Jehovah's Witnesses and my broken down car

I was having a particularly difficult day. Late for a meeting, I couldn't find my keys. I spent about 30 minutes trying to find them. The kiddos ran around in the garage while I tore through everything I could think to check. I was actually quite startled when I heard a woman’s voice ask if everything was alright. It was an older woman, dressed quite nice, coming to speak about Our personal Lord and Savior. I politely told her I was searching for my keys and to please say a prayer that I would find them. She left me some literature and continued on her way.  I found the keys shortly thereafter, put both kids in their car seats and learned quickly that the car was not going to start.

As I silently banged my head on the steering wheel I noticed the two nicely dressed people approaching my car. A moment of relief and of annoyance crossed over me. Don't get me wrong, I am one of those people that truly enjoys hearing about other faiths. It helps answer questions that I have and truly it helps to solidify my love for the Catholic faith. But I was just so overwhelmed and tired trying to get to this meeting.

They approached the car and asked if I needed a jump. Why yes, yes I did. So these two very nice people took quite a bit of time to help me jump my car and get on my way. They also provided me with some literature about Jehovah's Witnesses, which I welcomed.

The nice lady has been back quite a few times. I haven’t been here to greet her until this last visit. She asked how I was and if she could give me some more literature. I took the opportunity to share with her that I was a devout Catholic but at her request she was welcome to come back and talk.


I think I get that Jehovah's witnesses are very good about evangelization as the disciples did. I guess I am trying to figure out if she would be open to my questions challenging the validity of her faith. I would love to sit down with her and know what it is that makes her loved her faith so much. People with passion are inspiring! But mostly I feel like I will be wasting her time... knowing that all I really want to do is allow her to see the beauty of Catholicism.
 
I love that they are out in the world truly evangelizing. Isn’t that what we are all called to do? I want to respect her and the Jehovah faith enough to listen to her words. And yet I want to be prepared to share from my heart as well.

Has anyone had any experience with a situation like this one? And courteous advice? I know she will be back soon! :)

Pro-life Ad to be aired during the Superbowl

Tim Tebow has teamed up with Focus on the Family to create an ad that promotes life and family.  How beautiful is that?  With such a war on life in our world today, having a commercial that promotes that dignity of the human person rocks.  Way to go Tebow and Focus on the Family!

Preparing for Lent

Lent is around the corner. Sometimes I feel that the season of Lent arrives before I know it. With this in mind I thought I would provide a few books that can really help to prepare for our Risen Lord.


1. Get the Magnificat Lenten guide. Small enough to fit in your purse or back pocket, this guide provides Scripture and a meditation for each day in Lent. Find yours here.

2. Crossing te Desert- Lent and Conversion by James Keating. I reviewed this book last year here.

'Crossing the Desert' is a easy to read guide that allows the reader an opportunity to really get to the heart of the Lenten season. It is not specific to certain days during Lent so you could pick it up at any point and start to read it. I think I got mine from Amazon.

3. Choose a saint who's life you would like to learn more about. Make a committment to study and reflect on the life of a saint special in your life. Some great choices:

 
              The Diary of St. Faustina
              The Interior Castle- St. Thersa of Avila
              St Augustine- Confessions
              A Simple Path- Mother Teresa
              No Greater Love- Mother Teresa

Columbus Catholic Womens Conference

It's that wonderful time of the year again....

Time to be fed.

Time to be renewed.

Time to do something for you.

Time to be with our Lord!

The annual Columbus Catholic Women's Conference is happening in February. 

Details:

Date:          February 27th, 2010
Location:   Lausche Building
                   Ohio State Expo Center
Time:        7:30a-4p

Guest Speakers:   Colleen Kelly Mast
                            Sr Assumpta Long
                            Terry Polakovic

Check out the website for information about the conference and registration. 

If you have any questions please let me know!

See Kai Run Shoe Donations for Haitians

Hi Modern Catholic Moms,

I received this email.... I think this is a great way to help a little....



Dear Friends of See Kai Run,



By now you have heard about the overwhelming devastation caused by a 7.0 earthquake, which struck Port-au-Prince, Haiti on Tuesday evening, and the desperate need for supplies and donations.



