![Put It To Work 33]()
by Catherine | Jun 28, 2015 | Faith
Another Monday means another opportunity to swap prayer intentions and start “putting them to work” for one another!
Here are my prayer intentions for this week:
- For couples to witness the sanctity of marriage as God created it to their children, their communities, and the world
- For our friends and family who are facing health problems and high risk pregnancies
- For our priests who may be afraid to preach boldly, that they be encouraged by their parishioners
- For my dad as he celebrates his birthday on the Fourth of July
Your turn! What prayer intentions can I “put to work” for you this week? As always, I will add them to my prayer journal and pray for you by name throughout the week–especially during my morning prayers. Please share your intentions in the comment box below, on the blog Facebook page, or send them to me via the blog contact form. Thank you in advance for your prayers.
Have a great week!
![7QT: A Few Updates and a Few Favorites]()
by Catherine | Jun 25, 2015 | Everything Else, Faith, Family
A few updates and a few recent favorite things:
-1-
We took our first-ever family vacation to Kansas City last week. We had a great, great time! More on that next week.
-2-
2 weeks until The Edel Gathering. Can’t wait to connect with other Catholic women from around the country! Counting down the days!
-3-
Philip went on a retreat for young fathers a few weekends ago. When was the last time you encouraged your hubby to take some dedicated time for himself? Philip tends to want to spend his time away from work at home with us, and it’s rare for him to seek out guy time. I’m so glad he had this opportunity to get to deepen his interior life with some awesome, faith-filled men.
-4-
What I’m reading:
The Appalling Strangeness of the Mercy of God by Ruth V.K. Pakaluk
Unglued: Making Wise Choices in the Midst of Raw Emotions by Lysa TerKeurst
Laudato Si (Encyclical “On Care For Our Common Home”) by Pope Francis
-5-
What I’ve read recently that I would definitely recommend:
The Joy of the Gospel by Pope Francis
The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up by Marie Kondo
Overcoming Sinful Anger by Fr. T. Morrow
Better Than Before: Mastering the Habits of Our Everyday Lives by Gretchen Rubin
The Four Signs of a Dynamic Catholic by Matthew Kelly
Mother Teresa: Come Be My Light by Brian Kolodiejchuk
-6-
What I’m Listening to:
The Little House Mothering Podcast
“Catholic Youth Summer Camp” Playlist on Spotify
Good Things Radio
Catholic Answers Live (Been listening since sophomore year of college)
The Doctor is In
-7-
It’s nearly July already. I say it every year, but where is this summer going??? I’ve been taking stock if life lately and setting some new goals for the next month. I’ve been praying about which ones God wants for me and which ones aren’t worth the effort. Looking forward to sharing them with you next week.
Has your summer been going how you thought it would? Any changes you’d make now that we’re nearly to the halfway point?
* * *
If you’d like to read more 7QT posts, head over to Kelly Mantoan’s blog, This Ain’t The Lyceum.
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by Catherine | Jun 22, 2015 | Faith
Another Monday means another opportunity to swap prayer intentions and start “putting them to work” for one another!
Here are my prayer intentions for this week:
- For continued healing after the Charleston shooting
- For our parish (and parishes around the world) who are taking up the call to become missionary witnesses of the Joy of the Gospel.
Your turn! What prayer intentions can I “put to work” for you this week? As always, I will add them to my prayer journal and pray for you by name throughout the week–especially during my morning prayers. Please share your intentions in the comment box below, on the blog Facebook page, or send them to me via the blog contact form. Thank you in advance for your prayers.
Have a great week!
![Jane's Mass Sketch Book]()
by Catherine | Jun 11, 2015 | Faith
A few weeks ago, Philip suggested that we start bringing two notepads and pens to Mass for Jane and Walt to keep their hands busy since they both like drawing so much. Walt mostly doodles and loses interest quickly, but Jane gets absolutely focused on everything she’s drawing. I encourage her to draw what she sees and hears at Mass to keep her with us at Mass instead of in her mind. The Mass sketch book is proving to be a beautiful reflection of how the Holy Spirit is working in her. Here are a few of her drawings from last Sunday’s Mass (on the Feast of Corpus Christi):
“A wise man”
“Licking a lollipop” Aren’t those shoes fantastic? I especially like the huge lollipop and the tongue.
“This is Pentecost. That’s Mary, and she’s saying, ‘Woah! I have fire on my head!’ The dog under the table is afraid of the fire.” Our pastor spoke about Pentecost during his homily, so that must have been the inspiration for this drawing. I think this picture must be some of what Jesus meant when He said we need to become like children. I wish I could enter into His Word the way Jane does with her amazing imagination.
“That’s Jesus on the cross for us.”
“That’s Jesus’ birthday!”
“That’s the Angel Gabriel.”
Jane poked me during Mass to show me this one. “Look, Mama! I drew those flowers!” She replicated the beautiful rose arrangements on the altar for Corpus Christi.
Another poke. “Mama! Look! I drew that girl!” (She pointed across the aisle to a sweet, freckle faced first communicant dressed in her white dress and veil. The parish first communicants were invited to lead the congregation in following the Eucharistic Procession after Mass.)
