“From long experience I have learned that there is nothing like holy water to put devils to flight and prevent them from coming back again.  They also flee from the Cross, but return; so holy water must have great virtue.  For my own part, whenever I take it, my soul feels a particular and most notable consolation.” – St. Teresa of Avila

When I read this quote from St. Teresa of Avila, I was reminded of the importance of holy water.  I think that most of the time we take holy water for granted.  This water is blessed by GOD! It can banish demons, heal the sick, and send unwarranted grace upon us, and yet most of the time I just cross myself with it without even thinking.  The fact of the matter is that holy water is a powerful sacramental and we ought to use it daily.  Here is a list of some important ways to use holy water in your everyday life.

St. Teresa of Avila

1. Bless yourself –  Yes this suggestion is obvious, but if we are only blessing ourselves on Sunday, then aren’t we missing out on the rest of the week?  You can never have too much grace or blessings in your life.  I am a huge advocate for home holy water fonts so that you and your guests can be blessed in your comings and goings to and from your home.  Use it every day! If you haven’t considered getting a holy water font for your home or the home of a loved one, then you ought to consider it.

2. Bless your house –  If you haven’t taken the time to bless your house with holy water, then no time is better than the present.  Now I wouldn’t bless my house primarily to keep it from destruction, natural disasters, or from feeling the effects of aging, but rather I would bless it as a measure to ward off evil spirits.  They do exist, as St. Teresa says, “I have learned that there is nothing like holy water to put devils to flight.”  You can sprinkle holy water in your home yourself, or have a priest formally bless your home using holy water as part of the blessing ceremony.

3. Bless your car -  I will be the first to admit that I am not the most defensive driver, and yet up until this point I have managed to avoid getting pulled over by the police and, more importantly, I have avoided getting into an accident.  Call me crazy, but I think that the holy water applied to the cars that I have driven might have a little something to do with it. You can also have a priest bless your car with holy water as well!

4. Bless the sick –  If you know of any sick friends or family, then I urge you to consider blessing them with holy water.  The holy water from Lourdes is known to have incredible healing power, and of course regular holy water has many healing properties as well because it is blessed by a priest. There are lots of holy water bottles available to help you transport the water to the homes of your loved ones.

Holy water is one of those beautiful things that we have simply become used to and have therefore taken for granted, like the Eucharist, saintly intercession, the rosary, the Catholic Bible, etc.  Hopefully if we stop and think of what a great blessing holy water is for us, we will use it more thoughtfully and gratefully! How do you use holy water in your life?  Do you have a holy water font in your home?

Copyright 2012 Kathleen Wellman

A Defense of Repetitive Prayer

Repetitive prayer is one of the most popular types of prayer in the Catholic Church.  We perform repetitive prayer in the Liturgy of the Hours, the holy rosary, and the Divine Mercy chaplet, just to name a few.  Repetitive prayer is not nearly as popular in other Christian denominations, however.

Many Christians find repetitive prayer to be an abomination and explicitly forbidden in the Bible. Many Christians point to this verse in Scripture:

“In praying, do not babble like the pagans, who think that they will be heard because of their many words.” Matthew 6:7

But one must analyze the entirety of the Bible in order to understand if this verse explicitly forbids repetitive prayer or something else entirely. Let’s analyze the actions of Jesus in the Garden at Gethsemane:

Gethsemane by Carl Bloch

“He advanced a little and fell prostrate in prayer, saying, “My Father, if it is possible, let this cup pass from me; yet, not as I will, but as you will.” (Matthew 26:39) “Withdrawing a second time, he prayed again, “My Father, if it is not possible that this cup pass without my drinking it, your will be done!” (Matthew 26: 42) “He left them and withdrew again and prayed a third time, saying the same thing again.” (Matthew 26:44)

As you’ll notice, Jesus prayed three times in the Garden, and each time he prays the same prayer.  His words are heartfelt and intense.  They are not empty babble, the repeating of the same prayer emphasizes the intensity of the prayer of Christ to the Father. So, Christ himself clearly performed repetitive prayer!

Side Note: Some Protestants argue that, “Yes, Christ performed repetitive prayer, but it was not ‘form prayer’. Form prayer is to be rejected.”  Again, one need only to look to the Catholic Bible in order to see the clear error in this reasoning, as Christ himself gave us a form prayer as the method with which we are to pray:

“This is how you are to pray: Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name, your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as in heaven. Give us today our daily bread; and forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors; and do not subject us to the final test, but deliver us from the evil one.” Matthew 6:9-13

Repetitive prayer done correctly is clearly far more than empty babble.  The challenge is to pray intensely in repetition.  If we are not focused on the words we are saying and what they mean, then our prayer could certainly become empty and devoid of any real meaning.  What are your thoughts on repetitive prayer?  Do you enjoy praying such repetitive prayers as the rosary and Divine Mercy chaplet?

Copyright 2012 Kathleen Wellman 

The How and Why of Solitude

Consider the following quote:

“There is something very liberating for people about being on their own. They’re able to establish some control over the way they spend their time. They’re able to decompress at the end of a busy day in a city . . . and experience a feeling of freedom.”  - Eric Klinenberg, N.Y. University sociologist

Lately I have been considering the benefits of solitude. Today it seems most people have little to no solitude in their lives. I think part of the reason for this is that solitude has become a sort of negative idea. When many think of solitude, then they think of isolation, and therefore alienation. Both isolation and alienation have many negative connotations. But does solitude necessarily have this negative connotation? Is solitude a bad thing, or can it sometimes be a good thing?

Personally, I think solitude can be very beneficial, and I know I need much more of it in my life. Why? Because it is only through true solitude that we are able to find God. And I don’t mean simply physical solitude. I am referring to more of a spiritual solitude, which can sometimes be aided by physical solitude. However, physical solitude by itself will only provide minimal benefit unless there is also a solitude of the spirit that accompanies it. In the words of St. Gregory, “Of what use is solitude of the body without solitude of the spirit?” That is an excellent question.

What exactly is ‘solitude of the spirit’?  St. Peter Chrysologus defines it as “a soul that is free from earthly attachments.”  That is certainly the goal of practicing spiritual solitude, to be free of loving what is of the world so that you can give that love to God.  According to St. Teresa, spiritual solitude is the prime method by which to find God in our lives; she states, “Tear your heart away from everything else; then seek God and you will surely find Him.” For beginners, like myself, coming to a state of spiritual solitude often requires physical solitude as well, and here are some tips for both:

1. Find a peaceful, comfortable place – This tip is probably one of the most important as well as the hardest to accomplish.  Finding a peaceful and comfortable place in your home might not be easy if you have five kids or a hectic lifestyle. But perhaps you can still carve out a few minutes each week for spiritual solitude by doing something as simple as a prayer shrine with a crucifix in your closet, or finding a place nearby which is usually quiet and calming.  Achieving spiritual solitude is not easy, and trying to achieve it without physical solitude, at least from time to time, will probably not make it any easier.

