Archive for Faith
Tobias – The Magazine for Single Catholic Living
Posted by: | CommentsHave you ever seen the magazine called Tobias? 
It’s written for single Catholics! Of any age!! I just received the spring issue in the mail and here are the titles of the feature articles:
- Dating a Catholic Single Parent
- Flower Power – how to pick the perfect arrangement for your special someone
- Changing Gears – Jon lost 77 lbs and returned to the seminary; Ann survived a brutal attack and quit her stressful job
- Table for One – there are more options than Lean Cuisine and Taco Bell!
- The Dark Night of Depression
- Kneading & Praying – Try out Fr. Garramone’s legendary pizza crust
- Surviving a Silent Retreat
- The Guys Behind the Confession App
- The Perfect Catch – Joe Mauer is single, Catholic and a future Hall of Famer
- It Was a Great Ride – summer vacation brought this single Catholic to Iowa’s rolling hills.
There are also “Departments” which are, I believe, the regularly scheduled articles. Among these is one called “Courageous Catholics.” (Here comes a shameless plug…) I’m there! I’m very honored to have been asked to be interviewed for this issue. 
And I don’t know what else to say about that…I’m feeling a little shy suddenly.
Anyway…this is a really good magazine that I highly recommend you take a look at. I “think” that members at CatholicMatch.com can sign up for a free issue, but don’t quote me on that. You might check it out, though.
I’m SO glad that there seem to be more and more resources for single Catholics popping up lately. These are exciting times! If you’ve come across any, PLEASE let us know either by sending me a message or by leaving a comment.
May God bless and bring us peace.
Manya
My Catholic Faith Delivered – Online Courses!
Posted by: | CommentsI just learned about this within the last 30 minutes and wanted to pass it on to you. This looks great. I do not have first hand experience with it (yet)…I’ve only skimmed the site and watched the demo video. But I’m very intrigued.
For those of us Catholic moms who want our children to learn about our Catholic faith, this is a great resource…and the price is not at all bad…approx. $40 – $50/course (some for less than that and some for more) and each course is meant to span a year. It’s all online and it looks to be very interactive…they’ve even included games!
Take a look and, if you try it out, please come back and let us know your thoughts on it. Oh…and there are also courses for adults!
May God bring us peace.
Manya
What God Offers – from DivorcedCatholic.org
Posted by: | CommentsI love the daily messages that are sent out by www.DivorcedCatholic.org. I’ve shared them with you before and wanted to share today’s with you, too.
An excerpt:
Have you ever noticed that the pleasure the world provides is far less valuable than what God has created? You might have 350 cable channels and can’t find anything to watch, but you can go to the ocean and sit for hours watching the sea or go to the mountains and hike for days. It’s so interesting how you can chase after the things of this world when so much of God’s goodness is right in front of your eyes, free for the taking and specifically given for your enjoyment.
It is the same with human relationships….
Please do read the whole message. It’s a good one.
Lord, please help us to find your peace.
Manya
Courage
Posted by: | CommentsWe’re half way through Lent! I hope it’s going well for you and good lessons are being learned, strength being gained and blessings realized….and courage being gained.
I came across this article about Stanislawa Leczynska – midwife at Auschwitz. It is, of course, difficult to read of the horrors she and others experienced, but it’s also inspiring. I encourage you to read it. This woman will most probably be declared a saint one day.
I wonder if, under similar circumstances, I would be able to work as hard and be as brave. I pray that I would…and that we all would.
We don’t hear stories like this often enough but I’ll bet they take place daily all over the world, by people of every faith…and even of no faith. If/when you come across one, please share it by leaving a comment here.
God please bring us peace…and courage.
Manya
Ash Wednesday
Posted by: | CommentsHere we are at Ash Wednesday and the beginning of Lent again…it’s mind boggling how fast the years are passing!
Remember that, as Catholics, we must abstain from meat today and, also, it’s a day of fast. We only have two days of obligatory fasting each year – Ash Wednesday and Good Friday…we can do this.
The rule for a day of fasting:
On this day one normal-sized meal and two smaller meals that do not equal the normal meal are allowed. Eating between meals, however, is prohibited although fruit juices and milk are allowed. Those between 18 and 59 years must fast. Those 14 years and older must abstain from meat.
Lent consists of 40 days of preparation for Easter (not including Sundays and solemnities -this year that will be the solemnity of St. Joseph and the solemnity of the Annunciation) . This is a time of penance and introspection…ideally, we should come to know ourselves and God better during this time. And we should gain more control over ourselves! Let’s work towards not being captives of our desires (says the woman who can’t say no to sweets!).
Give up something that you adore. This doesn’t necessarily need to be food. You could also give up wearing that favorite piece of jewelry…or a tv show…or blog..or facebook….
I think it’s also a good idea to add something to your days during Lent, like go to adoration once a week (or more)…go to mass during the week…volunteer somewhere…visit an elderly or ill friend or relative…read a book that has to do with our faith…say the rosary more often….talk to God informally more often…thank God more often…
Here’s to our spiritual growth THIS Lent!
May God bring us peace and give us strength.
Manya
Our Priests – Love Them Like Brothers
Posted by: | CommentsOur priests are awesome. Just think about it…think about what they’ve given up in their lives so that they
can be there for US…to focus on helping US to heaven!!
Being a priest is not an easy vocation, especially in this age of scandal. The vast majority of priests are good, holy and loving men who take their vocations, faith and responsibilities seriously. Those priests who did not live up to their faith have cast a shadow of doubt over all priests. This, of course, makes their lives so much more difficult.
Read the article Love Him Like a Brother to get some insight and tips on how to help the priests in your parish. They deserve our love and devotion.
Enjoy your Sunday. Remember it’s supposed to be a day of rest…focus on your family, friends, yourself and God. Take the day off from the regular day-to-day cares and chores. This is another bit of profound wisdom straight from God (and the Catholic church!). It’s good for you.
God grant us peace.
Manya
