A rising generation of new matriarchs
Hispanas/Latinas tend to be very strong women: “Mujeres Fuertes.” I have quite a few of these “alpha females” in my family. They run the show and are not to be…
An open letter to the young woman considering abortion
To the young woman considering an abortion, A mountain range of emotions is likely rising within you right now. You’re growing weary, getting lost in the valleys and peaks. Perhaps…
You are a work in progress, and that’s OK
The world doesn’t want you to know this, but we are all a work in progress. And that’s a gift. Meet Julia Marie Hogan Werner, a therapist, author and speaker…
The American Dream may not work with Catholic culture: A Latina’s perspective
As the daughter of an immigrant, I’m among the first generation in my family where the mother worked outside the home. This has become normalized in American culture, but it’s…
Ordinary prayers for ordinary time
With the celebration of Easter over, we head back into Ordinary Time in the liturgical calendar. I spend a lot of time thinking about how to celebrate feast days or…
Struggling as a newlywed? You’re not alone
Have you heard of the “honeymoon phase” of a relationship? The time when everything is easy, life is fun and simple, and you feel totally in love with your boyfriend…
Catholic Hispanic traditions made me feel at home
If you grew up like I did with a lot of Caucasian friends, particularly Irish ones, then until recently, you, too, may have grown up with St. Patrick’s Day being…
Why fiction is necessary in the spiritual journey
About seven years ago, I was invited by a small group of friends to form a book club under what was at the time a brand new organization: the Well-Read…
5 relationships that changed when I deleted social media
At the beginning of the year I realized I needed to take a big break from social media. Digital platforms like Facebook and Instagram were places in which I learned…
Discovering God’s beauty as a Latina Catholic
There are few movements in today’s mainstream climate that I agree with or like, but one of the current trends I absolutely love is seeing more diversity in the display…