Among Women ReadHER 6.2.12... kids, Not-Cosmo, tech, and outrage....

Archbishop Lori and the First Principle
By Kathryn Jean Lopez at National Review Online
The fight for religious liberty continues, and whether Catholic lawsuits against Obamacare undo it or not remains to be seen. But the ramifications of this fight are huge. 

Outrage
By Betty Duffy at her blog by the same name
About casting the first stone... and the occasion of being disappointed in a priests' bad behavior.


Tech Talk Now a Daily Feature at CatholicMom.com
By Sarah Reinhard at CatholicMom.com
Always the go-to page for Moms, now even techier and geekier! Android and iPhone users rejoice! Sarah is my guest this week on AW 135.


Growing Up Without a Dad Affects [our] Concept of God
Posted at Zenit (The World Seen From Rome)
Part of a transcript of Pope Benedict's catechesis at the May 23rd General Audience in Rome. 


The Antidote to Cosmo
By Elizabeth Kantor at The Huffington Post
A new women's magazine -- Verily -- available online by subscription. Looks interesting in its inaugural edition... as their website says the women's mag's out there don't talk about real women... Note, this is not an article about a Catholic or Christian magazine, but it looks like a women's mag headed in a good direction, one that wants to uphold the beauty of women rather than exploiting it. That being said, I'm not endorsing anything here, just offering something that might be worth a look, and something that could grow. The blog for the new Verily magazine is here.

Do We Spend Enough Time with Our Kids?
By Mary Beth Hicks at Family Events
A great post as we head into summer, with additional articles listed as well. On this subject, don't miss this week's Among Women with Sarah Reinhard talking about her book about Catholic Family Fun.


H/T: Thanks for fine women at the Of Sound Mind and Spirit blog for linking to this:



H/T: One more, just for fun, via Lisa Hendey on Pinterest...

Among Women ReadHER 5.5.12... obedience, grace, May crownings, NFP, tweens online...

Among Women ReadHER 5.5.12

Obedience: The Dirtiest Word in America
By Julie Davis at Happy Catholic
Take and read and consider it carefully.

Credo: Mary Eberstadt
By Liz Essley at Washington Examiner
Mary Eberstadt briefly gives a history lesson on why women are not as happy as they once were, a premise from her new book Adam and Eve After the Pill.

Brandon Vogt's Interview with author Dawn Eden on healing from sexual abuse. 
Posted at The Thin Veil
(Blog post and video) Speaking of books, Dawn's latest book, My Peace I Give You, is addressed in this interview (15 mins.)

Kristen Walker: Fearless, Funny, and Pro-Life

By Jennifer Fulwiler at National Catholic Register

So good to hear clear voices in the pro-life cause.


How to Plan a May Crowning for Kids
By Lacy Robideau at Catholic Icing
Great activity! Every Catholic child should have a memory of a May crowning in their life. 


If You've Been Looking for a Sign
By Ann Voskamp at A Holy Experience
Christian author Ann Voskamp talks grace, graffiti, gifts.


How to Ruin Your Marriage Using NFP
By Simcha Fisher at her blog National Catholic Register
Seriously fun and very worthwhile.


The Endearing Name of Mommy
By Susan Terbay at Catholic Mom
Oh. Wow. This is so me... the Mom of young adults looking back on the Mommy years.


A Rose for My Mother
By Bishop Libasci of Manchester, NH
Funny, sweet, and serious memoir and tribute to the Blessed Mother. (Elsewhere, I'm doing some talking of my own about Mary and the Hail Mary here, and about my varied nicknames for Mary here.)


Tweens Secret Lives Online
By Katherine Rossman at the Wall Street Journal
Got tweens? Teens? Pre-tweens? Don't miss this.


Legal Scholar Helen Alvare gives a great talk on Religious Freedom and Sexual Liberation. I highly recommend your listening and digesting this content. Please share this video link with others. 





And finally, one of the coolest events in the Archdiocese of Boston every year that is touching our young adults...

