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Feast of Our Lady of Fatima

Tue, 13 May 2008 21:33:08 GMT

Today is the feast of Our Lady of Fatima. Mary appeared to 3 shepherd children on the 13th of each month from May thru October, 1917. She asked them to pray the Rosary to save poor sinners from going to hell. She predicted World War II. She showed them a vision of hell. In October, a miracle occured that was witnessed by thousands of people, the Miracle of the Sun. She wants us to pray the Rosary every day, wear the Scapular of Mt. Carmel, and make the 5 First Saturdays - our world is in need of much prayer and conversion...is she really asking us to do that much to help bring peace to the world???

To find out more, visit:

The World Apostolate of Fatima http://www.wafusa.org/

Fatima Family Apostolate http://www.fatimafamily.org/

FEAST OF PENTECOST RECIPES

Mon, 05 May 2008 14:44:38 GMT

Sunday is the feast of Pentecost, here are some recipes to set your celebration on fire . Anything red works great of course, so be creative! Recipes with 3 ingredients or 3 layers work well too, for the Trinity. Anything spicy or tangy will...light your fire!

HAM

Place uncooked ham in roasting pan. Pack brown sugar and dry mustard on top and sprinkle some in bottom of pan. Add 1-2 inches of water to pan. Cover tightly. Bake at 350 for 2 hours (for a thawed 3# ham) or till meat thermometer reads 160 degrees. This is for a non-precooked ham, would probably work about the same for a pre-cooked ham, bake according to package directions.

HOLY SPIRIT SALAD

6 apples, peeled, cored, sliced thin

2 cups water

1 cup sugar

1 cup red hots candy

Heat water and sugar to boiling. Add red hots. Stir till melted. Add apples, cook till you like; if crisp, then just a few minutes; if mushy, then cook longer. Drain. Serve warm.

CLOVERLEAF ROLLS

Use frozen bread dough rolls. Thaw dough till soft but still cold, cut each dough ball in half. Place 3 halves in each muffin tin, cover with sprayed plastic wrap. Let rise about 3 hours, till double in size. Bake at 350 for 15-20 minutes, until golden brown.

TRIPLE-LAYER LEMON PIE

2 cups cold milk

2 pkg. (4 serving size each) lemon flavor instant pudding & pie filling

1 graham cracker crust

1 (8 oz.) tub Cool Whip

Pour milk into large bowl. Add dry pudding mixes. Beat with wire whisk 2 minutes or till well blended. Mixture will be thick. Spread 1 1/2 cups of pudding onto bottom of crust. Gently stir half of Cool Whip into remaining pudding, spread over pudding layer in crust. Top with remaining Cool Whip. Refrigerate 3 hours or will set. Garnish with lemon peel if desired. Store leftover pie in refrigerator.

May Altar

Thu, 01 May 2008 04:01:02 GMT

May is dedicated to our Blessed Mother. Do you have your May Altar planned??? It can be as simple as a statue of Mary and a vase of flowers or a candle or something more elaborate including all or any of the following...a table covered with a blue cloth, statue or picture of Mary, candles, flowers, family picture(s), Rosary, Bible, Catechism, Rosary meditation book, etc. Your children will probably have great ideas of how to make a beautiful altar for Mary!

We ask Mary's intercession during May in a special way...we do not pray "to" Mary, but ask her to pray for us. She is Jesus's Mother...who do children ask when they want something? Mom of course! So we are asking our Heavenly Mother, whom Jesus gave to us before He died on the Cross, to intercede for us...to pray for us. If you are sick or going to have surgery, or something like that, do you ask other people to pray for you? It is no different to ask someone on earth to pray for you than someone in Heaven, like Mary...except of course Mary is Jesus's Mother, therefore her prayers are even more powerful than ours! We STILL listen to our mothers...don't we??? So does Jesus . Just like He did at the Wedding at Cana when Mary first interceded for someone...the bride & groom. We are not praying to the statue or picture either, we are using that image to remind us of Mary (or whoever the statue or picture is of). Do you have pictures of your children or grandchilden or parents or grandparents? Do you worship that image??? Of course not! But those pictures remind us of those we love! Do you sometimes even kiss that picture of your loved one? Do you 'love' the picture? No, but you love the person that the picture reminds you of! So we have statues and pictures to remind us of Jesus and Mary and our favorite saints...because we love them too!

