Among Women ReadHER 7.28.12 Aurora, marriage, motherhood, and gutsy bishops

Among Women ReadHER 7.28.12

Some stories outside the headlines on the violent shootings in Aurora:

Learning Who We Lost: The Aurora Victims
Posted at Hot Air
Say a prayer.


Denver's Bishop Conley's Remarks and Invocation at the Prayer Vigil for the Victims in Aurora
Posted as a PDF from the Archdiocese of Denver
Worth reading and praying.


A Miracle Inside the Aurora Story
By Brad Strait at Celtic Straits
Lotsa folks praying for this woman's recovery, and thanking God, perhaps, for the "gift" of her curious medical malady.


The Dark Knight Before the Dawn
By Joseph Susanka at Patheos
Joseph is an insightful film buff and Catholic writer. His column this week reflects on the film The Dark Knight, and the shootings in Aurora. He says: "Heroism and the confrontation of evil—a confrontation most often achieved through suffering—is the only way to truly grapple with the problem. To paraphrase Alfred, we must learn to get back up; to rise again, and press ever forward towards the light."

Other interesting stuff: 

Women say "I Do" to Husband's names
By Carolyn Moynihan at Mercator.net
I always watch what Moynihan is writing about. This is interesting. It was more optimistic that I would have thought.

Before You Get Here
By Lauren Warner at Sipping Lemonade
A mom writers a touching note to her daughter in the womb.

The 'Busy' Trap
By Tim Krieder at the New York Times' Opinionator
A bit long, but worth the read. Insightful, challenging. H/T to Sarah Vabulas.


The Joys of a Wonderfully Imperfect Life
By Meg Meeker, MD from her blog
Very very good advice.


The War on (Little) Women and Other Insanities
By George Weigel at The Catholic Difference
Sex selection abortions, the Supreme Court, and more, in the US.


Chicken-Gate - An Exercise in Media-Induced Hysteria and Fascism...
By Katrina Fernandez at The Crescat
Simply the shortest and most succinct blog post I could find on this story that, I think, originated here in Boston area with it's mayor getting his knickers in a twist about Chick Fil-A's president expressing his personal philosophy. Which leads me to ask: Is Chick Fil-A not serving customers based on their sexual orientation, or firing their employees with same-sex attraction? That would be news. But its not. Instead we have a Christian business owner and his company being smeared because of comments he made to a church organization, a right he has in freedom of speech. Lord have mercy on business leaders everywhere. I'm suddenly in the mood for sweet tea.


And now this sad news about the death of the PR spokesperson at Chick-Fil-A.


Building a Culture of Religious Freedom
Address by Archbishop of Philadelphia, +Charles Chaput, OFM, Cap (as found in the National Catholic Register)
Read this one. Share it. Talk to your children about this. The new evangelization will fail if we fail to be distinctly Catholic and Christian in our thinking, discourse, and finally, love and example.

Thanking God for a Mother's Love (3 videos)

Happy Mother's Day!

A great musical tribute

And for the mothers we are and the mothers we aspire to be...

Ok, yes, it is a commercial, but its a great one!

Among Women ReadHER 5.12.12... the Mother's Day edition & more

Among Women ReadHER 5.12.12

Happy Mother's Day!

For the Moms out there...

A Mother's Day Challenge
By Meg Meeker, MD from her website
This is your conscience speaking... read this... and DO THIS. You'll love yourself for it.

What Moms Really Want... an annual reminder
By Lisa Hendey at Faith and Family Live
Happy Mother's Day to all!


Mother's Day History
FWIW


My favorite song by Jim Brickman... A Mother's Day
This video quality is so-so, but it's a really great tribute song for mothers!


The Right Choice Video Makes Waves on Facebook
By Rebecca Downs at Live Action News
Here is a short post and 7 minute video about an amazing young mother, and her heartbreakingly beautiful love for her disabled son. 


In other news...

