Happy Birthday to Me...

Well, it was actually a while ago, but Greg and I got around to picking out my gift yesterday. We've been discussing it for a while, so we just had to find time to go acquire it.

We live close to several lakes and one pretty calm river, so I've been interested in finding a way to get out on the water with the boys more frequently. When I was growing up, our family owned a motor home and a trusty ski boat named "St. Jude" who always ran reliably at least the first day of any ski trip. We grew up camping and skiing with friends several times a year. I have great memories of trips to Lake Havasu (the California side) where the most ambitious thing we did for a week was to wake up at the crack of dawn to catch the glassy water. After skiing from 6 to 8 am, we'd come back to camp and spend the rest of the day languishing next to the 105 degree lake water. From my memory, the adults would sit in chairs at the shore, partially submerged to keep cool in the 118 degree heat while the kids played in the water. Serving of adult beverages (mostly Lucky Lager, I think) started around ten in the morning. I'm pretty sure we rarely showered or brushed our teeth, and we usually had our run of the campground, which we shared with a band of wild burrows. As we got older, each of us brought friends, and the families of our friends began to join us. Sometimes at trips closer to our Orange County home (like Mission Bay in San Diego), our favorite priest would come out to say Saturday evening mass for the campers. It was incredible. One of my fondest camping trip memories was the year when I was a young teenager and my clothes were all sprayed by a skunk on the first night of the trip. I spent the rest of the week in my bathing suit and a good friend's practice football jersey...I'm sure I would have smelled better in the skunk clothes by week's end.

These are memories the Hendey boys won't experience. My husband's idea of camping is staying in a two star hotel. We have done some pretty minimal camping trips with the boys, but not many. But I can't miss the chance to take advantage of some fun afternoons out and around the lakes that are so close by. We had our fun pontoon boat outing earlier this week, and it was great.

What I really wanted for my birthday was a kayak - one of those swift little numbers that can whoosh down white water rapids or paddle along the coastline in Monterey near the seals. Well, that's not going to happen this year - we determined we should by a two person model (no boy is allowed to go paddling yet without a parent). The price and size made them impossible at this point. We did look at some cute and very sporty one person kayaks (they even had cupholders!). But alas, now is not the time for mom to go paddling off into the sunset on her own...those days will be here soon enough, I know.

So what we settled on is a thrifty inflatable model that can be used by two people at a time, and can be deflated and thrown in the back on the Volkswagen Bus for easy transport. She's been christened "Renown" - we're big Horatio Hornblower fans in our house and the Renown was Horatio's third ship, where he first served as a real Lieutenant.

Renown hit the pool yesterday, and she's headed off to Millerton today for a picnic lunch and some paddling. She's a far cry from St. Jude, but she'll do the trick for now!

Lake Life

Tuesday night we headed up to Bass Lake, about one hour from home, for Greg's annual residency program dinner and roast. Greg (on electric guitar) and Eric (on bass guitar) performed a musical montage of songs like "Angie", "Hotel California", "That's What I Like About You", and more with the words all changed to pay homage (and some abuse) to the graduating residents. It's such a fun tradition and it was great to see my men up there playing together. Adam took charge of making and holding up a "CLAP" sign at the end of each number, but no promptings were needed - there was full on dancing and standing ovations! My husband is so cool! Of course, he took his share of roasting from the residents too - they referred to him as "HendeyMan" with a cape and big "H" on his chest.

This photo was taken on my cell phone on the pontoon boat we rented for a few hours. We took the boys boating - yikes, for the first time ever and this is so close to home! They loved tubing behind the boat and both did great tricks. But Mom won the award for the most spectacular crash of the day - I got a bit cocky trying to ride on my knees and jump the wake! What fun!! I swallowed half of the lake, but it was worth the cold dip to have such a great day with my boys.

Life is indeed beautiful - what a perfect way to spend the first full day of summer.

New York Postscript - Seeing the Big Apple with Teens

I just had to share a few great tips for anyone traveling to New York City with teens. We had such a fabulous trip! Since this is our third year in a row to visit NYC in mid June, and since we've done most of the major "tourist" things recently, we saw a few new sites this trip. Here are a few of my favorites:

National Comedy Theater - Who would imagine that you could take your eleven and fourteen year old sons out to a comedy club in New York City on a Friday night?! Our boys love stand up and improv comedy, but finding "clean" comedians can be a huge chore. We found the perfect venue! Manhattan's National Comedy Theater offers clean, and incredibly funny, comedy shows on Friday and Saturday nights. It's team improv, kind of like a comedy contest! We attended the Friday night early show and bought our tickets right before the performance. At $15 per ticket, I would say it's a great value. Our boys sat in the front row and were very involved in the performance. (If you're shy, don't sit in the front row!). If you're looking to laugh yourself silly, give this place a try on your next visit to New York.

Ellen's Stardust Diner - We wandered in off the street on Sunday afternoon and had no idea what a great time we'd have. This great diner is half Broadway musical, half American Idol. You may have to wait a few moments to place your order while your waitress belts out a tune on the microphone, but the food's worth the delay! The meals were a bit pricey (about $12 per entree), but given the fact that you're basically being entertained the whole time you're eating, it's a great family experience. One waitress sang a love song to Adam in front of the whole restaurant, and I thought he was going to climb under the table! The whole staff had great voices and singing along is encouraged! Check it out!

Apple Store Fifth Avenue - I'm about to take the plunge, so I thought I'd stop by the Apple Store and take a look at the laptops. Wow, what a great place. They have tons of products all out and available to be played with. Dad got a new iPod Shuffle for Father's Day and I convinced myself that it's only a matter of time until I switch. We had to drag the boys out of the store - they were having so much fun looking around and checking out the Mac Books. Now my only decision is...black or white?

A lot is written about traveling with babies and younger children, but not much advice is given for meeting the special needs of adolescents and teens while traveling. It's a great joy to be seeing places like New York with our boys in this new and very fun phase of their lives. Do you have a favorite spot in NYC? I'd love to hear about it in the comments, or email me at lisa@catholicmom.com - I'm already planning next year's trip!

Happy Birthday Patrick!

Dear Patrick,

How does the old saying go..."Better Late than Never!"??? Well, believe it or not, this post is intentionally delayed. I needed to be home to get my hands on this adorable photo of you with our newest littlest Patrick.

I hope you had a wonderful birthday! Our days have always been tied together in my mind, as your birthday follows mine by one day - it must have been a good month for Mom and Dad!

On the occasion of your birthday, I thought I'd take a moment to say thank you and to let you know how much I love you. It's kind of surprising, given the fact that when I was fourteen I found you to be the most irritating person who ever walked the face of the planet! I think we've both evolved a bit since then...

I'm so proud to have you as my brother - you are a wonderful man in every sense of the word! As husband and father, your commitment to your family shines. I love watching you with Justin and Patrick! They are lucky to have you in their lives. I know you studied under the best, so it's no surprise that you'd be a great family man.

One of my favorite aspects of your personality is your sense of humor - you make me laugh out loud, which is always a great thing! We have some fun and pretty crazy memories, which I will not memorialize here (and which you may - or may not - remember!). The mere thought of you usually makes me smile - both out of a wonderful sense of shared past and out of an appreciation for the person you have become in the present.

It's so good to know that with our family spread all over the country, I have you within an easy drive...long live the California pod! Your present will be late too (you'll probably get it when your son gets his!) - but my love and best wishes are being sent your way today! Happy Birthday - you're the best!

Love,
Lisa

Happy Father's Day Daddy

Dear Daddy,

Happy Father's Day! I'm sorry I'm not with you this morning to bring you breakfast in bed, but be assured that you're the first person I thought of this morning when I woke up. I'm the world's luckiest girl, and a large part of that comes from being raised by the world's best father.

The life lessons you shared with each of us are too innumerable to list here, but I've tried to learn most of them well, and you continue to teach by your loving example. Each day, I try to follow you example of living life to its fullest with a positive and loving attitude. I love the attention you pay to detail, and the energy with which you work at bettering some part of yourself every day. I love that you listen to people with your whole heart, and that you always remember what they have to say. I don't know if I'd prefer to die before you do or not, but I know if I do that you will faithfully pray for my soul every day, and that brings me great comfort.

