Catholic Fire

When I decided to read and review Carolyn Astfalk’s novel Stay with Me , I had heard beforehand that it was really good.  In my opinion, this inspirational Christian romance is better than good. It’s fantastic!  It is filled with everything that makes a story appealing – romance, suspense, action, and humor. It is a fast-moving, extremely addictive book that you won’t want to put down. The characters are so real that I instantly felt connected to them and could easily relate to their life situations and empathize with their dilemmas. Before I go any further, allow me to give you just a taste of what I am talking about. Twenty-four year-old Rebecca, raised in a strict, fundamentalist faith, finally moves out of her father’s home into an apartment of her own, away from her domineering father. She accidentally meets Chris, an attractive and congenial young man who asks her out on a date. As she gets to know Chris, a Catholic convert, she is attracted by his virtues, his str...

H/T: Jill Stanek

Today is the feast of St. Therese of Lisieux , a saint that is very dear to my heart. Over the years, she has been a close friend and a powerful intercessor for me. Let me share a little about one of my favorite saints with you and why she is so special to me. I first learned about St. Therese of the Child Jesus when I was 15 years old, a sophomore in a Catholic high school. In English class, her autobiography, Story of a Soul, was one of the options on our required reading list. As I read her love for Jesus and learned of her "Little Way", I couldn't help but admire and desire to emulate this beautiful saint, who expressed so much joy in the midst of suffering. I cheered when this young woman who of my age acted with such strong faith and determination and did the forbidden, speaking out when she was told to remain silent, pleading with the Pope to let her enter Carmel. I loved the poetic way she expressed herself, her love for flowers, her deep insights into the ...

I was truly inspired by Barbara Padilla's appearance on America's Got Talent last week. She is a stay - at - home mom and a cancer survivor. Excerpted from her website : Barbara was born in Guadalajara, Mexico where she studied music, acting, and dance. She graduated from the Universidad de Guadalajara as a music instructor and studied voice. She was the section leader and soloist for the State choir of Jalisco. Barbara was diagnosed with Hodgkins Lymphoma and underwent several rounds of chemotherapy and radiation. During this time Barbara was told that she may never be able to sing again as the radiation could harm her vocal chords. She was in treatment for several years and was near death on more than one occasion, but her faith, family and friends helped her through those difficult times. After traveling to Houston for a consultation with doctors at MD Anderson, Barbara had a chance to audition for the Moore’s School of Music at the University of Houston. She was awarded...

The MacDonald family can tell us a thing or 2 about surviving abortion. The story begins in 1968, when Jenn MacDonald's mother attempted to abort her, but felt too guilty to finish the job. Jenn says... Unmarried, still in high school, and alone she tried to abort me, but in 1968 abortion was still illegal. The "procedure" didn't work and she was supposed to return the next week to try again. Being raised Catholic, she "got the guilts" and didn't return. But for God's grace, I would have been thrown out with the trash. Read the rest at Jill's blog. Recently 2 of Jenn's children submitted video entries for Lia Mills' Challenge to Pro-Life Youth Contest . The video by Jenn's 7-year-old son is at the top of this post. Jenn's 11-year-old daughter composed a song that she worked on for months... H/T: Jill Stanek

This is a very inspirational and interesting video! The Dominican Sisters of St. Cecilia Congregation began with the establishment in 1860 of a girls' academy in Nashville, Tennessee, just prior to the Civil War. Today, over 240 Nashville Dominicans teach 12,000 students in over 34 schools from preschool to college, in 14 U.S. states and in Australia. In the spirit of St. Dominic, they continue to live a life that is traditional and yet dynamic. Go here for more information.

There’s one more actor in the famed Murray clan that begat Oscar-nominated Bill Murray and Brian Doyle-Murray: Their sister, Dominican Sister Nancy Murray, who does a one-woman show on St. Catherine of Siena. Barbara Beckwith at St. Anthony Messenger tells the story of this talented actor in St. Catherine of Siena: A Feisty Role for Sister Nancy Murray . This is fascinating reading guaranteed to brighten your day and enlighten your mind.

