The Catholic Life and Me

Category: Parish

  • The unexpected lesson in a Children’s movie (and why I needed it)

    A chaotic morning, a powerful movie, and a gentle reminder that gratitude can change everything—even on the worst days. Here’s how the unexpected helped shift my perspective.

    A Peaceful start…until Real life kicked in

    It’s been one of those days.

    Brighton beachfront

    It actually started out so promising. I woke up feeling well-rested and refreshed. I didn’t snooze my alarm, and best of all, I began the day with a peaceful hour of prayer—saying the rosary, reading scripture, and listening to my usual morning podcast.

    Fast forward an hour later, and I’m driving like a maniac down the dual carriageway, honking at all the Sunday drivers (on a Tuesday!) in a desperate attempt to get my son to school before the register closed and he was marked as an unauthorized absence.

    From there, things only went downhill—work pressures, delayed deliveries, stroppy kids… you name it. Nothing catastrophic, just one little thing after another until I felt like a pressure cooker about to explode.

    I know I’m not alone in this. Everyone has days like this—some have much worse—and it’s not the end of the world. But when these little annoyances pile up, it can feel like everything’s crashing down. My best friend at school used to say, “When it rains, it pours.” That’s exactly how today felt.

    When God gives us what we didn’t know we needed

    By the evening, the chaos had settled. I finally reclined into a quieter moment, watching an animated movie with my husband and son. I’ll be honest—I wasn’t thrilled to watch it at first. But my son was so excited for our regular movie night, and how could I say no?

    The story followed a young girl who had recently moved to a new area with her parents. She was unhappy, resentful even, and when she was offered a shinier, more exciting version of her life—including “better” parents—she jumped at the chance. But she soon discovered that this perfect world was a trap. It turned out to be far worse than the life she had left behind. In time, she longed to return to her real life.

    Trusting God’s wisdom over Our wants

    Surprisingly, the movie was exactly what I needed. It struck a chord with me.

    It reminded me of that old saying: “The grass isn’t always greener on the other side.”
    The moral was simple yet powerful—be grateful for what you have, because it could be so much worse.

    Now, as I sit here writing this, I can smile at the madness of this morning. I can even chuckle at the frantic school run. It’s a far cry from the stress I felt earlier.

    Isn’t it remarkable how God knows exactly what we need—even before we bring it to Him in prayer?
    What’s even more humbling is realizing that what we want or think we need isn’t always what’s best for us.

    As I mentioned earlier, I wasn’t exactly thrilled to watch a children’s animated movie. I certainly didn’t expect it to be the remedy for my bad mood.
    But God knew.
    He knew what would lift my spirit. He knew what would soften my heart. And in His quiet, gentle way, He met me right there—on the couch, with my family, during a movie I didn’t want to watch.

    Gratitude changes everything

    So, tonight, I feel thankful—grateful for my life, my husband, my children, and the incredible family and friends I’m surrounded by.

    No, things aren’t always perfect. But as the Bible reminds us, we were never promised a life free of trials.

    Gratitude doesn’t erase the hard moments—it just helps us see the blessings in spite of them.

    Here are a few Bible verses that may help when you’re having a rough day.
    Write them down and keep them by your bed or on your desk. Write them on a Post-it note and stick it on the fridge.

    However you choose to display them, keep them close—you never know when you’ll need that gentle reminder that God sees you and knows your need even when everything around you seems to be going awry.

    ‘Give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you’ 1 Thessalonians 5:18

    ‘My brothers and sisters , whenever you face trials of any kind, consider it nothing but joy, because you know that the testing of your faith produces endurance’ James 1:2

    some of my favourite bible verses

    ‘We know that all things work together for good for those who love God, who are called according to his purpose’ Romans 8:28

    ‘Do not worry about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God’ Philippians 4:6

    What about you?
    Have you ever had one of those days where everything spirals—and then something unexpected re-centres you ?
    I’d love to hear your thoughts or stories in the comments. Let’s encourage each other to find gratitude, even in the chaos.

  • 6 habits Catholics should leave at the Church door

    Want to be more present at Mass? Here are 6 habits Catholics should leave at the Church door to honour the sacred and stay focused during the Holy Eucharist.

    These 6 common habits we should leave at the door — lovingly shared, not to judge, but to help us worship more fully and be fully present at this wonderful gathering Christ has called us to be a part of.

    A friend and a wonderful man of faith, Peter, recently asked me to share the message below with five people in my network.

    I smiled and said, “Yes,” but then I thought — why stop at five? I’ll share it with anyone who’s willing to listen.

    As Catholics, sometimes how we participate in Mass reflects our reverence and love for Christ.

    These are not commandments, but loving suggestions — gentle reminders that might help us enter more deeply into God’s presence during the Holy Eucharist at Mass.

  • Catholic Church Near me finding home at our Parish

    We each have the power to welcome, love, and pray someone into faith. This is my story of how one parish – a local Catholic Church near me—and one persistent friend—helped change our lives forever.

    This weekend, my family and I revisited our old parish, a place that holds a very special place in my heart. We attended Mass, reconnected with familiar faces, and shared stories and laughter with friends who have been part of our journey for many years.