I am on board with you on the importance of having fun, and a lot of it! If 18 holes of golf is a good thing, then 36 is even better - isn't that true for many things in life? I try never to leave one good party in search of another, and to be among the last people on the dance floor.

Watching your relationship with our mother has taught all of your children lessons in how to truly be a loving spouse - we all try to follow your lead in our own relationships and we're fortunate for having grown up with your marriage as our role model.

There's so much that I could say about how much I love and admire you Daddy - please know that despite the fact that I'm not with you today, you'll be in my thoughts and prayers.

With love and big moose smoochies,
Your Favorite

I Love New York

I love the sights, smells, and action of New York City.

I love jumping on a subway on one end of town and emerging at the other fifteen minutes later to a whole new look and feel of the City.

I love watching my sons eat hot dogs at corner stands four times a day and counting Godiva "chocolixer" drinks as the protein for that day.

I love visiting a fencing club that was established in 1883 and a Mac store that houses the latest in today's really cool technology within one hour of each other.

I love having skinny crust pizza with broccoli on it, a nice Chianti and "the world's best cheesecake" for my birthday dinner.

I love being able to roam around St. Patrick's Cathedral every day of my trip, lighting candles and thanking God for all the blessings in my life.

I love visiting Trump Tower, FAO Schwartz, the big Niketown, and Central Park - walking blocks and blocks amidst the flurry of life here.

I love that we still have two days left - who knows what else we'll see, but I bet I'll love it!

In a New York State of Mind

We're on the road again - we'll be leaving in a few hours to head to New York City for a quick (too quick) trip to an EM conference. We've taken this same trip for the past three years, and always have a wonderful time. We stay at the Marriott Marquis in the heart of Times Square. I hope to find time to blog from the road, but if not I'll be back at my desk Monday.

As someone I know says, "It's good to be a Hendey!"

Watch Out Ebert and Roeper

Over at the new CatholicMom.com Culture Spotlight Blog I have a crack new movie reviewing team: M & M! These two dudes from Bakersfield, ages 8 and 10, have taken up the challenge to view and critique the latest popular flicks and are generously sharing them at my site. So far, they've reviewed Over The Hedge and Cars. I'm quite impressed by their insights! Thanks again to Michael and Matthew - keep up the great work!

A Team of Angels

Thanks to Trisha, who wrote me to share news of her family's trip this summer to bring hope and encouragement to others. Trisha wrote the following poem. For more information on her mission of hope, visit www.teamofangelshelpme.com.

A TEAM OF ANGELS FOR THE OVERWHELMED

I need a team of angels, Lord -
I don't think one will do
Please send me all the help from high
For what I am going through.

Guardians to watch over me
And help my soul to cope
I'll do the best I can to pray
And cherish gifts of faith and hope.

Things that made me smile today...Evening Edition

...watching Eric altar serve at Mass this morning - he looks so angelic up there! Also, what Mom can resist the site of an almost 15 year old in shorts, a tshirt, dark socks and black dress shoes?

...my mother-in-law surprised me after mass today with an early birthday cake (it's later this week, but we'll be traveling and she knew I probably wouldn't get a cake if she didn't do it today! (Inside joke to my mom: guess what I got for my birthday "under there"...)

...the site of Adam sitting in the pool, eating dinner - what's better than simultaneous eating and swimming?

...Blue Man Group on PBS - we flipped on the TV tonight and found them rocking out on PBS. We love the Blue Man Group and are hoping to take the kids to see them when they visit Fresno in November.

...No school tomorrow!!!

This 'n That

A few updates:

My recent article on "Cool Tunes for Catholic Kids" is now running in the new Grapevine Magazine. You can read it online - click on the Spring 2006 link.

Check out the great new recipes from Christine this week - Cheesy Potato Beef Bake (for dinner) and Aloha Quick Bread (for weekend brunch). Thanks to Christine, I'll be adding recipes weekly, and may even start cooking!

I've just posted all of the new columns for this week. Take a look at

Kevin Has a Home by our Adoption Columnist Heidi Hess Saxton

Seeing the World Through Different Eyes by Patrice Fagnant MacArthur

Family Time and Getting Fit! by Jodie Lynn

Teaching Moments - Helping Others

Bartering: A Dynamic Feminine Practice and Emotional RX for Women by Michele Howe

Taking the Plunge into Racks of Swimsuits by Marybeth Hicks

Mornings Are For The Birds by Lisa Barker

Cool Tunes for Catholic Kids

A feature article I recently wrote for Grapevine Magazine is now available online for your reading pleasure. Those of you who know and love my procrastinating ways (i.e. my mom and my sister) may recall that this is the article I was working on while traveling to Chicago - the one that nearly didn't get written due to "technical difficulties". It's fun to see it in print! Go to the Spring 2006 issue to read my article.

Teaching Our Children to Serve

This morning, I will drive my eldest son, the fourteen year old, to his first job orientation. Having already passed the health screening, he will complete paperwork, learn the dress code and rules of his new job, have a tour of the facilities and review the objectives of his new position. Eric's new job, a student volunteer position at our local children's hospital, will have him serving two four hour shifts per week as a liaison in clinical and inpatient areas.

Summer vacation is a time for refreshment and renewal. I'm learning, as the mother of a junior varsity football player, that it's also the time for football practice, and lots of it. When I was growing up, my own parents discouraged summer jobs and encouraged family travel, summer learning and rest and relaxation from the busy school schedule. I hope to follow their lead in this respect, taking advantage of the chance to jump off life's treadmill for a few short months.

Summer also seems like the perfect time to teach my children to look for opportunities to be of service to others. In my community, they abound and are varied and fun. The program Eric will join this summer places teenagers in responsible positions in a respected Children's hospital. Our community also offers volunteer jobs in libraries, churches, schools and even mission trips. Our teens can help families build new homes through Habitat for Humanity or provide life-giving care to animals through our SPCA or zoo. They can teach art to children or serve at the right hand of a physician for a summer of research. The choices seem endless and fascinating.

One of my biggest goals as a mother is to instill in my boys a heart for loving and serving others, so Eric's summer venture seems a means to that end. Along the way, Eric will also learn to show up for work on time, dressed appropriately and with a positive attitude. He will learn to execute his duties professionally and with compassion. He will meet new friends and will likely have fun in the process. Eric will serve in a volunteer capacity, so his pay for this job will be the smiles he receives from the patients with whom he interacts and the warmth in his heart that comes from knowing he is doing the right thing - helping others.

Now I Know How Stars' Wives Feel!

Congratulations to my incredible awesome husband, who last night accepted his hospital's equivalent of the Academy Award!!! Greg works so very hard, while keeping a great perspective on the priority of family, so it was so wonderful to see him recognized for all of his efforts. While he was standing at the podium giving his speech, I wanted to stand up and yell, "Hey, that's my husband!!!", but I restrained myself. My only regret is not having brought the video camera to record the moment for posterity, but I don't think it's one I will soon forget. My pride level could only have been trumped by one other woman in the room - Greg's Mom. What a precious moment to watch your son prosper at his chosen profession, and to know that he is also a Godly and family oriented man - she did a great job raising him!

Each year the School of Medicine at the University of California, San Francisco presents a total of four Kaiser Teaching Awards—three to faculty on main campus (one each to a member of the clinical department, basic science department, and volunteer clinical faculty), and one to a clinical faculty member in Fresno. These awards are extremely prestigious and important to faculty. Winners are presented a certificate and a significant monetary reward at the School of Medicine’s commencement in San Francisco. The Fresno recipient is also recognized for his/her achievement at the UCSF Fresno commencement ceremony.

The Kaiser Award criterion is teaching, not service based, and includes demonstration of teaching skills, motivation of learners, and communication abilities. Faculty and medical residents select the recipient.

What's New?

Hey Y'all! Have you missed me? Life is settling back down to its normal frantic pace after two weeks of celebration and having Nana here for a visit. I love having my mom in my home - it makes me envious of those of you who live close enough for nightly visits with parents and siblings. We're spread all over the country! I promise to post photos soon of some of the past weeks' events, including my son's graduation, which was spectacular.

