Parish Life Archives - Mary Rose Kreger

Of Kindergartens and Kings

By maryrosekreger January 29, 2024Life After ConventDiscernment, Dreams, Faith, IEP, Kindergarten, Life After Convent, My Writing Journey, Parish Life, Prophecy, Special Needs, The Green Blade, YA FantasyNo Comments

"Why can't I just stay home with you, Mommy?" my son would ask me, day after day. I wrapped him up in a big bear hug. "Well," I explained, "I am not a good teacher. I want someone who knows what they're doing to teach you." Still, I thought about it. Maybe I could homeschool my son instead.

The Cloistered Heart, Part 2

By maryrosekreger August 3, 2023Life After ConventBride of Christ, Discernment, Life After Convent, Nancy Shuman, Parish Life, The Cloistered Hearts, The Convent of the HeartNo Comments

"Heart cloister can be lived by single or married persons, religious or clergy or lay, male or female. Because we carry our enclosure with us, we can be united in heart with God wherever we may be." - The Cloistered Heart Way of Life, by Nancy Shuman

You Are Not Alone

By maryrosekreger November 16, 2022Life After ConventFamily, Intercessory Prayer, Life After Convent, Parish Life, Supporting Our Pastor, Switching ParishesNo Comments

I wondered if Jesus was also trying to show Father Philip that he was not alone. A small band of parishioners were still present, keeping vigil with Father and Our Lord until the very end.

New Audio Recordings

By maryrosekreger May 7, 2022Life After Convent, Website NewsDiscernment, Hope, Leaving the Convent, Parish Life, The Mass, TransitionNo Comments

As promised, today I’m releasing two new audio recordings for the blog: First Night Home and No Going Back.

A Future with Hope

By maryrosekreger March 11, 2022Life After ConventAdoration, Dating, Discernment, Faith, Healing, Hope, Leaving the Convent, Life After Convent, Parish Life, Transition4 Comments

With James and my family’s support, I could begin to look at my immediate future with a little more hope.

Layperson In Training

By maryrosekreger January 5, 2022Life After ConventDiscernment, Family, Life After Convent, LifeTeen, Parish Life, Taking Risks, Transition, VolunteeringNo Comments

When I asked Father what I should do now, I’d expected him to give a more vague answer. Instead, Father welcomed me deeper into the parish community, by inviting me to volunteer and get involved. He made me feel included, which I liked, but also challenged.

No Going Back

By maryrosekreger December 29, 2021Life After ConventDiscernment, First Mass, Leaving the Convent, Life After Convent, Parish Life, The Eucharist, Transition1 Comment

I was only one day out of the convent, but already I knew: there was no going back. My 19 months in the cloister had changed, healed, and marked me. Maybe you couldn’t see this mark, like you could my oddly cut hair and cheap new clothes. This transformation went far deeper than physical appearances.