2. Pray the rosary or divine mercy chaplet –  If you’re just beginning to practice spiritual solitude, then it is probably best to try some classic mental prayer during that time as well.  This way your mind will not be bouncing from thought to thought, or on your to-do list, but rather focused away from earthly matters and towards heavenly ones. The rosary and divine mercy chaplet are both great prayers which are designed to make meditation and contemplation easy.  Plus there are a great many rosary books, such as a scriptural rosary book, which make praying the rosary even more fruitful as you also meditate on Sacred Scripture.

3. Cut yourself off from the outside world –  Today, unlike never before, we have the issue of being constantly connected to the world.  We constantly have our phones on us, we check Facebook regularly, and we are frequently checking our emails.  For solitude to be effective, you need to pry that cell phone off of you, or at least turn it off.  Not only could that phone potentially distract you, but it will serve as a reminder of all those earthly attachments that you are trying to distance yourself from.

These tips are pretty simple and I think that anyone can do them.  Remember that these tips are just for beginners. As you become more comfortable with solitude of the spirit, then you will be able to pray and meditate in new, more powerful ways that are way above my expertise.

Do you take time away in solitude?  What tips would you add to this list?  Is solitude important to you?

Copyright 2012 Kathleen Wellman

We are now in the thick of Ordinary Time. Growing up, I thought Ordinary Time was essentially the ‘boring’ time in the liturgical calendar. During this time we have no Easter-like or Christmas-like celebrations to get excited about. It always seemed like a sort of break in the liturgical season. Now that I’m older, I realize that this was a big misconception on my part.

Ordinary Time is actually a beautiful and important season in the Church! We spend more weeks in Ordinary Time than any other season in the Church by far (33-34 weeks depending on the year). This season is also filled with important feast days, such as Corpus Christi (June 7),  the Assumption of Mary (Aug. 15),  All Saints Day (Nov. 1), All Souls (Nov. 2), and Christ the King (Nov. 25).  Not to mention the feast days of the Sacred Heart of Jesus, the Immaculate Heart of Mary, the Transfiguration, and Mary’s birthday (Sept. 8th).

“Ordinary Time” gets its title from the word ‘ordinal’. Ordinal means ‘numbered’, and ‘ordinary time’ simply means that it is ‘numbered time’. Thus, the title “Ordinary Time” wasn’t meant to refer to this period in the liturgical calendar as being standard, usual, customary, or (as I used to think) boring.

Ordinary Time is the only liturgical period celebrated in two segments. The first segment runs from the Monday after the Baptism of Our Lord to Ash Wednesday, then it picks up again after Pentecost and runs up to Advent. Ordinary Time is actually a wonderful time in the Church calendar full of many feast days to be celebrated with joy.

The focus of Ordinary time, and the theme of many of the Mass readings, is the life and walk of Jesus. Advent and Christmas focus on the lead up to and birth of Our Lord, while Lent and Easter focus on the lead up to and Passion of Our Lord.  Ordinary Time, on the other hand, focuses primarily on the life and ministry of Jesus, those days and years when the Son of God lived and walked among us.

A simple way to get the most out of Ordinary Time, and to treat it in a special way as you do the other liturgical seasons, is to incorporate the daily readings into your life (even if you don’t go to daily Mass).   There are several different ways you can do this:

1. Follow the Mass readings with a Daily Roman Missal or a Sunday Missal.
2. Read the daily Mass readings together with short devotionals with a Magnificat subscription.
3. Look up the references for the daily Mass readings in your Catholic Bible.
4. Pray the Daily Office, also called the Liturgy of the Hours.

I now like to think about Ordinary Time as this quote suggests: “For Catholics, Ordinary Time is the part of the year in which Christ, the Lamb of God, walks among us and transforms our lives. That’s why there’s nothing ‘ordinary’ about Ordinary Time.” 

What are your favorite feast days in Ordinary Time? What do you get out of Ordinary Time that you don’t get out of the other liturgical seasons of the Church?

Copyright 2012 Kathleen Wellman

“Children are our future.”  If you were given a dollar for every time you’ve heard this cliché, you would probably be very rich.  However, there is a lot of truth to that statement. Our children will one day be caring for us just as we now care for them. They will become our doctors, nurses, politicians, policemen, lawyers, and priests.  In order for them to become good stewards of the world and followers of Christ, we as parents must be the ones who prepare them.  One of the most important parts of formation is prayer.  How do we encourage our children to develop a life with Christ through prayer? How do we help them grasp the concept of communicating with a God who loves them, but is invisible? Here a few tips I came up with:

• Pray with them.  This is obvious, but yet is so easy to neglect with all of the hustle and bustle each day brings. If your children only pray at Mass and before bed . . . then that’s all they will think prayer is. It’s important to constantly remember that praying with your children often is the most important step to helping them develop their own prayer life early on.  This is not easy and doesn’t happen overnight. It takes commitment from us because it’s so easy to become distracted, busy, or forgetful.  Praying with children also has many benefits.  It encourages them to pray, encourages you to pray, and makes you a role model for how to pray. Praying with your children also allows you to have unique and profound moments with you child as you watch their relationship with Jesus blossom.
• Do NOT make prayer a punishment. Believe it or not, I have heard of parents who make prayer a punishment for bad behavior.  This might be one of the most counterproductive things you can do for children in terms of helping them to develop a prayer life and a right understanding of what prayer is.  By making prayer a punishment it becomes negative and hated.  Your children might not be thrilled about prayer the first time you mention it, but that doesn’t mean you should encourage that behavior by making it a part of a punishment.
• Use your resources. The Catholic Church has a wealth of resources to help you pray with your children.  You can simply pray the rosary with them, or read some great Catholic books that teach parents how to pray with their kids. Catholic prayer books are an excellent resource as well, especially because Catholic prayer books contain all kinds of prayers that your children may grow to love. There are plenty of Catholic books and other resources out there to help you pray with your children and teach them to develop their own powerful prayer life at a young age. Don’t forget that asking other parents for advice is a great resource too.
• Try different things. We all have different methods of prayer that we enjoy and this starts even from childhood, so try different things. If your child doesn’t seem to be responding well to some of the things you’ve already tried, such as reading stories out of the Children’s Bible or praying the rosary,  then maybe you can also try the Stations of the Cross, or even the Divine Mercy chaplet. There are many, many ways to pray.  Trying different styles will allow your child to have a greater understanding of what prayer is and what kind of prayer speaks to their soul and person.
• Don’t lose hope. This is another very important lesson.  Being a parent is not easy, and neither is encouraging your child to pray.  Some days you might be wondering, “Is this really worth it?  Why is this so hard?”  It is important to know that persistence will pay off and your children will thank you for it later in life.  The devil will do his best to tempt you to stop praying with your children.  Don’t let him win, that’s what he wants!  He wants you to think they’re too young and they can’t do it!  Have hope, and remember that if you’re doing God’s Will, then He will give you everything you need.