I've added some new stuff this week over at CatholicMom.com, along with updates of all of our favorite columnists. Take a look at our new Family Dinners feature, featuring Christine's wonderful recipes. This will become a new weekly feature and I think it's going to be great! If you like Christine's recipes, you may want to follow the links on that page to her "Dine Without Whine" service - your subscription earns a small referral fee for CatholicMom.com and will go to help keep the site alive and well.

I've also just posted my latest Book Spotlight interview with Cheryl Dickow, author of Reclaiming Your Christian Self in a Secular World: A Woman’s Worth. Cheryl's book is great, as are her insights in our chat. This new CatholicMom.com Culture Spotlight Blog will be the new blog for book spotlights, musician interviews, featured artists and more. I may even start blogging over there about some of our family's favorite television shows.

For now, I'm off to a staff meeting at Church and then to pick up son #1 from football practice (yes, it's already started!!!). One favor to ask: would you please all join me today in praying for a special intention?

Mom, I miss you already! Can't you just come back - oh, and bring Daddy too! I'm a forty two year old woman with separation anxiety.

Blog Break

Occasionally, real life gets so filled with blessings and fun that I am unable to find my way to the computer for days on end. Anticipating Eric's graduation this weekend and the attendant events and parties, I know I'm going to be too busy to blog. Please join me in praying for all those who graduate this month as they embark on life's many adventures. May their lives be filled with happiness and may the study and work they undertake bring glory to God, who blesses us all so greatly!

Remembering to Ask

Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks, receives; and the one who seeks, finds; and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened. Matthew 7:7-8

I just did it again – I wasted time and energy stressing out over a problem that could have been resolved easily had I taken the time to ask for help.

My part-time job as parish webmaster for my Church involves keeping our web site updated on a regular basis. Last evening, I received a request from my supervisor that something be placed on the site. In an attempt to be responsive to her request, I made the needed change and went to upload the site to our server. I was met with the equivalent of a computerized door slamming in my face – no upload, no error message, no explanation. I’ve worked on the site long enough to know that something was wrong and needed to be fixed, and that the situation was beyond my capabilities. The smart and efficient move at that point would have been to pause, contact customer service at the hosting company, and wait for their reply. However, in my bullheadedness, I tried several work-around solutions, none of which worked. After putting my sons to bed, I tried again and was again denied access. I went to bed later in the evening, annoyed that I had not completed my supervisor’s request and concerned about the problem, but still without calling customer service. I awoke early this morning, tried again, and was met with the same problem. The third time proved to be a charm – I was frustrated enough to pick up the phone and dial the 800 number. With one call and a fifteen minute delay, the problem was resolved quickly and effectively. The site was updated immediately. Had I called customer service last night, I probably would have gotten a full night’s sleep.

I share this experience because it parallels trials we all sometimes face as parents, and as people. I’m embarrassed to share the number of times I’ve obsessed about a problem before taking time to pause in prayer. I know that quiet time spent in prayer, every day, is a crucial component to my life. I know in my mind that when I’m confronted with a situation seemingly beyond the scope of my own control, my first reaction should be to turn my heart to God. And yet, all too frequently, I charge ahead and try to sort things out for myself. I neglect to ask for divine intervention for the guidance and wisdom I need to choose the correct path. In doing so, I make a difficult situation even worse.

Someone I greatly admire recently shared with me that she asks her children on a regular basis, “What would you like for me to pray for today?” She listens to their replies and takes their intentions with her to her time spent in Adoration. She pauses in the midst of whatever they may be doing and prays right then with the child. She prays the Rosary aloud with or in the company of her children, remembering their special intentions. I borrowed her line this week with one of my boys and was astounded by the list of prayers needed that he shared with me. Why had I waited this long to ask him? I don’t have the answer to that, but I do know that I’ll be asking him regularly from now on, and will also be asking him to pray for me.

Forgetting or neglecting to ask for help can extend beyond our prayer lives. On multiple occasions, I’ve declined an offer of help from a friend when I really could have used it. From opportunities to car pool to offers to babysit, I’ve turned down chances to allow people who love me to help me. “It’s ok,” I share confidently, “I can handle it all myself.” Nine times out of ten, I do handle it all alone. What I remember on that tenth time when I allow myself to ask, or to accept an offer of help, is that there is grace present in both asking for help and in receiving help. If we are always the one who gives to our loved ones, we never allow them to be the givers. If we take great joy in helping others, we should remember that they might too enjoy helping us every once in a while!

As a person and as a mother, I am challenging myself to remember to ask. Both routinely and spontaneously, I need to turn to my Father in heaven, who loves me so greatly, and to ask Him for the grace to live each day to its best and for His ultimate mercy in my life. Next time that server goes down or I’m worried about how to get two children to two separate locations at the same time, I will remind myself that I’m never alone and that I don’t always have to do it all myself.

For Today

Today's Readings

Because of your kindness and your truth,
you have made great above all things
your name and your promise.
When I called, you answered me;
you built up strength within me.
Psalm 138

Today's Saint - St. John Baptist Rossi: Despite suffering from illness himself, St. John worked with all his strength to serve the poor, the ill and the homeless. He was known as a great confessor and sought after for parish missions.

Dear God, I need strength today - strength to know and to do your will. Thank you for the example provided to me by St. John Baptist Rossi, who looked beyond his own difficulties and found the strength and the perseverance to serve those less fortunate. Amen

Counting Backwards

I just dropped Eric at school for the big 8th grade field trip to Magic Mountain. Things have progressed to the stage that most 8th grade parents simply slow the SUV to a crawl while their teenagers jump from the car, anxious to join their buddies. Heaven forbid that a Mom like me actually pull into a parking stall and walk her son to the bus, and don't even think about asking for a hug!

Eric is on the countdown, with five more days left of 8th grade. It's a week that will bring fun memories with special friends. At one of my favorite blogs, Mike St. Pierre's Notebook, Mike has his own take on Counting Backwards, which is what got me started thinking about the whole topic. Mike looks at it from the perspective of good time management and being prepared for what lies ahead. I think that is what Eric's doing this week too - savoring the fun, but anticipating that next leg of his path toward adulthood. Today, his schedule is filled with roller coasters and buddies - just as it should be for an 8th grader! I'm going to try following Mike's advice for Counting Backwards this week to help myself juggle my way through the priorities of a busy week of work and family duties. Counting backwards should help me to find the time to stop and smell the roses that this week is sure to bring!

For Today

Today's Readings

When the Advocate comes whom I will send you from the Father, the Spirit of truth who proceeds from the Father, he will testify to me. And you also testify, because you have been with me from the beginning.

Today's Saint - St. Rita of Cascia: Despite her early wishes to enter the convent, St. Rita followed her parents' will for her and married young. Her husband was an evil man who frequently mistreated her, but St. Rita had the courage of her convictions and continued to pray and to receive the sacraments. After his death and the death of her two sons, she joined the Augustinians and was known for a life of prayer and devotion to Christ.

Lord, help me to seek you everywhere today and to be strengthened by your Advocate, the Holy Spirit. I ask a special prayer today for men and women who are doing their best to raise their children in your Faith by themselves. Please give all parents the strength and courage we need to lead our children to a relationship with you. Amen.

Things that made me smile today...

All before 8:00 -

* Being woken up by an 11 year old with a smile on his face who's trying very hard to be quiet

* Having an educated breakfast table discussion with two boys about a certain movie and why it can be dangerous for those who know nothing about the Bible (it's interesting to hear their opinions)

* Watching a boy play with a stick in the driveway for twenty minutes and realizing he woke himself up early just so he'd have time to do it

* Deciding to not fold laundry and instead heading into the music room and playing a duet of the fiddle tune "Cripple Creek", accompanied by a fourteen year old on electric guitar (who will sit and play fiddle tunes with aging mother even though she's really bad and has to keep starting over)

* Listening to two boys sing "Bohemian Rhapsody" all the way to school at the top of their lungs

* Hugs and kisses in the parking lot from both boys (I think the days for that are numbered!)

If I accomplish nothing else today, it's already been a fabulous day! Thank you God, for the little moments that fill my life and for the blessing of my children, who teach me something new and precious every day.

For Today

Today's Readings

This I command you: love one another.

