…in the midst of discouragement and danger. Shortly before Christmas, on a day not long past, a freak storm barreled toward Maine. The National Weather Service painted the day orange, warning residents of high winds, freezing rain, and plunging temperatures. Most residents heeded the message. One did not. That morning, a woman strapped on her … Read moreThe Power of Hope

‘Tis the season for many celebrations on the Catholic calendar. We honor the Immaculate Conception on December 8, St. Juan Diego on December 9, Our Lady of Guadalupe on December 12, and the Nativity of Our Lord on December 25, to name a few. One feast day that is easy to overlook occurs on December … Read moreThe Miraculous Story of Mary’s Little House

Radical Thanksgiving One brilliant autumn afternoon I turned my face to the sun and felt its warmth, drinking it in, as New Englanders do, knowing that winter snows would soon beat upon us. I do not take this sunny day for granted. I am standing in the middle of a football field exhilarated by the … Read moreA Hidden Thanks

Kathryn Swegart describes how her recent pilgrimage to Ireland reinforced the importance of praying for the dead. November is a stark time of year here on our small farm in Maine. Trees are stripped bare by blustery winds. Maple leaves, once bright and golden, cover the ground, now made brown and slimy by cold rains. … Read moreWhispers From the Grave

My husband and I live in an old farmhouse that has a granite foundation. We sit on a base built of blocks cut from giant boulders that still lay deep in the woods behind our house. Needless to say, we have gaps in our foundation, gaps that are superhighways for field mice seeking food and … Read moreMouse Wars