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Grief has a way of revealing what we are truly made of, and for Maura McGee, it became the unlikely path to peace. Jim and Meghan sit down with Maura, a mother of six and author of It Is What It Is, to hear how her family navigated miscarriage, the murder of a beloved priest uncle, her husband Dave's rare cancer diagnosis, and the loss of her mother all within a few years of one another. With honesty and quiet strength, Maura shares how leaning on faith, family, and friends carried her through the darkest seasons and ultimately led her to write a book she never planned to write.

What’s in this episode:

• Maura's journey through miscarriage, loss, and her husband's rare cancer
• The murder of her uncle, Father Thomas Wells, and its impact on her faith
• Dave's final years and the soaring faith he modeled for their six children
• A pilgrimage to Lourdes and the unexpected miracle Dave received there
• The peace that comes when surrender replaces the need for control
• Why going through the motions in faith still carries you during grief
• The community and Catholic schools that helped her children stay rooted
• How writing became both a calling and a deeply therapeutic act
• Why Maura kept the book secret from her family until Palm Sunday
• One resource every Catholic family should know: MassTimes.org
• Book she is currently reading: A Lasting Promise: A Christian Guide to Fighting for Your Marriage by Scott Stanley
• Advice to her younger self: Life is short and you are not in charge, so trust and surrender
• Final wisdom for listeners: Lean on faith, family, and friends; humbly accept help when it is your turn

Resources Mentioned:

MassTimes.org – Find Catholic Mass times anywhere in the world

It Is What It Is by Maura McGee – A memoir of surviving adversity through faith, family, and friends

@mauramcgeeauthor on Instagram – Maura's Instagram for updates and outreach

A Lasting Promise: A Christian Guide for Fighting for Your Marriage by Scott Stanley – A faith-based guide for strengthening and protecting your marriage

Looking for meaningful ways to deepen your family’s connection with God outside of Sunday Mass? Download our free guide to discover 10 practical and fun faith-based activities that will bring your family closer to Christ—no matter how busy life gets. From sharing gratitude at the dinner table to watching faith-filled media together, these ideas make living your faith easy and enjoyable.