Author: hollytrina

When I went to the ob/gyn last month, the sign above their scale read, “Remember: This number does not define who you are.” The handwritten note was signed with a smiley face, painter’s tape holding it to the wall. Go find yourself a doctor who believes this to be true.(I mean it. Go right now.)… Continue reading why are all the saints skinny

We call faith a practice, as if there is a formula we can follow, day after day, to hone our skills so that we may live like Jesus. I understand this concept. Truly, I do. When we practice something, we undoubtedly get better. Except that sometimes our practice stops working. When that happens, we need… Continue reading practicing faith following an interrupted faith practice

My teens went to Scout camp today and I miss them. I wasn’t expecting this particular emotion mere hours after they left, considering I spent years longing for a weekend alone, yet here it is. When the children were younger, my only wish was for a day to spend exactly as I wanted. Parenting littles… Continue reading parenting sweet spot

So many Catholics say that your patron saint chooses you, you don’t choose them. When I hear overarching statements like this, it gives me pause. What is the difference, really, between having somebody choose you and you choosing that somebody. How relationships begin is just a tiny piece of the story, it is the work… Continue reading when saints choose you

I am a woman.I am Catholic.I love people. So why is being pro-life so difficult? In 6th grade, I wrote a paper on how I thought abortion should be permitted in certain circumstances. My public school teacher pulled me aside, quietly whispering, but, honey, aren’t you Catholic? Yes, I am, I replied, but I didn’t… Continue reading being pro life

Let’s be real. There have been many times over the course of my life that I have questioned whether I should stay in the Catholic church. The church has done some awful and traumatizing things over the course of its very long history, and yet I’m still here. So, I have to ask myself, why?… Continue reading the catholic long game

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