In medieval England, select women voluntarily devoted themselves to God by walling themselves in an anchorhold. There was no entrance or exit, only two windows. Enclosed in these tiny holes, anchoresses lived in worlds much bigger than ours.
Read MoreOur world has more material prosperity than ever. So why does everybody seem so dour? And why are so many of our culture's stories devoid of hope? Author Shemaiah Gonzales's latest book is Undaunted Joy: The Revolutionary Act of Cultivating Delight. This collection of essays makes the case that, as Christians, our stories need more joy. But not the naïve or fake kind of joy. The real, brave kind. She joins the pub table to discuss the implications of telling stories that cultivate authentic joy.
Read MoreDelighted to be leading a morning retreat, STORIES OF FAITH: The Power of Stories to Shape and Encourage Our Faith, for women at the St Raphaela Center. Join us!
Read More"Often I hear, “We aren’t the same type of Christians as them.” As Madeleine L’Engle said, “We fall into Satan’s trap of assuming that other people are not Christians because they do not belong to our particular brand of Christianity.
Frankly, this is the enemy’s intention—to divide us."
For this week of Prayer for Christian Unity I wrote for America Magazine - The Jesuit Review about the traditions (Jesus Movement, Grace Brethren, and Vineyard) that informed my faith before my conversion to Catholicism.
Have you always wanted to read this classic novel? Or reread it more deeply? Or simply discuss it thoughtfully with likeminded people? Join us for this four-part seminar in which we will discuss Charlotte Bronte's pinnacle novel in depth.
We will divide the novel into four sections and explore topics such as voice, the Self, literary references, a Christian reading and more. We will find a novel dripping with grace and His Presence amongst its pages.
Read MoreOver five years after the pandemic, most of my fellow parishioners will still not grasp hands to pass the peace—-and I long for it. I wrote about the power of this ritual for Busted Halo.
Read MoreHad the joy of being on the Paulist Fathers Deacons Pod, sharing my book Undaunted Joy but also about my prayer text thread and even got to read my Advent "proem" Out of Sight
Read MoreAdvent is coming! How can we “do Advent right?” The answer is not what you think. My latest for Ignatian Spirituality
Read MoreHonored to have paired with Image Journal for this Advent Seminar A Thrill of Hope: The Weary World Rejoices
Read MoreJoel J Miller interviewed me for his wildly popular substack, Miller’s Book Review. We talked about Fight for Joy, Making Life Work as a Writer and More. Joel is such a gracious literary citizen.
Read MoreJesus’ plans are much richer and better than what we could imagine for ourselves. As we live in faith and relationship with Jesus, we discover who we were truly created to be.
Read MoreGrateful to Front Porch Republic and LuElla D'Amico for this marvelous review of my book Undaunted Joy. Luella uses my name in the same sentence as Brian Doyle so I am over the moon.
Read MoreHonored to join Haley Stewart for a conversation about living joyfully and passing down good literature to younger generations in the newest episode of Word on Fire Catholic Ministries The Votive Podcast.
Read MoreLiving Joy does not mean a life without sorrow or pain. It does mean living in hope. In her new book, Undaunted Joy: The Revolutionary Act of Cultivating Delight, Shemaiah Gonzalez encourages finding joy in the small things in life. It’s a good practice for gratitude and being light in dark and distracting times. Based in Seattle, Gonzalez talks with Kathryn Jean Lopez about finding the joys in Costco, naps, and the much more enduring things.
Read MoreWrote about the Steadfast Love of God for Ignatian Spirituality .
Read MoreThrilled to announce that in January I will be one of the visiting writers at residency for the low-residency MFA creative writing program at Whitworth University.
Read MoreI was able to speak with Sisters Erin McDonald and Colleen Gibson on Beyond the Habit Podcast . We talked about the transcendence of joy, the importance of being present with others, and my nee book new book, Undaunted Joy: The Revolutionary Act of Cultivating Delight. Listen today!
Read MoreWe are Christ's hands and feet. I shared a story of kindness from my last trip to England with Ignatian Spirituality
Read MoreMy devotional and book Undaunted Joy was featured on Proverbs 31 Ministries this morning. May it be a blessing to many.
Read MoreThrives on moments where storytelling, art and faith collide.