Today's Saint - St. Ives (Yves), one of the patron saints of lawyers, known for his service to others. From the USCCB web site:

Saint Ives, from a town near Treguier in Brittany, France, a priest, who preserved justice without respect for personages, fostered harmony, defended the causes of orphans, widows, and the poor for the love of Christ and received these same unfortunate ones in his own house.

Father in heaven, help me today to love as Jesus called me to love - let me follow the example of St. Ives and look for ways to better love and serve the poor and needy, especially those most in need of love and compassion. Thank you for the blessings of this day!

Sticking to What We Know Is Right

Everyday, I learn new lessons in parenting and I pray for the strength and guidance to make the right decisions in the loving and leading of my children.

Last night, we were sitting out by the pool (yes, it's already swimming weather here in 97 degree Fresno!) and Eric (son #1, and the one who'd make a great lawyer) said, "Mom, I have three questions for you".

"OK, bring them on!"

Question Number One - "Can I still go the dance at Sacred Heart on Friday night?" (Background - Sacred Heart is a local Catholic school who has invited other junior high students to their end of the year dance. I initially thought it was a great idea, but it is now scheduled for the night before the Catholic high school's big Math test to determine placement in honors classes for next year.)

Mom's Silent Gut Instinct - No way, you're going to be taking a test in the morning that could determine your academic path for the next four years. I want you tucked into bed by 9:00 pm, dreaming of algebraic equations.

Mom's Response - "OK, Eric, you can go but I'm going to be picking you up early, by 9:15 so that you get a good night's sleep before your test."

Question Number Two - "The guys are going to the movies after school on Friday. Can I go?"

Mom's Initial Response - "OK sweetie. Adam's got fencing so I need to work out ride stuff, but it should be ok."

Mom's Secondary Query - "What are you seeing?" (I know, this should have been the very first question, but I was dazed by the heat and temporarily off my game.)

Son's Sheepish Response - "XYZ" (Insert name of controversial blockbuster film opening at theaters this weekend and the source of great public outcry)

Mom's Final Word on Question #2 - "Nope, you're not seeing "XYZ" on Friday. Thanks for asking, and I will consider other movie options, but you're not seeing that movie." (Thankfully we have a long standing rule about seeing PG13 movies that haven't been pre-screened by a parent).

Question #3 - "Are you sure I still can't go see the XYZ (insert name of outrageous punk band) concert in August?" (Apparently, he's in the mood to debate!).

Mom's (Repeated) Response - "Yes, I'm sure you won't be going to that concert." (Delivered calmly, despite the fact that this particularly topic has been discussed numerous times in the past month.) "But thanks for asking again."

Son's Response - "Why?"

Mom's Comeback - "For the same reasons Dad and I gave you last week when we discussed this topic."

Son's Response - "OK. Do we have any bacon?"

Mom's Response - "Yes, I bought some today!!!" (Finally, a question I can answer affirmatively!)

I've come to accept that parenting this particularly child involves a little give and take, and much negotiation. He will follow rules set for him, but feels better about the following when he's participated in a discussion about the thinking behind them and had his say about the fairness of the rule.

This particular child, owing to his temperament, will question his limits. He will test the waters, wanting to tread out into the deeper ones without supervision. He is, by nature, an adventurer. He is on the verge of new horizons, and anxious to run out and explore them. He wants to live life to its fullest, to try new things, and to be the best he can be.

At times like last night's poolside chat, I think about how much easier it would be to be like "everybody else's parents". The ones who drop the kids off at the multiplex theater on the weekend, unsupervised, and pick them up three hours later. The ones who don't have a "bedtime" and allow their kids to talk on the phone or IM as late as they want. The ones who accompany their kids to punk rock concerts because they think it's cool.

The funny thing is, I think most of my son's friends parents are more like me. Who is "everybody else"? Most of my son's peers have the same limits placed on them by parents who share our same moral framework for parenting. I think "everybody else" is a fictional group of kids, used to pressure parents into going against what they know in their heart and soul is right.

I'm pretty sure that my teenage son is convinced that if he just asks me enough times, the water-torture method of wearing me down will result in the response he desires. His problem is that I can be so bull-headed about some things.

I know he's going to keep asking, and keep pushing those limits. I'm still learning about parenting in this new phase of life, still praying every day for the strength and wisdom to help him along life's path.

Current strategy: pray lots, keep making time for our chats, and keep lots of bacon in the house.

For Today

Today's Readings

“As the Father loves me, so I also love you. Remain in my love. If you keep my commandments, you will remain in my love, just as I have kept my Father’s commandments and remain in his love."

Today's Saint - Pope John I; Also celebrating a feast day today is Eric IX of Sweden, considered Patron of Sweden but never formally canonized.

Today in Catholic History

On May 17, 1934 the Ave Maria Grotto at St. Bernard Abbey in Cullman, AL was dedicated. This is on my list of places to visit someday. From the website of the grotto:

The Ave Maria Grotto, known throughout the world as "Jerusalem in Miniature", is a beautifully landscaped, four-acre park designed to provide a natural setting for the 125 miniature reproductions of some of the most famous historic buildings and shrines of the world. The masterpieces of stone and concrete are the lifetime work of Brother Joseph Zoettl, a Benedictine monk of St. Bernard Abbey. Begun as a hobby, with various materials he could find, and infinite patience and a remarkable sense of symmetry and proportion, Brother Joseph re-created some of the greatest edifices of all time.

Thanks Brother Joseph! I hope to see your Ave Maria Grotto some day!

Source: America's Great (and not so great) Catholic Moments by Thomas J. Craughwell

For Today

Today's Readings

If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask for whatever you want and it will be done for you. By this is my Father glorified, that you bear much fruit and become my disciples.

Today's Saint - St. Pascal BaylonOf humble origins, St. Paschal followed his call in life and became a lay brother/doorkeeper for the Franciscan community in the 1500s. He was known for his tremendous devotion to the Blessed Sacrament. He is the patron of shepherds and of Eucharistic congresses.

Heavenly Father, help me to look at my life today and see opportunities to bear fruit for you. Let me see the example of St. Pascal, who in his own simple way, was your light to others in his world. Please help me to recognize that all of my little ways, done in love for you, are my prayer to you. Thank you for the blessings of this day!

Happy Birthday Erin and Evan!!!

Dear Erin and Evan,

I know we've been celebrating all month and that you don't officially share a birthday, but I thought I'd write a note to the two of you together, as that's how I think of you in my heart during the month of May.

I need to take a moment to tell you how much you mean to me and how very much I love you!

The two of you are much alike in many ways - you love to travel, whether it's to the lake, or to Paris. Your smiles and your personalities light up the room! You look really cute in your PJs! You love a clean kitchen, and one of you is an excellent sweeper! Most of all, you are excellent listeners. One of you will pause in the midst of important legal transactions to take a call from a Fresno housewife. The other listens so closely that he repeats the last word of every sentence, so you always know in your heart he's heard what you have to say!

To Erin, you are sister and friend forever. I never cease to be amazed at your energy, your prowess, your intelligence, the depth of your emotions, and the totality with which you share all that you have with those around you.

To Evan, you are my sunshine and you never cease to make me smile. I love how you remember everything that happens, how you put your nativity scene action figures in just the right place when you read your bible. I love how you are so talkative and expressive. I love you because you are the miracle that turned my best friend into a mommy!

To my two favorite redheads, I hope your celebration lasts all month - you deserve all the happiness in the world!

With love and moose smoochies, L.

Putting On A Show!

When we were growing up, my siblings and I loved to put on shows. We would drag the record player into the living room, set my Mom on the Avacado Green couch, and dance around the shag carpeting to the tunes of the Monkees, the Patridge Family or whatever else we had on hand. By my Mom's reaction, you would have thought she was witnessing a Broadway musical. She never said, "That's cute kids, but I need to go check my email..."

We didn't do too many puppet shows, but for those who are puppet show fans, we've got a great new resource at CatholicMom.com! Lisa M. has incredibly shared her scripts for over twenty wonderful Catholic puppet shows. You can find them here in their new home at the Catholic Mom Puppet Show Ministry. I'm picturing rooms full of CCD kids putting on these shows, and also Moms across the country watching them performed in their own homes.

For Today

Today's Readings

Jesus said to his disciples:
“Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you.
Not as the world gives do I give it to you.
Do not let your hearts be troubled or afraid.

