On Saturday, I woke up at 7:00 a.m. and had an unusual thought: I could get to 7:30 Mass.

After about ten minutes of hemming and hawing, I got up, got dressed, and headed out the door.

As I was walking to Mass, I wondered what had made me get up and go. Honestly, I had kind of forgotten that the 7:30 Saturday Mass even existed. Then it hit me:

A few days earlier, I had watched the Godsplaining video about why we attend Sunday Mass. In the video, Fr. Pine made a side comment that it had taken a while for him to begin attending Saturday Masses since they were so early in the morning (and Saturdays are out of the Monday-to-Friday rhythm), but once he started attending, it became a mainstay for him. The other host responded that Saturday Masses are his favorite, since they’re for Mary. I think that this little exchange, probably 40 seconds out of the 30-minute video, was the reason that the 7:30 Mass even came to mind, and the reason I was there.

While there, I ran into a beloved friend and his two little kids and enjoyed a lovely catch-up and a coffee — all before 8:15 AM. As I was walking to the park, I was struck by the realization that a quick comment in a YouTube video not only stuck with me, but actually altered my behavior that morning.

Which got me thinking…

How else is the content I consume shaping me in ways I don’t even notice?

So I went back through my Spotify and YouTube’s recently played to see what had captured my attention last week. I could see how my thoughts drove me to consume certain content, and how that content impacted how I moved through the rest of that day. And the patterns were clear: in moments of rest and leisure, I reached for things that uplifted and enlightened me. In moments of stress or frustration, I was much more likely to reach for a YouTube short (that’s what happens when you have no Instagram or TikTok) or a podcast to distract me or tell me what to do. And the fruit of those decisions was clear:

For example, right now I’m reading The Seven Storey Mountain, Thomas Merton’s spiritual autobiography. Throughout the book, he talks about moments in his life that eventually led him from climbing the corporate ladder as a banker in Manhattan to becoming a Trappist monk in Kentucky. As I read his story, there are moments on almost every page when I pause and think, Oh wow, I feel the Lord trying to convert me in this way too. Reading that book draws me closer to God. It is also beautifully written and surprisingly funny.

Similarly, I’ve become a huge fan of the Emma M. Lion books. They are the warmest-hug book series I’ve ever encountered, and I’m obsessed. I love the character of Emma, who is walking through really difficult circumstances with tremendous joy, levity, hope, and humor. Her resilience and confidence deeply impact the people around her, and reading these books makes me lighter and happier. I can’t recommend them highly enough.

But last week I also had a couple of very anxious and stressful days. In moments of overwhelm, I found myself listening to podcasts about anxiety, discernment, and decision-making. The problem was that many of those podcasts offered things like “five steps to take when you can’t make a decision.” Instead of helping, they were making me more stressed with additional actions to take and suggestions that made me question if I even knew the next right step.

It wasn’t until I was sitting with the Lord in Adoration on Friday that I was finally able to bring those concerns to Him, let Him respond, and see what He wanted to do. Because ultimately, the best content I can ever receive comes from Him — the Psalms, the Gospels, mental prayer — Scripture is content that always quiets my heart and brings me back to peace.

I’m not saying we should cut out every piece of content that isn’t explicitly spiritual or Catholic. I’m not a crazy utilitarian. I love to laugh, and I think Dropout is the funniest thing on the internet right now (one of their videos recently had me in tears from laughing so hard). But I also want to be aware that the content I consume does impact me — it’s naive to think otherwise. I can forget how much the things I consume shape me… how they affect the way I think, what I notice, how I feel, and even what I do.

We are drowning in content. Wild headlines and natural disasters and deaths and drama. We can scroll for hours without recognizing what it is doing to us, to our hearts and minds and souls.

This week, I’m going to pay closer attention to the things I let into my mind and heart. I want to spend more time with content that draws me toward truth, beauty, and goodness, and less time with content that leaves me anxious, distracted, or discouraged.

What content are you consuming that is having a positive impact on you?! Reply to the email or comment below!

In Christ,

Jane

What I’m loving lately

“The worst prayer ever”

A podcast I love did a deep dive into the Litany of Humility and featured Pope Leo’s address on Cardinal Del Val, who is behind one of the best (and most painful) prayers ever to exist. I loved this quote from the address: “True authority is not based on positions or titles, but on the freedom to serve even away from the spotlight (cf. Mt 23:11). And those who are not afraid of losing visibility gain availability to God.”

Convicted about gossip

“That’s why we listen to gossip, because we feel connected... it makes sin feel like intimacy.” Oof — I’ve been thinking about gossip a lot lately, and I felt DEEPLY convicted by Fr. Mike’s homily this weekend. I thought it was so, so good.

Thank you, Siri

I was texting a friend, and Siri popped up with a reminder to “give myself some grace,” which was so funny but also a sweet reminder! Thank you, Siri. I shall give myself some grace today!

RIP Dupont Circle Tree

Last week we had a big storm and one of the largest trees in Dupont Circle fell down. Over the course of the past few days, neighbors have been paying their respects to the tree and it’s been so sweet to see the community come out and celebrate our fallen tree!

Kauai recs?

I’m headed to Kauai tomorrow — if you have any recommendations, please please share!! And please pray for the weather to pass safely, and for Julianna and Jonathan as they prepare for their wedding this weekend!

Prayer intentions

• For Julianna and Jonathan and their wedding this weekend!

• For a friend who is pregnant!

• For a few special intentions

Last week I was catching up with a mentor and she gave me incredible advice that I am here to share. We were chatting about a challenge I faced at work a few weeks ago, and she asked how I was doing.

“Honestly, the whole thing was a hit to my confidence,” I admitted.

“That makes sense,” she responded, “It happens, and it would have shaken up anyone. But don’t unpack a bag and live there! Get back to Jane.”

The image of unpacking a bag and making a home in a place where I’ve been hurt or disappointed was so vivid to me. I know well the temptation to unpack a situation over and over again, re-experiencing the pain every time I catch up with a friend or I’m looking for affirmation or encouragement. I will relive a situation so many times that when someone asks how I’m doing, it takes no time to dive right back into the well-worn grooves of the story, knowing that I’ll receive pats on the shoulder and plenty of “not your faults!" as I go. But is that really where I want to live? Is that what I want my life to be, a retelling of hurts and disappointments? Or, like my mentor encouraged, is it time to move on?

So that night in prayer, I symbolically packed the suitcase of that situation up and let it float away down a proverbial river.

The next morning, I woke up lighter than I have felt in ages. In celebration of my new freedom, I decided to treat myself to a little chai latte on my walk to work. Two of my friends happened to be walking past, and they took a photo because, according to them, “you looked so joyful!”

We can’t always pack up a situation and send it down the river, but I do think I can do it far more often (and more quickly) than I do now. Even if reminders of tough situations return, I do think there’s a lot of power in recognizing that what happens to us doesn’t get to define us. As my spiritual director recently reminded me, “Life is hard and just because hard things are happening to us doesn’t mean you’re doing things wrong. God uses everything to help us grow.”

I don’t know what bags you might be unpacking right now, or in which places you might be experiencing new fears or uncertainty — but my encouragement to you is the same as my mentor’s to me: Don’t unpack a bag! It’s time to get back to who you are.

In Christ,

Jane

What I’m loving lately

So much to celebrate

Since we last spoke, my friend Amanda gave birth to tiny perfect baby Cameron, my friend’s wife won Miss USA, and my friends Monique and Marchel celebrated their engagement. I’m just so grateful for so much to celebrate!! God is making big moves.

Trader Joe’s, Sponsor Me!?

Two Trader Joe’s recommendations in a row!! I’m obsessed with the cold foam cream, I use it on top of my iced coffee in the morning it’s tres magnifique!

A celebration of comedy

There is a small crew of people in DC who are putting together these clean comedy stand-up nights, and I went with a handful of friends this weekend — it was hysterical. I loveeee stand-up and have been to many open mics, and I don’t remember the last time that I saw a lineup as solid as this one. It also made me so happy and proud of everyone who got up there and shared themselves so bravely! I can’t wait for the next one.

Why is this happening

Mini rant incoming: I do not know WHAT is going on but I feel like I hear the Lord’s name in vain so much more frequently now than I ever have before. When it happens at work, I usually respond to “Jesus Christ” with “is Lord and Savior” and my colleagues wisen up pretty quickly (lol), but my Solidcore coach used it over and over last night, and I am just losing it. Please, make it stop!!

The Pulley By George Herbert

This poem really touched me, and I’ve gone back to it a few times over the past few weeks since first hearing it. It reminds me of one of my favorite Psalms, 116:7: “Return, my soul, to your rest; the LORD has been very good to you.”

Prayer intentions

• For baby Cameron!

• For Tyler and Justus in this big transition

• For a special intention

I have become more and more convinced that the journey of the Christian life is learning the same lessons over and over again. But hopefully, we learn them faster, and we learn them better! It’s like that beautiful quote from C.S. Lewis’s Chronicles of Narnia, we go “further up and further in.” As we learn (or re-learn) lessons, the Lord continues to invite us deeper into knowledge of Him and of ourselves.

If you have read this newsletter for any amount of time, you probably know what my “lessons” are. “JANE,” you may want to scream at your inbox, after the 100th newsletter arrives with the message that we can trust God because He loves us, “We have been through this so many times. The last one hundred times you were worried or disappointed about something, it all turned out okay. READ YOUR OWN WRITING!”

But because this is my newsletter and I have committed to writing every single week, we all get to go “further up and further in” together.

On that note — I would like to take this a step further. I think many of us may be learning the same lesson, borne from the same question: Do I believe that God is good?

Maybe for you, it’s: Do I believe that He has a good plan for me? Do I believe that He is in charge?

When I can answer those questions with yes, yes, and yes, I can handle most of what life wants to throw at me. Things happen, I get frustrated, but I always know that at the end, God is good. He loves me, and He’s taking care of me. God’s character never changes because God doesn’t change. I change. So in the journey of my spiritual life, I learn over and over again to remember that He is taking care of me, that whatever His plan is for me is better than the plan I have.

And I know this not just because of scripture, which reminds us that “God works all things for our good,” but also because I have lived it (see: the weekly stories in hundreds of editions of this newsletter). My lived experience is that God is always working, even when I can’t see Him, even when I can’t feel Him — I know He’s moving.

