As we celebrate the momentous occasion of the election of our new pope, Pope Leo XIV, I am filled with a sense of new beginnings for myself, for my parish and for the Church. I hope for you too :).

A Pope for Every Season

Credit Edgar Beltrán / The Pillar

I converted to Catholicism Easter 2013, and shortly after, Pope Francis was elected. It was a joyous occasion for me, as a new Catholic, to witness this historic moment and to embark on my own Catholic journey as he embarked upon his journey as pope. For that reason, I felt a special endearment to Pope Francis and felt like he was MY pope :).

So as we say goodbye to Pope Francis and the baton passes to another successor of St. Peter, I can’t help but feel a rush of emotion (I cried during Pope Leo’s first speech on the balcony at St. Peter’s) that is a mix of gratitude for being called to Catholicism, awe at the history of our Church and its popes, and excitement for what the future holds.

It feels like a new beginning.

“Always we begin again.” – St. Benedict

A New Book, Not Just a New Chapter

For me personally, I feel like an entire book has been written from Part 1 of my journey of Catholicism… my time as a new Catholic over these last 12 years, learning and discovering and accompanying many souls. Death, life, my kids growing into adults, entering into midlife, entrepreneurial ebbs and flows, illness and health. In a word: Life.

And now I feel that book has closed, the ink has dried on its final page, and I put pen to paper for a new one. Not even a new chapter, but an entirely new book. Of course, I’m not the author — God is. I’m simply holding the pen, trusting His hand to guide the words.

The Preface: A Time of Transition

I’ve spent the last year or so in transition. I liken it to writing the “preface” for this new book. Figuring out where I’m going, what the theme might be, what the chapters could hold — and who the characters will be.

The old me seems to almost be fully behind, and God has poured His spirit into the fresh wineskin of my soul. And in this new wineskin, He begins to write again — a new story, in His words, on the pages of my life.

What has that transition looked like?

It’s been multi-faceted. Working on my health: Understanding peri-menopause and what was happening with my body. Getting my blood sugar from swinging violently to a more steady source of energy. In general, feeling healthy and energetic again.

Navigating the shift into a less active role of motherhood with one son having flown the coop and the other driving and independent. It’s a odd thing to go from always taking someone somewhere to near complete freedom of time. Strangely unnerving after years of that habit. But I think I’ve emerged from that period of adjustment to the other side.

Listening, finally, to that deep desire within my soul to study theology without any understanding of the utility of that study and an acceptance that it may have none aside from the great joy I derive from learning. I took a big swing applying to Notre Dame’s Master’s in Theology program — and the joy of being accepted into a school I’ve long admired feels like living a dream.

“Be who God meant you to be and you will set the world on fire.” – St. Catherine of Siena

Notre Dame’s acceptance came right at our parish mission, which was focused on a revitalization and renewal of our parish, and I suspect deep down that somehow my studies have a role to play there.

Honoring my love of travel — especially of Europe, its history and its languages — and recognizing that call as I set the intention to explore as much as I am able in this second half of life.

Now Begins the Writing

Saint Ambrose by Rutilio di Lorenzo Manetti, Wikimedia Images

And so the preface has come to a conclusion, and now it’s time to start writing the book with God alongside me. As I sat watching the new pope introduce himself to his people, I knew the time had come for me too to begin this new journey.

I feel a renewed sense of mission, of purpose, of momentum, of KNOWING deep down it has begun. Time to step forward, to take action, to do the things that I’ve been tossing around in this old brain for years.

The preparation work is complete; action calls. I trust the Author — and say yes to the next line He’s already begun. The ink is flowing. It’s time to write what He’s been whispering for years.

“God has created me to do Him some definite service. He has committed some work to me which He has not committed to another.” – St. John Henry Newman

What Is God Writing in You?

So I invite you to think about what new beginnings are in store for you as we walk this journey with our new pope. What is God calling you to right now that perhaps you’ve been thinking about, putting off, preparing for, transitioning into? Is it time to put actual pen to paper and stop planning? To move forward boldly, knowing God’s providence is guiding you?

I’d love to hear what it is — by writing it here, you can more concretely commit yourself. But if not here, write it in a journal or whisper it in prayer — but name it. Begin.

I hope you’ll continue to follow me as I do the same.  Let’s get out our pens and get to work alongside our new pope!