Among Women ReadHER 6.9.12 On forgiveness, helping hands, and making lunch...

The Church Pushes Back
By Mark Rienzi at National Review Online
An essay by a constitutional lawyer speaking in clear language what is going on with the upcoming courts cases regarding the HHS mandate. Very compelling read, and worth sharing with others.


Our Feather-Strewn Sins Can Teach Us Mercy
By Elizabeth Scalia at Our Sunday Visitor
Must-reading for your week. Wisdom from lived experience, the sacrament of reconciliation and a dear saint.


Wife Confidential: Why I make His Lunch
By Theresa Thomas at The Integrated Life
Hey! I love "love in a lunchbag" from home. Read Theresa's motives for making her hubby's lunch each morning. And if you'd like to hear Theresa, she guested on AW last fall on episode 117.


When Your Heart Hangs By A Thread
By Timothy Dalrymple at Philosophical Fragments
The beauty of life in full view in the pediatric ward.


Celestial Magazine
A new magazine for Catholic Women looking for Subscribers


The Gift
From DivorcedCatholic.org's newsletter of encouragement, this post (very short) is worth the read. If you or someone you know is facing divorce, you may wish to listen to Lisa Duffy, co-founder of DivorcedCatholic.org talk about divorce and hope on Among Women 97.


My Dream for My Daughter
By Denise Hunnell, MD at Human Life International
A good piece that upholds the value of womanhood and a reminder that fertility is not a disease to be treated... we can hope to have our daughters grow up without thinking their dreams rely on their fertility being suppressed or obliterated.


ProtectOurGirls.com
Are you opposed to sex-selection abortions? They are happening in the USA and only a few states have bans. Information at this website operated by LiveAction, complete with a video that reveals what's is being said on the inside.


Africa E-Book Project
Catholic author Brandon Vogt and others have a great project here. Consider giving your support to support seminarians in Cameroon.


Inspiration sportsmanship by a woman at a Track Meet in Ohio. State Champ helps a competitor after a fall. Two thumb up!

Visit msnbc.com for breaking news, world news, and news about the economy

Among Women ReadHER 3.31.12... Papa Benny, Cuba, confession, sex, weirdness...

Photo credit: Maria Johnson, as we shared margaritas with the Holy Father

Among Women ReadHER

3.31.12

First, a few posts about Pope Benedict XVI's Apostolic Visits to Mexico and Cuba...

You can read his addresses and homilies on these trips here. There were lots of my favorite quotes, but here's one to give you a taste:

Dear friends, do not hesitate to follow Jesus Christ. In him we find the truth about God and about mankind. He helps us to overcome our selfishness, to rise above our vain struggles and to conquer all that oppresses us. The one who does evil, who sins, becomes its slave and will never attain freedom (cf. Jn 8:34). Only by renouncing hatred and our hard and blind hearts will we be free and a new life will well up in us. 

Convinced that it is Christ who is the true measure of man, and knowing that in him we find the strength needed to face every trial, I wish to proclaim openly that Jesus Christ is the way, the truth and the life. In him everyone will find complete freedom, the light to understand reality most deeply and to transform it by the renewing power of love. 

The Church lives to make others sharers in the one thing she possesses, which is none other than Christ, our hope of glory (cf. Col 1:27). To carry out this duty, she must count on basic religious freedom, which consists in her being able to proclaim and to celebrate her faith also in public, bringing to others the message of love, reconciliation and peace which Jesus brought to the world. 

If you only have time for one, read the rest of this one... pretty powerful words about religious freedom spoken aloud in Mass setting within a country with a communistic regime.

The Pope blesses image of Our Lady of Guadalupe...

He picked up a few new hats along the way...

Entrusting Cuba to Caridad

By Maria Morera Johnson, a guest at my column at Patheos this week

I recommend this piece by my friend, blogger and co-host of SQPN's Catholic Weekend Show, Maria Morera Johnson, a Cuban-American, writing about subjects close to her heart.

Other goodies....

Vatican Approves a Blessing of the Womb
Posted at Zenit
Well, here's a powerful pro-life move! Yay! Will watch for more details in the days ahead.

Confessing Who We Really Are

By Lori Miller at Catholic Mom

A good one. If you still haven't gone to confession this Lent, let this be a loving nudge.

When Shall We Begin to Do Good?

By Elizabeth Scalia at The Anchoress

When Elizabeth raves about something, I always pay attention. 

Looking Closer at the Hail Mary: "Blessed"

By Maria Morera Johnson at Snoring Scholar

Yes, it just worked out that way, here's another one from Maria, this time in a continuing series on the words of the Hail Mary, hosted by the delightful Sarah Reinhard at Snoring Scholar.


The Glories of Being Weird
By Emily Stimpson at CatholicVote.org
Another great take on life and love and simply being "counter-cultural" simply by living this awesome cannot-be-denied faith.


The Dark Night of the Soul: Or Why a Failing Lent Isn't
By Chris Capolino at Catholic Mom
Ok, might be the best piece from Chris ever. 


How to Pray with Your Spouse: 4 steps
Posted at the USCCB's "For Your Marriage" page
Some good advice.


Nothing Subtle About this Photo
By Mountain Butorac at Catholic Traveler
Just click on the link for a moment. Beautiful. 


Christopher Hitchins and Groaning During Sex
By Marc Barnes at Bad Catholic
If you've never read Marc Barnes, you might find that he is somewhat irreverently reverent... but he's young and he is on to a great career as a writer and apologist. 


Important Safety Information: Girls Around Me APP will make you tighten up your online privacy.

This song has a beautiful prayer within it: "Lord, break my heart with what breaks yours...."