    It was more than just a visit; it felt like coming home.

    This church isn’t just a building to us, its just not a Catholic Church near me, It’s where my husband and I were married over 12 years ago, It’s where both our sons were baptized. And, it’s also the place where we celebrated my mother’s life and bid her farewell during her requiem Mass.

    Every time we step through those doors, we’re reminded of the milestones, the joy, the grief, and the overwhelming sense of belonging that this parish has given us. It’s more than memories—it’s part of our family’s story.

    A community built on faith

    Over the years, I’ve met and made some truly wonderful friends in this parish. Together, we’ve shared countless joys—marriages, births, new beginnings, and the proud celebration of exam successes among the younger members. We’ve also stood beside one another during times of sorrow: grieving the loss of loved ones, facing job losses, and navigating the challenges of illness.

    This community has praised together, cried together, and loved together. They are not just fellow parishioners—I see them as my extended family.

    What makes it even more special is how we first discovered the church. I had lived in the area for years and had somehow never noticed it. Then one sunny summer evening, in the early days of dating, my husband and I went for a walk—and stumbled across this plain but beautifully white-painted community church. We instantly fell in love with it. That very evening, we decided it would become our church. And the rest, as they say, is history.

    I feel so thankful and grateful to our loving Father and Our Mother Mary, Mother of the Church for our priests, and this vibrant community. Over the years, we’ve been truly blessed with faithful priests—sons of the church—who have lovingly shepherded us into deeper relationship with Christ.

    Praying for Grace

    I am especially grateful for the many prayers I’ve received from my fellow parishioners. The conversion of my husband to the Catholic faith is one of the greatest blessings in my life, and I firmly believe it was brought about by God’s grace—and the prayers of the faithful within our parish, especially from our dear friend, Peter.

    When I met my husband, he believed in God, but didn’t follow any particular faith. As a practising Catholic, I had always dreamed of marrying a strong man of faith, someone who would help lead our family spiritually. I often wrestled with the love I had for him alongside my deep desire to share my faith with my future spouse.

    But I trusted in God’s providence. And in time, that trust bore fruit.

    Peter, a wonderful man of faith, constantly encouraged me to pray for my husband’s conversion—and he prayed, too. In fact, there were times I’m sure Peter was praying when I was not. When I was discouraged, he stood firm in hope. He believed without wavering that, in His mercy, God would touch my husband’s heart and bring him fully into the faith. And indeed, He did.

    Over the years I’ve visited many churches—some, I’ve felt warmly welcomed, others, I’ve felt like a stranger. But we must remember; we are the Church. We, the people, are the Body of Christ.

    Christ is the Vine and we are the branches

    From the very first moment I stepped into the church, I felt at home. I still remember fumbling around, looking unsure, not knowing anyone. And then a kind woman—now a dear friend—approached me, asked if I was new, and welcomed me with open arms. That warm feeling my husband and I had felt standing outside the locked church on that summer evening years ago was solidified that day.

    As I reflect on our visit, I’m reminded that God’s timing is always perfect, and His plans for us often unfold in the most unexpected, beautiful ways. What began as a simple walk on a summer’s evening became the start of a lifelong spiritual journey.

    If you’re still searching for a place to worship, or praying for a loved one’s heart to be opened to faith, take heart. God hears. And He often answers through the kindness of others, through community, through quiet and persistent prayer.

    Final thoughts

    Never underestimate the power of a warm welcome. Each of us has the potential to either draw others in or unintentionally turn them away—by our words, our deeds, and our actions. Let us be people who welcome, who love, who invite. Sometimes, a simple smile or a gentle “hello” may seem small to the giver, but it could mean the world to the one receiving it. It might even be the first step in someone else’s journey home.

  • The Surprising Path to True Joy: Holy Communion Revealed

    .A beautiful faith journey—my son’s First Holy Communion

    Gifted with Love: My Son’s First Communion Surprise, Westminster Cathedral find.

    As I sat in the pews, watching my son receive the Body and Blood of Christ for the first time, my heart overflowed with gratitude. Earlier that day, during a quiet moment of prayer with Mother Mary, I found myself in tears—tears not of sorrow, but of joy, gratitude, hope, and perhaps even a bit of relief.

    So yes—this has truly been a journey of faith, a leap of hope, and a testimony to the faithfulness of Jesus and Mary. It’s a journey that began three years ago. Now, I know some of you may be wondering why it took three years for my son to receive his First Holy Communion. Well…

    My son was in Year 3 when our church extended the invitation for children in that year group to begin preparation for their First Holy Communion. I accepted eagerly, without really stopping to consider how my son felt about it. In my mind, any hesitation on his part would be met with my usual determined (and loving) persuasion. And it worked—he attended his first class.

    But it didn’t take long for me to see that he wasn’t engaged. He sat through the hour-long session with a quiet unhappiness that tugged at my heart. He was just eight years old then—still very much my baby (he’s ten now, and in many ways, still is). Watching him so withdrawn and disinterested hurt more than I expected. I found myself torn between the desire to nurture his spiritual life and the instinct to protect his joy and wellbeing.