Statement of the USCCB regarding President Obama's Remarks on Marriage
By Cardinal Timothy Dolan, President of the US Conference of Catholic Bishops, on his blog at the Archdiocese of New York
A short reminder about an important topic.

Nobody Has Ever Died From Not Having Sex
By Katrina Fernandez at The Crescat
Forthright and direct.

Reflecting on Last Week
By Mark Shea at Catholic and Enjoying It
Don't let the title of this post fool you. Mark talks about his thoughts and reasons behind his compassionate stance toward gays and lesbians in light of church teaching, after considerable fuss was made over his previous post memorializing a very accomplished Catholic Christian man who happened to be gay.


The Heartburn of Sex
By Joanne McPortland at egregious twaddle
While Mark and Katrina are on the subject... yet another thought-provoking missive...

4 Reasons to Keep Bikini Pictures Off Facebook
By Mary Lane at Catholic Lane
Just in time for summer...

South Korea: Confiscated "Health Pills" filled with Human Remains

Reported by the LA Times

Warning: This from the sad-but-true department. The epitome of evil, human remains in pill form, likely from aborted babies. Sorry to link to something so chilling, but Catholics who respect life need to know the depths of these depravities so we can argue for true human dignity.

From Olympic Skater to Religious Sister

Posted by Vatican Radio at New.va

The path to religious life for a former Olympian... 

Don't miss this...

Among Women ReadHER 4.28.12... converts, moms, daughters, and Stephen Colbert

Among Women ReadHER 4.28.12

A Letter to the Neophytes
By Dr. Timothy O'Malley from Oblation: Catechesis, Liturgy, and the New Evangelization 
An excellent read... for new Catholic converts, and the rest of us, frankly. If the joy of Easter is waning for you, this will jolt you back toward "Alleluia!"


How I Feel Out of My Mini-van and into My Identity
By Jennifer Fulwiler, book excerpt
This is a chapter excerpt from a new release, Style, Sex, and Substance, edited by Hallie Lord. You can dial back and listen to Hallie's visit to Among Women last year.


Stephen Colbert and Faithful Citizenship
By Katherine Schmidt at Archidiocese of Cincinnati
The role humor plays in getting important messages heard.


Why They Left
By William J. Byron and Charles Zech at America magazine
Just more ammo for why we need evangelization, and love... lots of love. Two professors with quotes from exit interviews regarding a study on why Catholics leave the Church. 


When "Sorry" Just Isn't Enough
By Rachel M at Catholic Sistas
A good start on what to say/do when someone faces miscarriage or baby loss. (Don't forget, Among Women recently had a two-part series on miscarriage.) 


The 30 Day Plan: Once a Month Cooking Can Be Easy and Fun
By Kate Wicker at Catholic Mom
So says Kate Wicker, and I usually love her cooking posts elsewhere. Hear Kate talk about her recent book, Weightless, on Among Women 107. 


Keep Laughing, Keep Listening, Keep Loving
By Marcia Morrissey at Patheos
Are we talking too much and not hearing God? Good one, Marcia! 


Calling a Truce between Mother-Daughter Conflict
By Elizabeth Bernstein in the Wall Street Journal
Dealing with adult - adult child relationship... some good tips here. The best advice? Ask what your daughter needs help with...


A great podcast with Dr. Meg Meeker and Dr. James Dobson on the subject of "Strong Fathers and Strong Daughters" - A Catholic pediatrician and an Evangelical Christian psychologist weigh in on this important topic.


Speaking of daughters, a little girl grows up before our eyes in this extraodinary video:
H/T Deacon Greg at The Deacon's Bench.


And one for road... this one for all the mothers... (yes, this is ultimately a Proctor and Gamble commercial, but very well done.)

