Thursday, July 31, 2008

Catholic Moments #63 - Lorraine Doan

This week, Lisa converses with Lorraine Doan, Catholic Composer, about her music and moving beyond difficulty in life to follow your dreams. Deacon Tom Fox shares a reflection about his favorite Irish priest, Fr. Pat. Enter for your chance to win our latest contest, three great books from Life Teen by emailing Lisa@catholicmom.com by July 31 - be sure to include your full mailing address and to write "Life Teen Books Giveaway" in the subject line. Share your feedback at 206-339-9272, comment here on the blog or email lisa@catholicmom.com.

Links for This Episode:
Lorraine Doan
Heidi Hess Saxton
Parish Media Liaison Kerry Madden - Making Good Choices at the Movies
Catholic New Media Roundup
The Catholic Company
Lisa's Facebook Profile
Catholic Mom Logo Store

Click here to listen to Catholic Moments #63

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Tuesday, July 29, 2008

Can You Help the Missionaries of the Poor?

The Catholic Company has undertaken a challenge to send at least 5000 catechisms to the poor and needy in various parts of the world. They are contributing 500 copies and looking for each of us to get involved with supporting the missionaries as well. If you are able to support this worthy cause, click here for more information.

Send to the Missionaries of the Poor at The Catholic Company

Blogging Around!

Over at P@H today, I'm doing some writing about the family food budget and my attempts to tame our family grocery bill. My best friend Mara is the queen of grocery shopping, and my Mom's a pretty mean shopper as well, but I seem to have a lot to learn. I'd love your take on how you save money on groceries!

Productivity @ Home

At Faith and Family Live, I'm asking for your help as well. I need some book recommendations for a special little girl. Please read about it here and chime in with your suggestions!

Have an iPhone - Add the Liturgical Calendar!

My friends and family know of my love affair with my iPhone. I know we are not supposed to covet things, but my iPhone makes me so happy! And now, it's even making me a bit holier, thanks to the addition of the Catholic Calendar iPhone app. With this application and the touch of one button, I have access to the liturgical calendar on my phone. I can read about the saint of the day and it prompts me to remember to pray through this saint's intercession for my family and friends.


Also available from Universalis is the full app, which gives the user access to the full calendar, Liturgy of the Hours, and the Mass readings. I haven't yet spent the $40 that this app costs to unlock its features, but would love to have this app some day too.

If you don't have an iPhone fixation like I do, you can always access these wonderful features through the Universalis web site.

Universalis on the iPhone « Electric Prayer

Sunday, July 27, 2008

Finding the Hidden Treasure

I love the readings from Mass today - all three of them are packed with grace and meaning. I found myself contemplating Solomon's position in the first reading - if God came to me in a dream and invited me to ask something of Him, how short would I fall from Solomon's very humble request for wisdom?! Miles, I'm sure - I likely would have asked God for some sort of robot that was efficient at cooking, cleaning and especially putting away laundry!

In the second reading, Greg and I exchanged a knowing smile at the reciting of our Bible Study mentors' favorite verse:

We know that all things work for the good for those who love God, who are called according to his purpose.

How often, around our Bible Study table over the past decade, we have heard Marlene and Lyman share those confident words that God does indeed have a unique plan for each of us!

As for the parables of the Gospel, you can read my simple reflection on the parable of the Hidden Treasure over at Faith and Family Live. I invite you to join me this week on the greatest treasure hunt ever!

Faith & Family Live! : Finding The Hidden Treasure

Saturday, July 26, 2008

Memorial of Saint Joachim and Saint Anne, parents of the Blessed Virgin Mary

Today, we celebrate the memorial of St. Joachim and St. Anne, parents of the Blessed Virgin Mary.

My own wonderful mother’s name is Anne, so I remember her in a special way on this feast day of the Patroness of Mothers. I was recently sharing with a friend who is expecting her first child that she can expect her relationship with her own mother to grow and blossom when she welcomes her child into this world. While I have always loved and respected my mother, I never truly cherished her the way I have since my own boys came along and taught me just how difficult it can be to serve in the vocation of motherhood. Thank you, Mom, for setting such a wonderful example of how to be a loving, giving and serving mother. I am blessed to have you in my life!

As we pray through the intercession of these formative saints, let us remember in a special way the grandparents of our own children.

Lord, God of our fathers, through Saint Joachim and Saint Anne You gave us the Mother of Your Incarnate Son. May their prayers help us to attain the salvation You promised to Your people. Amen.

Friday, July 25, 2008

Lisa on the Home Biz Mom Cast

I want to thanks Becky Cash and Cheryl Schell of HomeBizMomCast.com for inviting me to appear on yesterday's show. I had such a great time talking with them about the topics of home based businesses, personal productivity and Getting Things Done. I hope you'll check out their show to learn a little bit more about my work and background and that you will become a subscriber to their terrific resources.

» HBMC#4: Productivity at Home with Lisa Hendey Home Biz MomCast: Uniting Families Through Home Based Businesses

Wednesday, July 23, 2008

Catholic Moments #62 - Faith and Family Live

This week, Lisa interviews her new Faith and Family Live colleagues Danielle Bean and Rachel Balducci to celebrate the launch of FaithandFamilyLive.com. Enter for your chance to win our latest contest, three great books from Life Teen by emailing Lisa@catholicmom.com by July 31 - be sure to include your full mailing address and to write "Life Teen Books Giveaway" in the subject line. Share your feedback at 206-339-9272, comment here on the blog or email lisa@catholicmom.com.

Links for this episode:
Traditional Irish Tunes by Eric and Adam Hendey on YouTube
Saint Song on You Tube, The Saint Cast
Parish Media Liaison Kerry Madden - Making Good Choices: Pro Life Resources
Faith and Family Live Blog
Messies.com
The Catholic Company
Lisa's Facebook Profile
Catholic Mom Logo Store
Closing Music - Take My Hand by Lorraine Doan

Click here to listen to Catholic Moments #62

Tuesday, July 22, 2008

Tyler's Ride Episode 7

Tyler discovers a hidden talent! I'm excited to announce that later today I will be interviewing Barbara M. Gangi who is Vice President for Development at Paulist Productions, the force behind Tyler's Ride. Look for a future Catholic Moments Podcast episode featuring Barbara.

Trash or Treasure?

Adam's latest art acquisition - trash or treasure? Read about it over at Faith and Family Live.

Monday, July 21, 2008

That Ten Commandments Song - The Beauty of Blogging!

On July 7, 2005, I posted a query for a reader named Patti who was looking for the complete words to that ubiquitous "Ten Commandments Song". Today, over three years later, the mystery has finally been solved by an anonymous commenter who finally shared the missing lyrics. For those inquiring minds who want to know, here are the words:

First I must honor God
Second honor his name
Third on his day keep holy, this will be my aim
Four I must be obedient
Fifth be kind and true
Sixth be pure in all I say and see and hear and do
Seventh I must be honest
Eighth be truthful in all things I say
Ninth be pure in mind and heart in all I think and desire each day
Tenth I must be satisfied and not be jealous come what may
These are God's ten commandments
These I must obey.


Whether these are totally correct or not, I can't say - seems to be some redundancy on truth and honesty issues! Regardless, thanks for your perseverance dear Anonymous! Thanks to you a mystery has been solved and now I have this song stuck in my head!

Catholic Mom Moments Blog: Odds and Ends

Rosemary Recipes?

Eric and Adam's little garden patch is starting to produce in earnest. Today for lunch, Eric whipped up another batch of pesto and pasta - a lovely temptation for a mom who's trying to count carbs and calories. I was able to enjoy the smell, though, and it was divine!

Tonight for dinner, we decided to experiment with the rosemary that's now ready for action. This was the winning recipe, served with couscous and and grilled onions. We doubled the garlic and did not remove it as the recipe recommends, so beware of major garlic breath around the Hendey household.

Do you have a favorite recipe involving rosemary? I'd love to hear your recommendations! And next week, I'll probably be talking about zucchini and squash because we're about to have a bumper crop!

CatholicMom.com Weekly Column Roundup

Well, I embarked on an exciting adventure today - hiring someone to help me with the total redesign of CatholicMom.com! The redesign is long overdue and will hopefully bring my little website into modern times, enabling you to be more involved and bringing you even more great content in a much more organized fashion.

Please say a few prayers that this process goes smoothly and that it doesn't have too great an impact upon my wonderful family financially. If you'd like to consider helping support this endeavor, PayPal donations to lisa@catholicmom.com are always welcome in any amount or you can contact me about other ways to contribute. I'm hoping the investment in this redesign will carry the site well into the future.

In the mean time, we have some wonderful columns this week from our talented columnists! Please check out there work and take some time to visit their sites as well - you will find a great deal of inspiration and fun along the way.

Can We Hide from Evil? by Patrice Fagnant-MacArthur

"Creepy" Strangers Now Our Friends by Marybeth Hicks

Sanctuary by Michele Howe

Haiku Prayers by Sherry Antonetti

Why Take Cod Liver Oil? by Kelly, Our "Kitchen Kop"

Emerging by Susan Handle Terbay

What's for Dinner? Don't Ask! by Lisa Barker

Catching up with Donna-Marie


Embracing Motherhood


Our wonderful friend Donna-Marie Cooper O'Boyle announces a chance for you to win one of her newest books simply by commenting on the new "header" image at her blog. By the way, the header is absolutely adorable Donna-Marie!

In other news, you can catch Donna-Marie chatting with the fabulous Teresa Tomeo during their "Mom's Corner" segment on Teresa's show. Click here at 9:15 am EST on Tuesday to listen.

Embracing Motherhood: Win Two Books: What's your opinion on my new "Header" for "Embracing Motherhood?

Saturday, July 19, 2008

Big Boy Cousins

Eric, Adam and Jake at the Fresno Grizzlies Game

Big Boy Cousins are for...

teaching you to hit targets with squirt guns
taking you outside to run around so Mom and Dad can have a break
letting you play their instruments, especially the drum set
laughing at your five year old jokes
doubling as jungle gyms
and
letting you win at Rock, Paper, Scissors every time!

Testing Blogger with...

Testing Blogger with Jott, this is a test to see if I can post to my blogger blog, using Jott(?) from my Iphone, I have 30 seconds to leave this test. We'll see how it works. listen

Powered by Jott

Amazing - the post above was sent from my iPhone, transcribed and posted here within two minutes! Have you tried Jott.com yet? Just call the service, tell it who/what you want to "jott" and watch what happens. Perfect for honey-do lists, notes to self, or even for quick blog posts like this one!

Friday, July 18, 2008

Best Saint Song Ever!

Congrats to Dr. Paul Camarata of the Saint Cast on the occasion of his 100th Podcast! Paul - thank you for 100 chances to learn about and fall more in love with our wonderful Catholic saints!



YouTube - The Saint Song

Wednesday, July 16, 2008

Catholic Moments #61 - Tami Kiser, SmartMartha.com

This week, Lisa highlights the work of Tami Kiser, founder of SmartMartha.com - Real Organization for Real Moms with Real Priorities. Deacon Tom Fox shares a reflection on Psalm 139. Enter for your chance to win our latest contest, three great books from Life Teen by emailing Lisa@catholicmom.com by July 31 - be sure to include your full mailing address and to write "Life Teen Books Giveaway" in the subject line. Share your feedback at 206-339-9272, comment here on the blog or email lisa@catholicmom.com.

Links for this episode:
Faith and Family Live Blog
SmartMartha.com
Divine Mercy Podcast
Grapevine's World Youth Day Coverage
The Catholic Company
Lisa's Facebook Profile
Catholic Mom Logo Store

Click here to listen to Catholic Moments #61

Tuesday, July 15, 2008

Come Join the Fun at Faith and Family Live!

P1030783I'm thrilled to share my involvement with a wonderful new blog from Faith and Family Magazine that promises to be a terrific resource for all of us. At Faith and Family Live, I will be blogging with Danielle Bean, Rachel Balducci, Arwen Mosher, and Rebecca Teti on topics that will help all of us live out our vocations to family life.

I hope you'll make Faith and Family Live a regular part of your day and that you'll join in the conversations already taking place to make it an even better blog. It's such a joy to be a part of this project with such talented and inspirational writers!

Faith And Family Live! The daily blog of Catholic living | Home

Praying with St. Paul

I haven't yet personally seen a copy of this resource, but thought it looked like something great for our families this year. If you have seen it, I'd love to hear from you!

Magnificat’s Praying With Saint Paul is Best-Seller at Start of Pauline Year

YONKERS, NY – Magnificat USA, the publisher of the monthly prayer booklet and worship aid Magnificat, announces that its new book, Praying with Saint Paul has become a best-seller, with more than 54,000 copies sold in its first two months of publication. A fourth printing of the book, published in celebration of the Special Jubilee Year to the Apostle Paul, is now underway.

A handbook of daily reflections on the Letters of Saint Paul in the New Testament, Praying with Saint Paul answers the call of Pope Benedict XVI that “special publications on Pauline texts will also be promoted in order to make ever more widely known the immense wealth of the teaching they contain, a true patrimony of humanity redeemed in Christ.”

Praying with Saint Paul was edited by Fr. Peter John Cameron, O.P., editor-in-chief of Magnificat.

“The words of Saint Paul are very familiar to us from the readings of the Eucharistic liturgy. Yet, we rarely get a chance to reflect on Paul’s wisdom,” said Father Cameron. “Praying with Saint Paul offers a kind of lectio divina – a ‘spiritual reading’ – of Paul’s letters by which one can go deeply into the mind and heart of this illustrious saint.”

The volume’s original reflections are by 32 gifted spiritual authors. They range from well-known scholars, theologians and poets – to parish priests, teachers and a homeschooling mother. Among the contributors are Fr. J. Augustine Di Noia, O.P., undersecretary for the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith; Fr. James Martin, S.J., author of the Catholic Press Association Award-winning My Life with the Saints; Jack Sacco, author of the Pulitzer Prize-nominated Where the Birds Never Sing; Fr. Lawrence Boadt, C.S.P., president of Paulist Press; and Sr. Genevieve Glen, O.S.B., editor for daily offices of Magnificat.

“The fact that the contributors represent a variety of vocations is appropriate for its subject … and makes the reflections relevant for every kind of reader,” wrote Monsignor William Benwell of the Diocese of Metuchen, NJ, in the June 19 edition of The Catholic Spirit.

“I very much like the format of the daily reflections throughout 2009, a format which is so successful with the Magnificat Advent and Lenten pastoral companions,” said Cardinal Roger Mahoney, archbishop of Los Angeles.

Archbishop Raymond L. Burke also commended Praying with Saint Paul to the readers of his June 27 column in the St. Louis Review, calling it “a distinct reflection on the writings of Saint Paul.”

Praying with Saint Paul (soft-cover; 379 pages; suggested retail price of $12.95) is arranged in a calendar-year format. Each entry features a short quotation from one of Saint Paul’s letters, the reflection based on the quotation and concludes with a thought-provoking prayer. The book also features a new hymn commissioned by Magnificat for the Pauline Year. “O Christ, Your Chosen Vessel” was written by Fr. Andrew Hofer, O.P.

Now in its tenth year of publication in the United States, Magnificat is read by more than 230,000 each month. Presented in a day-by-day format, Magnificat includes prayers for the morning and evening, daily Mass readings, meditations, essays on the lives of the saints, a sacred art commentary and other spiritual writings. It is available in English-language and Spanish-language editions.

The Magnificat family of publications also includes MagnifiKid!, a Sunday Mass guide for children. Praying with Saint Paul is the third book from Magnificat USA, following the best-selling Benedictus and the recently-released The Wonders of Lourdes.

CatholicMom.com Weekly Column Roundup

I'm back home from our trip to Vancouver and am getting back to work. This week, we have some great new columns from our wonderful columnists. I hope you can take a few moments to enjoy them and that your week is off to a great start!

Seeing Rocks in a Whole New Light by Patrice Fagnant-MacArthur

Three Sounds that Make Mom Run by Lisa Barker

Take Charge to Instill Values by Marybeth Hicks

Tax Collectors and Saint Names by Ebeth Weidner

Reconnecting with Family by Lori Callaway

Salvation outside the Church by Janet Cassidy

Shadow Dance by Michele Howe

Eggs are a Superfood by Kelly, CatholicMom.com's new "Kitchen Kop"


Thursday, July 10, 2008

Tyler's Ride Episode #6

To Teach for July/August

Just a quick note to remind everyone that one of my favorite newsletters To Teach from the USCCB is now online for July and August. As we enter our yearlong celebration for the Year of St. Paul, I love this suggestion for families:
Ask your children to answer the question, "Who is St. Paul and why is he important to us as Catholics?" Encourage them to do research on the Internet, go to the Library, ask teachers and other adults at their school and parish, and read the introduction to the Letters in the New American Bible. Share your responses during a Sunday meal or some other family dinner.

As always, To Teach has lots of great ideas for you and your family to live out our faith in your home. Enjoy!

Wednesday, July 09, 2008

Tuesday, July 08, 2008

Catholic Moments #60 - Kelly Lynch

Lisa interviews Kelly Lynch, author of He Said Yes, the Catholic Press Association's first place winner in the 2008 Children's book category. Deacon Tom Fox shares a reflection entitled "WWJD and Would Be Followers". Enter for your chance to win our latest contest, three great books from Life Teen by emailing Lisa@catholicmom.com by July 31 - be sure to include your full mailing address and to write "Life Teen Books Giveaway" in the subject line. Share your feedback at 206-339-9272, comment here on the blog or email lisa@catholicmom.com.

Links for this episode:
He Said Yes: The Story of Father Mychal Judge by Kelly Lynch
Mychal's Message
Parish Media Liaison Kerry Madden's Pick - Health and Fitness with Christ
Home Biz MomCast - Uniting Families through Home Based Businesses
Music "How Can I Keep from Singing" by Lorraine Doan
The Catholic Company
Lisa's Facebook Profile
Catholic Mom Logo Store

Click here to listen to Catholic Moments #60

Tyler's Ride Episode #4

Take a Musical Journey to WYD

The following press release landed in my box today. I hope you enjoy a few moments listening to this fascinating version of a traditional favorite. Enjoy!

The Franciscan Sisters of Christian Charity are offering a free download for young Catholics traveling to World Youth Day at their website.

“Come Holy Ghost/Enkindle”, performed by Kataluma, re-imagines the traditional hymn, correlating with the Pentecost theme of World Youth Day 2008. It’s both a benediction for youth traveling to Sydney, as well as a way for those who can’t attend to take a ‘multicultural musical journey’.

“Come Holy Ghost/Enkindle” begins with a ’summons’ to Sydney, played on an Aborigine Didgeridoo. Just as Catholic youth from around the world will bring their own culture and gifts to Sydney, it incorporates different rhythms, from Catalonian to Congolese, and instruments from around the world. Some include an accordion from Germany, electric guitar and dulcimer from the United States, kalimba from Angola, a saz, or lute from Greece, shaker from Peru, rain stick from Guatemala, harp from Ireland, trumpet from Mexico.

In deference to Pope Benedict XVI’s favorite composer, it even includes a brief passage from Mozart’s ‘Rondo Alla Turca’. Also, there’s a bit of Gregorian Chant.

In Mark’s Gospel, the Greek word Kataluma designates a “Dining Room” where the Last Supper takes place (and, some suggest, the same room where Pentecost occurred). More commonly, it describes the ‘breaking up or reprieve of a journey’. In this instance Kataluma designates the occasional coalescence of Milwaukee area musicians and creatives: John Tanner, Sue Bruk, Bob Monagle and Mark Kolter, who fashioned the transglobal approach to the hymn “Come Holy Ghost/Enkindle”

Sister Mary Carol, OSF, of the Franciscan Sisters Music Conservatory commented “How many people today hear or sing the hymn, “Come, Holy Ghost?” Although this is the title, the actual words are first heard about 2 and 1/2 minutes into the recording. The melody to the 19th century hymn is heard in bits throughout the piece.”

“Multiple listening to the song reveal a more complex composition than first expected. Our daily lives are also complicated. However, as the minutes and hours unfold, changes occur that lead to a profound belief in the Spirit who leads us through the ups and downs of each moment.“

Established in 1869, the Roman Catholic Franciscan Sisters of Christian Charity serve in Catholic health care, education and parish ministries in 13 U.S. dioceses (Green Bay, Superior, Milwaukee, Phoenix, Tucson, Honolulu, Chicago, Marquette, Jackson, Lincoln, Omaha, Columbus and Steubenville).

www.fscc-calledtobe.org

The World Needs You. God Calls You. We Invite You. Catholic Vocations.

Monday, July 07, 2008

Congratulations to Heidi, an Extraordinary Mom!

http://extraordinarymomsnetwork.files.wordpress.com/2008/05/cropped-extraordinary-mom-network-logo-61.jpgCongratulations to my good friend and our CatholicMom.com Adoption columnist Heidi Hess Saxton on the announcement of her recent project, the Extraordinary Moms Network. Heidi's new site offers encouragement and guidance for adoptive mothers and foster moms, those considering foster care or adoption, and all women who invest their lives in other people’s children. It promises to be a great resource for all of us!

Heidi and her publisher Cheryl Dickow of Bezalel Books also deserve kudos from the great news that Heidi's new book Behold Your Mother will be translated into Spanish! This is such a wonderful book and its translation into another language will be a huge blessing for many.

Extraordinary Moms Network

CatholicMom.com Weekly Column Roundup

Wow, this week we've got some really great columns over at CatholicMom.com. You'll find some thought provoking topics, some warm fuzzies and several food related topics! Maybe I'm feeling sensitive, hungry and thoughtful today today since I started my new regimen with my coach Greg! Regardless, I hope you enjoy our columnists' work as much as I do and that you'll take a few moments this week to enjoy their comments, insights and at least one really awesome-looking cobbler recipe! (Enjoy that one for me, ok?!) As always, feel free to chime in here if you have time.

Year of St. Paul Resources

New Teen and Youth Book Recommendations

The Sacrificial Love of Motherhood by Deacon Tom Fox

The American Medical Association Just Does Not Get It by our newest Catholic Mom columnist, Katherine Barron

Life's Dips, Trips and Bliss by Cay Gibson featuring a recipe for Oma's Blackberry Cobbler Recipe

Should Gay Couples Adopt? by Heidi Hess Saxton

Rocky Road by Michele Howe

Politics, Parenting Ulikely to Mix by Marybeth Hicks

Did You Know You Should Only Buy Whole Milk? by Kelly, CatholicMom.com's new "Kitchen Kop"

Are You Eating Too Much Sugar - Fitness Focus by Lynn Bode

Tyler's Ride Episode #3

Sunday, July 06, 2008

Catholic Moments #59 - Msrg. Michael Collins, Part II

Lisa shares the second half of her interview with Msgr. Michael Collins of St. Anne's Parish in Seal Beach, California as he celebrates his 90th birthday and 65 years as a priest. Enter for your chance to win our latest contest, three great books from Life Teen by emailing Lisa@catholicmom.com by July 31 - be sure to include your full mailing address and to write "Life Teen Books Giveaway" in the subject line. Share your feedback at 206-339-9272, comment here on the blog or email lisa@catholicmom.com.

Links for this episode:
The Catholic Company
Lisa's Facebook Profile
Catholic Mom Logo Store

Click here to listen to Catholic Moments #59

Saturday, July 05, 2008

Year of St. Paul Resources

We have been working on compiling a list of resources and books to help you during the Year of St. Paul. I'd love to hear about any resources you've found, especially ideas for helping children to celebrate and learn about the life of St. Paul.

CatholicMom.com Year of St. Paul Resources

Tyler's Ride Episode #2

Living with Unquenchable Joy

Do not allow difficult events to cancel the joy of knowing you are a child of God. Choose to allow God’s Spirit to fill you with His unquenchable joy, and your life will be a miracle to those who watch you face the trials that come.
These words were sent to me today via my new "coach", Greg Cheney of FaithFirstFitness.com. If you've listened to my Catholic Moments episode #58, you'll recognize Greg's name from the brief announcement of his services made during the podcast. Having reviewed the coaching services provided by Greg and taken assessment of my own personal fitness and nutrition situation at the moment, I've decided to invest in a few months of Greg's services to help get myself back on track. Regular readers of this blog know of my continual interest in the connection between spiritual and physical fitness. Having read about Greg's services, I am looking forward to following some of his advice with an eye towards a continual improvement of my fitness and nutrition habits. I love Greg's emphasis on the spiritual elements of fitness.

Many of us struggle with fitness and nutrition in our lives. Even though I write, think and talk about them on a weekly basis, my struggles with both areas are continual. In my life, I find that when I allow things to slip out of balance in one area, the other aspects of my life also fall out of whack. Thus, my willingness to invest for the next few months in this journey. Truthfully, just as our spiritual journey is continual, our quest for a healthy lifestyle is as well. I hope that by focusing on this with Greg for the next few months, I can find renewed commitment and discipline.

I love the quote above for its wonderful reminder that I am a child of God, made just as I am thanks to His wondrous design. Embracing that design with joy is key, isn't it? It's so easy to get disappointed with ourselves and simply give up. I have so many reasons to live with unquenchable joy and my life truly is a series of small, everyday miracles. So get ready for some writing about my journey with Greg towards Faith First Fitness. If you'd like to come along for the ride, visit Greg's website at www.faithfirstfitness.com.


Friday, July 04, 2008

Tyler's Ride Episode #1

I'm loving the new Paulist Productions web series, Tyler's Ride and wanted to share it here with you. For the next few days, I'll be posting the episodes so you can watch here and get hooked like I am!

New Podcast Helps Families Learn about Home Based Businesses

If you work from home, have an interest in home based business, or just want to learn more about organizing your time, I would love to recommend a new podcast to you: the Home Biz MomCast. Becky and Cheryl are two mothers who have successfully built home based business, but more importantly who have a focus on keeping family first. Becky and Cheryl have just released the first episode of their podcast and I found it very entertaining and informative. I'm looking forward to future episodes and wanted to take this opportunity to share with you the great work these two awesome moms are doing.

Home Biz MomCast: Uniting Families Through Home Based Businesses

Thursday, July 03, 2008

Hancock - Fun, but Foul Mouthed



Yesterday afternoon, we had a rare family outing to the movies and went to see Hancock, the new Will Smith flick. My sons are now nearly 17 and 14, so my desperate attempts to talk them into Wall-E were met with scowls. Hancock won out, since I'd seen the trailers and really love most Will Smith movies.

The first thing I'd like to say is that Hancock is definitely not a movie for young kids. The film earned a PG 13 rating and an "A III - for adults" classification from the USCCB. The most objectionable thing about this movie, for me, was the bad language, including one instance of the "F" word. Right away, that takes it out of the running for a feel-good family movie. That being said, I enjoyed the movie and our family dinner discussions after the viewing.

One of my favorite aspects of the movie was the Jason Bateman's character Ray's outlook on life. Ray is a PR executive who's out to get big companies to help save the world through acts of charitable giving. Ray honestly has an optimistic, altruistic outlook that seems to permeate the way he lives his life. Perhaps I gravitated towards Ray's character because I, too, have the hope that each of us in our own ways can do our part to make this world a better place. In the end, Ray and Hancock (played by Will Smith) come together in a partnership that does much to benefit both of them - but you never get the feeling that Ray is out to help Hancock simply to get something for himself in the bargain. Ray honestly believes that the foul mouthed, rudely behaving Hancock, can make a difference in our world.

I don't want to spoil the movie by giving away any of the mythology that plays a large part in the second half and ultimate climax of the film. I found the story interesting, the portrayals believable and the action gripping. I could have done without the running "A-hole" gag or a lot of the bad language. The relationship between Hancock and Ray's wife Mary (played by total stud Charlize Theron) prompted an interesting discussion over family dinner. I wish that the movie could have been made without these instances of bad language, thereby making it more of a family film.

If you've seen the movie, or plan to, I'd love to hear your thoughts. In the mean time, head over to Hancock's Helping Hand Mortgage Payoff Contest for your chance to have your mortgage paid.

Hancock - Official Site

Catholic Moments #58 - Msgr. Michael Collins

This week, Lisa celebrates the 90th birthday of Msgr. Michael Collins of Seal Beach, California who has served as a priest for over 65 years. Deacon Tom Fox shares a special Independence Day reflection entitled "The Beauty of God, Church and Country". Enter for your chance to win three great books from Life Teen by emailing Lisa@catholicmom.com by July 31 - be sure to include your full mailing address and to write "Life Teen Books Giveaway" in the subject line. Share your feedback at 206-339-9272, comment here on the blog or email lisa@catholicmom.com.

Links for this episode:
Grapevine - Your One Stop Connection to Catholic Music
Faith First Fitness
Sean the Duct Tape Guy
The Catholic Company
Lisa's Facebook Profile
Catholic Mom Logo Store

Click here to listen to Catholic Moments #58

Tuesday, July 01, 2008

Enter Our New Giveaway and Win Great Books from Life Teen

CatholicMom.com Contests and Giveaways

I'm so happy to announce our latest CatholicMom.com giveaway! This month, three lucky winners will win a book package including these great titles from Life Teen, Inc.:
Even if you don't have teens living in your home, you will want to enter for your chance to win these great resources. All three books are simply terrific, and Sword of the Spirit: A Beginner's Guide to St. Paul is a great way to start off the Year of St. Paul.

If you have a blog, podcast or website, please help me spread the word about this great opportunity. For your chance to win,
email lisa@catholicmom.com with “Life Teen Books Giveaway” in the subject line and be sure to include your complete mailing address. Enter by July 31, 2008.

July CatholicMom.com Book Club Picks

CatholicMom.com Book Club - Catholic Books and Catholic Authors

Please head over to CatholicMom.com and check out the great books we're recommending for the month of July:

Wonderful Price for a Wonderful Product


While I was at the Eucharistic Congress in Atlanta, I had the opportunity to interview Jim, the creator and producer of The Catholic Mass - Revealed - This week, the Catholic Company is offering a great price for the entire Catholic Mass Revealed! Collection. This apologetics product contains a DVD, audio CD, Booklet and Soundtrack that will help you learn so much about coming closer to Christ in the Mass. And remember that when you purchase this or any other products through our Catholic Company links, you make a generous donation to CatholicMom.com as well.