Catholic Fire

I enjoy adult coloring books. As a psychologist, I am keenly aware of the healing power of art therapy and how it can help reduce stress and tension and allow the person to focus and to express their emotions and their creativity. When I color, I feel relaxed and youthful again in the sense that I am allowing myself to play, to have fun, and to be like a child again. It is a wonderful escape from the everyday stresses of work, home, and family life. At Play in God’s Creation:An Illuminating Coloring Book  (written by Tara M. Owens and illustrated by Daniel W. Sorenson) is a beautiful coloring book that contains intriguing illustrations of flowers, trees, mountains, valleys, shells, butterflies, animals, oceans, and many scenes from nature. It guides you through arched pathways, intricate mazes, and open fields, providing spiritual direction along the way, with each drawing containing a quote from scripture, the saints, or mystics who guide you on the contemplative journey. ...

By Jean M. Heimann THE BOOK I have to admit that while I enjoy watching science fiction films, I am not an avid reader of science fiction books, but I definitely enjoyed reading Discovery by Karina Fabian . In fact, I loved it! It is authentically Catholic – complete with saint quotes and filled with Catholic themes. Some of these themes include: mercy and redemption, evangelization, respect for human life, and surrender to God’s will. Discovery is a gripping, suspense-filled science fiction tale that takes you on a journey into the unknown and the unexpected. It is an irresistible page turner! It grabs you by both arms and doesn't let go until the last page.  Discovery is an exhilarating, fun-filled read that contains all the makings of a great book. It has a titillating plot, complex characters, humor, mystery, and romance. The plot of Discovery is intriguing. The Rescue Sisters, Sister Ann St. Joseph de Cupertino (Ann), Sister Thomas Aquinas Krueger (Tommie), an...

1.  September is the ninth month of the year in the Julian and Gregorian Calendars and one of four months with a length of 30 days. In September, we say goodbye to summer with the official close of the swimming pools and other summer activities. This first day of September was a gorgeous day here in Wichita, Kansas (sunny, in the low 80's with a light breeze), so I decided to celebrate the new month by going on a picnic with my husband at the park. Here are a few photos I took. 2.   Here's one of my favorite September songs .  Do you remember this? 3.   September Marian Feast Days September 8:   Birth of Mary September 12:  The Most Holy Name of Mary September 15:  Our Lady of Sorrows 4.  Devotion for the Month of September  The Seven Sorrows of Mary 5.  September Poetry In the Days of the Golden Rod Across the meadow in brooding shadow I walk to drink of the autumn's wine­ The charm of stor...

Feeding Your Family’s Soul: Dinner Table Spirituality by Donna­-Marie Cooper O’Boyle Stressed and exhausted, today’s parents struggle to meet their deadlines and check off their "to do" lists. This often results in well-meaning parents putting off their children’s faith formation for "another time" or relying on others to teach their children.  This book is uniquely suited to come to their rescue! Feeding Your Family’s Soul: Dinner Table Spirituality is a vital tool to enable parents to transform a regular dinner time into a prayerful faith lesson for their elementary school to high school aged children. With 52 fun and creative faith lessons (one for each week of the year), this book will encourage parents and caregivers to seize the opportunity in teaching the Catholic faith to the children (the captive audience waiting to eat!) while gathered at the dinner table, reminding them of the value of coming together as a family to break bread and share heart...

1. I hope you had a Happy 4th of July!  Here are a couple of photos of me wearing my Lady Liberty t-shirt and of a cool, sugar-free dessert I made for Independence Day. 2.  This has been a short, but very busy week! Let's take a look at a book I have been reading -- Jeannie Ewing's From Grief to Grace: The Journey from Tragedy to Triumph . I highly recommend it! Read my review. This is my only bumper sticker. 3. I am already getting a Study/Rosary Group together for the Fall. This is what we parish ministers/ stewards work on during the summer. I have been doing lots of reading and research for the group. 4. It's not too late to start the novena to Our Lady of Mount Carmel , which began on Thursday. Her feast date is July 16. 5. How does my garden grow? Check out the photos below. May 20, 2016 June 7, 2016 Here is the first blooming gladiola from our garden, which is falling over. 6. Now a word from o...

Many of us struggle to understand the mystery of suffering in our lives. In fact, one of the most frequently asked questions by people of all faiths is, “Why would a loving God allow pain and suffering?” People often perceive pain and suffering as a punishment, rather than as a medicine or as a healing balm, which helps us grow closer to God. Redemptive suffering is something that we might understand intellectually, but have difficulty putting into practice. Even the great saints struggled to make sense out of the suffering and trials they endured. In Jeannie Ewing’s book, “From Grief to Grace: The Journey From Tragedy to Triumph” , she shares her own poignant struggle with suffering and grief,  recounting the story of the birth of  her daughter, Sarah, who was congenitally  diagnosed with a rare genetic condition known as Apert Syndrome, which is characterized by facial abnormalities and fused fingers.  Although Jeannie initially experienced heartbreak, loss,...

Here are seven books you will definitely want to include in your summer reading this year: 1.  The Four Keys to Everlasting Love by Karee and Manuel Santos -- Catholic Non-fiction  In The Four Keys to Everlasting Love: How Your Catholic Marriage Can Bring You Joy for a Lifetime , Manuel (Manny) and Karee Santos share the secrets of securing a lifetime of authentic love and mutual joy in marriage. Karee Santos, a marriage columnist, and Dr. Manuel Santos, a psychiatrist who has been counseling couples for more than fifteen years, have teamed up to compose a comprehensive manual which enables couples to find a deep, lasting, and satisfying love through a sacramental marriage. "The Four Keys to Everlasting Love" was written for both engaged couples preparing for marriage as well as couples in all seasons of marriage. Using real-life stories, biblical principles, the Catechism of the Catholic Church, and the teachings of St. John Paul II, the Santoses witness to the ...

