Trinity House Community

Our friends texted us a dinner invitation for 7pm on a Tuesday evening. We didn’t know anyone who would be there but we felt honored to be included… and truth be told, a bit enticed by the thought of a rare night out in the middle of the week.

Just seconds after the opening prayer, any assumptions of small talk were proved wrong. Raising a toast to the Franciscan and guest of honor and the order’s ministry, our host went on to share how the Franciscans had played an outsized role in his journey of faith.
Our hostess then followed with her own deeply personal reflections on how God had met her through that same ministry. And then… gulp… they invited us to go around the table and share with the group about ourselves and our own faith journeys.
When we stood up to pray together in the living room and then on to coffee and dessert, our hearts were full. What happened?

What happened over delicious pasta, salad, and bread was that 11 guests chose to listen and share deeply, to take a risk and open their hearts. We all know how easy it is to share our achievements, triumphs, and status. But that’s not what happened around this table.

Our host returned the gift of the evening to God in prayer, and we delved deeper into conversations that had sparked from one another’s stories.

In the weeks ahead- as friends and family come and go from our homes, tasting of our hospitality- let’s remember how we experienced a taste of heaven in our friend’s home and invite the Holy Spirit to do the same in ours.

Swipe for some hospitality tips >

What a blessing these first 10 years have been, and we continue to ask for the Holy Spirit’s guidance for the next 10!

Trinity House marks 10 years - Arlington Catholic Herald Friends and supporters of Trinity House Café & Market in Leesburg gathered Oct. 19 to celebrate its 10th anniversary.

Looking for a community of faith-filled couples and parents to help you grow in your own faith and share it with your family?
Are you looking for and longing to have a taste of Heaven in your Home?

Here are some events coming soon to help you find that community of faith.
Not one near you or want to learn more? Contact us!

- Nov. 2nd at Blessed Sacrament in Alexandria, VA
- Nov. 9th at St. John the Apostle in Leesburg, VA
- Nov. 9th at St. Theresa in Austin, TX
- Nov. 16th at Ss. Philip and James in Baltimore, MD
- Nov. 22nd at the Basilica of St. Mary in Alexandria, VA
- Nov. 22nd at Queen of Apostles in Alexandria, VA
- Nov. 23rd at St. Bernadette in Springfield, VA
- Nov. 23rd at St. Bridget of Ireland in Berryville, VA
- Nov. 23rd at St. Theresa in Ashburn, VA

Oct. 1, 2014—the opening day of our ministry’s Trinity House Café + Market—was a Wednesday.
It seemed that risk was in the air as we opened the doors on the corner of Church & Market.

“God never stops asking us to risk more,” we heard entrepreneur Geoff Gentile share at a recent conference, “it’s the underpinnings of the Gospels.”
 
We are grateful to reflect on the risks and steps of faith taken by:

- Hundreds of thousands of customers who have stepped across the threshold.
- Scores of staff who chose to work at a start-up café with a crucifix in the front hallway, an icon of the Holy Trinity in the main dining room, and a mission to provide a “little taste of heaven.”  
- Many generous volunteers who have stepped forward over the years.
- Hundreds of donors who have made the café ministry—and the growth of the ministry’s outreach to families across our nation—possible.
- So many kind souls who pray regularly for the café staff, volunteers, and all who come through its doors.
- Dozens of artists, musicians, artisans, vendors and authors who have chosen to exhibit and share their God-given gifts at the cafe.
- Multitudes of pastors, church leaders, and lay leaders who have encouraged us.
- Our landlord, who took a risk in leasing to us in 2014.
- St. Therese of Lisieux, whose feast day today reminds us of her “Little Way” and her unstoppable faith, which she called “confident to the point of audacity in the goodness of our Father.”
 
Yes, we did take a risk. But in doing so, we followed the Way-Maker, Jesus, whose life was defined by ever-greater risk and surrender to his Father. Then, as we “risked Jesus” day by day, a community of loving risk-takers stepped forward to help.
 
And God’s abundant blessings flowed.

Is Jesus calling you out into the deep? Are you willing to trust Him enough to cast your nets just one more time?

Notice that Jesus doesn’t send Peter out alone, but goes with Him.

Our God is a God of abundance and He wants to pour out His love on you until your own “nets are tearing.”

In prayer, ask Jesus for the grace to receive the love He wants to give you.

“I once heard a priest say that marriages and families are transformed, not so much through individual effort but through sustained involvement in a supportive community of believers. And by ‘believers,’ he was not only referring to believers in the faith but more broadly to those who believe in the gifts of marriage and children and want to help others enjoy these gifts.”

