Welcome! I’m Laura Kelly Fanucci. Mother, writer, wonderer.
This space is where I explore mothering through writing. It’s where I celebrate how God shows up in the chaos of raising children. It’s where I love to build community with readers like you.
I’d love to connect on Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram. Please take a moment to subscribe to my blog (in the sidebar) so you don’t miss a post.
I also publish a monthly newsletter with ideas for living out faith at home and favorite reads. Sign up here and get a free e-book of Prayers for Parenting!
Let’s get to know each other!
My husband and I have four wild boys who keep us running dawn till dark and three sweet babies forever in our hearts: one lost to miscarriage and Maggie & Abby, our identical twin daughters who died in 2016 from twin-to-twin transfusion syndrome (TTTS).
I work as the director of the Communities of Calling Initiative for the Collegeville Institute at Saint John’s University in Minnesota. As part of my theological work on vocation, I’ve written To Bless Our Callings: Prayers, Poems, and Hymns to Celebrate Vocation (Wipf & Stock, 2017) and co-authored Living Your Discipleship: 7 Ways to Express Your Deepest Calling with Kathleen A. Cahalan (23rd Publications, 2015).
Check out more of my writing:
I’m the author of Everyday Sacrament: The Messy Grace of Parenting (Liturgical Press, 2014) which is available from Liturgical Press, Amazon, and Barnes & Noble.
I’ve also written 3 short volumes for Little Rock Scripture Study: Mercy: God’s Nature, Our Challenge, Dashed Hopes: When Our Best-Laid Plans Fall Apart, and Grief: Finding Hope in Sorrow.
I write a nationally syndicated column for Catholic News Service that runs monthly in Catholic newspapers, winner of the 2018 Catholic Press Award for Best Family Life Column. I also write for Blessed Is She (daily devotions and seasonal books) and contribute to the Christian Century’s blog network.
Why “Mothering Spirit”?
I started this blog shortly after my first son’s birth in 2009. As I rocked him in the church’s cry room one Sunday, the choir sang a hymn about God’s Mothering Spirit. I’ve been captivated by connections between faith and parenting ever since.
This blog is for YOU:
- If you’re yearning to deepen your relationship with God in the midst of family life
- If you’re longing for hope in grief after infertility, miscarriage, or loss
- If you’re looking for prayers for pregnancy or books on parenting
- If you love reflecting on spirituality, Scripture, prayer, and big questions of faith
I also speak regularly at churches, conferences, and retreats. I’d love to hear from you if you’re looking for a speaker for your event! Learn more here.
I love to hear from readers (even if it sometimes takes me a few days to respond with kids underfoot). Drop me a line at motheringspirit@gmail.com. And blessings on all your callings!
I would love the review that you spoke of! It would be so helpful!
Thank you.
Great reflections. Love your blog.
This has truly become a space for me… for consolation during desolate moments, for support in times of question, for celebration at times of achievement. Thank you — keep it up!
Carrie, this made my day. Thank you! And thanks for sharing your thoughts and insights with all of us here as well.
Laura—I am so renewed by your writing, your mothering and your sense of imagination. What a sacred joy it must be for those in your family–F, T and S.
Love love love this!!! Wonderful blogging. So healing.
Just discovered your blog…I too am early thirties, masters in theology, three little ones under the age of 5, staying at home, and grading college philosophy papers while building train tracks…your blog has been incredibly moving for me, a beautiful reminder that this is indeed a path to holiness, if we see it that way. Thank you for your reflections…I know how precious free time is.
Hi.
Your blog about Mother’s Day really hit home for me. Thank you for sharing.
I always feel a sense of loss and loneliness on Mother’s Day and I think it is the sense
of loss that so many of my friends have felt in trying to conceive and still having trouble.
And also the brutality of innocence lost in the hospitals and planned pregnancy centers across the country. So thank you for your honesty and for sharing what I have felt for years but didn’t quite know how to put those thoughts and ‘nudgings’ into words.
I just signed up to receive your updates so I hope to continue to be stretched as I try to be a better mother, sister, daughter and friend.
Thank you, Sonya. I’m so touched to know that my words connected with your experience. We do have so much to hold in our hearts, today & always, don’t we?
Laura, Happy Mother’s Day, Wanted to share this with you if you haven’t heard it.. This was written and sung by my daughter-in-law Rachel Aldous and the Road Home Band. Enjoy: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=re5EIUIXbhc Rachelaldous.com
Beautiful, David – thank you for sharing! What a gift your daughter-in-law has to share.
Just found your blog via Blessed is She and looking forward to following! 🙂
Thank you so much, Natasha! Delighted you’re here!
I have known you since Elementary school. It is very refreshing knowing your spirit and grace have remained a constant. From leading the laughter in volleyball practice with your on point humor to offering your warm embrace during difficult, tear filled Kairos moments, you have always been ( and continue to be) such a calming force. Your experience, honesty, intellect, grace and openess serve as a perfect combination. It is a true gift that you continue to bless others with your God given talents! Now the “masses” (no pun intended) are able to partake and and gain hope, insight, knowledge and strength through your continued work. Before my current illness, I suffered with infertility issues my entire marriage. Like you, I feel my greatest blessing in life was becoming a mother to my Jackson. Your blog/website have been a go-to for me when I need a boost of faith or strength…or even just a smile. Thank you for always truly being YOU! Please know I continue to keep you and your family in my thoughts and prayers, especially during this difficult time.
With Love,
Your Kairos Sister, Leesa
Just a note to say I found your website by chance! I was looking for a lovely meme to post on a facebook page of someone very special to us who is pregnant.
I then saw, your blog reference at the bottom and wanted to see if there was more…
The link landed on the page with a picture of your face. I just wanted to say thank you – your face radiates Gods love and you are such a blessing!
Keep up the awesome ministry, sharing your story has touched my life today in New Zealand!