Catholic Fire

This week's Catholic Carnival is being hosted by Lyn F. at Organ-ic Chemist. There is a treasure chest of posts there, covering a wide variety of topics, including: Pentecost, Mother's Day, First Communion, Confirmation, book and movie reviews ... you name it, it's in there. Here are a few of my favorites: Christine's post on Planned Parenthood’s tribute to Mother’s Day . Steven's book review of The Shadow of the Bear: A fairy tale retold by Regina Doman. Heidi's post on The Power of Prudence. Sarah's review of Heidi Hess Saxton's Behold Your Mother: Mary Stories and Reflections from a Catholic Convert . There are plenty of other great posts there, so be sure to go there and check out all of them.

What a Mother's Day this will be for an Arkansas mom who is expecting her 18th child, due on New Year's Day. You can vote on a name for the new baby here .

Laura Ingraham is a radio talk host worth listening to with her sharp insights into the state of politics, culture and faith. She is an outspoken Roman Catholic and defender of the pro-life movement. Also a survivor of breast cancer. After years of waiting for the Guatemala adoption process - which her listeners did not know of - she is now a mother. Click here to hear Laura's announcement of her adoption! Via ProlifeBlogs.com

This video is dedicated to all the moms out there who make such a difference in the lives of so many. Via Sacred Heart at Love to be Catholic.

This coming Sunday, May 11, the Basilica of the National Shrine will begin its Novena of Masses for mothers. On each of the nine days, a Mass will be celebrated at the Basilica for those who are enrolled in the Mother’s Day Novena. Anyone who wishes to enroll their mother in the Novena list can do so online. Donations on behalf of mothers can also be made online . Via CNA.

Packed with prayers, scripture, and poetic reflections, Heidi Hess Saxton’s beautiful devotional, Behold Your Mother: Mary Stories and Reflections from a Catholic Convert consists of 48 meditations that will draw each of us to the heart of Our Mother Mary, who in turn, will draw us into the heart of her beloved Son. Each of the devotions provides us with a vivid and imaginative description of how our Blessed Mother must have felt and thought during the significant events of her life. These thought - provoking meditations provide us with insight into the “treasures of her heart” which enable us to relate to her on a human level. Saxton enchants us with three charming stories of how she “discovered” the Blessed Virgin Mary in her life and came to rely on Mary for protection and strength. As I read the stories, I was fascinated with these refreshing testimonies of the simple, yet powerful ways, the Blessed Mother gently acted as a channel of grace in her life, drawing her near to the S...