Amazing Catechists

Teaching and learning the faith together

Meet Two Teens who use Social Media to Evangelize

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Freeimages.com/luisosorio

There are a few strong voices in the world of Teen Catholic Social Media. I recently had the privilege of interviewing two of them for an article on Catechist.com, Jimmy Reynolds, @litcatholicmemes on Instagram and Peter Burleigh of @Jesufex (Young Catholics) on Twitter. I wanted to share some of the insights they shared with me.

Why did you start your page?

I wanted to start this page because I wanted to try to be a part of something where I could reach a large number of people and show them the faith. I loved seeing memes on Instagram, and I felt like there weren’t that many new Catholic memes being made, just a few old ones that got passed around a lot. I had a few ideas, so I decided to start a page. Now a year later, the ideas haven’t really stopped.
Jimmy R.

I always wrote down anything I thought to be interesting—perhaps a bit too meticulously. One day I realized that other people would probably want to hear what I’m hearing. After a bit of prayer and discernment (because it would not be a small commitment if there were an audience—I would be responsible if I led people the wrong way) I set up the account late one night. Then, whenever I got a hint of truth about the world or some whisper in prayer I shared it. It was always something basic: asking prayers for a friend, noting that God shows His love through making the sun rise every day, and perhaps a few Bible quotes. Over the years my knowledge of the Church and spirituality increased (a bit faster than I would have liked) and so I found that I never ran out of material to share. I love listening to talks and podcasts and so the small things I can wring out I hope to make a difference in the lives of people who follow me. Over time it has become easier to say more with fewer characters, suggesting bigger ideas with the same limit. Not that I’m a rock star at tweeting, but I go for that; I think it makes a difference when people are forced to stop and think about what I’m saying rather than get a message they’ve already heard. The last thing I want is to tweet platitudes.
Peter B.

What is the Goal of your page in terms of evangelization and catechesis?

They [other teens] don’t consider investing any time in the Church, because that’s not the lifestyle they wanna live. S,o I am hoping that by running my page, I can show people that you can live a life devoted to Christ, and still enjoy life here on earth, as that will ultimately lead you to the fulfillment of life in Heaven.
Jimmy R.

Young people are thirsting for real connection and faith that demands they change their lives. They don’t want a voice online telling them to frequent confession [that] only makes a difference in the world of the Internet. People change their lives more often through what they hear in person rather than what they read online. And this is an unfortunate difficulty because the amount [number] of solid parishes out there are too few. Young people want something more, but they don’t know how to go about finding it; in person is what hits hardest, but online is much easier. I think once we have the understanding that one voice amongst a million others is not going to do it. I think things like YouTube channels and other subscription programs (where a person is more isolated and has to go out of their way to pay attention) are effective; I think well-written blogs are effective, as are songs. If you want to be heard, go to the tower and not the market place. For those who want, my favorite resources are…Ascension Presents (YouTube), @emwilss (Instagram), @FrMatthewLC (Twitter), and definitely “The Crunch” and “Pints With Aquinas” Catholic podcasts.
Peter B.

What else do you want others to know?

I never would have thought I could make this many [memes], and it is truly a testament of God working and inspiring me with so many ideas. As long as He inspires me, I will keep making more. All glory to God.
Jimmy R.

Stick close to the Sacraments. Frequent Mass as often as you can; carpe those graces. Get cleaned up in reconciliation at least once a month. Keep close with the friends who lift you up. Spend time with your family as much as they annoy you. Look at beautiful things. Most importantly, disconnect from the Internet as often as possible so you’re in every moment of your own life. Never take yourself so seriously that you can’t laugh at yourself. The glory of God is man fully alive.
Peter B.

(C)2017

Our Family Read Alouds from 2017: an Annotated List

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We make time most school days to read loud.  A friend recommended the blog Read Aloud Revival (completely worth your time), and after listening to even one podcast, I was hooked on the idea of reading aloud as a way to create bonds within families, to increase literacy among children, and to teach moral values in an organic manner.

Because we read aloud, we have stockpiled literary characters we all know and love.  Our literary adventures have given birth to inside jokes and one-liners.  Even the five-year-old references lessons from books we read long ago that are stored in the recesses of my mind but that are still very much alive in his.

