Ora Pro Nobis 

Ora Pro Nobis 

A man lies face down on the sidewalk weeping in our neighborhood the Catholic Church placed a candlelit shrine at street level.  The church is closed for public safety But people need to pray "to earnestly implore" the dictionary says. Only those facing darkness can...

Life As a Group Project

Life As a Group Project

Several years ago, I was pregnant with my third child and in the middle of a move. This required packing and transferring a household from one place to another with two toddler boys in tow. The trouble was, I couldn’t stand up for more than a minute or two without...

Courage

Courage

Courage         whispered the autumn leaf     He,        born of spring’s budding hope        commissioned for summer’s verdancy        yet most glorious in decline Courage          urged the autumn leaf   As he,         in trust and gratitude         released his...

Find Strength in Motherhood

Find Strength in Motherhood

The Redbud Post interviewed Catherine McNiel about her new book: Long Days of Small Things: Motherhood as a Spiritual Discipline.  Why did you decide to write Long Days of Small Things: Motherhood as a Spiritual Discipline? A few years ago, I was a work-from-home mom...

Remembering Home

I close my eyes and, effortlessly, I'm a child again, sitting in my parents' blue Plymouth Reliant, riding in the dark along WI-29. Heading home. Everything is perfectly still, except for the rhythmic thunk...thunk...thunk as our wheels speed over the seams in the...

I Thought I Knew You

I Thought I Knew You

I always realized only in part as though through a glass darkly. But still I assumed I could grasp I could know I assumed. But now not disillusioned but in awe amazed on my knees on my face Who are you? Can you be known? You sent prophets sent a Son But still,...

Courage

Courage whispered the autumn leaf He, born of spring's budding hope commissioned for summer's verdancy yet most glorious in decline Courage urged the autumn leaf As he, in trust and gratitude released his hold once, and for all surrendered into the wind and...

Prenatal

It is time to draw near again To come home to You, to what is deep within me, and to those who gather around me To watch and to wait; to be open, to surrender, to accept To seek out peace, quietness, meditation, and prayer. For I will be encompassed, consumed As joy...

Fullness

My heart is full tonight. It is a hot, humid evening after a hot, humid day. My house looks as thought it has been hit by a major storm and I realize in a very deep part of myself that there is truly no use trying to clean up for years to come; to put away the the...

Catherine McNiel
Catherine McNiel is an author, writer, editor, and speaker searching for the creative, redemptive work of God in our ordinary lives. She writes to kindle conversations that mingle theology with real life, and open eyes to God’s ongoing presence in our world. Catherine lives in the Chicagoland area with her husband, where they care for three kids, two jobs, and one enormous garden. Catherine has studied and taught Intercultural Studies and Theology, has an MA in Human Service Counseling, and is working on a Master of Divinity at North Park Theological Seminary. Her books include Fearing Bravely: Risking Love for our Neighbors, Strangers, and Enemies; All Shall Be Well: Awakening to God’s Presence in His Messy, Abundant World; and Long Days of Small Things: Motherhood as a Spiritual Discipline which was an ECPA finalist for New Author. Catherine is a sought after writer and speaker; her work has been featured by numerous magazines, websites, churches, and ministries. She’s on the lookout for wisdom, beauty, and iced coffee.

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