These are just a few basic tips on how to encourage your child’s prayer life. I hope this helps and gives you encouragement as well. What would you add to this list?  What is your favorite way to pray with your children?

Copyright 2012 Kathleen Wellman

“ . . . A strong and heavy wind was rending the mountains and crushing rocks before the Lord – but the Lord was not in the wind. After the wind there was an earthquake – but the Lord was not in the earthquake. After the earthquake there was fire – but the Lord was not in the fire. After the fire was a tiny whispering sound.”

These couple of verses remind us of something very important for all Christians.  Throughout our lives we seek signs from God. We pray that God will give us clarity and guidance in major decisions.  We pray that He will speak to us.  We ask him to be loud and clear like fire or an earthquake.  But these verses remind us that God does not speak to us in all those loud things, but in a whisper which will be missed if we are not surrounded by silence.

Just a few weeks ago the Holy Father gave a talk on the value of silence during a Wednesday general audience address. Perhaps the Holy Father gave this talk because he understands well that silence is a lost beauty in the world we live in. We tend to surround ourselves with noise, whether it’s the sound of driving cars, television, music, radio, or constant conversation.  In fact, prolonged silence tends to make many of us feel uncomfortable.  But silence should not make us uncomfortable at all, in fact, it ought to make us feel warm and safe.  Silence is beautiful and allows us to hear God speaking to us.  FOCUS (Fellowship of Catholic University Students) recommends that its student leaders (those students leading Bible studies) pray at least 20 undisturbed—silent—minutes of mental prayer each day, because it takes at least that long for our minds to stop talking to God so that He can talk to us.

Recognizing the power and importance of silence is not easy.  Having silent time in a family isn’t easy either, with kids who constantly seem to be loud and vocal.  How do we teach our children the value and importance of silence?  How do we help them to bring silence into their own lives?  Here are a couple of ways to help bring silence into your own life and the lives of your children.

Exposure therapy: For most of us, prolonged silence is uncomfortable.  How do we conquer this issue? By immersing ourselves into silence continually.  Perhaps you can go to the chapel with your child and pray in silence for 20 minutes or so.  At first this might be very hard for your child, but encourage them and don’t give up even if they seem to be struggling with the silence.  In my life, continued silence has brought not only greater comfort but a great many blessings as well. Practicing silence may benefit your child too, once they learn to appreciate it.

The Step method: This method is more of a gradual exposure to silence.  For some this might be preferable compared to an exposure method, especially for young children.  Perhaps you might start by having your child pray the rosary with you in silence while only listening to an Audio rosary CD.  This way they begin practicing the silencing of their own tongue.  After becoming accustomed to this practice, then have them silently read the Catholic Bible or a Catholic prayer book where both their mouths and their surroundings are silent. Next, expose them to praying in the chapel where they are challenged to silence both their minds and their mouths in the midst of a surrounding silence. This step method allows children to gradually learn to enjoy silence at their own pace.

These two different methods are not only great for your children but might also work for you too.  Silence allows us to listen to God’s voice in our lives in a powerful and unique way.  Imagine how relaxed and refreshed you will feel with this break from all the noise in your life, and how renewed you will feel with this special time of quiet with God. Remember that hearing God’s voice in the silence is not possible if we are not open and receptive to receiving this grace.  Also, sometimes we need to practice spiritual disciplines before reaping the benefits.  Practicing silence can be hard.  But be encouraged to develop this practice in your life and in your children’s lives using these methods, and you will begin to experience the blessings that silence brings.

Copyright 2012 Kathleen Wellman

We all know that, “April showers bring May flowers” . . .  but that isn’t all May brings.  For Catholics, May is also the Month of Mary.  Pope Paul VI wrote a beautiful encyclical on the Month of May in which he describes how the faithful reserve this month to honor Mary in a special way:

“For this is the month during which Christians, in their churches and their homes, offer the Virgin Mother more fervent and loving acts of homage and veneration; and it is the month in which a greater abundance of God’s merciful gifts comes down to us from our Mother’s throne.”

Pope Paul VI goes on to say that May is an opportune time to let our petitions fly to Our Lady—especially for the needs of the Church and the whole human race—that most urgently require our Blessed Mother’s intercession.

One of the traditional ways the faithful have venerated the Virgin Mary, which became popular during Medieval times, was with a family Mary Garden.  Marian Gardens were small plots of ground dedicated to growing shrubs, herbs, and flowers that were representative of Mary and various events from her life. This was quite easy to do, as literally hundreds of plants were given Marian names in remembrance of Mary’s saintly life and glorious virtues.

Here are a few interesting stories about Marian plants:

• Columbines were originally called ‘Our Lady’s Shoes’.  These flowers are said to have sprung up along Mary’s path on her way to visit her cousin Elizabeth following the Annunciation.

• Bluebells were originally called ‘Our Lady’s Thimbles’ to honor Mary’s motherly housework as she made the clothes Jesus wore.

• Hostas were originally called ‘Assumption Lilies’.  In late summer a tall, thin stalk emerges from the leaves eventually unfolding as a beautiful and intricate flower, a reminder of Mary’s Assumption into heaven.

Today many of these Marian plant names have been replaced with other popular names, but some Marian names, like Rosemary and Marigolds, have remained. Naming plants after the faith and cultivating them in home gardens was a tangible way for Christians of days past to cultivate faith and virtue in the heart.

Fortunately, it is very easy to bring this classic Marian Garden tradition to your window sill, garden, flowerbed, or yard during this Month of Mary.  Your Mary Garden can be large or small, fancy or simple.  All you need is a Mary garden statue and a few plants that remind you of her.  Choose from a list of Marian plants, or pick others that have special significance for you. Place a seat next to your garden and you instantly have a beautiful, peaceful, and relaxing place to pray and reflect with our Blessed Mother.

Copyright 2012 Kathleen Wellman

Being a parent is not for the weak, I’m sure I don’t need to tell you that. Likewise, handing down the Catholic faith to your children isn’t easy either. It takes courage, effort, and determination. Handing down the Catholic faith, like potty-training your children, is not something that simply happens on its own. Being good catechists to our children requires Catholic religious education resources–such as a Children’s Bible, activity books, and other Catholic children’s books–as well as time, patience, and most importantly, love. Here are some practical tips, in no particular order, that will hopefully help you pass down the Catholic Faith to your children.

