Free Catholic Bible Study DVD for Year of St. Paul

I'm so happy to share with you the great news that our friends at the Come and See Catholic Bible Study series have made another generous offer for our CatholicMom.com readers.

Take a look at my interview with series co-author Laurie Manhardt to find out how you can obtain a free DVD to help you begin your study of their new "Acts and Letters" bible study book.

As a side note, I've posted this interview over at the "currently under construction new CatholicMom.com site". Please know that this site is far from being ready for prime time, but I'm going to start posting content there so that it will be packed with great stuff once it's up and fully functional. The links and navigation don't work yet, so don't bother clicking on the sidebar links, but you can read all of Laurie's great thoughts on getting started with your own Catholic Bible study devotion! You can also leave a comment on the new site if you'd like to help me get started with testing our system.

Two Great New Giveaways!

I'm so happy that through the generosity of some great friends of CatholicMom.com we currently have two new contests running. Be sure to enter for your chance to win both by sending an email to lisa@catholicmom.com today!

Marriage Book Giveaway
This prize is generously offered by Deacon Tom Fox

Prizes: Two (2) Prize Winners Receives:
Marriage - How to Live Together and Like It by Dr. Lewis Barbato, MD, DVAPA, FACP

How to Enter:
To enter, email lisa@catholicmom.com with “Marriage Book Giveaway” in the subject line and be sure to include your complete mailing address. Enter by March 19, 2008

About the Book:
In plain English and with real-world examples, Dr. Lewis Barbato talks about love... about the beginning of marriage and about what happens (over time) to love within the marriage. Most of us say we know our love needs 'maintenance' -- and in our heads we recognize that love motivates human behavior... but alas, we sometimes don't treat our love the way we would treat sterling silver we may have gotten as a wedding present. Further -- how we go about maintaining our marriages is different because we are all different. After counseling thousands of couples on marriage or marriage problems, Dr. Lew writes that many divorces occur, not because partners don't love one another -- but rather because they don't 'know' how to live with one another... how to experience, express and share love. This thin book is packed with the experience of many happily married couples, but also from many people in pain and wondering where things went wrong. If you want to enhance an already great loving relationship... or if the 'bloom is off the rose' in your marriage -- please enter our Catholic Mom email drawing for this wonderful book giveaway.

About the Author:
Deacon and Doctor Lewis Barbato received his medical degree from Baylor College of Medicine in 1930 and later became a Board certified psychiatrist. During the war, he served as Chief of Neuro-Psychiatry at Fitzsimmons Army Medical Center in Denver. Later he became a Director of Student Health Services at the University of Denver. More than 9,000 students took his courses in Mental Health. After being ordained a Catholic Deacon, he served as Vicar for Family Life Services for the Archdiocese of Denver. Over his long and distinguished career, he received many recognitions and awards. Perhaps the most important to Dr. Lew was receiving an award from Pope John Paul in July of 2,000 for his work in the Catholic Church. Dr. Barbato died in 2,005 but his legacy and positive work continues in the Church and in literally hundreds and hundreds of marriages, deacons he helped to mentor, and in others.

Catholic Women's Study Giveaway
This prize is generously offered by Cheryl Dickow and Bezalel Books

Prizes:
One (1) Prize Winner Receives:
Registration, book and materials for the Spring Catholic Exchange Women's Study ten week course.

How to Enter:
To enter, email lisa@catholicmom.com with “Catholic Women's Study Giveaway” in the subject line and be sure to include your complete mailing address. Enter by March 12, 2008

About the Study:
Sarah, Rebekah, Rachel, and Leah, often called The Matriarchs of the Faith, provide a remarkable insight into God’s commitment to women and His interest in how women play an integral part in His plan for mankind. These women teach us both about the roots of our faith but also how our faith has unfolded so that we, as Christian women today, can live more fully for Christ. These women reveal the True feminism for today’s Catholic woman.

In celebration of the 20th anniversary of John Paul’s Apostolic Letter on the Dignity of Women, these remarkable women, along with Noah’s wife, Lot’s wife, Miriam, Deborah, Ruth, Esther, The Virgin Mary, and others will be studied in a ten week course that begins April 7th 2008 and is titled, “Renewing Your Christian Self in a Secular World.”

