The Catholic Mom's Mentor

A Slavic Easter… The Tradition Continues

2011-03-21T09:44:00.000-07:00

A Slavic Easter… The Tradition Continues

‘Twas the day before Easter and all through the house,
The Hrutka was hanging, even tempting the mouse.
The beets were boiling and I was grating with care
Because the horseradish aroma was filling the air.

The Paska was sticky, it was a big lump of dough
I kneaded to plump it so it would grow.
Raisins were added, then into the pan
Where inside the oven it began to brown and expand.

With baba in the kitchen and dzedo taking a nap
I began cracking walnuts, leaving the shells in my lap.
Opened jars of lekvar were soon everywhere,
Filling rolls of kolachi were all I could bear.

Two dozen boiled eggs were waiting to cool
For coloring in pastel yellow, pink, green and blue.
Softening for the mold was a pound of sweet butter
How I prayed that my counter would be free from this clutter.

The salt shaker was cleaned and filled to the top
Leaving only the meat before I could stop.
Smoked kielbasa and bacon and brown-sugared ham
Why couldn’t they just bless cans of ready-to-eat Spam?

Finally on Sunday with filled baskets in hand
And while singing "Christos Voskrese" the congregation did stand.
With candles and incense and blessings for us all
We bidden each a Happy Easter and left the church hall.

At home the family gathered to begin the holy meal
But shortly thereafter I wondered if it was all real.
Within an hour of eating everything that they were able
My family was too full to clear the dishes from the table.

Happy Easter to All! Christos Voskrese! Voistinnu Voskrese!

By Elizabeth Andreycak
This Easter poem is dedicated in loving memory of Anna Kanuck and Catherine Andreycak.

The Prayer of St. Ephrem the Syrian

2011-03-15T18:56:00.000-07:00

I love the the Prayer of St. Ephrem no matter what time of year it is. But it is at this time of Lent during the Byzantine Liturgy of the Presanctified Gifts that we hear in our services.

We pray the Prayer of St. Ephrem in the Byzantine Church during the Liturgy of the Presanctified (Liturgy of Pope St. Gregory the Great, taken by both Catholic and Orthodox alike during this period), during all services of the Divine Office during Lent and at various other times during the day recommended at morning, noon, evening - upon arising and before retiring for th

e night.

The Prayer of St. Ephrem the Syrian

Making a prostration
O LORD, Master of my life, grant that I may not be infected with the
spirit of slothfulness and inquisitiveness, with the spirit of ambition and vain talking. Making a prostration
Grant instead to me, your servant, the spirit of purity and of
humility, the spirit of patience and neighborly love.

Making a third prostration
O Lord and King, grant me the grace of being aware of my sins and of not thinking evil of those of my brethren.
For you are blessed, now and ever, and forever.
Amen.

Lord Jesus Christ, King of Kings, You have power over life and death. You know what is secret and hidden, and neither our thoughts nor our feelings are concealed from You. Cure me of duplicity; I have done evil before You. Now my life declines from day to day and my sins increase. O Lord, God of souls and bodies, You know the extreme frailty of my soul and my flesh. Grant me strength in my weakness, O Lord, and sustain me in my misery. Give me a grateful soul that I may never cease to recall Your benefits, O Lord most bountiful. Be not mindful of my many sins, but forgive me all my misdeeds. O Lord, disdain not my prayer - the prayer of a wretched sinner; sustain me with Your grace until the end, that it may protect me as in the past. It is Your grace which has taught me wisdom; blessed are they who follow her ways, for they shall receive the crown of glory. In spite of my unworthiness, I praise You and I glorify You, O Lord, for Your mercy to me is without limit. You have been my help and my protection. May the name of Your majesty be praised forever. To you, our God, be glory.

Amen.

Let's Be Mindful of the Influence We have on Our Children!

2011-02-09T07:58:00.000-08:00

Mothers, be faithful.

Don't get discouraged.

Pray for your children, and do not forget to talk to them:
your words will settle down in their hearts.
They never can, they never will forget them.
They may appear not to heed what you say;
they may put on an appearance of thoughtlessness and levity,
which look as though your words were disregarded;

but persevere ~~

those words are there, and never will be forgotten:
but may be called up in years to come when you are dead and gone,

and like seed cast in the earth, germinate and produce fruit

that shall flourish in immortality.

