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You Are Beautiful: God Says So! Enter our #GiveAway for one of 5 copies of #TrueRadiance @ServantBooks

By Lisa Mladinich

With the children and teens we teach getting badly misled by images of beauty that are degraded, as well as superficial and unattainable, it’s more important than ever to talk about beauty, body image, and some of the many ways God speaks to us through beauty. Maureen Smith has been talking about some of these critical issues, here at AmazingCatechists.com.

Deeply linked with these topics is the cultural fear of aging and the ways our fears can chain us to the past and become obstacles in our relationship with God. These issues hit many catechists hard, since we are aging in a culture that denigrates us, even as we are laboring to bring the light of God’s love to the young. We need to know our own worth in the eyes of God so we can lift each other up and be radiant witnesses to faith!

I’ll be giving away five copies of my new book, True Radiance: Finding Grace in the Second Half of Life, on my birthday, November 11th!

To be entered to win, follow the instructions, below-any time between now and the drawing, on the 11th, and sign up for our newsletter, if you’re not already subscribed (see home page sidebar form and provide your name and email address–we will never share your information with anyone).

But first, here’s what people are saying about the book you are entering to win!

What People Are Saying About “True Radiance”

Cover_Art_True_RadianceLisa Mladinich helps mature women see themselves as God sees them:  His beautiful and beloved daughters, increasing in authentic feminine beauty through all the stages and ages of their lives.”  – Susan Tassone, Author of Day by Day for the Holy Souls in Purgatory:  365 Reflections

Age may be “just a number” but for women living in the Youth-Idolizing-and-Madison-Avenue-Compliant West, any age above about 45 becomes a “negative number.” With this splendid gift of a book, Lisa Mladinich invites us to find the “God codes” that sacramentalize our aging into a kind of “new math” — where all of our advancing numbers are positive and the very real minor (and often major) adjustments they require become a sum-total of real grace, and real sanity. True Radiance is a wise book, written by a woman whose wisdom shines bright.   – Elizabeth Scalia, Author of Strange Gods: Unmasking the Idols of Everyday Life

“We think about beauty more than we realize,” says author Lisa Mladinich who underscores women’s “hard wire” to recognize beauty. Through True Radiance women are invited in out of the cold of our youth obsessed culture to “steal” back our true God-given feminine beauty and encouraged to walk in love, through grace. Expressive anecdotes, caring sentiments and the author’s insightful guidance are guaranteed to lift your spirits and even change your life!  – Donna-Marie Cooper O’Boyle, Award winning author of twenty books, including: The Kiss of Jesus

You don’t have to be sporting gray hair or walking with a cane to appreciate the beauty and poetry of Lisa Mladinich’s view of women and aging. In fact, each of us need this holy and hopeful perspective, and I plan to share this book with all of my women friends, whatever age they are. This book is a gem that I will enjoy more than once!  – Sarah Reinhard, Author of Word by Word: Slowing Down with the Hail Mary

Many of us approach our more “senior” years in life with dread and grief, as though aging robs us of our dignity and joy. With her new book True Radiance: Finding Grace in the Second Half of Life, author Lisa Mladinich reminds us why this time in our lives is filled with unique and precious abundance and overflowing with vast potential. Lisa equips us with the tools to shine in a world greatly in need of our gifts and the inspiration to see God’s blessings every step of the way. This book combines the wisdom of strong women with the profound truths of Church teachings to offer a primer for not just surviving–but also thriving–into our mature years and towards our ultimate destiny.   – Lisa M. Hendey, Founder of CatholicMom.com and author of The Grace of Yes

Lisa Mladinich digs deep into the meaning of true feminine beauty, especially its spiritual aspects, which only shine brighter with age. A luminously personal take on the theology of the aging body.”  – Karee Santos, Author of The Four Keys to Everlasting Love: How Your Catholic Marriage Can Bring You Joy for a Lifetime

Women over 45! Do you want to enter “Act II” of your lives with faith, confidence, and joy? Then read True Radiance. Author Lisa Mladinich helps us confront the things that get us down: body image craziness, regrets over past sin, empty nests, and temptations to endlessly compare ourselves with others. Her recipe for joy is a pleasing combination of the wisdom of Catholicism, the example of the saints, and the testimony of everyday Catholic women who have “been there, done that.”  – Daria Sockey, Author of Everyday Catholic’s Guide to the Liturgy of the Hours

Lisa Mladinich quickly establishes connection with the reader through the frank sharing of her personal experiences with aging. After only reading a few pages, it was clear Lisa understood women, their bodies, and the role of faith in the process.  Her stories and insights communicated to this reader, that whatever Lisa had to share in the rest of True Radiance, it was trustworthy information.  – Allison Gingras, host, A Seeking Heart on www.RealLifeRadio.com

GOOD LUCK!