Today's Saint - St. Dymphna, patron of those suffering from mental and nervous afflictions; martyred at fifteen and known for her purity of spirit.

Blessed God, we pray today through the intercession of St. Dymphna for all those lives touched by mental illness. Bring healing and comfort to the suffering and strength to their caregivers. Also, for those whose lives are filled with stress and anxiety, let us hold St. Dymphna as a model of strength as we follow her example of purity of heart. Our Lady of Fatima, we pray also for peace in our world. Amen.

A Great Gift for You or Someone Special

Catholic artist and mom Melissa Dayton has made her lovely piece "Escort to God" available in poster format. As a special gift to CatholicMom.com readers, Melissa is offering a incredible 50% off discount on the already very reasonable price ($16.95 normally, less than $8.50 with discount!). This offer is available through the end of May.

To order your own copy of "Escort to God", visit Pearls of Grace Fine Art http://www.pearlsofgracefineart.com/products.asp?pg=2 and select "Poster" under the "Select Size" button. The coupon code for this offer is 752404. A special thank you to Melissa Dayton for this generous sharing of spirit and light.

To read my interview with Melissa and learn more about her incredible work, click here.

For Today

Today's Readings

“Whoever has my commandments and observes them is the one who loves me. Whoever loves me will be loved by my Father, and I will love him and reveal myself to him.”

Today's Saint - St. Isidore, the Farmer

God, through the intercession of St. Isidore, the holy Farmer, grant that we may overcome all feelings of pride. May we always serve You with that humility which pleases You, through his merits and example.
Catholic Online

Happy Mother's Day Mom!

Children, let us love not in word or speech
but in deed and truth.

As I sat in Mass this morning listening to these words from today's second reading, my thoughts turned to my mom, the world's best mother.

Growing up as the oldest of five children, I vastly underappreciated my mother. In fact, until I had my own children, I think I was a bit of a Daddy's girl. But all that changed pretty quickly after I held Eric for the first time.

There's something about taking on the vocation of motherhood that gives you an unimaginable appreciation for and respect of your own mother. My mom was, indeed, the best - and she continues to be to this day! She was a wonderful role model of all a committed and loving wife should be. In good times and in bad, she loved my Daddy with a love that has remained constant and unwavering, and in a way that was evident to each of us. To this day, I love to watch my parents together, especially when they're dancing!

As a mother, she made countless sacrifices to benefit us, but you'd never have known it. Not once did I ever imagine that she might rather be doing something more exciting than endless loads of laundry or finding creative recipes for hamburger. She never complained about driving the way I do - she just did it (and for five of us, as opposed to my two!). Gracefully, and with wit, she raised five of us who went on to full and happy lives. All of her children graduated from college, and all have emulated our parents' loving relationships by finding our own soul mates. We are raising our own children in the faith she so lovingly taught us with the words she instilled in our souls even before we were old enough to say them for ourselves.

As a mother myself, one of my mantras has become "WWMD?" What would mom do? More often then not, when faced with a parenting challenge, she is the first expert I consult. Like today's soccer moms, she carries a cell phone 24/7 to be on call for parenting emergencies that arise. But instead of a sick second grader needing to be picked up, she consults with her grown daughters and sons on everything from potty training to teenage relationships to the recipe for Impossible Pie.

I'm lucky, I have a mom and a best friend all rolled into one. If a day goes by where I'm unable to speak with her by phone, I tuck the memories of that day into my mind to share with her as soon as I can. She loves me enough to tell me straight up when I'm obsessing over something stupid. She marvels with me at my children's accomplishments and helps me to keep their shortcomings in perspective. She comes to my rescue, both physically and emotionally, sometimes even before I can recognize that I need her help.

Like an object lesson for those to whom John spoke in today's epistle, my mom's love is obvious not only in her words, but especially in her deeds and actions. She is the epitome of all I think a mother should be - if I can do 2/5ths of what she does in my life as a mom, I will consider myself a success in life.

Happy Mother's Day Mom! I love you! Thank you for the gift of life and for the love you've showered on us. I love you more than I'll ever be able to say! L.

Rites of Passage

Since Eric was a first grader at St. Anthony's School, I've anticipated the tears I would shed on the day of his 8th grade Balloon Mass.

At our school, like many others, there are wonderful traditions. One of them is the annual Farewell Mass, referred to at our house at the "Balloon Mass".

The tradition goes like this: each fall, shortly after school begins, the 8th graders welcome the new first graders to our school with a special Welcome Mass. At the conclusion of Mass, the 8th graders meet up with their first graders buddies, present them with a balloon, and process hand-in-hand from the sanctuary. First grade mothers, having anticipated for years the day their child would attend this first school mass, tussle for the perfect photo opportunity. The students process to Mary's Garden, where the blue and gold balloons are released.

Each spring, we hold the Farewell Mass outside in Mary's Garden. The 8th graders are the guests of honor. By this point in their academic journey, the first graders have become proficient readers and are responsible for proclaiming the readings, intercessory prayers and special words of care and blessing for the 8th graders. At the end of Mass, each first grader presents a balloon to his or her beloved buddy and the students again process hand in hand out of Mass. The 8th graders then gather together and sing a farewell song. As the blue and gold balloons are released into the heavens, the students exchange hugs and sometimes even a tear or two. Eighth grade moms jockey for position, trying to get the perfect angle without being too embarrassing to their teenagers. Moms juggle the digital camera, the video camera, and the wadded up tissues we've consumed during this sentimental moment.

Today was Eric's special Balloon Mass, the one I've been waiting for since first grade. In the past few years, as I watched other graduating 8th graders participate in the ritual, I've shed a few tears of joy and thanksgiving for being part of such a wonderful community. I always thought that there would be many more tears when I watched my own 8th grader release his balloon. But today, I surprised myself. Yes, I'll admit to a few tears, but mostly I felt proud and extremely happy for Eric. He has had a wonderful time in elementary school. But like that balloon, he's destined for greater journeys.

One day recently, we were all standing in the kitchen and Eric jokingly said to Greg and I, "My confidence is at an all time high." Wow, what a thing to hear from a fourteen year old! I remember, at that age, feeling incredibly unsure of my position in the world. High school, for me, was something to be feared - new territory with many new people to meet and lots of uncertainty. But when I look at Eric, I realize he's ready. He's benefited so greatly from being part of a loving and spirit-filled elementary school community, but like his balloon, he's ready to soar, and now's the time.

The next few weeks will hold more special traditions as the 8th graders slowly march towards graduation. There will be parties, trips, awards ceremonies and more. I'm sure I'll need more tissues along the way as I watch my son move into the next phase of his life. Today, as I watched Eric's balloon grow smaller and smaller in the sky, I said a silent prayer for Eric, and one for Greg and I - that he will enjoy the journey before him and that we will have the strength and grace to help him prepare himself for all that lies ahead.

What Do You Just For You?

I just got home from doing something really fun, just for me! A few years ago, in a quasi mid life crisis moment, I decided I wanted to learn to play the violin. At that time, I was already forty - much too old to consider a future career as a virtuoso, but I took on the challenge. I've always loved fiddle music, so I decided that I'd focus on basic violin with an emphasis on fiddle.

Since that time, various events have conspired against my becoming the next member of the Dixie Chicks. I have been through four teachers (that's a whole new blog entry in itself), breaking up with my last teacher well over a year ago.

Somehow, this week, I decided to pick back up the bow. I haven't played in a very long time, as it always seems like there's something more important or productive I should be doing. We moms tend to do that a lot, with our lives so busy serving other people and working. Playing my violin is something I do just for me...no one else derives any benefit from it, so I've tended to just not do it.

But, the point is, I love playing. I sound really bad (practicing is a great way to get boys to go play outside), but I don't care. I'll probably never get anywhere beyond playing for my own pleasure, but I've decided now that that's reason enough to play.

So today, I had my first lesson with my new teacher. From the first time I met him, I thought he'd be a great teacher - his name is Patrick! I think that's a good omen.
Taking lessons is good for me, as it encourages me to take time to play and practice.

What do you love to do, just for you? Have you done it lately? We can make all the excuses we want, but the truth is that most of us can find an extra thirty minutes somewhere in our days to do something we love: to write, to take a walk, to garden just for the joy of it, to write a letter, to call a girlfriend, or even just to take a bath! I challenge you today to do something you love, just for you!