~Jabez Burns, Mothers of the Wise and Good

Buffalo Chicken Dip Just in Time for Superbowl!

2011-02-05T09:15:00.002-08:00

Walking through Gordon Food Services a couple of months ago and sampled this dip, and just loved it! Made it for my husband for a party he attended boy was it a big hit!!

Spicy Buffalo Chicken Dip

2 - 8 ounce packages of cream cheese (softened)

1 cup bottled Ranch Salad Dressing

1 cup Louisiana Hot Sauce

2 boneless chicken breasts, cooked and chopped OR 2 cans of chicken drained

1 1/2 cups shredded cheddar cheese

Soften cream cheese, mix together all ingredients and bake at 350 degrees for about 30 minutes until bubbly. Serve with celery, crackers or Nacho chips (my personal favorite!)

2011-02-05T09:15:00.001-08:00

Mother Teresa on Abortion

2011-02-05T06:46:00.000-08:00

"I feel that the greatest destroyer of peace today is abortion, because it is a war against the child, a direct killing of the innocent child, murder by the mother herself."

"And if we can accept that a mother can kill her own child, how can we tell other people not to kill one another?"

"By abortion the Mother does not learn to love, but kills her own child to solve her problems. And, by abortion, that father is told that he does not have to take any responsibility at all for the child he has brought into the world. The father is likely to put other women to the same trouble. So abortion leads to more abortion."

"Any country that accepts abortion is the poorest of the poor"

"Many people are concerned with children of India, with the children of Africa where quite a few die of hunger, and so on. Many people are also concerned about the violence in this great country of the United States. These concerns are very good. But often these same people are not concerned with the millions being killed by the deliberate decision of their own mothers. And this is the greatest destroyer of peace today- abortion which brings people to such blindness."

"We must remember that life begins at home and we must also remember that the future of humanity passes through the family"

"It is a poverty to decide that a child must die so that you live as you wish"

It was so moving to watch the march for life last week on EWTN. Sooo many people participated in the march, yet mainstream tv failed to acknowledge it. To me, that is unbelievable.

I was so happy this week, we found out that my 13 year daughter won first place for a poster she designed that was made into a banner that was carried at the march. I have to say, at age 13 I did not even know what abortion was. I am trying so hard to make my children aware at an early age so there is no question in their minds that abortion is never an option for a mother. I think it is important for mothers to teach their children at an early age to take care of others. Life is so much more fulfilling when we take action to help our neighbors in need, including the unborn who have just as much of a right to life as we have.

I heard this past December of a church having a birthday party for Jesus, and everyone was suppose to bring diapers, baby cloths and other items that would be donated to a crisis pregnancy center. What an awesome idea!!

Let's pray for the unborn, and the mother's who are in crisis, and do whatever we can from where we are to help them.

Proverbs 31:10-13 - A Reflection by St. Madeline Barat

2011-01-18T13:37:00.000-08:00

"How rare it is to find a valiant woman! It is perhaps necessarily so, since Scripture says that they are more precious than pearls and diamonds. Let us however work to train a few. For in this century we must no longer count on men to preserve the faith. The grain of faith that will be saved will hide itself among women. A woman cannot remain neutral in the world. She too is set for the fall and resurrection of many. How different are God's thoughts from ours!

Between women and God is often arranged the eternal salvation of husbands and sons. But for this she must be valiant. Strong to uphold purity of life. Strong to keep inviolate the treasure of faith. Strong in every battle of life. Great-souled in the face of calamity, persecution and death. And remember, sorrow is the training ground of strong souls."
~ St. Madeline Sophie Barat (1779-1865)

Beautifing Your Home In The Winter . . .

2011-01-15T04:18:00.000-08:00

Now in the heart of winter, we are spending so much of our time as family indoors, it is now more important than ever to be conscious of the atmosphere that we are creating in our homes. Be mindful to create a warm, inviting atmosphere for those we love. In how we create the mood in our home by our own feminine touches, we are in a sense a domestic artist! Moms, you are the heart of your home!

One of the many joys of being a homemaker is to create
a sense of peacefulness, beauty, & cheerfulness within the home.

We all have the ability to create the mood in homes by simple touches creativity.

The goal is not creating the most pristine home, but a home that is warm and inviting to all those that enter and abide there.

