Karen's Catholic Journal

I'M MOVING

2012-01-05T13:53:00.000-05:00

Come follow me at A Contemplative Catholic!

Month of the Holy Rosary

2011-10-04T06:50:00.000-04:00

Yesterday afternoon, the kids and I watched a movie about the miracle at Fatima. It was a children's video and was actually a VHS tape. Anyway, it depicted the three little children who were involved in the miracle at Fatima and the mysteries that were revealed. Lucia dos Santos, and her two cousins, Francisco and Jacinta, were out tending the sheep one day, when Our Lady visited them. She

Pope Calls the Faithful

2011-09-14T14:58:00.004-04:00

I was perusing my email this afternoon and happened upon this article. It came at the perfect time for me because the kids and I were having a conversation about the Eucharist this morning during our morning prayers. Hope you enjoy reading this as much as I did!

Weightless: Kate Wicker

2011-08-26T07:00:00.000-04:00

I have been reading a blog by a wonderful Catholic mom, Kate Wicker. She blogs on several sites, including Faith and Family. I think that is where I found her as a matter of fact. She has such a wonderful way with words and she speaks from her heart. I could really relate to her articles. So she has taken her writing to a new level. She is officially an author! Her very first book is called

Harry Potter and Cardinal Ratzinger

2011-08-25T07:49:00.001-04:00

As some of you may know, I recently wrote about my disappointment of a post on one of my most favorite websites, Faith and Family Live! Since I wrote it, I have spoken to a very dear friend of mine and have gained some more insight into the controversy. At the time that our now Pope Benedict XVI, voiced his opinion about the Harry Potter series, he was what they called a Prefect for the

Disappointed in Faith and Family

2011-08-24T14:29:00.001-04:00

I recently came across an article on the website, Faith and Family Live! I was tremendously disappointed that they would allow this article to be on their site, promoting a book series that the Pope has clearly denounced as good Catholic reading, Harry Potter. While I have not read the books, I do not ever intend to. The Devil is very sly. He can sneak into our heads and hearts and we could

Making Music Praying Twice

2011-08-22T06:39:00.000-04:00

Making Music Praying Twice is this wonderful Catholic music program that is easy to integrate into any homeschooling curriculum. The music selected goes by the liturgical year. The songs are super fun and very catchy. My kids can be found singing the songs when they are playing and then I find myself singing them too!

Islam Overtaking Catholicism in France?

2011-08-20T07:48:00.000-04:00

There are almost 150 new mosques being constructed in France. In the past decade, the Roman Catholics have only built 20 new Churches. Stark difference. I wonder if we could take a lesson from the path that took them to this point.

I'm Back

2011-08-19T13:24:00.000-04:00

From the looks of things, it's been a while since I've blogged here, and I'm happy to say that I'm back! I have had so many things going through my mind in the last few months, and no time to get here and write it out. I had baby number four in January, my husband and I renewed our vows in July, and I am homeschooling. So we have some really exciting things happening in our family. I just

Heroes

2011-04-29T15:36:00.001-04:00

My daughter came home the other day from school and had to write a paragraph about a hero in her life. It had to include certain details, an introductory sentence, and a conclusion. She chose my brother. I completely understand why she would because he's so much fun and he's in the Air Force. But at the same time, mama jealousy kicked in! ;) Why didn't she pick me? Did she not think I was

Aggie Catholics: Is Pre-Marital Sex Always A Sin?

2010-10-15T14:31:00.000-04:00

Aggie Catholics: Is Pre-Marital Sex Always A Sin?

A Letter From My Heart

2010-10-04T07:09:00.000-04:00

May our Lord bless you and keep you in His care. You have made the ultimate sacrifice, against your will. Your mother and your father decided they didn't want you. You may even feel they hated you. I don't hate you. I'm sorry I didn't speak up. I'm sorry I didn't do something to stop this. I'm sorry we didn't get the chance to know you. I'm sorry we didn't give you that chance. God loves you so

Albert Einstein

2010-09-12T09:37:00.001-04:00

Me, Myself, and I

2010-09-01T14:46:00.000-04:00

What is it that you do when you're proud or you lack humility? You kind of nourish yourself: "Mmm, I'm wonderful, I'm always right, I'm always good, I'm always persecuted. I'm always this, I'm always that." It's me, myself, and I. You see, you're going to live with a trinity one way or another. The trinity is either me, myself, and I, or it's the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. The choice is

God VERSUS Science?

2010-08-30T14:58:00.000-04:00

I got an email a while ago from my dad titled, "God vs. Science." Now he just recently told me that he wasn't sure God even existed so I was skeptical about reading it. I didn't know what in the world I would be getting into. So it sat in my inbox for a little bit, but I decided to read it. If it got too bad, I would close and delete. Well, the beginning wasn't too good and I almost stopped

So...