The F.U.N. Quotient... for mothers

An ounce of mother is worth a pound of clergy. ~Spanish Proverb

Motherhood has a very humanizing effect. Everything gets reduced to essentials. ~Meryl Streep

A suburban mother's role is to deliver children obstetrically once, and by car forever after. ~Peter De Vries

A mother is a person who seeing there are only four pieces of pie for five people, promptly announces she never did care for pie. ~Tenneva Jordan

It takes a woman twenty years to make a man of her son, and another twenty minutes for another woman to make a fool of him. ~Helen Rowland

God could not be everywhere, so he created mothers. ~Jewish Proverb 

The phrase "working mother" is redundant. ~Jane Sellman

Any mother could perform the jobs of several air traffic controllers with ease. ~Lisa Alther

My mom is literally a part of me. You can't say that about many people except relatives, and organ donors. ~Carrie Latet

If evolution really works, how come mothers only have two hands? ~Milton Berle

When you are a mother, you are never really alone in your thoughts. A mother always has to think twice, once for herself and once for her child. ~Sophia Loren

Being a full-time mother is one of the highest salaried jobs in my field, since the payment is pure love. ~Mildred B. Vermont

 

Source


Oh, and then, there's this.

Among Women ReadHER 3.24.12... tap dancing, baptisms, serious stuff...

Among Women ReadHER

3.24.23

Stay informed on the HHS story...  

The War on Men
By Kathryn Jean Lopez at National Review Online
Always on point.


Women and Religious Liberty
Kathryn Lopez interviewing Jeanne Monahan from Family Research Council on NRO
Ok, yes, giving you a double-header from Kathryn Lopez. So be it. It's worth it.


Religious Liberty, Blood Transfusions, Cigarettes, and Contraception 
By Janet Smith, PhD at National Catholic Register
Alway appreciate Dr. Smith's balanced and rational discussions of complicated subjects. Worth your time. 


Catholic Medical Association Doctors (who are women) Respond to Women Senators' Column
Posted at the Catholic Medical Association website
More worthy reading.

+++

The Pope's Apostolic Journey to Mexico and Cuba
From the Vatican website
The list of the Pope's itinerary... coming up this week!

Suitable for Sex but Not to Marry
By Meg Meeker, MD, from her blog
Dr Meeker's commentary on a recent stats about single mothers.


Can "Good Faith" Still Be Assumed?
By Elizabeth Scalia from her column at First Things
The climate for polite discourse among people who disagree is increasingly a mine field to walk through. It takes very strong people, who value the human person who is both their opponent and a child of God, to find ways to engage in debate and dialogue.  


Not Alone
By Ginny Kubitz Moyer at Random Acts of Momness
Why we cry at baptisms. Love it.


Religious Easter Ideas for Kids
By Lacy Rabideau at Catholic Icing
Ok, she had me at 'resurrection rolls'...


Jesus and Me: It's Personal
By Katie DiFato at Faith and Family
Yup!


Tap Dancing Seminarian leaves Broadway for a Ministry life...

Among Women ReadHER 3.10.12 ... Anniversary of Japan Earthquake/Tsunami, bible, charity, children & more

Among Women ReadHER 

3.10.12

Okay, here's the best video I've found this week illuminating the HHS Mandate struggle:


I hope you had a chance to read and listen to some of the women who speaking out on this subject... there are some good women's forums to watch/listen to here on my blog.

+++

Why Am I Still Catholic? Wrong Question Huffington Post
By Emily Stimpson at CatholicVote.org
Everything I've every tried to relate about the dignity of women on multiple episodes of Among Women, succinctly summarized by Emily's thoughtful rebuttal.


Love is the Thing, Even If I Want to Judge
By Lisa Mladinich at her column at Patheos
Please read this and share it. Lisa is very dear; we were first friends online and became friends IRL because of the kind of work we do. It is a blessed thing to have a friend who wishes to be a saint. 


Tackle the Stress of Being a Mom: A good video clip featuring advice from Dr. Kevin Lehman.



The Sacrifice of Isaac
By Marcellino D'Ambrosio PhD at Catholic Lane
I found this after the fact, but it is a great treatment of last Sunday's First Reading. There is still profit from reading it, as it points to the sacrifice of Lent and more.