"Clutter is the poetry of our homes. It is an intimate view that is not always perfect--a few dishes in the sink, books piled next to the bed. Everything in its place may give a certain satisfaction, but a lived-in room exudes comfort and warmth." ~ Mary Randolph Carter

A fresh bouquet of flowers will add beauty
to any room in the home.

Flowers are a wonderful way to furnish the
home with a spark of life and joy.

I love the feeling of an ordered house, a delicious dinner in the oven,
fresh flowers and beautifully scented candles burning...

"Housekeeping is an art: it combines intuition and
physical skill to create comfort, health, beauty, order and safety."
-Cheryl Mendelson

Let's take JOY in beautifying our homes this upcoming week . . .

"She looketh well to the ways of her household,
and eateth not the bread of idleness."
~Proverbs 31:27

Take Better Care of Yourself This Year - Some Inspiration From Father Corapi

2011-01-14T06:52:00.001-08:00

I am going to try and take better care of myself this year. I have about40 pounds I need to loose. I have been trying to eat better and get my 10,000 steps a day. This video of Father Corapi is very inspirational to me. He reminds us that taking care of our health is actually a moral obligation, our health and bodies are a gift from God that we need to be good stewards of. Take a look and be inspired!!

Praying for God's Providence in 2011

2011-01-12T09:54:00.001-08:00

I have not posted for some time now, we have been occupied trying to figure out where my daughter would be going to high school in the Fall of 2011. She shadowed two Catholic High Schools, and one public. She loved both Catholic Schools, and the public, well I guess I should say, you better watch out for what you pray for. While she was shadowing there that day, I went to the Chapel of Adoration close to my home and asked God to very clearly let me know where I should send my daughter. The Catholic High Schools are just so expensive, the cheapest is over$ 7,500 a year, especially with my two other children are also in grade school at $2,500 each. I was sure that the message that I would receive ever so loud and clear was that I have done my best, my daughter adjust to and maybe even like the public school near our home.

That is not exactly how the day worked out for us. On the day she shadowed she found herself in the middle of a drug bust, with drug dogs and policeman, a complete lock-down that lasted more than two periods. During the day she said it was commonplace to see same-sex couples making out in the hallways. All this in one day. So after much thought and prayer, we put in her application to the Catholic High School that is closest to our sons grade school today. I will try my best to try and figure where we are going to get this money from. $12,500 to be exact. I am praying that our Lord will help us, and show us what we need to do. I have been looking for a part-time job, but there simply aren't any that will work with my schedule with the kids. Leaving them home alone for hours on end is not an option.

I am praying that my website, which offers personalized gifts, The Custom Quill, will supplement my husbands income. I am also looking for scholarship and grant opportunities, if any one out there knows of any that can be applied to Catholic school, please let me know!!

As Mother Angelica has said, you have to do the ridiculous for God to do the miraculous. Another favorite quote of hers, is that faith is one foot planted firmly on the ground, with one foot in the air. Sometimes we have to step out in faith not knowing how everything is all going to work out.

Today I am contemplating 2 Corinthians 12:9, "But He said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me."

Personalized Christmas Gifts From TheCustomQuill.com

2010-12-01T15:44:00.000-08:00

My daughter made a commercial for our venture which funds will go to fund (I Hope!) Catholic High School next year:

Go to www.thecustomquill.com for great personalized Christmas Gifts for all those on your Christmas List!

Dominican Sisters of Mary On Oprah

2010-11-28T03:03:00.000-08:00

The Dominican Sisters of Mary were on Oprah again this past Tuesday, November 23rd offering the world a glimpse into their lives. More can be seen on the Sisters of Mary Website, there is also a wonderful video clip about "Aspiring Nuns Report for God's Duty".

Great Personalized Godparent, Grandparent, & Gifts for Your Priest

2010-11-22T13:14:00.001-08:00

If you are looking for a terrific gift that is sure to be cherished for a lifetime, may I suggest a personalized gift from TheCustomQuill.com, there is also an Etsy shop link on the side bar as well. There are great gifts for Godparents, Grandparents, Aunt's & Uncle's, teachers, Sisters, Mom's, your priest, you name it! If you buy three 8x10's, the fourth is free. Here are some examples:

Grandma & Grandpa's Love

Love, Child's Name (s)

There is nothing quite as special
as my Grandma & Grandpa’s love,
it is one of God’s most wonderful blessings,
He sent from up above.

