Can You Help Catholics in the Military?

By bobbi
August 16, 2011
2 Comments

Catholic Mom.com had a great post today from Aquinas & More Catholic Goods. It’s worth reposting here:

Can You Help Catholics in the Military?

We opened our store in the aftermath of 9/11. We opened our store in Colorado Springs, a city with four military bases and the Air Force Academy.
When we opened our store we heard from one of the local chaplains who was being deployed to an “undisclosed location” that it was almost impossible to get requisitions for Catholic devotionals for the troops he was serving.
Because of that, we decided to start Catholic Chaplain registries and to upgrade all orders to military addresses to Priority Mail at no extra charge.
A plaque we were sent from thankful troops in Afghanistan.Since we launched our registry program, we have shipped over 6000 Bibles, medals and prayer books to chaplains serving in some of the most dangerous places on Earth including Baghdad and Afghanistan.
Unfortunately, the generosity that people had when the wars first started has waned along with support for the wars themselves. This means that our Catholic soldiers who are still fighting and dying, whatever you may think of the cause, are frequently short on things that can strengthen their Faith.
As an example of how difficult it is to get supplies through the military, we had a chaplain order sacramental wine from our store to be shipped overseas because he was worried that he would be reassigned before the wine arrived at his current station if he went through military requisitions!
Over the past two weeks I have received three requests for more items for our soldiers.
First, we heard from Chaplain Sheehan:
“I am the only Catholic Navy Chaplain at Parris Island SC (US Marine Corps Boot Camp). I serve the recruits in a number of ways to include teaching Religious Education, preparing recruits to receive Sacraments of Initiation, and praying The Mass on Sundays.
I am a Battalion Chaplain and have daily encounters with the recruits in training, teaching, and counseling.
There is a consistent requests for Catholic Bibles and crosses (crucifix’). I get many request for protestant Bibles and Rosaries but have generous suppliers for these items.
Catholic Bibles, Crucifix’s, and Crosses are harder to get donated.
Thank you for your generosity and possible assistance in securing these items for US Marine recruits. Thank you to your generous customers who support this ministry.”
Second, we have Chaplain Victor. Chaplain Victor was one of the first chaplains we assisted and we have sent Catholic devotionals to his troops in Afghanistan and Japan:
“I am Fr. Victor and while I was deployed in Afghanistan in January 2005 – January 2006, you have supported me with books, especially the Fulton Sheen’s Wartime Prayerbook. I want to know if you can donate more as there is a great demand for this book.”
Third, we have Catholics in the Military. This organization just changed its name to Mission Capodanno. They promote vocations to the Chaplain Corp, send Catholic items to troops in need and provide spiritual assistance to military families. We have been supplying material to them for years and they are currently in short supply.
There are several other chaplains who have requested our assistance through the years and your generosity has made those requests bear fruit.
Can you still find it in your heart to give? These soldiers don’t get paid much and are frequently in some of the worst places on Earth supported by an understaffed and undersupplied Chaplain Corp.
You can view all of the items that chaplains have requested at: http://www.aquinasandmore.com/militarychaplain

How can you deny a soldier looking for Catholic materials?? We’ve got to help! I am supposed to work on the monthly finances tonight and after I do I will see how much tithing money I have for this month. Then I’ll choose one of chaplains listed on their site and purchase some of the materials they need. There are items for any budget – from holy cards less than $1 to $5 books to $7 bible and much more. Perhaps you and your family could creatively raise a few extra dollars to purchase something for the chaplains. I know money is tight but even one bible or rosary or prayer book in the hands of a soldier could make a tremendous difference as they face danger day in and day out. Spread the word and pray for our troops!

7 Quick Takes – (8/12/11)

By bobbi
August 12, 2011
2 Comments

Hosted by Jen at Conversion Diary.

– 1 –

I was going to skip the quick takes today because I had a lot to get done but Matthew is being a super crank and wants to be held. So here I am again rocking him with one arm and typing with the other. It’s not really his fault since it’s hard for him to sleep with all the banging going on outside with the guy fixing the deck.

– 2 –

I need to get the house straightened because I’m having company coming over this weekend. My brother Rob (the one who was really sick last month), my sister-in-law and my new nephew Max are making a weekend trip to Carmel. I’m so excited to see them. And it’ll be the first times the cousins get to meet! 🙂

– 3 –

Which reminds me, I should snap some photos of how messy the entryway/front room looks right now as Leila has suggested. (See her post How Do Others See Your Home?) Yikes. That will be an act of humility since (for various reasons) I haven’t been able to get anything done these last few days and stuff is piled everywhere. Sigh.

– 4 –

I’m trying to figure out what to eat this weekend – something healthy but tasty. I joined weight watchers a few weeks ago and it is going well but it is hard changing your eating habits and the way you look at food. Someone once asked me if I was an emotional eater. I wasn’t sure what they meant. They asked, well do you eat when you are happy. Yes. Do you eat when you are sad? Yes. Do you eat when you are lonely? Yes. Do you…okay, let’s cut to the chase. I eat! Everyday is a fiesta! (That is why I am built kinda like a piñata. Short and round.) About the only time I don’t eat is when I am mad. I mean really mad. At those moments I am too upset to do something that would bring me pleasure. But by the looks of me, I don’t hit that level of anger very often. Kidding aside, it is hard to readjust the way I look at food but I need to do my best to stick around for a long time to take care of my babies. (Not to mention that I could actually buy one of those cute dresses I like instead of just pinning them to pinterest!)

