Spiritual Woman

Lawn Chair Catechism

2013-05-24T09:45:00.000-07:00

CatholicMom.com is hosting “Lawn Chair Catechism” on Wednesdays this summer, beginning on May 29. We’re using Forming Intentional Disciples, by Sherry Weddell, as the basis for our study.

We have put together a discussion guide that includes both the executive summary of each chapter and discussion questions, and a two-page discussion question-only download.
We’d love to have you participate! You do not have to read the book to participate.

Our Sunday Visitor is offering the book for the incredibly low price of $10 through June 8, with free shipping. After June 8 and through the conclusion of our study, they’ll be offering free shipping.

You can find all the information on the Lawn Chair Catechism page at CatholicMom.com.

So You Think You Are Pro-Life?

2013-05-23T09:47:00.001-07:00

I've written before how being pro-life involves more than simply having a personal conviction that abortion is wrong. Don't get me wrong - that personal conviction is a great start and we definitely want more people to share that conviction. But - we also need to be willing to live out that belief.

Raquel Rose Kato was a young woman who found herself facing an unplanned pregnancy and who now works in a crisis pregnancy center. In her article So You Think You Are Pro-Life? she writes:

Protecting and defending life is an all-encompassing call. It is not just about the babies, it is about their mothers, their fathers, and their families. Yes, people need to speak for the unborn when they don’t have a voice, but if that is the primary focus, we are completely missing the mark.

The mother is the one who ultimately decides the fate of her child, so if we aren’t pursuing the healing, and genuine interest of her life, then we are utterly failing.

In fact, if I’m completely honest, when I was in the midst of my unplanned pregnancy, the slogans out there like “abortion kills a child” or graphic pictures of aborted babies made me resent the pro-life movement. I understand their motives to spread awareness of the realities of abortion, but for the woman in the crisis (the very women that are considering abortion, the women we need to reach the most) this is a huge, huge turn off.

Why might you ask?

Well, it is simple.

When you only focus on saving the life of the baby, you fail to acknowledge something very important, and that is that the mother’s life needs to be saved too. Did we already forget that the very women who find themselves in unplanned pregnancies and who are considering abortion are very broken, afraid, and alone? They need some serious, genuine love and healing. But, quite frankly, when there is all this hollering for the babies, the woman in the crisis thinks she is forgotten. She thinks everyone just cares about the baby, no one cares about her.

She is desperately crying out, ”No one cares about how traumatically my life has changed, no one cares about my future, no one cares about my dreams, no one cares about helping me!”

We cannot forget about the mothers, fathers, and families of the unborn. They matter too. They are the ones making decisions, and we need to support them.

So how exactly can you be genuinely pro-life? I will speak on behalf of the mother specifically here, and I made a list of simple suggestions/ideas from the girl “who has been there”, and as someone who works with these girls every day as an adviser at a Pregnancy Resource Center:

Please read her suggestions at: So You Think You Are Pro-Life?

Everyday Miracles

2013-05-22T17:32:00.001-07:00

I was out planting my garden this weekend (hope springs eternal!) and thinking about these tiny seeds that I was scattering on the earth. Every plant that we see comes from a seed. Admittedly some are bigger than others but it is still pretty amazing that a huge tree or a beautiful flower can come from such a tiny start.

That led to my thinking about people - how we all get here from the meeting of two cells - Two Cells! And those two cells contain all the genetic information to create a walking, talking, thinking, full-of-potential human being.

These are the type of things we don't think of all that often, but creation is amazing, full of miracles that by all rights should not occur. One slight change in our world and none of this exists.

God is truly great!

The Devil is in the Comparison

2013-05-21T18:28:00.000-07:00

As hard as it is for me to admit this, this article by Amanda Mortus really struck home with me: The Devil is in the Comparison

She writes, I get it. If I’m being really honest, I know those aren’t the best thoughts. God is using each of those people exactly where He needs them to be. But what about me? It is such an easy question to wonder. I can look at just about anyone and tell you that I feel infinitely less accomplished, less put together, less well-off than they are. I can come up with things I’m doing right, things I’m blessed with, and things I’m happy about. However, with each on of those things I can easily put a caveat as to why my life isn’t as awesome as it could be.

