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Category: Rest and Renewal

Mary’s Meanderings

Revisionist History Podcast Collagen Powder The Person Called You book Suncatcher -Happy Things Mary’s Spiritual Direction Page

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Why Silence?

As we sat at the breakfast table on the last day of our eight-day silent retreat, the silence was now broken, and we had the opportunity to connect with each other before leaving. One of my fellow retreatants asked those of us sitting at the table, What’s the theory behind silence? She was self-admittingly brand new to this idea, and it was such a heartfelt and honest question. One person explained that silence allowed one to hear…

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What My Dad Made Me Do

Every Saturday, we were out in the yard. My father would make his work list on a yellow legal pad, listing the chores and the work party leaders—the elder siblings included myself and my next-in-line brother Tom. Yard work entailed sweeping porches, picking up trash along our road, mowing lawns, pulling the grass out of the sidewalk cracks, and edging. But the one job that we all dreaded was weeding our rose beds, and weeding…

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The unsilent retreat

Back in December, I attended a silent retreat. While this was not my first silent retreat, it was my husband Gary’s. I convinced him to join me. I heard much scoffing about going on a silent retreat as a couple, but that did not deter me. I was eager for Gary to experience what I had experienced during my silent retreats.  All my prior silent retreats had been held through Catholic centers, and this one…

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Sabbatical Meanderings

Need a refresher or some help on rest, check out this blog post Being Here: Prayers for Curiosity, Justice, and Love by Padraig O Tuama The Word in the Wilderness by Malcomb Guite Circle of Grace: A Book of Blessings for the Seasons by Jan Richardson

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You’re My Favorite

The exchange would go like this. My father and I would be somewhere, and in a moment of our banter, he would pause to say, you know Mary, You’re my favorite. My dad’s announcement was usually met with some playful opposition. Dad, you mean I am your favorite daughter in the room with you now? I had, after all, three other well-accomplished and beautiful sisters. So, I had to limit the terms. You’re my favorite?…

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