I loved the second reading at Mass this weekend, from Romans: “Am I the Lord’s counselor?” I’ve heard it translated alternatively as, “Am I the Lord’s consultant?” Trust me, I have many opinions, and I will happily give them to Him. But that is not my job! My job is not to tell God what to do. My job is to delight in my life, to do my best, to love others, to trust Him. That is the invitation He has for me. And the invitation I can and should receive.

So what about you? What is the question of your spiritual life, the lesson that you have to learn over and over again (or maybe you’ve taken many less turns to learn God’s big lesson for you!) Maybe this week you can take some time to write down and remember the many ways that God has worked things for your good, and meditate on that evidence. The Lord pours out gifts every single day! Let’s pray for the eyes to see them.

In Christ,

Jane

What I’m loving lately

Tech free day

One of my Summer bingo items was to take a “screen free / tech free day” and so I embarked upon it on Saturday. It was wonderful! I took a little half-day retreat up to the Basilica, attended Mass, read my Thomas Merton book (side note: I feel like people told me The Seven Storey Mountain was long and boring and I am actually laughing out loud and totally captivated; I’m bummed it’s taken me so long to pick this book up!) My overall takeaway is that it is very good to put the screens down, and that I often reach for my phone when I’m bored and waiting, but that there are so many gifts to be found in staying present and just accepting the day as it happens. Also, a tech-free day is impossible without live, real people and socializing time, which I’m so glad I had scheduled in!

Acquired Disney podcast

I was CAPTIVATED from start to finish of this episode, tracking Disney's journey from the 80s to today. It’s interesting to look back and see how many decisions they made between the golden era of the 90s (Beauty and the Beast, The Little Mermaid, The Lion King) through a slight drought that ended with Frozen and Moana. Also wild to hear about how Pixar came into being! Super cool episode.

Trader Joe’s Volcano candle

My friend gifted me this candle, and it’s almost a dead ringer for Anthropologie’s cult classic Volcano candle! And at $3.99 the price point is ideal.

Flash flood

On Thursday afternoon, I was heading out of work and was greeted by an absolutely insane thunderstorm. I decided to wait it out… but after about 20 minutes it was clear that it would be raining for at least an hour so I chose to chance it. As I walked through ankle-deep water in my heels, I attempted a “shortcut” during which I saw this shower of water pouring forth from the sky and I couldn’t help but laugh. Sometimes, we just need to wait it out — and the shortcut isn’t always better. That’ll preach!

Prayer intentions

• For a special intention

• For Amanda who is having a baby any day now!

I remember calling my mom during my early days of living in New York City, telling her that I felt so lonely. Walking down the street, I passed restaurants filled with people and parks with groups of friends sprawled across picnic blankets, yet there I was walking down the street alone with my mom in my AirPods.

Thankfully, my social calendar was soon blessed with school events and new friends, but every once in a while I’d feel that same pang walking out of Mass on a Sunday afternoon, seeing groups of friends enjoying brunch at the restaurants by the park, as I made my way alone to my favorite bench to read.

Over time, I learned that I was not unique in this experience: many of my friends expressed similar sentiments that New York felt like a lonely city. When there’s so much going on, it can feel like everyone has plans but you. And I don’t think NYC is alone in this — most, if not all, cities can feel lonely at times. Many city dwellers are far from our families, building constellations of community and support systems star by star, with plenty of missteps and lonely moments along the way.

Every month, the Pope asks the global church to join in prayer for a specific intention. I was so moved when I read his intention for August:

I found that intention so, so heartwarming. Ugh, I love our pope.

I think he knows as well as I do that the joys of friendship and community in the city are made even sweeter because of how challenging they can be to cultivate. The importance of an invitation, the joy of running into someone excited to see you on the street. Being called by name at the local coffee shop or workout studio. Running into a friend at Trader Joe’s or the pool. And I am so grateful the universal church is praying for our cities and our city dwellers this month!! May our city communities be places of great joy and light.

In Christ,

Jane

What I’m loving lately

Jurassic Park

I don’t know how to explain it because it makes no sense even to me, but I am obsessed with the movie Jurassic Park, and as long as there are no little kiddos around me on the plane, I will put it on (or Jaws… again, very out of character.) Anyway, this time around I was super touched by a moment Laura Dern has with the man (John Hammond) who created Jurassic Park (spoiler: the dinos got out and are causing a ruckus), and he is musing on what he’ll do once he has “control” again, and Laura Dern says, “You never had control, that’s the illusion!” That’ll preach. John is so far out of control (his own grandchildren are running away from a T-Rex he created), and he’s still thinking that he can do it better, with more control next time — refusing to realize that this is outside of his power. I can’t say it’s the first time I’ve prayed over a Spielberg movie, but it was definitely a good thing to bring to the Lord: what is something I keep thinking I have control over that I need to give totally to Him? (It’s not a dinosaur theme park, although I would totally go to one).

Bookshop ministry

In every bookstore, there’s a tiny little shelf of Christian / religious books, and I’m always a little bummed to see three C.S. Lewis books next to seven on astrology and Tarot, so I’ve made it a mission to buy Catholic books when I find them in bookstores. My hope is that the powers that be see the incremental movement in their inventory and start stocking more good books! One day I hope to see Kramers with a whole shelf of Church Fathers ;) So this weekend, I wandered into a bookstore in the Denver Airport and picked up Thomas Merton’s Seven Storey Mountain, and it’s already changing my life.

Tahoe

What a dream to enjoy the weekend in my favorite place on earth celebrating my friend Julianna and her bachelorette!! I never tire of turning the corner and seeing the lake open up below us. There is something so so good about enjoying the beauty and fresh air of the outdoors.

Back into Seph Schlueter

I love this guy and his music. This whole album is on repeat right now. Turn it to Praise and Running Back to You <3

Prayer intentions

• For a special intention

Almost a decade ago, as I was hemming and hawing about what I wanted to do after college graduation, I decided to pray a novena about applying to be a FOCUS missionary. “God,” I prayed, “I will apply to be a missionary if I receive a single pink rose in my hand.” And then I set off to pray the St. Therese novena, predicated on the saint’s promise that she would “shower roses from heaven” after her death.

On day 9, the final day of the novena, a stranger biked up to me on the street in DC and handed me a single pink rose. I went home and promptly applied to FOCUS. So you might ask — why was I not a FOCUS missionary? If God handed me a pink rose, didn’t that mean I was supposed to follow that path all the way to the end?

After a few months of discernment and interviews, I realized that I did not feel called to be a missionary. So was the novena a waste? I don’t think so. I’m glad I applied, and the clear answer from that novena was a deep faith strengthener for me. But it also taught me something about novenas: they are a beautiful way for the Lord to speak into our lives — as long as they are accompanied by reason, faith, and good counsel. I think the Lord wanted me to apply for FOCUS, but He also wanted me to discern it with Him. In responding through a novena, He encouraged me to take the next step. And He does so through novenas again and again in my life, and in the lives of others.

For anyone who is not a novena-er, here’s a quick overview: A novena traditionally consists of praying certain prayers (often to specific saints or leading up to certain feast days) for nine days in a row (sometimes 54). The most popular ones (at least in my circles) are to St. Therese (mentioned above, you often ask for roses of a certain color/number/variety), St. Jude (great for impossible causes, a favorite of mine), St. Joseph (for vocation and Vocation), and the Surrender Novena (usually on repeat in my life). If you have an intention, you can find a novena. (There is an entire website devoted to them, PrayMoreNovenas!)

This post was inspired by texts I received a couple of weeks ago from a friend:

“Yes, many times!” I answered emphatically. But then I paused and gave a follow-up: “I almost always get a response, but it’s rarely what I expect.” Let me explain:

1. One time I prayed the “Mary Undoer of Knots” novena for a friendship that was on the rocks, and on day 9, I arrived in my intern housing to find that she and I had been assigned as roommates for the whole summer. Mary’s plan was apparently to heal our friendship by close contact. It was a little uncomfortable, but by the end of the summer we had moved through some healing conversations and ended up in a better place.

2. I have prayed the “St. Jude Novena” in a handful of disintegrating relationships that usually ended soon after (or during) the novena. I guess if I’m praying for an “impossible cause” in a relationship, it’s probably a sign that it’s not working…

3. A few months ago, I was sitting in Mass and asked St. Therese for a white rose, and when I walked out of church I saw that one of my best friends had spontaneously texted me a picture of a white rose on his windowsill and said, “It’s still alive!” I don’t know what inspired him to share that with me, but I most definitely received it as an answered prayer.

In total, I estimate I have prayed upwards of 100 novenas throughout my life. I’ve asked for intentions from very, very small to very, very big, petitioning St. Ann and St. Jude and St. Joseph and Our Lady Undoer of Knots and St. Josemaria and so many others. A handful have been answered in the way I hoped, or at least in the vicinity of my hope. Many were answered in ways I never saw coming. And quite a few have remained “unresolved.” But I keep praying them, because I can look back across my life and see the fruit of these prayers, the efficacy of offering a prayer every single day for someone in my life whom I love, for a desire on my heart, for a suffering in the world that I want to see alleviated. Novenas have consistently strengthened my faith, even when I haven’t seen the answer as quickly as I would like.

In the summer of 2024, I visited St. Therese’s tomb in Lisieux, France. I was so excited to go to the nearby florist and pick out the most beautiful bouquet of white roses I could find because I wanted to give her the same consolation, encouragement, and beauty that she’s poured out in my life so many times.

As I sat in that chapel, I could see her tomb surrounded by beautiful flowers. It moved me to think of how many millions of prayers have been offered up for her intercession, and how each of those flowers represents a prayer or a person who came to her, humbly, to ask for her help. It made me so grateful for the richness and depth of our faith, which invites us to pray and petition.

If I never prayed a novena again, I don’t think God would say “she’s given up, no more gifts for her.” But I do think that He delights in our trust, in our faithfulness, and every time we sit down and commit to another novena, He honors that.

So maybe your question is why? Why commit to nine days of prayers when you have no idea how / if they will be answered? I think at its heart, a novena is an act of deep surrender.

I turn to a novena whenever I find myself in a situation in which I realize I cannot go it alone, one that exceeds my powers of persuasion, ability to act, or gifts.

I turn to a novena whenever I am reminded of my lack of control, my radical poverty: “Lord, I cannot do it — but You can.”

I turn to a novena when I realize my heart is simply too small to offer the mercy, generosity, or love a circumstance calls for.

In short, I turn to novenas a lot. A friend’s parent diagnosed with cancer, a family member looking for work, a discouragement that’s weighing me down. I cannot fix these things, but I can show up for nine days in a row and offer the petition to Him.

I believe the power of a novena is found in the showing up — in strengthening our faith that when we speak, He hears us, that we have friends in heaven who bring our prayers to God when we ask. It’s an act of persistence, courage, fortitude. And also, it’s fun to receive roses ;)

God loves you and delights when you speak with Him! Maybe a novena is just the place to start.

In Christ,

Jane

What I’m loving lately

Leisure, recapped

My week off consisted of a 10am movie showing (Hadestown, 12/10), trips to the pool, reading on the couch, and going to bed at 9pm. It is wild how effective a break is at making me feel like I “returned” to myself.

You are a diamond

I went back into The Furrow this week and found this quote from St. Josemaria quite encouraging. You are a diamond!! And the Lord is shaping you.

Does it hurt? Allow yourself to be cut, gratefully, because God has taken you in his hands as if you were a diamond. An ordinary pebble is not worked on like that.

A little miracle for my favorite Sisters

I love the Sisters of Life, so very deeply — and this past week, three of them professed perpetual vows at St. Patrick’s Cathedral (including Sr. Elena, who I ran into in New York a few months ago!) On the day of their vows, Sr. Eden’s parents were having tons of travel delays and didn’t land until a full hour into the ceremony, then somehow made it all the way to St. Patrick’s from Newark in ~30 minutes… exactly in time to walk her down the aisle. If you go to 1:51:13, you’ll see them running in the back door, and then getting to their daughter just in time. It made me cry to think of how good God is and how providential His timing! And it’s equally as fun to see 100+ sisters giddy over the little miracle in real time.

Leaf by Niggle by J.R.R. Tolkien

A friend recommended this book (and this podcast to accompany it) and it was amazing. It’s like Tolkien’s take on The Great Divorce. A beautiful allegory about how God wants to heal, reconcile, and restore us. You can read the whole short story here!

Best burger in the world

My favorite burger in the world is the Roam summertime burger, and this weekend I was able to recreate it at home!!! You can try it too: grill up a burger and top it with pesto, mozzarella, arugula, fresh tomato, and balsamic glaze. 12/10!

Prayer intentions

• For a few special intentions

I take leisure very seriously. And that’s probably because for a long time, I was failing spectacularly at it.

I have never been a great “rester.” As a child, I would stay up hours past my bedtime reading books in bed. I spent my weekends writing plays and putting on skits (thank you to those who had to sit and watch lots of skits) and telling stories. I do not nap, and I like to hang out with people. I would often go through long periods of intensity and then crash out or get sick, and that's when I would finally stop and slow down to reset. I thought that going on an annual retreat or slowing down during the one week each year I was sick was enough to power me through my work and my busy life. It was not a great cycle.

So I determined to do something about it. And that something was reading Joseph Pieper’s book, “Leisure: The Basis of Culture.” It’s a phenomenal book, and very relevant to my word of the year “wonder,” since Pieper’s thesis is that leisure is a capacity of mind and soul to perceive the “real world” — and that it’s not only important, it’s essential, for the flourishing of any culture.

One of the biggest things I took away from Pieper’s book is that “leisure does not exist for the sake of work—however much strength it may give a man to work; the point of leisure is not to be a restorative, a pick-me-up, whether mental or physical; and though it gives new strength, mentally and physically, and spiritually too, that is not the point. Leisure, like contemplation, is of a higher order than the vita activa (although the active life is the proper human life in a more special sense). And order, in this sense, cannot be overturned or reversed.”

The point is not to just find the quickest way to recharge ourselves like dying phone batteries so we can throw ourselves back out there into the noisy, busy world. Instead, it’s to live with a spirit of contemplation, to commit ourselves to true leisure at more regular intervals so that we can appreciate and embrace our role in the bigger story of the world, to remind ourselves that we are more than our work: we are beloved children of God. At its heart, leisure is an act of true being, in a world very focused on doing. And it requires a commitment to live and protect.

I learned this in a pretty dramatic way a couple of years ago, when I went on a three-day silent retreat after a period of intense work. Like a tidal wave, my feelings, thoughts, worries, and desires came crashing over me with an intensity I had never experienced — it was overwhelming, and not a fun time. When I talked with my spiritual director about it later, he asked me how much time I was making for silence and leisure in my daily life. When I told him it was pretty much limited to my daily prayer, he suggested that I take half-day retreats once a month so that my mind, my heart, my soul, and my body can catch up to one another, and I wouldn’t have to deal with a tidal wave that massive the next time I take a prolonged silence. I love my monthly half-day retreats and guard them with my life, and through that practice I have come to see how important committed leisure time is — not so that I can work better but so I can be better.

I’m enjoying a few days off this week, which means lots of leisure time! It has been a joy to take long walks around DC, write in a coffee shop, spend good time in adoration with the Lord, clean my house, and read a book. It's so wild to go from the pace of my job, which is very intense, into a week of resting — especially resting at home. Most of my vacations involve a big trip or going to see my family, so doing a little staycation is really special and I think lends itself even more to leisure. But it’s also harder! It's hard to be in the same environment and tell myself I can slow down. I know this sounds so silly, but I listened to a podcast a few months ago and the priest committed to walking slowly for Lent. So I've been walking slowly around DC, and it's wild 1. how much more I see and 2. how much it impacts my nervous system. I'm so much calmer and so much more at ease.

Another joyful exploration of leisure that I've taken this year was reading The Artist’s Way by Julia Cameron. I love it so much because Julia's perspective on creativity is that it is something we do in partnership with God. Pieper’s thesis is that leisure enables us to contemplate the things of God, and so when you bring those things together, writing, creating, and developing can be a manifestation of what Pieper terms “active leisure.”

So I'll be over here this week, enjoying my active leisure, and I encourage you to reflect on places for leisure in your life! Maybe it's commuting to work in silence this week or picking back up your paint by numbers or taking on a little creative project in your home. When we participate in the creative act of God we come closer to Him, and it enables us to rest and know Him and ourselves even more. How fun is that!

In Christ,

Jane

What I’m loving lately

The idolatry of a well-ordered plan

I stumbled upon this 2024 article from Claire Swinarski, and it was exactly what I needed this week.

Journal prompts

I loveee these little daily journal prompts! I have been taking them to prayer each evening. A fun creative writing / get to know yourself better exercise.

Spider-Man: Brand New Day

I am convinced that Marvel makes Catholic movies, and this only strengthened that conviction. A beautiful story about friendship, generosity, and sacrifice. Also, what a joy to see Tom Holland and Zendaya on the big screen twice in one week!

In spite of me

I went to a Christian Music Festival this weekend, and it was so good and encouraging! I was dismayed as singer after singer came up and performed at least one song about the importance of surrender… you’d think that once you’ve had a 20-year career in Christian music you might be getting everything you want! Alas, that is not the case in the Christian journey, and I’m glad we have some great songs to carry us through. There were many new-to-me hits, but this one has been on repeat:

A great reminder

“It is presumptuous of me to wish to choose my path, because I cannot tell which path is best for me. I must leave it to the Lord, Who knows me, to lead me by the path which is best for me, so that in all things, His will may be done.”

- St. Teresa of Avila

Prayer intentions

• For Julia and her family

• For a special intention

Last week I was shocked to see the sun setting before 9pm and found myself panicking, “What happened to summer?!” So I have decided it’s time for a summer round-up!!

Here are some things giving me life this summer:

The Psalms / Morning / Evening prayer

For the past couple of weeks I have been loving my book of Short Christian Prayer, which has 4-8 minutes of Psalms, readings, and intentions for daily morning and evening prayer. When I’m super busy / a lot is going on, it’s my favorite way to pray because it reminds me of God’s faithfulness and presence. Last week I had a few challenging days at work, and it was so consoling to be reminded that God never changes — that David and others for thousands of years prayed the words of the Psalms for peace, encouragement, and courage. Psalm 119 and 139 have been especially good recently.

The Artist’s Way

It took me about 17 weeks to finish this 12-week workbook, and I can confidently say it changed my life. I loved the challenge to write Morning Pages, four pages of stream-of-consciousness thoughts, at the top of every day. I loved the Artist dates. Most of all I loved the reminder that when we create, it’s not from our own strength — it’s God moving through us, we just need to get out of the way. There were a few times during this experience where I felt just that! I cannot recommend it more to everyone. (Also… it’s $10 right now on Amazon so what do you have to lose?)

Wallpaper

I put up this gorgeous wallpaper this week and it makes me giddy to peek into my bathroom and see it. A great reminder that I love my home and making it warm, inviting, and beautiful.

De-alcoholized sparkling wine

This find from Trader Joe’s has been a perfect summer treat! I have enjoyed it so much. I want to try it with Lyre’s NA Spritz — will report back!

Background acoustic worship

I put this on in background or while I’m getting ready or on a walk. It’s so good and the exact vibes we need right now.

My mesh shoes

Look I know these are controversial, and I respect that. However, all the hot girls in NYC are wearing them so I get to wear them. I’m obsessed.

Honorable mentions: Emma M. Lion (free on Kindle unlimited), The Count of Monte Cristo PBS series, Matcha lattes (unexpected), and reading in Dupont Circle.

What are you loving this summer?! Reply or comment to let me know!

In Christ,

Jane

What I’m loving lately

Full rainbow

I saw this full rainbow on my flight home last week, and it was a joy; we flew right alongside it for almost 10 minutes. Beautiful, joyful, good.

Psalm 139

God did an exceptionally abundantly good thing for me last week, but it was also painful. A mentor of mine called it a “severe mercy,” and it truly was. In the midst of knowing “God is so good and taking care of me” and “ouch” I find no greater solace than in the words of the Psalms:

The Odyssey

I really liked the parts where they were on the boat in the ocean and everything was pretty good, which accounted for about eight minutes of the film. There were probably 25 minutes of the film that my eyes were closed, which was substantially more than I was promised. Overall, I liked it. Odysseus made a lot of bad decisions, but for some reason, the gods still loved him. So I guess that’s a nice message to us that God loves us even when we do dumb things.

Prayer intentions

• For Mary on her birthday!!

• For Monique and Marchel who just got engaged!!

• For a special intention

Recently, I read a Substack post from one of my favorite writers, Gretchen Rubin, who shared that the only thing worse than getting corrected is not getting corrected.

Her point is sound: if someone cares enough to correct you, whether at work or in art or in thought, it means 1) they're paying enough attention to give a response and 2) they care enough about you to help you be better. If someone doesn't care about you or your development, they won't give you feedback, because what's the point?