The New Scar on my Soul
By Anonymous at American Thinker
Speaking of child sacrifice...the decision of selective reduction during an IVF pregnancy, and its effect on the father who describes it.


It's a Girl
Trailer posted by Shadowline Films
The sacrifice of our children is not just a respect life issue in the United States, it is a literal "gender-cide" problem on a global scale. This documentary will help tell the story... Viewer warning: this is not for the eyes and ears of little children. 


Planned Parenthood and the Video Every Parent Must See

By Gerard Nadal, PhD at Coming Home

Warning: a graphic video that should not be viewed with children within earshot range. I'm just providing a link, you view it when your kids are not nearby, and when you think you can stomach exposure that will incite you to help close down funding to PP.

Ok, that was yucky, but needed. Here's a palate cleanser...
Video with thanks from Japanese Earthquake victims...

Among Women ReadHER 3.3.12 ... Jesus, families, faith, miracles, poetry, motherhood, suffering...

Among Women ReadHER 

3.3.12

Wilderness Among the Pillow

By Marcia Morrissey from her column at Patheos

Touching.

The Mommy Rhythm

By Karen Rinehart at Catholic Lane

Oh, sooo humorously familiar. 

It Matters to Know We are Small

By Elizabeth Scalia at The Anchoress

I like this piece for so many reasons. There's a reference to one of my favorite beaches in the world that I know so well, there's a great music video, and a meditation by Benedict XVI. And there's this... about hurt and pain we bring to others, and its remedy.

The Family is Indispensable for Transmitting the Faith

Posted at Vatican News

So says the Pope and his bishops. This in the prelude to Benedict XVI's coming trip to Milan for the Seventh World Meeting of Families in May. 

'Why?' of Ohio Tragedy is Deeper than 'Bullying'

By Mary Beth Hicks at CatholicMom.com

In the wake of the tragedy of another shooting rampage at a school, let us pray for the dead and their families, and let us re-double our own efforts to bring faith to life.

Too Soon Gone

By Maureen Locher

Just this week I was at a women's group meeting where I was talking to a woman I've known for years.  We have middle children the same age. The only difference is that her son died 4 years ago. She has never recovered from this grief. We must keep our hearts tender toward those who have lost children, and if we ourselves are in this situation, all we can do is repair to Our Sorrowful Mother... which is what we were doing at that meeting... praying this rosary.

Poem: Heartsong

By Maria Morera Johnson at Catholic Lane

SQPN co-host from Catholic Weekend is a poet in her spare time. She's writing now at Catholic Lane. This one reminds me of the spiritual friendships I've observed between saints, such as between St. Francis of Assisi and St Clare, or St Clare and St Agnes of Prague, and others. Maria was a recent contributor AW's Special Edition for Lent.

Miracle for Jen: A video 

Posted at Fox News

A story of a young woman surviving a car accident and a coma, and now sharing her faith on national television and in a book.

Catholic Media Matters: Just because a movie, blog, or app is Catholic doesn't make it good

By Emily Stimpson at OSV

How well are we engaging the culture? In many cases, not well enough. Very important commentary on the dearth of arts and letters that speak of a Catholic Christian worldview.

+++

For the foreseeable future, it is likely we will discussing the HHS Mandate's affect on Catholics (and others) and themes of religious liberty... so I'll keep posting the things that add to the discussion... but now I'll just keep them grouped as below...

Senate Halts Bill Aimed at Conceptive Mandate

By Lisa Mascaro at the LA Times

Oh, sadness. 

The Catholic Diaspora and the Tragedy of Liberal Catholicism

By George Weigel at The Denver Catholic Register

Ultimately, this piece figures into the current religious freedom issues at hand with the Obama administration, but Weigel presents an interesting history lesson with regard to the Church's position on religious freedom (especially since Vatican II) and how it intersects US politics today.

