Originally from a farm in Southwestern Ontario, Julia O’Shea VanSpall (“Julie”) moved to BC in 1992 to pursue her dream of teaching. After marrying Stephen VanSpall, she became a stay-home mom to their four children for ten years before returning to her career. Julie currently teaches at IC Delta School and has been writing for the BC Catholic since 2006.
I have always appreciated the spiritual messages in the story of the Woman at the Well. Every time I read it, and every time I hear a homily or reflection … Continued
The question “How is your Lent going?” is not one I would be apt to ask another person directly, but it is one I regularly ask myself. I usually begin … Continued
At a First Communion preparatory Mass I recently attended, the Deacon prayed that the children would continue to come with joy to the celebration of the Eucharist. While the sentiment … Continued
This year, my Grade 7 students were blessed to be able to spiritually “adopt” the unborn child of one of our staff members. Following a prayer service on reverence for … Continued
A colleague and I recently chatted about the “lows” of the post-Christmas season. We had both taken down our Christmas decorations and were discussing the ways in which our energy … Continued
In our Catholic Church, we are blessed with seasons. Unlike in the secular world (where Christmas begins in the weeks of Advent and then basically becomes a one-day, food-present-decoration extravaganza), … Continued
A few weeks ago, I read a reflection written by Rose Coleman, on the Blessed is She platform. She reflected on the fall weather where she lives in Minnesota and … Continued
Over the past few years, I have referred to and quoted author Emily Stimpson Chapman several times. I originally discovered her essays during COVID, on the online platform Blessed Is … Continued
I recently had to renew my passport. Waiting for two hours at the government office provided me ample time to ponder the process – and life. People entered the lineups … Continued
In 2021, Pope Francis instituted the World Day of Grandparents and the Elderly to be celebrated on the fourth Sunday in July, on or near July 26, the Feast of … Continued