Author: hollytrina

I have almost an entire book written about how Mother Mary has shown up in remarkable ways in my life. I wrote it for me, I finished it for my grandma, and some small part of me hoped I could get it published in the future. A few weeks ago, I picked it up to… Continue reading remarkably unremarkable

Two months after high school graduation, I packed up my life and stepped onto a plane, alone. It would be disingenuous to say that I went confidently, but I wasn’t frightened either. When walking towards the next right thing, although fear flutters at the fringes, our souls know that all shall be well. My very… Continue reading family in faith

June begins Pride month, and I am so very proud of my gay friends. I am proud of the way they trust themselves to be exactly who God created them to be, especially when the church and the government keep trying to convince them to hide. What I am not proud of is the way… Continue reading catholic pride

I watched a show the other day that was meant to bring tears to my eyes. In the middle of a church service, a man who suffered injuries from a war and could no longer walk was healed. He stood up, people cheered, and he walked right down the aisle. In the past, I think… Continue reading why are we crying

I recently bought music from an artist I love, but still listen to the album on Spotify. I pre-order books by authors I respect, but am still a religious library borrower. I buy prayer cards simply because they are beautiful, not for use during prayer. I subscribe to various creative’s Patreons and never use their… Continue reading buying to…support?

Do what you love, and you will never work a day in your life. Sounds lovely, doesn’t it. Except it’s not true. Or, at least, it’s not true for everybody. What we should be saying is, Love the job you’re in, and you will find your purpose. Pope Francis tells us in Laudato Si’ that… Continue reading do what you love

May is Mary's month, and here we are half-way through and I haven't said a thing, even though Mary is my person, the heart of my faith. Mary is the one who showed me it was okay to ask questions in the church. Even her initial “Yes” to God came only after her questions were… Continue reading mary’s month

I'm sad, not because I can imagine my son as Daunte Wright or Adam Toledo, but because I can't. Last night, I gave my white soon to be driving son a quick rundown of what he would need to know if he were pulled over while being Black. Hands on steering wheel immediately.Ask before reaching… Continue reading soon to be driving

I used to think it was good not to see color.I used to think that meant I loved everybody the same. Now I know better. It matters that I see color because color matters. If I ignore this truth, I ignore a history of oppression based only on how people look. If I ignore this… Continue reading seeing color

In place of my own words this week, I'm sending you to the words of the contributors of my favorite prayer book of the year, A Rhythm of Prayer, edited by Sarah Bessey. This week has been hard for one of the contributors in particular, Dr. Chanequa Walker-Barnes. She wrote a beautiful prayer titled "A… Continue reading when christians attack