Happy May! Happy Spring! Happy Mother's Day!

Tribute to Pope John Paul II

Tue, 29 Apr 2008 22:23:15 GMT

A Star rose in Poland,

Bright, beautiful and strong

Formed in a land of suffering,

Amidst much right and wrong.

A Scholar, Philosopher, Theologian, Poet

An Actor, Mystic, man heroic

Called to be a priest, bishop, then Pope

Bringing to a confused world much hope.

A man of suffering, love, strong faith

Inspiring youth to a life that is safe

Traveling the world, meeting the great and lowly

Bringing the Good News of Christ, so all be holy.

Vicar of Christ, Visible Head of the Church

Neglecting no one in his universal search

To bring the world to Christ and Mary His Mother

Pope John Paul the Great, man's favorite brother.

(by, Fr. Robert J. Fox - www.fatimafamily.org)

Freedom of Speech????

Sun, 20 Apr 2008 22:46:31 GMT

We had a birthday party for my daughters with my husband's family today at a pizza place in a small college town. Pizza was delicious, we had a good time...despite the mix-up of not getting the party room as we had requested. After eating pizza, opening presents, singing "Happy Birthday" and having dessert, a bunch of us went to a local park so the kids could play for awhile. When we were leaving, we noticed little pieces of...something...on the ground by the car. We realized it was my pro-life magnetic bumper sticker that had been torn up into little pieces!!! Why is it that I don't get the right to have freedom of speech??? Of course, my oldest daughter immediately said, "I know what we should do for whoever did that...we should pray for them!" Out of the mouths of babes!

Spring?

Sat, 12 Apr 2008 22:48:35 GMT

Is spring EVER going to come to the Midwest??? I am SO ready...where is it??? The robins came back, so I figured, good we only should have 1 more snow - they alwayrs seem to get snowed on at least once...I think its been about 4 or 5 times. I tried taking down the snowflakes from the windows that the kids made...has snowed at least 3 times since then! I tried changing my blog to this lovely pink flower design...didn't work! I want...no, need...warmth & sunshine! I am praying for spring to come SOON!

Vacation Bible School

Fri, 11 Apr 2008 22:18:21 GMT

I am working on plans for Vacation Bible School at our church for this summer. Our theme is "Under Construction with St. Joseph." If you have any ideas let me know!

Happy Birthday!

Thu, 03 Apr 2008 12:27:07 GMT

His Holiness, Pope Benedict XVI will be celebrating his birthday on April 16. You can send him a card at:

His Holiness, Pope Benedict XVI

00120 Via del Pelligrino

Citta del Vaticano

Europe

Thank you Gov. Heineman!

Mon, 24 Mar 2008 22:48:48 GMT

Gov. Heineman of Nebraska has declared March 30 thru April 5 as "Nebraska Home Education Week!" Thank you Gov. Heineman! Hopefully other governors and states will follow his example in supporting parents' rights to educate their children at home. Send Gov. Heineman a letter thanking him for his support of homeschooling:

Gov. Dave Heineman

PO Box 94848

Lincoln NE 68509-4877

To read his proclamation, go to: http://www.hslda.org/hs/state/ne/Neb_Proclaim_08.pdf

The Joyful Mysteries of Life

Thu, 20 Mar 2008 15:21:52 GMT

I just finished the MOST wonderful book for helping parents to explain the 'facts of life' to their children! It is absolutely beautiful! There are chapters to read & discuss with your child, and discussion questions are even included. The book was written by Catholic parents for their own young family. In order to encourage attitudes of respect and reverence for the mysteries of procreation, the biological facts are presented in the context of a meditation on the joyful mysteries of the Rosary. Chastity, both inside and outside of marriage, is shown to be the Christian way of living out God's will in regard to the procreative aspect of our nature. In his forward, Cardinal Lopez Trujillo welcomes The Joyful Mysteries of Life as a response to the Church's call for good resources for education in sexuality: "With its predominatly spiritual and moral emphasis, in a positive, clear and delicate way, this book is designed to assist parents in their task of formation."

