9-Month Update - 6/13/2026

My spiritual revival is just over 9 months in now. Before I go on, as a refresher, I have always been Catholic. I have always been a Christian. Regardless of my active or inactive status in practicing or embracing my faith, those two things are a given. It started last September, this beautiful revival of faith in my life, with me happening upon the story of a young woman named Justine Donahue on YouTube. Why YouTube's algorithm decided to put her story before me, I can only describe as "a God thing." By the time I was done watching, I was back. Period. I didn't know how my return would manifest itself, but I knew I was back.

Justine Donahue Conversion Story

Last evening, while Caroline was washing up, as I sometimes do, I watched a couple of videos on YouTube. Since last September, I've created a channel on there where I watch inspirational "church" stuff. I watched a bit of one, and of another, not finding a lot that really kept my interest. Then I clicked on the testimony of a woman named Hannah Crews. She's a former Protestant and very recent convert to Catholicism. For my Catholic friends, I think you'll find the story informative. I recommend it. For some of us, we've been where we are for so long, we don't know or think about why we're there. We just are. That's not a bad thing. I guess, maybe it reads that way, but I don't mean it so. Hannah spent a great deal of time looking at Catholicism from the outside. Her testimony is a great explanation for us who are already there.

Hannah Crews Testimony

Here's a "big picture" overview of what the 9 months "back in the saddle" for me has been like.

I go to Mass every Sunday. Religiously. Pun intended. And every single thing I'll list after this has only served to enrich the Mass for me in my life.

I've made it to Confession 4 times. I'm not crazy about Confession, but I'm fully on board, and it's part of the whole package.

I'm reading inspirational books intermixed with my normal leisure reading. Unfortunately, I'm buying them faster than I can read them. Luckily, I like having them, so it's not a total waste. My reading in this category includes the Catechism of the Catholic Church, which I recommend for any Catholic or non-Catholic who is curious what we actually believe and why.

I've incorporated time for daily prayer in my life. Again... religiously. I usually pray the morning prayers from Magnificat, a Catholic devotional that's mailed home once a month. There's another called Our Daily Bread. I got a free issue, and I think when my Magnificat subscription ends, I'll switch to it. I don't know why, as they're very similar, but I think I like it better.

As far as prayer goes, I pray for family, friends, and for myself. I pray for all the aforementioned in general, and especially by name for those of you I know are sick, or who have suffered loss. When I pray for myself, I pray primarily for three things:

  • Make me a better follower and believer in God the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.
  • I pray that being a better follower includes my mind, heart, body and soul.
  • Make me a better husband, father, son, brother, and friend to the people in my life.
While walking or driving, I sometimes listen to stuff on the Hallow App. I especially like something on there called, "Daily Exegesis", which is a line by line, literal breakdown of the daily Gospel reading, posted 365 days a year. It's super informative, and the guy's voice (I don't know his name) has a really pleasant accent. It sounds Australian. He's very "listenable." 

I recommend the Hallow App, especially Daily Exegesis for Bible lovers.

My Ascension Press Great Adventure Note Taking Bible. I love it.

And, of course, Bible study. I'm slowly and methodically reading the Gospels, using two Bibles and the Catholic Commentary on Sacred Scripture books. I find that often, my study of the Gospels leads me into other books in the Bible. Similarly, Mass, reading books, the readings in Magnificat all lead me into the Bible at times, where something strikes me as interesting or important. The more I study, the more motivated I am to keep studying. I'm thirsty for more. It takes me about 2 months to give my full attention to one of the Gospels. Rome won't be built in a day!

Have a great day, friends. God bless.

In the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Amen.

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