 

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Read all posts by Lisa Mladinich Filed Under: Culture, Evangelization, Lisa's Updates, Resources Tagged With: #freestuff, #Giveaway, authentic beauty, Catholicism, Lisa Mladinich, True Radiance: Finding Grace in the Second Half of Life

Motivational Catechetics: Equipping and Inspiring Your Volunteers

By Lisa Mladinich

Volunteer catechists are amazing people.

I love them. In fact, I often refer to them affectionately as “my people” because they understand the importance of the challenging work they do, even when it’s hard to see the fruits of their efforts. They’re gutsy, generous people.

When speaking to this particular population, it’s critical for catechetical trainers to communicate–not just thou-shalts and shalt-nots–but a life-changing message they can grasp and envision for themselves in a personal way, a message that impacts not just their teaching but their whole lives.

If it is your happy task to train your parish or dioceses’ catechists, there are five components I consider essential to ensuring that your sessions will be both engaging and motivational.

1. Personal Witness

People like to know a little about you as a person when you stand up in front of them. They tend to open their hearts Rosary_petalsto you if you are willing to risk it yourself and honor them with some personal testimony. Ask yourself a few questions as you prepare: Why is the Catholic faith the center of my life? Am I a convert? A revert? A contented “cradle Catholic” whose life is proof of the richness of our faith? Has my faith helped me withstand great suffering, given meaning to my life, healed the wounds of my past? Share very briefly about the importance of your faith in making your life holy, happy, and purposeful.

2. Lay a Spiritual and Intellectual Foundation

Emphasize the supernatural partnership that is essential to fruitful catechesis. We need a well-informed, prayerful approach if we want our ministry to bear fruit for eternity. Inspire your listeners to seek a greater knowledge of God and a more intimate relationship with the Blessed Trinity by sharing excerpts from Scripture, the Catechism, and the lives of the saints, challenging your team to work with God the way he works with them: via baby steps. Since God draws us closer to him over time, incrementally calling us to deeper conversion in various areas of our lives, we can manage our commitment to growing in faith and love of God by taking a gentle, gradual approach. Any effort we make to move in God’s direction will produce substantial rewards. A bit of prayer time each morning (especially if it involves the Rosary or Sacred Scripture), prayerful CDs in the car, a short reading each evening from a good Catholic book, and a faithful commitment to Mass on Sunday and monthly confessions will add up over time and bring an abundance of graces.

3. Catechizing Attendees

In small, memorable doses, it’s possible to slip in quite a bit of catechesis while you’re sharing the how-to’s of teaching. For example, if I’m sharing tips or lesson plan ideas around the topic of Reconciliation, what better time to address the power of this intimate encounter with the Divine Physician to refresh and strengthen our souls, as it compliments and completes the healing power of the Holy Eucharist. As examples of great classroom content, stirring stories of the martyrs and video clips about Eucharistic miracles or Marian apparitions can inspire a thirst for more knowledge and elicit stimulating questions and comments. While you are encouraging volunteers to share exciting examples of the transformational power of our Catholic faith, you are immersing them in beautiful and intriguing material that thrills their souls and imaginations, inspiring them to take a bolder approach with their students.

4. Provide Practical Tips and Resources

Catechists get precious little training because of time and financial limitations within the parish and in their own lives, so make sure you pack your workshops with tips on areas of particular interest to your volunteer staff: suggestions for improving classroom discipline, understanding developmental issues and learning styles, ways to use music and movement to vary the lessons and bring joy to the learning process, free resources for downloading beautiful works of religious art or inspiring video lessons (see callout). Ideas for explaining tough concepts like the Trinity or Redemption, activities designed to embody abstract ideas like contrition or absolution, memory games, assessment techniques, and encouraging stories of lives changed through the work of dedicated catechists can all motivate your team to bring more passion to their teaching efforts.

Our_Father 2_red5. Finally…

Make sure you close your time together with a few words of encouragement from scripture. For example, the Second Letter to Timothy is packed with rousing calls to faithful witness.

And when your workshop is finished, place it all in God’s hands. Take joy in your mistakes and omissions; they are reminders that, through our humility, God’s power conquers all.

 

 

Callout:

My catechetical booklets and other great reads for catechists and DREs

Free audio resources including Bible studies

Free “open access” images of fine art

(This article was originally published in the November 2014 issue of RTJs Creative Catechist magazine)

Read all posts by Lisa Mladinich Filed Under: Catechetics, Catechist Training, General, Lisa's Updates, Resources, Sacraments, Scripture Tagged With: catechist training, Catholicism, Lisa Mladinich, RTJs Creative Catechist Magazine, top five tips for catechist training

The Father’s Love

By Maureen Smith

165px-Gabe-birthday-partThis Lent I have found that my prayer has led me to strengthen my relationship with God the Father. The Liturgy and the various traditions of this Holy Season draw me into solitude and I have become mindful of my dependence on Him, who cares for His little daughter.

