View from the Domestic Church: Happy Saint Valentine's day!

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)

Thursday, February 14, 2013

Happy Saint Valentine's day!

My husband is SO romantic. This morning he said, "Happy Valentine's day!" to me.

And, he said it again too. He carried a present downstairs for me and as he plunked it down on the floor, he said, "Happy Valentine's Day!"

To which I shot back, "Oh, sorry, Sweetie, I am fresh out of laundry detergent."

My husband thinks he's funny. At that particular moment I didn't think his "expression of love" was very funny though--giving me a clothes hamper overflowing with his dirty work clothes.

I pause and think, I whisper a prayer and recall dear Pope John Paul II's words:

"MARRIAGE IS AN ACT OF WILL THAT SIGNIFIES AND INVOLVES A MUTUAL GIFT, WHICH UNITES THE SPOUSES AND BINDS THEM TO THEIR EVENTUAL SOULS, WITH WHOM THEY MAKE UP A SOLE FAMILY - A DOMESTIC CHURCH."

When my husband came home from work he surprised me with a big beautiful bouquet of pretty flowers and a sweet Valentine's card. I guess that made up for his poor attempt of humor this morning. :)

What's happening in your domestic church? Are you doing anything special to celebrate Saint Valentine's day?

Have a wonderful day!

God bless you and keep you,