A Grateful Convert Blog

Catholic Family Fun: A Book Review

Sarah Reinhard is a genius. When she approached me about reading her new book, Catholic Family Fun: A Guide for the Adventurous, Overwhelmed, Creative, or Clueless, I thought, “Wow, she wrote a book just for me. I’m clueless.” Yes, I’m a husband and father of eight kids. But family fun doesn’t always come naturally – even (or perhaps especially) in what is often... Read More

Treating Others with Dignity

One alarming trend seen in many workplaces today is that of treating others poorly. It’s nothing new, of course. Yet don’t we all behave differently when we’re under pressure? And isn’t there plenty of pressure to go around these days? I’ve been doing a series of “Faith at Work minutes” with the good folks at St. Gabriel Catholic Radio... Read More

Kathleen Sebelius, Faith and Work

Kathleen Sebelius is undoubtedly a gifted, politically savvy, and extremely smart individual. As Secretary of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), she leads a vast organization. She’s considered one of the most powerful women in the United States, and there’s widespread speculation about her bright political future. But… She’s not living her Catholic... Read More

“Books Change Our Lives”

Matthew Kelly inscribed a book for my son Daniel with the words “Books change lives” a few years back. The hard cover edition of Rediscovering Catholicism: Journeying Toward Our Spiritual North Star just resurfaced yesterday, and I was again struck by his words. I think he’s right. In my efforts to get up-to-date on book reviews, here are three more that I... Read More

Faith, Work, and The Journey Home

I asked my thirteen year old daughter to write this post for me. She wanted to write about herself – a great subject, to be sure, but not the one I had requested. So I kept the computer. All she has is a tiny little iPod, not to mention strands of blue hair (“Dad, they’re just extensions”) so I’ll write the post, and she can keep listening to music... Read More

A Powerful Legacy

A few years ago, I attended a Rite of Election along with a friend of mine who was coming into the Church that Easter. Our Bishop presided over the ceremony, and asked how many people were there because of books they had read. A couple hands went up. “What about something you heard on the radio, or saw on television?” he asked. Another couple hands were raised. Then he... Read More

This Lent, Why Not Be More Faithful at Work?

My head was spinning. There I was, again, driving down the highway after a long day’s work. It was after nine o’clock at night, and I couldn’t shake the feeling of hopelessness. No matter how hard I tried, it seemed that I wasn’t spending enough time at work – or at home – to be successful. Of course, it wasn’t just work and home. I had gone on a retreat the previous... Read More

Three (or Four) Must-Read Books

OK, I admit it. There are a few ulterior motives behind writing my first book, Faith at Work: Finding Purpose Beyond the Paycheck. One is the preposterous notion that someone, someday, might ask me to go on their Catholic cruise and speak. Yeah, it hasn’t happened yet. I also thought it might be a good way to get out of a couple chores at home, like cleaning the kitchen... Read More

Should Only Millionaires Be Parents?

A friend of mine and his wife were expecting their sixth child. A young couple had come to visit them from out of town, and were amazed at my friend’s willingness to have yet another child despite modest means and a small home. The husband told my friend – with an earnest look on his face – that they couldn’t even imagine having a child until they had... Read More

Should Catholics Evangelize at Work?

“My friend, I have a challenge for you: it’s time you took your faith seriously.” So ended a conversation with Tim, an evangelical co-worker, many years ago. His parting comment rang in my ears for a long time afterward. Tim meant well, but what really concerned him was my rumored interest in the Catholic Church. Unfortunately (for Tim at least), I had passed the point... Read More

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