Catholic Fire

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...

        Goodreads Book Giveaway                                       Learning to Love with the Saints                       by Jean M. Heimann                                   Giveaway ends July 09, 2016.                                 See the giveaway details             at Goodreads.                             Enter Giveaway

1. This has been a week filled with both consolations and desolations. On the day when I was feeling most discouraged, the knock-out rose bush, which my husband gave me for Mother's Day last year had its first bloom. I took it as a blessing and as sign from St. Therese of Lisieux that my prayers were being answered. ( particularly since there were no blooms on that rose bush last year). Indeed, a few days later, more than one prayer was answered. Thank you, St. Therese for your intercession. 2. We were blessed this past week to be visited by the Franciscan Friars of the Renewal. We attended the Thanksgiving (for Ordination) Mass of a newly ordained Franciscan priest of our parish, Fr. Xavier, who gave us his first blessings. The Friars also had Eucharistic Adoration with a talk and Confession. That was the best confession I have had in years! During the music at Adoration, I felt as if God was personally speaking to me through the Friar's voice. I yearn to have a pri...

Sarah Reinhard has written an absolutely awesome review of my new book, Seven Saints for Seven Virtues at the National Catholic Register today. You can read it HERE .

Today is the second day of the Blog Tour for Seven Saints for Seven Sinners. Today, Connie Rossini  at Contemplative Homeschool will be hosting the tour, where she will be reviewing the book and giving away two copies! While you're there, be sure to check out her new book, Trusting God with St. Therese. Here is a schedule for the rest of the tour: Wednesday, Oct. 15 -- Franciscan Mom  Barb Szyszkiewicz Thursday, Oct. 16 -- Can we Cana?  Karee Santos Friday, Oct. 17 --   Bergers Book Reviews  Alice Berger Saturday, Oct. 18 -- Seven Angels Four Kids One Family Jane Lebak Sunday, Oct. 19 -- Spiritual Woman   Patrice Fagnant-MacArthur Monday, Oct. 20 -- Cause of our Joy  Leticia Velasquez Tuesday, Oct. 21 -- View from the Domestic Church  Donna-Marie Cooper-O'Boyle Wednesday, Oct. 22 -- Entering into the Mystery Janet Moore

The blog tour begins! Be sure to visit Ellen Gable's blog, Plot, Line, and Sinker , to check out the first post. Ellen is also giving away a free copy of Seven Saints for Seven Virtues , so don't miss out on your chance to win!