We absolutely love family life…

When we brought our firstborn home, we were overwhelmed from day one! And that was arguably with a lot of resources- we both grew up in loving and faith-filled homes. We both had graduate degrees and could write papers about the Catholic vision for the family. But there we were - arguing, tired, and unsure of our next steps. We wrote “Heaven in Your Home” for couples like us, who are looking for a basic roadmap that they can adapt. We absolutely love family life. We wrote it to share some of the simple, quiet joys that we experience alongside the inevitable challenges.

“The perfect family does not exist,” Pope Francis said. And every family, at any stage, can begin to take intentional steps toward finding heaven in your home. In fact, since the family is a communion of persons, our families are already much closer to holiness, to being like God, than we might think. Whether you’re a new parent, empty nester, or grandparent, you play a vital role in your child’s life. Rather than be overwhelmed, just take one small step.

We would love to walk with you as you navigate family life and living out your faith, and we’re happy to offer resources such as our “Heaven in Your Home Letters & Guide” book, weekly e-letters, and Heaven in Your Home parish programs for the whole family. Visit our website to learn more about each of these and feel free to contact us - we’d love to hear from you!

Read more about our ministry and love for family life in the recent article on the Institute for Family Studies website.

families catholic ministry nonprofit church

Last week, we attended the SENT “Build Like Saints” Summit in Fort Worth, TX, and we were encouraged by all the stories of fellow Catholics following God’s call to mission.

During one fascinating panel, Alex, a co-founder of Hallow, recounted a moment of surrender with the personal mission God had entrusted to him.

“Jesus doesn’t ask us to feed the crowd. He asks us to bring our loaves and fishes. Work hard, pursue excellence, give the best you can to Jesus, and then surrender the outcomes to God.”

As you come before the Lord to further respond to the unique call He has given you, take heart. He only asks you to do your best. And then to risk a little more, for Him. To bring your loaves and fishes. To surrender the outcomes. And yes, to take up your cross, knowing that His burden is easy, and His yoke is light.

We are so grateful to EWTN and the EWTN News Nightly team for coming out to Trinity House Café recently and sharing the message about our ministry.
It was a joyful afternoon with a bustling cafe full of friends both new and old, sharing how the Lord has worked in their lives through their time at Trinity House Cafe + Market.

https://youtu.be/XNrQwOkyJrg?si=tjanrap3N2pF-wCH

“To fall in love with God is the greatest romance; to seek Him is the greatest adventure; to find Him, the greatest human achievement.”
- St Augustine of Hippo

augustine feast day catholic saint quote

Happy Solemnity of the Assumption of Mary!
(and Holy Day of Obligation!!)

Munificentissimus Deus (Pope Pius XII)

38: “All these proofs and considerations of the holy Fathers and the theologians are based upon the Sacred Writings as their ultimate foundation. These set the loving Mother of God as it were before our very eyes as most intimately joined to her divine Son and as always sharing his lot. Consequently it seems impossible to think of her, the one who conceived Christ, brought him forth, nursed him with her milk, held him in her arms, and clasped him to her breast, as being apart from him in body, even though not in soul, after this earthly life. Since our Redeemer is the Son of Mary, he could not do otherwise, as the perfect observer of God’s law, than to honor, not only his eternal Father, but also his most beloved Mother. And, since it was within his power to grant her this great honor, to preserve her from the corruption of the tomb, we must believe that he really acted this way.”

Truly a beautiful document and we highly suggest reading it if you can make the time!

Mother Mary, pray for us!

With back-to-school season comes excitement, nerves, and a touch of chaos. If we get on the same page with our children now, then as we navigate the roller-coaster of August, we can intersperse the busyness with meaningful touch points to make their transition more peaceful.

Here are some ways to strengthen those relationships in the last few weeks of summer:

•Plan a one-on-one date with each of the kids. Whatever that is, our job is to ask questions, listen, and discern the way forward.

• Get back to family prayer. Whether it’s the family rosary, evening prayer, or singing a hymn, parents can set the tone by bringing the daily stress and back-to-school anticipation to the Lord.

• Make one last day-trip or family outing and lead an “inventory of gratitude.” Invite each family member to share what they’re grateful for as they reflect back on the summer.

Read the full article on our website or on Foryourmarriage.org

In awe and wonder…

When was the last time you went outside and found something beautiful and just admired it? Or the last time you went outside and sat in silence?

Today, take some time to go outside and find something beautiful. Whether it’s an hour or a minute, give that time to the Lord and He will bless it.

Find the peace that only God can give.