I do not think it is a coincidence that my (earthly) father’s birthday is today, Friday of the First Week of Lent. As I reflect on the gift that my father is to me, I am reminded of how the Lord is at work in my life during Lent – particularly how God the Father is pursuing a more intimate relationship with me, His daughter. These are just a few ways that I see parallels in the relationships with my two Fathers, with a special Lenten focus.

1. My Father loves to look at me.dad

There are few things more precious than watching a new parent hold his or her child. It is easy to think that after we grow up our parents stop looking at us this way, since we have exhausted their capacity to look tenderly upon us. But I know for a fact that my Dad still likes to see me. I know that between the hours of 4 pm and 8 pm each Sunday I will receive a voice mail from my him, asking when I will be able to visit again. And ever time I do visit, his last words are, “…So when are you coming back?”

In the same way, as I enter the silence of Lent, I see that my Heavenly Father is overjoyed that I have committed to increase my time of prayer, not so that I can “do” anything for Him, but so that He can just look at me and be with me.

2. My Father watches out for me, even when I’ve done something wrong.

Guercino_Ritorno_figliol_prodigoOften times when I fail to meet expectations or am struggling in life, I hesitate to tell my dad. It took me a long time to realize that he doesn’t judge me as I judge myself, and that he cares for me even when I come to him with my failures and brokenness. When I spoke to him recently about my Guercino_Return_of_the_prodigal_sonstruggles with depression and my eating disorder, and my plans to help others in recovery, I was incredibly nervous. Up until then I would usually pretend I had it all together. After I finally revealed my life the way it truly was, rather than putting up a happy-go-lucky facade, I saw my dad’s face prouder than I’ve ever seen. Even though I was admitting my brokenness, without the illusion of self-sufficiency and autonomy, I felt more than ever that I belonged to my father, and that he would always care for me and support me.

This reminds me of the story of the Prodigal Son, who was embraced by his father upon his return, who was waiting for him. He did not punish him for squandering his inheritance, rather, the father meets him with a heart full of mercy and forgiveness, in his poverty and humility – and draws him into the intimate bond of sonship. This reminds me of the words of the Attende Domine, a hymn sung during Lent, “Draw near, O Lord our God, graciously hear us, keep us from sinning before you…”

We who are sons and daughters of God can be confident in the fidelity of the Father’s love. He is always ready to forgive us and capture us in his loving arms despite our fear of disapproval. Lent reminds us of this truth, that we can turn back to Him and that we belong to Him regardless of our past.

3. My Father loves to give me presents.

I remember as a kid, being so excited when my dad would return from his business trips. Aside from the fact that I missed him, he usually used to bring home presents for me and each of my siblings. Even when I entered religious life for two years he would send me gifts, and to this day he still has a great desire to give me things. Last year he gave me his extra car (!) so that I can visit more often. It is not the gift itself but the love that is expressed in the act of giving that I treasure so much.

My Heavenly Father does the same for me. Lent is a time when we “give up” consolations, but the stripping away of those earthly comforts reveals those spiritual gifts we so often neglect to see. Each day He nourishes me with the gift of His Son in the Word and in the Eucharist. In Confession He strengthens, heals, and forgives me. Many of His presents are not so tangible, but with the eyes of faith I can see how His grace surrounds me.  Each day brings with it so many little miracles that remind me of God’s love and affection. Many of these go unnoticed, for example, the smile of a stranger, the Scripture verse that struck my heart, the flower that blooms in the middle of winter. These are all reminders of what the love of my dad points to – the eternal, never-failing, inexhaustible, and unquenchable love of Our Father in Heaven.

I realize that there are many who are not blessed with a father like mine, and so this inspires gratitude in my heart to God for this great “present.” It also reminds me that no matter who we are, no matter what our relationship is like with our father, we all have a God in Heaven that we can call Father. I pray that each of us this Lent will be strengthened in the relationships with our father and father figures, and most importantly with Our Heavenly Father, Who looks upon us with great love, Who protects and forgives us, and Who gave us the best gift of all – salvation by the Death and Resurrection of His Son which we commemorate during this Holy Season.