The Bishops and the Mandate: Principled Witness vs Politics as Usual

By Robert George, Sherif Gregis, and Ryan T. Anderson at the Witherspoon Institute

I highly recommend this article.

This is strong homily on the subject of religious liberty from Fr. Sammie Malletta from Indiana. It's 11 minutes. Watch it and pray for our priests and bishops to stand up for what it right. Then pray for us to stand alongside them.

Among Women ReadHER 2.25.12... where are the women? And some other cool links... on lent, nuns, mothers...

Among Women ReadHER 

2.25.12

Here We Are
By Helene Alvare and Kim Daniels
In response to "Where are the women?" in the contraception/HHS Mandate debate...

"God is the Bigger Elvis": A Documentary about an Actress turned Nun Nominated for Oscar

By Kevin J. Jones at Catholic News Agency

I love this story and would love to see the movie.


Save Us From Sour Faced Catholics and Silent Priests
By Lisa Schmidt at The Practicing Catholic
There's a lot here to consider, all delivered with a bit of holy chutzpah. If you missed my recent conversation with Lisa on Among Women 123, by all means go listen now! It was a goodie.

The Deception of Self Sufficient Susie
By Dorothy Pilarski at Catholic Register
An interesting exchange between Dorothy and philosophy prof Alice von Hildebrand. Hear Dorothy share about her book, Motherhood Matters, on Among Women 119.

10 Books for a Catholic Mothers Bookshelf
By Dianna Kennedy at Catholic Mothers Online
Nice list.


On the Single Life, Work, and Friendship
By Hallie Lord at her blog Betty Beguiles
Excerpts from Hallie's forthcoming book, Sex, Style and Substance. Hear Hallie's visit to Among Women 84 here.

Voting is open in the 2012 About Catholicism Awards
By Scott Richert at About.com
Have fun, go vote!


Fast, Pray, Give: Busted Halo's Lenten Calendar 
Posted at Busted Halo
Like an Advent Calendar, only for Lent!  And have you heard the Among Women Special Edition released this week? It's all about our listener's ideas for devotions and Lenten practices. Listen.




Fr. Barron gives a great framework for our Lenten thinking....

Among Women ReadHER 2.4.12 Catholics against HHS Mandate... saints, sex, the examen & more

Among Women ReadHER 

2.4.12

Note: Earlier this week you may have read my post containing a variety of links regarding the Catholic concerns over recent decisions within the US department of Health and Human Services rejecting conscience clauses within "Obamacare". 


Here it is: Helpful articles, video & action tips re Obamacare's affront to religious freedom and conscience


Take time this week to pray and evaluate your role in fighting initiatives that demean the dignity of the human person and promote a culture of death. As I've said in the past, this is not a political commentary blog... and yet... we've had many discussions on Among Women regarding the moral issues surrounding certain health care issues, respect life issues, and our role in the public square. This intersection cannot be ignored, so check out that earlier post for links on that subject.


----


St Philomena Encourages Youth to be Pure
By Eddie O'Neill at National Catholic Register
Another send up to this great saint. Hear about St. Philomena on the Among Women Podcast episode 103.


Sex and the Eternal City
By Kathryn Lopez at National Review Online
An interview with Christopher West about his new book on the subject of Theology of the Body and the new evangelization. A good read.


The Eternal Child
By Heather King at Shirt of Flame
Beautiful. Haunting. Real. Healing. (You can hear Heather King speak of her latest book about the life of St. Therese of Lisieux on AW 108.)

Why You Should Wear the Miraculous Medal
By Taylor Marshall at Canterbury Tales
An info-packed teaching on this great sacramental.


The Conscience and the Examen
By Marcia Morrissey from her column at Patheos
Here's a healthy spiritual practice. 

Pretty Happy Funny Real
By Margaret Bern at Minnesota Mom
Delightful pictures and commentary about her daughter's first confession.


Inside the Mom (of a toddler) Brain
By Lauren Warner at Sipping Lemonade
A picture is worthy of a 1000's words...  you will smile.