When we read aloud together, it is almost as though we have gone on an adventure together as a family.  It’s time spent together in about the most convenient, comfortable, economical and pleasurable way I can imagine!

Here is the list of what we read aloud in 2017.  Given the fact that we rarely read aloud on weekends (for no good reason; we are just out of our routine) and allowing for sick days, laziness in summer, and days we simply didn’t fit it in, I would estimate that we operated at 35% of our full read-aloud potential.  That being said, look at how much we plowed through!

One of the best pieces of advice I have ever received was along the lines of “If you want to be a mom who takes her kids outside, put down whatever you are doing and take your kids outside.  You are now a mom who takes her kids outside.”  The same is true of exercise, crafts, or read alouds.  If reading aloud is something you want to start doing, go pick up a children’s book off of the floor–picture book or otherwise–and start reading aloud.  Trust me, if you read it out loud, they will come.  Even when it’s a picture book, the 8- and 9-year olds gather around.  There is something magically enticing about hearing a story read aloud.

Chapter Books

Caddie Woodlawn by Carol Ryrie Brink

Caddie is a feisty Civil-war-era girl who lives in the wilds of Wisconsin with her family.  We had tried Little House on the Prairie a year ago as a read aloud, and no one got into it (an experiment I hope to retry soon).  This book is heavy on action with endearing (and enduring!) characters.  A great, great read.  My kids aged 9 to 4 (at the time) would name it the best book of the year!

Caddie Woodlawn’s Family by Carol Ryrie Brink and Marguerite Davis

As soon as Caddie Woodlawn was finished, my kids begged for another one.  Looking around, I discovered this sequel.  It isn’t quite as good as the first, but it was still a good read and filled our hearts that were begging for more time with Caddie Woodlawn and her family.

A Bear Called Paddington by Michael Bond

These are adorable stories about the talking bear from “Darkest Peru.”  My children found the first Paddington movie to be too frightening.  In these stories, unlike the movie, there is no villain–just a lot of mischief and unintended consequences.  This book is a lot of fun.

Sarah, Plain and Tall by Patricia MacLachlan

This is a lovely, spare book about life on the prairie, the loss of a mother, and a new family in the making.  Heart-wrenching without being sentimental, the storyline of this book will stay with you–and it comes out all right in the end, too.

The Mercy Watson series by Kate DiCamillo

At first the illustrations to this series and the premise of a doted-upon pig living in a house were jarring to me.  Once I began to appreciate the retro style, however, I find both the illustrations and the books to be hilarious.  My 3, 5, and 7 year olds can’t get enough of them!

How to Eat Fried Worms by Thomas Rockwell

I remember reading this book as a child and really enjoying it.  This book, like so many books I read in my childhood that had been penned in the ’70s, failed to live up to memory.  Perhaps some parts of it went over my head back then.  It’s a decent read, but nothing that I would particularly recommend.  I had to edit some parts of it as I was reading aloud.

The Hundred Dresses by Eleanor Estes

This book is about school cliques and bullying.  Told from the perspective of one of the less mean-spirited girls in the clique rather than the girl who was ostracized, it touches on the pain of bullying without being overwhelming for a sensitive child.  It has worthy reflections on “what I should have done” and the hidden person beyond appearances.  A deep book, really, without being pedantic.

The Phantom Tollbooth by Norton Juster

We read this book as part of my son’s book club.  It is a fantastic book–but not one that is particularly well-suited to reading aloud to young children.  Much of the book is wordplay so that the spelling needs to be seen–or at least read aloud to someone who will get the joke.  However, put it on your booklist for older children because it is not only a great adventure story, but it is also a delightful, whimsical, and thought-provoking book that not only forces you to think about how we use language but also about how we live our lives.  A fellow mom and I both agreed that it changed our perspectives!  4th grade and up.

Five Children and It by E. Nesbit

This book was remarkable in its day as the first that featured magical realism–that is, magic that happens in every day life as opposed to magic that is embedded in another world unlike our own.  Four children (the fifth is a baby) come across a wish-giving sand fairy and find that asking for wishes that work out as anticipated is a difficult thing indeed.  A classic book for a reason and beloved by our family.