They always have time to play with me,
and are proud of all that I do,
I like to hear all of their stories,
and love all of their hugs and kisses too.

So God please bless my Grandma & Grandpa,
and protect them in all that they may do,
because there is no one else quite like them,
and I will love them my whole life through!

*Copywritten By DianeTucholski,all rights reserved.

To My Godmother From, Child's Name

You simply are a gift from God as your name suggests;
I know you have been heaven sent because
you’ve simply been the best.

It’s my turn to ask God to send heaven’s
blessings for all the caring things you do;
because to me you are so special and
I will love you my whole life through!

*Copywritten By DianeTucholski,all rights reserved.

A Grandmother Just Like You

I just wanted to let you know
that you mean the world to me,
only a heart as loving as yours
could give so unselfishly.

The many things that you have done,
and all the times that you were there,
Have let me now deep inside
how much you truly care.

Even through I might not say
I appreciate all that you do,
So very blessed is how I feel
having a Grandmother just like you!

Love, Tabatha

Great Thanksgiving Ideas & Recipees

2010-11-22T04:09:00.000-08:00

Create Lasting Family Traditions for Thanksgiving

Thanksgiving is a time of family. We create traditions are passed down from one generation to the next. It's never too late to create new traditions. It doesn't even have to be something spectacular We have a silly tradition of transforming our decorative pumpkin that we get in October for a Halloween into our Tom the turkey decoration that will greet you at our front door from November first until the day after Thanksgiving. The kids and their friends have so much fun with it. On Thanksgiving day we look forward to watching the Thanksgiving parade as the aroma of the turkey roasting comes from the kitchen. Sometimes the smallest things can be the fondest memories.

It is fun to get the entire family involved in the preparation of the Thanksgiving feast, I have assembled some ideas for inspiration for your own family's feast:

* For the Kids Table *Religious Thanksgiving Craft

*Thanksgiv ing Coloring Sheets *Paper Pilgrim Hat and Bonnet Templates

This is an awesome recipe, I had it a Thanksgiving family celebration a couple of years ago, and now I can't imagine Thanksgiving without it!!!

CORN CASSEROLE - Yum!!!

1 can whole kernel corn, undrained
1 can cream style corn
1 (8 oz.) carton sour cream
1 stick butter, melted
1 egg
1 pkg. Jiffy corn bread mix

Mix together. Bake in casserole 1 hour at 350 degrees.

This is what I will be bringing to the family feast along with my pumpkin rolls:

Swiss Cheese (or Cheddar) California Vegetable Casserole

Ingredients

1 (16 ounce) package frozen california vegetables, thawed
1 (10.75 ounce) can condensed cream of mushroom soup
1 cup shredded Swiss cheese
1 cup sour cream
1 onion chopped
4 Tblsp. butter
1 1/2 c croutons

Directions

Saute vegetables and onion in 3 T butter.
In a medium-size mixing bowl, combine soup, 3/4 cup Swiss cheese, sour cream and 1 C croutons, then mix into the vegetables. Pour ingredients into a 2 quart casserole dish.
Bake for 30 minutes. Sprinkle reserved cheese and croutons on top of the casserole and bake additional 5 minutes, or until the cheese has melted.

Although we go over my cousins house for Thanksgiving, I always like to make a turkey for my own home to nibble on. I love to make this sausage stuffing every year:

Homemade Sausage Stuffing

Ingredients

1 pound breakfast sausage
3/4 cup finely diced onion
1 1/2 cups chopped celery
3/4 cup margarine, melted
8 cups soft bread cubes
3 teaspoons poultry seasoning
1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper

Directions

Place sausage in a large, deep skillet. Cook over medium high heat until evenly brown. Remove the sausage from the skillet and let drain on paper towels. Combine melted margarine with the sausage drippings until there is 1 cup of drippings and margarine combined.
Saute onions and celery in the margarine/dripping mixture until onion is tender but not browned. Stir in about 1/3 of the bread cubes. Pour onion mixture into a large bowl and stir in remaining bread cubes, sausage, poultry seasoning, and pepper. Watch your hands, it's hot. Mix well. This stuffing is ready for baking.

Happy Thanksgiving!!