Women of Scripture bring truth to JPII’s words, "The hour is coming, in fact has come, when the vocation of women is being acknowledged in its fullness, the hour in which women acquire in the world an influence, an effect and a power never hitherto achieved. That is why, at this moment when the human race is undergoing so deep a transformation, women imbued with a spirit of the Gospel can do so much to aid humanity in not falling."

Intended for women of all ages, this Catholic Exchange woman’s study focuses on the inherent worth of women and how Christian women today share in the promises of God as they, too, work for His kingdom. The study includes the book of the same name, access to Catholic Exchange online moderated discussions, and CE weekly podcasts. The online format provides great flexibility for participation and is wonderful for anyone wishing to attend a study but unable to commit to a specific day and time each week.

Catholic Exchange is delighted to offer this study as a giveaway on the Catholic Mom website and encourages all women to visit the “Spring Registration” link to the study under CE Faith Factory on www.CatholicExchange.com for more information.

Related links:
Registration Link
CE Article on the Power of Women

Catholic Moments #38 - Chip Richter

Our guest this week is Chip Richter, a great family musician who will have you and your kids singing along! We share another great column by Pat Gohn and introduce our latest giveaway - your chance to win the Catholic Exchange Women's Study for Spring. Listener Amy introduces us to the concept of "Mothering Sunday", celebrated on Laetare Sunday. 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:
Chip Richter: Website, MySpace, Shout Life
Phil Keaggy
Catholic Exchange Women's Study: Registration, The Power of Women
Pat Gohn
Genevieve Kineke
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 #38

Catholic Moments Podcast #27 - Michael McCarthy

In this podcast, we spend a "moment" discussing The Sun Farmer: The Story of a Shocking Accident, A Medical Miracle and a Family's Life and Death Decision with Catholic author Michael McCarthy. I share a few of my New Year's Resolutions and would love to hear yours too! Don't forget to donate to the SQPN giving campaign - every little bit helps! 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:
The Sun Farmer: The Story of a Shocking Accident, A Medical Miracle and a Family's Life and Death Decision by Michael McCarthy
The Sun Farmer Web Site
SQPN Giving Campaign
Catholic Exchange's Women's Scripture Study Program

Click here to listen to episode: cm027.mp3
Subscribe to Catholic Moments at iTunes
Subscribe to Catholic Moments in a Reader

Please Join Me in this Women's Study

I hope that you will join me in participating in this wonderful study, slated to begin in January 2008. I just completed my online registration and am looking forward to making this study one of my spiritual resolutions for 2008. Won't you please consider joining me? What a lovely way to begin our new year! The following information was shared by Cheryl Dickow of Bezalel Books who will be running the Women's Study:

Woman’s Study Sponsored by Catholic Exchange

In 1988 John Paul II wrote an Apostolic Letter on the Dignity and Vocation of Women titled “Mulieris Dignitatem.” He began the letter with two very critical references. His first, appearing in the initial, opening paragraph, was taken from the Second Vatican Council and states, "The hour is coming, in fact has come, when the vocation of women is being acknowledged in its fullness, the hour in which women acquire in the world an influence, an effect and a power never hitherto achieved. That is why, at this moment when the human race is undergoing so deep a transformation, women imbued with a spirit of the Gospel can do so much to aid humanity in not falling." The subsequent reference, appearing in the second paragraph of his letter is a quote from one of Paul VI’s discourses which states, "Within Christianity, more than in any other religion, and since its very beginning, women have had a special dignity, of which the New Testament shows us many important aspects...; it is evident that women are meant to form part of the living and working structure of Christianity in so prominent a manner that perhaps not all their potentialities have yet been made clear."

Together, these statements lend additional historical authority to the crux of John Paul’s Apostolic Letter in which he goes on to say that A woman is to be found at the center of this [Christ’s death] salvific event. John Paul’s words on this important subject are absolute poetry and reveal the way in which he truly moved and had his being with God. John Paul’s understanding and mission to empower women to acquire the influence and power to aid humanity from ‘not falling’ was clearly evident. Further on John Paul writes The Church gives thanks for all the manifestations of the feminine "genius" which have appeared in the course of history, in the midst of all peoples and nations; she gives thanks for all the charisms which the Holy Spirit distributes to women in the history of the People of God, for all the victories which she owes to their faith, hope and charity: she gives thanks for all the fruits of feminine holiness.

