Merry Christmas

Hello Modern Catholic Moms~ I hope by now you are winding down from a beautiful Christmas day. Although I am thoroughly exhausted I am happy. We had a great day filled with family and love.

My hope is to return to the blogosphere. I look forward to writing with you once again! God bless the rest of your Christmas Day!

Come and See Kids Catholic Bible Giveaway

Check out a chance to win "Come and See" KIDS Catholic Bible studies for children. Each chapter contains a Bible story, a memory verse, a perforated page to tear out and color, and a simple craft. The kids will look forward to starting each new chapter.

Frugal Catholic Mommy is hosting the 12 days of Christmas giveaway! Find it here!

Let the Oppressed Go Free- Book Review

Let the Oppressed Go Free: Breaking the Bonds of Addiction
By Cardinal Justin Rigali

I am a proud book reviewer of the Catholic Company. (The Catholic Product Reviewer Program). The latest book I have had the opportunity to review is ‘Let the Oppressed Go Free: Breaking the Bonds of Addiction.’

Cardinal Rigali has created a book that is informational, easy to read and a perfect guide to learning more about the bonds of addiction. Throughout the book addiction is explained by references to the Catechism, Scripture, Redemptor Hominis (The Redeemer of Man), the works of St. Theresa of Avila and so much more.

The book is broken up into seven parts. These include:

· The nature of addiction
· The importance of a robust Christian anthropology
· Initial appraisal of problems posed by the Internet
· The Sacraments: The importance of grace and virtue
· The importance of prayer
· The twelve steps

From there each part is broken up into specific questions that are relevant to both the chapter and basic understanding of addiction. The book does not have to be read straight through but can be referenced as needed.

Unfortunately in this day and age, every family is touched one way or another with addiction. Someone we know, friend or family member has exhibited addictive traits if not a full blown addiction. This is the book to go to when asking questions about how addiction and how the Catholic Church feels about the like. There is no mincing of words or a fairytale remedy for breaking addiction.

For someone who has studied a fair amount about addiction (I worked in drug and alcohol rehabilitation for a few years) I was grateful for the Catholic influence regarding this matter. I appreciate that Cardinal Rigali recognizes the spiritual component to addiction and healing and provides the reader with the knowledge to make changes in their life.

This is a book for family member and friends of those with addictions. This is a book for those who are suffering from addiction. This is a book for those who want to learn more about how Catholicism can help addiction.

‘Let the Oppressed Go Free: Breaking the Bonds of Addiction’ is a great informational book, orthodox to the core and a means of hope for the oppressed. I definitely recommend this book. Check it out here.

The Catholic Company can be found here.

Preparing for Christmas

Could it be that the first Sunday of Advent is almost here? I know you are thinking, Wait! We havent even finished with Thanksgiving! I have decided this year to truly keep the spirit of Christ at the forefront of our Christmas season. I am amazed by how easily I become distracted by the bright lights, the store advertisements and the gift giving. But not this year. This year I have a plan.

1. Every time my little one mentions 'presents' I follow it up with an excited voice exclaiming 'How wonderful that we get to celebrate Jesus' birthday with presents'! She in turn gets very excited about a birthday party for Jesus.

2. A birthday party for Jesus. We will make a cake and make sure to sing to the Lord of Lords!

3. Christmas shopping- completed before December 1st. I am so happy not to be distracted with 'buying' this December.

4. Advent Wreath- I will post more about this later. But I am excited to have a little one who will be able to understand (sorta) what is going on! (She is three almost four. We'll work with what we can).

What do you do to keep Christ the reason for the season?

The Beatitudes for Children

Check out my Tiber River Review of

"The Beatitudes for Children".

Awesome book that you can find here.

"The Beatitudes for Children" is a book that will speak to the heart of your child about the very words Jesus Christ has given us to live by.

Product Link:

http://tiberriver.com/index.cfm/fuseaction/home.viewreview/review/655

Tiber River:

Navigating the Sea of Catholic Media

The first time I received the Eucharist

"The first time I received the Eucharist I was in my mother's womb".

How beautiful to know that as an unborn child we are receiving our Lord, Jesus Christ. The very thought that God created us so that our babies in utero would have the privilege to receive Holy Communion is truly a testament to the beauty of the unborn child. We continue to pray for all unborn children and the end to abortion.

Freedom of Speech?

An interesting article. This man, a recent graduate from Franciscan University of Steubenville, was fired for telling his gay co-worker that gay marriage is wrong.

Read it here:

Fox News

Whether or not your faith leads you to be for or against gay marriage a question that needs to be asked is whether or not freedom of speech has been taken away from this man. If the situation was as he stated then could the women be fired for harassing a practicing Catholic about gay marriage? Will businesses begin censoring all converstation so that no one may talk about any ethical issues? Where is the line? How do you get fired for non support of a co workers same sex marriage? When did we lose our freedom of speech?

