This Whole Life

"As a body is one though it has many parts, and all the parts of the body, though many, are one body, so also Christ." ~ 1 Corinthians 12:12 You were made by our loving God to be an amazing human person - a beautiful integration of mind, body, and soul all working in dynamic harmony. But each of us who are fallen experience dis-integration, and the parts of us don't always exist in...

"The world offers you comfort, but you were not made for comfort. You were made for greatness." ~ Pope Benedict XVI We live in a world that often seems to be designed for our human comfort. We now have access to temperature-controlled homes, split-second mobile computers in our pockets, fast food, and delivery services. And as comedian Louis C.K. once said, "Everything is amazing ri...

“Soon we’ll have the intimate happiness of the family, and it’s this beauty that brings us closer to God.” ~ St. Louis Martin The Terrible Twos. Three-nagers. A-Four-itarian. It's time to dive into the wild world of parenting toddlers (and kids of any age) with a blend of wisdom, humor, and relatability! Drawing from their own experiences as parents to a brood of seven children, ranging from...

“Man cannot fully find himself except through a sincere gift of himself.” ~ St. John Paul II It sounds so simple: do good things that make me healthy, happy, & holy and avoid the things that stop me from thriving. But so often we feel like St. Paul: "For I do not do the good I want, but I do the evil I do not want" (Romans 7:19). How do we practically move toward greater wholeness in...

"There is a great man who makes every man feel small. But the real great man is the man who makes every man feel great." ~ G.K. Chesterton The relationship between men and mental health is a complicated one, and this is true for Christian men as well. For many social and personal reasons, men seek out mental health care and resources less often than women. And yet, the need for mental he...

"I am the vine, you are the branches. Whoever remains in me and I in him will bear much fruit, because without me you can do nothing." ~ John 15:5 In the midst of a fallen, chaotic, and frenetic world, we can feel pulled in many different directions. We might lose connection with our experience in the present moment and lack awareness of what's going on in our body, emotions, and so...

" His divine power has given us everything needed for life and godliness, through the knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and excellence." ~ 2 Peter 1:3 With a greater understanding of mental health in recent years, many have become aware of the benefits of therapy in general. But how does someone know if therapy is right for them - individually or for their marriage? Especia...

"Therefore, we are not discouraged; rather, although our outer self is wasting away, our inner self is being renewed day by day. For this momentary light affliction is producing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison..." ~ 2 Corinthians 4:16-17 The last 50 years have seen incredible development in neurobiology and our understanding of the human brain. Yet we, as people o...

This saying is trustworthy: If we have died with him we shall also live with him; if we persevere we shall also reign with him. ~ 2 Timothy 2:11-12 Happy Resurrection from our family to yours! He is risen! Alleluia! The Sacred Triduum and the Easter season are some of the most significant days of the liturgical year and of our lives. There is so much beauty, solemnity, sorrow, and triumphant joy i...

"...but speaking the truth in love, we must grow up in every way into him who is the head, into Christ..." ~ Ephesians 4:15 We return to Dr. John Gottman's "Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse" for marriages with a conversation about Stonewalling . In the course of every marriage, there are times that our emotions feel overwhelming. One response to that experience can be to sh...

" For you did not receive a spirit of slavery to fall back into fear, but you received a spirit of adoption, through which we cry, 'Abba, Father!'" ~ Romans 8:15 When someone has experienced separation or trauma, especially as a child, it can be challenging for them to feel safe in attachment with others. Yet, close connections are a powerful source of healing and wholeness for...

Those who conceal their sins do not prosper, but those who confess and forsake them obtain mercy. ~ Proverbs 28:13 Humans seek connection, and sometimes that connection leads to conflict.  What happens when that conflict doesn't lead to greater understanding and acceptance, but rather defensiveness and rejection?  Conflict can make our walls go up, we're stuck in a dilemma: trying to pro...

"Life in man is the glory of God; the life of man is the vision of God. If the revelation of God through creation gives life to all who live upon the earth, much more does the manifestation of the Father through the Word give life to those who see God." ~ St. Irenaeus of Lyons At the center of humankind's search for wholeness and holiness is the desire to become fully alive - truly...

In the Christian life, the Holy Spirit himself accomplishes his work by mobilizing the whole being, with all its sorrows, fears and sadness, as is visible in the Lord's agony and passion. In Christ human feelings are able to reach their consummation in charity and divine beatitude. ~ Catechism of the Catholic Church  §1769 If we are going to enjoy lives of peace and wholeness, it's imper...

Do nothing from rivalry or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others. ~ Philippians 2:3-4 Every parent knows the frustration and anxiety that we feel when our children seem to constantly argue. And every parent also knows the difficulty of finding a way to respond that is loving an...

" If I find in myself a desire which no experience in this world can satisfy, the most probable explanation is that I was made for another world." ~ C. S. Lewis As we make our way through this earthly life, we experience a nagging ache or longing for something  more . While we feel this ache even at the best of times, it's often in the midst of our deep human suffering and anxieties...

" As they grow up, children should continue to respect their parents. They should anticipate their wishes, willingly seek their advice, and accept their just admonitions. Obedience toward parents ceases with the emancipation of the children; not so respect, which is always owed to them. This respect has its roots in the fear of God, one of the gifts of the Holy Spirit."  ~ Catechism of t...

" Love should be seen as something which in a sense never ‘is’ but is always only ‘becoming’, and what it becomes depends upon the contribution of both persons and the depth of their commitment.” ~ St. Pope John Paul II It’s time for a date night, friends! Marriage is one of the beautiful and amazing things that God does in the lives of His beloved children; husbands and wives are called to b...

" For where your treasure is, there also will your heart be." ~ Matthew 6:21 We give our time, our money, and our energy to the things that we value.  Everything about our lives is a result of our values - our actions, relationships, priorities, even our sins.  Our values don't just determine what we do, they communicate who we are and Whose we are.  But all too often we float throu...

“Freedom is not getting to do what you want, but being able to do as you ought.” - St. John Paul II You are good…and you don’t get to do whatever you want. God made you good, plain and simple, and nothing that you do can diminish or steal your inherent goodness as a child of God. But that doesn’t mean that all of our desires and actions are good. We’ve all experienced the anxiety, pain, and breakd...

Mental health isn’t limited to what goes on inside our minds; our mental health is deeply affected by our human relationships. And one often overlooked facet of deep, authentic relationships is healthy boundaries. Boundaries are a balancing act that offer freedom: both holding firmly to my own identity AND being open to connection with others. All of us desire this kind of self-knowledge and self-...

This Whole Life is about being fully alive! It’s about pursuing an authentic, integrated life and allowing every part - mind, body, and soul - to function as a whole so that we can love and serve God and all your fellow humans.  To live this in the real world requires a genuine look at our mental health in the context of faith. “Mental health” isn’t a four letter word and it’s not just for people...

This Whole Life debuts on September 4th! How does our mental health relate to our faith? How can we become whole while living in a broken world? Every day, we all strive to encounter God amidst the challenges of balancing faith and family, work and leisure, our sense of self and complicated relationships.  Pat & Kenna Millea bring joy, hope, and wisdom to those who believe there is a connectio...