Archive for Videos
St. Joseph – Husband & Father Extraordinaire
Posted by: | CommentsSt. Joseph was an amazing husband and father…husband to Mary and father to Jesus! And yet, it seems he’s largely forgotten by us. Yesterday was the Solemnity of St. Joseph (sorry I’m late in getting this to you). This is a day in Lent when you’re not supposed to do penance or abstain from meat or fast because a solemnity is a day of celebration.
For us divorced Catholic moms, St. Joseph should be very special indeed. Ask him to step in for the husband and father who is no longer filling those roles in your life! He of all people and of all the saints will have compassion for our situations…pray to him and ask for his help.
Here’s a video from Fr. James Martin about St. Joseph…
Enjoy your Sunday…your day of rest! (right? 
)
May God bring us peace.
Manya
Happy St. Patrick’s Day!
Posted by: | CommentsThe Prayer of St. Patrick….
St. Patrick, who endured extreme hardships at a very young age…pray for us who face frightening experiences and wake up to what seems like a nightmare each day.
May God bless and bring us peace.
Manya
Don’t Give Up
Posted by: | CommentsTake the words of this song to heart. (With Josh Groban singing them, that’s not hard to do. What a gorgeous voice!)
May the Holy Spirit shower us with the graces we need to be at peace.
Manya
Jesus Take The Wheel
Posted by: | CommentsA beautiful song by Carrie Underwood, that pretty much sums up the best thing we can do for ourselves…give control of our lives to God. He asks for our trust and cooperation…in return, He showers us with gifts that make this journey we’re on a truly joyful one.
Those who are in the midst of separation and divorce have a very hard time even conceiving of life as ever being joyful again. I was there and know those thoughts and feelings and the pain of it. And now I’m here and I know that terrible, hellish time DOES pass…and the joy returns to life in abundance when you keep your eye on God. Even more so when you give control of your life to Him.
This is not an easy thing to do…it’s an ongoing struggle and it’s difficult to know if control has actually been given or not….but keep practicing…you’ll be completely amazed.
May God bless and bring you peace.
Manya
The First Day of Advent!
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The first day of Advent! Do you have an Advent Wreath prepared and in a place of honor? I don’t yet…but hope to correct that by this evening.
Today the new liturgical year begins AND we start looking forward to the birth of Jesus Christ…Emmanuel.
An Advent wreath helps us to keep in mind that Christmas is coming. Traditionally, it is made up of 4 candles: 3 purple and 1 rose (or pink).
Advent, like Lent, is a time of penance (I didn’t realize this until recently). That’s why 3 of the candles are purple. The rose candle falls on the 3rd Sunday of Advent (Gaudete Sunday) and symbolizes a time of rejoicing, for Christ is almost here. A good explanation of the Advent Wreath can be found here.
This time of year can be particularly painful for those going through separation and divorce…and for those who are beyond divorce but still hurting. Prayer, distraction and, finally. accepting & offering up to God the cross you’re bearing right now, all work wonders in getting you through this time. Also, focusing on others can help…for example, volunteering at a homeless shelter…
I wish you all a blessed Christmas season as we prepare for Christ’s birth…and for family celebrations..and gifts to be given to those we love…all in the name of Christ. That, of course, is the important part…all in the name of Christ.
May God bless and bring you peace.
Manya
Catholic Podcasters – A Sampling
Posted by: | CommentsIf you aren’t a follower of Matthew Warner, originally (and still) of Fallible Blogma fame…now also of National Catholic Register fame….and probably of many other fames of which I’m not yet aware – I recommend that you become one. He never ceases to impress me.
He recently attended the Catholic New Media Conference (I’m jealous 
) and made a series of video blogs while he was there. Today I’m sharing the 5th in his series of 10. Why the 5th one? Because that’s the first one I’ve seen. I’ll be watching the others, too, though!
This is cool stuff. I love being able to see the podcasters I’ve come to know only auditorially (did I just make up a word?). Anyway…these are good people with interesting, motivating and funny things to say. They’re regular, everyday Catholics who help the rest of us regular, everyday Catholics to be better, regular, everyday Catholics. Thanks, guys!
