My name is Molly Brieden I am a wife to Bryan for 22 years and the mother of six amazing children. I am also a nurse. I am busy.

My early childhood consisted of sporadically attending a Methodist church in Indiana where I grew up. In high school I attended mass with my Catholic friends but didn't really retain anything as I had never been taught in the Catholic faith.

After we were married we became St. Clare parishioners and in 1996 we baptized our first two children. “But what about me,” I thought? I continued to attend mass and eventually learned more and felt comfortable here at St. Clare. I felt a sense of peace when I spent time here. However, it was important for all of us in the family to “be on the same page” so to speak. I had questions and needed answers.

In the year 2000, I signed up for the RCIA program and received the sacraments of baptism, reconciliation,  communion,  and confirmation all at the Easter vigil. In fact, I was the first to be baptized in the baptismal font. I remember it vividly - the heater wasn't working that evening and the water in the font was ice cold. Fr. Joe was concerned about dunking me as I was a couple of weeks away from giving birth to my fourth child and he didn't want to send me into labor. I was confident and had faith that all will be well, so we forged on and I became an official Catholic that night!

Although I don't have an AH HA moment, my resurrection story is ongoing.  I have grown as a
mother and a wife and a nurse and a Catholic. And in all of my roles, I believe that God has a hand...

We all have said “on earth as it is in heaven" many times. God has shown me snippets of heaven here on earth. I saw it in the birth of my children, vacations with my family, a sunrise over the water, passing my nursing boards, and in my transplant patient who received the news that she's getting a new liver!

I can recall each of these memories of “heaven on earth” and use them as a calming moment
before daily prayer or meditation.  It's an effective catalyst for me to be with God. Starting any
new daily routine is a struggle at first, but eventually becomes habit and you miss it if you don't
do it. I have found this to be true with meditation and prayer. This ritual makes me feel reset and fulfilled.

My story is ongoing; as I am sure it is for many others. I am truly blessed to be able to share this
story and spend time with our close net, yet ever-growing  St. Clare community. I am hoping for
many years here with Fr. Andrew and Fr. Tom. I hope that they will continue leading and teaching and listening - as these are all things we need - no matter where our journey leads us.