While the word “synodality” can be off-putting to some, at its heart this topic of the current and most recent Synod of Bishops on synodality connects closely with the mission and ministry of evangelization.

You may know my office for programs like the Indiana March for Life, Project Rachel retreats or healing Masses. My role also allows me to accompany, form and pray with parish leaders—both staff and volunteers—across the archdiocese.

“Find keys” was a common phrase of my brother Gary, who has an intellectual and developmental disability. Growing up in a large family, there always seemed to be someone looking for their keys. He was eager to help them find their keys because that might mean going on a car ride, which he loved.

“What is your mundane superpower?” This is a fun question my daughter asks someone when she is getting to know them. A mundane superpower is a unique gift or talent that you recognize in yourself or that someone else has seen in you. These truly are gifts from God that make us unique and special.

On Easter Sunday of 2007, my family and I stepped into the sacred waters of baptism and were joyfully received into the Catholic Church. It was a day of miracles—overflowing with tearful joy and profound communion with the Body of Christ.

“Do not worry about tomorrow; tomorrow will take care of itself. Sufficient for a day is its own evil” (Mt 6:34). In the above verse, Jesus reminds us to be encouraged to focus on each day and be present in the moment, rather than being anxious about the future.

Carbon monoxide detectors. We have them because, although carbon monoxide is an enemy of oxygen in a sense, we can’t detect carbon monoxide on our own. We need help.

The Church is full of new Catholics! As we move into the Easter season and continue to celebrate the resurrection of Christ, all our new Catholics, or neophytes, are continuing their formation through mystagogy, a time of reflection on the sacraments they have received and how they have experienced God’s grace through baptism, confirmation and the Eucharist.

I recently presided at a funeral service for a man I did not know, nor did I know his family. As a permanent deacon for the archdiocese, I am also called to preside at funerals outside of Mass and graveside services.

Spiritual direction is a ministry of loving listening and can be particularly helpful in times of transition, discernment or even crisis. These are the times when whatever is happening in our life requires extra attention—circumstances that are anything but ordinary.

I am in the midst of knitting a huge blanket. In a moment of motherly sentimentality at the thought of our oldest son leaving home for college in a few months, I asked him if he wanted a hand-knit blanket.