2010-11-19T03:26:00.000-08:00

"Give thanks in all circumstances for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you" (Thess. 5:18)

Thanksgiving is almost upon us, and most of us are looking forward to the Thanksgiving Day feast we will partake of this coming Thursday. As friends and family gather around the table, we officially begin the season of Holy Days we celebrate in the wintertime.

We have so much to be thankful for and I think it is no more than ever that we are aware of the blessings that we do have. It seems that it not when we are the most comfortable and secure that we give thanks to God. Those that have jobs these days know how blessed they truly are. It is when we the have the least that we acknowledge our total dependence on our Lord and put our total trust in him. So many people in the world's current economic reality are drawn to prayer for their most basic needs.
So it as this time that we should of sharing our abundance with others. The story of the loaves and fishes that is found in the Gospel of Mark is a familiar one to most of us. After the apostles came back from preaching the Gospel, they were ready to relax. But the crowds recognized Jesus, and He took pity on them and instructed them to sit on the hillside where He began to preach to them. It came to be late in they day, and the crowds were hungry because the had not eaten yet. The disciples wanted Jesus to send them away to the towns that surrounded them so they could get a bite to eat. But it instead of sending them away Jesus said,

"You give them something to eat."

We know that Jesus could of performed a miracle with His own hands to feed the multitudes. But He put the challenge in the hands of His apostles. The challenge was met with complaints that they did not have enough money to buy food for the crowd of people that were hungry before them. I think of how Mother Angelica always use to say "attempt to do the ridiculous so that God can do the miraculous."
The Apostles forgot that, as we hear in the same Gospel, they had just returned from preaching the Gospel in pairs, where they cured the sick, cast out demons, all in the Lord's name. And they did it with nothing on hand to speak of, because Jesus had instructed them to go empty in hand with just a staff. No extra money for food or cloths, but they were provided for. Just as the Lord provided for the men going out two by two, He would do the miraculous and provide for the crowd of 5,000. But, He wanted the involvement of the apostles, just as He wants the involvement of the present day Church today.

Jesus told the apostles to look around to see what they had on hand. There were five loaves and two fish, not exactly enough to feed the crowds that surrounded them. But Jesus gave thanks to His Father, blessed the food, broke it up and told his disciples to feed the 5,000 people that were gathered around them. When everyone had eaten their fill, there were twelve baskets full of bits of bread and fish. The Lord had provided more than enough.
So at this time, let us give thanks to God for all of our blessings, and for the fact that He still provides for us today. In the coming year, lets give Him room to perform miracles in our current time, and be mindful that He wants to use us along the way so we can point to goodness of God. In the present time and the year ahead, we need to step out in faith and "do the ridiculous so God can do the miraculous".
May you have a Blessed Thanksgiving!!!

Feast of The Miraculous Medal Novena

2010-11-18T18:38:00.000-08:00

Novena begins on November 19 and ends on the feast of the Miraculous Medal, November 27.

I especially love the Miraculous Medal, in my mother's lifetime, I don't think that I ever saw her without it on. The Miraculous Medal, which was created by Saint Catherine Laboure after having a vision of the Blessed Virgin Mary is also known as the Medal of the Immaculate Conception. The Blessed Virgin Mary appeared to Saint Catherine Laboure and entrusted her with the mission of having the Medal made. You can read more about the Miraculous Medal Story and its meaning at the Association of the Miraculous Medal's Website. There is also a link on that page where you can request a free Miraculous
Medal.

Novena of the Miraculous Medal

O Immaculate Virgin Mary,
Mother of Our Lord Jesus and our Mother,
penetrated with the most lively confidence in your all powerful and never-failing
intercession manifested so often through the Miraculous Medal
we your loving and trustful children implore you to obtain for us the graces and favors
we ask during this novena,
if they be beneficial to our immortal souls,
and the souls for whom we pray.

(Here form your petition)

You know, O Mary, how often our souls have been the sanctuaries of your Son who hates iniquity.

Obtain for us then a deep hatred of sin and that purity of heart which will attach us to God along so that our every thought, word and deed may tend to His greater glory. Obtain for us also a spirit of prayer and self denial that we may recover by penance what we have lost by sin and at length attain to that blessed abode where you are the Queen of angels and of men.

Amen.