New Articles

Our Mother's Day celebration is off to a great start over at CatholicMom.com - take a look to view some recent articles, gift ideas, poetry and more. I'm still looking for contest entries so that someone can win Lisa Barker's wonderful book. Remember, your entry can be as brief as one sentence. All names who comment here or email me will be entered.

Share a Story, Win a Book

Hi Friends! Mother's Day is one of my favorite holidays, but not for selfish reasons. In my family growing up, my Daddy always made a HUGE celebration for the world's greatest Mom (and now Nana!) on Mother's Day. We would make my mom breakfast in bed and all five kids would snuggle with her (and probably eat most of her food). It's a precious memory from my childhood.

Jelly Mom columnist and author Lisa Barker has graciously offered to donate one of her fabulous books Just Because Your Kids Drive You Insane Doesn't Mean You Are a Bad Parent! as the prize for a fun contest this week at CatholicMom.com.

To enter, simply submit a special memory related to Mother's Day, a gift idea, a recipe, a tribute to your own Mom, or anything else related to Mother's Day. You can either submit your thoughts as a comment on the Catholic Mom Moments blog, or email them to me at lisa@catholicmom.com -

The names of all who submit will be entered into a drawing and on Monday, May 15 I will randomly select the winner of Lisa's fabulous book. Good luck and enjoy sharing! Lisa

Answers to "What I've Been Up To"!

OK, some of you have figured them out, but here's an extremely brief travelogue of my recent odyssey.

Photo #1 - Las Vegas (no, not the real Venice!) - We spent a few days at the new Wynn Hotel in Vegas, living in the lap of luxury

Photo #2 - Yosemite - We are fortunate enough to live with waterfalls practically in our backyard. This photo was taken on a day when Eric and I discovered a new and fairly hidden hiking trail about 50 minutes from our front door. The majesty of the waterfalls this year is indescribable - God's creation leaves me speechless at times like this. It was an incredible day, with two incredible boys! (Mom shared a few "stay away from the ledge" nags during the course of this otherwise lovely hike).

Photo #3 - The Walnut Room, Marshall Fields, Chicago - Nana and I surprised Erin for her 40th birthday (ok, so we were a few days early....). We both flew to Chicago and we really did fake my little sister out! It was a wonderful trip. If you've never been to Chicago in the spring, plan a visit - the weather is lovely and the tulips are awash in color. More on the suprise and my slightly aging sister soon.

Photo #4 - Notre Dame!!! Ok, this one should have been simple. I attended this year's Alumni Senate in the shadow of the dome. I felt like an elderly alumna when I asked two young coeds to take my picture in front of the dome! I hope to share more on this fantastic conference soon.

I think I'm home now for a while and ready to get caught up and back on track. I was greeted at the airport by two handsome young men bearing a spring bouquet and one slightly bedraggled husband who'd been minding the store in my absence! It's wonderful to travel, but there's no place like home!!!

Meet Sharmane!

I've just posted my new interview with an incredibly talented Catholic Mom, Sharmane Adams, over at the new "blog" for CatholicMom.com dealing with music, books and more. Read my interview with Sharmane and feel free to comment on her great music with this new format. I love Sharmane's latest CD, and know you will too!

Great New Columns

Just posted over this morning at CatholicMom.com! Check them out!

The Mother is the Heart of the Domestic Church by Donna–Marie Cooper O’Boyle

Teaching Moments - 24 Gold Coins in a Day

Top Ten Dental Health Mistakes Of Women Over 35 by Michele Howe

Oversize Emoting Not a Tiny Problem by Marybeth Hicks

A Lesson about Courage by Susan Handle Terbay

Trying to Determine "Needs" vs. "Wants" by Patrice Fagnant-MacArthur

What Can I Say? by Heidi Hess Saxton

The Great And Naked Houdini & His Assistant by Lisa Barker

A Boy, A Man, A Mom by Pat Gohn


Enjoy!!!

What I've Been Up To!

Hey guys! I'm breaking my own personal rule about posting pictures of myself to give you some sense of why I've been so delinquent in my blogging for the past two weeks. Here are some scenes from my recent activities. Can you name the places?









I'll post the correct answers tomorrow.

Missing In Action

For those checking in here who are concerned that I've fallen into a black hole, don't worry! I don't have time for a complete update, but I'm alive and well and just too busy to blog! Since Easter Sunday, I've been on a whirlwind travel schedule - I plan to log on Wednesday, when I will finally be back home, and offer a complete update on all of my recent activities. I've been suffering from an intermittent internet connnection in the various places I've been of late, which is perhaps a good thing! Some time to refresh and revitalize is always a good thing.

Signing off for now...see you Wednesday!
Lisa

Calling All Irish Fans

The men in my house were happy to learn that this year's "Shirt" is not in that girly gold color! Our Notre Dame Club will be selling The Shirt as a fund raiser very soon, so I'll keep you posted!

p.s. yep, I'm back out of vacation mode! Will be posting pictures soon of our Spring Break Activities!

Lisa Barker

I've been waiting for weeks to unveil my interview with our own "Jelly Mom", Lisa Barker, featuring her insights on her new book Just Because Your Kids Drive You Insane…Doesn’t Mean You Are A Bad Parent. With a name like that, how can you go wrong?! Click here to read my interview with Lisa and give yourself an early Mother's Day present by purchasing her book today!

Happy Easter

Happy Easter!
I will be taking a few days to celebrate with family. Many blessings to all those who were joined our Church at the Easter Vigil last night!
I hope your Easter celebrations are filled with joy!

Good Friday

Today's Readings

Yet it was our infirmities that he bore, our sufferings that he endured, while we thought of him as stricken, as one smitten by God and afflicted. But he was pierced for our offenses, crushed for our sins; upon him was the chastisement that makes us whole, by his stripes we were healed. We had all gone astray like sheep, each following his own way; but the LORD laid upon him the guilt of us all.
Isaiah 53

Please remember today to pray as a family for our troops.

Mike St. Pierre's Notebook reflection on the Work of Holy Week offers a great reflection on today's Good Friday readings.

Here's the question from his reflections that I'm pondering today:
Are we known in our parishes as active participants or are we content to sit in the back row at Sunday Mass? What program, ministry or event might I plug into which could help me to be less of a spectator and more of a leader in my faith community?


Dr. Marcellino D'Ambrosio also offers some wonderful prayer suggestions at his Crossroads Initiative

Stations of the Cross

Stations of the Cross for Children

Vatican Way of the Cross for 2006

Recently, I asked the following question of Fr. James Martin, SJ, author of My Life with the Saints. His response follows:

Q: How can parents of young children begin praying the Stations of the Cross with them in a way that is age appropriate? I know that some young children may be frightened or become emotional when viewing the images of the Stations. Can you counsel parents on the best way to introduce this devotion in their families?

A: The Stations of the Cross may be difficult for very young children to see. (On the other hand, they may see things far worse by turning on the TV at the wrong time.) But their central message—that is, Jesus loved us all so much that he was willing to suffer—is one that can be, and should be, translated for young children to help them understand two things. First, that Jesus loves us. Second, that suffering (or struggling, or challenges, or pain) is a natural part of life. So, for example, when thinking about the First Station, “Jesus is Condemned to Death,” you might talk to your children about how sometimes good people are punished for no good reason—like African-Americans during the era of slavery. And when meditating on the Second Station, “Jesus Carries His Cross,” you might ask your children what types of sacrifices that they have to make every day.

Eventuallly, though, your children will have to be introduced to the reality of Christ’s suffering—in all its aspects. One key way of helping your children understand this mystery is by not fearing it yourself. At least in my very limited experience (as an uncle and as a friend of many young parents) the more a child sees trust in the parent, the more the child grows in trust. So the first step to helping your children move towards this mystery, is to meditate on its meaning in your own life.

All this might seem difficult, and each parent needs to make a decision about these things not from a sense of guilt, or a sense of what others in the community may think (no matter how much they seem to know), but what is best for one’s child. This is all God asks of us.