The Amelia Bedelia series by Peggy Parish

Does it get any better than the literal Amelia Bedelia?  This is one series from my childhood that absolutely lives up to its memory.  All of the children from 3 to 9 love these books, and we have a blast following one another’s instructions in Amelia-Bedelia style (such as “Time to hit the road, kids!”  “All right, mom, I’ll get the stick”).  Do not get the newer books that feature Amelia Bedelia as a child; stick with the original Peggy Parish books.

The Little Bear series by Else Holmelund Minarik

What lovely books for the young child or the emerging reader!  Even I can’t get enough of Little Bear.  Simple stories told well.

The Cricket in Times Square by George Selden

This is a perfectly charming book about the friendship of three animals, the value of place, and music.  You won’t regret reading it, and you might even shed a tear at the end like I did.

Stuart Little by E.B. White

We love E.B. White–but we didn’t love this book.  Despite a couple of amusing chapters, the book’s ambiguous ending, the main character’s utter disregard for his parents, and its tired ’70s trope of “finding yourself” wore thin even with the children.  Stuart Little was not particularly likeable, and the book seemed to have no point.  A flop with us.

The Trumpet of the Swan by E.B. White

Here’s an E.B. White book that we DID enjoy.  While there is a small amount of the old “irrelevant parent” trope, the themes of overcoming obstacles, the value of all life, and the eloquent descriptions of nature trump it.  The talkative and vain Old Cob, while rather annoying at first, ended up being our favorite character, and we now love to talk in Old Cob style.  We found the resolution at the end to be less than satisfactory, but it afforded good discussion.

From the Mixed up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler by E. L. Konigsburg

This is another title I dredged up from my childhood library.  The premise is so engaging–run-away children make their home in the New York Metropolitan Museum of Art–but their disregard for their parents is dismaying.  It read better when I envisioned myself in the place of the child than it does now when I picture myself as the adult.  Even so, it gave good fodder for discussion and has a little mystery thrown in.

The Bravest Dog Ever: the True Story of Balto by Natalie Standiford

The true story of a dog who led his sled team through a blizzard to get medicine to sick children in a remote part of Alaska.  It is suspenseful without being scary.  Good for emerging readers to read alone, but we all enjoyed the story read aloud as well.

The Courage of Sarah Noble by Alice Dalgliesh

This book, says the epilogue, is based on the true story of a young girl who stayed with Native Americans while her father left to get the rest of the family.  It is a memorable book and showcases the deep wells of courage found in children while at the same time not villianizing the adults.  Highly recommended.  “Keep up your courage” is now a tag-line at our house.

Because of Winn Dixie by Kate DiCamillo

This book was a step into more mature material for my children.  The mother in the book has willingly abandoned her husband and her daughter.  Until this book, my children had never fathomed that such a thing could occur.  The writing, as is always the case with DiCamillo, is so spectacular, though, and she handles the subject so sensitively that I would highly recommend this book for all but the most sensitive of children (and my children are quite sensitive!).  Great characters and a satisfying reconciliation between the hurting daughter and father.  Ages 6+.

The Mrs. Piggle-Wiggle series by Betty Macdonald

The original Mrs. Piggle Wiggle books can’t be beat.  Her creative ways to deal with the typical misbehaviors of children are not only wise but rollicking.  While the first books generally utilize natural consequences (though the reader must suspend disbelief), later books often use “magic powder” to solve the situation.  While my children still love those, I personally prefer the earliest books of the series and never tire of reading them!  Children 3 and up love them.

All of a Kind Family by Sydney Taylor

This is a simple book about a large Jewish family and their everyday life.  It is so innocent that there is even a chapter on mother finding a way to teach her daughters to dust the house better via hiding buttons around the room–and my kids ate it up.  It has a somewhat unbelievable, though satisfying conclusion.  My children (3 to 9 years old) would rank this as one of the best of the year.