Happy Birthday Coffee & Canticles - Giveaway week!
By Daria Sockey at Coffee & Canticles
Divine Office enthusiast gives real life advice for praying with the Liturgy of the Hours. She's also giving away some nice books.


Say No to Competition (among women, friends, etc.)
By Meg Meeker, MD at her website
Great advice from Dr. Meeker!


Why Catholic Women Don't Make Good Mommy Bloggers
By Betty Duffy, guest posting over at The Anchoress.
Oh, this is rich. Like the way dark chocolate makes so much more sense to me than white chocolate.


And finally, this ode to the tech "symphony" (?) around many of us... H/T to Deacon Greg at The Deacon's Bench

Digitals from Chris Crutchfield
on Vimeo.

Among Women ReadHER 1.28.12 ...HHS ruling... Mom stuff... Pope quotes... Stuff to make us think...Nags!

Among Women ReadHER

1.28.12

HHS ABC Rule: Anybody but Catholics Has Religious Freedom
By Sr. Mary Ann Walsh at the USCCB Media Blog
Read this and stay informed on this issue. 

Prayers for Women Approaching Labor
By Lisa Schmidt at The Practicing Catholic
Pray!

To the Mother With Only One Child
By Simcha Fisher at her blog at National Catholic Register
This struck a chord with me, and many other women, judging by the combox at the end of the post. Oh, and Tom Hoopes gives the Dad's version.


Talk to Your Mother!
By Simcha Fisher at her blog at National Catholic Register
Yes, a double-header from Simcha. There are no rules here, I link what I like each week. (Re the post: If you're like me, you wanna write a post that challenges us to do a test study on the rosary's power to break bad habits. I bet others have stories like this. Go Momma Mary. Go Rosary.)

March for Love
By Tim Muldoon at Patheos
Read this one slowly. Then listen to your heart.

Girl Scout Leadership: Pro-Choice, Pro-Gay Ideologues
By Mary Hasson at Catholic Lane
I was a GS for years. It was a great organization back in the day when I was young. But I've seen a slow decline in the moral values that were once characteristic of the organization. So I'm very troubled by the links on this post that just underscore that even more. 


Silence and Word, The Path to Evangelization
By Pope Benedict XVI
For those of us active in new media evangelization, these World Communications Day messages are important to read. But let me say that what strikes me as profoundly simple about this message is the implicit call to go deeper still in our personal communication via the dynamics of love, friendship, and  Communion. 

Pope Stresses Role of Spiritual Guides in Discernment (for vocations)
Posted by Zenit
The Pope emphasizes importance of priests and parents in presenting vocation options to young people.


Meet the Marriage Killer
By Elizabeth Bernstein at the Wall Street Journal
All about nagging. Some good suggestions for avoiding it, at the end of the article.


A City's Soul in the Balance
By Elizabeth Lev at Zenit
Commentary on the good, the bad and the ugly in NYC.


Lunch with the Girls
By Lisa Hendey at Faith and Family Live
Book it! 


Forgotten Relics Found in Buffalo
Posted by Fox News
Cool news story. Hope there is follow-up!


2 VIDEOs: Fr. Robert Barron comments on the recent viral video dealing with "Why I love Jesus and hate religion."


Miss the March for Life? Here it is in hyperdrive summary form...

I'm over at Catholic Mom today...

My latest at Catholic Mom is another installment in the occasional series I'm writing on the empty nest:

"Kids Learn What They Live"

Among Women ReadHER 1.14.12... the gamut today: joy... yummy things.. time savers... death... mothering & more

Among Women ReadHER

1.14.12

The Space Between
By Jaymie Stuart Wolfe from her column at The Pilot
Always smart, always reflective, that's why I follow Jaymie's column. I was pleased to welcome her to Among Women back on episode 114.

Being a Single Parent Isn't So Bad. There are worse things. Trust me.
By Katrina Fernandez at The Crescat
The #1 rule of good writing: write what you know. Kat speaks from a deep, compassionate well of experience.