Great Pro-Life Victory

Here is the letter I received from the Susan B Anthony organization. THIS IS GREAT NEWS!!!



Dear Tara,

All of your letters and calls paid off!

Tonight the U.S. House of Representatives approved the Stupak-Pitts Amendment to H.R. 3962, by a vote of 240 to 194, with 64 Democratic members voting in favor of the amendment to ban federal funding of abortion in the health care bill.

This is a great victory for the pro-life movement and for all SBA List members who so diligently contacted their Representatives leading up to the vote.
With the adoption of the Stupak-Pitts Amendment, the House of Representatives made a principled and sound decision to continue our nation’s longstanding policy of protecting taxpayers’ conscience in the area of abortion funding.
In the coming weeks, we will remain vigilant and shift our efforts to the Senate to ensure that these same pro-life protections are included in the Senate bill. We fully expect that pro-abortion leaders will still try to find ways to sneak abortion funding into health care.

For now though, let's celebrate this great victory for unborn children and women. Thank you for all of your efforts in defense of Life. Together we can save countless unborn lives.

God bless,

Marjorie Dannenfelser
President, Susan B. Anthony List

Happy All Saints Day!

Liv wanted to be Immaculate Mary for All Saints Day. She was so cute. She told me that she needed to have a rosary in order to make the constume complete. Father had her lead a Hail Mary and she did great!

Ten Commandments of a Wife and Mother

The Ten Commandments of a Wife and Mother:

“When one finds a worthy wife, her value is far beyond pearls.
Her husband, entrusting his heart to her, has an unfailing prize.
She brings him good and not evil, all the days of her life.”
- Proverbs 31:10-12

Check it out here.

I luv Seinfelds Bride

First let me give credit where credit is due. Seinfelds wife has does wonders in my life. I now am almost a pro at putting various healthy veggies in almost anything I can. Don't get me wrong, we still eat regular veggies during dinner, sometimes as a snack... But now... now I am in control of veggie consumption and NO whining! I have purchased 'Deceptively Delicious' and have been using it for awhile. But this my friends, takes the veggie cake.

Spinach and eggs. 'Halloween Eggs'. Frankenstein eggs. And it worked. Oh how it worked!

Halloween? A msg from Fr. Corapi

This was sent by a friend of my to read. We trick-or-treat but always attend an All Saints Day Party to celebrate the true holiday. What do you do to bring to light the the beauty of All Saints Day?

The Battle Between Good and Evil: an Update from Fr. Corapi

As Halloween approaches, we are surrounded by themes of the occult, ghosts, demons, curses, and hauntings. Demonic and occult themes permeate the media at this time of year. Most of this material is pure fiction, yet the part that is not fiction is an acknowledgment that angels and demons exist. One cannot understand reality if one brackets out a large portion of reality -the pretenders order (angels and demons). If you try to arrive at valid conclusions concerning reality, but have left out a good part of that reality you are engaged in an exercise in futility. So many things today can only be understood in the light of this spiritual reality. Have you ever wondered why so many apparently educated and intelligent people just don't get it, especially with respect to such life and death matters as abortion?There is a battle that goes on in the spiritual order between the forces of God and the forces of Satan, "the adversary." This battle between cosmic good and evil, between angels and demons, has man caught in the cross hairs. Man is an active player in his own salvation. We need the help of our allies the angels. To fail to enlist their help is reckless. To fail to realize the reality of the enemy forces, the demonic legions, can be ultimately and eternally fatal. We are at war and our battle is not against flesh and blood, as St. Paul warns us in Ephesians 6. The battle between good and evil, truth and lies, life and death involves these angelic legions - good and evil. We are soldiers in God's army, like it or not, believe it or not.We must be aware of these fundamental teachings, learn them, and live in accordance with them.

Mother Teresa and Grace

I should- No, I could!

Tuesday Tid-bit:

I have eliminated the word 'should' from my vocabulary. I had this ridiculously long list of 'shoulds'. For example:

I should go workout.
I should do more laundry.
I should be more patient.
I should be more loving.
I should pray more.

This is only a minute portion of the 'should list' but watch what happens when I take the 'shoulds' and make them 'coulds':

I could go workout.
I could do more laundry.
I could be more patient.
I could be more loving.
I could pray more.

It feels like I have taken off 99% of the pressure by changing one little word. 'Coulds' allow me to rely on the Lord for the grace to be more loving or patient, to get that laundry done or make it to the gym. 'Shoulds' make me feel as though I have failed. When I use the word 'could' it becomes empowering. Through the grace of our Father I can get things done.

Try it.... change your 'shoulds' to 'coulds'!