Pam Spano

The Pandemic taught me to be grateful

Lord, I am grateful for this experience despite the losses that were endured. I am grateful for those "daily delights" that you made me see and continue to see.

Read article →

A Pandemic Christmas and the End of a Challenging Year

Now we are in Advent and Christmas is so close. A baby awaits us to bring hope and joy to His people. The Christmas lights remind me of the light at the end of a nearly year-long tunnel.

Read article →

This year I learned that Lent doesn't have to be depressing

We had a mild winter in Chicago this year and other than the fact that I had pneumonia, things have been going pretty well. As Lent approached, I had some great expectations, but then I just wasn’t into it. I’m sure most of you can relate to that!

Read article →

I used to be a nasty woman

By now you’ve probably listened to or read the poem (written by Nina Donovan) Ashley Judd recited during the Women’s March on Washington. I started to read the text and had to stop.

Read article →

How are you experiencing Advent?

How are you experiencing Advent? I like the way John Michael Talbot describes it: "Get to journey through Advent first. It's a season of repentance, like Lent with a bit of sugar on top! Then we are ready for Christmas!”

Read article →

Why I didn't vote early

I’ve never voted early and I probably never will unless I would be out of town, but that’s highly unlikely.

Read article →

Are you ready to vote?

Are you ready to vote? Did you pray about it? Talk to spouse/friends/family about their choices? It’s a contentious time isn’t it?

Read article →

What would you have done?

My husband and I were returning home from a lovely evening out when we were confronted with a situation that begged the question, “What should we do?”

Read article →

The Feast of Saint Martha and my new job

I’ve made some changes in my life recently or should I say the Lord made some changes in my life.

Read article →

Speak, for your servant is listening

One of the things I did in my last job was to listen to people. I would hear their concerns without comment. Sometimes I’d even put my hand over my mouth, to remind myself not to speak.

Read article →

Overcoming my sins and faults of my tongue

I read this great article entitled, “How to Overcome Sins and Faults of the Tongue,” by Sister Laus Gloria, O.C.D. In the article Sister is asked about her thoughts on the constant superficial chatter around her. Who would have thought that as adults we would still encounter the behavior of some people who are still acting like they are in high school?

Read article →

My Summer Resolutions

Most people make New Year’s Eve resolutions, but I’ve started making summer resolutions.

Read article →

Lessons I Learned from the Lutherans

Our daughter graduated from college in May. My husband and I have been to many college graduations, but this one was different. It wasn’t different because it was our daughter, it was different because she graduated from a Lutheran college.

Read article →

Coloring, Catholicism, Van Gogh and Chagall's White Crucifixion

After a trip to The Art Institute here in Chicago to see the the exhibit, Van Gogh’s Bedrooms, I’ve become interested in the paintings of Van Gogh and the museum itself. I’ve also become a big fan of adult coloring books and I was able to purchase a Van Gogh coloring book in one of the museum gift shops.

Read article →

Your "hail Mary's" are no more effective than your Hail Michelle Obama's

A while back I posted a picture of St. Rocco (a statue from St. Therese Chinese Catholic Church) on my Facebook page. I told the story of how my leg was bothering me one morning and how I randomly prayed to him (and Hail Mary-ed) my way through my pain.

Read article →