In response to the dire need, See Kai Run has put together an emergency shoe donation of nearly 3,000 pairs to help the children in this ravaged part of the world. The donated shoes will be distributed through Soles4Souls, the international charity dedicated to providing footwear to disadvantaged people around the world. According to Soles4Souls, a sturdy pair of shoes is absolutely necessary in times like these when the amount of broken glass, twisted metal and raw sewage is staggering.



What Can You Do to Help?

Soles4Souls accepts ongoing shoe donations from individuals and retailers. You can donate new or gently worn shoes that are just taking up space in your closet -- every little bit counts. Just bind each pair with rubber bands and drop them off at a participating location. Or, send them to a Soles4Souls warehouse facility.



Please visit Soles4Souls to find out other ways you can donate.



Sincerely,



The See Kai Run Team

I am falling in love

I'm falling in love with a young saint named St. Philomena. Scott Hahn recently released a CD on this beautiful saint through Lighthouse Ministries. (Have I mentioned how much I love Lighthouse) I can listen to the CD in pieces and bits in the car while I drive. I am unsure why I was so moved by this particular CD about this particular saint but I am.

St. Philomena died a martyr when she was 13. Not much was known about her when her remains were found. Somewhere around 1805 is when the true devotion to her began.  I am going to write more about her history soon.

Saint Philomena.com  shares that St. Philomena is known to be especially powerful in cases involving conversion of sinners, return to the Sacraments, expectant mothers, destitute mothers, problems with children, unhappiness in the home, sterility, priests and their work, help for the sick, the missions, real estate, money problems, food for the poor and mental illness. But truly, as her devotees discovered, no case, of whatever matter, is too trivial or too unimportant to concern her.

There is something amazing about this saint that is moving myself and many others. Check her official Italian site out here.

Do you have something to share about St. Philomena? 

St. Philomena, pray for us-

Prayers for Haiti

In light of the earthquake in Haiti I thought I would post a website where donations can be made. The organization is called 'Movin' With the Spirit'. I have two friends who are currently doing mission work in Haiti and this is the organization that they are working through. (The two girls have contacted family and are doing well. PRAISE GOD!!)


MWTS is reputable and safe. Their work is truly making a difference in the lives of Haitians. Please visit this website to learn more about how you can help. http://www.mwts.org/

If you have a moment be sure to read about the history of this amazing group.  It will seriously move you.

Article: Shortage of Women in China

Shortage of women in China:



This article is so sad.   Researchers have found that in 10 years there will not be enough women to marry men.   This is due to the abortion of females and the 1 child policy China enforces. 


Truly I cannot believe that either of these practices even exist in the world.  It seriously just blows my mind.  I am also sad to read the article and see in black and white what we knew all along.  Of course there would be a shortage of women for men to marry.  And of course human trafficking and prostitution would be on the rise. 

"Abductions and trafficking of women are "rampant" in areas with excess numbers of men, The Global Times reported, citing findings by China's National Population and Family Planning Commission."


"Illegal marriages and forced prostitution were also problems in those areas, the paper said in a report by Agence France-Presse"


God has made it so clear that abortion is wrong. How can an entire nation ignore the Truth?  Even strictly looking at morality, how can they as a country believe that the removal of women from their society will have any benefit?  Obviously these people had to think about the repercussions of killing off baby girls?  And the one child rule had to have consequences that were taken into consideration. 

Jer 1:5   Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, and before you were born I consecrated you.

CCC 2319  Every human life, from the moment of conception until death, is sacred because the human person has been willed for it's own sake in the image and likeness of the living and holy God.


In 2010 maybe we could join in praying for the conversion of China, for the babies that have been and will be aborted, and for the women who did have the chance to be born who will face dire conditions as they reach adulthood.

The Adventures of Sunday Mass

Mass was funny tonight. No, Mass shouldn't typically be funny but I had to laugh at the situation. I have been given the gift of watching my nephew during Mass. He is 3 months old. Of course I am also watching my lively three year old. Every week I think to myself, I can do this. Many moms handle 3,4, or 5 kids at Mass. Two? No problem.


