A Letter to Catholic Singles During the Holidays

Hi there, friend.
I wish I knew your first name so that I could ask you how you are genuinely doing. I wish we were having an in-person conversation together, sharing our hearts over some good food or drinks, perhaps tucked away in a cozy corner of a restaurant.
I do not know why you find yourself single right now. Maybe you are slowly dipping your toes in the online dating world after losing your spouse or having your previous marriage declared null and void. Maybe you are trying CatholicMatch because all the blind dates seem to go nowhere or a friend suggested you give it a try. Maybe you know you are called to marriage but are frustrated that you are not finding the right person to share your life with.
Regardless of why life finds you single right now, it is not an easy time to be single around the holidays.
I know being single around this time of year can be most difficult and lonely from time to time. A time filled with such joy and celebration can feel lackluster when you do not have someone to share those moments with. I know I have felt that way since my own divorce, navigating dating again, being in serious relationships, and being single again.
Perhaps like me you desire to be married or know your vocation is marriage. Yet for whatever reason the circumstances of life have not led you to find that man or woman with whom you want to spend your life. That can feel equal parts frustrating, lonely, or confusing.

As we approach another holiday season, I want to leave you with some encouragement and hope. I want to speak truth into your heart and mind, even thought your feelings may feel a little bit all over the place.
Here is what I know is true about our God. The desire to share your life with someone is a good thing; both on an individual and collective level. God is present in our desires and He will move and act on them for our benefit. It may not be on our timeframe or even the way we want, but the desires of your heart matter to God. He sees them. He understands them.
I do not know why life finds you navigating another holiday season alone.
I do not know why my life has gone so differently than I imagined or why at 35 I have not yet found someone to share my life with. Even when it is hard, lonely or scary, I am choosing to cling to a promise that deep down in my soul I know is true.
Jesus is faithful. Jesus is kind. I am not forgotten by my God. My desires and hope matter to Him. I can trust in the slow work of God.

Read the rest over at the CatholicMatch Institute . . . 

Annulment Post Roundup

By this point, you know one of my passions when it comes to ministry is working to create better support and resources for divorced and civilly remarried Catholics.
Lately, I have done several podcast interviews on the topic as well as have some writing published on this and other similar topics.
Today I thought I would create a roundup post on the topics of divorce and annulment as a Catholic. Maybe it will be helpful for you or someone you know.

Online Articles:
Today I had a piece published with Grotto Network on what to know about getting an annulment after divorce.I also have a few other articles on Grotto that may be of help or interest: How to rebuild after divorce and 4 resources to turn to after a divorce.

I write regularly on CatholicMatch and here are a few recent articles I have written over the last few months, more specifically on annulments: debunking 3 myths of the annulment process, what should I do if my marriage was annulled?, and why you really need that annulment.

Podcasts:
My friend Alissa invited me on her new podcast, Universal Voices, to talk about my heart for divorced and civilly remarried Catholics. Oh and I also talk about my deep love for Bruce Springsteen.
My online and IRL friend Rakhi had me on her podcast about a month ago to talk about the lessons I have learned from my divorce and the beauty of boundaries.

Next week, October 20th from 3:00-4:00pm (eastern) I am doing a webinar at Ave Maria Press and presenting on what the Church needs to do better to support divorced Catholics.
I am excited and a bit nervous for this webinar. I am told I will be presenting to hundreds of people. I hope you will join us or share with people you think may be interested.

Thank you for supporting my work and encouraging me!

What Three Rom Com's Teach Us About Healthy Relationships

Who loves a good movie!?
Personally, I am a fan of the old classics when it comes to cinema. I grew up on Westerns and WWII movies with my dad. My mom introduced me to musicals, the wonderful world of Alfred Hitchcock, and romantic love stories with some of the greatest leading men and women.
What I love about movies, even ones not necessarily religious or faith-based, is that they still have powerful themes that speak to the depths of the human spirit. I love a powerful, well told story! Story lines with redemption, heroism, and the triumph of good over evil. Movies can convey deep messages that resonate with the human spirit.

I don't know about you, but the last few months of the pandemic have felt both overwhelming and exhausting at times. There are days it has been difficult for me to stay focused and living in the present moment. 
So let's take a lighter, more fun approach to movies today...
What can some of our favorite Romantic Comedies Teach Us About Healthy Relationships?
Well a lot, actually.Don't blow me off here.
I promise you there are lessons to be learned!
Let's dive in and take a look at some popular rom-coms and see what they can teach us when it comes to dating and healthy relationships.

More specifically, let's take a look at the movies You've Got Mail, Return to Me, and While You Were Sleeping.

Head over to CatholicMatch to read more  . . . 


What other rom coms do you think have lessons to teach us about dating and healthy relationships?Is there anything else that is missing?
I would love to hear your thoughts! :)