2010-08-17T13:59:00.000-04:00

OK so it's been a while since I have written. Things catch up with me fast. The kiddos really keep me on my toes! There have been quite a few things on my mind lately though that have been giving me headaches. It gets me so irritated that I end up clenching my teeth in frustration. Ever since I found my way to God and His truths, I want everyone else to see it too. The way a family

Unproductive

2010-07-01T13:43:00.002-04:00

OK so I'm having a problem with productivity lately. I'm being drawn to my computer instead of the chores I have staring me in the face here. I have gotten better since my morning sickness has lightened up a bit, but I'm feeling completely unmotivated. I do Flylady, but haven't gotten myself back on track since I started working part-time. Is there any advice out there?? I mean, it's the lazy

Trying AGAIN!

2010-06-30T14:53:00.003-04:00

Hi out there if anyone is still listening!! I'm going to try this blogging thing again! But this time, I'm going to be a little less serious. I might blog every day, I might not. I might blog on some serious thoughts, I might not! I'm excited to be back here though and can't wait to catch up with my blogging friends!Now for some news: We are pregnant!! Having baby #4. It was quite a surprise,

God's Almighty Presence

2009-10-26T06:29:00.004-04:00

St. Contardo Ferrini Blessed be the Lord day by day, God, our salvation, Who carries us. Psalms 68: 29Day by day... this is the catch phrase for me this morning. Each day brings something new. It could be good things like parties in school, the birth of a baby, a dance class with my youngest, or a raise in my husband's paycheck. It could also bring challenges like a busted furnace,

Teach Me

2009-10-23T06:43:00.004-04:00

St. John of CapistranoWhy do you not judge for yourselves what is right? Luke 12:57What I'm about to post is pretty self-explanatory, but a lot to think about. The readings really come together in an effort to make ourselves better. To make ourselves more righteous according to Him. When we relinquish the control we think we have over our lives and humble ourselves to His will, then and only

How Great Thou Art

2009-10-22T07:28:00.000-04:00

Absolute Slavery

2009-10-21T07:01:00.003-04:00

St. HilarionFreed from sin, you have become slaves of righteousness. Romans 6:18Well, I'm trying this again. I haven't blogged for a couple of months now, and in those months I feel farther from God than I did while I was blogging. I think that having this blog and a daily reading to post, helped me to stay on track. I was reading God's Word every day and reflecting on it. Now I'm lucky to

In Memory of Me

2009-08-07T06:30:00.003-04:00

St. CajetanAsk now of the days of old, before your time.... Deuteronomy 4:32OK, I totally stole the title to this post. But I decided yesterday that this would be my last devotional that I put on my blog and send out. The computer and the Internet are taking up too much of my time and I'm not putting the important things first, like documenting and taking care of my family's pictures. Our

A Dazzling Revelation

2009-08-06T06:48:00.003-04:00

Transfiguration of the Lord[Jesus] was transfigured before them, and His clothes became dazzling white... Then a cloud came, casting a shadow over them. Mark 9:2-3, 7I'm a little out of sorts this morning. I'm having a hard time getting something together for this Scripture today. First of all, I'm not really sure what this Transfiguration is all about so instead of researching and putting

A Passion for Our Lord

2009-08-05T07:08:00.006-04:00

Dedication of the Basilica of St. Mary Major in RomeO woman, great is your faith! Matthew 15:28Wouldn't you love to have been this woman?! I would! Well, not literally I suppose because I do love my life, but I would love to be the kind of woman she was. She didn't have RCIA, the Internet, or books to teach her about Jesus. She just had faith. She had faith that He could save her daughter from

Renew My Spirit

2009-08-04T06:47:00.004-04:00

St. John VianneyA clean heart create for me, God; renew in me a steadfast spirit. Psalm 51:12This Psalm is the ultimate prayer for repentance. It shows humility and the desire for forgiveness and the ability to do better next time. Isn't that why we go to Confession? We don't go to just get sins off of our chest, feel better about ourselves, and move on with life. No. We go to Confession

Blessings in Disguise

2009-08-03T07:09:00.005-04:00

St. Peter Julian Eymard"Why do You treat your servant so badly?" Moses asked the LORD. Numbers 11:11Moses is starting to feel the pressure. He has done everything the Lord commanded and is now watching his people suffer. They have been eating manna, for I don't know how long, and they long for melon and onion and cucumbers.... Moses is so desperate for a solution to this problem, that he tells