Half Magic by Edward Eager

The author wrote this book in the manner of E. Nesbit’s Five Children and It and even references that book in the text!  Four children find a magic coin and discover that their wishes come true only by half as much.  It’s fun, has a great ending, and relatable characters.

Frindle by Andrew Clements

What a hilarious book about the power of words!  This book features an intelligent and somewhat mischievous protagonist who renames a pen a “frindle.”  The character, however, is not malicious and is respectful both of his parents and toward school authorities–a welcome reprieve from the usual theme of “adults are stupid.”  It was thoroughly entertaining and had the kids (5 and up) begging for more.

 

Picture books

We read aloud many, many more picture books than are listed here.  The ones below are especially worth highlighting, though!  They brought us joy (or brought us to tears) and are all now beloved friends.

Boxes for Katje by Candace Fleming

Get your Kleenex ready before you sit down!  This is a picture book that is memorable.  It can be understood by children at least 5 and older, but the emotional impact will hit the older children (7 and up).  It is the story of two little girls, one of whom is in post-war Europe, and their connection across the sea.

It Could Always be Worse: A Yiddish folk tale by Margot Zemach

This is one of those books that we quote all of the time: “It could always be worse!” my kids will chortle no matter our circumstance.  It’s an entertaining book about being grateful for how good you really have it.

The Seven Silly Eaters by Mary Ann Hoberman

This book, about seven children with strong culinary preferences and a mother who caters to them, gently shows children the absurdity of both the children and the mom.  I love that the family has more than 2.5 kids, and in the end, a solution is found that is reasonable.  It’s just a lot of fun and has great rhymes!

The Mary Celeste: an Unsolved Mystery from History by Jane Yolen

This is a picture book for older children, about 7 and up.  It is the true story of a missing ship.  My children enjoyed reading the facts and coming up with their own theories as to what happened.  For one of my children in particular, the fact that we don’t “know” for sure what happened was a little unsettling, but I think it is a good introduction to being comfortable with mystery.

Good Dog, Carl by Alexandra Day

This book is nearly wordless, but it makes a big impact.  We continue to fabricate situations that star the inimitable Carl the Dog.  The illustrations are gorgeous to boot.

Perfect Christmas: a Carol of Calm in the Midst of a Mess by Gary Bower

Each year I think about which new Christmas book I would like to add to our collection.  After checking out about 20 from our local library, this one is the winner.  It is a universal story about the preparations for Christmas going wrong–and remembering that even so, it is a perfect Christmas.  Maybe it’s because I read it when I was knee-deep in Christmas preparations, but it brought me to tears.  It also has beautiful, painterly illustrations!

Corduroy by Don Freeman

Corduroy is beloved by all of my children, but was a particular favorite of my 3 year old daughter this year.  “Cordur-bear,” as she calls him, is now a sleepmate with her in the form of a stuffed animal.  I remember loving this book as a child, and I’m pleased my daughter does too!

For Grown-ups

Ten Ways to Destroy the Imagination of Your Child by Anthony Esolen

This book was a life-changer for me.  I recommended it to a friend, and she concurs: this is a book we will want to read year after year.  It is written in satire, as if we really want to destroy the imagination of our children, and it is a scathing cultural commentary on everything from our educational system to our predilection toward cutting down heroes by focusing on their faults.  It’s convicting, enlightening, and inspiring–and it will change the way you parent!

(This post first appeared at www.inaplaceofgrace.com.  Text (c) by Amanda Woodiel [2018].  Photo by Mystic Art Design [2015] via Pixabay, CCO Public Domain.)

A Beautiful Prayer to Bring Your Heart to Jesus in the Manger

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Gerard van Honthorst: Adoration of the Shepherds (1622)

 

It is deeply touching that the saints live in the certainty of God’s particular, personal, and tender love for each of us. A dear friend shared this prayer, today, and I have it posted in my office.