SCOTUS Unanimous on Religious Freedom
By Elizabeth Scalia at The Anchoress
We all have to stay abreast of the news: As Christians continue to face persecution both here and abroad, this ruling from the US Supreme Court is particularly important for the operation of churches in the USA. Elizabeth Scalia gives a good round up of the issue and the ruling. Be sure to see her links embedded in the post.


Bringing Death Into the Light Was Never Crazy
By Elizabeth Scalia at First Things
Yes, a second offering from Elizabeth Scalia... another culture-related post. This time it is a cogent, compassionate, and occasionally humorous consideration on how our society avoids the truth of death, and what we lose when we do.  Elizabeth was a guest on Among Women last year, listen here.

The Fallacy of the "Yummy Mummy"
By Betty Duffy at Patheos
A sanity check here for all of us who may struggle with weight issues and perspective. 

Rape Definition Updated by the FBI
By Peter Yost of the Associated Press
Women and men need to know this information. Pass this on to college age and high school age kids too. (Sadly, date-rape is more widespread that we might like to think or imagine.) And then, there is this sad statistic.

Motherhood and the Call to Holiness
By Thomas L. McDonald at National Catholic Register
Some good comments by the women interviewed.


The Happy Mother Challenge, Day 1
By Meg Meeker, MD at her website
A good book to put on your reading list!

25 Tips to Make Your Life Easier
By the Daily Buzz 
Wow! I loved this list. (H/T The Anchoress)


Tim Tebow's Testimony
By Jennifer Roche at CatholicVote.org
I'm seeing more and more women write about Denver's QB. (Of course I live in Patriots Nation, so there's lots of trash talk going on around here. But that's besides the point. I agree with Jennifer here: Give Tebow credit for living his faith in the public square. There is persecution of such a soul, and there are graces too.


Beautiful Joy: for you!
By Hallie Lord (guest posting at Elizabeth Foss' blog)
Recalling delight in being a girl, a woman. Hear Hallie guest on AW 84.


My Father's Rosary
By CCR at The Conservatory
Found this article via someone's twitter feed. I don't really know the writer or his religious views, but I was moved that he was moved by his father's beads. Sometimes we may feel our children, or loved ones may never fully embrace the faith, but moments like this show the allure of the Holy Spirit is always at work.


12 Signs of a Spiritual Awakening
A resource posted at SilentNoMore.org
-- Silent No More Awareness is a Campaign whereby Christians make the public aware of the devastation abortion brings to women and men. The campaign seeks to expose and heal the secrecy and silence surrounding the emotional and physical pain of abortion. Find their new updated website here. If you have suffered an abortion, you may wish to listen Among Women 75 on that subject.


Jesus' life was about joy... 

Among Women Podcast # 119 - The Interior Life of Mothers

Among Women 119 welcomes author Dorothy Pilarski and a discussion centered on her book Motherhood Matters. Together we discuss the graces needed for mothering and the constant need to develop a stronger interior life, or life with God.

Also this week, don't miss the opportunity to put your name in for the free drawing for Dorothy's new book, by sending me an email at amongwomenpodcast@me.com, or sending me a note on the Among Women Facebook page.

This episode of AW also profiles the life and times of St Mary Di Rosa, a 19th century nun who lived a life of quiet heroism.

Reminder: SQPN's annual giving campaign needs your support. AW is an affiliate but all funds go to support the organizational needs of SQPN and its international apostolate that helps spread the gospel via Catholic new media. Please contribute if you can. Thank you.

The F.U.N. Quotient... (Mom edition, part 2)

Advice from Moms of Yesterday:

Cleaning your house while your kids are still growing is like shoveling the walk before it stops snowing. -Phyllis Diller 

Never lend your car to anyone to whom you have given birth. -Erma Bombeck 

From "Leave It to Beaver"...

    June Cleaver: "Wally, where are you going?"