– 5 –

Speaking of food, have you been watching the Next Food Network Star? I’ve watched every season and love the show. I barely saw my recorded episode of the final four yesterday. Although I figured Mary Beth was going home, I didn’t want her departure to give Penny any satisfaction. That girl just seems nasty. I hope it was more editing that made her seem so mean and that she’s not really that bad. Brian and I are rooting for Jeff to win. (Not to mention that Brian is a huge sandwich fan. He could eat them every night!) But I like Suzy (such a sweetheart, although they already have Marcela) and Vic (he was a fave since the beginning, although I never thought he’d make it this far) so even if one of them won, I wouldn’t mind.

– 6 –

Today when I was browsing pinterest I came across the artist Flor Larios (thanks to mamabear) and I love her work. It has a Spanish folk art feel. I ordered a couple things to hang in my kitchen.

– 7 –

Okay, and as my last post, my little guy has finally fallen asleep. I’ll put him down in Bella’s room since you can hear the hammering the least in there. Poor little guy. It’s hard to believe that he is 4 months old today! He is usually such a happy baby – as long as he gets his sleep! (Kinda like his mama. 😉
Have a great weekend!

{pretty, happy, funny, real} – vol. 9

By bobbi
August 11, 2011
1 Comment

~ Capturing the context of contentment in everyday life ~

{pretty}

I bought this pretty hibiscus flower at Trader Joes this week and put it on our front porch. I love the red flowers! (Although I just noticed that the tag said to keep the plant indoors. I guess I’ll have to move it.)

{happy}

I must confess that I am a stationary geek. I was so happy to get this package in the mail because as much as I love the convenience of texts and emails, there is something soul-satisfying about putting pen to paper.

I bought these lovely sets of writing sheets and envelopes from Daniella (WritingsByBluebirds) at etsy.com. I already wrote a letter on them, which made every happy.

{funny}

Ever since Bella was a baby, we’ve been trying to deal with kids that will climb chairs and dance on the table. Since then we’ve gotten used to tipping the chairs over during the “climbing” stage. It is a major pain in the rear, but we’ve put up with it. However, I may have to think of another strategy because JP started climbing his tipped over chair to get to the kitchen counter – something he probably wouldn’t have done had he not spotted a jar of jelly beans on the sink. (Which I should probably dump out since I think they have been there since Easter!)

{real}

We are finally getting around to fixing our backyard deck. The main structure is fine but all the floor boards have to be replaced. We have to keep our sliding glass doors locked to make sure the kids don’t step outside and fall through the deck! (Thankfully the weather has been foggy and cool so it’s not so bad.) I will be glad when the work is over. All that hammer pounding at 8am is disturbing the baby’s sleep!

Little Saints Catholic Preschool Program

By bobbi
August 10, 2011
2 Comments

Now that August is here I’ve been reading on the blogs about many homeschooling moms starting school or getting ready to start. A couple people have been asking about the Little Saints Catholic Preschool Program.

Although we aren’t homeschooling (at least not at the moment) I have used the Little Saints program for the kids while they were younger. The lesson plan can be used for a classroom setting or for homeschooling.

Personally, I loved it. I also liked that it had everything written out – including all the materials I’d need for the projects and lessons. Since I was using it informally, there were sections I skipped and others that I implemented. I thought the program was worth having just for all the project ideas, book suggestions and learning material that I adapted to my own schedule.

Last year, some of the local homeschooling moms did a once a week co-op for their homeschooling children. One mom tutored the older kids in English. Another mom taught the preschoolers, including Andrew, while I watched the babies. Although it wasn’t a formal preschool setting she used a number of the ideas and projects from the program.

Here is a partial sample chapter so you can see how it is organized. (This is for reference only. The pages have a copyright.) You can learn more and purchase the Little Saint’s Catholic Program at CatholicPreschool.com.

Table of Contents – Page 1

Table of Contents – Page 2

Sample Page (Prep)

Sample (partial) Lesson

Christian Foundation for Children & Aging: Our Sponsored Child Abi

By bobbi
August 9, 2011
5 Comments

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A couple weeks ago I read a post by Tina at My Priceless Fishers Blog about their family sponsoring a child in the Philippines through Christian Foundation for Children & Aging. I was touched by her story and looked into it for our family.
The CFCA was founded in 1981 by lay Catholics acting on the Gospel call to serve the poor. They state:

Our faith teaches us that we are one human family, and that we have a responsibility to the most vulnerable of our brothers and sisters, wherever they live or whatever faith they may be.

For almost 30 years, Christian Foundation for Children and Aging (CFCA) has brought hope to families living in poverty in the 22 countries (within Mexico and the Caribbean, Central America, South America, Africa and Asia) where we work. Founded in 1981 by lay Catholics acting on the Gospel call to serve the poor, we have grown into a movement of more than 250,000 sponsors who are supporting more than 300,000 children, youth and aging friends worldwide.

I was impressed by the work that CFCA does and the percentage of funds that goes to the program vs the administration. I also liked the fact that we’d be able to write to our sponsored child and keep in touch with them through the program. (However, your personal info is kept confidential.) I talked to Brian and made sure the cost fit into our tithing budget and all looked good.

Since we have so many boys in the house I thought it would be nice to sponsor a girl that Bella could write to as well. We chose the country of Mexico and I picked a couple of cute little girls in need of help. I let Bella look over the profiles and pick the one we should sponsor. Of all the smiling faces and cute grins Bella chose a girl close to her age that didn’t look very happy. Her name is Abigal, or as her friends like to call her, Abi.

We took Abi’s photo and placed it on our home altar as a reminder to pray for her each day. We’re hoping that our prayers, our letters and our monthly sponsorship for her education and personal needs will help to brighten her day and give her a better future. We’ll keep you posted about our journey with Abi. 🙂

For information about how you and your family can sponsor a child in need, visit The Christian Foundation for Children & Aging