• Don’t Do It Alone! – Handing down something as important, complex, and intricate as the Catholic faith is far too much for any one person to handle. This takes effort on everyone’s part. Remember, it has been said that it takes an entire community to raise a child. Getting your spouse, godparents, family, and friends involved in large and small ways in your child’s religious education makes your burden lighter and your child will benefit as well. This will allow your child to see how important the Christian faith is to all sorts of people in their lives, and they will learn something different from everyone. Maybe this could include Bible story time with a Catholic Children’s Bible and a godparent, or play time with Catholic activity books and a grandparent.  There are all kinds of creative yet simple ways to use Catholic children’s books to get others involved in your child’s religious education.

• Take Your Time – It is very easy to rush and try to cram Catholicism down our kids throats, especially if we are trying to make up for lost time. But we have to resist this urge and take it slowly. This is more natural and things are more likely to be absorbed by your child this way. Don’t worry if your kids don’t know or understand as much of the Children’s Bible as the Jones’ kids. Your children will get there in time, at the pace that’s right for them, as long as you make the effort and are teaching them on their level. This leads me to my next tip.

• Teach Your Children At Their Level – This might seem obvious, but I think that many parents easily overlook this. There comes a point when the Children’s Bible has served its purpose and The Mass Explained book has run its course. Does this mean that your role as a catechist is over? No, of course not. It simply means that you need to move to the next level in your child’s religious education with new material and new relevant ways to teach them the Catholic faith. As your children age they will need a new age-appropriate Catholic Catechism, Catholic Bible, and Catholic Children’s books. These will help your child learn to think about things they already are familiar with in new ways and help them to grow deeper in their faith. Staying current with your children in this way is one of the most important things that you can do for them and their growing capacity for faith.

My biggest suggestion is to avoid leaving your child’s Catholic religious education entirely to someone else. As their parent, you are ultimately responsible for raising them in the Catholic faith. Nine times out of ten, the parents should provide the primary catechesis with others holding supporting roles (as mentioned above). Never lose sight of this.  Remember that many Catholic education resources are out there to help you with Catholic religious education throughout your child’s life. What tips do you think should be included on this list?

Copyright 2012 Kathleen Wellman

But this isn’t the only thing we look forward to during this First Communion season . . . we also love to see photos of your little First Communicants all dressed up for their big day! That’s why we’re bringing back our annual First Communion Photo Contest.  Our staff enjoys viewing all the photo entries as they come pouring in, especially the part where we get to vote for our favorites.

This year The Catholic Company First Communion Photo Contest runs through May 31^st , with the winner being announced on June 30^th.  This year there are four top prizes. Three runners up will receive a $50 gift certificate to The Catholic Company.  The top First Communion photo will receive a $100 gift certificate to The Catholic Company! So when you’re dressing up your little princes and princesses on their First Communion day, don’t forget to snap a photo and send it in for your chance to win one of these great prizes.

HOW TO ENTER 

To enter a photo in the First Communion Photo Contest, email the digital photo to: yourfriends@catholiccompany.com.  Don’t forget to include your child’s name and your contact information in the email. There are a few rules and disclaimers, so be sure to visit our contest page to make sure you stay within the guidelines for your chance to win. Here you can also view last year’s entries to get your creativity buds blooming. After all, you need to see what kind of competition you’re up against!

Check The Catholic Company Facebook Page regularly to view updates about the contest and get a sneak peak at some of the entries being submitted.  Happy snapping! We look forward to seeing your entries!

Copyright 2012 Kathleen Wellman

The two great Holy Days, Christmas and Easter, are special in that they aren’t simply a celebration during a single day; they’re an entire season of celebration. These Holy Days are ushered in with a long period of spiritual preparation and culminate with a long period of celebration. Just as Advent prepares us for Christmas, so Lent prepares us for Easter. These are seasons that make the historical events of Jesus’ life very real and present to us.  And just as for Catholics the Christmas season doesn’t end at midnight on December 25—but only just begins—so it is with the Easter season.

The Easter season (or Easter-tide) is a fifty day period beginning on Easter Sunday, the Church’s celebration of Jesus’ resurrection, and culminating on Pentecost Sunday, the Church’s celebration of the descent of the Holy Spirit on Mary and the Apostles.

Easter is the greatest (and the oldest) feast of the Church, even greater than Christmas! In fact, Easter is regarded as the “Solemnity of solemnities.”   Just as our hearts well up with joy and gratitude for a Savior being born into the world, so should our hearts do the same as we remember the day when the Savior’s work was completed. Christ’s resurrection overcame all sin and death, reconciling us back to God.

The Easter season can and should be just as important for your family as Christmastime, and it’s very easy (and fun!) to incorporate new Easter traditions into your Easter celebration. We can do this by simply taking our Christmas traditions and turning them into Easter traditions. Here are some of my favorite ideas:

1. Just as we read the Christmas story from the Catholic Bible to our children at Christmastime, so also we can read the equally exciting Easter Story (Matthew 28; Mark 16; Luke 24; John 20-21).
2. Just as we keep a Christmas tree in our homes, during Easter-tide keep your home full of fresh spring flowers—especially Easter lilies.
3. Just as we give Christmas gifts, we can also celebrate this Easter season with great Easter gifts.
4. Just as we say, “Merry Christmas,” we can say a traditional Easter greeting. Greet others with, “Christ is Risen,” while they respond with, “He is risen indeed!”
5. Just as you send out Christmas cards to spread Christmas cheer, spread Easter-tide cheer with Easter cards.
6. Just as you burn Advent candles to celebrate the light of Christ’s birth into a darkened world, burn an Easter candle to celebrate the light of Christ’s resurrection.
7. Just as you have a special Christmas dinner with family and friends, have a special Easter dinner.
8. Just as you use a nativity scene at Christmas-time, celebrate the resurrection by draping a white sash over the crosses & crucifixes in your home.

If you include these simple celebrations into your usual Easter traditions, such as decorating Easter eggs and filling Easter baskets, you will have a blessed and happy Easter indeed!  God bless you and your family this Easter-tide.

