This week's podcast is a "news" show with many announcements, Lisa's review of the Saving Sarah Cain DVD, an introduction to Endow Online and information about a free Catholic Writers Conference. We also discuss Lisa's marathon training, your feedback, our current contests and more. To share your comments, email us at catholicmoments@mac.com or comment at www.catholicmoments.com or call our new telephone feedback line at (206)339-9272.
Links for this episode:
Saving Sarah Cain
ENDOW - Educating on the Nature and Dignity of Women
Catholic Writers Guild Online Conference - Free and Fabulous!
CatholicMom.com Contests
Lisa's Facebook Profile
Catholic Mom Catholic Company Store
Subscribe to Catholic Moments at iTunes
Subscribe to Catholic Moments in a Reader
Click here to listen to Catholic Moments Podcast #34
Wednesday, January 30, 2008
Catholic Moments #34 - Family Fun
Tuesday, January 29, 2008
Be Sure to Enter
We currently have two great giveaway opportunities at CatholicMom.com. Be sure to enter for your chance to win the following:
Come to the Table: A Catholic Passover Seder for Holy Week
To enter, email lisa@catholicmom.com with “Come to the Table Giveaway” in the subject line and be sure to include your complete mailing address. Enter by February 13, 2008
Catholic Household Blessings and Prayers
To enter, email lisa@catholicmom.com with “Catholic Prayer Book Giveaway” in the subject line and be sure to include your complete mailing address. Enter by February 1, 2008
Good luck and don't forget to enter!
Monday, January 28, 2008
Ordering Take Out
One of my favorite resources is Take Out
Check out Take Out
Catholic Mom Columns
Hi Everyone. I was chatting with a lovely friend a few days ago about my "work" with CatholicMom.com, this blog and the podcast. During the discussion, we talked about how I have three distinct "audiences" - many visit the main site, the blog, or the podcast and never look at the other entities. Since I am responsible for all three, I see how they inter-related and compliment one another, but I know that many of you don' t have the time to regularly look at all three.
For you committed blog followers, I am going to begin posting the headlines of our weekly CatholicMom.com columns here each week so that you don't completely miss out on all of the great writing that is taking place at CatholicMom.com. Every Monday, when I edit and post the columns, I feel as though I am treated to my own personal retreat. I gain so much each week spiritually and emotionally from our columnists, so I want to be sure to share them with you. Here are some great new columns from the past week. Enjoy!
My Mom's Old School Catholic Habits by Deacon Tom Fox
Why I Send My Kids to Catholic Schools by Sherry Antonetti
Catholic Book Spotlight: Dear Jane Letters by Amanda Hamm
Clarity at 4am by Pat Gohn
Celebrating Catholic Schools Week as a Family by Lisa M. Hendey
No Secret: Victoria Turns Mom's Pink Cheeks Red by Marybeth Hicks
The Ten Chocolate Commandments by Lisa Barker
The Measuring Stick by Meredith Henning
Painful Truth: A Review of Amanda Young's Silent Prisoner by Heidi Hess Saxton
Working for Someone Else from Home by Becky Cash
Savoring Special Moments by Susan Handle Terbay
Friday, January 25, 2008
Catholic Writers Guild Conference
I'm happy to share the following great news about the upcoming Catholic Writers Conference being held in May. Along with being a great opportunity, the event is free of charge and packed with great learning opportunities. Whether you're an experienced writer or a rookie like me, this looks like a super conference.
Catholic Writers to Hold Online Conference:
World Wide Web--Writers, editors, agents, and other publishing professionals from around the world are gearing up for the first annual Catholic Writers’ Conference Online, which will be held May 2-9, 2008, and is sponsored by the Catholic Writer’s Guild and Canticle magazine. The conference, which will be conducted entirely through the Internet, is free of charge and open to writers of all levels. It will feature online seminars, chats, and forums throughout the week on a variety of topics. Sample topics and presenters include:
- Balancing Your Life and Writing, by best-selling author Donna-Marie O’Boyle
- Can Your Query Pass the Seven-Second Test? by Canticle editor Heidi Hess Saxton. Heidi will also be presenting The Good Writer: Seven Important Habits.
- Ethics of Memoir Writing, by magazine editor and freelance writer Melanie Rigney
- Self-Publishing as a First Resort by author and self-publisher Meredith Gould
- Funds for Writers, by Hope Clark (her website, www.fundsforwriters.com, has been in Writer’s Digest’s 101 Best Websites seven years running)
- Marketing Basics, by Carolyn Howard-Johnson (speaker, editor and author of The Frugal Book Promoter and Frugal Editor) and Karina Fabian (award winning writer and editor of Infinite Space, Infinite God)
- Pitching and Working with Agents, by agent Terry Burns
- So, You Want to Write a Book? by journalist and NCR correspondent Tim Drake
- Virtual Book Tours, by CWG Guild President and sci-fi writer Karina Fabian
In addition to attending seminars, aspiring and published authors alike will have outstanding opportunities to attend moderated chats from important industry contacts, including Vinita Hampton Wright (bestselling author and editor of Loyola Press), Ami McConnell (senior fiction editor at Thomas Nelson), Bert Ghezzi (veteran author and acquisitions editor of Word Among Us Press), and Lisa Hendey (founder of CatholicMom.com and Catholic Moments podcast). Other presenters include Tom Grace and Tim Powers.
Karina Fabian, president of CWG and chair of the event, said the conference gives writers an unprecedented opportunity to learn and network. “Online Conferences are ideal for writers, and especially for those who are shy, have physical disabilities or are on a tight budget. We’re harnessing the power of the Internet to reach people worldwide to support each other in our writing and our faith.”
Early registration is recommended, as some courses will have limited openings that will be filled on a first-come, first serve basis. Donations are accepted; proceeds will go toward future conferences. To register or for more information, go to http://www.conference.catholicwritersguild.org.
Wednesday, January 23, 2008
Catholic Moments #33 - Genevieve Kineke, Celebrating the 20th Anniversary of Mulieris Dignitatem
This podcast features an interview with noted Catholic author Genevieve Kineke during which we discuss the observances surrounding the 20th anniversary of Pope John Paul II's encyclical entitled Mulieris Dignitatem, On the Dignity and Vocation of Women. We also discuss Lisa's marathon training, your feedback, our current contests and more. To share your comments, email us at catholicmoments@mac.com or comment at www.catholicmoments.com or call our new telephone feedback line at (206)339-9272.
Books Mentioned in this episode:
The Authentic Catholic Woman
Marathoning for Mortals
Links for this episode:
Genevieve Kineke
Dignity of Women - Celebrating the 20th Anniversary of Mulieris Dignitatem
Together! Transforming Families
Faith Satellite Radio
Moment of Beauty
CatholicMom.com Contests
Lisa's Facebook Profile
Catholic Mom Catholic Company Store
Subscribe to Catholic Moments at iTunes
Subscribe to Catholic Moments in a Reader
Click here to listen to Catholic Moments Podcast #33
Tuesday, January 22, 2008
Pause for a Moment of Beauty
How many times each day to you simply pause and give thanks to God for the absolutely stunning beauty that surrounds you? It may be the smile of your child, the dew on your favorite roses, or the way the sun sets over the horizon in your backyard that prompts these simple "Thanks God!" moments. One of the biggest things I learned from my Daddy is to stop when these types of things occur and to audibly utter a prayer of gratitude. On a good day, I may thank God a dozen times - hope He's not getting sick of me!
Now I'm guaranteed to have at least one "Thank you, God!" moment per day thanks to the handiwork of my dear cyber-friend Patrice Fagnant-MacArthur. Patrice has recently launched Moment of Beauty, a blog dedicated to showing "at least one moment of beauty each day". At the blog, Patrice shares photos that encourage us to take time to appreciate the beauty that surrounds us. Showing her own beautiful spirit as well, Patrice has committed to donate half of the funds earned through the site each month to charitable organizations.
Please take time now to head over to Moment of Beauty and subscribe to the RSS feed for your daily dose of beauty. Patrice also welcomes your submission of beautiful photos to momentofbeauty@comcast.net.
Cooking for Christ
Reader Donna is looking for an old cookbook called "Cooking for Christ". If you can help us track this book down, please email me or drop a comment below. While you're at it, if you'd like to recommend your favorite cookbook, I'd love to hear about that as well.
Resources for Lent
I realize that we were just "doing Advent", but if you look at your calendar you will note that Lent is just around the corner, with Ash Wednesday beginning on February 6th. Our Catholic Company store has a tremendous selection of Lenten Resources. Click here to view books, multimedia resources, children's items and more. Remember that your purchases help to support CatholicMom.com. Thanks!
Book Spotlight: Dear Jane Letters by Amanda Hamm
I'm happy to share a fun interview with Amanda Hamm, author of this month's fiction Book Club pick Dear Jane Letters
I hope you will check out the interview, as well as Amanda's book which is really a fun read! Click here for this book spotlight.
More Catholic Schools Week Information
For a peek into how our school will be celebrating Catholic Schools Week, I thought I'd share our schedule of events at school. This was written by our school's principal. Click here to visit our school web site
Catholic Schools Week January 28th – February 1st
St. Anthony’s School joins nearly 8,200 Catholic Schools nationwide to “Celebrate Catholic Schools”. This year our theme is “Catholic Schools Light the Way”. It is a week long celebration to recognize the valuable contributions that Catholic Schools have made to the communities they serve. Catholic Schools Week is a time to reaffirm the spiritual value of all of our children in the eyes of God...to recognize parents for their sacrifices on behalf of their children’s education... and to acknowledge teachers, and staff in Catholic Schools for their loving dedication and professionalism. Throughout this week, St. Anthony’s will conduct a variety of special events and activities in observance of Catholic Schools Week. Parishioners are welcome to call the office if they would like to take a tour of our school. We invite you to join us in celebrating our school’s heritage in an educational network whose reputation for preparing tomorrow’s leaders is second to none. We thank Father Rob and the entire parish for their generous support as we strive to offer an excellent Catholic education in our ministry to our children.
Catholic Schools Week Events – The following is a list of what you can look forward to!
Friday, Jan. 25th: Kick off Catholic Schools Week with the Talent Show. It’s that time of year again! To kick of Catholic School’s Week, the ever popular and long awaited St. Anthony’s Talent Show will be this Friday, January 25th. Please be prepared for a great show with all the talent we have at our school!
Monday, Jan. 28th: Lighting the Way in our Community. We start the day with a prayer service in the social hall. The Student Body is asked to bring in any personal, trial size, hygiene items that can be donated to the Holy Cross Women’s Center. SAINTS will help in grouping and packaging items before they go to the center. This drive will last all week long.
Tuesday, Jan. 29th: Lighting the Way in our Students. “Hats Off to Our Students.” All students and teachers are asked to wear their favorite hat to school along with dressing in school colors of blue and gold (long jeans are acceptable, not jean shorts).
Wednesday, Jan. 30th: Lighting the Way in our Nation. This is an all school PAJAMA/READING DAY. Students may come in their pajamas and robes and spend the day reading in honor of National Reading Day. Bring your books and read, read, read! READING NIGHT is also today. It is from 6:30-7:30 starting in the Social Hall.
Thursday, Jan. 31st: Lighting the Way in our Vocations. The Student Body will gather for a prayer service to say a decade of the rosary for the increase of vocations. The Student Body will also create “Thank you for lighting the way” cards in appreciation for our parish priests and sisters. Regular Thursday or Catholic Schools shirts are worn today with uniforms bottoms.
Friday, Feb. 1st: Lighting the Way in our Faculty, Staff, and Volunteers. Mass will be put on today by 2K to start our day off right. This is a day that we may get together with our buddy classes and enjoy the advantages of being in a Catholic School. It is a day to reflect on the sacrifices made by so many to ensure a Catholic education for so many here at St. Anthony’s. This is a day to remember Mrs. Ray and the love she had for us and St. Anthony’s.
Celebrating Catholic Schools Week as a Family
I thought some of you might enjoy reading my thoughts on the upcoming "Catholic Schools Week" celebration next week:
Celebrating Catholic Schools Week as a Family
By Lisa M. Hendey
Every year, during the last week of January, this nation’s 2.4 million Catholic school students and the 200,000 dedicated educators who nurture them pause to celebrate “Catholic Schools Week”. This year’s celebrations, to be held January 27 through February 2, center on the theme “Catholic Schools Light the Way.” Around the country, 7,800 Catholic elementary, middle and secondary schools will gather to pray, to express appreciation, and to showcase Catholic education.
As a mom of two sons who have attended Catholic schools, Catholic Schools Week always reminds me to stop and express the profound gratitude I feel for the tremendous education my children have received. Our journey began on my eldest son Eric’s third birthday, when I ceremoniously placed his name on the “waiting list” at the school we hoped he would one day attend. In many areas of the country, Catholic schools are nearly non-existent, so we were blessed to have a choice of several top-notch schools in my community. At the time, my husband had not yet joined the Catholic Church, so I felt a tremendous need to place Eric in a school environment that would help me raise him in our faith traditions.
Thirteen years later, Eric is a sophomore at our local Catholic high school and is well on his way towards leading an independent life. The sacrifices we have made financially along the way to give Eric and his brother Adam the gift of Catholic education have been well worth it – both boys are receiving top quality instruction in a safe and nurturing environment. More importantly, both have a love for our Catholic faith and a commitment to service in our parish community.
An unexpected byproduct of choosing a Catholic school came when my husband Greg decided five years ago to receive the Church’s sacraments of initiation through our parish RCIA program. Surrounded by a loving and faith filled school and parish community, Greg was inspired to join the Church. The profound joy I felt in standing with Greg at Adam’s First Holy Communion a few weeks later, and watching the two of them receive communion together, still swells in my heart to this day. Our whole family has been dramatically shaped and inspired by our choice of Catholic education for our boys.
Every family situation is different, and every child has a unique and special set of educational needs. For our family, choosing Catholic schools has been the correct option. For this reason, as we near the celebration of Catholic Schools Week, I feel the desire to express my appreciation to the dedicated educators who have given so much to my children, both academically and spiritually. On the website of the National Catholic Education Association (http://www.ncea.org), the following “Top Ten Ways for Parents to Observe Catholic Schools Week” are suggested:
• Write a note of appreciation to your children’s teachers. Thank them for the attention and energy they give your children every day, as well as for their dedication to Catholic education.
• Write a letter to your parish priest, thanking him for supporting the Catholic school that is preparing your children for a bright future.
• Write a letter to your representatives in the U.S. Congress and state legislature to let them know why Catholic education is important to you and your community. Send a copy of your letter to your school principal.
• While you’re at it, write a thank-you note to that special teacher from your own Catholic school days who had a significant impact on your life.
• Donate books or other learning materials to the school library. If you can, ask the librarian if the school needs books on certain subjects or for particular grade levels.
• Set aside time for family prayer for all those who contribute to the success of your children’s school, including students, teachers, staff and volunteers. Add a prayer for vocations to continue the Catholic education tradition in your community and throughout the country.
• Volunteer to help plan and carry out Catholic Schools Week activities. Whether you are able to contribute a little time or a lot, your effort helps make the week special for all.
• If, through your work or volunteer activities, you learn of a need in the community that students at your children’s school can help fill, recommend a Catholic Schools Week or ongoing service project. Better yet, volunteer to organize it.
• Join in the fun! Gather the entire family—from younger siblings to grandparents—and participate in the week’s events at your children’s school.
• Extend a special invitation to your school’s open house and other Catholic Schools Week events to friends and neighbors who might want to learn more about the value of Catholic education.
I myself am a product of sixteen years of Catholic education. This year I want to give a special thanks to my own parents, who endured so much sacrifice to enable my siblings and me to have the gift of Catholic schooling. As I pass this tradition along to my children, I grow more cognizant of the part Catholic education has played in the person I am today. During the week of January 27, I hope you will join me in pausing to thank and to pray for those who help “Light the Way” for so many families.
For additional information on Catholic Schools Week visit http://www.ncea.org/news/CatholicSchoolsWeek.asp
What's Up?
If you'd like to find out why I've been slacking on blogging for the past week, check out today's Productivity @ Home post entitled "Extreme Makeover - Bathroom Edition".
Friday, January 18, 2008
Mom's Group near San Diego?
Reader Tonya is looking for a moms' group. If you can help out, please reply in the comments or email me!
Do you know of a Catholic Mom's group in Northern San Diego County? I have a 2 1/2 year old and would like to meet up with Mom's with similar aged kids.
Resource Helps Start the New Year on the Right Financial Foot!
With all the discussion this week of finance, stocks diving and nearing recession, I thought this would be a great time to revisit one of the best family finance resource for Catholics: Phil Lenahan's 7 Steps to Becoming Financially Free: A Catholic Guide to Managing Your Money
The book and its accompanying workbook are also available through our Catholic Company store.
