A 2024 Wrap Up

+ looking forward to 2025

Friends, it’s almost the new year. But before we dive into 2025 with grace, grit, and gumption, I wanted to take a moment to look back on the gifts of 2024 with you.

Let me sock it to you straight: this year felt like an immense amount of heavy-lifting and hard inner work. I’m tired. On a work level, on a personal level, on a spiritual level: I am feelin’ it, which is really reflecting itself in my word of the year (which I’ll share in a letter soon!)

But Letters From a Catholic Feminist has been such a bright spot.

I mean it—not a day goes by where I’m not thankful for the gift this newsletter has become. It brings me so much joy, focus, and peace. I can only hope + pray it does the same for some of you. I pray for my subscribers every single day, and pray to be able to continue to steward this gift I’ve been given well.

We started this year by talking about joy, and trying to find it in the dead of winter.

I spent a lot of time talking about female empowerment, choice feminism, and prostitution because I see this terrible trend of women selling their bodies as yet another facet of misogyny.

We had an election, which resulted in me getting angry at many politicians, but reminding myself that my true peace comes from Christ the King.

Our summer read-along was The Rights of Women, which was a huge hit.

We had some terrific guest posts from Shannon Evans, Julie McKay, Sara Larson, and Stephanie Duncan Smith.

But if I had to come up with a theme for the past year, it’s this: what is homemaking? And how does it relate to masculinity? The Red Pill movement, the Andrew-Tateification, the manosphere: whatever you want to call it, we couldn’t stop talking about it in 2024. Conversations about attachment parenting, conservative influencers, and tradwives brought up our temperatures but one of the things I love most about this space is our respect for one another, even in times of conflict. While most of the world was mudslinging and becoming the worst caricatures of itself, here in this digital living room we were able to think, ask questions, and engage with one another.

My favorite thing that happened this year? When we all bought a new roof for an orphanage in under 24 hours. I cried.

Ok, and this: y’all love a Matt Fradd rebuttal.

That little roundup is not exhaustive, but it highlights some of my (and your!) favorite pieces from the year.

Two final things:

First, an invitation.

When I first launched this substack, the idea of a paid newsletter was foreign to a lot of people. It might still be foreign to you! But as substack grows and grows, I know that we can’t possibly give to every writer we admire. I know this because I myself am frequently hopping from writer to writer, trying to keep my substack budget at a number my husband + I have agreed upon. Hear this, loud and clear: do not apologize to me if you can’t become a paid subscriber right now. You know your budget + your spiritual needs best! This is a no-money-shame zone, okay?

And also, this newsletter would not exist without our paying subscribers. There is no way on earth I could find the time to write thoughtful, nuanced content without paying for childcare. If they went away, this newsletter would go away: full stop. And I don’t know; maybe you’re fine with that. I get it. The world would certainly keep spinning without the Catholic Feminist.

But I do know this: I don’t think the environment of media we currently exist in is good. I think it’s focused on clicks + cash; I think it promotes anger, uncritical thinking, and pretty people putting on makeup while some words flash on a screen. I think it’s making us dumber and less present.

Good writing doesn’t do those things. Good writing helps us think, brings us together, and fills us with empathy. I believe some of the best writing in the world is taking place on substack right now, and I’m pleased as punch to be a part of it. In fact, I want to get better at it, which means moving slowly, doing my research, and praying over my words.

All of this to say: I ask that you prayerfully discern becoming a full subscriber for 2025.

Do you know how many times I tell Boomer family members or whoever what I do, and their response is, “people pay you for that”? I know. It’s so insane. It’s wild. And I am so stupidly lucky.

Secondly, a note of gratitude.

Whether or not you’re a full paid subscriber, please know this: I am so thankful you’re here. I’m grateful you scooted over in your inbox and made room for me. I’m happy that there are people who appreciate what I do and thank me for it. I’m just so, so grateful for you, this year and always. For the first time in a while I’m truly excited for the year ahead—I’ve got a lot planned for this corner of the internet and I’m happy you’re here to be a part of it.

Jesus loves you.

See you in the new year, my friends.

In Him Through Her,

Claire

I’m opening comments to everyone, which I don’t usually do, so be nice. But I’d love to hear a) what you read on substack this year that you loved (didn’t have to be from me!) and b) what you’d like to see more of on the Catholic Feminist next year.

On My Nightstand

• Wounded in Spirit: Advent Art and Meditations by David Bannon: Wow. A million stars. This was the absolute perfect book for my Advent reading—it’s a beautiful painting and meditation each day. Short, thoughtful, beautiful. Put it on your list for next year’s Advent!

• Reclaiming Quiet by Sarah Clarkson: I’ve long loved Sarah’s work, and her latest book is no exception. I read this book about the importance of silence with a group of friends (we’re getting together to discuss next week!) and find it so uncanny how Sarah always writes what I need to hear when I need to hear it.

• Reclaiming Time: Why Women Should Challenge the Productivity Industry: I’m really feeling God asking me to lean into rest this year, which is immediately followed up by a whoosh of midwestern shame and millennial #innergirlboss. This piece helped focus my mind and settle my heart. “How do the daily lives of women differ from those of men? How might the language of production and optimization be causing undue stress and anxiety? And, finally, what might it look like to reject this modern framework altogether, in favor of something more in keeping with our nature—as women, but also as human persons?”

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Join us in France!

In October 2025, I’m leading a pilgrimage to the south of France: the Way of Mary Magdalene. We’ll be traveling to Saint-Maximin-la-Sainte-Baume, where the remains of St. Mary Magdalene are, as well as other sites associated with women in the gospels. We’re also sipping wine, visiting Cannes, wandering Aix-en-Provence, and so much more. This isn’t a vacation, mission trip, or retreat, but a true pilgrimage, where we’ll journey together and grow in our faith. Kick your 2025 off with a gift to yourself and your own crooked little heart by signing up. ❤️ We have a very limited number of spots left. Some FAQ: we will have a very wide age range, you can absolutely come alone (most people do and we’ll match you with a roommate), and if you’d prefer to pick your own flights just buy the land-only package for now.