Sarah Reinhard shares "Five Ways to Have Fun with Family Fun"

Happy to welcome author and blogger Sarah Reinhard to this space today. Her new book Catholic Family Fun just came out and it's, well, fun, and funny... It reminds us that fun and joy and, gosh, just being together as a family is some of the best glue that binds hearts and minds. So make some funnish plans and see what happens! (Cuz you know, even tho' spontaneous fun is grand, we all know how darn busy we can be. So read this book and try an new idea or two.) Enjoy the joie de vivre and the random silliness that may follow and remember blessed are those who don't take themselves too seriously. Look for Sarah Reinhard to be a guest on an upcoming episode of Among Women. (But until then you can look back to her guest slots on Among Women 11 & 116.)

Five Ways to Have Fun with Family Fun

It still seems unlikely to me that *I* am the author of Catholic Family Fun: A Guide for the Adventurous, Overwhelmed, Creative, or Clueless, because, so often, I feel like I'm firmly planted in the Land of the Clueless.

Here are five ways I’ve found to make my attempts at family fun actually enjoyable for me, the mom who has to plan, execute, and repeat. I find that, when I can remember to follow my own advice, my instances of family fun burnout are less frequent and my ability to laugh is more sincere.

1. Plan ahead (as much as you can)

Though I like to act like I’m a Type A person, the reality of my life and my big streak of laziness often combine to make me far less prepared than I should be. I’ve learned that planning ahead is the best way to enjoy family fun. That way, I’m not scrambling at the last minute for everything (just for that one thing I forgot).

2. Remain flexible (also known as “being an optimist”)

This is, admittedly, pretty hard for me. I want to plan and then stick with the plan. After all, isn’t that what a plan is for? Well, yes and no. When you have other people involved, and when those other people might have their own ideas about things, then the plan can be more like a guideline than a hard-and-fast procedure. This also allows me to have a mindset that doesn’t see a problem but a different opportunity for fun.

3. Get input from the other participants (and then ignore it if necessary)

It’s helpful to find out what the kids want to do and to think of what they’re naturally inclined to enjoy. Sometimes, though, they aren’t very helpful with their input. (“That dinner was terrible, Mom. Don’t make it ever again. Oh, and we want chocolate.”) You’re the adult, but that doesn’t mean you can’t ask them for input (or solicit it in some sneaky detective-type way). If they’re invested in what you’re going to do, it might change the entire tone and fun-level. Then again, it might not. You be the judge.

4. Accept imperfection (because perfection can be highly overrated)

Why is it that I have an idea of what this fun thing will look like, and that idea is “perfect”? Nothing and no one can live up to my ideal, my “perfect” family fun. For one thing, there is no such “perfect” family. For another, someone’s sure to throw some sort of wrench into things. (I may even be the wrench-thrower!) Starting out with a standard that doesn’t demand the elusive perfection is a must for me, and it might just be something for you to embrace, too!

5. Smile (even if you’re faking it)

Hey, we’re here to have FUN, right? So why is the four-year-old crying, the seven-year-old pouting, and the 35-year-old huffing? Oh, wait. YOUR family might not have a problem with this or need a reminder. But me? I need this reminder. A lot. I need to keep my focus on the family, on the fun, on the faith that ties us all together. And then? I need to smile. Funny how just moving my lips into the shape of a smile can change my outlook…

What are YOUR tips for having fun with your family fun?

Sarah Reinhard shares her struggles and triumphs, muses and ramblings, reading and links at SnoringScholar.com.  

Among Women ReadHER 2.11.12 Late breaking HHS news, Career/family balance, parenting, Valentine's angst & more...

Among Women ReadHER 

2.11.12

!!! Bishops Warn that the HHS Mandate debate is far from over! 

By the USCCB website

There is more to this story than fully being reported. Stay informed.

Don't miss this, either, a letter from the bishops.

Got a minute? Check out Marian Minute

I've added this to my bookmark bar.... to keep it accessible.

Time to Admit It: The Church has Always Been Right about Birth Control

By Michael Brendan Doherty and Pascal-Emmanuel Gobry at Business

This is just more consideration by many considering the outcry of the Church against the HHS Mandate.