    Wally Cleaver: "I'm going over to slug Eddie."  

     June Cleaver: "That's no way to talk, this is Sunday." 

    Wally Cleaver: "You're right, I'll wait 'til tomorrow and slug him in the cafeteria." 

I subscribe to Barbara Johnson's calorie-burning definitions of laughter:

Among Women ReadHER 11. 12. 11... war on women, grateful tweets, internet's influence & more

Among Women ReadHer

11.12.11

What I Am Never Going to Tell You
By Elizabeth Foss at her blog, In the Heart of my Home.
This is such an important post by a very wise mother, Elizabeth Foss: even "great" parenting does not guarantee that our children will live lives that reflect our faith and values. (My two cents: Loving children despite their free will is the toughest job parents face... Witness the forgiving father in the parable of the Prodigal Son. Some may one day return to a Christian walk, and some may not.)

The Real War on Women
By Kathryn Jean Lopez
No nonsense, straight talk. Lopez never preaches. Just states it very plainly.


The Personhood Initiative: Mississippi Voters Fail A Reality Check
By Phil Lawler on CatholicCulture.org
We need more discussion on the subject of personhood as a path to promoting the culture of life.


All That We Behold is Full of Blessing -- Wm. Wordsworth
By Maria Johnson
I've been a #gratefultweeter, following the lead of folks like Maria and @MattSwaim... I recommend #gratefultweeting... it can be a form of evangelism, offering a smile rather than a frown to twitter news feeds. There's another take on this, here.


Parents: Beware the Dangers of Peer Orientation
By Jennifer Fulwiler
This subject really resonates with me. As a former youth minister (in the years before my children came) it became very clear to me that parents needed to be the molders and shapers of conscience and perspective, and it their absence, other voices would fill the vacuum. (I write a little bit on the shaping of conscience in a child, this week at Catholic Mom.)


Virtually Pleasuring Ourselves Out of Existence
By Betty Duffy at Patheos
Very astute and challenging about the power of the internet's addictive pull. 


Fr Robert Barron discusses the new translation of the Roman Missal... (under 15 minutes.)

The F.U.N. Quotient... Mom edition (part 1)

From Moms Today:

Request Back-up! -- Ellen Gable Hrkach - (cartoon)

Why We Don't Have A TV Show -- Sherry Antonetti 

Sick Days for Mom? Take the Quiz -- Karen Rinehart

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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Among Women ReadHER 11.5.11

Among Women ReadHer

11.5.11

Breaking Bad Liturgical Habits
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Here's a run down of a few things we all should know or learn.

Sacraments 101
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A shout out to the good work Busted Halo is doing. I couldn't agree more.


A Culture of Faux Choices Meets Divine Mercy; Why there is hope... after abortion
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Powerful, in-depth interview on post-abortion healing and hope. Given special attention to the experience of  "social abortion."

What is the Difference Between a Nun and a Sister?
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Just in case you ever wondered.


The Illusion of a Perfect Life
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I've had similar conversations with women over the years....


Get Me to the Church On Time
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A mother of 10 offers advice on how to get the family to Sunday Mass on time.


The World's 7 Billionth Baby is a Gift, Not a Problem
By Brandon Vogt at The Thin Veil
Besides agreeing with this sentiment, I appreciated some of the links embedded in this post.


Women Need to Watch Something Other Than the Mass Media
By Teresa Tomeo at NRO
Besides watching with discretion, we need to be about the business of relationships!


Sexy in Context is Holy
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A very coherent synthesis of some of the many themes found in Theology of the Body as it pertains to marriage and sexual norms.


Virgin Mary Nightlight
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From the magnificence of a holy moment in St. Peter's Basilica in Rome... to the bathroom at WalMart...


Tweet of the Week:

@sfomomBarb, sfo

I'd buy one. RT @conversiondiary: Why don't they make minivans with soundproof chauffeur's windows?


And if you like happy endings (in real life), this 3 minute video is sure to fit the bill.