The Joyful Mysteries of Life

by, Catherine and Bernard Scherrer

Can be found at:

http://www.ignatius.com/ViewProduct.aspx?SID=1&Product_ID=710&SKU=JML-P&Category_ID=101

http://www.amazon.com/Joyful-Mysteries-Life-Catherine-Scherrer/dp/0898706300

http://www.catholiccompany.com/catholic-books/1004558/Joyful-Mysteries-Life/

St. Patrick's Day recipes

Thu, 28 Feb 2008 23:33:52 GMT

I am planning ahead! I like preparing special recipes for the Saints' Feast Days. One of my favorite resources for doing this is "Building the Family Cookbook" by Suzanne Fowler. The potato soup and soda bread recipes are from her cookbook. Here are some recipes you could use for St. Patrick's Day:

St. Patrick's Potato Soup:

32 oz. frozen hash browns (thawed or partially thawed)

4 Tbls butter

3-4 stalks celery, chopped

1 c onion, chopped

1 can ready to serve chicken broth

2 c water

1 can cream of celery soup

1 can cream of chicken soup

2 c milk

salt & pepper to taste

In a soup pot, saute celery, onions, salt and pepper in 4 Tbls of butter till tender crisp. Add potatoes, broth, and water to the celery mixture, stirring over high heat. When mixture comes to a boil, cover and reduce heat. Simmer for 30 minutes. Stir in soups, milk, salt and pepper and heat till hot, stirring occasionally. You may serve with cheddar cheese, bacon and parsley. You can double the chicken broth, water, soups and milk if you are serving a large crowd without adding more potatoes and still have a rich soup.

St. Patrick taught about the Trinity, make Trinity dinner rolls:

Using frozen bread dough rolls (or your own bread recipe should you be more talented than I am), divide each roll into 3 parts, rolling each part into a ball. Cover & let rise till double. Spray muffin cups. Roll each ball in flour & place 3 balls in each muffin cup. Squeeze melted butter between balls. Bake at 350 for 15-20 minutes.

Irish Soda Bread

3 c flour

3/4 tsp salt

1/2 c sugar

1 tsp baking soda

2 tsp baking powder

1/4 tsp cream of tarter

1/3 c butter

1 1/2 c buttermilk

1/2 box raisins (optional)

Mix dry ingredients; cut in butter. Add raisins, if desired, and buttermilk, stir till moist. The dough will be sticky. Flour your hands and shape dough into a ball. Knead for 15 seconds on a lightly floured board. Place on a lightly greased baking sheet. Flatten to about 10 inches in diameter. Using a serrated knife, cut a deep cross in the top of the loaf as you say "God bless this family in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, Amen." Bake at 350 degrees for 45-50 minutes. Glaze: Combine 1/4 c powdered sugar and 2-3 Tbls milk. Stir until thick syrupy. Brush on warm bread. This is wonderful!

Jello-O Parfait

1 small pkg lime Jello

1 c sour cream

8 oz. Cool Whip

1 tsp vanilla

1 can fruit cocktail or pineapple tidbits, drained well

Mix the Jello with the sour cream. Add vanilla and mix well. Fold in Cool Whip. Layer fruit and Jello mixture in parfait glasses. Chill. Serve cold.

St. Patrick's Day Cupcakes

1 3/4 c flour

small box instant pistachio pudding mix

3/4 c mini chocolate chips

2/3 c sugar

2 1/2 tsp baking powder

1/2 tsp salt

2 beaten eggs

1 1/4 c milk

1/2 c oil

1 tsp vanilla or 1/4 tsp almond extract

1 cup cream cheese frosting (1/2 of can of frosting if you're lazy...I mean busy...like me) tinted green if desired

green colored sugar, other decorations as desired

Grease muffin cups. In large mixing bowl, stir together flour, pudding mix, chocolate chips, sugar, baking powder and salt. Add beaten eggs, milk, oil and vanilla, stirring just till combined. Fill muffin cups about 2/3 full. Bake at 375 for 18-20 minutes or till golden brown. Cool. Frost & decorate. Makes 24 cupcakes.

Be sure to have your children make shamrocks, paint rainbows, and talk about the Trinity!