The Creator of this world is an artist- don’t let His work go unnoticed.

Read our article on ncregister.com and join in this historical movement with your family!

Don’t we all — years from now — want to be able to look back on the first National Eucharistic Congress in 83 years, and be able to say, “Our family was there (whether physically or, more likely for most of us, spiritually). We remember. We had an encounter with the Risen Lord together as a family that July. That was a turning point for us.”​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​FAMILY ADORATION
You will be part of the Body of Christ, interceding for renewal in our own hearts, families, and nation.

WATCH AND PARTICIPATE
Free streaming on the Eucharistic Revival website.

VISIT A SHRINE OR BASILICA
This investment of time will put your heart in a posture of receptivity.

START A NEW HABIT
Take the opportunity to institute a new, life-giving habit to continue this movement.

FAST
Offer up your hunger for renewal and revival in our hearts and in our nation.

Read more about how to live the Congress from home in our article on Aleteia.org

"Come, Holy Spirit, fill the hearts of your faithful and kindle in them the fire of your love. Send forth your Spirit and they shall be created, and you shall renew the face of the earth!"

Whether you're in Indianapolis or at home, don't miss out on celebrating the Eucharistic Congress. Here's how.

Tune in live to the Congress here:
https://www.eucharisticcongress.org/livestream-sign-up?_gl=1*15iufya*_gcl_au*NTk1MTY5MzU0LjE3MjEwNDcxOTY.*_ga*NDY5OTA0NjU5LjE2OTQ2NTU1Mjg.*_ga_EPSKFT8FRQ*MTcyMTMyNDU3Mi4zLjAuMTcyMTMyNDU3Mi4wLjAuMA

Make History with Your Family This Week - Trinity House Community Listen Now Make History with Your Family This Week (Espanol) The National Eucharistic Congress is July 17-21 in Indianapolis, IN, and if you take one thing away from this week’s Heaven in Your Home Letter, here it is: make the Congress count for you and your family. Lord willing, this Congress wil...

Happy 4th! 🇺🇸

We admit it. We’re one of those love-at-first sight couples. What’s more, within the first two weeks of dating at a Catholic social teaching seminar in Krakow, Poland, we knew we wanted to do ministry together. Now 23 years into the journey of marriage, we can see the contours of three special seasons of our work.​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​Season 1: 2006-2014. Alongside raising our first children and Soren’s full-time work for the Diocese of Arlington, we launched the non-profit John Paul II Fellowship as our “side hustle.” We had been formed by the holy pope’s call to do our part for the new evangelization, so with a shoestring budget and dedicated volunteers, we hosted dozens of culture-building events, talks and dinners for young adults in parish halls in the DC area.

In 2009 we invited these young adults to take this beauty out into the open by launching a café. We would call it Trinity House. For the next five years, we put on dozens more parish events as we worked to raise the money needed for start-up.

Season 2: 2014-2019. We finally opened the cafe on Oct. 1, 2014, the Feast of St. Therese, in the heart of old town Leesburg, VA. We hung the Trinity icon and invited the Holy Spirit to imbue the café with a “welcome–listen–serve” atmosphere that would once again lead with beauty.

As we raised our children and witnessed the phenomenal challenges buffeting every Christian family, we began to ask questions about where the blueprint for family was and wonder what would've been most helpful to us in our early years of marriage.

Season 3: 2019-2024. With a few generous checks and a lot of prayer, God invited us into a new season. Five years ago we began full-time work together, renaming the ministry to Trinity House Community to better convey the heart of our mission to inspire families to make home a taste of heaven for the renewal of faith and culture.

Will you join us?
Whether it be through prayer, financial support, or attending our events, learn more here.
https://trinityhousecommunity.org

Deep down, we all want to be the servant who invests wisely, making a good return for our Master, rather than the one who misallocates what has been given. But even though our ideal is to be the “good and faithful servant,” we struggle to make the right decisions with our resources.

This question of good stewardship—the proper allocation of resources toward the greatest good—is at the heart of Level 3 of a Trinity House, Household Economy, our focus with you in the 3rd week of each month. Why is it so difficult to invest our “time, talent, and treasure” toward God’s will for our home, family, and community, his will that we know will result in repairing the damage done by sin and building up God’s kingdom on earth?

It’s so difficult because the world and our own fallen nature tend to operate on a principle that is opposed to good stewardship. Instead of allocating our resources toward God’s will, we tend to want to direct them in a way that will increase ourselves—our comfort, our satisfaction, or our image in the eyes of the world. We want to spend our time, talent, and treasure on ourselves every time.