Fasting and Abstinence

Lenten Fasting Practices for Pregnant and Lactating Women

Good Friday Table Blessing from Catholic Culture

Lenten Recipes at CatholicMom.com

Divine Mercy Novena

Today, Good Friday, is day one of the Divine Mercy Novena. To learn more about the novena visit the EWTN web site.

Today, we pray for the souls of all mankind, especially sinners:

"Today bring to Me All Mankind, especially all sinners and immerse them in the ocean of My mercy. In this way you will console Me in the bitter grief into which the loss of souls plunges Me."

Most Merciful Jesus, whose very nature it is to have compassion on us and to forgive us, do not look upon our sins, but upon our trust which we place in Your infinite goodness. Receive us all into the abode of Your Most Compassionate Heart, and never let us escape from It. We beg this of You by Your love which unites You to the Father and the Holy Spirit.

Eternal Father, turn Your merciful gaze upon all mankind and especially upon poor sinners, all enfolded in the Most Compassionate Heart of Jesus. For the sake of His Sorrowful Passion show us Your mercy, that we may praise the omnipotence of Your mercy for ever and ever. Amen.

The Judas in us All

I loved this piece by Patrice Fagnant MacArthur, over at her blog.

Holy Week Activities

At CatholicMom.com I have posted coloring pictures, puzzles and more to help your family learn and enjoy during Holy Week.

The Work of Holy Week

Mike offers a great reflection on today's Gospel reading over at his notebook.

He asks: When was the last time you shared the faith with someone who isn't Catholic? It is often a relationship or community bond which opens a door to sharing the faith- are you currently working on a project or event which may open up a door for evangelization a month or year from now? Finally, on a scale of 1-10 (10 being the greatest), how strongly do you believe that you are an evangelizer?

In response to that last question, I have to admit to being probably a Four. Evangelization is uncomfortable for me - I need to give it greater devotion in my own life. At this point, however, I feel a greater sense of urgency in devoting time and energy to the faith formation of my own little family. In my world, evangelization starts in the home. Thanks Mike for another great reflection!

Holy Thursday

Today's Readings

Do you realize what I have done for you? You call me "teacher" and "master" and rightly so, for indeed I am. If I, therefore, the master and teacher, have washed your feet, you ought to wash one another's feet. I have given you a model to follow, so that as I have done for you, you should also do.

Today, we celebrate Holy Thursday and the Mass of the Lord's Supper, the first day of the Triduum. I always love attending Holy Thursday Mass at my parish. Tonight, I have the honor of photographing our candidatcatachumenschumens who will be received into full communion with the Church at the Easter Vigil Mass on Saturday. I am always awed by these men and women who have given so much time, energy and effort into their RCIA preparations. They bring a gift of enthusiasm and desire that fills my heart. All of the spiritual work they have put into their RCIA preparations is amazing. Frequently, they go on to be some of the most committed and devoted members of my parish.

Another part of the Holy Thursday liturgy that I love is the candlelight procession to our Altar of Repose. We silently file after our priest, who has removed the Blessed Sacrament from the tabernacle. In darkness, we process around the exterior of our church building, each holding a candle. The path to the altar of repose is lit by CandidatCatachumenschumens, each holding a candle. The silence is stunning as we walk along the sidewalk of a fairly busy street. I always wonder what passing motorist think when they see us processing in silence in a single file line like that. Our procession ends at the Altar of Repose, where we have silent time in front of the Blessed Sacrament. It is truly a wonderful evening, and one I look forward to every year.

Gone Fishing!

No posts tomorrow (Wednesday), as I will be accompanying the 8th graders on their whale watching field trip. Please pray for good weather and lots of sightings!

Mike's Notebook - The Work of Holy Week

From today's reflection, over at Mike St. Pierre's Notebook:

In your friendship with the Lord, are there moments when you are more prone to “betray”? Sometimes we betray with our words, at other times with our attitudes and actions.

Somehow, given this week's media fascination with the "Gospel of Judas", this seems especially timely. Thanks for the reflections Mike!

Tuesday of Holy Week

Today's Readings

When he had left, Jesus said,
“Now is the Son of Man glorified, and God is glorified in him.
If God is glorified in him, God will also glorify him in himself,
and he will glorify him at once.
My children, I will be with you only a little while longer.
You will look for me, and as I told the Jews,
‘Where I go you cannot come,’ so now I say it to you.”

Today's Saint - St. Gemma Galgani, despite years of suffering and illness, remained steadfast in her total devotion to God and her prayer life.

Lord, I want to love you with total devotion as St. Gemma did. Help me to overcome the things in my life that separate me from giving you my total self. Let my love for you shine like a light. Amen

Book Buzz

I just posted my interview with Brian Singer-Towns, editor of Breakthrough! The Bible for your Catholics.

I love bibles and this one is a new favorite. It's aimed at middle school students, but will also appeal to youth (and Moms and Dads!). Take a few minutes to read my interview with Brian and I think you'll see why I liked this one so much. Now that I'm done reviewing it, I'm going to have to share it with Adam, who falls perfectly into its target demographic.

God or the Girl

One of my little hidden secrets is that I'm a reality TV junkie. Along with one day owning a Harley, participating on Survivor is near the top of my "life after kids" list of goals...Weird huh?!

So I was excited to hear about a new A & E series debuting on Easter Sunday. "God or the Girl" looks at four young men as they consider their vocations to the priesthood. It's getting really good advance reviews and sounds very interesting. I won't likely watch Sunday night, but thanks to my DVR I'm hoping to check it out sometime next week.

Catholic Spirit Review

God or the Girl Web Site

Renovate Your Easter Celebration

Sorry, I know that we're just starting Holy Week, but this is a topic I've been thinking about myself so I thought I would share it and it might require a little advance planning.

This article from Weight Watchers landed in my inbox this morning. Given my recent attendance at the Go Red for Women luncheon, I'm thinking of how to help my family celebrate a more healthy Easter than our usual jelly-bean laden fest! So when I go out Easter shopping this week, I'll be looking for a few healthy alternatives and the WW article gave me some great ideas.

The Work of Holy Week

A special thanks to blogger and Catholic campus minister Michael K. St. Pierre for the introduction to his wonderful blog. Mike has a special feature running this week entitled "The Work of Holy Week". Mike will be reflecting on the daily readings of Holy Week in light of their relationship to the "stuff of daily life" - I found his reflections to be very thought provoking, particularly this question:

Do our lives produce amazing work, quality relationships and results that show others that we are clearly followers of Christ?

I could spend all day thinking about that one! Visit Mike's site each day this week with me. Thanks Mike!

Monday of Holy Week

Today's Readings

The LORD is my light and my salvation;
whom should I fear?
The LORD is my life’s refuge;
of whom should I be afraid?
Psalm 27

Today's Saint - St. Fulbert, 11th century French bishop of the diocese of Chartres. Well known for his devotion to the Catholic schools of his diocese, his intellectual prowess, and his love for the Blessed Mother. His Easter hymn, You Choirs of New Jerusalem, is still sung today at Eastertime.

"Ye choirs of new Jerusalem,
Your sweetest notes employ,
The Paschal victory to hymn
In strains of holy joy."
--Saint Fulbert of Chartres

Milo Moments

God's "Top Ten" List

Thanks to author Lisa Umina and illustrator Meg Vrana for sharing our friend Milo!  Click here to order Milo Moments!

Teaching Moments

Thanks to Laura and the folks at www.teachingmoments.com for sharing the following:

Who Stole Your Day?

Thanks to Carole Hale, St Louis, MO for sharing her Teaching Moment idea.

Every day has the potential to be a good, and in some cases, a great day for you. Few of us get up in the morning thinking that we want this to be a bad day. Yet in many cases the day turns that way because of a person, an event or because we worry something in the future.

This Teaching Moment is about those small events that throw you off balance and negatively impact your day.

What stole your day? Was it a boss, an unruly child, the erratic driver on the way to work, not getting the ”B” you expected on the history paper, a discourteous server at lunch, etc.

Every day there are numerous people or events that can prevent us from having a good day – if we let them. The key is not letting them “steal your day.”

In most cases we can not control these life experiences, but we can control how we react to them. Lao-Tzu, a Chinese Philosopher said: “He who conquers others is strong; he who conquers himself is mighty.”