I can so relate. And honestly, I have quite a few years on Amanda. My life holds a lot less potential than hers does. Envy is something I have always struggled with and is something I confess EVERY time I go to reconciliation. That and pride - they really kind of go together and not in a good way. We all have our weaknesses and these are two of mine.

Social media has not helped this. Some days I really consider whether my life would be better if I just left social media all together, but that is not an option for me. I need it for work, plus I do enjoy knowing what my friends are up to and knowing what I need to be praying for.

The flip side of having amazing friends and colleagues is that they are, well, amazing. On any given day, I read updates involving the births of a seventh or eighth (or more!) children, the publication of yet another best-selling book, the running of a marathon, the perfect thing a child did, the homeschooling success, etc. I am happy for these people, and yet, as I read through these daily updates, I feel worthless.

Part of that is my natural tendency toward depression. I have a recorder in my head that tells me I am worthless almost all the time (some days are much worse than others). It tells me the world would be better off without me, that I am useless and a waste of space. While I can rejoice in a kind, positive word for a few moments, every negative comment stays with me and replays in my head - adding to the feelings of worthlessness. I know the voice is part of my depression (which has been there since I was eleven) and I keep busy and try to ignore it as much as possible, but it is hard to ignore the only voice you hear.

I know intellectually that God made me and that I have a purpose. I know I try every day to do the best I can. I know I have a family that needs me. I do my best to hide my feelings. I'm not out to burden anybody and truly, there is nothing anybody can do, anyway. It is my cross to carry, my sin to confess.

But, in some ways, knowing those things just compounds the problem - because I feel bad to start with, and then, I feel guilty for feeling bad, because I know I should be thankful for all that I do have. It's a lose-lose situation.

So, thank you to Amanda for addressing this issue, and thank you for listening while I shared mine.

Prayers for those in Oklahoma

2013-05-20T19:12:00.001-07:00

Please join me in praying an "Our Father" for all those impacted by the Oklahoma tornadoes.

Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done. On earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread and forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us. Lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. Amen.

And for those who have died:

Eternal rest grant unto them, O Lord, and let perpetual light shine upon them.

Tips for Handling Teasing

2013-05-20T14:24:00.001-07:00

This article is geared for children with High-Functioning Autism, aka Aspergers syndrome, but truly, it offers good advice for any child who is being teased: Teaching Children on the Autism Spectrum to Handle Teasing

Prayer for the Gifts of the Holy Spirit for Moms

2013-05-19T18:08:00.000-07:00

I was at Mass this evening celebrating Pentecost and my mind went back to this article I wrote a few years ago. I think that is a sign that I should re-post it. Come, Holy Spirit, Come.

Galatians 5:22-23 lists the fruits of the Holy Spirit. These include love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, trustfulness, gentleness and self-control. It seems that as mothers, we can use an extra helping of each of these.

Dear Holy Spirit,

Please help me to love my children even when it is hard: when it is 2 a.m. and the baby is crying, or the two-year old is having a tantrum, when the six-year old is telling me he hates me, or when the teenager has just slammed the door for the 167th time.

Please help me to have joy in the little moments. Please help me to appreciate the smiles and fun that my children have, to rejoice in the small gifts that come my day amidst the hard work of parenting.

Please grant me the gift of peace, peace in my heart even when the whole world around me seems to be in turmoil. Help me extend that peace to my children so that they can grow up knowing that peace, not violence, is the answer.

Please help me to have patience, patience, and more patience. I can always use more! And when that supply is used up, please help me to find just a little bit extra.

Please help me to treat my children, and all those whom I meet, with kindness. Let my children know by my example that kindness can change the world.

Please help me to be good. My children’s eyes are always upon me, and my actions speak much louder than my words. Help me to be a good example to help them learn how to live.

Please grant me the gift of trustworthiness. Help me to be a person of my word, to say what I mean and mean what I say. Help me to honor my commitments and keep my children’s confidences.