I immediately thought about the ballet classes I took in high school. It felt like from the moment I walked into class until the moment I walked out, our teacher’s eyes were on me: “Jane, stand up straighter.” “Jane, elongate your leg.” “Jane, lift your elbow.” I was so embarrassed the day she came and put a rubber lily pad on my head so that I would stop looking down during barre exercises.

I remember being so frustrated at the time: there were 30 other girls in the room, why couldn’t she just leave me alone? But reflecting on this article shifted my perspective on that experience 15 years later — my ballet teacher was watching, commenting, and correcting because she cared. She believed that I could be better, and she wanted me to be better.

I experience that now in my Solidcore classes — if the coach is standing at my machine, hand on my shoulder, telling me to hold a plank well beyond what I think I’m capable of, it’s because she thinks I can do it. The minute she turns away, I collapse — and she knows this. But, for those extra 20 seconds, she pushed me beyond what I could have done on my own. I hate the focused attention, but I also love it because I leave stronger.

I was chatting with my friend Sloane about this, and she told me how she took this desire for feedback a step further: When she was rowing crew in high school, she would wear neon to be extra visible in the early morning darkness out on the water. Because she was glowing, the coach would obviously make more comments on her form, since she could see her best. Sloane would also go up to the coach after every practice and ask how to be better. Talk about asking for feedback!

I think that’s such a great way to live life — to be unafraid of feedback, knowing that it’s offered to make us stronger, better, and more ourselves. It truly is a gift! To be fair, some feedback and criticism is just plain unhelpful. But I often find that even the most poorly delivered feedback has a kernel of truth or a push for excellence hidden within it.

This mindset is also helpful if you're in a position to provide feedback to others. Since I started working as a manager, I've had plenty of opportunities to offer feedback of both encouragement and growth to my teams and leaders. Sometimes this can feel really uncomfortable, but remembering that my feedback is an act of love and something that I value for myself has helped me approach it with a lot more confidence and courage.

So, where could you benefit from more feedback in your life? Could a little perspective shift help you receive it with more humility, gratitude, and openness? It's something good to think about! A great gift in life is that we always get to learn and grow and try new things, which means the opportunity for feedback is plentiful. And that’s the way we want to live!

Here’s hoping we all get some (good!!) feedback this week.

In Christ,

Jane

What I’m loving lately

Emma M. Lion

After my months-long saga with the Count of Monte Cristo came to an end (sad), I was eager for some quick wins, and these super short and super hilarious books are even better than the hype. I laughed out loud — and have already torn through the first two in a few days. They’re free on Kindle Unlimited!

The World Cup <3

This weekend’s World Cup Final game between Spain and Argentina reminded me why I simply cannot become a die-hard sports fan because I could not take that level of stress every weekend… I was in Spain for their 2010 World Cup win and screamed my lil head off watching this game this weekend! My voice is hoarse today. What an exciting game, wow!!

Benadryl bug bite cream

The bugs are out… and I have 12 mosquito bites on my ankles to show for it (30 min of standing outside of La Bonne Vache will do that to you). It was my annual reminder of how much I love my benadryl itch cream which is the only way I keep myself sane when everything itches. A bathroom cabinet staple.

Time for God

In the midst of a very busy season at work, this book has been such a good reminder that time spent with God is never wasted — and makes the rest of the day so much better. Fr. Jacques Philippe is the best when I need a little prayer pick me up!

Fr. Mike’s homily

I loved Fr. Mike’s response when people ask him what to pray for him for: “I don’t know.” If you ask me how to pray for me, I’ll give you a detailed (and prioritized) list — but I loved this reflection that honestly, we don’t really know what is best for us. So maybe my prioritized list of wants is not the best thing for me… a good thing to take to prayer!

Festina lente

My work life is a bit intense at the moment, and I’m trying to find ways to slow down and work better… I loved this episode and especially the concept of “festina lente” - make haste, slowly. My intention for this week is to slow down, so I’ll report back.

Prayer intentions

• For a special intention

This weekend, I got coffee with a friend. As we sat at the table, she asked me, “I want to know how you seem to avoid despair. You seem very content. What do you do to feel that way?”

I took it as a major compliment that she felt that way about me, and quickly assured her that I do indeed have my fair share of discouraged moments. But then I shared my philosophy for 2026, which I don’t think I’ve shared yet in this newsletter:

It is that I have given up.

When I say I’ve given up, I don’t mean it in a defeatist, “I give up on everything and will wallow in my bed and let life happen to me” kind of way. In reality, it’s been much more “active” than that.

I was inspired by a talk I heard Fr. Pine give at the end of 2025, in which he said something along the lines of, “Just give up. Allow the Lord to take care of you, and He will.” And this has been my philosophy for the year. Shockingly, it is actually working quite well.

I’ve found that the root of most of my anxiety, frustration, and angst is worrying that I’m doing the wrong things, going to the wrong places, spending time with the wrong people, or focusing on the wrong work.

This philosophy of “giving up” has allowed me to let go of all of that, to worry less about what I have to do for myself and to focus on what God is doing in me each day, to be faithful to what’s right in front of me and to do it as well as I can. If something sounds fun, I do it. If something is difficult, I ask the Lord for the grace to approach it well. When I experience a suffering or a sadness, I offer it to Him and ask Him to use it.

Most of all, I try to accept the circumstances of my life, change the things that I can, and release the things that I simply don’t have control over (which, spoiler alert, are most things).

I do think there are, obviously, situations in which we need to engage, fight against injustice, and put things right. But I have also found that, over the years, the things that typically make me feel discouraged, sad, or frustrated are often things that are not in my control. When I look back on them, days, weeks, months, or years later, I’m able to see clearly that God was doing something important in those very moments. Because I continue to gather that evidence year after year, week after week, I’ve come to realize that God typically knows what He’s doing (read: always).

Therefore, I don’t actually have to fight so hard to be in the driver’s seat of my life.

When I shared this with my friend, I saw a new sense of freedom in her face and her eyes.

And that’s the freedom God wants for us.

He doesn’t want us to feel like we have to grasp for everything in our lives. I don’t think He wants us to feel like we have to be in charge or monitor everything all the time. I think He wants us to live like little children: to be responsible and good stewards of our gifts, sure, but more than anything, to be at peace, and to allow Him to work through our lives the way that He wants to.

It reminds me of a favorite paragraph from “Into your Hands, Father”:

I couldn’t say it better myself.

So maybe I invite you to give up.

What are the things that continuously come to mind and cause you anxiety, frustration, worry, or fear? That’s probably a good place to start.

Then, as you walk through the week and things begin to bother you, hurt you, or scare you, I encourage you to continue giving those things to Him, again and again.

In the words of Henri Nouwen, “God dwells only where man steps back to give Him room.”

In giving up, we give God the space to move so that He can provide, abundantly, lovingly, creatively, all in His time.

And He always does.

In Christ,

Jane

What I’m loving lately

Trader Joe’s beach day candle

This candle caught me at checkout and it is SO yummy. Smells like coconut and ocean and sandlewood. High rec!

Henri Nouwen Kick

I have been on a Henri Nouwen KICK (as evidenced by the quote above). I’m re-reading Life of the Beloved, but read “In the Name of Jesus” for the first time during my prayer time last week, and it rocked my world. It’s 26 pages, takes 30-60 minutes to read, and is free to read at that link.

Azelaic Acid

After my skin journey last year, I am terrified to use anything on my face — but for the past few months, I’ve been using Azelaic Acid (10%) whenever a bump pops up and the next morning it vanishes. It’s quite gentle and I’m so impressed with how well it works! I have a prescription, but I hear The Ordinary has a wonderful one too.

Call me about the Count of Monte Cristo

I just finished this book and it’s the best book I’ve ever read and all I want to do is talk about it so if you’ve read it and want to talk about it please lmk. I will miss Edmond Dantes dearly :’)

Mocktail central

I haven’t been drinking for a few months, and I’m just so impressed by 1) the diversity and deliciousness of the mocktail game and 2) how many people around me are also not drinking/taking a break. I’ll probably share more at a later time as I continue to pray through this choice, but I have not regretted it for one moment and feel very encouraged by the prevalence of fun NA drinks in the wild!

I loved this

This was great.

Prayer intentions

• For a few special intentions

This weekend at the pool, I overheard a conversation between two girls sitting next to me. I don’t make it a habit to eavesdrop, but I couldn’t help but hear snippets of their conversation. The two appeared to have just met that day, and one of the girls was explaining to the other, “It’s hard to move somewhere new and try to make friends because making friends as an adult is just a little bit embarrassing.” The other girl laughed and agreed.

I’ve been thinking about that comment for a few days because I think she’s right — most worthwhile things do indeed feel a little embarrassing! Putting yourself out there, trying something new, going somewhere alone, being a beginner — it can feel quite exposing. But in reality, I think most people respect and honor when we put ourselves out there. When I lived in Australia for two months, I would often take myself to dinner and find myself at the bar between couples on first or second dates. Their conversations were a little awkward, sure, but I couldn’t help but think, “Wow, look at these two people being so brave and putting themselves out there!” (Oops, maybe I eavesdropped a little then, too).

Literally everything good in my life is a direct result of putting myself out there. I think the enemy loves to make us think that everyone is watching, waiting, hoping that we fail. In stirring up those fears, I think he can scare us away from doing things that sound fun and exciting because we’re afraid of failure. Doing new things requires being brave, and sure, sometimes they can feel embarrassing.

I’m not immune to this!! This weekend, I ran into a friend outside church who announced to the group, “Jane, I read your blog!!” and I got a little embarrassed. Obviously, this Substack is out there for the world to see, but it still feels embarrassing for people to know about it, even if I love doing it. But if I quit writing because I was embarrassed, because I was worried about people reading this and judging me, that would be a real bummer. I have had so many friends confide that they want to start writing a blog, and I so desperately wish they would because I would LOVE to read their words!!

Something that helps me when I’m tempted to dodge a potentially embarrassing situation is thinking about all the times they have paid off: the friends I met at the party I went to alone, the jobs I’ve gotten because I sent the “Hey, can you help me?” email, the opportunities I’ve been given because I showed up and auditioned, the lessons I’ve learned when I did indeed fail and get embarrassed for real. Those “embarrassing” situations shaped me and gave me opportunities I could never have imagined. And remembering that helps me push through the fear of being embarrassed, because I know I can survive it! And, more likely than not, no one is actually paying attention.

