This makes me think... about dealing with fear...

If you abide in the love of Christ, rooted in the faith, you will encounter, even amid setbacks and suffering, the source of true happiness and joy.  Faith does not run counter to your highest ideals; on the contrary, it elevates and perfects those ideals.  Dear young people, do not be satisfied with anything less than Truth and Love, do not be content with anything less than Christ.

Nowadays, although the dominant culture of relativism all around us has given up on the search for truth, even if it is the highest aspiration of the human spirit, we need to speak with courage and humility of the universal significance of Christ as the Saviour of humanity and the source of hope for our lives.   He who took upon himself our afflictions, is well acquainted with the mystery of human suffering and manifests his loving presence in those who suffer...  

... Dear friends, may no adversity paralyze you.  Be afraid neither of the world, nor of the future, nor of your weakness.  The Lord has allowed you to live in this moment of history so that, by your faith, his name will continue to resound throughout the world. 


--Benedict XVI, Homily at Prayer Vigil, World Youth Day, Madrid,  2011, August 20, 2011.

Among Women ReadHer... 9.3.11

Among Women ReadHer

9.3.11

Explosive New Book Details War on Unborn Baby Girls

--Catholic New Agency

Sad, but true. And we must keep talking about this.


NO Easy Surrenders
--Rebecca Teti at Faith and Family Live
An important look at risks to the first amendment that would seriously impact conscience clauses for Catholics. Please check out all the links. And you may want to write to your Congressperson using this easy link provided by the US Catholic Bishops. Pass this around! Send YOUR opinion to Congress.


Discernment: How Can I Learn God's Will for Me?
--Peter Kreeft, PhD
Kreeft never misses. He truly is a gift to the Church. Of course, go read it!


Feminists Don't Respect Women, the Catholic Church Does
--Jennifer Fulwiler, from her blog at National Catholic Register
Jennifer get to the point and quick. Here, here!

Semper Fidelis
--Dr. Gerard Nadal from Coming Home
About staying faithful in marriage til the end. And about the power of a woman's love in the life of a man.


Friendship and the Artist
-Barbara Nicolosi, over at Patheos
For all the creatives out there, and the ups and downs it brings to friendship. And for all the friends of creatives who stood by and cheered another's giftedness and nudged them toward sharing that their gift. 


The Woman Behind the Icon
--Carolyn Moynihan at Mercator. net
A send-up to Steve Jobs' mother. 


All the Bad Parents Out There, Raise Your Hand
--Mary Beth Hicks, at CatholicMom.com
More Hicks wisdom!


"Game Time" a family movie - Tonight!






One more...Great "summary" video from World Youth Day....

WYD: A Grace for the Youth, and for the Whole Church

My column today, A Word in Season, recognizes Pope Benedict's arrival at World Youth Day (WYD) today, and reminisces about Blessed John Paul II's exuberant heart for youth in the pre-WYD days.

In everything JPII and BXVI have preached and written for WYD, they emphasize that WYD's are less about having youth meet the Pope in person and more about having youth encounter Jesus in a personal way.

That being said, Pope Benedict recognizes these days are not for the youth alone; they are an opportunity for all of us to, indeed, make a spiritual retreat. Read the whole article here.

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 # 106 - A Pilgrimage to Mary's House; WYD too!

Among Women 106 features chats about the value of going on pilgrimage, as Pat is joined by Sarah Vabulas, creator of the Catholic Drinkie blog, and a recent pilgrim to Rome, the island of Patmos, and a visitor to the Virgin Mary's home in Ephesus, Turkey. (Mary's home is featured in the photo at left, with our guest, Sarah Vabulas.)

Together Pat and Sarah talk about the power of new media, person to person evangelization, and how faith comes alive when one is blessed to go on a pilgrimage.

Pat shares prose from Christian authors Caryll Houselander and Fulton Sheen on the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary that will be celebrated August 15. She also looks at the event of World Youth Day in Madrid, to be taking place during the Octave of the Assumption. Listen to the new episode here.

Finally, let us hear your voice on an upcoming Special Edition of AW on the Rosary in early October. To participate, contact Pat by sharing what you love about the Rosary. Please phone our voice feedback line at 206-203-2024, or leave a facebook message, or email Pat at amongwomenpodcast@me.com. Entries must be received by 6pm EST, Monday Sept. 26th.