Copyright 2012 Kathleen Wellman

• Pray the Rosary – The rosary is a great prayer to pray with the family during long and seemingly never-ending car rides. Praying the rosary together in the car not only calms children down but also blesses you with safe travel and a happy trip. Praying the rosary during a long car ride allows the whole family to think and meditate on the mysteries of Christ, turning an otherwise ordinary trip into a beneficial spiritual experience for the whole family.
• Listen to Catholic Audio Books – Catholic audio books are perfect for long car rides. Children’s Catholic audio books are a great way to get your children’s attention focused on learning more about their faith and listening to relevant, educational, and amusing stories. Maybe once your kids have decided to take a nap you can even pop in a version of  the classic Catholic book, Dark Night of the Soul by St. John of the Cross.
• Sing-a-long with songs about Catholic values – Catholic Children’s audio is a great way to keep your little ones entertained in the car.  Many of these CD’s help with not only learning Catholic values but also basic development skills.
• Pop in a DVD – (Disclaimer: this tip only applies to those lucky enough to have a dvd player in their car!) If your vehicle has a DVD player, then there are many great Children’s DVDs that your children are sure to enjoy. One great DVD is called, “The Eucharist for Little Children.” This DVD is hosted by Broadway talent Jennifer Naimo and is a fun and educational way to teach your kids about the Catholic faith while in the car.
• Talk with each other – Long car rides are ideal for you and your family to talk to each other, which seems to be a lost art in today’s fast-paced society. Nowadays families seem to spend less and less and time together in meaningful conversation. Children get busier and busier as they get older, and parents do too. The long car ride is a chance to catch up and have some really great conversations.  Talk about faith or any other topic your child is interested in.

These are just a few ideas on how to make the most of your long car rides with the family. Do you know of any other great ideas that have worked for your family? If so, please leave a comment below.

Copyright 2012 Kathleen Wellman

What an exciting time, and of course, a very busy one too! Luckily finding the right Confirmation gifts for your teenager isn’t difficult. There are many great Confirmation gifts to choose from, everything from Confirmation jewelry to Confirmation wall crosses.  That isn’t the hard part . . . what is hard is trying to figure out how to communicate to your teenager the importance of this Sacrament so they will better appreciate and treasure these Confirmation gifts!

How do you spiritually prepare a teenager for this important Rite? Catechesis was undoubtedly much easier when they were younger.  They were eager, excited, and there were tons of fun activities available to teach them more about their faith. Now that they’re older, having discovered what being ‘cool’ is, getting them interested in their faith is probably more like pulling teeth.

So what can you do? First of all, understand that you are the most important role model in your child’s life. The best way to encourage your teen to deepen their faith is to deepen your own faith first.  Even if it doesn’t seem like they’re paying much attention, know that they are taking their cues from you.  The life of the Spirit that radiates from you will (with prayer) rub off on your kids eventually, and maybe in ways you least expect.

Before offering ideas on how to spiritually prepare your teenager for the Sacrament of Confirmation, it would be helpful to read the words of the Rite that the priest or bishop will pray over your child:

All-powerful God, Father of our Lord Jesus Christ by water and the Holy Spirit, you freed your sons and daughters from sin and gave them new life. Send your Holy Spirit upon them to be their helper and guide. Give them the spirit of wisdom and understanding, the spirit of right judgment and courage, the spirit of knowledge and reverence. Fill them with the spirit of wonder and awe in your presence. We ask this through Christ our Lord. 

Beautiful, right?  There is nothing more you want for your child than for them to be guided through life by the Holy Spirit, and for them to be helped by Him to make wise choices.  Here are some tips on how to help your child recognize the moving of the Holy Spirit in their lives, and to appreciate the Sacrament of Confirmation they are about to receive.

First: It’s All About Conversation 

Resist the urge to go through the motions and shuffle your teen through the Sacrament with the herd of other parents and children doing the same thing.  Don’t rely solely on religious educators to impart to your child the importance of receiving the Sacrament of Confirmation; talk to them.

• Ask your child about their faith, their relationship with Jesus, and with the Catholic Church.
• Ask them why they want to be confirmed and what participating in this Rite means to them.
• Talk about the Sacraments and the spiritual nourishment they receive through them.
• What does your child think it means to be Catholic? To be a child of God? To be a saint?

Having grown-up spiritual conversations with your teenager will create a new norm in your relationship, and don’t be surprised if you get a little closer in the process!  Try not to let feelings of inadequacy or spiritual ineptitude keep you from having these important talks with your child, and don’t be discouraged if their eyes glaze over when you strike up these conversations.  The purpose is to awaken your teenager to these kinds of ‘big picture’ faith questions, and to show them that they can feel comfortable talking with you about the struggles with faith they will inevitably experience in life.

Second: Help Your Teen With Spiritual Discernment

Your child has a unique personality with special gifts and talents. Tell your teenager how special they are, and help them to discover what they’re good at and what they love doing.  As their parent, you have special insight into this. You’ve watched your child’s personality and talents emerge and you know what makes them unique from other kids.  Ask the Holy Spirit to help you talk to your child about their uniqueness.  By doing this you will help your teenager to discern their vocation—what it is that God is calling them to do with their life.

If you help your child to discern what they were born for and what special gifts they can give to Christ in the service of others, this will help them to understand who they are—a child of God with a unique mission in this world.  Helping your teenager to spiritually discern also includes encouraging them to begin praying about their gifts and the vocation God is calling them to.  A great way to do this is through devotions and novenas to Catholic saints, especially the Confirmation saint they have chosen and any others they feel drawn to.

When your teen receives the Sacrament of Confirmation, as the priest or bishop calls down the power of the Holy Spirit on them, you are helping your child to make this Sacrament a truly personal experience.  They will understand that God is calling them personally to this moment of fullness of communion with Christ and His Church.

Third: Bring in the Backup

There is so much beauty and depth to the Sacraments that you don’t want to miss covering anything with your teenager as you prepare them.  Encourage your teenager to read about the Sacraments for themselves so they (and you!) fully understand the Rite of Confirmation they are about to receive.  The YouCat (Youth Catechism of the Catholic Church) and other Catholic Catechism books are a great resource for this.  Have your teenager use a Catholic Catechism to retrace their path through the Sacraments thus far—from Baptism, Reconciliation, First Communion, and now to Confirmation—so they understand the graces received in each.  Talk with them about the future Sacraments in the form of vocations that they have the choice to participate in, Holy Matrimony or Holy Orders.

There are many other great Catholic books for teens that explain the Christian life and the Catholic faith. These Catholic books for teenagers are a great help and have a way of phrasing things in just the right way to help things click for young budding minds.  Having the right Catholic books in your home as back-up references and resources is definitely important, and your teenager will learn from them for years to come—so pray about which Catholic books to choose that will be just right for them.

With these tips you can begin now to prepare your teenager for this final Sacrament of Christian initiation into the Catholic Church.  These last years before your teenager leaves home are very precious and important times, and you know all too well how they will fly by.  While they’re still with you every day, create fertile soil in your home and in your relationship with them so that they will deepen their roots in the Catholic faith.  If you’ve had a great spiritual conversation with your teenager about the Sacraments, or any other faith topic, please post below so our readers will be encouraged to do the same.

Copyright 2012 Kathleen Wellman

Unfortunately, though, with all the logistics (finding the right First Communion apparel, sending out First Communion invitations, cleaning your house for the relatives, baking up a storm, etc.)  it’s more than easy to get lost in the hustle and completely neglect the most important thing of all—spiritually preparing your child for their special day.