Our Complete Faith

2009-07-31T06:47:00.004-04:00

St. Ignatius of LoyolaAnd He did not work many mighty deeds there because of their lack of faith. Matthew 13:58It's hard to watch the news nowadays because of all the evil that is done to others out there. And there are lots of us who pray for an end to the evil in the world. Maybe there are times where we wonder, "When? When are You going to save us?!" But then I look at society today. We are

Living in God's Presence

2009-07-30T06:13:00.002-04:00

St. Peter ChrysologusBetter one day in your courts than a thousand elsewhere.Better the threshold of the house of my God than a home in the tents of the wicked. Psalm 84:11Television has a lot of new shows these days. I say new here because they still feel new to me. One in particular sticks out in my head, The Housewives of Orange County. This show is about women who are either married

I Have Come to Believe

2009-07-29T06:47:00.002-04:00

St. MarthaShe said to Him, "Yes, Lord. I have come to believe that You are the Messiah, the Son of God, the One who is coming into the world." John 11:27Today we celebrate St. Martha. She is the patron saint of servants and cooks. She was such a believer in hospitality that she neglected to focus on what was truly important in the presence of our Lord, listening to Him. She finally got it

Parenting With Compassion

2009-07-28T06:52:00.003-04:00

St. Innocent IAs a father has compassion on his children, so the LORD has compassion on those who fear Him... Psalm 103:13My husband and I took the kids up to the Church and School to get some exercise last night. I put the baby in the stroller, and hubby took the kids in the parking lot where they rode their bikes around. I walked about a mile and the little one wanted to be with her daddy

My Metal Statue

2009-07-27T06:39:00.002-04:00

St. PantaleonAt Horeb they fashioned a calf, worshiped a metal statue.They exchanged their glorious God for the image of a grass-eating bull. Psalm 106:19-20I was talking to my husband last night about my vision I used to have of myself. It started when I was about 10 years old I guess. I knew then that I wanted to be a teacher. I used to spend time in my room pretending to be my teacher

A Renewal of Spirit

2009-07-24T06:29:00.002-04:00

St. John BosteThe law of the LORD is perfect, refreshing the soul. Psalms 19:8I recently had this period of time when I missed Church, two weekends in a row. We went on vacation and I did not make the effort to get to Church that Sunday. We got back on a Saturday and again, I did not go to Church the next morning. I was feeling badly about that. I made sure I got to confession and all, and

Natural Family Planning Awareness Week

2009-07-23T14:06:00.005-04:00

A Life of Discipleship

2009-07-23T06:46:00.003-04:00

St. Bridget of SwedenAmen, I say to you, many prophets and righteous people longed to see what you see but did not see it, and to hear what you hear but did not hear it. Matthew 13:17I think sometimes of how amazing it would have been to be one of Jesus' disciples. To be one of those chosen to carry on His teachings would be, well, awesome. What would it take to live up to that kind of

I'M A WINNER!!

2009-07-22T14:23:00.005-04:00

It's been quite a while since I posted anything on here that had to do with life in general, so here goes.I WAS A WINNER!!!I never ever win anything in my LIFE and it turns out that a good online friend, Laura over at Our House of Joyful Noise, was doing a give-away. And a random search of emails determined me to be the winner. ME!! I was just excited that I won. She could have sent me a

Are You There?

2009-07-22T07:04:00.002-04:00

St. Mary MagdeleneJesus said to her, "Mary!" She turned to Him and said in Hebrew, "Rabbouni," which means Teacher. John 20:16Sometimes when my kids are fooling around and playing together, I get highly irritated. Yes, the hormones kick in and I don't find their antics very funny. I become a stiff, rather strict, mommy. I try to tell them to stop, and am just not amused by their funny faces

A Love Story

2009-07-21T06:19:00.003-04:00

St. Lawrence of BrindisiAs the water flowed back, it covered the chariots and the charioteers of Pharaoh's whole army which had followed the Israelites into the sea. Not a single one of them escaped. Exodus 14:28My husband turned on a movie the other night called "Meteor." I didn't see the beginning, nor did I stay awake to see the end, but I do know what the story line was. Apparently there

Signs from God

2009-07-20T06:35:00.003-04:00

St. Margaret of AntiochThen some of the scribes and Pharisees said to Him, "Teacher, we wish to see a sign from you." He said to them in reply, "An evil and unfaithful generation seeks a sign, but no sign will be given it except the sign of Jonah the prophet." Matthew 12:38-39It's always amazing to me when I compare how I act towards God and how I act towards my fellow humans. I used to have no

Majority Rules?

