View from the Domestic Church: Sweet times in Corpus Christi, Texas!

In addition to my books

I have written for the English edition of L'Osservatore Romano (Vatican newspaper)

The National Catholic Register, Catholic World Report, Our Sunday Visitor (national) newsweekly, Columbia Magazine, The Catholic Transcript, The News Times, The New Milford Times, Hearth magazine, Canticle magazine, Lay Witness magazine, Faith & Family magazine, CarbLite magazine, On the Web - many areas, including Catholic Exchange, Catholic Online, Catholic Lane, Catholic Mom, and a parenting column for Irish Family Press (print edition), a Catholic weekly newspaper published in Ireland as well as the online format. My work appears in many foreign publications as well (Nigeria, Singapore, Africa, Russia, and more).

A Catholic Woman's Book of Prayers

With all the mixed messages that women receive from society today, women can be distracted from--and even unreceptive to--the deep and abiding love that Christ has for them. Whether single or married, religious or consecrated, parenting children, or spiritually mentoring others, women need to know that the Lord understands the many challenges they face, their desire for inspiration, and, above all, their need to be affirmed as women.Through this book of original and traditional prayers from one of the top ten most fascinating Catholics of 2009 as rated by Faith & Family Live, women can realize God's divine Love, thrive in inspiration from Saints and the Church and rest in the affirmation of the "feminine genius." (order above by clicking book image at top of page)

First and foremost educator

"Since parents have conferred life on their children, they have a most solemn obligation to educate their offspring. Hence, parents must be acknowledged as the first and foremost educators of their children. Their role as educators is so decisive that scarcely anything can compensate for their failure in it. For it devolves on parents to create a family atmosphere so animated with love and reverence for God and others that a well-rounded personal and social development will be fostered among children. Hence, the family is the first school of those social virtues which every society needs."--Gravissimum Educationis (one of the documents of the Second Vatican Council)

Friday, October 8, 2010

Sweet times in Corpus Christi, Texas!

I just recently gave a key note talk at a woman's conference in San Antonio, Texas at an event put on by the Pilgrim Center for Hope. I am awaiting photos of the event to post here on my blog. So, that will have to be in another post. After that amazing event in San Antonio where I spoke to 500 or so women and met with them afterwards at my book signing table, I went on to Corpus Christi, Texas to visit the women I gave a retreat to a little over a year ago and to see my dear friend, Fr. James Farfaglia whom I actually grew up with in Ridgefield, CT (but we didn't know it at the time!). I actually graduated one year before Fr. James. More on that in the Foreword I am writing for his new book which I'll tell you about soon.

While in Corpus Christi, Texas to visit at St. Helena's I also did a book signing at a local Catholic store called the Catholic Shoppe. The same day (in between the two book signings at the shop) I attended an impromptu luncheon put on by a sweet friend, Nury at her home. I say "impromptu" because Nury came up with the idea the afternoon before and put on such a beautiful luncheon you would have thought it was planned for weeks! Taco salad, fruit, fresh home made soup (just for me!), Sangria (yum!), and home-made flan, made by Nury. I'm sure there was more, too, but these are the highlights. I met with my friend Rosie's friends and gave a talk to them about Mother Teresa after our lunch and also signed books for the women. After that it was back to the Catholic Shoppe for another book signing. Then, later on that night, I enjoyed an informal dinner at St. Helena's with some of the women from the parish.

Here are a smattering of photos of the day: