First Communion and Drive-by Catholic Parenting

We all know them and maybe you are one yourself. Parents who see that their child is Baptized, and then slowly fade away from Mass. Guilt (or pressure from a grandmother) may make them sign the child up for CCD and then after First Communion, they fade back out again. Bishop Richard Malone of the Diocese of Buffalo addresses this issue that has become more and more visibly prevalent.

Free Kindle e-Book: A Hunger in the Heart

Sorry - you missed the free offer, but you can still purchase the book for $2.99 by clicking on the picture below.

These books have been popular on +Catholic Ponderings+ so here is another one. Get A Hunger in the Heart by Kay Park Hinckley (Tuscany Press) for FREE April 23 and 24 only!

Book Review: The Christian Alphabet Book

Delightfully illustrated, authentically Catholic, and spiritual food for the Domestic Church. Those are the words that encapsulate my review of the book: The Christian Alphabet Book: Teaching Children about Jesus, Prayer, and the Bible by Tracy Sands.

L =LOVE  (1 John 4:16)

When I was offered a review copy, I thought I was receiving a children's book. Once I received it and had the opportunity to skim the pages, I quickly realized that it is a whole family book. Much more than a book to teach your preschooler the alphabet, this is a tool that will become a family heirloom - seriously.

In a nutshell:

• Each letter of the alphabet is a beautiful illustration containing ancient and modern Christian symbols used to teach a lesson
• Every page highlights a different letter, and more important, a lesson for family discussion
• For each letter, the right-hand page has a 'seek and you shall find' activity using the symbols. On the left-hand page, there is a basic lesson and fun activity. The primary lesson is highlighted in red and a prayer closes out the page. 
• Scripture quotes taken from: 
• New American Bible Revised Edition  
• Revised Standard Version - Second Catholic Edition
• NIV
• and excerpts/references were used from Youcat

Having said all this, though I have found nothing contrary to orthodox Catholic teaching, it is important to note that it is for all Christian families.This book contains no hot-button theological topics that separates Catholic theology from the theology of other Christian communities. It is entirely Christo-centric, teaching families about the loving God who sent His Son, our Savior. I cannot recommend this book enough.

The author also offers various items at her website, including a cd with songs to go with the book and personalized frameable name art.  

Book Review: Francis - The Journey and the Dream, 40th Anniversary Edition

Our latest book review for The Catholic Company is on Francis - The Journey and the Dream, 40th Anniversary Edition. This book was reviewed by guest +Ponderings+ blogger, Jean.

So, right off the bat I am disappointed. In the forward, John Michael Talbot says “it is not a historical treatment … the writer takes artistic license … not a Franciscan biography or history and must be read that way."  I’m thinking historical romance or the legend of Robin Hood.  I thought I was sitting down to read more historical biography, less prose. So with grumpy attitude firmly in place, I began to read Francis: The Journey and the Dream.

Fr. Bodo has a cozy  way of writing that makes it easy to get lost in his words and imagery.  I journeyed with Francis as he struggled with his choice of living the gospel,  the joy, the doubts, the gratitude, the determination to follow his dream. And though this book turned out to not be the book I had hoped it would be, it did turn out to be a good book for me. 

This is an easy reading book that offers an inspiring tale of the life of St. Francis and his attempt to live his life according to the example set by Jesus. I can’t imagine anyone being able to read it without some prayerful reflection into their own journey. Happy trails!

*Please support Catholic businesses. The Catholic Company is the best resource for all your seasonal needs such as First Communion gifts as well as ideas and gifts for the special papal Year of Faith.

Misguided Politician of the Week: NY Gov. Andrew Cuomo

Okay, so he isn't really the Misguided Politician of the Week. He really deserves at least a month. In 2007, I warned New Yorkers and the world about legislation in the works under the moniker of 'Reproductive Health and Privacy Protection Act.' Gov. Cuomo, a CINO who is infamous for forcing the passage of legislation in the night (see HERE and HERE), embraced the bill from the beginning of his term and now seeks to make it law.

Did you know that New York City is the Abortion Capitol of the United States? Yet Planned Parenthood advocates think women need MORE access to abortion (See HERE and HERE). How can you get more when you already have the most?  They seek late term abortions. None of this 'killing tissue' stuff - let's go right to the far boundary of the murdering business and kill infants. Despite the horrific Gosnell case, and the news of another abortion 'house of horrors' in Delaware, New Yorkers now need to be gravely concerned about this horrific legislation being shoved through the NYS Assembly and Senate.

What can you do? 

• Please read the bullet-points of the proposed law at NY State Catholic Conference HERE. 
• Send a letter opposing the legislation to Cuomo, your Assemblyman, and your Senator HERE. 

P.S. I will not apologize for the negativity on this page. When people sanction the murder of children, yet go on television with a plea for law-abiding and peaceful people to hand over the guns so that perhaps 'even just one child' may be saved, I am frankly dumbfounded. Murder is murder is murder. How many Catholics voted for this man? And how many remain his supporters even now?

Two peas in a pod

4/23/2013 Times Union: Cuomo: Take a position, details be damned

Bishop Malone: How will Pope Francis reform the Church?

Bishop Richard Malone of the Diocese of Buffalo weighs in on possible reforms under the leadership of our Holy Father, Pope Francis.

Kindle Book: 2012 Tuscany Prize for Catholic Fiction

Sorry - you missed the special free offer, but can still purchase the book for only $2.99! Be sure to visit the +Catholic Ponderings+ Kindle store for more suggestions. 

On Tuesday, April 2 and Wednesday, April 3, 2013 ONLY, you may download the following eBook free of charge:

Click on the image below to 'purchase' your free eBook! If you don't have a Kindle but are still interested in the book, click HERE to learn about other ways to read Kindle books.

Divine Mercy Novena Begins on Good Friday

While praying the Divine Mercy Chaplet on Good Friday, do so with these intentions:

Day one - pray for all mankind, especially sinners:

"Today bring to Me all mankind, especially all sinners, and immerse them in the ocean of My mercy. In this way you will console Me in the bitter grief into which the loss of souls plunges Me." - from the diary of St. Faustina

Most Merciful Jesus, whose very nature it is to have compassion on us and to forgive us, do not look upon our sins but upon our trust which we place in Your infinite goodness. Receive us all into the abode of Your Most Compassionate Heart, and never let us escape from It. We beg this of You by Your love which unites You to the Father and the Holy Spirit.

Eternal Father, turn Your merciful gaze upon all mankind and especially upon poor sinners, all enfolded in the Most Compassionate Heart of Jesus. For the sake of His sorrowful Passion show us Your mercy, that we may praise the omnipotence of Your mercy for ever and ever. Amen.




Read HERE about the Divine Mercy Sunday Indulgence.