10:50am: Here's a late update from today's Wall Street Journal:


When the Archbishop Met the President
By James Taranto at the WSJ
The continuing HHS Mandate saga...

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.


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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 10.29.11... motherhood, confession, prayer, gratitude, singing & more

Among Women ReadHer

10.29.11

Pilgrims of Truth, Pilgrims of Peace
By Pope Benedict XVI
The Pope spoke in Assisi this week with many varied religious leaders -- Christian, non-Christian, and agnostics -- and this is the text of his only talk. It is very readable. Consider giving it your attention and note his analysis of the intersection of spiritual realities (or their lack) with all sides of life.

The Fellowship of the Unashamed (note, this opens to a .pdf)
By Patrick Madrid, at PatrickMadrid.com
First read this in Magnificat, and checked it out at Patrick's website. Something worth praying on, doncha think?

Donating My Hairshirt
By Lisa Schmidt at The Practicing Catholic
Got annoyances in human form? 

Showing Our Gratitude in Our Tweets
By Maria Johnson, guest post at SnoringScholar.com
This has been a fun and enriching way to start the day. I've only been at it a couple weeks. If you tweet, check it out. (You can follow Maria Johnson on Twitter: @bego , or me @PatGohn .)


Fr. Z's 20 Tips for Making a Good Confession
By Fr John Zuhlsdorf at his blog WDTPRS?
To-the-point, easy-to-remember suggestions. H/T Lynn Wehner.


10 Ways to Pray Without Ceasing
By Colleen Spiro at CatholicMom.com
Add one of these ways to your daily duties!


How to Pray Badly
By Marc Barnes at Bad Catholic
Out of the park, Marc! 


Couple Married 72 years Dies Holding Hands
By Deacon Greg Kandra at The Deacon's Bench
Inspiring.

For Happy Children, Put Your Marriage First
By Mary Beth Hicks at Family Events
While not a Catholic periodical, I have found Mary Beth's content at Family Events universally solid and grounded in Christian virtues and the moral law. It's free to subscribe.

If You Quit You Can't Blame God
By Patrice Fagnant MacArthur at CatholicMom.com
We've all been there. Then what? Thanks Patrice! (Who has been a previous guest on AW 6!)


Saintly Soda for All Saints Day
By Lacey Rabideau at Catholic Icing
Fun idea! And Lacy lets you copy her idea! Lacey was a guest on the podcast, back on AW 90 -she's got great stuff!


Saint-o-Lantern Link Up
By the contributors at Catholic Cuisine
More Halloween and All Saints Day Fun -- great photos!

Are You Working Too Much?
By Kathy Schiffer at Seasons of Grace
Fun video... especially if you type/keyboard for your living...


You Gotta Have Friends
By Rachel Balducci at Faith and Family Live
So true. You know who you are thinking of. Go call her.


The Church Has Three New Saints
By Vatican Radio at New.va
2 men, 1 woman, (whom we'll be profiling on a future AW)


Here's the legacy of an amazing Catholic Mom:

Read the story of Emmanuel's Catholic Mom Moira.


Finally, here's something cool that I really like. If you like what we do at Among Women, then you can trust me, just do this.

image credit

Among Women ReadHer... 7.17.11

Among Women ReadHer

7.17.11

Confession: It Puts You Straight With Everyone
--Sr. Mary Ann Walsh on the USCCB blog. H/T The Deacon's Bench
Healthy reminders!


Pre-Marital Sex: A Losing Proposition?
--Mary Hasson's book review of Premarital Sex in America at CatholicMom.com.
There is much to mine, here.

You Are Not Called to be a Gender-Neutral Generic Person
--Dr. Jennifer Roback Morse of the Ruth Institute.
A great commencement address that talks about spiritual motherhood and fatherhood. Or, listen to the talk captured in a podcast here.


Justin Timberlake and the Drive Through Woman (CAUTION: Offensive song lyrics within this article.)
-- Laura Ingraham, an excerpt from her new book, found on NRO.
Parents of teens, kindly take note! I agree with Ingraham's assessment.


Don't Call Me a MILF. Please. (Caution: Swear words alluded to in this post.)
--Esther Elizabeth
Not a fan of cuss words or acronyms that reference them, but in the interest of keeping tabs on the culture -- especially those of us who parent children and teens, I'm reposting this. Sorry, it's another disrespect thing about women/mothers.


Support Angela Faddis' Husband in a Search for a Cure for her Cancer
If this moves you, you know what to do. First, pray, then give if your needs allow.

The Hairy Truth

Years ago, there was a silly commercial on TV with the line: "Does she, or doesn't she? Only her hairdresser knows."  The spot was promoting a certain brand of color. Women of a certain age, like myself, will often use certain hair treatments with a certain regularity. In much the same vein, Christians in certain situations will avail themselves of going to confession and receiving the Sacrament of Reconciliation. So, one might ask, why put off what makes us look and feel so good? I wonder about that myself...

I have a confession about Confession. I need to go. And I should go. But sometimes I put it off when I otherwise know better.

Here's another confession: I go to the salon to cover my gray. It's a little ritual I do a few times a year. I don't like the cost of the hair makeover, so, by the time I finally make the appointment, I really, really, need to go.

On the confession front, even though I know what's good for me, I often still cajole myself there. Of course, who likes facing up to their vices and sins? So I put it off. But that is not recommended, especially when I start noticing my faltering interior attitude as it leaches out through my weakening defenses—like my muttering of cuss words under my breath when I get cranky. The quality and color of my language is usually the first obvious sign that I'm overdue for an appointment with a confessor.

It's kind of like my hair color...

Read the rest at my weekly column at Patheos.


image credit