The Feminist Shaming of Fertility

By Ashley Crouch at First Things

Read and consider this carefully. The author refers to a brilliant chapter by Dr. Angela Franks in Women, Sex, and the Church, (add it to your library!), compiled by Erika Bachiochi, a recent guest discussing this book on Among Women 98. 

Victoria's Secret Model Quits to Reserve Her Body 'for my Husband'

By Jennifer Abbey

Ok, that's not something you hear every day. Let's credit God for both the young model's journey, and the writer who cared to publish the story. 

Don't Let Valentine's Day Make You Cranky

By Robyn Lee at Catholic Match

Here, here! A post for the single un-attached! By Robyn Lee, a recent guest on AW 122, give her a listen! 

It's National Marriage Week

By the USCCB

From the I-must-live-under-a-rock dept: I didn't know that! When did we get that? Makes sense with Valentine's Day coming up.

Interview with Dr. Michael Barber - Scripture and New Media

By Brandon Vogt at The Thin Veil

A most excellent post - chock full of resources for your spiritual growth. I highly recommend them all! Bookmark and save for further exploration and digestion.

Handprints on the Mirror

By Leanne Willen at CatholicMom.com

Awww... sweet reflection about the little ones. 

Presidential Fathers and Sons

By Michael Medved in the Wall Street Journal

Here's an interesting angle regarding the recent history of the presidency.

The True Test of Leadership

By Mike Myatt at Forbes

Great advice for working women and men. It's simple, Mike writes: "If you focus on your family, your career won't suffer, it will flourish. Get this wrong and not only will your family suffer, but so will you..." 

The Loveliness of a Personal Litany

By Sarah Reinhard

Got saints? Sarah suggests a way to pray with the members of the communion of saints that are important to you. Sarah was a recent guest on AW talking about advent, and talking about blogging and books and more, way back on episode 11.

Strawberry Milk: A fun and easy treat for St. Valentine's Day

By Lacy Rabideau at Catholic Icing

Yes, emphasis on Easy!

Did I Just Have a Heart Attack?

By Susan Brinker at Women of Grace

It's February and Heart Awareness Month. Some good reminders here on the differences of heart symptoms between women and men.

Barbara Walters: "Heartbreaking" for Women to an Ultrasound (prior to their abortion)

By Steven Ertelt at LifeSiteNews.com

It causes more guilt. Hm. Sometimes guilt can lead us to do the right thing...

Hoops Star Elena Delle Donne Treasure Relationship with Older Sister

By Frank DeFord in Sports Illustrated

Ok, I love this story of the love of sisters and the love of basketball. 

Why the French make better parents. 

I don't think this is rocket-science, but I do think there are helpful insights if you need some encouragement in the parenting of small children. Some of these simple principles are inherent in a lot of parenting techniques I learned from Focus on the Family, and others, who emphasized the authoritative role (not authoritarianism) of parents. There is a corresponding article. 

And finally, a little hilarity... The Crescat and Nuns... do click through to the link to see Kat's spoof of the now-famous dating service video of the woman and her over-the-top love of pets. I shoulda put it on the F.U.N. Quotient, but...

The F.U.N. Quotient - further proof that I am easily amused

For the moms and caregivers out there -- did any one of your children even go through a dinosaur phase? Mine did. And so, here's a brief send up to those memories...

Dino Fail.

Dino Lego.

Dino Comes to School: Kids "gobsmacked"!


Dino movie:

Among Women Podcast #120 News of a Baby at Christmas

Among Women 120 is one part Christmas story, one part love story, and one part a single adoption story shared by two families.

Download this week's episode and listen to Pat recite O. Henry's famous story, The Gift of the Magi. Plus, listen in to a remarkable conversation between two women who've experienced an "open" adoption, whereby both the birth mother and the adoptive mother not only knew each other from the early days of the child's life, but have become very good friends in the process! It's an amazing story of courage, openness, intergenerational understanding, and love --with a few Christmas "God-incidences" thrown in for good measure!

Don't miss this extra-long, jammed-packed edition of Among Women. And find out how you might win an Among Women coffee mug!