To celebrate the twenty years since John Paul’s 1988 Apostolic Letter on the Dignity and Vocation of Women, Catholic Exchange is presenting a unique, timely look at some of these women John Paul referred to when he gave thanks for all the manifestations of the feminine “genius.” This enlightening ten week course will begin January 7, 2008 and conclude March 10, 2008 and can be enjoyed from the privacy of your own home while conversing with women around the world. There are three components of the women’s study where the overall objective is for each participant to get to the heart of her worth and value in Christ by knowing, more intimately, her sisters in faith. Women will receive the book “Renewing Your Christian Self in a Secular Word: Wisdom from Old and New Testament Women” by award winning author and speaker Cheryl Dickow and access to Catholic Exchange podcasts and online discussions. Registration is now beginning. The cost of the program is $35.00.

To register for the program download the registration form from Catholic Exchange and send it, with your check or money order to: Bezalel Books P.O. Box 300427 Waterford, MI 48330. You will receive your book, an introductory letter outlining the course, and your password for the podcasts and online discussions within three weeks.

Catholic Moments Podcast #23 - Eddie Ensley

Deacon Eddie Ensley teaches us that in "moments" of stress and anxiety, we can rest in the consolation of God's love. We discuss Deacon Ensley's book Prayer that Relieves Stress and Worry,get caught up on some news at CatholicMom.com, announce our latest giveaway, and look at the top songs for Advent. To share your comments, email us at catholicmoments@mac.com or comment at www.catholicmoments.com.

Links for this episode:
Prayer that Relieves Stress and Worry by Eddie Ensley
Dynamic Parish Missions
Sadie McCurry's Resources for Helping Military Families
Cay Gibson's Recipes for Diabetic Fruitcake and Meme's Blonde Brownies
Catholic Exchange's Women's Scripture Study Program
TopCatholicSongs.com
Grapevine News Minute Interview with Nick Alexander
Deacon Chuck Stevens - Day of the Lord

Click here to listen to episode: cm024.mp3
Subscribe to Catholic Moments at iTunes
Subscribe to Catholic Moments in a Reader

You Can Win Catholic Bible Study Materials!!

In conjunction with my interview of Catholic Bible Study Author Laurie Manhardt, Ph.D., I am thrilled to announce a major giveaway this week! Thirty lucky CatholicMom.com readers and Catholic Moments listeners will have the opportunity to win wonderful Catholic Bible Study materials, including books, DVDs and children's bible study resources.

For all the information on how you can be a winner, click here. This is a limited time giveaway - the first thirty people to contact Laurie will be the winners. Be sure to check it out and tell a friend!

Handy Chart Offers Encouragement

Need a little encouragement? I always admire a couple from our bible study who are able to offer scriptural references at the drop of a hat. After ten years of studying with them, the rest of the group know that Marlene and Lyman can be relied upon to offer pearls of wisdom from the bible on a moment's notice. They have been married a very long time, and frequently look lovingly at each other when a pertinent verse pops into their heads at the same time. Then, as though sharing an inside joke, they recite the verse in unison. I love that!

At his web site, Br. Michael Anthony shares a handy little scriptural chart with just the right reference for any situation. Here's an example:

You say: “I’m too tired”
God says: I will give you rest
(Matthew 11:28-30)

Getting Ready for Sunday

Via Michael Barber's post, I've just discovered the resources offered by Scott Hahn and the St. Paul Center to help prepare for the Sunday Mass readings. The bible study aids are offered in English, Spanish and audio format. Another great tool for truly embracing Sunday's liturgy of the word!

Need a Little Lenten Inspiration?

I wanted to share that I've just posted a great interview with Laura Wells, author of A Marian Bible Study: Bringing Scripture to Life for Moms

I'm constantly receiving emails from people looking for great Catholic bible studies. Laura's book will now be one of the resources I highly recommend to readers. I would love to gather with a group of my friends in my home and do this particular study.

• Read my interview with Laura Wells, author of A Marian Bible Study: Bringing Scripture to Life for Moms