Catholic Fire

1. Looking for a good read?  I have been reading and reviewing Donna-Marie Cooper O’Boyle’s books for the past seven years and have been a big fan. Donna-Marie has served as an inspiration to me and to all women, speaking to us in a gentle, gracious manner, guiding us spiritually, with wisdom and love. Now, she has written a book (her twentieth) that tops them all. In The Kiss of Jesus: How Mother Teresa and the Saints Helped Me to Discover the Beauty of the Cross, she shares her life story. And, what a story it is! Continue reading. 2. Need some help in sharing your faith story? Nancy Ward has the perfect evangelization tool! Check out my interview with her here. 3. Looking for a good Catholic movie to watch? Check out My All-American. 4. This past week we celebrated the feast of Sts. Simon and Jude. I am continually praying for the intercession of St. Jude, the patron of  desperate situations and lost causes, hospital workers, and hospitals. H...

1. Happy Feast of the Guardian Angels! Do you have a personal relationship with your guardian angel?  Here are five ways to develop that special relationship with your heavenly protector.  Here are seven great quotes about the guardian angels. 2. Recommended Book of the Week--  Our Lady, Undoer of Knots: A Living Novena by Marge Fenelon 3. Saint of the Week -- St. Therese of Lisieux on Love 4. A Must-See Movie: God's Mighty Servant -- Ignatius Press -- This is the amazing story of Sister Pascalina Lehnert (1894-1983) who was the personal confidant and secretary to Pope Pius XII for 40 years, when he was the Papal Nuncio in Germany, and then after for his whole Pontificate. The Pope had great confidence in her wisdom, energy and loyalty, and she became known as "the most powerful woman in the history of the Vatican." I watched this film this evening and loved it! It is in German with English or Spanish subtitles and is most appropriate for tee...

Independence Day is a holiday that unites us as we celebrate our freedom and independence as “the land of the free and the home of the brave.” It also is the final day of a “Fortnight for Freedom ,” a two-week period of prayer and action called by the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops to address many current challenges to religious liberty, including the HHS mandate and attempts to redefine marriage. It’s a time to honor the men and women who have courageously fought, and continue to fight, for our religious freedom, as well, including the late military chaplain Fr. Emil Kapaun. Kapaun posthumously received the Medal of Honor from President Barack Obama in April, nearly 60 years after he heroically gave his life as a POW in the Korean War. The Vatican is also considering him a possible candidate for Sainthood. His life, service and hero’s death is the subject of an incredible new book, THE MIRACLE OF FATHER KAPAUN , co-written by Roz Wenzl and Travis Heying, and published ...