Please help me to be gentle with my children’s hearts. Help me to remember what it was like to be a child. Help me to offer all the support and healing to them that I can.

Lastly, please assist me with my self-control. Help me to keep my desires and weaknesses in check. Help me to put my children first. Help me to be the best mom that I can be.

I ask this through the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. Amen

Trusting that Something Good Will Come

2013-05-17T18:43:00.004-07:00

May is a month especially dedicated to Mary, our Mother in heaven. And all of us mothers here on earth can look to her for example.

Ginny Kubitz Moyer offers a beautiful reflection on Mary and motherhood in the Mary 2013 issue of St. Anthony Messenger: Mary, Exemplar of Faith.

She writes:

Over the six years that I’ve been a mom, I’ve learned that there are certain qualities that are very useful for parents to have. These include a sense of humor, the ability to multitask, and the knowledge of which battles to pick (note: forcing a toddler into a sweater he doesn’t want to wear is the very definition of “lost cause”). As important as all these are, though, I think the most useful parental quality is faith.

What is faith? I’d define it as the ability to trust that there will be good things ahead. It’s the knowledge that this moment—this crosscountry flight with a screaming baby, this child’s scary bout with pneumonia—is not the final chapter. Something good is waiting to happen. Often that something good is over a distant horizon, impossible to see from where we stand. Faith is the certainty that it is there all the same.

Every parent faces countless situations where faith is required. When I think of Mary, it’s clear that she was an expert in this area. She gave birth on the road; she had to escape to a foreign country for her baby’s safety; she even lost her teenage son for a few terrifying days. When her child was an adult, she saw him saying things that hit a little too close to the bone of the powerful ones, who ended up killing him.

All of it must have taken extraordinary faith on Mary’s part. And yet, even she must have been surprised and overjoyed at the exact nature of the good things that were finally revealed: a resurrection, eternal life, a fleet of devoted friends who would travel the globe to share the message of her son.

Please read the full article here: http://www.stanthonymessenger.org/article.aspx?ArticleID=56&SectionID=39&PageNum=1

Saint's Names of the Day - Gwen and Theodore

2013-05-16T18:38:00.000-07:00

Today is the last day for the Ave Maria Facebook Contest and the featured names are Gwen and Theodore.

Gwen is a Welsh name meaning "white wave" or "white browed."

Variations include Gwenesha, Gweness, Gwenata, Gwenite, Gwenn, Gwenna, and Gwyn.

St. Gwen (fifth century) was a daughter of Brychan of Brecknock. She married St. Fragan and was martyred by pagans. According to legend she had three breasts. For this reason, she is invoked for women's fertility.

Theodore is a Greek name meaning "gift of God."

Variations include Teadomiro, Tedor, Teodus, Teos, Theodon, Theodor, Theodorus, Todor and Tolek.

Some saints with the name Theodore are St. Theodore of Bologna, St. Theodore of Chotep, St. Theodore of Egypt, St. Theodore of Emesa, St. Theodore of Pavia, St. Theodore of Pelusium, and St. Theodore of Tarsus.

St. Theodore (d. 310) was a deacon at Pentapolis, Lybia. He and Saints Irenaeus, Serapion, and Ammonius were tortured by having their tongues cut out. All survived the ordeal and died of natural causes, but they are considered martyrs due to their willingness to die.

For more information on saints and names, please pick up a copy of The Catholic Baby Name Book

Today's Saint Names of the Day - Diana and Stephen

2013-05-15T19:22:00.002-07:00

Today's featured names on the Ave Maria Press Facebook Contest are Diana and Stephen.

Diana is a Latin name meaning "divine"
Daiana, Daianna, Dayana, Deana, Dianna, Diaanah, Dianah, Dianalyn, Dianarose, Dianatris, Dianca, Diane, Dianelis, Diania, Dianiah, Dianiella, Dianielle, Dianita Dianna, Dianya, Dianyah, Dianys, Didi, Dihana, Dihanah, Dihanna, Dihannah, Dyana
Bl. Diana d’Andalo (d. 1236) was born into a noble family in Bologna, Italy. She became a Dominican nun and helped found the Monastery of St. Agnes. She was one of the first three Dominican nuns in Bologna.

Stephen is a Greek name meaning "crowned"
Estefan, Estevon, Stefanos, Steffan, Stefos, Stepanos, Stephan, Stephanas, Stephano, Stephanos, Stephanas, Stephens, Stephfan, Stephin, Stepven, Steven
St. Stephen (d. 33) was a deacon and preacher who became the first Christian martyr. He was stoned to death by angry Jews. Saul, who would later become St. Paul, was present.

For more information about names and patron saints, please pick up a copy of The Catholic Baby Name Book

Thank you to Wendy Wiese and Christine Capolino

2013-05-14T17:55:00.002-07:00

Many thanks to Wendy Wiese for having me on her radio program today: On Call with Wendy Wiese and to Christine Capolino for her kind review of The Catholic Baby Name Book: I Have Called You by Name

Today's Saints Names of the Day - Julia and Nathan

2013-05-14T17:45:00.001-07:00

Today's featured names on the Ave Maria Facebook Contest are Julia and Nathan. If you have that name or know someone with that name, please head on over to enter.

Julia is a top 100 Name that comes from Latin. It means "youthful."

Variations include: Iulia, Iuliana, Jewelea, Jeweleah, Jewelia, Jeweliah, Jewelya, Jewlya, Jewlyah, Juelea, Jueleah, Jula, Julea, Juleah, Juliah, Julica, Juliea, Julienne, Julija, Julita, Julity, Juliya, Julka, Julya

Saints with that name include St. Julia Maria Ledochowska, St. Julia of Billiart, St. Julia of Carthage, St. Julia of Corsica, St. Julia of Merida, St. Julia of Troyes

St. Julia of Corsica (seventh century) was born in Carthage to a noble Christian family. She was captured by Vandals and sold into slavery to a pagan named Eusebius. When the ship landed at Corsica, she was commanded to take part in a pagan festival. She refused. Her hair was torn out of her head, and she was martyred.

Nathan is a Hebrew name meaning "gift of God"
Variations include Naethan, Naethin, Naethun,Naethyn, Naithan, Naithin,Naithon, Naithun, Naithyn, Natan, Nate, Nathann, Nathean,Nathian, Nathin, Nathun, Nathyn, Natthan, Naythan, Naythun, Naythyn, Nethan

Nathan in the Bible was a prophet who lived in the time of King David. He reprimanded David for his relationship with Bathsheba. He also wrote histories of the reigns of King David and King Solomon. King David named one of his sons after him. His story is told in the books of Samuel, 1 and 2 Kings, and 2 Chronicles.

For more information on Catholic Baby Names, please pick up a copy of The Catholic Baby Name Book

Today's Saint Names of the Day - Audrey and Leonard

2013-05-13T18:28:00.002-07:00

Today on the Ave Maria Facebook Contest, the names of the day are Audrey and Leonard.

Audrey is a top 100 Name. It is an English name meaning "noble strength."

Variations include Adrey, Audey, Audra, Audrah, Audray, Audre, Audrienna, Audrienne, Audrin, Audriya, Audrye, Ethelreda, Etheidreda, Etdelreda

St. Audrey (d. 679), also known as Ethelreda or Etheidreda, was an English princess. She had taken a vow of virginity but was married anyway. Her first marriage ended after three years when her husband died.

The marriage had never been consummated. Her second husband
did not wish to live a celibate life and asked St. Wilfrid to release Audrey from her vow
of virginity, but he refused. He instead helped her to escape. Her husband followed her, but he eventually gave up and married someone else, and Audrey became a nun. She founded the Abbey of Ely and lived an austere life. She died of a large tumor on her neck.

Leonard is a German name meaning "brave as a lion."

Variations include Leanard, Leanardas, Leanardus, Lennart, Leonardis, Leonardo, Leonart, Leonerd, Leonhard, Leonhardt, Leonidas, Leonnard, Leontes, Lernard, Lienard, Linek, Lionard, Lnard, Londard, Lonnard, Lonya, Lynnard, Lyonard

Saints with that name include: St. Leonard, St. Leonard Kimura, St. Leonard Muraildo, St. Leonard of Noblac, St. Leonard of Port Maurice, St. Leonard of Reresby, St. Leonard Vandoeuvre, St. Leonard Wegel

St. Leonard (d. 559) was a Frank courtier who converted and became a monk at Micy. He lived as a hermit at Limoges. The king asked him to pray for the queen who was having a difficult delivery. When she delivered successfully, the king offered him all the land he could ride around on a donkey for a day. On that land, he founded Noblac Monastery. He is invoked to help women in labor and for prisoners of war.

For more information on name meanings and patron saints, please visit: The Catholic Baby Name Book

A Prayer for New Mothers

2013-05-12T18:16:00.000-07:00

I was thinking today how this was my 13th Mother's Day as a mom. That first Mother's Day, my little David was only one month old. I was exhausted and completely overwhelmed and I recall that he puked all over me during our Mother's Day dinner. I can look back and laugh now, but those were tough days.

Two years ago, Mother's Day was two weeks after I had just been handed two small children. I was once again exhausted and completely overwhelmed. At least, by this time, I had the wisdom and experience to tell our moms (and my sister) that "We love you all and wish you a Happy Mother's Day, but we will not be hosting Mother's Day Dinner because I just can't do it."

And so, today, I'd like to offer a prayer for all new moms, whether it is their first or their tenth, who are tired and stressed and weighed down by motherhood. May God be with them as they navigate this new season of their lives and give them strength in this life that He has called them to.

Blinded by the Darkness, Three Short Fantasy Stories

2013-05-12T18:05:00.001-07:00

For only 99 cents, you can enjoy Three Short Fantasy Stories by Catholic writer Karl Erickson. Karl writes:

This e-book contains three very different short story offerings from writer Karl Bjorn Erickson. "Stars Within the Glass" is a fantasy, set in a bizarre world where nothing is as it should be. The character's journey explores the finality and tragic nature of suicide.

While "Light in the Darkness," also falls into the broad category of fantasy, it could not be more different from the first tale. Have you ever wondered if there are mermaids swimming along the Oregon Coast? Read on to discover if their purpose is for good or ill.

"Into the Darkness" began as a different kind of story altogether. It almost could be described as a western serial. Plans of including an historical subplot within my new novel were discarded, and that left me seeking a home for this worthy tale. (Be sure to read the author's note after this featured story appears.)

To read these stories, please visit: Blinded by the Darkness, Three Short Fantasy Stories

A Moment of Beauty for Today

2013-05-10T11:00:00.000-07:00

The tulips are mostly dead now, but that is okay - the whole world seems to have come into bloom. Still, this one dying on my windowsill struck me as unusually beautiful.

Thank you to Cheryl Dickow for her Review of The Catholic Baby Name Book

2013-05-09T18:26:00.005-07:00

Cheryl Dickow has written a lovely (and funny!) review of The Catholic Baby Name Book for the Association of Catholic Women Bloggers. Read it here: Catholic Baby Names and Tugboats

Today's Names of the Day - Virginia and Kevin

2013-05-09T09:17:00.000-07:00

The featured names of the day on the Ave Maria Facebook Contest are Virginia and Kevin. Know someone with those names? Go over and tag them for a chance to win.

Virginia is a Latin name that means "pure" or "virginal". Variations include Ginata, Ginger, Gingia, Ginia, Vergie, Verginia, Virge, Virgene, Virgen, Virginio, Virgy, and Virjinia.

St. Virginia Centurione Bracelli (1587-1651) was the daughter of the Doge of Genoa. She entered into an arranged marriage to Gasparo Grimaldi Bracelli, who was a drinker and gambler. He died after five years, and she was left a widow with two small children. She raised her children and spent her free time in prayer and charity. After her children were grown, she devoted herself entirely to charitable efforts, opening her home to the needy. She built extra housing and started a hospital. She started the Sisters of Refuge in Mount Calvary and the Daughters of Our Lady on Mount Calvary. She was canonized by Pope John Paul II in 2003.

Kevin is one of the Top 100 most popular names. It is a Gaelic name meaning "handsome." Some variations are Kaiven, Keaven, Keivan, Kevan, Kevian, Kevinn, Kevis, and Keyvin.

St. Kevin (d. 618) was the son of Leinster nobility. He lived with monks from the age of twelve and studied for the priesthood at Cell na Manach. After being ordained, he lived as a hermit for seven years. He attracted many followers and founded a monastery at Glendalough, where he served as abbot. In time, it became a town and is now part of the archdiocese of Dublin.

For more information on names and saints, please pick up a copy of The Catholic Baby Name Book

A Mother's Day Moment

2013-05-08T18:05:00.001-07:00

Last year's Mother's Day was a bit of a disaster with both my big boys forgetting to make me a card. They did make up for it, taking me out for ice cream the following Sunday, but we would all prefer not to have a repeat of that misstep.

I was just tucking David into bed and he told me "I just spent twenty minutes on your card."

"And was I not worth twenty minutes?" I asked, bracing myself for the answer.

"Mom, you'd be worth an hour and a half." he said as he gave me a big hug.

I laughed. - I'll take it! :)

Today's Saints Names of the Day - Helen and Ethan

2013-05-08T13:14:00.002-07:00

The two featured names of the day on the Ave Maria Press Facebook Catholic Baby Name Contest are "Helen" and "Ethan" - in honor of this I thought I'd feature a little bit more about these names here:

Helen is a name of Greek origin and means "light" Variations of the name include Eileen, Elana, Elena, Ena, Halina, Hela, Helan, Hele, Helean, Heleen, Helene, Helin, Helon, Helyn, Holain, Ileana, Ilene, Ilyne, and Yolanda

St. Helen of Skovde (d. 1160) was born to a noble family in Sweden. After her husband died, she gave all her possessions to the poor and made a pilgrimage to Rome. When she returned, she was falsely accused to being involved in her son-in-law's death. By the time her innocence was proven, she had already been executed. Many miracles were reported at her tomb.

Ethan is a Hebrew name meaning "strong" or "the gift of the island." It is a very popular name. Variations include Aitan, Eathan, Eathen, Eathin, Eathon, Eathyn, Efan, Efen, Eithan, Eithon, Ethon, Eythen, and Eythyn

Ethan in the Bible was a cymbal player in King David's court. He is the author of Psalm 89.

For more information on names and saints, please pick up a copy of The Catholic Baby Name Book

Saint's Names of the Day - Ava and Gregory

2013-05-07T09:59:00.001-07:00

The two featured names of the day on the Ave Maria Press Facebook Catholic Baby Name Contest are "Ava" and "Gregory" - in honor of this I thought I'd feature a little bit more about these names here:

Ava is a name of Hebrew origin and is one of the top 100 most popular names. It's meaning is "life" Variations of the name include Aeva, Avada, Avae, Avah, Ave, Aveen, and Avis.

St. Ava (ninth century) was the daughter of King Pepin. She was cured of blindness by St. Rainfredis and became a Benedictine nun at Dinart, Hainault, where she was later elected abbess.

Gregory is a Latin name meaning "vigilant watchman." Variations include Gergely, Gergo, Graig, Greagoir, Greagory, Greer, Gregary, Greger, Gregery, Gregg, Gregorey, Gregori, Gregorio, Gregors, Gregos, Gregrey, Greigor, Greigore, and Grzegorz.

There are several saints with the name Gregory including St. Gregory Barbarigo, St. Gregory Nazianzus, St. Gregory of Nyssa, St. Gregory Palamas, St. Gregory Thaumaturgus, St. Gregory the Enlightener, St. Gregory the Sinaite, and St. Gregory the Great.

St. Gregory the Great (540-604) was the son of a Roman senator. He gave up the world and turned to God, becoming one of the seven deacons of Rome. He was appointed Chief Magistrate of Rome by Emperor Justin the Elder. He built six monasteries in Sicily and one in Rome. He became a Benedictine monk when he was thirty-five. He was elected pope in 590. He was a prolific writer and made great contributions to the liturgy of the Mass and the Divine Office. He is a Doctor of the Church and a patron saint of teachers.