1280px-2011-07-17-hechingen-by-RalfR-045

Read all posts by Maureen Smith Filed Under: Culture, Evangelization, General, Prayer, Sacraments, Scripture Tagged With: bible, catechist, Catholicism, ccd, evangelization, faith, family, fatherhood, Lent, Lisa Mladinich, Maureen Smith, religious education, scripture, Youth Ministry

7 Conversion/Reversion Stories on “Among Women”, including AC’s founder, Lisa Mladinich

By Pat Gohn

One of the keys to the new evangelization is the sharing of our stories, the recalling and retelling of how we came to know Jesus in a personal way — and how our lives changed because of it. This encountering Jesus, and becoming members of His Body, the Church, is the overarching theme in the seven podcasts listed below, drawn from the Among Women archives. I’m thankful for the seven women who gave witness to their faith in Christ in these recordings, so that others might be strengthened and encouraged to do the same. Your testimony to God’s love in your life is important. Think about ways you might share your story with others, as you listen to these stories.

AW 43 A Chat with Amazing Catechist, Lisa Mladinich – Get to know the founder of Amazing Catchechists, author Lisa Mladinich, who tells the story of her reversion to the Catholic faith. Listen! 

AW 178: New Life in Christ – When an unplanned pregnancy interrupts this successful single career woman’s life plan, she returns to the faith of her youth and discovers God’s plan for her in a new way. Listen! 

AW 175 An Appointment with God – Catholic speaker, Allison Gingras, shares her reversion to Christ and what it means to be a friend of Jesus. Listen!

AW 109 Metanoia! – A story of Erin Miller’s reversion — and the role Among Women played in her life. Listen! 

AW 40 Becoming a Catholic – This episode talks with Earline Tweedie, a former Methodist, now a Catholic, by way of the RCIA. Also inspiring is her sharing her story of mothering a son with Down’s Syndrome. Listen! 

AW 1 — The Among Women Premiere – (and there’s a part two) Join me on my very first podcast from March 2009, and after I overcome the jitters, listen to Virginia Kimball, a PhD in Mariology today, discuss her life and growth as a Christian, and her eventual return to school in midlife to study theology. Listen!

AW 131 The Vocation Story of a Young Nun — More of a memoir of her faith journey, Sr Emily Beata Marsh FSP, one of the newest members of the Daughters of St Paul describes her vocation experience and her recent vows. Listen!

Read all posts by Pat Gohn Filed Under: Evangelization, General Tagged With: Among Women podcast, faith, faith sharing, Lisa Mladinich, New Evangelization, Pat Gohn, testimony, witness

Amazing Catechists Among Women

By Pat Gohn

Making a connection. Telling a story. Being a witness. That’s what amazing catechists do. As translators of the truth they seek to give away what they possess because it was so freely passed onto them. Doing that through a podcast is a very low-cost, effective way of evangelizing and catechizing in the digital age.

Over the last two years, several members of the Amazing Catechists’ team have been guests on my weekly podcast, Among Women. Created in Lent 2009, Among Women grew out of my years of ministry in local churches, and my special regard for women’s ministries.

The Among Women podcast and blog celebrates the beauty and grace of a Catholic woman’s faith and life. It’s faith sharing, teaching, and some good old-fashioned girl talk rolled into one. Each podcast has two segments: “Blessed are They” looks back on inspirational women who are either saints, mystics, blesseds, or women from the Bible. The “Among Women” segment focuses on conversations with contemporary women on themes that are important to women.

Get to know the women behind the bylines here at Amazing Catechists by listening to these Among Women podcasts, including the most recent episode, featuring Mary Lou Rosien discussing her new book, Catholic Family Boot Camp:

AW 125: “Spiritual Boot Camp” with Mary Lou Rosien

AW 122: “Star of the New Evangelization” with Robyn Lee

AW 121 : “Each Life is a Masterpiece” with Leticia Velazquez

AW 116: “The Advent of Advent” with Sarah Reinhard

AW 89:  “The Sacred Heart” with Ellen Gable Hrkach

AW 81: “Choosing Faith Amid Suffering, Part 2” with Peggy Clores

AW 80: “Choosing Faith Amid Suffering, Part 1” with Peggy Clores

AW 78: “Be An Amazing Catechist” with Lisa Mladinich

AW 43: “Lisa’s Reversion Story” with Lisa Mladinich

AW 30: “Cause of Our Joy” with Leticia Velasquez

AW 11: “The Snoring Scholar and Great Books” with Sarah Reinhard

Among Women has over 125 episodes on a variety of topics.  Its growth and success comes from social media contacts, and, of course, word of mouth. Why not share Among Women as a resource for the women in your life and parish?

 

Read all posts by Pat Gohn Filed Under: Catechetics, Evangelization, Interviews, Resources, Technology Tagged With: Amazing Catechists, Among Women, blog, Ellen Gable Hrkach, faith, Leticia Velasquez, Lisa Mladinich, Mary Lou Rosien, Pat Gohn, Peggy Clores, podcasts, Robyn Lee, Sarah Reinhard, women, women's ministries

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