Get involved in SQPN's giving program, and don't miss the SQPN Marathon on Dec. 27th from 9am-9pm. Join Pat at 12 noon EST for the Angelus and the recitation of the Scriptural Rosary. Plus talk and giveaways too! (Find it through the SQPN live show site.)

UPDATE: The SQPN Marathon, originally slated for Dec 27th has been postponed. Stay tuned! We'll announce the new date here when we know it!.

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Among Women ReadHER 11.26.11 Mass Translation, Mass Confusion, Mass Participation...

Among Women ReadHer

11.26.11

When Thanksgiving is Filled with Turkeys
By Fr. James Martin SJ at Patheos.com
A bit late for the actual holiday, but soooo much of this is applicable to the forthcoming Christmas celebrations!


Sharing With Others
By Rachel Balducci at Testosterhome
A little bit on the joy of girls, and a little bit of loving on the strangers we meet.


31 Elaborate Marriage Proposals
Posted at MentalFloss
Hey, I'm just happy that people STILL want to get married, despite the high stats on cohabitation, and people who eschew marriage! (Altho', theologically and biologically speaking, I believe we are made for marriage, and the ultimate marriage feast of the Lamb, but I digress...) Don't know how many Catholics are represented here, but surely a few clever romantics!


Saying Good-Bye to the Old English Translation of the Mass
By Patrice Fagnant MacArthur at Spiritual Woman
It's ok to say you will miss the old translation. It's healthy, even, to say that this will be hard for you, for us. 


Pope Benedict XVI on Children and Prayer
By Lisa Hendey, at Faith and Family Live
So simple, so true, so easy to share. (So often folks think of B16 as this giant theological intellectual... and *ahem* he is... but he is also a great, humble, Papa who speaks to the moment, even with children.)


Jesus' Eager Desire: Our Participation at Sunday Mass
By Cardinal Sean O'Malley of the Archdiocese of Boston (as found in The Pilot)
Excellent catechesis for everyone everywhere (not just us folks in MA) on our relationship with Jesus in the Eucharist, and our relationships with the people in the pews next to us in our parishes. Long letter, but worth it. Share it with your loved ones.


Did you see the pilot episode for the sitcom Mass Confusion? If not, you can catch it on demand at Catholic TV.

On Launching Ships and Sons... (yup, we sent our "baby" to college)

I'm over at CatholicMom.com today, waxing nostalgic. Well, actually the column is more about my hopes for my youngest son being on his own in college than my transition to the part-time semesters-only "empty nest."

Here's a taste of it:

“Look at the ships also; though they are so great and are driven by strong winds, they are guided by a very small rudder wherever the will of the pilot directs (James 3:4 RSV-CE).” 

I have kissed my son and waved goodbye. The day finally came for him, the youngest of the brood, to pull up anchor and sail off for college. As I’ve come to assess the condition of my mother’s heart, I find a contented peace, like a sunset after a long working day. My years of sailing a thousand smaller voyages with this young man now bring me here, standing on the shore of blessing. 

The giant ship -- that is, an adult child’s college career or work life -- and the sails that are made to harness the winds of successful living, are, in the end, steered by the smallest rudder… for the conscience is hidden deep. It invisibly navigates every journey, guiding the course. 

Such are the paradoxes of the Catholic faith. We can easily recall how the smallest Host of bread contains the greatest mystery and the holiest power. To consume it – to let it transform us – is to yield the tiller to Another’s gentle hand and influence. It never fails to reveal True North to the sailor.  

Read the whole thing. And check out the great line up over at CatholicMom! There's always something good cookin' over there!

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The F.U.N. Quotient

Hubby is a fisherman. Me? Not so much. But I do like paddling the canoe out there. This little kid brought back some fond memories of our numerous fishing expeditions with our own kids. How 'bout you?


I'm partial to these silly critters that occupy the tank in my kitchen...someone once told me I dig aquariums because I am a Pieces. But I don't buy into the zodiac. But I do buy into appreciating all God's creatures great and small. And I spent years growing up on LI's beaches, and swimming with schools of the little critters. This is my tank of ciclids and oscars...

