In the Eye of the Storm
On the days when I don’t attend daily Mass in my parish, the Shrine of St. Jude in Rockville, Maryland, I watch Mass online via YouTube. Daily Mass is a wonderful way to start the day, and I feel like the rest of the day goes so much better when I begin it that way.…
Keep readingBien sûr, que je sais jouer du piano (not)!
If you could instantly master any skill, what would it be and why? All in all, I’m pretty content with who I am and how I got here. Of course, I wish I could eat whatever I want and never gain a pound, but I didn’t win the genetics lottery for that one. I am…
Keep readingThe Love of Ham Prevails
This is a direct quote of what I said this morning explaining to my husband how the daily battle of Cody vs. Pill went today: “The Love of Ham Prevails.” As you may know from reading my posts, on New Year’s Eve 2025, we adopted a 9-year-old Yorkie via a rescue organization. The rescue organization…
Keep readingKnock Knock! Whoooo’s There?
What jobs have you had? One summer during college I worked in the Plaquemines Parish Clerk of Court’s office near my hometown. (Yes, parish. Louisiana is the only state in the US that has parishes instead of counties.) At the time, I was an English major on a pre-law track and the courthouse job seemed…
Keep readingHaircuts for Becca
Please see my latest published piece for the Catholic Standard. It was a blessing to cover this event. https://www.cathstan.org/local/st-jude-school-holds-haircuts-for-becca-fundraiser-for-childrens-hospital
Keep readingAll Nighters
Do you remember life before the internet? We were returning from the university cafeteria, stopping and chatting with everyone we knew on campus, which was just about everyone, headed back to the sorority dorm at my small state college. Looking at us (we always traveled in a pack of 5-7 girls), you would think we…
Keep readingFits Me to a Tea
I’m thrilled to share my essay about my love of tea and my Scottish heritage recently published in Tea Zine, a Scottish print and online publication! This one is very special to me! https://coinoperatedpress.bigcartel.com/product/the-tea-zine
Keep readingFire and Ice, So So Nice
List your top 5 favorite fruits: pineapple, papaya, mango, cantaloupe, and honey dew melon! Read on to see why! Trigger Warning: this essay is about 9/11 and a trip I took a month after it happened. The morning of 9/11, as normal, I dropped my girls off at school and headed to my office where…
Keep readingGood Friday at the Shrine of St. Jude Catholic Church, Rockville, Maryland
It’s no secret that our pastor, Fr. Paul Lee, is fond of classical music, and he has commented that his favorite instrument is the cello. Over the years that he has been pastor at the Shrine of St. Jude in Rockville, MD, he has hosted several concerts featuring area musicians. This year as part of…
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Michelle Blanchard Ardillo 