Anyway, if there’s something you’re holding back on because you think it might be embarrassing, I highly recommend you do it anyway. It’s lucky girl summer!! Put it out there and see what happens. I’m in your corner!

In Christ,

Jane

What I’m loving lately

Making grown-up decisions!!

This was the first Fourth of July in YEARS that I was not in Tahoe. I was sad to miss a weekend at the lake, but it has been a long few weeks and I had a feeling that a weekend of resetting in DC would probably be more prudent than jetting across the country and back for 48 hours. And it was! Because I hadn’t filled the weekend with plans, I actually got to rest and take part in so many fun things I rarely get to do! I've had a few similar situations in the past few months where I've made a decision that I don't think I would've made a year ago, but I'm praying for more wisdom and prudence, and I think this weekend was the fruit of that!

Go for a walk

This past week at work was simply nonstop. I had meetings back to back to back and when I finally made it back to my team room, my team needed me to review work and help solve problems. This resulted in the day flying by with absolutely no time to actually pause and think. Finally, on Wednesday, I told the team I needed to take a walk so I could think about a tricky problem. Fifteen minutes later, I came back with the solution. It was such a good reminder to me that when things are hard and there's a lot going on, the most valuable thing I can do is take myself for a walk so I can think in silence. Everyone thinks and works differently, but this works for me, and this week I'm committing to finding pockets of quiet to reset!

Count of Monte Cristo is still 12/10

Y'all, this book is the best. I haven't been able to read in a couple of weeks, but this weekend I cranked through a bunch of chapters, and I just love it so much. Again, I implore you to join me and read this book! I want to finish it but also will be so sad when it does come to an end.

Huge airport upgrade

I was SO delighted to see a wall of skincare products in DCA at Hudson News, what a joy and what a brilliant idea!

Perfect background music

I discovered this channel when I was staying with my bff Erica a couple of months ago and wow, it is just so peaceful and soothing. They have a bunch of mellow worship music and it’s quite peaceful to work with!

Prayer intentions

• For a few special intentions

It has been a very “together” week!

We officially kicked off a new project at work, and it was all hands on deck. I cannot imagine what it would have looked like without a team of people who were so willing to jump in and help one another get work across the line. All week, I was looking around our conference room so grateful for the amazing and brilliant people I get to work with. Praise the LORD that we are in it together!

Then on Saturday, I helped host our 10-year White House reunion. I am so inspired by Gretchen Rubin in so many ways, and I ran into her on the street about six months ago while she was in town hosting a reunion for her Supreme Court clerk class. I told her I wanted to host our 10 year and she said, “you have to!” And so we did! We had friends travel in from Florida, Utah, New York, Boston, and Philadelphia, and it was a joy to catch up and reminisce with people I love, some of whom I hadn’t seen in a decade, one of whom brought her sweet baby, and all of whom are doing such good and cool things in the world!

It is a gift that we get to live this life together, and it is a gift (and a necessity!!) to celebrate.

Another form of “together” that has been so top of mind for me this week is the gift of intercessory prayer. Last week at my Monday morning breakfast, I sat down with a new friend and she shared some hard things going on in her life. She began asking about me and before I knew it she was praying over me and my intentions. It was so meaningful and I felt the graces flow through the week. This morning, we checked in again and shared some answered prayers before praying for one another again.

As I was walking out of breakfast, I received a text from a friend who was offering her rosary for me, and it meant so much.

And THEN as I was getting in my Uber to the airport, I noticed that the driver was holding a rosary. I asked if she was praying and she said “Yes! The rosary is very powerful.” I shared that I was planning to pray mine on the plane, and she said, “When you pray your rosary on the plane, you are praying for everyone on that plane.” I had never ever thought of it like that, and now I always will.

It feels like everyone is going through it a bit right now, and the power of intercessory prayer feels more real than ever. Intercession is so, so powerful, and sometimes it feels like the only way I can support those I love who are in hard situations. If you’re feeling helpless about how to love someone who needs it right now, I highly recommend offering a prayer, and then letting them know you’re praying for them!! Even just a “God, please show them how much you love them,” can work wonders.

We are meant to be together — in person, in prayer, in communion. I encourage all of us to take some time this week to pray for the intentions of those around us, even (and especially) the needs of others that we aren’t aware of. Please know of my prayers and intercession for you all, every day but especially this week!!

In Christ,

Jane

What I’m loving lately

Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders Show

I love them so much. And this new season on Netflix is SO good. A perfect wholesome happy show with just the right amount of suspense. Kelli mentioned doing a Broadway residency and you bet your bottom dollar I will be there!!!

The Furrow

I’m a big St. Josemaria Escriva fan, and there are just some weeks when his writing really hits. I’m deep in The Furrow right now — I have a little book I carry in my purse, but you can find the entire text online for free (and search it for what you need, it’s organized by topic!) here.

New lights in my bathroom!

My bathroom has six little lights above the mirror and for the past two years I have had one podunk lightbulb in there so I’m not blinded… and then my dad ordered me these sweet warm little lights and they are making me so happy! I love little changes in my home that make such a big impact.

Prayer intentions

• For a few special intentions

I am a big fan of retreats. I think it’s important to occasionally step away from our daily lives and take an honest look at them — to discern the Spirit, to examine if our lives are bearing the fruits of love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, generosity, and self-control.

But I realized something important last week: It’s hard to discern something if you’re not actually living it.

I have a very intense job, and this past week was especially stressful. I didn’t get much sleep. I was doing a lot of difficult thinking and carrying a lot of responsibility. I was exhausted. And yet, throughout the week, I kept catching myself thinking, “This is so fun. My job is so fun!”

Even when I was tired, even when all I wanted was to go to bed, I was giddy over how interesting the work was and how grateful I am to be doing it.

One day, during a particularly challenging sprint, I ran into a friend in the office who I hadn’t seen in six months. As we were catching up, he looked at me and said, “You seem so happy. It’s clear that God is taking good care of you!”

I almost laughed out loud. Internally, I was thinking, I don’t think I’ve ever been more stressed than I am right now. But to him, despite my four hours of sleep, I was radiating joy.

Because the truth is, this job is hard, and I love it. It asks a lot of me. But at the same time, for all its faults, my work brings me a tremendous amount of joy. I get to work with brilliant people, and I learn more in most weeks than other jobs I’ve had taught me in a year. I do things I never thought I was capable of. And, more often than not, it’s genuinely fun.

So yes, I think there’s value in stepping away for a weekend to pray about my life, my work, and how I’m spending my time. And I try to take monthly Saturday half-day retreats to do just that. We can’t hear God if we don’t make space to listen.

But I also think some of my best discernment happens not outside my life, but within it. It happens when I live each day faithfully as it is set before me, when I walk forward in trust and pay attention to what God is revealing along the way. The danger comes when I start asking big questions about how I might be doing something wrong or outside of God’s Will — ignoring the truth that God’s Will is exactly where I am.

God often shows me where He wants me to be, not before I begin walking, but while I’m already on the road. This week, is there anything causing you anxiety or fear as you discern it? Let’s take on the challenge of walking confidently through this week with the trust that God is guiding us, paying attention to the little clues and guideposts as they pop up, but most importantly, walking in the peace and the joy that we are His beloved children — and He is taking perfect care of us!

In Christ,

Jane

What I’m loving lately

Best dad ever

Happy Father’s Day to all the dads but especially mine! He is just the best. Last week he was in town and put this shelf up for me, on my brick, which was a daunting feat and I love it so much!

Magic health beans

I woke up soooo sick on Saturday, and was terrified that I’d be looking down 10 full days of illness (my usual experience) — until I took magic immunity tablets that my bff Erica overnighted to me. I did not ask questions and took two doses, then settled into a day on my couch reading Claire Swinarski’s The Supper Club Saints cover to cover, and an early bedtime, which brought me back to life (praise the LORD). I will continue taking these daily!! No time for being sick!

New ATL art

I have spent likely thousands of hours in the ATL airport over the past year, and this week I noticed they changed the art between terminals! I was so obsessed with the photos in one hallway that I kept stopping to stare. The artist, Pelle Cass, is a sports photographer and takes a set photos from the same vantage and stacks them so you can see a whole game in an image, are these not SO cool?!

Run the play

Far be it from me to use a sports metaphor, but this phrase came to me in prayer this weekend after a wild week of work that was chaotic precisely because I did not “run the play.” Instead of focusing on what I knew to be important and necessary, I found myself in panic mode, doing things that made no sense because I was overwhelmed. My intention for this week: run the play. Do what I know how to do, do it with excellence, and trust that the outcome will speak for itself. This encouragement might be useful to you, too!

New Favorite Summer Sweater

I ordered this sweater from Old Navy, and it’s PERFECT for Team USA World Cup shenanigans and Fourth of July at the lake! I’ve been eying the Ralph Lauren one for years, but never pulled the trigger. This price point was much more acceptable to me (and $375 less).

I really loved this reflection

Prayer intentions

• For my health

• For a friend

Bonjour my friends!

I am continuing to make my way through Magnifica Humanitas. (I was not given an advance copy of the document because I am not a journalist nor do I know enough (read: any) powerful people at the Vatican. Maybe next time!!) So I’m chipping away, one paragraph at a time.

This document is quite different from what I expected. I had anticipated an academic paper about the spiritual dangers of AI, but what I’ve found was something much deeper: a treatise on the human person, and most of all, the heart.

Yes, the document talks about AI, and the many dangers it poses to human dignity, the environment, the silence we need for the interior life, and protection of workers, but I am most touched by Pope Leo’s reflections on what AI is not. No matter how smart it is, no matter how much data it can pull, no matter how fast it can go — AI can never actually be human.

I was especially captivated by Pope Leo’s musings on optimization. We are told by the society we should get perfect sleep and close our exercise rings and send no awkward emails/texts and work faster and never forget a thing. I can talk about this mindset because I’m part of the problem! I wore an Apple watch for years and used to meticulously count my calories (I know, it was unhealthy, don’t recommend). I still try to scope out the fastest way I can navigate somewhere or achieve a goal or get what I want. When I make a mistake or something doesn’t go the way I want, when I hurt someone’s feelings or forget something important, I feel horrible.