St. Phillip's Fast

2010-11-15T13:09:00.001-08:00

For Eastern Catholics of The Byzantine Rite, the Fast in preparation for Jesus's Birth has begun. It called the St. Phillips Fast, because it begins the day after the Feast of St. Phillip the Apostle (November 14th). It is similar to the Western Advent, but instead it is for 40 days instead of four weeks. To prepare to meet our Lord and Savior on His birth, we are called to fast and do penance. We can Sanctify this time by spending time in His word, fasting, and being of service to those that need us. It is a wonderful time to remember the less fortunate, for Jesus Himself came to us in poverty.

I believe it is important whether you be either Western Or Eastern Catholic to be mindful to use this time to prayerfully prepare for our Lord's birth. It is to easy to get lost in all the baking and shopping that is done to prepare for this Holy Day, and loose site of the "Reason for the Season". Whether you be of Eastern or Western Catholic Faith, may you have a blessed and spiritually fruitful time as you prepare for Our Lord's birth.

Candy Corn Cookies

2010-10-28T03:22:00.000-07:00

Ingredients

1-1/2 cups butter, softened
1-1/2 cups sugar
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
3 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
Yellow and orange food coloring

Directions

In a large bowl, cream butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Beat in vanilla. Combine flour, baking soda and salt; gradually add to creamed mixture and mix well.
Divide dough in half. Tint one portion yellow. Divide remaining dough into two-thirds and one-third portions. Color the larger portion orange; leave smaller portion white.
Shape each portion of dough into two 8-in. logs. Flatten top and push sides in at a slight angle. Place orange logs on yellow logs; push the sides in at a slight angle. Top with white logs; form a rounded top. An easy way to form your cookies is to line a loaf pan with parchment paper then put your color layers in one by one, flattening them as you put them in. Cover or wrap in plastic wrap. Chill for 4 hours or until firm.
Unwrap and cut into 1/2-in. slices. Place 2 in. apart on ungreased baking sheets. Bake at 350° for 10-12 minutes or until set. Remove to wire racks to cool. Makes about 5 dozen.

One the dough has hardened, cut your dough into slices, then into triangles. If you wish, you can sprinkle with colored sugar before you bake them!

St. Jude Feast Day - October 28th

2010-10-26T02:21:00.001-07:00

St. Jude's Feast Day is October 28th, the devotion to St. Jude is a wonderful example of the ability of ordinary people turning to their faith to triumph over what seems to be impossible odds in their daily lives. His name Jude means the giver of joy, while Thaddeus, means generous and kind.

St. Jude actually had family ties to Jesus. In Matthew (13:55) Saint Jude was described as being one of the "brethren" of Jesus, most likely meaning a cousin since the Hebrew word for "brethren" which most likely refers to a blood relationship. His mother, Mary, was referred to as a cousin of Jesus' mother Mary, while his father, Cleophas, was the brother of St. Joseph.

St. Jude was one of the 12 Apostles, and he began preaching the Good News of Jesus to Jews throughout Galilee, Samaria, and Judea. He traveled throughout Mesopotamia, Libya, Turkey, and Persia with St. Simon, preaching and converting many people to Christianity.

In approximately 60 A.D., St. Jude wrote a Gospel letter to Christian converts in Eastern churches who were under persecution. He warned them against the teachers of the day who were spreading false ideas about the early Christian faith. He encouraged them to persevere in the face of the difficult circumstances in which they found themselves, just as their forefathers had. He encouraged them to keep their faith and to stay in the love of God. His inspirational support of these early believers led to him to become the the Saint the we call upon even today for cases despaired of.

It is believed that St. Jude was martyred in Persia or Syria around 65 A.D. His body was brought back to Rome and was placed in a crypt beneath St. Peter's Basilica, which people can visit even to this day.

We often see a flame around the head of St. Jude in paintings. This represents his presence at Pentecost, when he received the Holy Spirit with the other apostles.

St. Bridget of Sweden was a devotee of St. Jude. She, in a vision, was encouraged by Jesus to turn to St. Jude with faith and confidence. He told her that, in accordance with Jude's surname, Thaddeus (which means generous, courageous, and kind), "he will show himself to be the most willing to give you help."

So many people around the world turn to St. Jude in Novenas when they feel the most helpless and alone. St. Jude has proven to be a true friend and a beacon of hope to those who call on him--always willing to help and seek help no matter how desperate the need.