2009-07-17T06:55:00.003-04:00

Carmelite Nuns of CompiegneIf you knew what this mean, "I desire mercy, not sacrifice," you would not have condemned these innocent men. Matthew 12:7Thank goodness, right?! Thank goodness our Lord is merciful. Thank goodness we have confession to go to and confess all of our sins and be forgiven by a merciful Lord. Although I have to admit that sometimes I feel that my penance is not enough for

Listen...and Hear

2009-07-16T06:43:00.002-04:00

Our Lady of Mount CarmelI am meek and humble of heart. Matthew 11:29I am going to post a devotional by Fr. James Stephen Behrens this morning. He wrote this for Living Faith, where I get to read my devotional every day. He just wrote it so beautifully that I had to pass it on to you:Prayer involves listening with the "ears of the heart." It is a listening that invites humility in order to be

Another Beautiful Pro-Life Video

2009-07-15T13:16:00.003-04:00

From Catholic Vote:

Trust With Our Hearts

2009-07-15T06:25:00.002-04:00

St. BonaventureAt that time Jesus said in reply, "I give praise to you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, for although You have hidden these things from the wise and the learned You have revealed them to the childlike." Matthew 11:25My oldest daughter is 7 years old. Right before she goes to bed each night, we have started praying for her guardian angel to be with her to ward off bad thoughts

God's Plan

2009-07-14T06:51:00.003-04:00

Bl. Kateri TekakwithaBut I am afflicted and in pain; let your saving help protect me, God. Psalms 69:30Wow, how many times do we ask for God to protect us? I have asked Him a lot, but do I mean it? I say that because I will ask for His help, but then still try to take matters into my own hands, even when it looks like He has found a solution.For example, when our pastor resigned this year, I

Bringing Us The Sword

2009-07-13T06:41:00.003-04:00

St. HenryDo not think that I have come to bring peace upon the earth. I have come to bring not peace but the sword. Matthew 10:34When I first read this, I must admit, I was a little bit confused. Even the next couple of sentences were confusing because He tells us that we will be set against members of our family. But as I continued reading the passage, I understood. Because He wants us to

Out of the "Office"

2009-07-04T07:00:00.000-04:00

Hi Everyone!As you are reading this, we are probably driving on our way to DISNEY WORLD! We will be there all week. So unfortunately, I will not be writing any devotionals this week. We will see about any other blog posts. I probably won't have a chance. So please send some prayers our way that we have a safe trip down and back!Thank you and will miss you all!

Domesticated Mama!!

2009-07-03T13:33:00.007-04:00

OK, so I guess I'm becoming more and more domesticated each day. I braved it out and blanched some green beans last night! I'm so excited. From one day's harvest, we will have enough green beans for about a month! Isn't that FABULOUS?! With the way costs are going up, I'm so grateful.So here is what I did:First, I took the ends off the beans of course, then washed them off. I then stuck them

I See

2009-07-03T06:46:00.002-04:00

St. ThomasBlessed are those who have not seen and have believed. John 20:29Long before I met my husband, I worked in a small-town corner store. And a guy I knew used to visit me often and ask me on dates. I wasn't really that interested in him so I would always say no. One day, he was visiting and mentioned that his wife was going to stay home and take care of his house and his kids. Now it

Crippled With Sin

2009-07-02T06:33:00.003-04:00

St. Bernardino RealinoRise, pick up your stretcher, and go home. Matthew 9:6When Jesus said this, He was speaking to a paralytic. And He first told him "Courage, child, your sins are forgiven." (Matthew 9:2) He saw the faith in this man, and forgave him his sins. The scribes thought He was fake, but Jesus told them that it was better to say that than "Rise and walk." (Matthew 9:5)So cleansing

Small Successes

2009-07-01T06:18:00.002-04:00

Blessed Junipero SerraWho among you loves life, takes delight in prosperous days? Psalms 34:13One of my favorite websites, Faith and Family Live!, started a special blog each Thursday to honor the Small Successes we achieve as moms each week (yes guys, it could apply to you too- but this site is mainly geared towards women). Essentially, we type up 3 things that we have accomplished that

Candidate Obama vs. President Obama

2009-06-30T22:06:00.002-04:00

So how many US citizens actually see this? Are we all paying attention here???