But when we mainly allocate our resources to growing what author David Brooks calls the Big Me, we eventually realize that those choices don’t lead to happiness. No matter how we try to assuage our sense of how we should experience our days or how we should look or what we should achieve, the results never satisfy. Hopefully, once we’ve hit that wall over and over again, we might come to really contend with how to spend ourselves...

Here are three practical ways to take your posture towards stewardship to the next level:

- Spend time prayerfully reflecting on biblical teachings on stewardship (here’s a compilation). Reflecting on these passages can allow us to gradually move toward a commitment to good stewardship, based on the recognition that everything we have is God’s.
- Review your budget and take one small step of faith in the direction of more radical charitable giving.
- Give your children a “Stewardship 101” overview. The best way to reinforce what we believe is by teaching it, and these family conversations can begin to change the tide — away from the “Big Me” and toward a heart of generosity.

If you’ve already made these shifts in your own heart and daily life, thank God. But if not, take a small step this week, asking the Lord to change the way you make decisions about your resources. We are still doing this ourselves, to say the least. Sometimes we feel we are in an endless loop of asking the Lord for this type of transformation!

Read the full blog here: https://trinityhousecommunity.org/all-that-i-have-is-yours-2/

At Mass recently, I watched as all five of our kids went up to receive Communion in the line ahead of me. I was suddenly dizzy, thinking of the miracle of their lives, of Christ’s body uniting with theirs. 

“The body of Christ.”

“Amen,” I heard each of the kids say, and their amens shot through my entire frame as I heard my heart answering amen with them.

I remember my dad’s visit during my freshman year of college, 700 miles from home. He was the only dad I ever saw smoking a pipe on the campus. One day he marched me into a department store and said, “Hey guy, what do you need? You all set for shirts? Socks? Ties? How about a sports coat?” He worked through a checklist of a young man’s wardrobe, concerned that his son might be missing something. I later learned that when he set off to college in 1963, his dad took him as far as the local bus stop. I remember this, and my gratitude surges.

My dad told us stories that I need to get better at handing down. Like how my immigrant great-grandfather worked at a gashouse in Chicago while his bride cleaned houses. They put aside $5 a week until they had the $300 they needed to go for their dream — a 10-acre farm. But it turned out the land they bought from an agent was sandy. The farm went under in three years, and he went back to decades of assembly-line work at Nash Motors in Kenosha. A joy for him was to take his kids down the street for ice cream on Sunday afternoons. He liked to hum and sing hymns around the house. My parents sang those same hymns at home, and now I’m doing my part.  

The joys are often hidden in plain sight.
Our lives are like this: so much of beauty still left in the fields at night, the gleaners weary. The fathers’ hearts light with the joy of it all. 

Happy Father’s Day!

read the full article in the Arlington Catholic Herald

“What’s a Trinity House?” It’s a question we hear a lot. As we unpack it, we often point to communion as its defining characteristic. Want to know if your home is a Trinity House? Ask yourself, “Do the habits and practices and spaces of our life build up communion among persons?”

Do our conversations with others reflect the deep mutuality, the knowing and loving, of the persons of the Holy Trinity, or do we often find ourselves slipping into “fight, flight or freeze” dynamics?

At these moments, something seems to be blocking communion, our God-given desire to be seen, heard, and understood.
Neuroscience shows how our experience of alienation in such moments plays out in the brain. In his podcast, Christian counselor Adam Young, LCSW, explains that such healing, “ requires another to bear witness to our unhealed pain.” The “interpersonal joining” that results “creates the environment for the brain and body to heal.”

We can pursue emotional growth and healing from these fight, flight or freeze dynamics in our relationships through listening, healing, and integrating:

- Next time you feel yourself slipping into one of these responses, take a deep breath, say a prayer for wisdom, and try to identify where the response is coming from.
- Offer connection, care, and presence.
- As you encounter life’s inevitable pain, look for ways to “metabolize” it by talking it through with a loved one who can simply bear witness to your experience.

By God’s grace- and by embracing the stunning way he has inscribed our very brains with an intricate need for relationship- even now we can experience a foretaste of heaven through gradual healing and increasing communion.

Visit our website to read this week’s full blog.

Check out our feature in the June edition of the Columbia magazine!

On the topic of surrender, has a beautiful Surrender Novena card

In an epidemic of loneliness, community is VERY attractive.​​​​​​​​​Our hearts respond when we see community, relationship, authentic fellowship in action. ​​​​​​​​​It's opening a door to the Holy Spirit so that He can move and work in us.

Thank you so much for hosting us on the show and for all the good work you do for the Kingdom!

Find the video on YouTube