Parents: Here's Help in Preparing Your Child to Receive the Sacraments. (You can DO this!)

I love Lisa Mladinich's energy and verve when it comes to sharing the faith with children. I've endorsed her work here and elsewhere. Today, I'm asking her to share, in her own words, her latest booklet, and how it can help us prepare children for their sacraments. --Pat

Sacraments: Bridging the Gap between Heaven and Earth

“The Sacraments of Christian Initiation – Baptism, Confirmation, and the Eucharist – lay the foundation of every Christian life.” (Catechism of the Catholic Church, par. 1212)

It is very humbling to be in this particular space. I’d like to profusely thank Pat Gohn, catechist par excellence (for whom my admiration is just huge), for inviting me to offer a guest blog in celebration of my new booklet, “Be an Amazing Catechist: Sacramental Preparation” (Our Sunday Visitor, 30 pgs). Written with both parents and catechists in mind, it is a guide for teaching the sacraments of Penance, Holy Eucharist, and Confirmation accurately and vibrantly, so that both you and the children will come to a more complete appreciation for their purpose, beauty and power to transform lives.

“Sacraments are ‘powers that come forth’ from the Body of Christ, which is ever-living and life-giving. They are actions of the Holy Spirit at work in his Body, the Church. They are ‘the masterworks of God’ in the new and everlasting covenant.” (Luke 5:17, 6:19, 8:46)(CCC 1116)

Teaching the sacraments can be unbelievably exciting. Consider this: The Catechism of the Catholic Church tells us that everything Jesus did during His public ministry announced and prepared the way for everything He would accomplish in us afterwards (CCC 1115). By coming to earth in all His divinity and taking on human form, He bridged the gap between heaven and earth. Before He ascended to heaven, He created a spiritual bridge for us by establishing the sacraments, each a vehicle for its own unique grace, to be administered by the Church.

It is well worth the effort to prepare ourselves to teach these thrilling truths to our children with sensitivity, enthusiasm and wisdom. As we pray, study, and cling to the sacraments, our lives become flooded with God’s grace.

Culled from my own experiences, research, and interviews with dedicated parents and catechists, this little guide on sacramental preparation is packed with practical, creative, and inspirational help on topics such as:

• The call to teach the Faith, and the call to conversion
• Submission to the Church’s authority and the graces that follow
• Heroes of the Faith
• Teaching reverence to children
• Lesson planning basics
• The purpose of confession
• Helping kids overcome their fear of the confessional
• Explaining the Eucharist
• Options for receiving Communion
• Confirmation preparation
• Breaking through to teens
• Nine things that confirmands should memorize
• Helping teens develop a Catholic identity
• Assessments
• The importance of reaching out to other parents 

All my booklets run $2.95 for a single copy and $17.90 for bundles of ten.

The original booklet, “Be an Amazing Catechist: Inspire the Faith of Children,” a guide to creative teaching methodologies that can be used with any religious ed curriculum, is also available in Spanish!

--Lisa Mladinich

Lisa is also the founder of Amazing Catechists. Read Lisa's weekly column at Patheos. 

UPDATED: Among Women ReadHer... 8.20.11: WYD & Mercy, unholy families, time for Mom, #fb, & more

Among Women ReadHer

8.20.11

UPDATE: Mercy at WYD
--Kathryn Jean Lopez at National Catholic Register.
Lopez is one of the most insightful and gifted writers out there. Read it! (Sorry this was not included in the original post, seems I uploaded a previous draft that omitted this link.)  AW 75 talks about post abortion recovery.

When the Catholic Family is NOT Holy
--Sofia loves wisdom (pseudonym) at Vox Nova
The author discusses domestic abuse and violence. Important reading.

Longing for Loveliness 
-- Hallie Lord, AKA Betty Beguiles 
Here's a way to break out of a funk. Hallie was a guest back on AW 84.


The Issue is Always Your Relationship
--Tracy Transecost at Accepting Abundance
Oh, a goodie here.


