The Practicing Catholic | Not just a Sunday Catholic...

Spiritual Friendships — The Elixir of Life

Lisa Schmidt — Fri, 24 May 2013 15:28:56 +0000

Since “retiring” from the workforce in order to care for my young children, I’ve spent a great deal of time pondering spiritual friendships. If I had to pick one word to describe that first year of transition between being a working out-of-the-home mom to an at-home mom, the word is loneliness. My heart longed for a spiritual friend. What do we need to do to gain just one spiritual friend? Three biggies... . . . → Read More: Spiritual Friendships — The Elixir of Life

Me Time, Jesus Time and Tips from Vinny Flynn

Lisa Schmidt — Wed, 22 May 2013 05:00:10 +0000

One might think that when a man is called to deacon formation, the journey leads him and his family closer to Jesus and His Church. True enough. However, the demands of this journey have provided a plethora of opportunities for our family to get really good (read, bad) at being busy. Many of the spiritually strengthening devotional practices that were once a regular part of my life have given way to the all-consuming formation process. I'm running around performing acts of service like Martha yet still feeling hungry for something deeper. It all came to a head one recent evening while eating dinner with my family --- a fist pounding on the table and tears streaming down my cheeks kind of encounter. At that point, Joel insisted it was time to walk away from the diaconate, if only to get me OFF. THE. LEDGE! . . . → Read More: Me Time, Jesus Time and Tips from Vinny Flynn

Childhood Lessons from Saint Isidore the Farmer…Sort Of

Joel Schmidt — Wed, 15 May 2013 12:10:51 +0000

The life of this simple laborer has much to teach us, but only if we're paying attention. . . . → Read More: Childhood Lessons from Saint Isidore the Farmer…Sort Of

So You Want to be a Deaconess?

Joel & Lisa Schmidt — Sat, 11 May 2013 15:12:56 +0000

Women deacons. It's in the news again thanks to comments a German Bishop recently made about the potential of a new "diaconal" role for women in the Church. Given this topic is one that's generating conversation and Joel is currently in deacon formation, we felt called weigh in on the issue over at Catholic Stand. . . . → Read More: So You Want to be a Deaconess?

This Week on Catholic Women Now: Celebrating Moms

Lisa Schmidt — Tue, 07 May 2013 15:22:46 +0000

It’s a celebration of motherhood, both physical and spiritual, this week on Catholic Women Now. With our roving reporter hats on head and recorders in hand, Julie and I took to the streets and chatted with moms. Catholic Women Now is heard only on Iowa Catholic Radio. Tune in! . . . → Read More: This Week on Catholic Women Now: Celebrating Moms

May Altars and Tips for Praying the Rosary with Kids

Lisa Schmidt — Tue, 07 May 2013 13:04:13 +0000

Hot diggity! I'm on a "Pinisher" role lately. I recently spotted a few ideas on Pinterest for how to assemble a family May altar in your home. Given the month of May is dedicated to Mary, I set out to create an altar to honor Mary. Now the next logical step is to actually gather the family around the altar and pray a Hail Mary or two. So here are some tips for praying the Rosary with kids. . . . → Read More: May Altars and Tips for Praying the Rosary with Kids

Novena for Those Wishing to Conceive

Lisa Schmidt — Thu, 02 May 2013 22:11:32 +0000

On May 1 our parish began a novena for those wishing to conceive. We will pray this for first nine days not only in May, but for the first nine days per month for the extended future. We are praying the Novena to St. Gerard, the patron of motherhood. If you have a heart for this issue, please join in our heavenly petition. Or perhaps you know one who might find consolation in this prayer? If so, please consider passing this along. . . . → Read More: Novena for Those Wishing to Conceive

Go ahead, call me a Pinisher. I dare you!

Lisa Schmidt — Tue, 30 Apr 2013 16:26:56 +0000

My friend Dorian came up with an awesome link-up idea called "Pinisher" --- a movement to get Pinterest-slackers like me to actually finish something I've pinned. How many of you have actually baked, crafted, decorated, repurposed, reused, bought, planned, played, etc. anything you've pinned? Really ... all of you?! Well kudos and more power to you because this meme pretty much sums up my success with Pinterest. . . . → Read More: Go ahead, call me a Pinisher. I dare you!

This Week on CWN: Why Kids Belong at Mass

Lisa Schmidt — Tue, 30 Apr 2013 02:21:42 +0000

We don’t want to beat a dead horse but since it’s already dead ... Julie Nelson and I talk about the challenges and rewards of bringing kids to Mass on our latest episode of Catholic Women Now. . . . → Read More: This Week on CWN: Why Kids Belong at Mass

Porn-addiction: No longer a taboo topic

Lisa Schmidt — Mon, 29 Apr 2013 17:57:53 +0000

Pornography is not just a topic for the ol' boys clubs. Research indicates that pornography viewing among women is spreading widely. Why should I care about what you do in the privacy of your own home? I care because of the image St. Paul gives us in 1 Corinthians 12:26, "If [one] part suffers, all the parts suffer with it..." When a person is caught up in a sexual addiction of some kind, the impact on family members and others can be devastating. . . . → Read More: Porn-addiction: No longer a taboo topic