Becoming the Garden Again
“God the Father has communicated to Mary His fruitfulness, as far as a mere creature was capable of it, in order that He might give her the power to produce His Son, and all the members of His mystical body.”
When One Woman’s Yes Opens the Door for Others
It’s amazing how the Holy Spirit shows up in the quiet — and how often, He shows up through someone else’s yes.
Recently, I attended a women’s retreat that began like many others: name tags, good snacks, beautiful ambiance, the low hum of conversation. We were there to receive. And yet, as often happens, we didn’t quite know what we needed.
The first speaker stood up — and within minutes, she offered something none of us expected. She didn’t begin with polished points or a highlight reel. She didn’t stand even on her own God-given strengths and accomplishments (of which there are many.) She began with vulnerability. Not oversharing or performance — just realness. The kind that makes you exhale a little. That makes you feel like you are in the right place…and safe. The kind that opens a door inside your own soul.
She shared a story of grief and wounds in need of healing, of confusion and grace. And in doing so, she gave us permission — not just to listen, but to enter in. I watched the room shift. Shoulders softened. Eyes lifted. Tears fell. Prayer deepened.
I thought of Mary. Mom.
One of the prayers that the Holy Spirit has placed upon my heart lately has been, “Mom, I accept your protection. I trust your intercession.”
The month of May — this month — is set apart to honor the Blessed Mother. We crown her with flowers, pray her litanies, reflect on her gentleness and strength. But more than anything, we remember her yes.
A yes that was quiet but courageous.
A yes that bore life.
A yes that made space for the Holy Spirit to enter the world.
At that retreat, I witnessed how one woman’s yes to honesty and presence made space for others to enter into deeper healing. Just like Mary. Just like the Church is meant to do. Just like we’re called to live.
That’s part of why Hazelnut Catholic exists — to hold space for deep safety, transcendent beauty, and real communion with God and each other. Whether you’re in a busy season or a hidden one, trying to find your spark again or ablaze with zeal. Whether you are ministering tirelessly or feeling the quiet ache of unspoken wounds — you are not alone.
When we come together in prayer, God moves. Count on it. He is our shepherd, we are his sheep. We know his voice. But sometimes, even in my most quiet moments of prayer, I wonder if it is my thoughts I am hearing or his voice. Sometimes I hear his voice so clearly and later doubt creeps in and I seem to be talking myself out of my clarity, my certainty. We need each other. We need you. Living in communion helps us to live into the realities of our faith. Where the world tells us to second guess, we can remind each other to trust. Old wounds heal. Dry bones come to life. God dwells within us. We become the garden again.
As we look around and see a million miracles of spring bursting into bloom all around us, we see God’s loving invitation to give us new life within. Maybe for the first time, maybe for the tenth.
“You are the Garden now.”
In baptism, you became a place where grace can grow.
What you plant — in thoughts, habits, time — shapes your inner Eden.
We’re not waiting for perfect peace before we begin.
We’re welcoming the Spirit into the middle of the mess, just like the disciples did in the Upper Room.
And if you feel called to retreat — to literally step away for beauty, breath, and renewal — I invite you to join us for Transcendent Spring: The Promise of Pentecost. It’s a retreat and mini-course hosted here at Cedar Creek Sanctuary throughout May and June. It’s the natural overflow of the garden we’re tending.
Let’s say yes together.
Let’s let Mary teach us how to receive.
And let’s return — again and again — to the Garden!
What’s next for Hazelnut Catholic?
We are all still living in the glow of the best Lent we have ever experienced (Praise God!!) and Easter Joy! Our enthusiasm for inviting you to all of our events is off the charts because God is showing up in ways we could never have planned or imagined and we are SO GRATEFUL. We want you to be a part of it. This year I have had the blessing of worshipping with Catholics in Kansas City at an Encounter Conference and with Catholic Women at the recent Blessed Is She retreat in Arizona. Believe me when I say that God wants very good things for his beloved children in Oregon. Despite dark times and low lows, we find beauty, strength, peace, and faith in communion with each other. By God’s design. Rejoice always! Live gladly!
“The greatest honor we can give Almighty God is to live gladly because of the knowledge of his love.”
― Julian of Norwich
AND — Registration is NOW OPEN for Transcendent Spring, a retreat series focused on Pentecost located at Jessica’s gorgeous Cedar Creek Sanctuary. With lots of flexible registration options, we seriously can’t wait to get started…
… keep celebrating the Easter Mystery, Divine Mercy and The Promise of Pentecost!
We’re praying for you, dear friend.