Cutting Your Grocery Bill in Half with Your Coupons

2010-10-25T02:51:00.000-07:00

Do you take advantage of the coupons in your local Sunday paper? Playing the coupon game could save you up to 50% off your grocery bill a week, no kidding. It isn't as hard as you might think in finding those coupon deals to slash your grocery bill. The Internet highway is making it easier then ever before and will actually find your local deals for you.

A great resource is couponmom.com. This website is worth signing up for to make your grocery dollars stretch. This website actually tells you the deals per store and which coupons to use, and what week they appeared in your local newspaper. If there is coupons available online for that particular product, it has the link right there to print it out. You can even sort the lists. For example, you can sort the items by the percentage off the that you will be saving starting with 100%. Yes, you can save 100% percent off an item and get it for free. Last week, I made my son very happy with a pack of free tic-tac's (His favorite!).

One thing that makes it easier to use this system on couponmom.com is to not clip the coupons right away. Take your coupon booklets out of the paper and mark on front the date that they were in the paper. This way, when coupon mom says it came in the paper on 10/23, you can go right to that circular and pull it out. After you sign up (you create and id by your email address) just click on the tab for "Grocery Deals by State", you will find a video explaining the easiest way to utilize this website. And best of all, this website is available for us to use for FREE!

You too can slash your grocery bill every week by following this simple plan. It helps not to be brand loyal, and know the coupon policies of your local grocery store. My favorite store in our area is Giant Eagle because they actually double the value of the coupons, adding up to dollars that I save my family every week.

A concept that is good to get use to is idea of stockpiling. When items go on sale, you buy in bulk. The stores put different items on sale each week, and it takes about three months to build a good stockpile. Once your stockpile is established, you rarely need to buy anything that is not on sale, other than fresh foods like dairy and produce. Once you get use to this system, you will get really good at setting limits for yourself. For example, I now never pay more than fifty cents for toothpaste and deodorant. If you are not a serious couponer, now is a great time to start, you will be amazed at the savings you will find for your family!!

Christmas Gift Giveaway #1!

2010-10-18T07:35:00.000-07:00

Here is a great opportunity to win a great Christmas Gift for a special grandparent, godparent, aunt, sister, friend, mother-in-law,teacher, practically anyone or your list this year!! How do you enter? Take a look at the wonderful personalized gifts on www.thecustomquill.com, and pick the gift that you would like to win. Then, become a fan of The Custom Quill on Facebook, the badge is on the right hand side of The Catholic Mom's Mentor for your convenience (it is located after the The Catholic Moms Mentor's Follower's in the right margin). After becoming a fan, just make a comment on the facebook page so I know you are in the contest, "Christmas Gift". That's it!! The winner will be chose on Wednesday, October 27th, the winner will be notified, listed on this blog as well as on the The Custom Quill's facebook page. Winner's mailing address has to be in the United States. Good Luck!!

Why Do Catholics Light Prayer Candles?

2010-10-13T10:51:00.000-07:00

I have not been working on my blog as I had hoped the last couple of weeks, I have sick, sick, sick. I hope to never take my health for granted again!!

After the first week of lightening a candle for the Haven Fall Challenge, I started pondering the lightening of candles in general that Catholics so often do for a prayer intention. It is commonplace to see candles burning in a Catholic Church, usually before statues of saints or icons. We have a shrine in walking distance of our home that has a large statue of the Blessed Virgin Mary in the Center, surrounded by hundreds of candles that people come in 24 hours a day to light and prayer for their special intentions.

I started this past week to research the mean of lighting candles in the Catholic Church. When we light our prayer candles we remember and truly live the words of our Lord, : "I am the Light of the World." When we light the candles with a prayer intention, we are not only praying , but our prayers actually become smaller symbols of the One Light of Christ. When we burn prayer candles, our prayers rise up to Heaven day and night.

According to A Handbook of Catholic Sacramentals, by Ann Ball, the practice of lighting candles to obtain a favor probably has its origins in the custom of burning lights at the tombs of the martyrs in the catacombs. The lights burned as a sign of solidarity with Christians still on earth. The candles continually burned as a silent vigil, hence they became commonly known as vigil lights.

Vigil Lights (from the Latin vigilia, which means "waiting" or "watching") are traditionally accompanied by prayers of attention or waiting. We often see in our church's or shrines a prayer candle called the votive light. Very often when those are lit, they are done when one is seeking a favor from our Lord or a particular Saint in front of whom the candle was placed.