Mom Time
Margaret Bern at her blog, Minnesota Mom
Go get some. If you read my article about M.O.M.S. this week, you'll know it's about my relationship with Mary and how she is the Mother Of My Sanity, etc.... however, my girlfriends --these other Moms --that Margaret talks about also keep my little boat afloat. 


Two Minus One: the shocking practice of singleton abortions
--Deacon Greg Kandra at The Deacon's Bench
A different take on selective reduction, sadly increasing. Same subject, different post by moral theologian Pia Di Solenni.



Two Women of Character
--Carolyn Moynihan at Mercater.Net
Noble women with great accomplishments. 


7 Stupid Mistakes We Keep Seeing on Facebook
--Ruth Manuel Logan at All Facebook
Important reminders here, especially for newbies to social media, especially for parents of small kids.


You Can Never Afford Them
--Matt Archbold from his blog at National Catholic Register
Poignant write up from a Dad confronting the tired question regarding his kids, "Are they all yours?"


Don't Miss This: "Beautiful For Me" - (sure it's from a Veggie Tales video -- still, a great song for girl in every woman's heart!) Artist: Nicole Nordeman



Here's another song from Nicole... a great praise song that brightens any day... two easy-to-learn verses! Sing it for all you are worth!

Among Women ReadHer... 8.13.11

Among Women ReadHer

8.13.11

Maintain Key Friendships

--Elizabeth Foss from her blog In the Heart of my Home

An on-going discussion of Dr. Meg Meeker's book "10 Habits of Happy Mothers"

Spiritually Healthy Children 

Alicia von Stamwich at AmericanCatholic.org

Some good tips. For related subject matter, you might also like to listen our recent episodes about "Little Ones in the Domestic Church: AW 104 and AW 105. Others about fostering faith in family life: AW 90, AW 76, and AW 15.

College Students Need Help to Keep Their Faith

--Mary Beth Hicks, over at CatholicMom.com

Packing someone up for college? Here are a few tips plus sound advice for the parents who've yet to reach this milestone.

What's the Biggest Threat to Marriage?

--Deacon Greg Kandra from The Deacon's Bench

You might disagree, but in recent months, the amount of time that I spend online for work and pleasure has come under closer scrutiny. Anyway, a good reminder for all of us. 

World Youth Day Website - worth bookmarki ng for the upcoming week

World Youth Day on Catholic TV - Watch it on your cable provider or online

Special Edition Papal Toilet Paper

--Julie Davis from Happy Catholic

Enjoy a giggle.

You Are a Super Hero!
--Rachel Balducci at Faith and Family Live
Some more fun: I have a few aprons for when things get messy in the kitchen... but one of these would certainly bring some fun to my culinary projects... or they could be my next Halloween costume! 

Early August Gardens, At Our House
--Laura Lee Richard at Our House of Joyful Noise
Laura takes some of the best photos in the blogosphere. Check 'em out, you'll smile.


This is the Good News story of the week, imho...



This remains one of my favorite songs from the past year...

Among Women Podcast # 105 - Leading the littlest ones at home in the domestic Church

Among Women 105 features the conclusion of a continuing conversation with blogger Melanie Bettinelli on creating the environment in the home - the "domestic church" -- where faith is "caught" not necessarily taught. Join us for simple ways of sharing the faith with children under the age of five.

Also featured is a profile of St Gorgonia, a wife and mother from the 4th century who was a paragon of virtue and healed by faith.

Among Women ReadHer... 6.11.11

Among Women ReadHer

6.11.11

Miscarriage
-- Fr Frank Pavone from Priests for Life on Catholic Lane
Sensitive commentary.


Things I've Learned in Times of Doubt 
-- Karen Edmisten on her blog of the same name
Thumbs up, Karen!


Faith in the Time of Breast Lumps 
-- Elizabeth Esther
What to do while you're waiting for the diagnostic exam.


Pagan Convert: Christie Martin 
-- Christie Martin at Why I'm Catholic
Her conversion story in her own words.

How to Tie Your Shoes
-- courtesy of Julie Davis at Happy Catholic
Gosh, a small revelation.


