Jane Feliz Rush was raised in a large Catholic family of ten children in Bakersfield, California. At her first confession at age 7, she wrote her “sins” on a notecard so she wouldn’t forget. Ironically, she had to make something up because, as a rule follower, she seldom stepped out of line. This began her journey of realizing the mercy and love of God that encouraged her to make some mistakes so she could live a full life of imperfection and joy.
She flew across the country and attended the University of Notre Dame where her faith took root and her soul took flight. On a Maryknoll mission trip to Oaxaca, Mexico the summer after her freshman year, Jane discovered the meaning of neighbor and infinite dignity of all people. Her life forever changed and she never looked at others who were different from her in the same way.
She taught Theology at a Catholic high school through the ACE (Alliance for Catholic Education) program when she was 22, but looked like she was 12. Nine years of teaching and campus ministry followed. She learned that honoring the dignity of her students and colleagues meant that she wasn’t always the smartest person in the room. Teaching others lessons about the faith and the call of the Gospel to love God and neighbor taught Jane about humility and service. She learned to be curious, to ask lots of questions and owned that she did not have all the answers and certainly did not know God in all God’s fullness.
Jane earned her Masters of Art in Teaching and then married her college sweetheart after he proposed at Notre Dame’s Grotto. She won’t mention that she responded with, “That’s not real, that’s glass!” Realizing it was in fact real, they married over 28 years ago. After a few more years in Cincinnati and then Indianapolis, Jane, pregnant with twins, moved with her husband to a small, small town in Southeast Ohio where they raised their little family among the deer and wild turkeys. Jane finally got enough sleep to enjoy those two delightful babies, now 22.
In order to avoid brain rot, Jane studied at St. Meinrad School of Theology in Indiana and completed her Masters in Theological Studies during COVID. She took a risk and became Principal of St. Benedict School for five years after the last religious sister left. With big shoes to fill, Jane gave it her all but discovered that administration was not her gig or gift.
Then things got really interesting! After some rest and inspiration, Jane began to write. During Lent 2022, Jane launched her blog, Catholic Wonder, and hasn’t looked back since. Her ministry has expanded to leading retreats and workshops. She’s discovered a love for teaching adults still curious about their faith. It’s more important than ever to live the counter-cultural and radical Gospel of Jesus.
Welcome to Catholic Wonder. On this site, you will find reflections on life, faith and living the Gospel. We will look at unexpected ways to love God above all things and to love our neighbors as Jesus taught us to love. With hope in God’s revelation through Jesus ever unfolding in our day-to-day lives, the Holy Spirit moves us. As a living Tradition that does not get stuck in one moment in time, the Church moves us forward to an understanding that grows and welcomes new and unexpected insight. In the spirit of Vatican II and Pope Francis’ synodal conversations, we walk together as the People of God.
Of course, you don’t have to be Catholic to draw inspiration from these writings! All traditions and faiths, as well as those searching, are welcome.
We will be open to the good, true and beautiful in our world, in God’s creation, and in other traditions in addition to our own.
Jane’s Mission:
To think outside the box
To share her life to help make things interesting and relevant
To approach this adventure with a beginner’s mind, open to new insights, wisdom from unexpected places, and a desire to learn from others
To create a space for safe conversation that respects the life and infinite dignity of all people
Explore Jane’s Blog and Midweek Musings and sign up for her newsletter.
