Patron Saint of Missing Socks, Pray For Us

As a mother of a large family, struggling to wash, dry, and fold three or four loads of laundry every day, I secretly wondered if there was an obscure saint, with little to do, who could fill in as my patron saint of missing socks. Little did I know, God was using the dilemma of……

A Jesuit Theological Joke

  I rarely remember even the simplest joke but I have never forgotten this intellectual, theological joke told 30 years ago by a Jesuit priest in front of a University New Testament class. Jesus was walking alongside the Sea of Galilee when he turned to Simon Peter and asked him “Who do you say that I……

A Makeover

My sense of fashion withered while raising nine kids on a hobby farm.  I barely had enough time to make sure my dress was clean and my hair and teeth were brushed before I hustled everyone out the door and made sure they were all well groomed. This changed when my daughters were in their late……

Reflections After Spending Hours Locked in a Chicken Coop

I have always heard the mother is the heart of the family, especially a stay at home mother with a crew of kids, who also helps with a hobby farm. So why was I not missed when I spent hours locked in the chicken coop? You must first understand that even if this was a subconscious……

No More Mental Kung-Fu

Anxiety makes us ill in body, mind, and spirit.  It can be ingrained in our nature from the moment we are born because of original sin. Babies are not simply empty slates; they are complex little people who just happen to be preverbal. Babies are born with more than simply inherited physical characteristics but personalities……

Unpaired Socks and Teachable Moments

Reflecting on my story of mismatched socks, it really is apparent that God is present in everything in our daily lives.

When a Fish Tries To Fly

Consider these quotes from the saints: “If you are what you should be, you will set the whole world ablaze!” -St. Catherine of Sienna “The nation doesn’t simply need what we have. It needs what we are.” -St. Teresia Benedicta (Edith Stein)   In other words, be who you were created to be; discover who you……

Elizabeth and Allison Both Interviewed Melanie on BreadBox Media

Last year in 2015, I recorded two interviews for Catholic radio shows. Now you can actually hear my voice and learn more about my faith and life as a convert. Here is a radio interview I did with Elizabeth Reardon, last year on her show on Breadbox Media: An Engaging Faith Featuring Melanie Jean Juneau……

Bless God’s Creatures Great and Small

Our pets and farm animals constantly surprised us, especially when they reflected unconditional love to other animals

Letting Go of Control Meant Mismatched Socks

For me, it was easy to look like a saint on the outside as I mothered nine little people. The trouble was, although I looked like I lived a life of self-denial, losing myself to give life to others, I tended to over control. I depended on my strength to get through the overwhelming chores……

Camels, Jet Planes and the Desert

“We enter into solitude first of all to meet our Lord and to be with Him and Him alone.

Worth Revisiting:The Vacuum Cleaner Syndrome

Fallen man wants to run his own life and take control. Letting go of this control seems extremely difficult because it is hard to trust a God you cannot see and usually cannot feel or hear.  However, when we refuse to give up control and submit to the Father, we shut out the power of the……

Worth Revisiting: Laughter Turned a Tragedy into a Comedy of Errors

What was my reaction to this overwhelming scene? I leaned against the kitchen wall and slid down till I sat on the floor with my legs sticking straight out and started laughing. One evening, when I had only four children, everyone was finally asleep and Michael had gone out to play hockey with his house……

Worth Revisiting: Letting My Readers Connect With Me

I read an article encouraging writers to reveal odd facts about themselves so their readers could become acquainted with the person behind the articles. I think it is time to revisit this post because we all need a good laugh now and then. 1. I HATE scary movies. As soon as the music rises ominously, I……

Catholic Humour? Yup

Enjoy this sample of Christian and Catholic humour, created by religious people who have learned to laugh at themselves.

Joyful Spirituality: Kids + Pets

The simplest way to play with our kids is in nature, especially with pets or farm animals. Have you noticed how a toddler delights in the mere glimpse of a dog or cat? Even a  goldfish on the counter or a hamster in a small apartment will fascinate a small child with their antics. For……

Worth Revisiting: “Mum, What Does Jesus Do With Ghosts?””

Michael’s father, a police officer, had given our family free tickets to a large three-ring circus production that the police department were sponsoring. Of course after a few hours, the flashing lights, loud music, breath-taking suspense, excitement and cotton candy overstimulated all six kids. Rather than playing like they usually did, everyone was hyperactive, yelling……

Worth Revisiting: Babies vs. Housework

Even though I was can function like an acrobat who can multi- task, my new role as a mother forced me to evolve and adapt.

Worth Revisiting: If I Am the Heart of the Family, Why Was I Not Missed?

I have always heard the mother is the heart of the family, especially a stay at home mother with a crew of kids, who also helps with a hobby farm. So why was I not missed when I spent hours locked in the chicken coop? You must first understand that even if this was a subconscious……

How to Survive Teen Drama

Teenagers I am living proof that it is possible to actually enjoy those annoying, hormonal, child/adult hybrids who have taken your phone, tv., computer and fridge hostage. One of my sons, in his early teens, had just announced that he could not stand living under our roof another minute, “I’m out of here!”, he bellowed,……