It’s tempting to rely on your child’s religious educators to teach them the importance of receiving the Eucharist, especially when you have so much to do.  However, the truth of the matter is that your child’s preparation for this Sacrament begins and ends with you, the parent. You are the most influential person in your child’s life, and the reverence you model for the Eucharist is the reverence they will learn to imitate.  Here are a few easy tips on how to keep yourself and your child focused on the real meaning of this amazing Sacrament.

First:  Find Those Mini Catechesis Moments

• An easy way to reverence the Eucharist is simply to talk to your child about why you go to Mass.  For example, on a day that you attend Mass, tell your child that you are going to be with Jesus in a special way and to receive Him into your body.  If you attend weekday masses, tell your child that you go to Mass more often so that you can receive Jesus more often.  Get them excited about it!

• When you begin your hour-long fast before Mass, announce to your child what you are doing and invite them to fast for this hour with you. Explain to them why you are fasting, that you are preparing yourself spiritually and physically to receive Jesus into your body.

• Draw your child more deeply into Eucharistic reverence by praying with them before and after you receive Holy Communion.  The Anima Christi  is a beautiful and simple Eucharistic prayer that you and your child can practice memorizing together, and it’s usually found in the Missal.  Just arrive to Mass a few minutes early and pray this prayer together.  Saying a special prayer in this way will teach your child to reverence the holy moment of receiving Communion.

• As you leave the pews when Mass ends, instead of genuflecting in the aisle, walk with your child up to the tabernacle and genuflect with them there.  This will teach to your child that Jesus is really present in the Eucharist, and His resting place until the next Mass is in the tabernacle.

Note:  If you need help finding the right words for these little moments, try using a Children’s Catechism until you get the hang of it.  The idea is to continually reinforce to your child, in your own words, that it is Jesus’ real presence in the Eucharist that draws your family to Mass.

Second: Take Your Child to Eucharistic Adoration

Pope John Paul II and the Holy Father Pope Benedict XVI have recommended children’s Eucharistic adoration as a great way to prepare your children spiritually for their First Communion.  Don’t be concerned that your child won’t understand what Eucharistic adoration is (you don’t even have to use those words), or that they won’t be able to sit quietly.  Just tell your child that you are going to spend a few minutes sitting and talking with Jesus, and invite them to talk to Jesus too.

Note: Remember that children are easy believers, and spiritual realities are not often difficult for them to grasp when plainly explained.  You may find that your child not only grasps the concept of Jesus’ real presence in the Eucharist, but that they actually respond positively to the adoration experience.

Third: Reinforce with Literature

Your child may not understand the Mass very well, but that doesn’t mean that they can’t participate in their own way and on their own level with what is happening.  There are great children’s Mass books and other Catholic children’s books that explain Holy Communion.  These books will help to reinforce your teaching about the specialness of Jesus in the Eucharist.  If you bring books for your child to look at during Mass, make sure it’s a children’s missal or other Catholic children’s catechesis books.  Let Mass be a holy hour for your child just as it is for you.

With these simple tips you can begin preparing your child now for their special day with Jesus, when they receive Him for the first time in the sacrament of Holy Communion.  If you have found any other helpful ways to prepare your child spiritually for First Holy Communion, please share your comments with our readers below.

Copyright 2012 Kathleen Wellman

By definition, confession is a Sacrament of the Church and a requirement for faithful Catholics.  But in reality, most of us don’t like to make frequent use of it.  Who doesn’t feel like a kid in trouble when they walk into those boxes? It’s a sure way for us to experience unpleasant feelings that we prefer to avoid, like shame, guilt, and embarrassment. We don’t like to be in the hot seat sharing with another person our selfishness, our lusts, our hatefulness, our negligence . . . all the worst things about us.  Making a good confession usually starts as butterflies in the stomach, then as a lump in the throat, and then finally emerges as a pile of stinky stuff.  Unpleasant, right?

To make things worse, confession also takes major effort.  It requires a lot of navel-gazing and an examination of conscience.  It takes guts to admit our faults.  It forces us to put our relationships under the microscope.  We can’t think of our sin in a vague and fuzzy way anymore, we have to focus in and stare it in the face. And usually what we see is not pretty.

But are these good reasons for infrequent confession, or skipping confession altogether?  Actually, not really.  Here are three objections to making a frequent confession and reasons why these objections are lame.

#1: “The Church only requires confession once a year.” True.  However, once yearly confession is the bare minimum requirement of the faithful. We should “at least” go once a year. In other words, if you want to barely live the Christian life, then once-yearly confession is a great way to do that.

#2: “Examinations of Conscience are hard and take too much time.”  True.  An examination of conscience is definitely work.  But why should we put less effort into meeting our spiritual needs than we do our physical needs?  We make an effort to eat well and exercise regularly, but we are only partly physical. We are also partly spiritual, and we need to meet our spiritual needs as well.

#3: “I don’t need to go to confession, and besides, I make regular use of the other sacraments.”  This is actually the best objection of the three, because it seems like we can receive enough grace from the other sacraments to compensate for our lack in this one, especially if we have no mortal sin on our souls.  However, this is misleading. Reconciliation is unique in that it’s the only sacrament that restores us to right relationship with God and His Church that our sins have negatively affected.  This is true whether these relationships have been harmed by our venial sins, or so damaged by our serious sins that confession is actually required for restored union.

All of these objections skirt around the real reason why most of us don’t like going to confession: We just don’t like the way it makes us feel.  But, the bottom line is that sin needs confession.  If we are missing regular use of the sacrament of reconciliation, then we are trying to get by with less than what Jesus said we need to live in right relationship with God.  Jesus told us of our need for confession and He gave his Apostles the authority to forgive sins in His name, thus instituting it as a sacrament of His Church.

So how do we give ourselves the kick in the pants we need to walk into that scary box?  The answer is simple . . . just change how we think about confession and soon we will look forward to going. We can remove our apprehension by focusing on the great spiritual benefits we receive when we go. For example, the feeling of weightlessness and freedom we experience when we know that our relationship with God has just been given a clean slate. The fruits of forgiveness are less worry and anxiety, improved relationships, and a decrease in the shame and guilt our sins load on us. The sacrament of reconciliation brings us into the light of God’s love.  At the end of this process we are truly changed—conformed to the image of Christ.

So how can we start to make better use of the sacrament of confession? Here are a couple of ways:

• First, there are many helpful Catholic confession books.  If we don’t know exactly what we ought to confess or how to make an examination of conscience, these guides will walk us through it.
• Second, we can pray that the Holy Spirit will help us to see our sins clearly. It’s not always easy to pick them out. Mary is also a great help, we can pray the rosary or Marian novenas for her intercession to help us overcome sin.
• Third, finding a priest that we feel comfortable with and who gives insightful spiritual direction will encourage us to go to confession regularly.
• Finally, we can keep a prayer journal of our progress.  How exciting will it be to look back and find that the sins you struggled with last year are distant memories?