Apostolate of Holy Motherhood

Tue, 19 Feb 2008 20:54:34 GMT

Christ Child speaking on February 23, 1987: "I wish you to be joyous even in your trials and tribulations. This may seem difficult to understand, but if you unite your suffering to Mine, I will turn it into joy...Christian suffering has meaning and is redemptive. In fact, it is necessary for your salvation, for he who would follow Me must take up his cross...Never seek what may not be God's will. Pray always that God's will be done and accomplished in you...I wish to establish in the world greater devotion to Me as the Christ Child. This will be helpful in combating the evils perpetrated against innocent children which are so sadly common now. The innocence of children must be guarded as a precious jewel...At the end of each Rosary say three Hail Marys for the mitigiation of the suffering of the innocent children in the world - so precious and dear are they to My Mother and I. Often throughout your daily duty, say, 'This is for the innocent children suffering in the world.'"

Blessed Mother speaking, later on February 23, 1987: "Continue to pray for all priests as they need your prayers right now. The Christ Child will be your guide in perfecting you in the way of motherhood, such a sublime vocation which has fallen into disregard among many...The children which God has given them must be first in their lives, even at times coming before their husbands, but, of course, neve before God Himself. The more that you love God, the more you will love your husband and children...I am sorrowful that so many mothers neglect their duty for other things. This is often unnecessary and solely for the purpose of accumulating more wealth, when their true wealth, their children, go unattended. I pity those poor mothers on their judgment day as they will have much to account for.

Lenten Recipes - Tuna & Crab Hotdish

Sun, 17 Feb 2008 19:37:57 GMT

This was my Grandma's recipe. When we visited Denver at Easter, we would always have this casserole on Good Friday. I often continue that tradition now. I love you & miss you Grandma!

(This recipe must be prepared the night before.)

8 slices bread, cubed

1 can crab meat, drained

1 cup celery, diced (optional)

1 green pepper, diced (optional)

4 eggs

3 cups milk

2 cans tuna, drained

1/2 cup mayo or Miracle Whip

1 onion, diced (optional)

spices of your choice

1 can cream of mushroom soup

1/2 cup milk

grated cheddar cheese

Butter 9x13 pan, put 1/2 of bread on bottom. Saute onion, celery, and pepper in butter (casserole is definately better this way, but I often don't have those things on hand, so I just add other spices to the mayo and it still tastes yummy). Combine sauted items with mayo; add tuna and crab; spread over bread. Put rest of bread on top. Beat eggs and milk, pour on top. Cover and put in refrigerator overnight. Bake 15 minutes at 325. Combine 1 can cream of mushroom soup and 1/2 cup milk; pour on top of casserole. Top with grated cheddar cheese. Bake for 1 hour.

Lenten Recipe - Fish Parmesan

Mon, 11 Feb 2008 02:23:02 GMT

This recipe is from my good friend Michelle's mom. Very yummy...no sacrifice eating fish this way

3/4 cup dried breadcrumbs or crushed Croutons

3 Tbls parmesan cheese

2 tsp dried parsley

1/2 tsp salt

1/4 tsp paprika

1/8 tsp EACH pepper, oregano, basil

6 pollack fillets

1/2 cup melted butter

In shallow bowl, combine crumbs, cheese, parsley, and seasonings. Dip fish in butter, then in crumb mixture. Arrange in 9x13 baking dish. Bake, uncovered, at 375 for 20-25 minutes.

Lenten Recipes - Salmon Patties

Sat, 09 Feb 2008 20:58:23 GMT

Stir together:

1 can salmon with juice

onion, as desired

2 eggs

Add 18 crushed saltine crackers. Fry in butter in frying pan set at 250 degrees. Flip patties over when lightly browned.l Add more butter for each batch. Makes 12 small patties. Make the patties smaller as will break apart if they are too big.

Wisdom from Mother Teresa

Thu, 07 Feb 2008 22:14:07 GMT

The Word of God becomes flesh during the day, during meditation, during Holy Communion, during contemplation, during adoration, during silence. That Word in you, you give to others. It is necessary that the Word live in you, that you understand the Word, that you love the Word, that you live the Word. You will not be able to live that Word unless you give it to others.

