ischmalzried

As I sit in the play-yard each day, watching the children collect worms, leaves, and insects to observe, I can’t help but think about how pleased God must be with these kids' connection to Him through nature. After all, it seems as though everywhere you look these days, people of all ages are glued to their screens. Could that really be what God had in mind for us? God designed mankind as part of nature, yet we as a species seem to be trying everything we can to remove ourselves from it. Humanity is losing its connection to nature, making nature [...]

Grandparents are an integral part of the family. Through them, family history, faith, and traditions are lovingly passed down from generation to generation. We see those traditions of faith lived out every day here at St. Benedict Classical Academy, and they were especially evident during our Grandparents Day celebration last week. If it were not for the countless grandparents who instilled the importance of Catholic faith and education in the hearts of our students’ parents, our school would not be here today. Last summer Pope Leo XIV spoke at the Vatican about the vital role the older generations play in passing [...]

The LORD God planted a garden in Eden, in the east, and placed there the man whom he had formed. Out of the ground the LORD God made grow every tree that was delightful to look at and good for food, with the tree of life in the middle of the garden and the tree of the knowledge of good and evil… The LORD God then took the man and settled him in the garden of Eden, to cultivate and care for it. Genesis 2: 8-9, 15 “Organize your desk” was a command I frequently used in the past, only to [...]

A few years ago, I made a journey through France that included visits to Paris, Chartres Cathedral, Mont Saint-Michel, and Versailles.  I also had the privilege of visiting the Basilica of Saint Thérèse in Lisieux. St. Thérèse of Lisieux is known for her “little way” of life – the belief that we can live out our Lord’s great love through even the smallest daily tasks. Seeing this magnificent Basilica, built in her honor, served as a visible reminder that though our lives and the acts within them may seem small, they can have a lasting impact far greater than we realize. [...]

I have often struggled with what to do during Adoration. What prayers should I say? Should I just sit and listen? Do I stare at Jesus on the cross? Last summer, my husband purchased a book whose title intrigued him. It arrived a month or so before our daughter was going to Malaga, Spain, for a 3-month Spanish language immersion program. I was nervous about her being away for that stretch of time, and I knew nothing of the area she was going to. The title of the book is What the Heart of Jesus Does and Says in the Tabernacle. [...]

During our Catechesis of the Good Shepherd sessions, our St. Benedict Classical Academy Early Learning students thoroughly enjoy the beauty of a lit candle. They never tire of gleefully proclaiming, “Christ is the light of the world!” multiple times throughout the cycle. They love watching its flickering flame, touching the beeswax, snuffing the fire, and watching the smoke ascend with their prayers to Heaven, during time at the prayer table or hearing proclamations from the Holy Bible. Starting with the first lesson of preparing our prayer table in September and ending with our last celebration of Pentecost in June, the [...]

I celebrated my birthday two or three weeks ago. Although this one is not terribly important, it snuck up on me, and by the time I realized it was coming, there it was. After some treats and well-wishes from friends and family, the day was over for another year. Don’t get me wrong; I don’t have a problem getting older, and I’m looking forward to many more birthdays before I’m called home. But after having a few birthdays, they just aren’t so exciting anymore. My mind is occupied with the day-to-day activities of career and family life, and special occasions no [...]

In the month of March, many families find they are spending considerable time at basketball gyms and hockey rinks, fans everywhere are tweaking their March Madness brackets, and the hint of spring sports is in the air. In light of February’s Winter Olympics, Pope Leo recently wrote a beautiful letter titled “Life in Abundance,” on the value of sport. As a coach and athlete, I was thrilled to learn that the Pope has so much to say about the sublime potential of athletics. For those who have ever wondered if all the practices, driving, or time spent at siblings’ games are [...]

As I sit in Mass on Sundays, my eyes are often drawn to the beautiful sight of mothers with their infants, holding them close, swaying back and forth, or nursing them. The image of the mother and her child conjures feelings of peace, security, and harmony. As the mother gives of her body in order to carry the child in her womb and continues to sustain his life outside of the womb, she epitomizes self-giving love. Her love mirrors Our Lady’s love for her Son and for all of us, reminding us that we are loved unconditionally and always held under [...]

This Great and Holy Lent calls us to set aside worldly cares and turn our full attention toward Christ. As we fast and make sacrifices for His sake, we are invited not into emptiness but into fullness, to be filled with the Holy Spirit. Repentance is not meant to be reluctant or burdensome, but something we embrace freely and joyfully, offering ourselves in love to the One who first loved us. At St. Benedict Classical Academy, we strive to live this invitation together as a community, shaping our days around prayer, worship, and the pursuit of virtue so that our students [...]