“My children, we cannot comprehend the goodness of God towards us in instituting this great Sacrament of Penance. If we had a favour to ask of Our Lord, we should never have thought of asking Him that. But He foresaw our frailty and our inconstancy in well-doing, and His love induced Him to do what we should not have dared to ask.” ~ St. John Vianney

Do you have a loved one who needs encouragement to go to confession? If so, please pass along this blog to them. What are some ways that reconciliation has benefited you?

Copyright 2012 Kathleen Wellman

Catholic Jewelry

Catholic Jewelry  is a great gift to give your loved one as it usually very beautiful and a constant reminder of their Catholic Faith. For example, the Four-way Holy Spirit Medal is a popular jewelry piece for confirmandi as it reminds them of the Holy Spirit’s new role and involvement in their lives. Another great piece of jewelry to consider is the Gift’s of the Holy Spirit Bracelet which reminds the confirmed of those precious gifts which the Holy Spirit offers us each and every day. Jewelry isn’t appropriate for all those confirmed but if you have a loved one whom loves to wear jewelry and takes the jewelry he or she wears very seriously then it could be the perfect gift. Religious jewelry is a great way to help keep one’s mind on God.

Confirmation Bibles

Confirmation Bibles are a fantastic gift for a loved one who is a great need of a Study Bible.  They differ from standard Bibles in that they come with biographies on saints, answers to frequently asked questions by teens, common prayers, and explanations on the gifts of the Holy Spirit. A Confirmation Bible will help your loved one to dive into the Bible like never before and possibly bring about a life of new scripture study. The Confirmation Bible is a precious gift for those being confirmed who have yet to begin to study the Bible or who already love it dearly.

Confirmation Books

Hundreds of excellent books have been written that are well-recommended for the newly confirmed. Choosing the right one all depends on your loved one’s needs. Maybe he or she needs a popular teen catechism or an easy to read explanation of the mass. Or perhaps your loved one needs a Catholic prayer book  in order to renew his or her prayer life. Either way the number of confirmation books for confirmandi is extensive and if your loved one enjoys reading and would love to learn more about the Faith then their might be no greater gift.

Confirmation Patron Saint Medals and Statues

Confirmation Patron Saint Medals and Statues are special gifts that will remind them of their confirmation patron saint and the lives they lived. Saints are a constant reminder of our call to holiness and they generously intercede on our behalf. Patron saint medals and statues have a long tradition in the Church and if your loved one is especially fond of their patron saint then it might be one of the most cherished gifts they could receive to either proudly bear the medal or honor the statue of a holy saint. Many Patron Saint statues and medals are well-crafted so as to be stunningly beautiful and detailed.

Confirmation Rosaries

The Rosary is one of the most popular devotions to the Blessed Mother and is a powerful prayer. A rosary can be the perfect inspiration to boost one’s prayer life with a strong devotion to the Virgin Mary. Confirmation rosaries are typically red in remembrance of Pentecost and the descent of the Holy Spirit and feature an image of a dove as well. If your loved one is in need of a prayer life with devotion to the Mother of God or needs something tangible to help inspire their prayer life then a rosary could be a vital and practical gift.

Confirmation Crosses

A Catholic Cross could be just the right gift for your confirmed loved one. Confirmation Crosses exist in a variety of designs and styles which allows you to choose the perfect one for your loved one. They are a great keepsake that can hang on their wall or rest on their desk for the rest of their lives. Hopefully the Cross will be travel with them and be a constant reminder of Jesus Christ and his sacrifice for us.

These are some of the most popular Confirmation gifts out there and I hope you enjoyed this guide. Better yet, I hope it helped you chose the right gift for your loved one. My younger cousin was recently confirmed and the task of choosing the right gift initially seemed impossible but after some planning and consideration I think I nailed it! She seemed absolutely delighted to receive her very own adult bible personalized with her name. I thought I would pass on how I approached the challenge onto you as well.

Copyright 2012 Kathleen Wellman

First Communion Rosary

One of the most stunning and traditional First Communion gifts is the First Communion rosary. Children at this age are very familiar with common prayers and many of the common prayers of the rosary. This knowledge makes a First Communion rosary a beautiful tool to encourage your little loved one to pray and develop a relationship with their Blessed Mother. The First Communion rosary is one of the most popular First Communion gifts which your loved one is certain to cherish for years to come.

First Communion Cross

The cross is one of the most prominent symbols of Christianity and a great sign of the sacrifice of Christ, which makes it one of the great First Communion gifts. A First Communion cross might be the first cross your loved one has received and will therefore have a special place in his or her heart. A First Communion cross reminds your loved one of the sacrifice their Savior made, a sacrifice that is remembered in the Eucharistic celebration. The First Communion cross is a gift which will be with your loved for years to come and will hopefully remind them of the sacrificial love God has for them. Perhaps a personlized First Communion cross might add a special touch which will make your gift even more precious and cherished by your loved one

First Communion Jewelry

For many children, First Communion is one of the first instances in their life in which they receive jewelry. First Communion jewelry is the kind of gift which your loved one will certainly  wear proudly as a remembrance of their faith and that special day. One of the most popular First Communion jewelry pieces are patron saint medals for boys and rosary bracelets for girls. Giving your loved one a stunning piece of First Communion jewelry might be just the gift which will stay with them for a lifetime.

These First Communion gifts are just a few of the most loved gifts many receive on their special day. First Holy Communion is a memorable day in which the child experiences their faith and love of God in an entirely new way. A First Communion gift should echo that experience which has certainly changed their life for the better.

Copyright 2012 Kathleen Wellman

-          Catholic Coloring Books – Children love coloring books and catholic ones are very educational. Most Catholic coloring books tell the beautiful story of Jesus Christ and focus on the last few days of his life. By coloring with your children you can talk about Jesus and his love for us. Not to mention coloring is such fun activity.

-          Children’s Bible Stories – Nothing beats a good Children’s Bible at telling the story of the passion of Jesus Christ at the level children can understand. The passion of Christ can easily come off to children as confusing, odd, and irrelevant. The writers of Children’s Bibles know exactly how to frame the passion of Christ so that little ones understand it on their level. Reading it to your children can lead to great discussion about a basic understanding of the meaning and importance of Lent.