Total surrender to God must come in small details as it comes in big details. It's nothing but that single word, "Yes, I accept whatever You give, and I give whatever You take." And this is just a simple way for us to be holy. We must not create difficulties in our own minds. To be holy doesn't mean to do extraordinary things, to understand big things, but it is a simple acceptance, beacuse I have given myself to God, because I belong to Him - my total surrender. He could put me here. He could put me there. He can use me. He cannot use me. It doesn't matter because I belong so totally to Him that He can do just what He wants to do with me.

Lent is a time when we relive the Passion of Christ. Let it not be just a time when our feelings are roused, but let it be a change that comes through cooperation with God's grace in real sacrifices of self. Sacrifice, to be real, must cost; it must hurt; it must empty us of self. Let us go through the Passion of Christ day by day.

What to give up...

Mon, 04 Feb 2008 00:44:32 GMT

Lenten Reflection: What to Give Up...

Give up complaining...focus on gratitude.

Give up pessimism...become an optimist.

Give up harsh judgements...think kindly thoughts.

Give up worry...trust Divine Providence.

Give up discouragement...be full of hope.

Give up bitterness...turn to forgiveness.

Give up hatred...return good for evil.

Give up negativism...be positive.

Give up anger...be more patient.

Give up pettiness...become mature.

Give up gloom...enjoy the beauty that is all around you.

Give up jealousy...pray for trust.

Give up gossiping...control your tongue.

Give up sin...turn to virtue.

Give up giving up...hang in there!

Joyful Mysteries with Padre Pio

Thu, 31 Jan 2008 21:13:42 GMT

My daughter asked me to put these meditations on my blog. She has a little pamphlet with Rosary meditations from Padre Pio that she really likes and wanted to share them. All of these quotes are from Padre Pio.

The Annunciation

"Mary became the Mother of the Most High, willing to be His maidservant. Because of that 'yes' spoken by Mary Most Holy, the world obtained salvation and humanity was redeemed. Let us always do God's will and always say 'yes' to the Lord."

The Visitation

"May Mary guide you to Heaven, the secure port of eternal salvation. May she be your gentle model and inspiration in the virtue of humility."

The Nativity

"Mother Mary, lead me to the grotto of Bethlehem, so that I may contemplate the great and sublime event that took place in the silence of the most beautiful night the world has ever seen."

The Presentation

"Like Mary, do your best to conform always and in everything to the will of God in all eventualities, and do not fear. This is the sure path to Heaven."

The Finding of Jesus in the Temple

"The Heart of our Divine Master is filled with sweetness, humility and charity. Often place your confidence in Divine Providence, and be assured that Heaven and earth shall pass away sooner than that the Lord would neglect to protect you."

The Fruitfulness of the Seed Sown

Wed, 30 Jan 2008 15:43:01 GMT

First, remember the principle of God's grace: God often withholds from us the grace to avoid a lesser sin because we are in danger of a greater sin. To avoid pride, He sometimes lets us fall into lust, since lust in usually obvious, undiguised, and temporary, while pride is not. So to conquer lust, we should focus less on lust and more on pride. Only when we are truly humble does God give us the grace to conquer lust. Second, remember St. Thomas' diagnosis of lust, which I think he must have learned from St. Augustine: "Man cannot live without joy; therefore when he is deprived of true spiritual joys it is necessary that he become addicted to carnal pleasures." God is not a substitute for sex, as Freud thought; sex is often a substitute for God. The deepest passion of the soul is meant for God. When the true God comes, the false gods go. To conquer lust, forget about lust and love God. Third, we must lay the axe to the root by operating on our very thoughts, as St. Paul advises, "bringing every thought into captivity to Christ." We need a good brainwashing. Brainwashing is not propaganda; brain-dirtying is propaganda. Our thoughts are wild animals; only Christ can tame them. All we can do, all we need to do, is bring them to Him - immediately. Thought is the rudder of life. As the poet Samuel Smiles says:

Sow a thought, reap an act.

Sow an act, reap a habit.

Sow a habit, reap a character.

Sow a character, reap a destiny.