Taking Class with the X-Men 
-- Maria Morera Johnson at Patheos' Catholic Portal
Got super-hero fans at your house? Need some help conversing with them? Check this out.


Teaching Self Control [to children] is Great Summer Exercise
-- Mary Beth Hicks
One of the fruits of the Spirit, don't ya know...


The Ins and Outs of Opening a Door for a Woman 
-- Brett & Kate McKay
So, what's your experience?


Finally, a story of a remarkable woman...
Watch this video clip about forgiving your son's killer. 
HT: Deacon Greg at The Deacon's Bench

Among Women ReadHer...6.4.11

Among Women ReadHer

6.4.11

Breathing the Same Air -- Hallie Lord

Yup. Among Women welcomed Hallie Lord back on Episode 84 where we discussed fashion and modesty, and as we anticipate summer, she's got a swimsuit post up at her blog.

When a Child's Love Comes Slowly -- Heidi Hess Saxton

The shaping of an adoptive Mom's heart. Important counsel.


The Fight for Life in Minnesota -- Margaret Bern
Pictures show ordinary folks on the front lines.

The Real World of Motherhood -- Tony Rossi
An interview with Rachel Campos Duffy.


Surprised by Love -- Tim Muldoon
A tribute to marriage, especially friendship in marriage.


If you missed the The Today Show's Vatican visit this week, here are a few videos:
A Day in the life of Pope Benedict and a conversation with Archbishop Timothy Dolan about low church attendance, the John Jay study that focused on the church sex scandal causes and effects. There are more videos on the subject in the sidebar at that website.

Catholic Sisters and the American Civil War - Pat McNamara
Catholic history that comes alive!

And now a story of a remarkable young women...

Wow. Congrats and so much more.


And now a story of another remarkable woman...

HT: Creative Minority Report

The F.U.N Quotient: Happy April Fools!

Things that made me giggle this week: 

And I could not get enough of this post from Faith and Family featuring "talking" twin boys in a video.


Mom-isms - so true! 

A Special Mary Joke - kudos for keeping it respectful and fun!

And finally, lame silliness from an old joke that has existed in many forms over the years, but I still laughed anyway...

The Pet Funeral

Farmer Joe lived for many years with only his dog for a companion. One sad day he found his dog dead from old age. He went to his parish priest and asked if services could be said for his dog.

The good Father said "Well, Joe, we can't have services for a dog here, but there's a new church down the street that might be wiling."

"Father do you think $50,000 might be enough of a donation?" asked Joe.

To which Father replied, "Well man , why didn't me your dog was a Catholic!"

May you enjoy random silliness today, wherever you find it!

The Fun Quotient: out of the mouths of babes...

The Lunch Room 

The children were lined up in the cafeteria of a Catholic elementary school for lunch. At the head of the table was large pile of apples.  The nun made a note, and posted it on the apple tray: "Take only ONE. God is watching."

Moving further along the lunch line, at the other end of the table was a large pile of chocolate chip cookies.  A child had written a note, "Take all you want. God is watching the apples."

~~~~~~

Ok, one more....

~~~~~~

"Dear God" questions from kids

Dear God: Instead of letting people die and having to make new ones, why don’t You just keep the ones You have? -Amy

Dear God: Maybe Cain and Abel would not kill each other so much if they had their own rooms. It works with my brother. -Larry

Dear God: If You watch me in church on Sunday, I’ll show You my new shoes. -Mickey

Dear God: I bet it is very hard for You to love all of everybody in the whole world. There are only 4 people in our family and I can never do it. -Nan

Dear God: In school they told us what You do. Who does it when You are on vacation? -Jane

Dear God: Are You really invisible or is it just a trick? -Lucy

Dear God: Is it true my father won’t get in Heaven if he uses his bowling words in the house? -Anita

Dear God: Did You mean for the giraffe to look like that or was it an accident? -Norma

Dear God: Who draws the lines around the countries? -Jan

Dear God: I went to this wedding and they kissed right in church. Is that okay? -Neil

Dear God: Thank you for the baby brother, but what I prayed for was a puppy. -Joyce

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