BUT, to be human is to make mistakes, to fail, to be imperfect, and to simply not be optimized! Which is why I spent five days of prayer time last week sitting with paragraph 120:

Even when limitations are experienced as inner suffering, human wisdom teaches us not to deny or suppress it, but to integrate it. To eliminate suffering entirely would mean, in the end, extinguishing love and desire as well. Those who love and desire cannot avoid passing through trial and suffering; and over the years, we carry within us lessons that leave their mark like scars, the memories of a journey shaped by freedom and failure, dreams and disappointments. It is only thanks to the interplay of these elements that the wonders of the soul occur within us, allowing us to sense the richness of our humanity. To renounce this adventure, both tragic and splendid, in the name of a presumed transcendence of all limits, could mean many things, but it would no longer be human.

I cannot read the line “To renounce this adventure, both tragic and splendid…” without tearing up. Oof.

AI offers an enticing fix for the optimizers among us. I can go to ChatGPT to craft the tricky text. I can ask Claude to build an excel model so I can go to sleep. I can ask my AI taskmaster to remind me of peoples’ birthdays and the groceries I need and the call I have to return. I’m not arguing those things are inherently wrong, and neither is Pope Leo.

But at what point do we reject the “tragic and splendid” moments that makes up our humanity? The opportunity to live and fail so we can learn? That we don’t have to be so afraid of imperfection that we run to an (also imperfect) technology? That we are given to one another to live life together?

A few weeks ago, I wrote about the concept of “I’ve got time!” and it continues to change my life. There have been so many good conversations and encounters that have opened up simply because I offered my time and attention to what was in front of me. “I’ve got time” is an attack on optimization, and it’s been so good for me.

Here’s another way to push back against the pressure to optimize: the next time you’re planning a trip or party or need help on a project, instead of popping the problem in ChatGPT or Claude, ask someone for help. We bless others when we ask for their help. Last week, I needed to learn something really quickly, and my friend came over to sit with me and walk me through it step by step. We laughed the entire time and I learned something new! I love asking people for travel recommendations, and I’ve found some of my favorite spots through these conversations. I called my dad to figure out how to hang a shelf on my brick wall, even though I’m sure ChatGPT would have been happy to give me the steps. But that is NOT the point! We are communal souls, we need each other.

God loves you, and me, a lot, even when we are imperfect. There is nothing we can do to earn more of His love. He has given us the gift of life so that we can live it — not through a screen, not for a perfect recovery score, not to never make a mistake — but to live it, and to live it together.

After all, that’s what makes us human. It’s what makes us, magnificent.

In Christ,

Jane

What I’m loving lately

Congrats Matthew!

My brother Matthew graduated from his Master’s program this weekend and it was a joy to gather to celebrate him :) He and his friends hosted a fun barbecue on Saturday night and they even performed for us — so cool. Please pray for him as he interviews for jobs!

PSA: Pack your sneakers!

After two months of no airplanes, I headed back on the road for work last week — and like an absolute AMATEUR, failed to pack my running shoes! It’s a truth universally acknowledged that if you pack your running shoes, you’ll have no time to use them, but if you don’t, you’ll be fiending for a run! This is your PSA to pack your running shoes this summer.

World cup!

I loveeee a big sports event, and the World Cup is just SO fun. As a dual Australian/American citizen, I simply cannot wait for the game on Friday. What a joy to watch some fun sports, and I just love how people come together to cheer for their team! Go Australia! Go USA! Much like St. Therese, I choose all!!

Huge fan of Longchamp organizer

I love my Longchamp, but that thing is a black box — once I drop something in, it’s hard to find! However, my mom bought an organizer insert for her bag and I bought one for myself and it’s completely changed the game. I highly recommend!

Seen known loved

I had a few moments of feeling so seen heard and loved this week! My friend is leaving for the seminary, and because I’ve been traveling I didn’t think I’d have a chance to bid him farewell. On Thursday, I happened to be in DC at daily Mass and he wandered down in case I was there — and it was a joy to give him a hug and assure him of my prayers! An hour later, a friend from work surprised me with a cookie from Little Beet because he knows they’re my favorite. And this weekend, my brother’s girlfriend, Carlie, made her lemon bars with gluten free flour so I could enjoy them!! I did not deserve these little gifts and they made me feel so cared for. I hope I can love others in the same way!

Back on a Marie Miller kick

I love Marie and after going to a Holy Hour where she was performing last week, I’m back on a kick. This week, Take Lord, Receive (the Suscipe) is on repeat:

Prayer intentions

• For my new project that is kicking off

• For Mary’s healing

• For a friend

Last week, my office was rounding out an “Olympics” style competition. My team was in third (last) place. I hadn’t done too much for the cause and had all but given up — until it was announced that there would be a Hail Mary opportunity to win. On Friday, 100 little blue ducks would be hidden around the office for us to find, each worth 5 points. Some quick math made it clear: if we found 65 of these ducks, our little (losing) team could come from behind and win.

So at 8 am on Friday, I gathered with a tiger team of coworkers, and we hit ground running. By the competition’s end, we had found 72 little ducks. Victory was ours!!

I share this because after a morning spent scouring plants and windowsills and desks for little blue ducks, I went out to grab a coffee and found myself seeing flashes of blue all over the street, on mailboxes, and in trees. My mind was so fixated on these silly ducks that I couldn’t stop looking for them, everywhere.

What is the point of this? Well, this whole silly competition reminded me that what we look for, we find. Are you looking for little blue ducks? Then you’ll certainly be more likely to find them. Are you looking for evidence that God loves you and is taking care of you? When I am, I see Him much more clearly. On the inverse, if I want evidence that nothing works out or I’m not doing enough, the enemy is more than pleased to point my eyes in the direction of my failings and disappointments. What am I looking for? What do I find?

So this week, let’s look for the little blue ducks of God’s providence! He’s always moving; let’s be on the lookout :)

In Christ,

Jane

What I’m loving lately

I loved this reflection

Also this

Any good summer sandal recs?

Putting out a call for summer sandals you can walk in!! Please reply / comment and let me know!

Back in the ice cream game!

A few years ago, I got quite into making ice cream — thanks to a Salt and Straw cookbook and ice cream maker from my parents. But that ice cream maker has been dormant for almost three years… until last week! For my friend’s baby shower, I was determined to make my very favorite Lemon Buttermilk Custard with Blueberry Jam ice cream, and it was DIVINE. I also made Sea Salt and Caramel Ribbons, which is also life-changing. Here’s to a summer of ice cream!

Summer Bingo

My friends and I are putting together Summer Bingo cards and I wanted to share mine with you! So fun! (Also, yes, “Vegetables” is summer bingo item because we all need to remember to eat our veggies).

Prayer intentions

• For my friend’s son

• For a special intention

Can you believe it’s already JUNE?!?!?

My friends and I have decided that this is going to be “Lucky Girl Summer.” We text each other to share our “LGA”s (lucky girl alerts) whenever something serendipitous, lucky, or fun happens to us. It’s the best because 1) I love celebrating lucky moments and 2) it makes me pause, reflect, and appreciate them when they occur!

I saw a note a few months ago that said “The best way to increase your luck is to expand your surface area.” And I just loved that, because it’s TRUE! I can’t begin to recount all of the ways that “expanding my surface area” has made my life richer, even recently: showing up to a party on my own introduced me to a bunch of new, wonderful friends. Sharing my love for Survivor led to a new friend who let me borrow his life-size Survivor games for a party. Sending an email opened an exciting door for me at work. Talking incessantly about how much I love Count of Monte Cristo has created an unofficial book club with 5+ of my friends who are now on the journey with me! Lucky lucky lucky.

And I think the summertime is the BEST time to expand our surface areas. To go on a trip, say yes to the coffee, show up at an event, introduce yourself — the wider our surface area gets, the more opportunities show up and the more doors open! The better weather means that people are out and living their best lives, and it’s an amazing time to embrace whatever your city or community has to offer.

This past week, I experienced a whole bunch of “expanded surface area” moments. On Wednesday night, I joined my dear friend Alison at the CIC to chat about her book! It was a miraculously clear night and so much fun to see friends and celebrate Alison’s accomplishment!

On Thursday night, I hosted a party for my friend, Anthony, who is entering the Dominican order this summer! We had so much fun making a 15-decade rosary for him, picking his “priest name” (he was very excited to hear our ideas), and celebrating his new adventure.

And then this weekend I headed to NYC on a little “Artist’s trip” (I’m reading Artist’s Way and there are few places as creatively inspiring as NYC). It was a 12/10 weekend with my friend Kelly (who gave me the grand tour of Hoboken, its farmers market, and all of its churches!!) — complete with Ruby’s, Sezane, many churches, Don Antonio, Central Park, and Operation Mincemeat on Broadway. It was also the first time I went down to see NYU and visit my old apartment since graduating, and it was so sweet.

I attended Sunday Mass at St. Patrick’s Cathedral (the best) and ended up walking a few blocks with a Sister of Life who lives in the house where I used to volunteer — she was, of course, a joy. Every moment of this weekend was a gift — I’m so grateful to be just a train ride away from NYC!

This whole week was a reminder of the importance and goodness of community, of saying yes to things that are fun and exciting. And that's my intention for the summer — to have a lot of fun!

So, how can we expand our surface area this week? Let’s set a few goals for the summer and get ready for the luck!

In Christ,

Jane

What I’m loving lately

The gifts of the Rosary

In a bible study last week, my friend said that praying the rosary makes her feel more “decisive and courageous.” And I thought, wow, I would love to be more decisive and courageous! Thanks to that little reminder, I didn’t skip my Rosary all week. It might be the framing/encouragement you need :)

Nuxe Oil

This summer I have fallen back in love with the Nuxe Prodigiuse Oil — I love putting it on my arms when they’re out, it gives them a lovely glow and smells divine. You can buy it at Ulta or Anthropologie or online! I want to try the shimmering one too.

Hallow recs?

I absolutely LOVED the Detachment series from Hallow, and now that it’s over I’m feeling the gap. Do you have a favorite Hallow series or meditation? Please comment / email me and share!

Archbishop Hicks in NYC

I was able to attend mass at St. Patrick’s Cathedral this weekend, and I heard the city’s new Archbishop preach - he is excellent. I loved the invitation he offered at the end of his homily on “Magnifica Humanitas”: “How will you be magnificent this week?” A great invitation!

How we live matters

I loved a quote I heard from Fr. Pine last week:

“The way we live either develops our character or undermines our character.”

Woof.

A very good read on AI

There have been so many great think pieces over the past week about the church and AI — but this one, by far, was my favorite. I loved this reflection:

In the years ahead, each of us will have to discern the lines which separate technology that truly serves us as human persons, made for communion, from technology that does not serve us. But the most important lines we will need to discern aren’t between software programs. They are within our own hearts.

