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FeaturedHow We’re Preparing for the Sacrament of Marriage
Later this month, Nathan and I will be in my home parish, surrounded by our friends and family, and united in the Sacrament of Holy Matrimony. We’ve been looking forward to getting married since we started dating, and now that we’re in the final days of our engagement, things are becoming more and more real… Read more
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FeaturedHow I bring my faith into my office
The Lord has been leading me through some big changes and beautiful blessings lately. My year of service with Franciscan Mission Service ended in late July. This time serving in Washington DC was an unforgettable experience filled with so much growth. Shortly afterwards, He lead me to my new job. In August, I became the… Read more
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FeaturedAn Administrative Ministry of Presence
Ministry in a Non-Profit SettingAt Franciscan Mission Service, we learn and practice a ministry of presence. As lay volunteers and missioners, we make relationships our first priority. While the projects and work that we do are important, we care most about encountering our brothers and sisters in Christ. Joining Franciscan Mission Service has helped me… Read more
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FeaturedHow God Healed My Broken Heart
Him and the Heartbreak“I don’t think this is working out,” he said as he stood in the rain outside my apartment. I met him on an English department trip to Canada the summer before our junior year. We talked all summer, and we made things official the weekend before the fall semester started. Leading up… Read more
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FeaturedThe Great Commission and the Holy Trinity: This Sunday’s Gospel 5/30/2021
For the Gospel and other Mass readings for the Solemnity of the Most Holy Trinity, click here! A few days after I came home from SEEK 19, my first FOCUS conference, I sat down to write all of my thank you notes. I fundraised my registration for SEEK, so I wanted to write a handwritten… Read more
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FeaturedPlacing my Job Search in God’s Hands
Chasing my own willLast year when I was a senior in college, I was filled with anxiety over what to do after graduation. I applied for FOCUS and got rejected right off the bat. I tried to apply for grad school and realized that it wasn’t for me when I was almost done with my… Read more
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Come, Holy Spirit: This Sunday’s Gospel 5/23/2021
For this Sunday’s Gospel and other Mass readings for Pentecost Sunday Mass during the day, click here! On my first day of work at the office, I learned everything that I had to do. I was responsible for processing checks, writing and sending thank-you letters, and more development and operations-related tasks. At first, I didn’t… Read more
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FeaturedCan I be a Saint?
The Saints as heroesBecause I went to Catholic school, I was blessed to be surrounded by pictures and stories of the Saints throughout my childhood. From a young age, these holy men and women were my heroes and role models, and I wanted to be just like them. I loved hearing the stories of Saints… Read more
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Proclaiming the Gospel: This Sunday’s Gospel 5/16/2021
For this Sunday’s Gospel and other Mass readings for the Solemnity of the Ascension of the Lord, click here! After three years of being with Him for His public ministry, the Apostles were about to say goodbye to Jesus. The last thing that He told them before He Ascended into Heaven became known as the… Read more
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FeaturedHow I Find the Book of Judges Relatable
Catching up on the Bible I’ve been delving into scripture a lot this year. One of my spiritual goals for 2021 is to read the whole Old Testament, but during my break in April, I had lost a lot of my momentum. As my break came to a close, I found myself catching up on… Read more
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Jesus’ and a Mother’s Love: This Sunday’s Gospel 5/9/2021
For this Sunday’s Gospel and other Mass readings, click here! Jesus and His disciples are gathered around the table. Having finished the Last Supper, Jesus gives His friends a few last words of wisdom before His Passion begins. I can imagine the disciples listening to Him intently. He shares important instructions, theological truths, and most… Read more
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FeaturedWe’re All Called to be Disciples
Growing in DiscipleshipI noticed that I write about discipleship often in my blogs. This subject has become an important part of my faith journey, and as followers of Christ, we’re all called to be His disciples. You might think that the only disciples lived 2000 years ago and encountered Jesus face-to-face, but we can still… Read more
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This Sunday’s Gospel: May 2, 2021
For this Sunday’s Gospel and other Mass readings, click here! I sat on a beautiful porch in Florida, changed forever after returning from a mission trip in Nicaragua. My team and I sat in a circle for a debriefing session before we parted ways and returned to our respective campuses for the rest of the… Read more
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FeaturedResting to Restore
It’s been a while!I’m back! It’s been a minute (about 28 days) since I posted a blog like this on Radiant with Joy, and it’s simply because I needed a break. It started as a short one, but I didn’t realize until I was in the middle of it that I needed more time than… Read more
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This Sunday’s Gospel: April 25, 2021
For this Sunday’s Gospel and other Mass readings, click here! When I think of sheep, I think of them as adorable fluffy animals. They always look so pure and perfect for snuggling. But they’re also and fragile, and they need to be watched and cared for. Because sheep are so precious, they need to be… Read more
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FeaturedGood Friday: The Most Passionate Love Story
The Greatest Love StoryI used to love dramatic romance novels, the kind where a couple fights to protect their relationship against all odds. I would root for them as they clung to each other through obstacle after obstacle. I would swoon over grand gestures of one’s love and passionate scenes of intimacy. Oftentimes, the story… Read more
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FeaturedHow the Annunciation Reminds me of Discernment
Revealing His WillI love to reflect on the Annunciation, when Gabriel appeared to Mary and told her that she would be the Mother of God. It resonates with me for several reasons, including Mary’s fiat, or her response to the Annunciation, meaning “let it be done.” In this moment, Mary learned of God’s plan for… Read more
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FeaturedAccording to His Timing
For this Sunday’s Gospel and the other Scrutiny Year A readings, click here! When I pray, I ask God to answer my prayers in His “perfect timing.” I lift up my friends and family and offer Him my intentions. After my laundry list of prayers, I end with “Father, I ask that You answer these… Read more
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FeaturedA Lot Can Happen in 23 Years
23 Years Later…Today I turned 23 years old, and needless to say, I’ve grown and changed a lot from when I was born. I love to look back on the plans that 3-year-old Madeline dreamed up versus where I am in life now. I spent my days playing dress-up and making crafts. I thought I… Read more
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Radiant with Joy 
You are an absolutely incredible woman of God! 💕
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Thank you, Mikayla! So are you!
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