Colleen C Orchanian

Colleen Orchanian is an author, spiritual director, podcaster, and retreat leader. She is retired as Adult Formation Director and Director of Religious Education. She lives in Blairsville, Georgia with her husband, Tom, and son, Tommy. There's more! Check it out by clicking READ MORE.

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You Did That On Purpose!

You Did That On Purpose!
Oct 01, 2026 by Colleen C Orchanian

"You did that on purpose!" I've heard that before. My husband once accused me of doing something just to make him angry. I responded, "Yeah. I stay awake at night just thinking of things I can do to annoy you." He laughed at the absurdity of that statement. Sometimes it's true, though, that we think people are doing something on purpose. And not in a good way.

Retreat Blessings

Retreat Blessings
Sep 23, 2026 by Colleen C Orchanian

I went on retreat at the Augustine Institute in Florissant, Missouri, last weekend. I wasn't excited about going. It was a long ride—ten hours on a bus each way. The topic wasn't a huge draw for me—Biblical Spirituality for the Laity: The Liturgical Year. That didn't sound all that exciting. And I would be gone from early Friday morning until late on Sunday, leaving my husband to take care of the kids all alone while working. Of course, he is perfectly capable of that, but I know it can be exhausting.

The Grand Adventure

The Grand Adventure
Sep 16, 2026 by Colleen C Orchanian

I am listening to a podcast series by Dr. Jordan Peterson about wrestling with God. He says that God is the Voice of Adventure, calling us to a grand adventure in life.

Good Soil

Good Soil
Sep 09, 2026 by Colleen C Orchanian

Jesus tells a parable about good soil in Matthew 13:1-23. Before that, Matthew writes: "He told them many things in parables." I want to explore some of the many things Jesus teaches in the parable of the good soil. 

Spiritual Progress: The Beauty of the Cross

Spiritual Progress: The Beauty of the Cross
Jun 24, 2026 by Colleen C Orchanian

I've been talking about addiction from the perspective of those who love an addict. We might think that the addiction journey is a stumbling block to spiritual progress, but that's not true. More often the cross brings us closer to God than do times of comfort and prosperity. This is reflected in a card I once read. The outside cover said, "We learn the most from our worst experiences." On the inside it read, "That's a stupid system."