Behold the dear Infant Jesus, and adore Him fervently. Contemplate His poverty, and humility, in imitation of His most holy Mother and of Saint Joseph. Repose near Him as sweetly as you can, He will not fail to love your heart, void as you find it of tenderness and feeling. Nothing will be wanting to you since you will be in the presence of that holy Infant. Abide there, and learn of  Him how meek and humble He is, how simple and amiable. See how lovingly He has written your name in the depth of His Divine Heart, which beats on that couch of straw from the impassioned zeal it has for our advancement and heaves not one single sigh unto His Father in which you have not a part, nor a single movement of His spirit except for your happiness.        –Saint Francis de Sales

A very blessed and holy Advent and Christmas to you and yours!

In Jesus through Mary,

Lisa Mladinich

Owner, AmazingCatechists.com

It’s a Wonderful Life, Charlie Brown

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I recently bumped into an old friend from grammar school, and we began reminiscing about our favorite Christmas movies. Apart from realizing that all of the candidates were over 50 years old (not surprising given what spews out today), we ended up agreeing on two winners: one originally a theatrical release and the other a now classic television offering. It’s a Wonderful Life, starring James Stewart and Donna Reed, and A Charlie Brown Christmas, starring the irrepressible Peanuts gang, could not be more different in many ways, yet together they provide a profound message that should resonate in any Christian perspective of Christmas.

Let God be your star

Both movies remind us that God should be the central navigating and guiding influence in our lives. George Bailey’s problems began when he forgot that his life’s purpose, meaning, and value was determined by heaven and not any superficial, temporary, or earthly measure. Charlie Brown struggled until Linus reminded him of the real reason for the season. Ultimately, many of our daily struggles originate from our own misguided shortcuts around God’s wisdom.

True happiness is the product of proper prioritizing

Both movies show the destructive effect of greed, selfishness, and measuring value by earthly standards. Bedford Falls could have become Pottersville if these evils had been allowed to spread, without George to stop them. Even George himself only finds true happiness when he realizes the importance of faith, family, and true friendship. Charlie Brown’s struggles with the modern commercialism of Christmas and his friends’ initial preoccupation with finding the right tree by society’s modern standards only lead to unhappiness and conflict. Ultimately, George’s frustrations melt away in the face of his realization of what really matters in this world. Likewise, Charlie Brown’s wonderfully simple Christmas tree provides an enduring lesson to everyone.

Balance ambition with grounding

In both movies, we are reminded that there is nothing wrong with trying to be better, but there is a lot wrong with losing yourself in the process. George’s dissatisfaction with his life stemmed from allowing his earthly ambition to transcend his values and God-given gifts. Charlie Brown, Linus, and Pigpen all try to be better but ultimately do best by accepting who they are and offering that to the world. True followers of Christ are most effective when they are truly following Christ and not this world. The world may mock George’s simplistic ways, Charlie Brown’s stumbles, Linus’s security blanket, and Pigpen’s dust, but that is only because it fails to value their deep dedication to who they are and refusal to surrender to society’s foolish norms. Staying true to who we are allows us to find and use our gifts for God. The value of legendary disc jockey Casey Kasem’s catchphrase reminding us to “keep your feet on the ground and keep reaching for the stars” was never more evident than in these two films.

Love and leave the justice to God

Like many folks, I enjoy watching cruel people pay for their treatment of others. Part of me would have certainly loved to see Potter in jail or homeless, after the way he treated the good people of Bedford Falls. Likewise, I do not like the way Charlie Brown’s friends get away with mistreating Charlie and Linus. Lucy keeps on pulling the football away, as Charlie falls flat, and many of the others call Charlie stupid and hopeless. I sometimes wish that those friends would look stupid or fall flat on their faces for once, so they could learn some lessons. However, the true lesson of Christmas is not revenge or payback or bitter resentment. Rather, that message is very much about love, forgiveness, and leaving things to God. At the end of the day, God just wants us to love and leave the justice to Him.

Conclusion

It’s a Wonderful Life and A Charlie Brown Christmas have survived the aluminum facade of this society’s artificial and diluted celebration of December 25th. In their own way, each of these simple, yet profound, movies reminds us of the majestic humility and transcendent simplicity of what Christmas is all about. While most of society dabbles in its annual politically-correct finger painting and bland holiday fare, these two wonderful reminders of past wisdom challenge us to hope and work for more.

