The Catholic View for Women

EWTN has a new show called The Catholic View for Women.  Finally a show for Catholic Women! Check out their website at TheCatholicViewforWomen.  


Here is their first episode.  No commercials online ;-)  Enjoy! 

Through the eyes of a child

I enjoy taking my daughter on walks.  She is at awe of how it feels to walk on grass or any other surface.  She pull my hand so we can walk on the grass instead of the sidewalk.  I take her to the park but she does not want to be on the swing.  She want to walk on the mulch.  She want to touch the trees, bushes, flowers, cement, everything else, except the swings.  She is so curious because everything is new to her.  

As adults we sometimes forget the beauty that surrounds us.  But if you take the time to look at the world through the eyes of a child, you definitely can appreciate all the Lord has created and all the blessings one has received.

I remember when a load of laundry was just another chore but not no more.  I actually look forward to laundry day.  My daughter enjoys helping out with the laundry.  She enjoys throwing the dirty clothes down our laundry chute, sort out the dirty clothes, watch the clothes in washer and dryer, fold the clothes and finally putting them away.  Seeing the joy in her face makes laundry day a day I look forward to.  

Children also help you take care of yourself a little better.  They definitely remind you when it is time to eat.  You go to sleep at a decent time because you know they will wake up early.  They keep you fit because they love for you to chase them around.  And they give you all the love they can give from their little heart.  The amazing thing is how much love comes from their little hearts.

What are some ways your little one has help you appreciate life?  Feel free to comment.  Help us see through the eyes of a child.  

More than just a three leaf clover

As we all know today is St. Patrick's day.  I was planning to blog about how St. Patrick is a great role model for all of us.  But I read my friend Alison's blog and she explains it the best.  Check out Alison's blog (<-----click).  I recommend it.  Alison expresses herself very well and she is quite a genius.  She is also hilarious.              


Here is a video about St. Patrick.  The kids will enjoy it.  It's short and to the point.  
                                       Happy St. Patrick's Day!

Why pray the rosary? Why not just pray to Jesus?

This week’s bible study was about Our Blessed Mother Mary.  It made me remember about a book I once read a few years ago.  Maybe you have heard of it, Hail Holy Queen by Scott Hahn.  If you have not read it, you should read it.  It is a great book.  Hahn mentions in his book that some of us seem to be embarrassed of our blessed mother (if I remember correctly).  For example, when a teenage boy gets embarrassed when his mom gives him a kiss in front of his friends.  I think it is a lack of understanding of who Mary is.  Not only is she the mother of our Lord, but she is also the mother of the Church (which is us).  Mary is our blessed mother.  The Lord picked Mary out of all the women in the world to be the mother of our Savior.  

“For he has looked upon his handmaid’s lowliness, behold, from now on will all ages call me blessed” -Luke 1:48 

At that moment, Mary became the first disciple of Jesus.  Blessed indeed she is and blessed are we for Mary saying yes to the Lord.  

Some people question why Catholics pray the rosary.  Why not just pray to God?  Catholics pray to God and we ask our blessed mother to intercede for us.  If you pray the rosary you will see that the mysteries point to Jesus.  We ask our family and friends to pray for us.  Why not Mary? Back in the day (Old Testament) everyone went to the mother of the king to ask for a request (check out: 1 Kings 2:13-20, 2 Kings 24: 12-15 and Jeremiah 13: 18-20).  The king had plenty of wives but only one mother.  

If you remember in the Wedding of Cana, when they ran out of wine (which was a problem), they went to Mary first, not Jesus.  At Mary’s request, Jesus transformed the water into wine which became his first public miracle.  All at the request of our blessed mother Mary.  

If we respect our own biological mother here on earth.  How could we not respect and honor our blessed mother, the mother of our Lord?  

One mother in bible study shared with us that when praying the rosary it is like looking at Mary’s scrapbook of Jesus.  I had never thought of it that way but what a great way to look at it.

We can find so much strength in our blessed mother.  Imagine having to see your child be tortured, humiliated and crucified.  Yet, she was faithful to our Lord.      

I know some of us do not like praying the rosary.  You just repeat, repeat, repeat.  Let me ask you a question.  Do you ever get tired of saying I love you to your loved ones?  

Lent is a great time to pray the rosary and meditate on the sorrowful mysteries through the eyes of our blessed mother.  You can pray the rosary online with others.  There are CDs you can purchase.  You can listen to the CD on your way to work, train or while folding laundry.  Lent is not only about giving up but also about doing something more.   

Mom groups are awesome!

This past summer we moved into our new home which we love but we were new to the area.  So, we really didn’t know anyone.  One day when I was looking at our church bulletin, I noticed an announcement for a women’s bible study; which included a group for moms with babies in arms.  My daughter was 9 months at the time so it was perfect.  My husband and I always enjoyed attending the bible study (by Jeff Cavins) at our old parish; which were led by some great parishioners.  When I read about the women's bible study I was excited to join because I would continue to study the word  of God and meet new moms.  I told my best friend (who lives an hour away) about it and she joined for the fall semester.  It was great!  I was able to hang out with my best friend and meet new moms.  

Let me tell you, it is a blessing to have join the group.  Not only do we study the word of God but we also share the struggles we go through as moms.  I have learn so much from these amazing women.  We have become such a great group of moms with the same common goal of raising our children in the faith.  We hang out all the time.  We pray for each others, take turn hosting play dates, go to each others children birthday parties, hang out at the public library and now we are setting up a moms night out once a month.  It truly is a blessing to have join this group.  God is great!

If your parish offers a group for moms, you should make the effort to attend.  You will not regret it.  If you do not have a moms group in your parish, you should try to start one yourself.  Talk to someone at your parish office who could help you out.  I’m sure if you put at announcement in your parish bulletin for moms who are interested in starting a group, you will get a few responses.  That is all you need.  A couple of moms to get the ball rolling to start a group.  Usually there is a women’s group at each parish and I’m sure they would be glad to help.  Pray on it.  Speak to someone about it at your parish office and I’m sure the Holy Spirit will help you out.  It truly is a blessing for you and your family.