The married life In a small farming town in North Carolina, Siler City, I once had the opportunity to teach a child about our Catholic faith. The experience helped me appreciate how much Our Lord values every child, and how important our modest efforts for them can be. Siler City is the town where Aunt […]
Mary Duddy: Encounters with Jesus should be shared
The Married Life Recently my husband and I had the opportunity to travel to Europe. A highlight of the trip was going to the Vatican, where we attended Mass twice and saw Pope Francis at the Sunday noon Angelus. Although the pope was speaking Italian, I looked up the English translation later and listened to […]
Mary Duddy: Easter season a time to rejoice, have hope
The married life “Jerusalem! Jerusalem!” The Lebanese choir sang with great enthusiasm on Easter Sunday. Singing off-key, the music made me wince; but the joy of the Resurrection was very apparent. Easter is a time of joy and celebration. After a long, hard Lent, the Easter season is a time to look forward to. Each […]
Mary Duddy: Be reconciled
THE MARRIED LIFE There are many ways to fast during Lent. Many involve food and drink, but Pope Francis has some other interesting suggestions: “Fast from sadness and be filled with gratitude. Fast from worries and have trust in God. Fast from anger and be filled with patience.” One that hit home for me is […]
Mary Duddy: Pray and act
THE MARRIED LIFE My grandfather used to tell me stories of his experiences during World War I, when he was a lieutenant in the Army stationed in France. His eyes would tear up when he told me of a time when he was on the front lines and was tasked with leading a regiment […]
Mary Duddy: The gift of Baptism
THE MARRIED LIFE Baptism is one of the greatest gifts we can give our children. It is the entry into the Kingdom of God. Infant baptism allows the Holy Spirit to be present in a child’s life from an early age, providing grace, protection and son-or-daughtership with God the Father. Recently I was privileged to […]
Mary Duddy: Giving alms
THE MARRIED LIFE Who wants to talk about the budget? No thanks! It usually means cutting back on things, like dining out or buying nice gifts. Conversations about money between spouses, however unwelcome, are a good idea. It allows a couple to decide on priorities, goals and what big expenses, like vacationing, should be a […]
Mary Duddy: Always a mother
THE MARRIED LIFE Alzheimer’s disease is a malady that affects many families, including mine. It can be devastating. But, as Christians, it provides opportunities for us to love. My mother suffered from Alzheimer’s, as did her mother. But she was still our mother, in need of care and attention, just as she had given her […]
Mary Duddy: Run with perseverance
THE MARRIED LIFE Our son, Thomas, recently ran a marathon. He was still getting over a bad cold when he ran it but was determined to give it a try. Half-way through the race he felt spent. His inclination was to stop at that point. However, his pregnant wife and four young children met him […]
Mary Duddy: The gift of silence
THE MARRIED LIFE Jesus came into the world in the silence of the night. And it is often in the silence that he speaks to us. Many years ago, my brother Matt was searching for the truth. He had gone through several troublesome years, giving my mother cause for tears and prayers, like those of […]