been following Haley over on Instagram for awhile so when her new book The Grace of Enough: Pursuing Less and Living More in a
5 Things No One Tells You about Breastfeeding – Part Two
Last week, I started talking about the Five Things No One Tells You about Breastfeeding. But we only got through #1 and 2! Let’s finish
The Catholic Mama’s Favorite Parenting Resources
My brother and sister-in-law are expecting their first child early next year, and after their recent gender reveal party, I got to thinking about what
5 Things No One Tells You about Breastfeeding – Part One
“How can something that is so good for baby and mom be so dang hard?” I spent hours watching breastfeeding videos on YouTube, pouring through
Gluten Free (and Almost Paleo) Baked Doughnuts – Two Ways
I posted a photo of my gluten-free (and almost paleo) doughnuts on my Instagram feed with the teaser that the recipe would be coming soon.
Easy, Simple, and Delicious: How to Make Soft Bavarian Pretzels from Scratch
When I was six years old, I wrote to the Greystone Culinary Institute to ask them for some information about the school. So when my
EP 14: Are We Living in a Wicked Age?
From scandals in the Catholic Church to abortion and war, opoid addiction and a pornography epidemic, it’s hard not to ask the question, Are we living
EP 13: Modern Evangelization with Catholic Convert Leah Moler
When I dusted off my Instagram account and went from clouds and stickmen drawings to The Catholic Mama, one of the first accounts I followed
Absolutely Delicious Gluten-Free (and Almost Paleo) Strawberry Pie Recipe
Roan woke up the other day asking if we could bake strawberry pie. Well, I’ve never made strawberry pie before so I said sure and
Guest Post: It’s Hard Being Catholic Right Now
My husband and I had a chat on an episode of The Catholic Mama podcast (listen directly to the podcast here or listen on iTunes,
3 Hang-Ups About Mary (and How to Dispel Them) + 3 Ways to Include Her in Your Faith Life
Mary, Mother of God, can be a real issue for some Christians and for many others, she’s a source of confusion. To some, praying to
The Catholic Mama Podcast EP 11: The Dangers of Being Spiritual, but Not Religious
Innately, we all have two things: A sense of the divine (or a pulling towards God) and an ultimate commitment. If these don’t lead you
EP 10: How We Make Our Marriage Work
Pat and I are very different people. He’s extroverted, I’m introverted. He likes to relax when he’s got free time, I’m always moving. He likes
EP 9: Coming Home to Christ with Becca Dalrymple
Recently, I had the privilege of chatting with my friend Becca about her recommitment to Christianity. After many years of eschewing religion entirely to some
Why Marriage Is Actually Hard and What Has Transformed Ours
Over the last four years, Pat and I have been married three separate times: Once in the Philadelphia International Airport, once in wine country in
How to Throw an Awesome Under-the-Sea Birthday Party
I said it on Instagram and I’ll say it again: I love, LOVE, themed parties. We don’t have big blowout parties for every birthday, but
Ep 8 of The Catholic Mama podcast: 5+ Ways to Bring the Catholic Culture to Life at Home
We’ve driven over 2,000 out-of-state miles this summer and in a couple of weeks, we’ll be adding another 1,600. I didn’t plan on traveling so
EP 7: The Path to Better Faith Evangelization and Top Issues to Defend
In this episode of The Catholic Mama podcast, Pat joins me to discuss how to better evangelize our Christian faith by addressing the top objections
How to Pray the Rosary in Just a Handful of Steps
Ah the rosary. So often misunderstood, just like Our Blessed Mother herself, but a truly magnificent gift and a gift so thoughtful of course only
Episode 6: High in Your Standards, High in Your Mercy – The Catholic Mama Podcast
Like many (most) moms and dads, I’m busy. I have three small children, two family businesses, a podcast, a blog, a fiction novel in process,
Episode 5: The Spiritual Experience of Grief – The Catholic Mama Podcast
Friends, On this episode of The Catholic Mama, I am joined by Catholic spirituality writer and speaker Jeannie Ewing. Familiar with the pain of loss
18 Practical Life Skills to Teach Your Kids so They Can Become Functioning, Helpful, and Independent Members of Society
I’m a huge proponent of including my kids in as much of everyday life as possible. I’m not trying to entertain them (usually); I’m trying
Americans Are Lonelier Than Ever – Here’s Why
On Tuesdays, we meditate on the Sorrowful Mysteries as we pray the rosary. The first decade of the rosary this day is to meditate on
How to Handle Uncertainty and Boldness in the Christlike Life
We found this little blue jay fledgling soaking wet and alone at dusk a couple days ago. I looked around for a nest but couldn’t
No-Bake Gluten-Free Refined Sugar-Free Strawberry Cheesecake
And so begins the Pick Your Own season. Bookended by strawberries in late spring and apples and pumpkins in the fall, PYO elicits nostalgia, sun-warmed
Word on Fire: Can You Be Moral Without God?
My husband wrote a piece for WordOnFire.org on objective morality and why it trumps moral relativism at every point. I’m sharing the article below, but
The Kettlebell Workout to Lighten Your Burdens
Today is the Feast Day of St. Boniface. A true follower in the Christian Church and a staunch supporter of the papacy, Boniface spent much
Faith Development Is a 5 Course Meal, not Cheap Takeout
I attended a baptism class not too long ago. Every other couple in the class came with a very tiny baby in tow. They were
Blueberry Banana Coffee Cake [gluten-free]
My son woke up the other morning wanting to bake soft pretzels. I wanted to make coffee cake so we compromised and made both. We’ll
The “Spiritual Not Religious” Person’s Catholic Conversion
For years, the only thing I would concede was that I was spiritual but not religious. I told myself I was too high-minded for any
Striking Down Idleness – Workout Dedicated to St. Sophie
Today’s workout is in honor of Saint Madeleine Sophie Barat who loved learning and dedicated her life to educating the poor, as well as the
How I Went from Vehemently Pro-Choice to Passionately Pro-Life
13 years ago when Terry Schiavo, in the wake of a mysterious and catastrophic brain injury, was pulled off life support after nearly two decades