Here's some helpful information about this terrific resource:
offers a solid Catholic perspective on how to make the most of God's generous gifts. In addition to understanding the necessary nuts and bolts of financial management, budgeting, and investing, discover how your Catholic Faith can be the base of a sound financial future!- Developing a closer relationship with the Lord
- Strengthening your marriage and family life
- Getting out of debt
- Paying for your children's education
- Managing your money more effectively
- Buying your own home
- Investing in your future
Wednesday, January 16, 2008
Catholic Moments #32 - Mom Goes to MacWorld
In this episode, Lisa travels to San Francisco to attend day one of the MacWorld Exp. You'll hear live footage from the exhibit halls, listen in on product demos, and come along for a day at MacWorld. Remember to enter our new contest to with the Catholic Household Blessings and Prayers Book - send me an email to lisa@catholicmom.com by February 1. In the subject line, write "Catholic Prayer Book Giveaway" and be sure to include your mailing address. To share your comments, email us at catholicmoments@mac.com or comment at www.catholicmoments.com or call our new telephone feedback line at (206)339-9272.
Click here to listen to Catholic Moments Podcast #32
Tuesday, January 15, 2008
Game Resource
Thank you to Italian professor Nunzio Rubino for bringing to my attention his religious education game site. The site features puzzles, coloring and more and has an English version filled with activities. Click here to visit the site and start learning!
Catholic Writers Guild
For those interested in writing, please check out the new and very active website of the Catholic Writers Guild. The Guild has gone from a Yahoo group to a fully functioning organization with a well run structure. They are currently planning an Online Writers Conference to be held in May. The Conference will feature tremendous "speakers", all free of charge. Click here for additional information on the Catholic Writers Guild.
Monday, January 14, 2008
Mom's Corner Tomorrow with Donna-Marie
Our friend Donna-Marie Cooper O'Boyle will be speaking tomorrow with Teresa Tomeo of Ave Maria Radio's Catholic Connection about their upcoming trip to Rome. Tune in at 9:15 to 9:30 AM Eastern Standard Time here to listen in! You can read a wonderful reflection by Donna-Marie here on her blog - this topic will also be the focus of this week's Catholic Moments Podcast when I share a feature interview with Genevieve Kineke.
Wednesday, January 09, 2008
Catholic Moments #31 - New Year, New Opportunities
We ring in the New Year with a look at resolutions and a new Catholic women's bible study program. Remember to enter our new contest to with the Catholic Household Blessings and Prayers Book - send me an email to lisa@catholicmom.com by February 1. In the subject line, write "Catholic Prayer Book Giveaway" and be sure to include your mailing address. To share your comments, email us at catholicmoments@mac.com or comment at www.catholicmoments.com or call our new telephone feedback line at (206)339-9272.
Click here to listen to Catholic Moments Podcast #31
Links for this episode:
Catholic Exchange's Women's Scripture Study Program
Lisa's Productivity @ Home blog - check out my New Year's resolutions
Lisa's Facebook Profile
Catholic Mom Logo Store
Subscribe to Catholic Moments at iTunes
Subscribe to Catholic Moments in a Reader
Click here to listen to Catholic Moments Podcast #31
Tuesday, January 08, 2008
I'm Back!
I hope all of you had a wonderful Christmas and New Year. For our family, this was one of our best holiday seasons yet - filled with warm family moments and tremendous new memories. We spent several days in London - you can hear our adventures on three special episodes of the Catholic Moments Podcast. You can also view tons (literally!) of photos from our trip here.
I've been busy the past few days, catching up on email and planning for a great 2008. This week, I've also been busy thinking about resolutions (one of my favorite pastimes!). I will be writing each day this week about my resolutions over at my other blog, Productivity @ Home. If you'd like to check up on my resolutions and help keep me accountable, feel free to check out those posts and share your comments. Also, this week's Podcast will focus on New Year's resolutions, so if you'd like to share yours, drop a comment here or call me at 206-339-9272 and leave me a message. I would love to hear from you, even if you only tell me that you don't believe in making resolutions and you think I'm nuts!
I hope to be back later this afternoon to share some additional "stuff" - until then, have a great day!!