 

2017  Gabriel Garnica

VIDEO: My Visit With Doug Keck on EWTN Bookmark

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My new book for parents, catechists, and Catholic school teachers, helps adults and children learn their faith together!

It was an honor to be interviewed by Doug Keck, on EWTN’s BookMark, on location at the Catholic Marketing Network Tradeshow.

In this episode, Doug featured me and three other members of the Catholic Writers’ Guild, talented Catholic writers with a true heart for the Church: Joe Wetterling, A.J. Cattapan, and Cathy Gilmore.

My interview starts at about the 5 1/2 minute mark, FYI.

Email me directly, if you’d like to gift a bundle of discounted copies of my book to your catechists, faculty, or homeschool network!

Blessings of Advent

Lisa Mladinich

lisa@mladinich.com

The Rosary in Kid Speak (Special Offer and Review)

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Enjoy my interview with dynamic author, speaker, and educator, TJ Burdick, about his exciting new resource, The Rosary in Kid Speak.

What sparked the idea to write this book?

Every night, my family and I pray a decade of the Rosary together. When our youngest was born, we had four children, five years old and younger, which made the Rosary praying process a bit difficult. They’d get into the rhythm of the repetition of the prayers, but we never focused on the true beauty of Our Lady’s prayer- the mysteries. So, I started looking up images of Sacred Art to help my kids visualize the mysteries since they couldn’t read yet. Now, two years later, the oldest are reading, so it made since to accompany the images with easy-to-understand words that would explain the depth of each mystery to them. That’s how The Rosary in Kid Speak was born.

What’s inside?

Each Mystery includes a piece of Sacred Art and a kid-friendly description in words of each mystery. The images give children a focal point that allows them to place themselves in the scene with Jesus and Mary through the Joyful, Sorrowful, Glorious, and Luminous Mysteries. The words then narrate what’s going on so as to give them a more complete experience while they contemplate the lives of Our Lord and Our Lady. On top of that, the book also includes sections on how to pray the Rosary, a Rosary schedule that tells you which days to pray which mysteries, and several more tips and tricks to help families pray the Rosary together.

Who would benefit most from this book?

The Catechism of the Catholic Church calls the Rosary “the epitome of the Gospel” (CCC 971). That being said, EVERYONE can benefit from this book, most especially those who care for the spiritual formation of children- parents, priests, teachers, administrators, catechists, Directors of Religious Education, etc. The greatest thing we can do to help our children come closer to Christ is to lead them to Our Lady who loves them with a more perfect love than we could ever imagine. With the combined efforts of her divine motherhood and our terrestrial care, the Rosary becomes the spiritual rope that binds us all together and lasso’s the souls of our children into her love. Like the reigns of a horse, Our Lady guides us along the path of salvation with her most beautiful Rosary.

How can we get a copy?

There are two ways you can get a hold of this book:

1. The easiest and simplest way is to head over to the Amazon page and purchase it 

Here’s the link: https://goo.gl/Co7rcJ

2. The second way is to go to tinythomists.com to sign up for a monthly subscription plan. On top of receiving bi-weekly lesson plans, weekly Gospel in Kid Speak emails, and several other ways to raise our children Catholic, the digital copy of The Rosary in Kid Speak comes as part of the subscription and the amount of printouts you can create are limitless. You can print out a copy from the PDF and share them with whomever you want, to as many people as you want, and through whichever means as long as the tinythomists.com icon remains on each page shared. 

From now until Nov. 27th, I am charging only $3 a month for the entire Tiny Thomists program FOR LIFE. On Nov. 28th, that rate will jump to $15 a month. So if you know someone who is looking for an easy to use, solidly Catholic curriculum that is updated and fresh every single week, then tell them to act quickly. They’ll get all of Tiny Thomists PLUS the digital version of The Rosary in Kid Speak to use whenever they want, which is an amazing deal.

Can we get a sneak peak?

Absolutely. Head over to tinythomists.com. Scroll down and find the link titled “Free Book” and you can have instant access to the Joyful Mysteries right now. 

What others are saying about T.J. Burdick:

“T.J. Burdick is smart, faithful, passionate, and a gifted teacher and blogger–precisely the sort of leader we need for the New Evangelization.”