Question for discussion:
* Discuss the pluses and minus of your day with your family. Be specific
* Discuss with your family something that almost “stole your day.” Describe the event and how you handled it.
* Do you notice a pattern? Are there particular people or events that seem to always steal your day? Say, the drive to work, the bus to school, and the neighbor’s barking dog? etc. Discuss.

Suggestions for implementation:
* Do your- family members have suggestions on how you could have handled a particular situation? Keep it positive. This is a learning experience for everyone in the family. The idea is to share positive ways to keep you positive and focused on what is really important.
* Make this a fun discussion stimulating experience for everyone.
* Learn to accept others. They may be having a bad day for any number of reasons. Take a couple of deep breathes and say to yourself: “I’m not going to let this steal my day.”

We hope you have found this Teaching Moment helpful. Please visit our website www.TeachingMoments.com for additional easy-to-implement parenting ideas.

Just in time for Good Friday

Thanks to Kay, who shared this link featuring recipes for Orthodox fasting. Suddenly I'm hungry!

In case you missed Sharon's recipe in the comments below, here it is!

One of our favorites is rice and bean tostados or tacos. It's instant brown rice, chopped onion, and once that is simmering, you add a can red beans in chili sauce. Stir that, then add a can of corn (drained). Mix it together and heat. Then serve it as tacos or over heated flat tortillas w/ lettuce. We use cheese, but it's flavored enough to omit the cheese.

Thanks Kay and Sharon!

Helpful Link

Thanks to Pat from Trinity Bridge for sharing the following:

Trinity Bridge - This site offers Catholic mothers of children with emotional illness links to authentically Catholic resources, as well as other (prayerfully) appropriate references for both spiritual and practical assistance.

Palm Sunday of the Lord's Passion

“Hosanna! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord,
the king of Israel.”

Today's Readings

Palm Sunday Crafts and Activities at CatholicMom.com

Today's Saint - St. Gaucherius - This young French man gave up worldly things to lead a solitary life devoted to God and became a beloved Abbot. Lord, help me to be less concerned with worldly desires and more concerned with a total and complete love for you and for others. Amen

Lenten Almsgiving

Looking to do a little more lenten almsgiving this year? Why not help an elderly Salesian Sister throught the Adopt-a-Sister program? A relatively small financial contribution goes a long way towards helping these women who have dedicated their lives to serving God and others.

Click here for more information

Giving to God through Gardening

As a gardener, I loved a story I found this morning through CNS - I'm hoping to find some time today to buy and plant the start of this year's flowers. About Passion Flowers, Wikipedia states: "The plants were named for the Passion of Christ, because the flower structure seemed symbolic of Jesus' scourging, crowning with thorns, and crucifixion." Here's the story:

For Milwaukee man, passionflowers symbolize his own resurrection

MILWAUKEE (CNS) -- The exotic passionflower is said to tell the Easter story of Christ's crucifixion, but for a Milwaukee man the flower is also a symbol of his personal resurrection. Dick Wuchte's journey to the Catholicism of his youth had several detours, but eventually brought him to the northwest side of Milwaukee, where he moved next door to a devout Catholic and prolific gardener, Marion Wicen, in 1978. He had little interest in Wicen's pride and joy, thriving passionflowers which bloomed on the east side of her house each summer, or in her faith life. But both remained a constant. Wuchte, 59, returned to the church after a 30-year absence sparked by pain from the Vietnam War and addiction. He's now fully recommitted to his faith, and said that has made all the difference. Wicen died in November 2004, but last summer Wuchte said her passionflowers bloomed more vigorously than ever. With the permission of Wicen's family, Wuchte has planted cuttings from her plants in hopes his yard will be graced with the flowers that seem to tell the story of Christ's crucifixion. And Wuchte knows the story doesn't end with the crucifixion. He said he is proof that a resurrection follows.

Check it Out

I loved this piece by one of our CatholicMom.com columnists, Heidi Hess Saxton, over at Catholic Exchange

It made me think of my sister and brother-in-law who live across the street from a Kingdom Hall. I have frequently thought, when visiting them (my sister and her family), about how devoted the congregants of that hall seem to their faith. I loved Heidi's response to Walter in this story! Thanks for the inspiration Heidi.

Today's Readings

Today's Readings

I will make with them a covenant of peace;
it shall be an everlasting covenant with them,
and I will multiply them, and put my sanctuary among them forever.
My dwelling shall be with them;
I will be their God, and they shall be my people.

Today's Saint - Julia Billart

Today's saint, St. Julia Billart, knew at an early age that she was born to share her faith. As a young woman, she felt a strong devotion to Jesus and to teaching. Despite years of suffering and illness, she went on to found an order and to defend the faith even when her own life was threatened.

Dear Lord, inspire in me a love for Jesus that is as strong as that of St. Julia. Help me look beyond the difficulties in my own life that I may use as excuses towards truly loving and serving you and those around me. Help me to feel a zeal for sharing your light and love with those I encounter in my life each day.

Open House

I've always wondered why they don't call it "Open School"...We're off tonight to view the fruits of our boys' labors as 5th and 8th graders this year. As usual, I'm feeling very nostalgic. This will be our last grade school Open House with Eric. At our school, once it's time for Open House it feels like the year is over in the blink of an eye. I can still remember the night that we attended Eric's first Open House, back in kindergarten. It feels like yesterday! The years have flown by so quickly. It is always a treat to go to Open House and see all of the hard work our children and their teachers have accomplished during the year. Tonight, I think I need to remember to bring the kleenex!

A New Look for Gibraltar

Just in time for spring, my buddy Cami's fabulous book Gibraltar has a newly redesigned cover. Great job to your designer Cami! This new look makes me want to curl up on the rocking chair in my sun room and read the book again! If you haven't yet read Gibraltar, treat yourself! Cami knows how anxious I am for the sequel, so I won't mention that here!

Looking for a Great Book

Debra Murphy, author of the wonderful book The Mystery of Things (Ashland Grail Cycle ; Bk. 1), has begun compilation of a comprehensive list of Catholic fiction. I think she's got a great list going, and I'm going to drop her a note with a few suggestions. What would you add to the list? Have any favorites already listed? There's nothing like a great work of fiction to take you away to someplace new (or old!)

We all need to do so much more to support and encourage the wonderful Catholic authors who are busy creating these great books! Hats off to Debra for getting us thinking about Catholic fiction!

Craft Query

Fifth grade relgious education teacher Angela wrote me to ask if I'd ever heard of the Lenten Journey Keychain Craft. I haven't, but maybe one of you has! Drop a comment below or email me at Lisa@catholicmom.com if you can help Angela and her fifth graders!

Going Red

Yesterday, I put on a jaunty red jacket and my favorite boots and went downtown to have lunch with girlfriends. Going out to lunch isn't something I do very often, but this time I justified the time and expense because my attendance was for a good cause and in honor of one of my most special friends.

Eight years ago, when our sons were in Kindergarten, my 28 year old friend Michelle, a skinny former college soccer player, suffered a major heart attack and almost died. One of the many shocking things about the situation was the fact that Michelle had no previous history of cardiac disease.

In typical Michelle fashion, she turned her dilemna into an opportunity to serve others. After dealing with years of doctors visits, surgeries and invasive medical procedures, Michelle has become an advocate for the Go Red for Women mission:

Go Red For Women is the American Heart Association’s nationwide movement that celebrates the energy, passion and power we have as women to band together and wipe out heart disease. Thanks to the participation of millions of people across the country, the color red and the red dress have become linked with the ability all women have to improve their heart health and live stronger, longer lives. The movement gives women tips and information on healthy eating, exercise and risk factor reduction, such as smoking cessation, weight maintenance, blood pressure control, and blood cholesterol management.

The lunch was followed by a fashion show featuring heart survivors. As I watched my beautiful friend Michelle up there stutting her stuff on the runway, I said I silent prayer of thanksgiving for people like her - people who don't let the crosses of life get them down...people who make this world a better, more healthy and loving place for others...people who have an optomistic attitude that's infectious - who make you want to look for opportunities in your own life to be of service to others.

Thanks for the lunch and the friendship Michelle. You look marvelous in Red!

To learn more about Go Red for Women and how you can reduce your own risk of heart disease visit Go Red for Women.