I always appreciate the conversations you start, even if I don’t always agree!
I am honestly so grateful for the many Catholic women and writers I “know” (if only online) who keep me hopeful about being a faithful woman without having to lob off parts of my brain and personality to suit this or that mold. I told someone a while back that one of the things that made me really start to consider Catholicism was the fact that I could find so many examples of women living whole, but not cookie cutter, sorts of lives — some of them with many children. But it was notable that their lives didn’t seem prescriptive or like they were, for lack of a better term, oppressed. So, as someone trying to reconcile these parts of myself that are feisty and a little unruly, and really over inconsistent, bad theology, thanks for writing!
I continue to appreciate the existence of the Catholic Feminist in this sphere at a time when some mainstream feminists would say that Catholics by definition can't be concerned with women's issues, and when some Catholics would say we can't by definition be feminists. Thank you for making space for those of us who are both/and!
Hey Claire, I am very much not in your target audience (being a youngish Australian guy) but I have been listening to and reading your work for years. I deeply appreciate it and believe it is a great service to the Church. I just wanted to thank you for your voice and witness. I am now raising a little girl and hope that I can be a good Catholic feminist dad for her. Prayers for you and yours.
Great topics this year. I really enjoy how you link previous letters on related topics at the end of your current letters. I’ve been around since the CF podcast days, and you have a great body of work, so it’s fun to get refreshers on what you’ve written in the past! I’m looking forward to revisiting the new years/winter ones from early 2024 that you link in this letter.
I would love to read a letter where you reflect on your growth as a writer in the CF space… like how do you feel like your focus/perspective has shifted as you grow as a person? How do you think your literal writing has changed (or not) over the last few years? How do you think the “space” has changed, other than getting more crowded? You’ve touched on this before with the shift of “I want to quit my job and go serve the poor overseas!” attitude vs. “I want to serve my family well here and now.” But as an English major, I’d be interested in some literary analysis of your own work if it doesn’t feel too navel-gazing haha.
On Substack, I read a lot of writing on tradwives/creating a family culture/ balancing tech with real life (all very zeitgeist-y topics). Overall, I found it interesting, and agree with a good chunk of the principles, but also found myself getting annoying at the total demonization of tech 😆 Yes, social media and smartphones can be addictive and bad, but having maps/podcasts/music on my phone is GREAT. I can stay at home with our kid(s) cause my husband is a software engineer. There’s a lot of good innovation to be had.
The Catholic Feminist has been my go-to ever since I started at University. I have so much appreciation for you and for your work, especially your respect for Pope Francis and speaking out against misogyny that is running rampant among prominent Catholic male influencers. My personal favourite take of yours was on Harrison Butker's controversial commencement speech. Your coverage is always PHENOMENAL.
I first found you during Lent many years ago when I only could listen to Catholic podcasts. You were the first catholic I “met” that seemed like me. Stubborn, a leader, and vocal. I’ve since read your book and just kept saying “that’s me”. That’s my request for next year - keep being you. Many catholic women need it. Thanks for all you do!!
I'm just taking advantage of the comments being open to say thank you. I only found you this year - I'm a protestant Christian in Western Australia. I've love your writing. I love your honesty and how you don't need to tie a bow on things. I sent your how to be a homemaker essay to half a dozen women. I became a Christian in my late teens/early 20s and felt for so long that God made a triangle but I would say to him, "wouldn't a circle be more godly?" Thanks for sharing. It's been so encouraging to me as I wrestle with childrearing, work, starting an online magazine, and ministry 💛
I always appreciate the conversations you start, even if I don’t always agree!
I am honestly so grateful for the many Catholic women and writers I “know” (if only online) who keep me hopeful about being a faithful woman without having to lob off parts of my brain and personality to suit this or that mold. I told someone a while back that one of the things that made me really start to consider Catholicism was the fact that I could find so many examples of women living whole, but not cookie cutter, sorts of lives — some of them with many children. But it was notable that their lives didn’t seem prescriptive or like they were, for lack of a better term, oppressed. So, as someone trying to reconcile these parts of myself that are feisty and a little unruly, and really over inconsistent, bad theology, thanks for writing!
I continue to appreciate the existence of the Catholic Feminist in this sphere at a time when some mainstream feminists would say that Catholics by definition can't be concerned with women's issues, and when some Catholics would say we can't by definition be feminists. Thank you for making space for those of us who are both/and!
Thank you for being here!
Hey Claire, I am very much not in your target audience (being a youngish Australian guy) but I have been listening to and reading your work for years. I deeply appreciate it and believe it is a great service to the Church. I just wanted to thank you for your voice and witness. I am now raising a little girl and hope that I can be a good Catholic feminist dad for her. Prayers for you and yours.
Thank you so much for being here!
Great topics this year. I really enjoy how you link previous letters on related topics at the end of your current letters. I’ve been around since the CF podcast days, and you have a great body of work, so it’s fun to get refreshers on what you’ve written in the past! I’m looking forward to revisiting the new years/winter ones from early 2024 that you link in this letter.
I would love to read a letter where you reflect on your growth as a writer in the CF space… like how do you feel like your focus/perspective has shifted as you grow as a person? How do you think your literal writing has changed (or not) over the last few years? How do you think the “space” has changed, other than getting more crowded? You’ve touched on this before with the shift of “I want to quit my job and go serve the poor overseas!” attitude vs. “I want to serve my family well here and now.” But as an English major, I’d be interested in some literary analysis of your own work if it doesn’t feel too navel-gazing haha.
On Substack, I read a lot of writing on tradwives/creating a family culture/ balancing tech with real life (all very zeitgeist-y topics). Overall, I found it interesting, and agree with a good chunk of the principles, but also found myself getting annoying at the total demonization of tech 😆 Yes, social media and smartphones can be addictive and bad, but having maps/podcasts/music on my phone is GREAT. I can stay at home with our kid(s) cause my husband is a software engineer. There’s a lot of good innovation to be had.
No requests because I never know what's coming down the pike 😂 But I am always grateful for your writing, perspective, and presence here!
Lol neither do I, friend--neither do I. 😂
The three books/posts you shared are right up my alley!! Thank you so much! It's like you handpicked them for me.
The Catholic Feminist has been my go-to ever since I started at University. I have so much appreciation for you and for your work, especially your respect for Pope Francis and speaking out against misogyny that is running rampant among prominent Catholic male influencers. My personal favourite take of yours was on Harrison Butker's controversial commencement speech. Your coverage is always PHENOMENAL.
Thank you so much--and I also love your name SO much 😂 I wanted to name my last daughter Avila!!!
Thank you! The only time it fumbles is at Starbucks 😂
I first found you during Lent many years ago when I only could listen to Catholic podcasts. You were the first catholic I “met” that seemed like me. Stubborn, a leader, and vocal. I’ve since read your book and just kept saying “that’s me”. That’s my request for next year - keep being you. Many catholic women need it. Thanks for all you do!!
Thanks for being here! ❤️
I'm just taking advantage of the comments being open to say thank you. I only found you this year - I'm a protestant Christian in Western Australia. I've love your writing. I love your honesty and how you don't need to tie a bow on things. I sent your how to be a homemaker essay to half a dozen women. I became a Christian in my late teens/early 20s and felt for so long that God made a triangle but I would say to him, "wouldn't a circle be more godly?" Thanks for sharing. It's been so encouraging to me as I wrestle with childrearing, work, starting an online magazine, and ministry 💛