I am 13.

My latest over at CatholicMom.com.

Older posts on this subject are here and here.

Write In Between Word Cloud

This was fun... this is the word cloud generated by Wordle about this blog.

Beautiful Video of JPII and Children

Click on this link and visit at Faith & Family Live... you'll enjoy a great video posted by Danielle Bean that she found, and if you haven't already, spend a little time at that fine site. (Especially you mothers out there!)

BLEEDER, a brief review

Last Sunday I gave myself the luxury of a quiet afternoon. The needs of the family had been met and they were all feverishly engaged in a few activities that did not have to include me... so I curled up on our back porch and read John Desjarlais' newest book, a mystery entitled Bleeder (Sophia Institute, August 2009.)

As I usually review non-fiction works in this space, and works of theology, I can tell you that I was pleasantly surprised to find the Christian message and the Catholic theology alluded to in this book remarkably intact. Not to mention, I enjoyed the characters, the scenery, the pace and timing, and the turns the plot took.

What's more, I immediately identified with the main character, who had undergone major surgery on his hip, and as part of his recovery, escaped out to a little cabin in the middle of nowhere to "write".... something I had done just last year after my hip surgery.

As for the finer details of the story, I'll let the book synopsis do that for me:

When classics professor Reed Stubblefield is disabled in a school shooting, he retreats to a rural Illinois cabin to recover and to write a book on Aristotle in peace. Oddly, in the chill of early March, the campgrounds and motels of tiny River Falls are filled with the ill and infirm -- all seeking the healing touch of the town’s new parish priest, reputed to be a stigmatic. Skeptical about religion since his wife’s death from leukemia, Reed is nevertheless drawn into a friendship with the cleric, Rev. Ray Boudreau, an amiable Aquinas scholar with a fine library -- who collapses and bleeds to death on Good Friday in front of horrified parishioners. A miracle? Or bloody murder? Once Reed becomes the prime 'person of interest' in the mysterious death, he seeks the truth with the help of an attractive local reporter and Aristotle’s logic before he is arrested or killed -- because not everyone in town wants this mystery solved...

This book celebrates the fact that God, and people's faith in him is alive and well. And yet, while people still believe in the healing power of God, sometimes such faith can be misdirected... by placing it in people, rather than in the Almighty.

I also appreciated that this book is rated PG, if I can compare it to the movie ratings systems. It did not offend my senses with gratuitous licentiousness or vulgarities.

Bleeder's mystery is well-crafted, and a perfect escape for adults and teens. You can buy Bleeder, or read an excerpt, here.

I was introduced to John and his writing at the Catholic Writer's Guild summer conference a few weeks ago. Find out about more about author John Desjarlais, and his other books here. After Bleeder, I'm looking forward to reading his earlier works!

My latest on Today's Catholic Woman

Embracing the "Adult Catechism"

AMONG WOMEN Podcast Joins SQPN

I'm humbled (and, don't get me wrong, positively thrilled) with the press release today, as well as with Fr. Roderick's Daily Breakfast podcast announcing that AMONG WOMEN has been asked to become an affiliate of SQPN, which is the Star Quest Production Network.

So, let me take a moment and thank God for the gift of this new affiliation, but most of all for all his tender mercies. I'd also like to thank Mary, the Mother of God, the patron of AW, (for, the idea for the podcast really belongs to her, for it is she who is blessed AMONG WOMEN, and our go-to gal for inspirational discipleship! Go, Mom!)

Also inducted this week, the delicious Catholic Foodie, and the young and hip In Between Sundays.

Run, don't walk, to iTunes or MyCatholicVoice.com (in the sidebar) and subscribe!

Writer's Wednesday -- St. Catherine of Genoa

God let her hear these words in her soul,

"From now on, don't look at anything but love.

Fix your eyes on love.

No matter what happens to you or others --

within or without --

look on love alone.

And live."

---Catherine of Genoa, (1447-1510) Vita.

Among Women Podcast #22 (click here!)

Click on the link above for this week's podcast! Episode 22 talks about the strength and steadfastness of St. Monica, the patron of women in difficult marriages, and the patron saint of mothers with difficult children.

And Pat spends time speaking with Susie Weiss, whose marriage was saved by the grace of God and a wonderful program for troubled marriages called Retrouvaille.

National Catholic BioEthics Center weighs in on Healt Care Reform

See their commentary here.

Queenship Of Mary

Check out this video of our "Mother" and "Queen".

Two Great Popes = One Major Catechism

Read my latest over at Faith & Family Live by clicking on the link above!

Writer's Wednesday -- St. Clare of Assisi

Look upon Him Who became contemptible for you,

and follow Him, making yourself contemptible in this world for Him.