This picture is among my top 3 favorite pictures Jane has ever drawn. “That’s Mary trying to protect the Baby Jesus from mean King Herod when he was trying to kill Baby Jesus.” I’m so impressed by her ability to convey movement and emotions so well. Is Herod on a stool to make himself look taller? Perhaps Jane is letting us know that he had a Napoleon complex before that was a thing.
“That’s another one of Jesus on the cross for us.”
“That’s Jesus and the 3 Marys.” Jane must have taken her inspiration from one of our new hallway prints and remembered it at Mass. She positioned the Marys the same.
It’s my goal this summer to make it to weekday Mass at least once per week with Jane on a morning when Philip’s home with the boys. That way, she can get more practice at Mass with me and (in theory) can be a good example to her brothers on Sundays. When she is a good leader, the boys follow suit more often than not. It sure can’t hurt! I know it’s not perfect and that in an ideal world my 5-year-old would be able to sit with her hands folded on her lap, but we’re not there yet. In the meantime, the Mass sketch book has been a beautiful baby step in the right direction. These drawings show me that her ears, eyes, hands, and heart are open to the stirrings of the Holy Spirit. That’s what matters most to me right now.
![Jane’s Mass Sketch Book]()
by Catherine | Jun 11, 2015 | Faith
A few weeks ago, Philip suggested that we start bringing two notepads and pens to Mass for Jane and Walt to keep their hands busy since they both like drawing so much. Walt mostly doodles and loses interest quickly, but Jane gets absolutely focused on everything she’s drawing. I encourage her to draw what she sees and hears at Mass to keep her with us at Mass instead of in her mind. The Mass sketch book is proving to be a beautiful reflection of how the Holy Spirit is working in her. Here are a few of her drawings from last Sunday’s Mass (on the Feast of Corpus Christi):
“A wise man”
“Licking a lollipop” Aren’t those shoes fantastic? I especially like the huge lollipop and the tongue.
“This is Pentecost. That’s Mary, and she’s saying, ‘Woah! I have fire on my head!’ The dog under the table is afraid of the fire.” Our pastor spoke about Pentecost during his homily, so that must have been the inspiration for this drawing. I think this picture must be some of what Jesus meant when He said we need to become like children. I wish I could enter into His Word the way Jane does with her amazing imagination.
“That’s Jesus on the cross for us.”
“That’s Jesus’ birthday!”
“That’s the Angel Gabriel.”
Jane poked me during Mass to show me this one. “Look, Mama! I drew those flowers!” She replicated the beautiful rose arrangements on the altar for Corpus Christi.
Another poke. “Mama! Look! I drew that girl!” (She pointed across the aisle to a sweet, freckle faced first communicant dressed in her white dress and veil. The parish first communicants were invited to lead the congregation in following the Eucharistic Procession after Mass.)
This picture is among my top 3 favorite pictures Jane has ever drawn. “That’s Mary trying to protect the Baby Jesus from mean King Herod when he was trying to kill Baby Jesus.” I’m so impressed by her ability to convey movement and emotions so well. Is Herod on a stool to make himself look taller? Perhaps Jane is letting us know that he had a Napoleon complex before that was a thing.
“That’s another one of Jesus on the cross for us.”
“That’s Jesus and the 3 Marys.” Jane must have taken her inspiration from one of our new hallway prints and remembered it at Mass. She positioned the Marys the same.
It’s my goal this summer to make it to weekday Mass at least once per week with Jane on a morning when Philip’s home with the boys. That way, she can get more practice at Mass with me and (in theory) can be a good example to her brothers on Sundays. When she is a good leader, the boys follow suit more often than not. It sure can’t hurt! I know it’s not perfect and that in an ideal world my 5-year-old would be able to sit with her hands folded on her lap, but we’re not there yet. In the meantime, the Mass sketch book has been a beautiful baby step in the right direction. These drawings show me that her ears, eyes, hands, and heart are open to the stirrings of the Holy Spirit. That’s what matters most to me right now.
![Put It To Work 31]()
by Catherine | Jun 8, 2015 | Faith
Another Monday means another opportunity to swap prayer intentions and start “putting them to work” for one another!
Here are my prayer intentions for this week:
- For the Holy Spirit to pour out His blessings upon our Godson, Luke, who celebrates his second birthday today. May Christ always be Luke’s Rock and the Church his home.
- For God to continue to guide and strengthen my spiritual director in his vocation. We meet this afternoon for spiritual direction, and I am so grateful for this good and holy priest’s ministry.
- For the GodTeens to continue to feel God’s Love for them during our monthly summer meetings. That He will speak to them when we meet on Friday for a group bonfire.
Your turn! What prayer intentions can I “put to work” for you this week? As always, I will add them to my prayer journal and pray for you by name throughout the week–especially during my morning prayers. Please share your intentions in the comment box below, on the blog Facebook page, or send them to me via the blog contact form. Thank you in advance for your prayers.
Have a great week!
