Heavenly Best Friends
Cathy Stipanov was born and raised in Largo, FL. She currently works in Faith Formation at St. Timothy Catholic Church in Lutz, FL, where she also established a chapter of the Seven Sisters Apostolate. Through this initiative, over 40 women have committed to praying Eucharistic Holy Hours for our diocesan priests. Married to her husband Jim for 22 years, Cathy is a homeschooling mom to their three children. In her free time, she is an avid reader and enjoys hiking in the western U.S. whenever possible.
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Cathy Stipanov was born and raised in Largo, FL. She currently works in Faith Formation at St. Timothy Catholic Church in Lutz, FL, where she also established a chapter of the Seven Sisters Apostolate. Through this initiative, over 40 women have committed to praying Eucharistic Holy Hours for our diocesan priests. Married to her husband Jim for 22 years, Cathy is a homeschooling mom to their three children. In her free time, she is an avid reader and enjoys hiking in the western U.S. whenever possible.
To sign up to receive the Be Courageous Daily Reflections to your inbox, click the link below.
A few years ago, my sister and I were discussing our Lenten resolutions. She said, "I’m going to become best friends with St. Gertrude this Lent." That made me laugh. I’ve always had special devotions to a handful of saints—St. Francis, St. Therese, St. Ambrose, St. Ignatius—and yet I never imagined them as friends. Thanks to my sister, the saints are no longer distant superheroes; they are now my daily companions. St. Catherine of Siena has become one of my best friends.
I’ve devoted most of my adult life to serving the Church in one way or another. Most days are filled with joy and zeal. But there are days when it’s hard not to feel weighed down by the divisions within the Church. I often wonder: How did St. Catherine discern when to speak out and when to be silently obedient? How did she find the courage to speak truth through love in a way that even the Pope listened? So one day, I decided to pick up her book, The Dialogue.
"The community of believers was of one heart and mind."
Today’s first reading from Acts sums up the effectiveness of St. Catherine. She centered her life on Jesus and was so attuned to Him that their hearts and minds were united. As her will became His will, the Spirit moved her in ways I’m sure even she wasn’t expecting!
I have so much to learn from St. Catherine's love, humility and surrender. I’m deeply grateful that, through the authority of the Church, we have this treasury of saints to guide and encourage us on our path to holiness.
Which saint will become your best friend today?
Dear Lord, please give us the grace to center our lives completely on You so that like St. Catherine we may serve You and Your Church with great love and zeal. Amen.
