About Attentive Heart
We are Mary and Elizabeth (Lizz), and our friendship was formed on the strong foundation of our shared Catholic faith. From early on, we discovered that our approaches to prayer and living out our faith were deeply aligned and beautifully complementary. As our friendship deepened, so did our opportunities to encourage and challenge each other to grow spiritually and to embrace more fully the many graces the Catholic Church offers.
Fittingly, our names—Mary and Elizabeth—draw us to the beautiful moment of the Visitation. Just as Mary went in haste to visit Elizabeth, we find inspiration in their spirit of joy, purpose, and sisterhood, which continues to guide our own journey of faith and friendship.
Our call to live with hearts modeled after the attentiveness of Mary was awakened through readings and meditations we chose during Advent and Lent. These stirred within us a deeper longing to live more intentionally—more prayerfully—in every role we embody: as wives, mothers, daughters, friends, teachers, and as Christians.
Mary is our ultimate example of what it means to be truly attentive—attentive as a child of God, as a wife, a mother, a daughter, a friend, a teacher, and most faithful disciple. Through her example, we are invited to embrace a spirit of attentiveness to God’s presence and guidance in all things—through Christ, and in Christ.
To be attentive is to listen with the heart—actively, prayerfully, and openly. It means creating space for God through prayer, reflection, meditation, and discernment. Scripture tells us that Mary "pondered all these things in her heart." Her quiet strength teaches us to do the same: to pause, to reflect, and to seek God amidst both the struggles and joys of our daily lives.
With attentive hearts, we begin to hear more clearly what God is asking of us. We become more aware of His presence in the sacraments, in the sacredness of Scripture and Tradition, in holy spaces, and in one another.
May we, like Mary, live each day with attentive hearts —ready to ponder, to listen, and to respond.
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Lizz Huddle, originally from Texas, moved to Ohio to attend Xavier University, where she earned her degree in Elementary Montessori Education—and where “Lizz” became her go-to name. She now lives out her dream job teaching 1st through 3rd grade at a Catholic Montessori school, combining her deep passion for both faith and child-centered education.
Lizz is also trained in the Catechisis of the Good Shepherd, which allows her to guide her students through meaningful prayer experiences and spiritual growth. She is a devoted wife and mom to two energetic boys, and her family enjoys sharing their faith journey together while also spending time playing sports, at the bowling alley, movie theater, or arcade.
When she’s not teaching or wrangling her boys, Lizz enjoys crafting, playing piano, reading, tap dancing and has recently rediscovered her love for writing. She also cherishes time with her best friend, Mary—because every busy mom needs a good girls’ night now and then.
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Originally from the Great Black Swamp region of Northwest Ohio, Mary brings a spirited, hardworking attitude shaped by her Great Lakes roots — along with a deep appreciation for slowing down and recharging in nature.. A tough competitor in her youth, Mary was never a gentle athlete—and she carries that same spirited energy into every aspect of her life today.
Mary discovered her passion for coaching at just 12 years old and has spent decades fostering growth, grit, and confidence in others through sport and education. She is a seasoned coach, a dedicated educator, and a thoughtful writer who thrives on helping people reach their potential—both on and off the field—by guiding them to strengthen their mental mindset and inner resilience.
Majoring in English, Mary holds a B.A. from Morehead State University in Kentucky. Married for over two decades, Mary and her husband are proud parents of four children.