Prayer intentions

• For my grandma, Nomi’s, surgery tomorrow!

• For a special intention

I get questions all the time about the actual mechanics of how I (try to) live and share my faith at work. And so I thought I would gather my thoughts here.

I think I’ve always been relatively comfortable talking about my faith, but the biggest sea change came during business school. I remember the very first day of orientation, we were broken into small groups to share some writing we had been tasked with before showing up. The first question was “What is the purpose of life?” I did not know that I would be called upon to share my answer with a group of people I had literally just met, and I didn’t have the time to rewrite it before it was my turn to share. I looked at these strangers, cleared my throat, and began: “I believe the purpose of life is to become a Saint.”

I thought I would be laughed right off campus, but instead, they asked thoughtful questions, shared some of their own faith journeys, and received what was probably an unexpected response with so much grace. That set the tone for me for business school: I didn’t really hold back. I shared my faith pretty openly. And when I returned to the workplace, that attitude continued.

I think (hope) the primary way I share my faith is by how I act. I try to work hard, be kind and patient and diligent, and to avoid complaining. I strive to be thoughtful and generous, to bring excellence to my efforts. Integrity and honesty are givens. I take accountability when I make a mistake and work to make it right. These all might sound like “no duh” but I work at a very competitive, high-intensity company and choosing virtue often takes extra effort (obviously, always worth it).

Second, I share my life. If you ask me what I did this weekend, I’m going to tell you that I went to Mass, attended my friend’s baby’s baptism, and went to a Pentecost party. If you ask what I’m reading, I’ll tell you it’s Fr. Jacques Philippe (Thirsting for Prayer is rocking my world). If you ask where I’m going at 5:20 pm, I’ll point out the window at the church dome. I take a genuine interest in the lives of others, and they typically take one in mine. (Mine tends to have a lot of church things.)

And what is the fruit of these two actions? Conversation. I can count on one hand the number of days I have been in my office and not talked about faith. Almost every single day, someone comes by my desk to show me a picture of a church they saw on vacation that made them think of me, to share a prayer request or miracle they experienced, or to bring up our beloved pope. I have prayed in phone rooms with colleagues, gone on walks to talk about how God is moving in our lives, and offered encouragement during frustrating and discouraging days. Once, I even had a colleague pull me into a team room between meetings and ask me to sponsor her as she joined the church. To think of doing this job and not talking about faith seems almost as crazy as reading this might feel to some of you.

So where to start? I think the simplest answer is to just say yes to the Spirit. If you’re in conversation and feel called to share something, do it. Be brave! Be honest about what’s important to you, how you spend your time, what’s getting you excited. It’s okay to have opinions, to have conviction, to share who you are.

Now, I’m rarely the one who brings up faith at work. It’s a part of who I am, and the people around me know that, and they’re the ones who start the conversations. I imagine it’s like if I were a fan of some big sports team, and people knew they could connect to me on that — except the sport is heaven and everyone can be a winner! I love the phrase, “There are no atheists in foxholes,” and I think it’s true more broadly: when people are going through something, are stressed or worried or afraid, it’s a gift to be able to receive them and give them something I know works: prayer.

This week, I encourage you to share something new about yourself at work. Maybe that’s your faith, or a new interest, or a goal you have for the summer. We have so much to share with the world — do not hide your light under a bushel basket! I’m in your corner.

In Christ,

Jane

What I’m loving lately

DC friends - event tomorrow!!

I’m so excited to join my friend Alison as her conversation partner on her new book, Was it Something I Said?, at the Catholic Information Center tomorrow night! You can RSVP for the free event here.

Pentecost treats!

I saw Be a Heart’s Pentecost cake years ago and I have always wanted to try it, and this year I went to a Pentecost party where it was the perfect dessert! Also, I just happened to pick up the cupcake with St. Jude — my #1 guy! Come, Holy Spirit.

May 30 is St. Joan of Arc’s feast day!

St. Joan of Arc’s feast is on Saturday! I love her so much — and I found out this week that Baz Luhrmann is making an epic movie about her life, filming right now — please pray that it is good!! She’s truly a hero. You can learn more about her in this “The Rest is History” Podcast (it’s a four part series but I devoured it) or in one of my favorite books of all time, Mark Twain’s Joan of Arc!

Magnificent Humanity mic drop

I’m about 40% through Pope Leo’s encyclical on human dignity and the use of technology and AI — it’s so beautiful. One moment I loved:

Work is not considered simply as a problem to be dealt with or a means of generating income, but a fundamental good for the person, a principle of economic activity and the key to the entire societal question. Through work, human beings bring their freedom, creativity and capacity for cooperation into play, contributing to the cultural and moral elevation of society. In light of this, the various kinds of job insecurity, fragmented career paths and automation must not be evaluated solely in terms of efficiency, but in relation to the dignity of the worker, the right to sufficient remuneration and the genuine possibility of participating in society.

Wow. I’ll share more thoughts next week, when I’ve had a chance to finish the whole thing and sit with it a bit!

Why I love being Catholic in DC

This was a real text I received last week:

We have a “priest band” in the diocese, and it’s called “Upon this Rock.” I love it here.

Prayer intentions

• For a special intention

On a sweltering August day in 2015, my brother Cooper and I ventured to the new ice cream store in our hometown. They were testing out a funky nitrogen-inspired concept, and as ice cream aficionados, we had to check it out.

We walked into the store and ran right into a friend of mine, Alyssa, from college. She was catching up with her friend (Melissa) who had just returned from a summer as a White House intern. I listened, captivated, as Melissa told us all about her summer in DC and the incredible time she’d had serving in the First Lady’s Office. I left the shop with some really good ice cream — and a brand new dream.

Next week marks 10 years since I myself started my time as a White House intern, inspired by that ice cream shop run-in! The experience truly did change my life — today I live and work in DC (my favorite city in the world, other than Paris), and spend much of my time with the friends I made that summer. That job taught me how to work hard — to keep my head down, solve problems, and get things done. It taught me that God’s plans for us are so much more fun than we can imagine. But most importantly, it taught me that we can never anticipate the ways that God is leading, illuminating, and working on us.

I went to that ice cream shop to spend time with my brother and to try something new — and unexpectedly, one of the most life-changing conversations of my life occurred! It was just a regular day in August! We never know what the day ahead of us holds. We don't know how God will use the people, places, and experiences around us to shape our dreams, our desires, and our goals. We also don't know how God is using us to do the same for the people around us!

So today and this week, let's embrace the reminder that every day is a unique gift from God. That paying attention to our desires, responding to inspirations, slowing down, being present, and taking the headphones out — these all open the way for God to move and work and act in our lives. I love a holy hour — my favorite place is adoration — and God speaks there, but He also speaks in the friend I saw wildly waving at me through a bus window, the song that came up on my playlist right after I thought about it, and the sweet baby who handed me a flower on the corner.

Here’s to a beautiful week ahead — may we be open to the little inspirations that abound!

Oh, and this is your sign to go get some ice cream ;)

In Christ,

Jane

What I’m loving lately

Remarkably Bright Creatures

I was a huge fan of the book, and now I’m a huge fan of the movie, now available on Netflix! So wholesome, so sweet, so heartwarming. It really felt like a big warm hug.

The joy of caring

I volunteer on Monday mornings with my church’s homeless ministry, and over the past 2 years have become friends with many of our regulars. One of them has started tending a local garden, and this morning he came in and was so excited to show me the honeybees he’s bringing back to life. The previous garden-tenders had allowed the bees to die off and their home to fall into disrepair — but my friend was nursing the colony back to life. It was such a life-giving conversation and a reminder of how much purpose we can find in caring and nurturing what God has placed in our path.

Lime Bikes

I forget how much I feel like a kid whenever I get to zip around the city on an e-bike. I went on FIVE e-bike adventures this weekend and each one of them was an absolute delight. I’m excited for a summer full of bike adventures!

Survivor Finale tomorrow!!!

Tomorrow is the Season 50 Survivor finale — yay! I am so excited about it. You have 24 hours to catch up, ready… go!

Quite the reminder

Shoulder scarves

In the sweltering DC summer, I often wear strappy dresses but prefer to cover my shoulders in church / at work. This means carrying a lot of little cardigans and sweaters. HOWEVER this weekend I experimented with this gorgeous scarf covering and I think it might be my new go to — much, much more pleasant to wear soft silk that a cashmere cardigan when it’s 80 degrees outside!

Marty: Life is Short

Okay I promise I did more than watch Netflix last week, but this documentary was truly SO good. I have loved Martin Short for ages and didn’t realize how much loss he had experienced: his parents and brother before he turned 20, and his wife after 30 years of marriage. This documentary is packed with sweet home videos (and Catherine O’Hara <3 ) and was such a beautiful reminder to have fun and enjoy the ride, embracing the ups and the downs, and how grief can unexpectedly lead to deeper and fuller life. I loved it.

All grown up

My father has been providing us with day-by-day Ring camera video updates on the four baby birds that hatched in a little nest on our deck. This week, they took flight! So sweet and beautiful to be on this journey with them. A Ring camera put to great use!

Prayer intentions

• For a special intention

There’s a beautiful scene in the new Devil Wears Prada movie where Anne Hathaway’s character realizes she’s said something she regrets to someone she loves. She tells a friend that she doesn’t know the perfect thing to say to remedy the situation. Her friend looks at her and says, “You don’t have to say the perfect thing. You just have to say something.”

As I've written about a lot this year, I feel like the Lord has been calling me over and over to release my perfectionism. I want to say the right thing in the right way, to not hurt anyone's feelings, to make everyone feel happy, heard, and loved. And that’s a good desire! But the reality is that I am not perfect — because nobody is perfect! And that means I do and say things that aren’t perfect… all the time.

That’s a hard pill to swallow. In (and after) my moments of imperfection, I find myself getting discouraged with the ways I come up short. But if I have learned anything this year, it is that we don't have to do or say the perfect thing. God simply calls us to do our best, to love people, and to love Him — and then we can leave the results in His hands.

I don't know if you're in a situation where you're afraid that you might do or say something that isn't perfect, but I (and God) promise that we do not need to be afraid! No one is perfect, but I found so much peace in Romans 8:28: “God works all things for our good.” It’s in situations where I feel most confused about the “right thing” to do that I have felt the Lord's hand and goodness and seen His activity most brilliantly. Paul says himself: “God’s strength is made perfect in our weakness.”