Today, Storyteller, Author, Blogger, Podcaster and Radio Host Tony Agnesi reviews Learning to Love with the Saints: A Spiritual Memoir at Finding God's Grace in Everyday Life . Tony is well-known for his inspirational writing and storytelling, so take a look to see what he has to say about Learning to Love with the Saints and while you're there, check out his other reviews, podcasts, stories, and quotes.

On Day 6 of the blog tour for my new book, Learning to Love with the Saints: A Spiritual Memoir , a long-time blogger whom I have known for many years, the extraordinary Esther Gefroh at A Catholic Mom in Hawaii reviews my book. She is a sweet, humble, loving lady, a fervent Catholic, and a powerful prayer warrior. What are you waiting for? Go visit her! While you're there, check out the great graphics and phenomenal prayers posted on the right side of her site.  Visit these sites for the remainder of the blog tour: Thursday, May 19 -- Barb Szyszkiewicz, Review, Franciscan Mom , Book Giveaway! and Catholic Mom  Friday, May 20--Jeannie Ewing, Interview, Love Alone Creates  Book Giveaway! Saturday, May 21-- Patrice Faganant McArthur, Review, Spiritual Woman Sunday, May 22 -- Melanie Jean Juneau, Review, Association of Catholic Women Bloggers  and Joy of Nine Monday, May 23--Virginia Lieto, Review, Virginia Lieto , Book Giveaway! Tuesday, May 2...

Today, on Day 5 of the blog tour, the charming and gifted Nancy Ward at JOY Alive in our hearts reviews my new book Learning to Love with the Saints: A Spiritual Memoir.  She is also offering a GREAT GIVEAWAY! She will be giving away a first edition, signed copy of my new book, Learning to Love with the Saints: A Spiritual Memoir . Visit her website, read her review, and enter to win! Visit these sites and enter to win more prizes during the book blog tour: Wednesday, May 18 -- Esther Gefroh, Review, A Catholic Mom in Hawaii Thursday, May 19 -- Barb Szyszkiewicz, Review, Franciscan Mom , Book Giveaway! and Catholic Mom  Friday, May 20--Jeannie Ewing, Interview, Love Alone Creates  Book Giveaway! Saturday, May 21-- Patrice Faganant McArthur, Review, Spiritual Woman Sunday, May 22 -- Melanie Jean Juneau, Review, Association of Catholic Women Bloggers  and Joy of Nine Monday, May 23--Virginia Lieto, Review, Virginia Lieto , Book Giveaway! Tuesda...

Today, the lovely Lisa Mladinich , the author of  True Radiance: Finding Grace in the Second Half of Life , interviews me at Amazing Catechists , where she is giving away a FREE paperback copy of Learning to Love with the Saints: A Spiritual Memoir and at Patheos . So Be sure to enter to win! This is what Lisa has to say about Learning to Love with the Saints: A Spiritual Memoir: "Jean M. Heimann's Learning to Love With the Saints is wise and full of beauty, a memoir to be savored and brought to prayer. Read it and be blessed, and then share it with someone you love."  Visit these sites for the remainder of the blog tour: Tuesday, May 17—Nancy HC Ward, Review, Joy Alive in our Hearts Book Giveaway! Wednesday, May 18 -- Esther Gefroh, Review, A Catholic Mom in Hawaii Thursday, May 19 -- Barb Szyszkiewicz, Review, Franciscan Mom   Book Giveaway! and Catholic Mom Friday, May 20--Jeannie Ewing, Interview, Love Alone Creates Book Giveaway! Saturday...

Today, the very talented writer and novelist Carolyn Astfalk at My Scribbler's Heart blog is reviewing Learning to Love with the Saints: A Spiritual Memoir and hosting a Giveaway.  Be sure to visit her to learn more about the book and enter to win a copy. Here is the blog tour schedule: Friday, May 13 -- Ellen Gable Hrkach, Review, Plot, Line, and Sinker    Saturday, May 14 -- Rosemary Bogdan, Review, A Catholic Mother’s Thoughts   Book Giveaway! Sunday, May 15 -- Carolyn Astfalk, Review, My Scribbler’s Heart Blog  Book Giveaway! Monday, May 16 -- Lisa Mladinich, Interview, Patheos    Book Giveaway! Tuesday, May 17—Nancy HC Ward, Review, Joy Alive in our Hearts  Book Giveaway! Wednesday, May 18 -- Esther Gefroh, Review, A Catholic Mom in Hawaii  Thursday, May 19 -- Barb Szyszkiewicz, Review, Franciscan Mom   Book Giveaway! and Catholic Mom   Friday, May 20--Jeannie Ewing, Interview, Love Alone Creates ...

1. Valentine's Day -- Here are the cards we shared with one another. Bill's is on the left and mine is on the right. 2. We decided rather than go out to eat in.  Here is what I prepared for our Valentine's Day meal: shrimp cocktail,  keta salmon with a tasty rub, asparagus, and baked potatoes. It is so easy to prepare and super healthy as well as delicious. 3.  Here is my Valentine's Day gift from Bill -- a diffuser which is so relaxing at bedtime. I combine lavender essential oils with absolute rose and it produces a heavenly scent! 4. What have you been reading this Lent? Here is what has been on my night stand: The Autobiography of Dina Belanger (a French-Canadian Blessed), The Lenten Magnificat, Magnificat Year of Mercy Companion, and The Word Among Us -- Lent 2016. I am really enjoying reading about Blessed Dina, but am taking my time reading this volume, as there is much to savor here. 5. Lenten music -- For Lent, I tend ...