Today I had one of those days (actually one of those weeks) where everything seemed to go wrong. Someone sent me this and it touched my heart. I hope it will do the same for you. "I can do all things through Christ who strenghtens me." ~ Phillipians 4:13

The 'Monastic Family of Bethlehem and the Assumption of the Virgin Mary' took birth in 1950, following the promulgation of the dogma of the Assumption of the Virgin. The Sisters were founded on France, soon after, and the Brothers in France in 1976. They are 2 geographically distinct Lavras of Hermits,one Congregation men, the other of women, though with similar charism lifestyle and foundation. The life of the Monks is to love Jesus through Mary, and adore the Blessed Trinity in silence and solitude . It is Saint Bruno that the religious confide in to guide them toward the hermit life. The life of the monastic family of Bethlehem is inspired by the model lauras or skites in Egyptian beginnings of Christian monasticism, where the monks lived in solitude through the week and gathered for the Holy Synaxis on Sunday. From Catholiques: subtitles are being added slowly, daily.. Even if you don't understand French, this is worth watching for the images. It's very Inspirationa...

This week's Catholic Carnival is up at Organ-ic Chemist and she did a great job of organizing the many posts there. This week has been a crazy one for me so I neglected to enter. Here are a few of my favorites: Marcel's post entitled Humanae Vitae and The Catholic Church , is an extensive discussion on Mary Eberstadt's article The Vindication of Humanae Vitae . He presents a very interesting and extensive discussion in his well-researched post. Heidi at the Extraordinary Moms Network gave a list of posts she made on her other blog, Mommy Monsters Inc. which reflects what she considers to be the highlights of Humanae Vitae. Heidi also posted a beautiful reflection at Behold Your Mother on St. Joseph and the sacrifices he may have made being the husband of Mary. Elena at My Domestic Church reflects on the trials and tribulations of pregnancy and childbirth . Jane at Building the Ark writes on how she managed to find God in the garbage . There are many more great p...

Derika Testimony (Portuguese with English subtitles XL)

Inspiring Video by a Seminarian. Prayer to Discern Your Vocation Holy Spirit of God, give me light to see what is the Will of God for me. Give me grace to do Your Will always. Dear Blessed Mother, help me to live and to die in God's love. Guide me in my Life's Vocation. St. Francis of Assisi's Vocation Prayer Most High, Glorious God, enlighten the darkness of our minds. Give us a right faith, a firm hope and a perfect charity, so that we may always and in all things act according to Your Holy Will. Amen.

Some inspiring photos of our Catholic family throughout the world via Jules. Song: Here I Am Lord By: Daughter's of St.Paul

I envy Kevin. My brother Kevin thinks God lives under his bed. At least that's what I heard him say one night. He was praying out loud in his dark bedroom, and I stopped to listen, 'Are you there, God?' he said. 'Where are you? Oh, I see. Under the bed...' I giggled softly and tiptoed off to my own room. Kevin's unique perspectives are often a source of amusement. But that night something else lingered long after the humor. I realized for the first time the very different world Kevin lives in. He was born 30 years ago, mentally disabled as a result of difficulties during labor. Apart from his size (he's 6-foot-2), there are few ways in which he is an adult. He reasons and communicates with the capabilities of a 7-year-old, and he always will. He will probably always believe that God lives under his bed, that Santa Claus is the one who fills the space under our tree every Christmas and that airplanes stay up in the sky because angels carry them....

My dear friend Esther has created a wonderful way to brighten another person's day. Give this to 2 or 3 bloggers that may need a smile or a (((hug))). I think we can all use a smile and a hug. Leave a message in their combox to let them know you have a surprise for them. I lovingly present this to: Ebeth Marie

No moving parts, no batteries, No monthly payments, no fees, Inflation proof, nontaxable. In fact, it's quite relaxable. It can't be stolen, won't pollute; One size fits all, do not dillute. It uses little energy, But yields enormous results, Relieves tension and stress, Invigorates happiness. Combats depression, And the blues of recession. Corrects circulation without unpleasant side effects. It's the perfect drug. May I prescribe to one and all -- the hug? ~ Author Unknown