Books for Catholic Moms

By bobbi
September 13, 2011
2 Comments

Over the past month or two I’ve been slowly working my way through a number of books for Catholic moms. Here are a few.

Small Steps for Catholic Moms
By Danielle Bean and Elizabeth Foss

I am really enjoying this daily devotional book! I admire both the authors very much so I thought I’d give it a try. I’m glad I did because it is perfect for my morning prayer time. Often my mind is filled with thoughts about the day ahead of me and I have trouble quieting down and focusing. This book makes the transition to prayer easier because it is short and concise.

Each month is dedicated to one virtue. (This month is diligence.) Each day is divided into three parts – Think (a scripture or saint quote), Pray (a short prayer) and Act (a resolution or goal to work on that day.) Sometimes I follow the material completely and sometimes I’ll adapt it to my circumstances that day. You can keep your prayer time short or dwell on your conversation with God as long as your time allows. If you don’t already have a prayer routine or if you are just starting out, this is a great place to start.

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Smart Martha’s Catholic Guide for Busy Moms
By Tami Kiser

I’ve seen this book mentioned on a number of blogs and thought I’d read it for myself. The chapters are as follows:

1. The Toys ‘R’ Taking Over Us: Finding Play That Is Purposeful and Manageable
2. The Media Monster: Managing Our Technical “Toys” in this Media Driven Culture
3. Dinner: Getting the Food and Everyone to the Table to Feed Body and Soul
4. It’s Your Home Too: Getting the Chores and Work Done. Hint: “M” Is for Mom, Not Maid. (LOL!)
5. From T-Ball to Trombone: Keeping Track of Everyone’s Comings and Goings
6. Memories…In the Corner of Our Closet: Collecting and Storing Memorabilia
7. The Heart of the Matter: Stirring What Is true, Beautiful, and Good in Our Children
8. Babies: Bringing Out the Mary in Us
I am about ½ way through and I have found it really helpful with my Operation Clean and Organize. The author is a busy of mom of nine kids and if she is able to keep a clean, organized and happy family that loves Our Lord then I certainly want to know some of her secrets! And so far, so good!

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The 10 Habits of Happy Mothers: Reclaiming Our Passion, Purpose, and Sanity
By Meg Meeker

I bought this book a couple months ago and started reading it but frankly, I don’t think I was in the right state of mind because when Dr. Meeker gave examples of moms who were formerly in the corporate world or who were doing outside ministries along with raising their families, it turned me off. I didn’t think the book was for me since I am “just a mom” with little kids trying to make it through the day with the dishes washed, some laundry done and my sanity intact.
However, when I saw that Elizabeth Floss was gong to do an online book study of this book, I thought I’d give it another try. I’m so glad I did because now it is clicking and making sense to me. This book is just as beneficial to a mom “like me.” I have been reading along, but at a slower pace than the book discussion, and I’ve found myself rereading sections and thinking over the material so I can better apply them to my life.
I haven’t posted about what I’ve read, except for the first chapter on Habit 1. Hopefully I’ll be able to post more later. (By the way, this book can be for any mom, not just a Catholic one.)

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The Handbook for Catholic Moms: Nurturing Your Heart, Mind, Body, and Soul
By Lisa M. Hendey

I’ve only skimmed through this because I wanted to get through the other ones first but it looks really good! It’s next on my list. I’ll post about it when I start it but you may want to check it out now.

10 Year Anniversary: Where Were You on 9/11?

By bobbi
September 11, 2011
No Comments

This post was made years back but it is just as heart felt today.

When I was younger I used to always wonder why people would ask “Where were you when Kennedy died?” I didn’t get what the big deal was. Now when someone asks me “Where were you on 9/11?” I understand perfectly what they were talking about. On 9/11 I was no where near NY. I was living in Pacific Grove, CA with Brian. I was almost 8 months pregnant with Bella. I woke up to kiss Brian goodbye for work and he told me I had better check the news because he saw online that there was news of a terrorist attack.
When I turned on the TV, I first thought a single terrorist flew his own plane into the Twin Towers. Then a realized a regular commercial flight with innocent people on board were made into human bombs. And not just one flight – many of them. I kept thinking that the Twin Tower workers probably never saw it coming but the people on the plane were aware and watching it unfold. I was dumbstruck until all I could do was sob. (Even now its hard to hold back the tears when I think about it.) I don’t think I ever got off the couch that day as I watched and cried. Brian came home and eventually made me turn off the TV so I’d stop thinking about it.
I remember at one point someone told me that it was a shame that I was bringing a baby into a world such as this. For a moment I thought she was right but as I came to my senses I thought – no! This child of mine is a sign of hope! It is a breathe of joy and peace in the midst of evil and darkness.
Two weeks later Bella was born a month premature. (I always wondered if my stress at that time had something to do with it.) Weighing only 3lb, 12 oz she was tiny but had a feisty, fighting spirit and came out fine. My beautiful little Isabella Rose Marie. She was my proof that no matter how troubling things may look or how small and insignificant we may feel, with God, you can find a purpose, a means, and always hope.

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

Start Your St. Anne & St. Joachim Novena Today (July 17)

By bobbi
July 18, 2011
4 Comments

The feast day of St. Ann and St. Joachim is coming up on July 26. If you’d like to make a novena to them, today is the day to start!

Both saints have always been very close to my heart. St. Ann is my patron saint and when I was single I would especially pray to her and St. Joachim to find a good man & holy spouse. (Along with my novena to Bl. Anne Marie Tiagi.) After I was married I especially prayed to them when Brian and I were dealing with infertility and miscarriage.

Yesterday I found an old box of holy cards and prayer pamphlets and inside was the small prayer booklet I had used all those years ago. It is called “Good Saint Anne” by Rev. Lawrence G. Lovasik, S.V.D. Here is the particular prayer I said.

Prayer to St. Anne and St. Joachim

Great and glorious patriarch, St Joachim, and good St Anne, what joy is mine when I consider that you were chosen among all God’s holy ones to assist in the fulfillment of the mysteries of God, and to enrich our earth with the great Mother of God, Mary most holy. By this singular privilege, you have become most powerful with both the Mother and her Son, so as to be able to obtain for us the graces that are needful to us.

With great confidence I have recourse to your mighty protection, and I commend to you all my needs, both spiritual and temporal, and those of my family. Especially do I entrust to your keeping the particular favor that I desire and look for from your intercession. (Mention your petition.)

And since you were a perfect pattern of the interior life, obtain for me the grace to pray earnestly, and never to set m heart on the passing goods of this life. Give me a lively and enduring love for Jesus and Mary. Obtain for me also a sincere devotion and obedience to Holy church and the sovereign pontiff who rules over her, in order that I may live an die in faith and hope and perfect charity. Let me ever invoke the holy Names of Jesus and Mary. And may I thus be saved. Amen.

There is also a great Nine Day Novena to St. Anne at EWTN.com.

St. Anne and St. Joachim, pray for us!

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Category Archives: catholic faith

Books for Catholic Moms

10 Year Anniversary: Where Were You on 9/11?

Little Saints Catholic Preschool Program

Christian Foundation for Children & Aging: Our Sponsored Child Abi

Start Your St. Anne & St. Joachim Novena Today (July 17)