My name is Mary Ellen Barrett. I am a wife, mother, writer, and speaker, sharing my faith, family life, and little moments of grace. The Thing With Feathers is where I write to encourage, uplift, and find beauty in the everyday.

News and analysis covering the Catholic Church.

Noticing what's still (and always has been) true, good, and beautiful in the world.

“Secretum meum mihi,” (“my secret is mine.”) was St. Edith's Stein's cryptic response when her best friend asked why she converted. We serve up interviews, prayers, historical sketches, Bible studies, book reviews and essays for Catholic women.

Essays and inspiration to guide you toward a more compassionate and joyful way of living—published (almost) every Tuesday morning!

Welcome to the coop-home of random thoughts and run-on sentences about God, the interior life, and backyard chickens.

Church teaching for the head and the heart.

Ten Minute Artist helps you take creative action and build a thriving, consistent practice — one tiny move at a time.

Lisa M. Hendey's Substack features her writings on writing, entertainment, travel, cancer survivorship, personal productivity, spirituality, Disney, and more!