This week I encourage all of us to be not afraid of our weaknesses, but instead to open our hearts up to allow the Lord to work within them! We only have to do the things He’s asking us to do and to do them well. As my friend Nicole used to say, “Do your best and let God do the rest.”

Here’s to a week of doing our best!

In Christ,

Jane

What I’m loving lately

Parchment paper

This roll of parchment paper has truly changed my life. I use it to wrap gifts and flowers and boxes and books. It works for all occasions! And it’s only $6.99 for 100 feet. Here’s the one I bought on Amazon: Parchment Paper roll.

Are these the cutest shoes in the world?

I think so. I’m obsessed with my new Rothy’s!

Arthur Brooks and I are on the same wavelength this week

Support Devon on mission!

My beloved friend Devon is going on mission for a year, teaching in Belize with SOLT! I wish I could join her, but the next best thing is walking alongside her and supporting her financially — please consider joining in her support here! Include her name, Devon, in the comments. She’s $4000 away from her goal!

Nick Jonas on a Worship Song

Okay, Nick, I see you! I loveeeee this song, and I’m so happy to see him praising the Lord! His dad was a pastor, and Nick has shared that he experienced a lot of hurt from the Christian community as the Jonas Brothers became more famous. This return to worship makes me so happy, and this song is SO good. “I lost the plot every time I played God.” Woof.

Prayer intentions

• For Erica’s belated birthday!

• For all the wonderful Moms in our lives (and on this newsletter!)

• For Mary and Dina who are recovering from surgeries

• For a special intention

My word of the year is wonder, and a big part of that has been celebrating the little gifts and lessons I encounter each day! I think of them as “little luxuries” — so here’s a collection of the little luxuries I’m enjoying right now!

• “I’ve got time!” I was deeply inspired by Mari Andrew’s recent post “Take your time,” in which she explored the joy and generosity she experiences when she gets to tell someone, “I’ve got time!” She says it in line at the grocery store, when someone has a story to tell her, or in the face of random inconveniences. It’s a luxury to have time, and it’s a luxury to offer that time, unburdened, to others. This week, I’ve been trying to say “I’ve got time!” as much as possible. Not only do I think it’s a gift to hear that, but it makes my life more fun, too! Those words led to catching up with friends after Mass, enjoying spritzes on my friends’ patio, and being able to sit with a friend who is grieving and hear beautiful stories about his loved one. Time is a gift! And we have more of it than we think.

• Coffee before work. I’ve enjoyed taking a long walk to my favorite coffee shop in Georgetown before going to work. It takes about 40 minutes round-trip, and I get to see so many beautiful little houses and trees and kids heading off to school! It’s a great way to start my morning.

• Letting my hair air dry. I pretty much never have time to let my hair air dry, but when I do, I feel so rich! There’s nothing better than a long shower and sitting down to read or call a friend or cook a meal, and then knocking out the final dampness with my Drybar hot brush (one of my very favorite tools).

• Celebrating three new restaurants below my office! Three new spots just opened near my office in the past month. That’s so exciting because it means that working in the office is so back! We lost so many great restaurants during Covid, and I’m excited to give these new spots a try.

• Noon Mass. When time permits, I love going to noon Mass! It’s a perfect 30-minute break in my day, and I love running into friends for a quick catch-up!

• Making myself breakfast and lunch! I’ve gotten back into smoothies, and I love the Ballerina Farm protein powder, which I mix with spinach and almond milk, ice, and sometimes bananas for brekkie. For lunch, I’ve been loving making little rice bowls with my chicken and Soyaki sauce from Trader Joe’s, as well as yummy pastas.

• Wearing fun upcycled clothes. Something is in the air — I have been gifted so much clothing in the past two months! My friends’ spring cleaning is my treasure :) I especially love my new half-length trench coat, fun new workout tops, a fun spring jumpsuit, and some summer dresses!

• Friends out and about. It is so nice to walk around my office and my city and run into friends! There’s something so beautiful about being in a place where you feel known.

• Watching flowers unfurl in my living room day after day, I used to disappear for four days at a time, and now I get to experience a full week of flowers instead of just new and then… dead lol. Now I get to see their whole lifetime, at least from the moment they land in my vase. Swoon!

• Absolute gift life hack: Uber Eats-ing gifts. This weekend, I was tight on time and needed to run to Georgetown to pick up a personalized Le Labo candle. I went online and was SHOCKED to discover that they’re on Uber Eats?! Within 20 minutes, and for a $5 delivery fee, the personalized candle was gift-wrapped and at my door. What a GAMECHANGER for gifts!

• Paid Substacks. Last night I took a wander around my Substack and realized how many (amazingggg) blogs I am paying for! At first, I thought, “This is crazy, I should not be spending $40 a month on Substacks.” But then I realized — what’s the point of making and saving money if I don’t get to spend it on things I really love and believe in — like my friends’ art! It’s probably the happiest $40 I spend every month — I get little treats of their writing in my inboxes every week or two, and I’m always delighted, challenged, and edified by their work. Here are a few of my current favorites:

  • Caroline Lunne’s Noticing — I LOVE her fashion and home recommendations, seeing how she decorates her cute little house in Charleston, and she’s inspired me to do The Artist’s Way!

  • Alison Chepardek’s Elevate Etiquette — Alison is a dear friend! And her Substack is always so timely and educational. She mixes modern etiquette with so much style and inspiration. I’m a big fan!

  • Claire Swinarski’s Catholic Feminist — I’ve been a Claire Swinarski fan for a long time, and her Substack continues to deliver thoughtful, grounded reflections on our faith and the world

  • Emily P. Freeman’s Soul Minimalist — I love Emily and her podcast, “The Next Right Thing.” Her reflections are so good, and her posts are so thoughtful. A great, reflective read always!

What little luxuries are you enjoying right now? Reply to share, or comment below!

In Christ,

Jane

What I’m loving lately

Hello from Richmond!

Last night I bopped down to Richmond, VA to watch the Cal Bears Men’s Club lacrosse play in the National Championship finals! It was a delight to be there — especially because one of my best friends’ brothers is also on the team! Although they didn’t win, it was a BALL of a time. Go Bears!

Incoming: Bishop Boxie!

One of my favorite priests in the world, Father Boxie, was just called to be an auxiliary bishop of the Archdiocese of Washington, DC! I cannot tell you how much joy this news brought me on Friday. Fr. Boxie is one of the most brilliant, humble, generous, and kind priests I've ever met. I cried watching his comments at the press conference, starting at 22:50 here:

Prayer intentions

• For Caroline’s birthday this week

• For a special intention!

Last week, I found myself stuck in a loop, thinking about everything that needed to get done and all the ways I wasn’t measuring up. It seemed that my good intentions were falling flat, and I couldn’t help focusing on everything going wrong and ignoring what was going right.

But then, something clicked.

On Wednesday evening, I listened to a gorgeous podcast by Fr. Pine, who used the following analogy: Imagine your failings and frustrations as weeds in a garden that you need to pull up. But if all you do is weed the soil, you’ll end up exhausted and with an empty patch of dirt. If instead you focus on planting and nurturing the seeds of virtue, we’ll fill the garden with good things, beautiful flowers that delight us and others. When weeds pop up (and they will), they’ll be crowded to the periphery, and much easier to pluck up and toss aside — leaving a beautiful garden in their place.

Maybe the secret to working through my frustration was not circling the problems — instead, what if I focused on what was good?

We hear this in Paul’s letter to the Philippians:

Rejoice in the Lord always. I shall say it again: rejoice! Your kindness should be known to all. The Lord is near. Have no anxiety at all, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, make your requests known to God. Then the peace of God that surpasses all understanding will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.

We’ve all heard these verses over and over — but this week, it was the next verse that got me:

Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is gracious, if there is any excellence and if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things. Keep on doing what you have learned and received and heard and seen in me. Then the God of peace will be with you.

Not only is Paul entreating us to rejoice, to bring our anxieties to the Lord, but he also immediately shifts the focus to what is good.

If I say something I don’t mean, instead of dwelling on it with shame, I can apologize and focus on planting seeds of encouragement, truth, and love with my speech.

If someone says something that hurts my feelings or makes me feel small, I can remember how many people in my life love me and make me feel beautiful, smart, and beloved.

If I read something that stresses me out or makes me feel fearful, I can remember that God is in control and dwell on the good deed I saw in my neighborhood this morning.

This is not toxic positivity — we cannot ignore the hard things, the ways we need to grow and love others better. This is an invitation instead to recognize our shortcomings, commit to doing better, and trust that God is taking care of everything. It’s focusing on gratitude, which pulls us out of ourselves and back into the reality God has for us.

This little shift moved my heart to focus on all of the joys of the week — the way friends showed up and came into town to celebrate me, the prayers and kind words and generosity I received on my birthday, the encouragement I was emailed from a boss, the sparkle of the sunshine after a thunderstorm. The circumstances didn’t change, but now I had the space to see that God was allowing them to help me grow in sanctity — a true gift.

How could a shift in perspective serve you this week?

In Christ,

Jane

What I’m loving lately

Gregory Pine Conversation Podcast

This podcast is far less about having good conversations and far more about the goodness and joy of pursuing the life of virtue. The image of tending weeds/flowers I wrote about above came from this podcast:

A good reminder!!

A friend wrote something this week that I loved:

If the enemy is out to steal my joy, he would have me constantly running through the hurt, worshipping my wounds, playing out scenarios & making (even well-founded) assumptions.

If the King is out to heal me, He would have me feel the wound & give me permission to focus on everything He’s given because it’s not on me to make it right anymore. The tension is tender, it’s not about suppression — it’s surrender.

Wow.

Our brothers won their Lacrosse Championship!

My best friend and I have younger brothers who play on the same college lacrosse team, and we watched them advance to the National Championships (in our lucky hats, thank you, Caroline Lunne!)! What a joy! Go Bears!

This SONG!!

I’m obsessed with this song, and with Raye’s whole album. When I first heard this, I had a moment, “Wait, this is Psalm 30?!” It is — Raye is taking us to church!! This is a perfect bop and walk to work song!

Survivor, live

I have DREAMED of having a Survivor party for years, and this weekend it happened! I am so grateful for the friends who came in and came out to celebrate, for my friend Ben, who was a PERFECT Jeff Probst, and for the millions of acts of Providence that made this happen (no rain despite a thunderstorm forecast, a friend who owned a bunch of Survivor puzzles I could borrow, everyone’s commitment to the theme). It was a joy.

Prayer intentions

• For Raquel and her family

• For my friend Anthony, in the final stages of applying to seminary!

• For a special intention