God had invited me to this specific place at this specific time. He had uniquely situated me to build bridges and instead I had built a wall around myself.

Letters, Relationship, ProtectCorynne StaresinicJanuary 16, 2019Ecumenism, Protestant, Graduate School, Theology, Divinity, Community & FamilyComment

The Four Words that Saved My Life

Last November before my 20th birthday, I planned on killing myself. I felt I was worth nothing and had no purpose. I didn’t know what to do anymore. I felt as if I were a robot. I was working 80 hours a week and sleeping the rest. I was so lost that I dug myself into a deep well of depression.

Letters, IdentityCorynne StaresinicJanuary 11, 2019Depression, Suicide, Mental Health, Mental illnessComment

Do You Believe That You Were Created Good?

At a young age, sporting soccer shorts and a mullet, all I cared about was climbing the next tree and wondering when the new issue of LEGO magazine would arrive at my door. I asked for hot wheels for Christmas and role-played as the boy character for all our childhood adventures. I looked around me, saw my friends and sisters and knew I didn’t fit the mold. My (little) heart ached and wondered, “why am I so different?”, “am I good?”

Where There Is Love, There Is God

In times when I can’t find God, I need only search for love. ...Anytime I feel love, or don’t feel love at all, but choose love with my will, God is there in that moment.

Letters, Identity, NurtureCorynne StaresinicJanuary 2, 2019Autumn, Postpartum, Letting go, Expectations, Motherhood, Self-care, Well-being, ResolutionsComment

Typos, Perfectionism and Freedom

I had just clicked submit when I saw it: “Catohlic.” I felt like someone had slipped an ice cube down my back. I had misspelled the word Catholic on an application to a graduate program. Not just any graduate program, one to study theology.

Letters, IdentityCorynne StaresinicDecember 28, 2018Typos, Perfectionism, Crucifix, Identity Comment

The Simple Act of Attending Daily Mass

Sometimes, you never really notice how you or your life are changing in the midst of it all. Gradually, things just become your new normal. But looking back, you can see how quickly things changed. That’s exactly how my love story with Christ has been.

Mental Illness and Trusting in Christ

The story of Jesus raising Jarius’ daughter from the dead is one I come back to again and again. …How often I’ve been in the shoes of these angry, grieving family members, and how often I’ve been this little girl, pronounced dead to the world.

Letters, IdentityCorynne StaresinicDecember 21, 2018Mental health, Mental illness, Mental Health, Well-beingComment

When You Look in the Mirror

Your identity is not found in your pants size, or the parts you deem imperfect, or in competition with other women, but in being fully known and loved as a daughter of God.

Letters, Identity, ReceiveCorynne StaresinicDecember 19, 2018Body image, Perfectionism, Self-care, Well-being, Beauty Comment

You Are Not the Sum of Your Success

For most of my life, I mistakenly thought that in order to please God, in order to be of any good, I must succeed at everything, and I bent all my energy to achieving my notion of perfection.

Letters, Identity, NurtureCorynne StaresinicDecember 14, 2018Perfectionism, Self-care, Well-being Comments

Receiving the Dreams God Has for Me

As I sat in the Adoration chapel, I tentatively laid out my dreams before God. My hopes for my vocation, my dreams to serve and create, my hopes for life-giving joy. But I was pulling back. I expressed my desire for fulfillment, but I did not dare voice how I hoped they would be molded specifically to my own heart.

Letters, Spirituality, CreateCorynne StaresinicDecember 12, 2018Masturbation, Singer, Pornography, Dreaming, Songwriter, Freedom Comments

Mother of Tenderness

If we are all called to be like Christ, that must mean we are also called to be vulnerable and not only that, but to be held by Mary.

Letters, Identity, ReceiveCorynne StaresinicDecember 7, 2018Mary, IdentityComment

Overcoming Scrupulosity

I cannot remember a time before anxiety. When I was young, everything had to be just right, and I always had to be in control. As I grew older, the prevailing worry was homework - had I done it perfectly? What if I’d missed something? And then more diabolical fears crept in - and I do mean diabolical in the truest sense of the word. I spent years wrestling with crushing, exhausting, terrifying guilt in my spiritual life.

Who I Am When I’m Alone

There is tremendous power in learning to be at home with yourself.

Created in the Image and Likeness

The intricate design of the female reproductive system whether healthy or unhealthy evoked a sense of sheer awe and splendor. Ladies, we are fearfully and wonderfully made created in the beautiful image and likeness of God.

Letters, Identity, ProtectCorynne StaresinicNovember 28, 2018Napro, Feminism & FemininityComment

The Importance of Taking Care of Ourselves

We must not forget that we are body and soul, and our bodies are a gift from God that we must not squander. It would be like if a friend gave you a beautiful plant for your birthday but you neglected it and let it wither.

Letters, IdentityCorynne StaresinicNovember 23, 2018Self-care, Well-being Comment

There's Room for Each of Us at This Table

I knew Jesus had room for me—he hung out with my crowd, loud mouth recovering know-it-alls trying to figure out how to follow Him. That wasn’t my issue. It was the Church, with its pearls and stained glass, its rules about candle height and liturgical music and specific wordings—that was where I wasn’t sure I was welcome.

Letters, Church, LeadCorynne StaresinicNovember 21, 2018Claire Swinarski, The Catholic Feminist, Belonging, Staying CatholicComment

Finding a Mother in Mary

When I found out I was pregnant, I was ecstatic, however the realization that I didn’t know “how” to be a mother slowly set in.

Letters, Motherhood, IdentityCorynne StaresinicNovember 16, 2018Motherhood, Mary, Community & Family Comment

Who Do You Say That I Am?

Suddenly a piercing thought came to mind and focused my attention: “Do I believe in the resurrection of the dead?” Of all the things running through my brain, this one moved to the front of the queue.

Letters, Spirituality, ReceiveCorynne StaresinicNovember 14, 2018Suffering, Belief, The Creed, Death, Faith, Living Peace Comment

My Worth is in God, Not My Relationship Status

It took more than three brutal years of striving and posturing to realize that I already had a love story. In fact, I was a part of the greatest love story of all time.

Glimpses of Eternity

How Sister Theresa Aletheia Noble, FSP, a former atheist, confronts the meaning of death.

Archive of Letters to Catholic Women