–Brandon Vogt, Content Director @ Word on Fire

“T.J. Burdick is a fresh voice in the New Evangelization—and one of the pioneering voices of a new generation of Christians. He is showing us exciting new ways to tell the Greatest Story Ever Told, and he’s doing it with an infectious and disarming kind of joy.”

-Greg Kandra, Aleteia.org

(You can find more of TJ Burdick’s work at tjburdick.com.)

Is Finger Yoga Safe?

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Israeli Stop Sign (Wikipedia Commons)

Today, a reader asks whether it is safe to use something called “Finger Yoga,” so I did a quick search and found an informative article by Susan Brinkmann, at one of my go-to resources, Women of Grace. You can read it here.

In its essence, Finger Yoga is the practice of using specific chants and finger positions, ostensibly to generate energy and spiritual awareness. In what seems like trendy PR, some also claim it helps with healing and weight loss. Unfortunately, like all yoga, the aim is to enter an altered mental state that leaves its users vulnerable to dangerous spiritual entities.

While its practitioners are very likely good folks with only the best intentions, the spiritual dangers cannot be overstated. With exorcisms on the rise all over the world, we need to be savvy about avoiding any practice that places our souls in jeopardy. I know from experience that this statement alone will elicit a firestorm of condemnation from certain quarters, but the facts remain: yoga is not just exercise or a practice of self-awareness, no matter how Christianised or modern it may seem; it is a pagan spiritual practice with the potential to invite unknown entities to enter our souls.

The Sacred Heart of Jesus, by Pompeo Batoni Photo Credit: Lisa Mladinich

This EWTN video features brain researcher, Adam Blai, on the topic of Exorcism: How to Keep the Doors to the Demon Closed.

For Catholics interested in reading further, the Pontifical Councils for Culture and Interreligious Dialogue produced JESUS CHRIST, THE BEARER OF THE WATER OF LIFE: A Christian reflection on the “New Age”, which can be read free at this link, online.

On this lovely autumn Friday, my prayer is that all people will turn away from pagan and New Age practices to embrace with great faithfulness the Heart of the One through Whom we are made, in Whom we have life, and Who loves us more than we can fully comprehend: Our Lord, Jesus Christ.

(See also: Yoga: It Stretches the Bounds of Belief, by columnist, Mary Ellen Barrett)

 

 

What Fatima Teaches about Sin

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We have spent much of the past year (May 13th- October 13th) celebrating the 100th year Anniversary of the apparition of Our Lady to the children of Fatima, Portugal in 1917. One of the things that struck me in studying the story, is the apparent contradiction in tone between the way we talk about faith, especially sin, today and how Our Lady emphasized it then.

Currently, we often focus on “meeting people where they are” and helping them move (often very slowly) from sin to repentance and holiness. However, Our Lady was unafraid to show three young children the consequences of sin, by allowing them to experience visions of hell! What then is the message for us? Do we discuss the real possibility of hell or do we like to assume that everyone goes to heaven, regardless of their life choices, faith or lack thereof?

Perhaps we should return to an honest discussion of how our choices can lead us away from Christ and the need we have for the sacrament of Confession. Rather than just assume that God’s love covers a multitude of sins ( of course it does as His Mercy is endless), we should think about why we would rather offend the Lord we love, rather than amend our lives to try and please him. For more information on Fatima consider Jean Heimann’s new book, Fatima the Apparition that Changed the World, see review here.

Papal Correction; Necessary or Noise

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Freeimages.com/ps

A group of over sixty Catholic priests and lay people has issued a formal correction to Our Pope. I have defended the Church. I have defended the Pope. I’m authentically Catholic and have taught faith for more than 40 years. I have read and for the most part defended Amoris Laetitia. Pope Francis has not changed Church teaching and that is a very important distinction.

Having said all that… AL has caused confusion and in some circles incorrect or improper formation in Catechesis. It is very difficult as a Catechist to teach without clarification in this confusion, and I have witnessed grave errors and an uptick in people making decisions about faith with uninformed or improperly formed consciences. This is a spiritual danger. If “cafeteria Catholics” pick and choose what teachings to follow–then the menu has been expanded.