(Peter Kreeft)

Our Lady Mystical Rose

Wed, 30 Jan 2008 00:00:12 GMT

The Feast of Our Lady Mystical Rose is January 30. When we started homeschooling, we named her the patroness of our homeschool. This is an ancient title of Mary that is not used much anymore, but is so beautiful! Here is a prayer we found that we have been saying as a Novena. You could use it starting tomorrow as a Novena for the 9 days after the feast as well.

O Mary, Mystical Rose, help us to love God with a love that is ready to sacrifice everything, even life, rather than offend Him and lose His grace. Help us to love chastity and to take heed lest we do or permit anything contrary to this holy virtue. Through prayer and frequent Holy Communion, aid us in preserving the virtue of purity until death. Grant us an increase in faith as well. Amen.

Photo Album: Stained Glass

Tue, 25 Sep 2007 15:21:57 GMT

Stained Glass

butterfly candle holder

advent liturgical

easter liturgical

ordinary time liturgical

pentecost liturgical

1decademarysymbol

fireSpirit

fishbowl1

gohuskers

lighthouse1

More Photos...

Book List: My Girls Like...

Tue, 13 May 2008 21:50:40 GMT

My Girls Like...

Karen Santorum: Everyday Graces: Child's Book Of Good Manners (Foundations)
A wonderful collection of stories and poems! Chapters include: Good Manners at Home, Using Words Wisely, Appreciating People with Disabilities, Getting Along with Others, Good Sportsmanship, Respecting our Country, and more!
David Previtali: Helen Special Picture
Delightful reading for the young at heart. The special life of Sr. Faustina is captured here in warm, charming illustrations and text. Easy to read. Tells the powerful story of Jesus & His Divine Mercy as revealed to St. Faustina.
Joan Stromberg: Kat Finds a Friend, a St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Story (Glory of America, Catholic girls of the U.S.A)
Noisy brothers, crying babies & an endless list of chores-that's what Kat Waltar thinks life is all about...until she meets Mother Seton & her daughter, Kitty. Fun to read, exciting adventures, faith filled journeys!
Lawrence G. Lovasik: Our Heavenly Mother
Signs of Our Blessed Mother's love when the Queen of Heaven appeared on earth. The story of the apparitions at Guadalupe, Lourdes and Fatima.
Jennie Bishop: Princess & the Kiss: A Story of God's Gift of Purity
Beautiful! A loving king & queen present their daughter with a gift from God - her first kiss - to keep or give away. The wise girl waits for the man who is worthy of her precious gift. Where is he & how will she ever find him?
C. S. Lewis: The Chronicles of Narnia Movie Tie-in Edition (adult) (Narnia)
We read this entire book...all 766 pages...last winter as a family. My daughters (then ages 8 & 5) - and husband - loved it! C.S. Lewis is a great author! The parallels to the Bible & are amazing!
Jennie Bishop: The Garden Wall: A Story of Love Based on I Corinthians 13
Lovely book incorporating 1 Corinthians 13. Petra wants to build a garden with the help of her friend Seth, but its not as easy as they imagine it will be. Will they give up? Will the flowers ever bloom? Can their friendship last when disaster strikes?
Golden Books: The Golden Children's Bible
We are reading a portion of this Bible each night before bed. The stories are easy for my children to understand and the illustrations are lovely.
Angela Elwell Hunt: The Tale of Three Trees: A Traditional Folktale
One of my all time favorite stories! Tells about 3 trees with lofty dreams & how those dreams are fulfilled in unexpected ways. Great story for Lent & Easter.
Claire Jordan Mohan: The Young Life of Mother Teresa of Calcutta
Tells the young life of Mother Teresa as a child in Yugoslavia. This account of her childhood & young womanhood is filled with joyful experieces & the people & events in her life which led her to be known throughout the world as a 'living saint.'
Claire Jordan Mohan: The Young Life of St. Faustina
Great book about the life of St. Faustina! This author has several other saint stories published as well.
Neal Lozano: Will You Bless Me?
An innocent sneeze from young Anna & her father's casual 'bless you' response lead to a memorable discovery about true blessing. On the way to their discovery, father & daughter read a story about the boyhood life of Jesus...

Book List: Mama's Reading

Tue, 13 May 2008 21:11:39 GMT

Mama's Reading

Michael O'Brien: A Landscape With Dragons: The Battle for Your Child's Mind
Valuable resource for guiding your children (and you) to books they should be reading...and away from books that can undermine their Christian faith. Incredible insights and information!
Ann Shields: Deeper Conversion: Extraordinary Grace for Ordinary Times
If we choose to be disciples of the Lord, not bystanders but true followers, then we have to be conformed to His Word. Ponder the Word of God! Readings & meditations from Ordinary Time, Year A, but GREAT for ANYTIME!
Fulton J. Sheen: Life of Christ
Great book about the life of Christ including Sheen's own incredible insights. Lots of Bible references. Great for Rosary meditations! You just can't beat Fulton Sheen!
Janel Rodriguez: Meet Fulton Sheen: Beloved Preacher and Teacher of the Word
Wonderful book about Archbishop Fulton Sheen. I didn't grow up with him on radio...I'm not THAT old, but have listened to some of his recorded talks. He is humorous & insightful! Hard book to put down!
Fr. Robert J. Fox: Only Heroic Catholic Families will Survive
Fr. Fox, the Fatima priest, who now lives near Mother Angelica's shrine in Alabama, is hard to beat! He tells it like it is & gives great advice on how to help our families survive amidst the crisis of faith and morals in the world today.
Passion: Photography from the Movie the Passion of the Christ
Photos from the movie "The Passion." Make great Rosary meditations for Lent...very moving!
Mary Connealy: Petticoat Ranch (Lassoed in Texas, Book 1)
VERY funny! Sophie Edwards is doing just fine alone in the bleak wilderness of Texas. Still, God hears the cries for help that she is too busy to voice. One night a strange - yet oddly familiar - man rides into her life & insists on rescuing her...
Faustyna: Revelations of Divine Mercy: Daily Readings from the Diary of Blessed Faustina Kowalska
Daily readings from the diary of St. Faustina. Learn more about Divine Mercy!
The Apostolate of Holy Motherhood
Absolutely WONDERFUL book about motherhood! A MUST read for mothers...and priests! Introduction by Mark I. Miravalle of Franciscan University of Steubenville. Can be ordered from: The Apostolate of Holy Motherhood, PO Box 227, Geneva OH 44041
Catholic Biblical Association of Great Britain: The Holy Bible Containing the Old and New Testaments: Revised Standard Version/Catholic Edition
An excellent translation of the Holy Bible! God's Word preserved for us to read & put into practice.
Louis De Monfort: True Devotion to Mary
Considered to be the greatest single book on the Blessed Virgin Mary ever written. There is no better way to advance quickly in holiness, no better way to please God, and no better way to guarantee one's eternal salvation than True Devotion to Mary.

Book List: Favorite Books

Tue, 13 May 2008 21:05:32 GMT

Favorite Books

Liguori Publications: Catechism of the Catholic Church/English
Learn the truth! A terrific resource for Catholic beliefs! A sure norm for teaching the faith...
Colleen Hammond: Dressing with Dignity
Challenges today's indecent, demeaning fashions & provides you with the information you need to protect yourself & those you love. There is a difference between dressing attractively & dressing to attract! Modesty doesn't have to mean frumpy!!!
Patrick Peyton: Father Peyton's Rosary Prayer Book: The Family That Prays Together Stays Together
Wonderful Rosary meditations on many different topics: Loving God, Suffering, Hope, Sacraments, Eucharist, Loneliness, St. Joseph & many more! Includes the Luminous Mysteries. From the Rosary Priest...a world at prayer is a world at peace!
Marilyn Shannon: Fertility, Cycles & Nutrition
How your diet affects your menstrual cycles and fertility including self help strategies for: PMS, infertility, painful periods, premenopause, repeated miscarriage, irregular cycles, heavy bleeding, pregnancy and male infertility. Fantastic information!
Catherine Scherrer: The Joyful Mysteries of Life
A MUST for all parents! Written by Catholic parents for their own young family, this book offers a way of introducing the 'facts of life' to pre-teenage children. Absolutely beautiful & awesome book! Read & discuss with your children, questions included.
Benedict J. Groeschel: The Virtue Driven Life
Wonderful book to help develop the virtues of prudence, justice, fortitude, temperance, faith, hope, and charity. Includes questions for meditation for each virtue. Can't beat Fr. Groeschel!
Andrew Apostoli: Walk Humbly With Your God: Simple Steps to a Virtuous Life
Simple steps to a virtuous life...an inspirational guide to conquering our faults, growing in prayer & acquiring the virtues that enable us to walk with God and live for others.