In the New Testament God is called the Light (I Jn. 1:5), dwelling in the "inaccessible light" (I Tim. 6:16). And Our Lord Jesus Christ is described to us as "the true Light that enlightens all men" (Jn. 1:9). He called Himself, "the Light of the world" (Jn. 9:5). For this reason we profess our Savior as being "Light of Light (cf. Symbol of Faith) or, poetically, "Joyful Light."

Early Christians associated light with the sacred presence of our Lord Jesus Christ in their midst, being assured by Him: "Where two or three come together in my name, there I shall be in their midst" (Mt. 8:20). Thus during their evening gatherings, as the candles or the lamps were being lit, the Christians symbolically (mystically) welcomed the Eternal Light, Jesus into their midst with the joyous hymn, O Joyful Light (see below), hailing from the second century.

In the Byzantine Catholic Rite, during evening vespers we sing:

O Joyful Light ("Svite Tichij")

O Joyful Light! Light and Holy Glory of the Father Immortal, the heavenly, holy, the Blessed One, O Jesus Christ! Now that we have reached the setting of the sun, and see the evening light, we sing to God, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. It is fitting at all times to raise a song of praise in measured melody to you, O Son of God, the Giver of Life. Behold, the universe sings your glory.
(Anonymous, from the 2nd century)

This was Week One Of Making Your Home a Haven Challenge

2010-10-08T12:32:00.000-07:00

It was week one of the Making Your Home a Haven challenge with Courtney at Women Living Well. I meant to put this up earlier this week, but I have be down with the flu. The idea of the challenge is that as we create the physical environment of our home, we are also creating the spiritual environment that can bring a sense of peace and calmness in our homes.

We are encouraged to keep a big candle lit in our home this week, and each time that we glance at it, we are encourage to pray for the peace in our homes. This week, I'm going to light a candle mid afternoon and pray for my family. The candle can symbolize many things. My candle to me will remind me to pray for the peace in my home but also will remind me to:

~ keep up with the cleaning and tidying up of my home
~ to pray for each of my children specifically
~ pray for guidance in my eldest child's high school question at the
moment, catholic or public.

Next week, she suggest bringing calming, peaceful music into our homes as an element in making our homes a haven for our families. If you you have time, I have the link above to her website, it worth checking out!

Making Your Home a Haven Challenge

2010-10-01T02:25:00.000-07:00

A wise woman builds up her home, but a foolish women tears it down with her own hands Proverbs 14:1

I saw this woman on Rachel Ray a week or so ago, and stopped by to see her blog early yesterday morning. Found this challenge and loved it, thought it was worth posting for you to see!!

Being in the Presence of God Amongs the Pots and Pans

2010-09-30T06:08:00.000-07:00

"God is in the pots and pans." -- St. Teresa of Avila

A devotional classic that you may not have heard is "The Practice of the Presence of God" by Brother Lawrence . When someone once asked him how he had such a habitual presence of God in his life, he had said it was because of a willful decision to spend his entire life in God's presence not matter where he may be.

He worked in the monastery kitchen, which was a very busy place to be (kind of being a busy mom?). But in that enviroment, he always maintained his vision of being at the Throne of God always trying to keep his composure and tranquility of spirit. "The time of busyness," he had said, "does not with me differ from the time of prayer, and the noise and clatter of the kitchen, while several persons are at the same time calling for different things, I possess God in as great tranquility as if I were upon my knees at the blessed sacarment." In other writings he says, "Lift up your heart to him, sometimes even. .. when you are in company; the least little remembrance will always be acceptable t Him. You need not cry very loud; He is nearer to us than we are aware of." Brother Lawrence talked continually to Our Lord, therefore he established aHis constant presence. He wrote, "To be with God it is not necessary to be always in Church. We can make a chapel of our heart where we can escape from time to time to talk with Him quietly, humbly, lovingly.

A wonderful prayer to say amidst our busy day:

"Lord of all pots and pans and things, since I've no time to be a great saint by doing lovely things, or watching late with you, or dreaming in the dawnlight, or storming heaven's gates, make me a saint by getting meals, and washing up the plates. Warm all the kitchen with your love, and light it with your peace; forgive me all my worrying, and make my grumbling cease. You who always gave your people food, in the house or by the sea, accept the service that I do - I do it for you."
~ St. Teresa of Avila