Your spouse, though more beautiful than the children of men (Psalms 44:3),

became for your salvation, the lowest of men, was despised, struck, scourged untold times

throughout his entire body, and then died amid the suffering of the Cross.

O most noble Queen,

gaze upon Him,

consider Him,

contemplate Him,

as you desire to imitate Him.

If you suffer with Him, you will reign with Him.

If you week with Him, you shall rejoice with Him;

if you die with Him on the cross of tribulation,

you shall possess heavenly mansions in the splendor of the saints

and, in the Book of Life, your name shall be called

glorious among men.

--St. Clare, Second Letter to Agnes of Prague, circa 1234 AD.

Among Women Podcast #21 (click here!)

This week's episode tells the tale of St. Helen'a conversion and ultimate quest for unearthing the True Cross of Christ. Plus, meet members of the Catholic Writers Guild as they share their passion for their Faith and the writing craft.

Perpetual Adoration found in Boston!

So says the Boston Globe (click on link above), in an article 'above the fold' last week.

HT: Susan Bailey at Sung Rosary... who is also featuring some reprints of earlier articles I have written on the subject of the rosary! Thanks Susan!

Catholic Vitamins!

Catholic Vitamins??

Coming this September.... a new podcast dedicated to increasing the vitality and strength of your Christian life: Catholic Vitamins with Deacon Tom Fox, and his lovely wife, Dee!

Each week, we'll learn of a new "vitamin" for our spiritual diets! Stay tuned!

Happy Feast of the Assumption!

Nothing like lookin' at Momma Mary for inspiration!

2 cool links!

Ok, here's a neat little site that will help us all take a deep breath and re-focus every day! Click on the icon above or in the sidebar.

And for all those rosary devotees, check this out!

Writer's Wednesday -- Benedict XVI

Benedict really is a poet... and he teaches so compactly....

The Eucharist is the Sacrament in which the whole work of Redemption is concentrated: in Jesus as Eucharist we can contemplate the transformation of death into life, of violence into love. Hidden beneath the veils of the bread and the wine, we recognize through the eyes of faith the same glory that was manifested to the Apostles after the Resurrection.

---Benedict XVI, homily, July 4, 2009

Archbishop Chaput weighs in on health care!

Book review-- Come & See: Genesis

I first met this series in The Synoptics about two years ago. I liked the material, so I was happy to order this newer book.

This study Come and See, Genesis, by Fr. Joseph L. Panessa and Laurie Watson Manhardt, is set up very well for the first-time bible reader, but it is truly designed for group study in a 60-90 minute format. It would benefit personal study, small group study, or advanced home-schoolers in the later grades toward middle school and above.

It's broken down in 22 comprehensive lessons that cover the 50 chapters of Genesis. Each lesson offers very good summaries, about 6 pages per lesson. At the end of each lesson, there are about 20 questions for review.

What I like most about it is that the lessons are keyed to the Catechism of the Catholic Church, and other pertinent Church documents including Pope John Paul II's audiences on "Theology of the Body", much of which is drawn from Genesis. There are even works from Benedict XVI.

Even if you did not use this with a group, there is much fruitful reading to be found in its pages.

This review is part of the Catholic Company's reviewer program.

The Bishops want us to contact Congress on Health Care

See the link above, but also read this letter sent to Congress by Bishop William Murphy.

Then let your own voice be heard on the matter. Catholics are urged to stand for healthcare that advocates life and the dignity of the human person, plus access to medical care for all.

Easy email contact to Congress, recommended by the US Bishops here.

Among Women Podcast #20

Got the Rosary?

Pat welcomes Karen Edmisten, author of The Rosary, Keeping Company with Jesus and Mary, for a lively discussion of the benefits of this ancient prayer. Pat also teaches the theological understanding behind the Feast of Mary's Assumption, which we celebrate on August 15th.

Inspiring Architecture

My lastest at Faith & Family Live gives an overview of the Catechism of the Catholic Church that you can read in 5 minutes!

Writer's Wednesday -- John Paul II

(The simplicity of this message floors me. I must remember this everyday!)

Dear friends,

may friendship with Jesus,

our Redeemer,

always illumine your lives!

Stay united to him

by listening to his Word

and actively participating in the Eucharistic Banquet.

Be his faithful witnesses, especially among your peers.

---John Paul II, From his last Wednesday audience, March 30, 2005.

Among Women Podcast #19

This week's episode features a reflection on the "bent over" woman from Luke 13, and her encounter with Jesus. My interview is with Catholic Exchange writer, Jennifer Senour, who is a part of the leadership team of the Fellowship of Catholic University Students (FOCUS).