Autumn Violin Recital

For the fall violin recital, Bernadette played “Hungarian Dance No. 2” by Johannes Brahms. Theresa played “Ashokan Farewell” by Jay Ungar. All of their violin teacher’s students joined each other in playing “Ballad of Green Mountain”, a traditional piece that their teacher arranged. I think that they did a great job, especially considering that this…

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For Parents of Boys

I am planning on possibly sharing these lectures with my teenage son too. I was happy to hear Fr. Ripperger mention (among other things) boys, homeschooling, and moms. I think that this list of “23 Behaviors of a Gentleman that Every Man Should Adopt” goes hand in hand with Fr. Ripperger’s advice.

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Tomorrow is First Friday

Will you be going to Mass? Christ told St. Margaret Mary Alacoque: “I promise you, in the excessive mercy of My Heart, that My all-powerful love will grant to all those who communicate on the First Friday of nine consecutive months, the grace of final penitence; they shall not die in my disgrace, nor without…

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St. Andrew Christmas Novena

The St. Andrew Christmas Novena begins tomorrow, November 30. Lena over at Joy-filled Family designed a beautiful holy card to assist in praying this novena 15 times a day. We used her holy card last year (I printed and laminated it), and it helps make praying this novena from November 30 through December 24 doable.…

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Happy Thanksgiving!

A friend asked elsewhere, “What are we most grateful for this year?” I didn’t have to think twice. I am grateful that my husband survived his massive heart attack. I am thankful for daily Mass and a holy, kind, and patient new pastor, Fr. S. Finally, I am thankful to be expecting another baby. I…

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Detachment

The other day, I called my friend, Elena. I was crying about something silly (it’s what happens when I am pregnant), and she told me, “Christine, you need to learn to detach.” She went on to tell me a story about St. Teresa of Avila and detachment. A little later, I was looking for a…

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All Saints Day Ruminations

2003 When my older children were little, we were very active in our local Catholic homeschool group. Each year, we would have a wonderful All Saints’ Potluck Party for all of the children, young and old. We would all eat and then the children would play various games. Towards the end of the evening the children…

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Where Do I Begin?

J.M.J. Jesus, Mary, and Joseph, I love you! Save souls! I began the month of August thinking that I had so much that I wanted to write about: beach days, a friend’s daughter’s wedding, the Highland Games, and more. I was thinking about ordering curriculum and getting things in order around our house. August 5…

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Camp St. Joan of Arc

Last month, Bernadette and Theresa got to participate in the wonderful girls’ camp that they have attended for the past couple of years. Our favorite seminarian lead this year’s camp. He did a fantastic job. So did the other seminarians. The girls were happy to be woken on a couple of mornings by the sound…

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Our Little Negotiator

Theresa: “I will give you some jelly beans if you let me get you dressed.” Kieran: “If you tell me where your jelly bean container is, I will let you get me dressed.”

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Trust Him

These words have been running through my head since Sunday. There is no need to worry about anything. God will take care of everything.  You just need to trust Him.

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Modesty Needs to Come from the Heart

JMJ Recently, I have had a number of people ask me about modesty and wearing skirts and dresses. The most recent question came via a blog comment. Jennifer wrote: Hi Christine, I have a question for you and your lovely daughters inspired by your slideshow. We have 5 girls, all still very young, the oldest…

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