-          Lent crafts – I know what you’re thinking, “Lenten crafts? What on earth are you talking about?” Think about making a great cross out of simple items like popsicle sticks or palm leaves from Palm Sunday. These crafts are not only fun to make but they are also a great time to talk about Jesus and what he accomplished with the Cross. Making a cross is just one of many great craft ideas for the time of Lent that also allow you to talk about the faith with your children. Many Children’s Easter gifts are filled with fun activities you can do with your little ones.

These are just a few fun ideas to do with your child during Lent. Lent is an important time for everyone in your family so don’t be afraid to incorporate even the littlest ones. Have a great time this Lent with your family. What are some things you do with your family during Lent?

Copyright 2012 Kathleen Wellman

Love & Responsibility by: Karol Wojtyla (Blessed Pope John Paul II)

Love & Responsibility is one of the many fantastic Catholic gifts for him who enjoys picking up a good book. This book was written by Blessed Pope John Paul II before he became pope. This book examines sexual morality, family life, and the full purpose of marriage through the eyes of typical, human experience, examined by reason and logic. This shows the brilliant philosopher that Blessed Pope John Paul II was as he presents a book which delves into the beauty of marriage and family with eloquence. Catholic gifts for him should portray the importance of love, marriage, and family

“For God So Loved the World” Painting

“For God So Loved the World” is one of the Catholic gifts for him who enjoys powerful and life-changing art. This attention-grabbing image of the Sacred Heart of Jesus is an old masterpiece by an unknown artist. This painting, according to Fr. Benedict Groeschel, “tells more about our Lord’s care for us in sorrow than any words can do.” For the husband who enjoys catholic art, art in general, or has some bare walls in the office, this could be one of the perfect Catholic gifts for him this Valentine’s Day.

Men’s Rosary

A men’s rosary is the perfect rosary for those men who love praying the rosary or would like to pray the rosary more often. Men’s rosaries are typically made with brown beads and have a good, desirable weight to them. Husbands who love the Blessed Mother and love the rosary will also enjoy an elegant men’s rosary. A men’s rosary could make a great gift for your spouse this Valentine’s Day.

Knight’s of Columbus Bamboo Grilling Tools

If your husband is a Knight of Columbus and a grill master then this gift is calling your name. These tools are made of both stainless steel and bamboo wood and they come in a very nice bamboo case. The Bamboo case can also be personalized with your husband’s name or Council number or something else. Your husband is certain to make good use of these tools and provide great food on the grill for your family.

St. Michael Statue

One of the most popular gifts for husbands and fathers is a St. Michael statue. St. Michael statues typically represent St. Michael triumphing in battle over Satan at his feet. This statue might make a great addition to your husbands workplace or in your home. The St. Michael statue has been loved by catholic men for years and your husband is sure to be marveled by it as well.

These are just a few ideas of what Catholic gifts for him are perfect for this Valentine’s Day. Remember that your gift speaks volumes not just your husband but many others. Have a great Valentine’s Day which is ultimately about you, your husband, and the love that you share together.

Copyright 2012 Kathleen Wellman

Despite how easy it is, we must not get lax and allow ourselves to go through the motions of the sacraments or completely disregard them. In disregarding the sacraments we miss out on the special graces that they have to offer us. We have to make the conscious effort to realize that confirmation is more than a celebration with well-meaning confirmation gifts which aim at furthering one’s faith life. Likewise, first communion is also more than just a simple coming of age celebration, though well thought-out first communion gifts can remind the first communicant well after their first communion of the graces they received. By opening ourselves up to the true meaning of the sacraments and fully embracing them with all of heart and mind, we can then be transformed by their incredible power.

I know that the sacraments have transformed many people’s lives. Once a friend and I were discussing the sacraments and he told me about an experience he had. He told me that years ago he was very concerned about his financial situation when he got some troubling news which led him to think that he was not going to be able to return to college the following semester. This news completely broke him down initially. Thankfully, he received this news on a Sunday before mass, and at mass he realized that he had to put this matter in God’s hands and know that His Will is far more preferable than his own. He knew that he had to trust in God. Before the sacrament of the Eucharist he prayed that God would open him up fully to the graces of his Body and Blood in ways unlike ever before. After receiving the sacrament he had this deep knowledge that everything was going to be fine and that he would find a way to return to college which he knew was the Lord’s will. He could feel the strength and trust of the Lord’s Will in ways that he had never experienced before. Later that night he found out that he was accepted by a program which provided enough of a stipend that would allow him to return to college the next semester. As you can see, this day has left in impression on his mind and heart because of the Holy Eucharist and the graces he felt that day.

I ask that you take this story to heart and that in all of the sacraments you will remember to pray that the Lord will open you up to their graces. And hopefully you will have an experience in which you realize the change those graces can create within you. My friend learned from this experience and many others to never underestimate the amazing gifts and graces of the sacraments.

How can you help your children, nieces, nephews, or grandchildren understand the graces beset upon them long after first receiving the sacraments?

Copyright 2012 Kathleen Wellman

People fail New Year’s Resolutions for a great deal of different reasons. For many the issue is that their New Year’s Resolution is too vague. For example one might make the New Year’s Resolution that they want to be healthier instead of saying they want to cut 20 pounds by exercising 3 to 4 times a week. By being more specific one can hold themselves more accountable. People also fail their New Year’s Resolutions because they are unrealistic or out of their control. For example someone might make the New Year’s Resolution fix their marriage which for many different reasons might be either impossible, not practical, or otherwise out of their control (as it takes both partners’ willingness to fix a marriage among other things for that to happen). Lastly, people tend to fail their New Year’s Resolutions because they don’t accurately gauge their progress. This occurs often in weight management when one might rationalize that they feel lighter but in actuality they are the same weight. If one makes New Year’s Resolutions which are specific, practical, and can be easily measured then one has a far greater likelihood of success.

Making the right New Year’s Resolution is also a challenge and an important one at that. Everybody has different goals that they need to set for themselves going into the New Year. For some it may be quitting an addiction or renewing an old friendship but I ask all of you to consider your spiritual lives going into the New Year. Maybe 2012 is the year to pray an auto rosary every day either on your way to work or on your way home from it. Perhaps this year marks a new chance to get involved in a Catholic Bible Study or start your own with some friends. One could even try reading the Catholic Bible or New Testament a little each day and get through the whole Bible in a year. These and many ideas could pay great dividends in your spiritual life and can all be very specific, practical, measurable, and, most importantly, instrumental in changing your life for the better. I encourage you to consider making a New Year’s Resolution which will benefit your soul and relationship with Jesus Christ our Lord.

New Year’s Resolutions are a great and well respected tradition which has led many to a better life. Keeping a New Year’s Resolution could make a huge influence in your life in a positive way which will surely make your new year that much better. Best of luck on your New Year’s Resolution and remember that keeping it practical, specific, and measurable could make all the difference.

What is your New Year’s Resolution this year?

Copyright 2011 Kathleen Wellman