For more information on names and saints, please pick up a copy of The Catholic Baby Name Book

The Catholic Baby Name of the Day Contest

2013-05-06T17:33:00.001-07:00

In celebration of the launch of the next CatholicMom.com book, The Catholic Baby Name Book, Ave Maria Press is launching the Catholic Baby Name of the Day Contest on its Facebook page.

Follow along Monday through Thursday for the next two weeks. Each day, we will post two names—one girl’s name and one boy’s name—from The Catholic Baby Name Book. If your name is posted, or you know someone with that name, leave a comment under the post and/or tag your friend with the name on Facebook. You AND your tagged friend will be entered to win a book from our spring 2013 releases.

Winners will be notified Friday, May 24th.

About The Catholic Baby Name Book

With more than ten thousand names of saints and biblical figures, this first-ever guide to Catholic baby names helps expectant parents find a beautiful and creative name for their child. Each entry includes the meaning of the name, language of origin, variations in form, a capsule biography, and relevant feast days and patron saint information. While it has become increasingly popular to name a baby after a town or a food, readers will discover here a bounty of names that are fun, creative, and Catholic. This new book in the CatholicMom.com Book series boasts thousands of names of saints from Christian tradition and the scriptures, including those newly canonized by popes John Paul II and Benedict XVI. Among the fun facts to be discovered: there are ten ways to spell Regina, the perennially popular name Jayden means “thankful” and “God has heard,” and Sophia–the most popular girl’s name in 2012–was a saint who had three daughters named Faith, Hope, and Charity (who were also saints!).

The Catholic Baby Name Book

The Sisters of St. Joseph of Springfield Need Your Help

2013-05-05T18:33:00.001-07:00

The Sisters of St. Joseph of Springfield are in dire financial straits and need your help. Like many religious communities, they are facing an aging population and lack the resources to care for them. These are women who gave their lives to God and have given of themselves every day of their lives. They were the sisters who founded and run both the high school and college I attended. There are very few Catholics in Western Massachusetts whose lives weren't impacted in some way by these devoted women.

Their financial situation was front-page news in the local paper today:

Sisters of St. Joseph of Springfield face 'dire' financial situation with hope, faith

If you can help them, please visit: http://www.ssjspringfield.org/partner-with-us/make-a-gift.html

Thank you!

Quote of the Day from St. Catherine of Siena

2013-05-03T09:45:00.001-07:00

I was at St. Catherine of Siena Church this morning and saw this quote on the social center wall. It spoke to me today:

“Nothing great is ever achieved without much enduring.”
― St. Catherine of Siena

Springfield (MA) Area Crisis Pregnancy Centers

2013-05-02T18:47:00.003-07:00

An important part of being pro-life is supporting Crisis Pregnancy Centers in order to help those women who find themselves in difficult situations.

Here are three in my local area:

Bethlehem House is a pregnancy care center in Easthampton that provides free confidential pregnancy tests, counseling, and information to support expectant and new mothers (families). Baskets are given to newborns at four area hospitals and UMass in Amherst. Thankful for its many volunteers, current needs now are for knit booties, bibs, newborn blankets or quilts (approximate size 30" x 32") Their crisis line is 413-262-8527. Regular calls are 413-527-2861.

New Women's Center, Inc. is located at 2465 Main Street, Springfield. They provide educational support, counseling, pregnancy tests and life-affirming choices to pregnant women and young families in close proximity to Planned Parenthood. They very much need more volunteers and counselors; classes are provided. Contact them at 413-455-3493, newwomenscenter@gmail.com or at www.newwomenscenter.org.

Springfield Pregnancy Care Center (SPCC) is located at 704 Sumner Avenue, Springfield. They need baby wash, baby wipes, and diaper bags. They always need receptionists and counselors. Contact SPCC at 413-732-2006 or info@springfieldpcc.org to volunteer.