Custom List: The Word of God

Tue, 13 May 2008 21:04:52 GMT

The Word of God

"When the day of Pentecost had come, they were all together in one place. And suddenly a sound came from Heaven like the rush of
a mighty wind & it filled all the house where they were sitting. And there appeared to them tongues as of fire, distributed & resting on each of them. And they were filled with the Holy Spirit..." (Acts 2:1-4)

Custom List: Modesty Quotes

Tue, 13 May 2008 20:50:54 GMT

Modesty Quotes

CATECHISM OF THE CATHOLIC CHURCH #2521-22
Purity requires modesty...Modesty protects the intimate center of the person. It means refusing to unveil what should remain hidden. It is ordered to chastity...Modesty protects the mystery of persons & their love...Modesty is decency...
1 TIMOTHY 2:9-10
"Women must adorn themselves properly. They should dress with modesty & sobriety...as it becomes women professing godliness, with good deeds as their adornment."
ST. JOHN CHRYSOSTOM
You carry your snare everywhere & spread your nets in all places. You allege that you never invited others to sin. You did not...by your words, but you have done so by your dress...When you have made another sin in his heart, how can you be innocent?...
ST. BERNARD
How beautiful then is modesty and what a gem among virtues it is.
OUR LADY OF FATIMA TO JACINTA
"Certain fashions will be introduced that will offend our Lord very much."
POPE PIUS XII, JULY 17, 1954 "O Christian mothers, if only you knew the future of distress & peril, of shame ill-restrained,
that you prepare for your sons & daughters in imprudently accustoming them to live hardly clothed & in making them lose the sense of modesty, you should be ashamed of yourselves & of the harm done the little ones whom Heaven entrusted to your care..."
OUR LADY OF FATIMA
"Those who serve God should not follow the fashions."
POPE PIUS XII "It is often said almost with passive resignation that fashions reflect the customs of a people. But it would be
more exact & much more useful to say that they express the decision & moral direction that a nation intends to take: either to be shipwrecked in licentiousness or maintain itself at the level to which it has been raised by religion & civilization."
FR. WILLIAM C. BREDA, OSA "Our clothes are first & most of all the symbols of our state of life & of our social dignity. In the
manner in which we dress & present ourselves, we express our masulinity & femininity...we manifest our beliefs & convictions & we also proclaim our designs & intentions & denote our tastes & tendencies..."
1 COR 6:19-20 "Surely you know that your bodies are the shrines of the Holy Spirit, Who dwells in you. And He is God's gift to
you, so that you are no longer your own masters. A great price was paid to ransom you; glorify God by making your bodies shrines of His presence."
PONTIFICAL COUNCIL FOR THE FAMILY, DEC. 8, 1995 "Even if they are socially acceptable, some habits of speech & dress are not
morally correct & represent a way of trivializing sexuality, reducing it to a consumer object. Parents should therefore teach their children the value of Christian modesty, moderate dress & when it cmes to trends, the necessary autonomy."

Custom List: Ponderings

Tue, 13 May 2008 20:39:07 GMT

Ponderings

ST. ELIZABETH ANN SETON
"We must pray literally without ceasing, I mean that prayer of the heart which is independent of time and place, which is rather a habit of lifting up the heart to God, as in a constant communication with Him."

Custom List: Praying for...

Tue, 13 May 2008 20:38:19 GMT

Praying for...

FAMILIES IN CRISIS
GODLY OUTCOME TO ELECTIONS
YOUNG FAMILY
father alcoholic & other family problems, pray for healing & recovery & for children involved
8 MONTH OLD JACK
babysitter dropped him on his head, needed emergency surgery to relieve pressure & remove part of skull, please pray for complete recovery & for his family
SAFE TRAVEL
for all those traveling for business and pleasure
RITA
a friend of mine who passed away May 13 after battling cancer for several years; and for her husband, Jeff that he will know God's comfort & peace