Category: faith

Our season of All Souls Day inspire 3 life lessons

Our season of All Souls Day inspire 3 life lessons
2,000 years ago, Pope Gregory III named November 1 as a time to honor all saints. Other cultures honored similar traditions of the November 1 All Souls Day such as The Day of the Dead in Mexico from October 31– November 2 with altars and feasts to thank the dead. The evening before All Saints... Read more »
By Julia Passamani,
October 20, 2019 at 3:32 pm • 

One of the best Chicago elementary schools, Our Lady of Mount Carmel Academy

One of the best Chicago elementary schools, Our Lady of Mount Carmel Academy
To paraphrase the novelist Paul Theroux, “We can’t make our kids’ school days or years longer, but we can strive to make them better.” Thankfully, our boys’ Chicago elementary school community at Our Lady of Mount Carmel Academy models love and kindness. Data demonstrates how Our Lady of Mount Carmel Academy, OLMCA, is one of the best... Read more »
By Julia Passamani,
September 22, 2019 at 5:33 pm • 

Mother's perspective of Notre Dame Cathedral & child's First Communion

Mother's perspective of Notre Dame Cathedral & child's First Communion
Almost ten years ago in Paris, near the cobblestone streets and Seine River, I obsessed about my next serving of ice cream, crème brûlée, and the baby boy I carried at 20 weeks pregnant. The Gothic structure of Notre Dame, which translates to Our Lady or Mother of God, took our breath away. When recent news... Read more »
By Julia Passamani,
May 10, 2019 at 5:47 am • 
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Sweet spot of parenting

Some veteran parents affirm that each parenting stage is full of blessings. The good times in family life generally outweigh more complicated matters and fleeting moments of humbling self-doubt and exhaustion. Some of us can reflect and appreciate how our parents prevailed through it all. Wise elders, including my husband’s parents in heaven, anchor our family... Read more »
By Julia Passamani,
February 18, 2019 at 10:57 am • 

'The Game of Life' now includes pets & more

During our 2019 Chicago Polar Vortex, we busted out our eight-year-old’s new ‘The Game of Life’. He read the directions and started each contestant with a car, a ‘spin to win’ token, a child via either pink or blue peg, and one pet, cat or dog, and $200,000. Similar to the old school game, characters may... Read more »
By Julia Passamani,
January 31, 2019 at 1:06 pm • 

2019 New Year family thoughts & musings

2019 New Year family thoughts & musings
Yesterday, we embraced our Wisconsin family after our annual Christmas celebration. As we departed through the garage, we noticed a sign that reads, “Success is a journey, not a destination.” That rings true as we humbly look toward 2019 and another family New Year. A 2018 highlight includes some hiking. Our now eight-year-old inspired a post-hike... Read more »
By Julia Passamani,
December 30, 2018 at 7:30 pm • 
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Love from our family for a Chicago Merry Christmas

A friend’s Christmas card quotes, “May you be filled with an inexpressible and glorious joy” 1 Peter 1:8. That feeling of exuberant delight epitomizes the ultimate best wishes for our Chicago Merry Christmas. The grace and light of this season honors the birth of Jesus Christ who died for our salvation, but struggles a bit... Read more »
By Julia Passamani,
December 20, 2018 at 6:13 pm • 

What happy homecoming means

Our five-year-old understands the literal meaning of home. He abstractly outlined our brick structure where we live. He added details such as the dining room table and bunk beds. A home may vary from a modest dwelling to the more elaborate. Is home a place, community, feeling, or something more? A home often includes family... Read more »
By Julia Passamani,
November 24, 2018 at 8:16 am • 

40 simple pleasures for 40 years

40 simple pleasures for 40 years
Ancient philosopher Saint Augustine, who leveraged Plato’s teachings, links forty with perfection. While this new 40-year-old strives for order; we still embrace a life of imperfection, rich in beauty of simple moments and favorite things with loved ones. When little ones whistle — like the birds — they make your heart soar. When you feel overwhelmed with... Read more »
By Julia Passamani,
September 29, 2018 at 6:59 am • 
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Grandparents Day and our Cape Cod family vacation

President Jimmy Carter made Grandparents Day official 40 years ago. The day falls the first Sunday after Labor Day. The occasion reinforces the significance of elders. Our boys’ grandparents bless our family with love and traditions. We recently returned from our annual vacation in Cape Cod with our parents. Our parents drive 1,000 miles in... Read more »
By Julia Passamani,
September 4, 2018 at 7:52 pm •