In a recent blog Fr. Dwight Longnecker came to this analytical conclusion…

“My own take on this, therefore, is that I understand the need for the “encounter with Christ” as opposed to a faith that is merely propositional, but I also believe that without a clear affirmation of the propositions of our faith, the “encounter with Christ” becomes no more than a subjective religious experience.”

Yes, we are missionaries in the culture. Yes, we must meet people where they are, but we do not leave them there! Yes, God’s mercy is greater. Yes, the gates of hell will not prevail (Matt. 16:18), but we are in a spiritually dangerous place, currently.

We need clarity with charity. I don’t think this discussion is noise; I believe it may be necessary, and I pray Pope Francis will approach it as a loving shepherd and will reach out to the faithful who are truly trying to evangelize the world. That may be what he was doing when he addressed members of a Jesuit order in Columbia, as reported in the National Catholic Register Online:

“I like to repeat that to be a good theologian, beyond studying you have to be dedicated, awake and seize hold of reality; and you need to reflect on all of this on your knees.”

He said a pastor has to continually shift between three positions: “in front to mark out the road, in the middle, to know it, and at the back to ensure nobody falls behind and to let the flock seek the road.”

With prayerful concern for both the Holy Father and the good of the Church, it is my hope that these questions and concerns will one day be clarified, for the good of all.

 

 

 

Being “Little Marys”

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As I was driving with Jesus buckled into my lap in His pyx, on my way to preside over a Communion service this past Sunday, I was trying to prepare some thoughts for the reflection after the Gospel.

Although I had just gone to Mass that morning, the readings and homily seemed a vague memory, as it had been pre-second cup of coffee. What was it that the priest said? What was the Gospel again? Something about the Body of Christ, probably…

What do I say to residents on Corpus Christi Sunday, whose holiness and devotion far exceeds my own? Well, since I am no expert, I thought, I must consult the saints!

Of course Our Lady came to mind. But then, along with that thought, a much older and much more vivid memory than that morning’s homily popped into my head. I recalled how my mom told me that my name, Maureen, means “little Mary.”

Never did I find my name among the turnstiles of souvenir pens or plaques with it’s meaning and origin, which so often populate gift shops and craft fairs. I used to search fruitlessly among the Marissas, Megans, Michelles, but no Maureens. My mom, however, told me she named me Maureen for a few reasons, one of which was because it meant “little Mary.”

This happy thought called to mind an image of the Visitation, as I imagined how Mary carried Christ inside her body.

As I prayed with this image, the Lord reminded me that this phenomenon is not unique to Our Lady, since we do this whenever we receive Christ’s Body and Blood. We all become “little Marys,” bringing Jesus to all of the corners of the world.

This reality remained with me throughout the day, long after the Communion service.

What a privilege it is to be a Christ-bearer like Our Lady. And how blessed we are to have such a model and guide as we seek to reveal Him in our daily lives! It is easy to think that we must feel His Presence or seek Him and take Him in in order to become a Christ-bearer. But by nature of our Baptism, the light of Christ shines from within, not from without, and is amplified and fortified each time we receive the Sacraments.

I often wait for Christ to come to me, and wait to love or do ministry until I feel prepared by His Grace, thinking myself to be too weak. But it is precisely then, when we are empty, when we are least full of ourselves, that we are disposed to carry the One who can do all things.

May we all be like Mary, carrying Christ to all around us. Every human person suffers and we get to be healers of divine love. It is easy to forget that Christ’s presence dwells with us long after we have consumed the Eucharist. We may feel His throne is vacant within us at times, as Mary surely felt the pain of his absence during Christ’s apostolic years, and most certainly at the Cross. Yet, she and so many before us trusted and hoped in His fidelity.

Let us be strengthened by the witness of the Saints who recognized their own powerlessness and at the same time the power of the presence of Christ in our souls. From one Christ-bearer to another, I pray that God blesses you each time you receive His Sacred Body and Blood, and that you receive a special gift of His Grace this Friday on the Solemnity of the Sacred Heart – the proof of His Love for you.