Everything was off to a great start, until I dropped Joey's pacifier on the ground. Of course Olivia was more than happy to climb under the pews to reach the binky. Upon retrieving it she shouts, 'Mom, it has hair all over it'. So, the binky is done for the evening. Joey starts to fuss. Liv takes the opportunity to use the pew as a trampoline. I immediately stop her by giving her the 'gritting-teeth-turning-red' look and she sits. I stand up (at least I know enough to sit in the last row) and move behind the pew to stand-rock the baby. Finally there is peace...but we have only made it to the Gloria.


The readings come and I get pieces of the First reading. I know this much, the language was beautiful. But I don't get much farther because there is activity on the pew again. Crushed goldfish on the floor. (I know.... I try not to bring food but sometimes I am just weak. If she is eating then there is no talking, right?!) Then the dreaded news, 'Mom, I have to pee'. I say, 'Not now Olivia, the Gospel is about to start'. And she replies with the standard, 'But mom, I realllyyy have to pee'.


So this is that point... you know when you just have to decide. Does she really have to go the bathroom? How many people have now heard the word 'pee' around you? Will she continue to chant 'pee' until you take her out of Church? One time.... just one time I called her on it. I thought she was bluffing and we were running late for something. So when she stood in the Walmart cart and told me she had to pee I told her to wait until we were done checking out. You can hold it. Then the pee dance began. I'm sure you've seen it before. That little dance punctuated with a whine that just goes right through you. And then the pee began to run down her leg, onto the cart, onto the floor. It was traumatic. I felt terrible, she felt terrible and the Walmart employees felt terrible. Now I try to respect the 'pee dance'.


So, we go to the bathroom. I missed the second reading. And the Gospel. And I'm pretty sure there would have been some great message tailored just for me to hear. I am sure your next through would be, 'Why don't you just read the readings?' I would. Really I would but I couldn't put the baby down because he was fussy. And there was this spit up issue.... And Liv, well she was taking full advantage of my temporary handicap.


My sister came over right before Communion because the fussing got to be a little much.  She sits in the front of the Church and came back to assist. We got a bottle together and I started to feed him. Jessie walked with Liv up to get Communion and I continued to feed the baby. (FYI Jessie is the Youth Minister which is why I was taking care of the babe. She would have taken him but she had announcements to handle after Communion). So Jess is walking with Liv. And just as we are approaching the Holy Eucharist I get a feeling. Call it mothers intuition. Call it just plain craziness. Liv decided to follow the priest back to the altar. I don't know what she was thinking but as he patted her on the head she took it as an invitation to come with him. Jessie didn't even know what hit her.


I went back to the pew and thanked Jesus for letting me receive Him. As I lovingly patted Joey's little back and thought about my intentions I felt a warm sensation. Joey had thrown up a ton all over my right arm and leg. I kid you not. Warm spit up just makes me crazy.

And then it was over. As Mass ended with a praise and worship song I noticed a few things. First, I had stopped sweating. Second, sweet Joey was happy as a clam. Third, Liv was excitedly clapping her hands and dancing to the song. Fourth, I am a superstar.

 

Vatican tribute to U2

I am in love with U2. I listened to them in utero, through childhood and now into adulthood. So you can imagine my happiness upon reading this article found at Catholic Media Review:

"Vatican newspaper pays tribute to U2. "

The writers are recognizing U2's stong Biblical basis for the words in their songs as well as their heavy emphasis on those things spiritual. Even the titles and themes of each of their albums have a spiritual basis from their conception. It is beautiful to think that this bigger than life band has based so much of their music on the main chords of Chrisitianity. Thanks to Catholic Media Review for a great post.
Enjoy!

New Reform for the Liturgy?

Papal Liturgist endorses 'reform of the reform'. Jan. 07, 2010

from the Catholic National Reporter

I came across an article from the Catholic National Reporter. I love reading about Pope Benedicts vision for the future of our Church. Any 'change' that calls the faithful to increase the love and respect for the Eucharist has got my attention and my support. I love being reminded that every part of the Mass should be conducive to Adoration. It only makes sense to remember that the Lord is present with us during that time therefore only the greatest respect should be shown for Him.

Of course after reading the comments left at the bottom of the article I realized that many people are not happy about change. Below are some of the highlights of the article. To read the article in full go here.

What are your feelings on the following?

"The Liturgy cannot and must not be an opportunity for conflict between those who find good only in that which came before us, and those who, on the contrary, almost always find wrong in what came before," said the pope's chief liturgist, Msgr. Guido Marini.

"The way forward for any liturgical renewal is "to regard both the present and the past liturgy of the church as one patrimony in continuous development," he said.

Examples include:

"Hence the reason for the proposal made by then-Cardinal Ratzinger and presently reaffirmed during the course of his pontificate, to place the crucifix on the center of the altar, in order that all, during the celebration of the liturgy, may concretely face and look upon the Lord, in such a way as to orient also their prayer and hearts,"

and

A renewed emphasis on "adoration," explained by Marini as "union with God," also will foster continuity with the past and should be a criterion for future liturgical practices, he said. Everything in the liturgy must be conducive to adoration, Marini said, including the music, the singing, the periods of silence, the way of proclaiming the Scriptures as well as the liturgical vestments and the sacred vessels.

and

He said it was this same desire to renew a sense of adoration that prompted Pope Benedict to make it the norm in papal liturgies for the pope to distribute Communion on the tongue to people kneeling.

The Promise of Today

It's been a whirlwind of a few days. A family friend has finally come to the last of her days with her battle with cancer. (Please pray for Joyce, her husband and children). My deceased dads birthday came and went. And my moms illness (Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disorder) has gave us a run for our money as she battles with bronchitis. It has been sobering thinking about death and dying. Unfortunately (or fortunately) these situations really make you stop and think.

What do I know about the promise of Heaven?
What do I believe happens after death?
What is the real point of life on earth.

There was a time when I was angry with death and illness. Angry that our family had to deal with excessive death and dying.... Most people still have their grandparents and not only did we not have our grandparents but we lost our father and have a very ill mother. Then it occurred to me that this, this was the bones of life.

Life and death. Overwhelming to say the least. But it has brought me to a new level spiritually. It has forced me to say, 'Yes, there is loving God. And yes, I desperately want to be there with Him, after death.'

I am confidant that there is a Heaven to aspire towards and a loving Father that wants to embrace us. I want to live this life for our God, doing things on earth that help the world to grow and love. I want to make each day count; truly making a positive difference in my family and friends lives.

Time is not promised. Tomorrow is not ours. Only today, in this moment, can be promised.

Lord, fill us with your Spirit. Inspire us to spread the Gospel, telling those around us about your love. Please give us holy boldness so that we may spread your Word. Thank you for the promise of Heaven. Thank you for today. Amen.

Holy Boldness

Bishop Fulton Sheen once wrote:

"There are not 100 people in the world who hate Catholicism, but there are millions who hate what they mistakenly believe Catholicism to be".

How true are these words! In light of a new year, I have felt that tiny tug on my heart that begs the question, 'Will you tell them who I am?'

For the most part I have lost my fervor, my holy boldness, to evangelize to those in need. There was a time when I felt the conviction to spread the Gospel message independent of my pride. Now my pride envelopes me and I want to shy away from speaking out loud to someone about our Savior. I mean, I might offend them, or bore them, or look strange. And then it hits me.

Its all about Christ! Everything is about our Lord. And what a gift it is to be able to tell the world about the love of Christ. What would be the point of our existence if not to glorify our Creator? I am amazed at how distracted I can become by the world and all the empty promises it has to offer. I pray that I will not worry about feeling embarrassed or looking weird. It is not about me. It's about Him.


Thank you Lord that men like Fulton Sheen can inspire and remind us that it is indeed all about You. May 2010 be a year filled with Holy Boldness and a greater love for You! Teach us how to evangelize Lord so that all Creation may know of your greatness.

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!