    After much prayer and soul-searching, I made the difficult decision to withdraw him from the program. I chose to wait another year, trusting that God’s timing would be better than mine. As life would have it, we moved the following year—and in God’s perfect timing, the parish in our new area happened to celebrate First Holy Communion in Year 4. My son was now in the “right” year group once again, and I eagerly signed him up for the classes.

    My husband and I spent time preparing him, gently talking about what this sacrament meant and what to expect. But once again, our son was hesitant. And truthfully, I understood. We had just uprooted our lives and moved to a new part of the country. He was adjusting to a new home, a new school, and a whole new routine. In my heart of hearts, I began to wonder: Was this the right time for him to begin this sacred journey? He was already carrying so much change—did I want to add more to his little shoulders?

    He also wasn’t fully engaged with going to church. While he did attend Mass every Sunday, I knew in my heart it was more out of duty than desire. As someone who grew up in a practicing Catholic family, I understood. Sitting through an hour-long Mass every Sunday isn’t always easy for a child. Looking back, I can’t say I was always excited to go either—but I did go, usually without complaint.

    That wasn’t the case with my son. There was often resistance, and sometimes frustration. It became clear to me, through prayer and long conversations with my husband, that maybe—just maybe—this still wasn’t the right time. He simply wasn’t ready for the depth of this commitment.

    So we made a decision. We would pause again, and dedicate the next year to truly preparing his heart—not just for a sacrament, but for a relationship with Christ.

    We began reading the Bible with him every night. Prayer became a permanent part of our daily routine, it wasn’t just something we did occasionally or when life felt difficult. We talked often about the meaning of the Mass, about the beauty and mystery of the Eucharist.

    We encouraged him to talk to God as his loving Father, to bring his worries, joys, and questions to Him. We also spoke about trusting God—especially when life feels uncertain. And perhaps most importantly, we taught him that to love God means loving others: to be kind, to be patient, to see the face of Christ in every person he meets.

    And then, something beautiful began to happen.

    He started asking questions—about God, about Jesus, about Mary. Questions about our Catholic faith. His curiosity grew, and with it, a quiet desire to truly understand and to believe.

    At school, he began to make a conscious effort to live out his faith. He chose kindness with his peers. He became more thoughtful, more aware of how his actions would reflect the love of Christ.

    At Mass, I saw a change. He listened. He paid attention. He began participating—it wasn’t perfect but at least it was sincere. He couldn’t yet recite all the responses by heart, but he tried. Always. And that effort, that willingness, moved me deeply.

    This, I believe, is the quiet power of the Holy Spirit at work. A gentle transformation that no amount of pushing or persuading could have accomplished on its own.

    I’ve always loved the saying: “Do what you can do, and give the rest over to God.” And that’s exactly what we did. We planted seeds, watered them with love and prayer, and trusted God to bring the growth.

    So this year, I sat in the pews—with a tear in my eye and a heart full of joy —as I watched my son receive the Body and Blood of Christ in the Holy Eucharist for the very first time.

    I was overwhelmed with gratitude, joy, peace, and deep happiness. I felt so proud—not just for the moment itself, but for my son and the quiet perseverance he had shown. He had worked hard. He had overcome doubts, changes, and challenges to reach this sacred moment. It hadn’t always been an easy journey—but then, ease was never what God promised us.

    What is asked of us is faithfulness. What is desired of us is trust. And as I reflected on this journey, I realized my son’s Holy Communion wasn’t just his milestone—it was ours as a family. We were all changed. We were all drawn deeper into God’s grace.

    I, personally, was stretched and refined. I learned the virtue of patience in a way I never had before. We experienced, firsthand, the gentle and unwavering faithfulness of a loving Father who walks every step with us—even when we stumble, even when we doubt.

    Final Thought

    The bread and wine we receive in Holy Communion are not symbols—they are truly the Body and Blood of Christ. God, in His infinite love, has given us this most precious gift, a gift that has the power to transform us both physically and spiritually. In receiving Christ, we are united with Him—body, mind, and spirit. What a wondrous mystery. What a sacred treasure.

    I know I am not worthy of such a gift. And yet, I’m reminded of how, as parents, we often give beautiful, thoughtful gifts to our children—not because they’ve earned them, but simply because we love them and want to see them happy. On their special days, we go above and beyond to bring them joy.

    So it is with God. In His perfect love, He offers us the greatest gift—His Son, Jesus Christ—because He desires our joy, our fulfillment, our eternal union with Him.

    I pray that each of us may receive this gift with open hearts, and that God may grant us the grace to approach the Holy Eucharist often, and always with reverence, humility, and love.

    A quote from Blessed Carlos Acutis

    ‘Try to go every day to Mass and to receive Holy Communion. … If you can, stay a few minutes every day in Eucharistic adoration in front of the tabernacle where Jesus is really present, and you will see your level of holiness increase considerably’.

    Blessed Carlos compiled a catalogue of all the Eucharistic Miracles, below is the Eucharistic Miracles of Buenos Aires they blew me away I’m sure they’ll do the same to you.

    Miracoli Eucaristici buenosaires