Playing in the Dirt

2009-06-30T14:44:00.007-04:00

Wow, I guess I haven't been on the computer much the past couple of days.... I have actually been out in my garden from about 7:30am-9am the past 2 mornings. And I have actually LIKED it! For those of you who know me, this is probably somewhat of a shocker. I haven't been much on the outdoors since I started having children. I have been most comfortable being inside, doing things inside. I

Jesus Never Sleeps

2009-06-30T06:19:00.003-04:00

First Martyrs of the See of RomeSuddenly a violent storm came up on the sea, so that the boat was being swamped by waves; but He was asleep. Matthew 9:24Metaphorically speaking, I can say that there have been many storms in my life! Most of them I "got through" without asking for God's help. I can't say I got through them without Him, because I was not aware of His presence then. I have been in

To the Finish Line

2009-06-29T06:35:00.003-04:00

St. Peter, First PopeI have competed well; I have finished the race; I have kept the faith. 2 Timothy 4:7We were all playing the Wii last night as a family, as much as possible anyway. My husband was playing with our two oldest. Whoever was the "loser," the one who was already not playing would take his/her spot and play the winner. You know how that is done. I'm all for a little healthy

A Happy Home

2009-06-26T06:24:00.003-04:00

St. AnthelmLike a fruitful vine your wife within your home,Like olive plants your children around your table. Psalms 128:3A mental image popped into my mind of a family way back when times were simpler. I'm talking way, way back. I picture the wife/mom serving dinner while her husband sits at the head of the table, and their four, maybe five, little blessings sit around the table waiting

Small Successes

2009-06-25T06:49:00.002-04:00

It's that time again! I know that you guys have some small successes to report this week! Leave us a comment and let us know what they are!Here are mine for this week:1. We had a wonderful Father's Day cook-out and a successful, smoothe birthday party for my 2-year-old.2. I got the kids to the park to feed the ducks. We even got to get up close to them!3. We got their pictures taken! My son is 5

Doing What Is Right

2009-06-25T06:19:00.003-04:00

St. William of VercelliNot everyone who says to me, 'Lord, Lord,' will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only the one who does the will of my Father in heaven. Matthew 7:21I was online yesterday looking at the blogs I follow and a title caught my eye, Episcopal Priest: God Rejoices in Abortion. So of course I had to click on it and find out what in the world that was all about. I was simply

I Loved You Before I Knew You

2009-06-24T06:45:00.004-04:00

The Nativity of John the BaptistYou formed my inmost being; You knit me in my mother's womb. Psalms 139:13I burned my finger pretty bad while I was fixing dinner last night and I was nursing it on some ice. My daughter got up and whispered in my ear, "Offer it up to God Mommy." Oh my gosh. If I could only explain the joy I felt when I heard those words of wisdom coming from my

The Narrow Gate

2009-06-23T06:30:00.000-04:00

St. Joseph CafassoHow narrow the gate and constricted the road that leads to life. And those who find it are few. Matthew 7:14Wow, what a wake-up call this was this morning. When I stand in Church and think of my venial sins that I committed the previous week, I know they are not as big as mortal sins, but I can't help but think that an over accumulation of my venial sins weighs heavy on my

Straight to Heaven?

2009-06-22T13:53:00.007-04:00

I have been doing a lot of thinking lately about whether or not I will go to Heaven, Purgatory, or Hell. I would like to think that I'm definitely not going to Hell. I used to think that Hell was only for the really, really bad. That it was for murderers, adulterers, the God-less.... Now I'm not so sure. Could I possibly be going to the same place that these people are going, even if I try

Our Hope Is In You

2009-06-22T07:25:00.002-04:00

Saint Thomas MoreMay Your kindness, LORD, be upon us; we have put our hope in You. Psalms 33:22When I read this passage this morning, I immediately thought about our own nation, the United States of America. I think about the God-less state we are in and wonder where we will stand when our Lord comes to judge us all again. Abortion, murder, euthanasia, artificial creation of life, the

SUCCESS!!

2009-06-19T15:50:00.002-04:00

OK, a quick post to end the week and start a busy weekend! I started off today rather discombobulated (sp??). But after talking to a friend of mine and she gave me some direction, it turned out better than planned!I had planned to keep the kids busy with chores so I could get my chores done. My dad and my grandmother are coming to visit for the baby's birthday this weekend. And we also have

Much Love in Reserve

2009-06-19T06:38:00.002-04:00

The Most Sacred Heart of JesusWith joy you draw water at the fountain of salvation... Isaiah 12:3The devotional for today comes from Living Faith:Imagine the difference between those who enjoy the brightness of the sun and those who have only the scant light of a lamp. The ones who are in the sunshine have no jealousy of each other. They know there is enough light for everyone... Lamplight

The Year of the Priests

2009-06-18T14:24:00.003-04:00

I found this video on a website called Catholic Fire. I have to look into this concept of it being the Year of the Priests. I'm not sure what it is all about, but it looks like it has something to do with St. John Vianney's feast day. Will post on this later on, here's the video:

Small Successes

2009-06-18T07:24:00.006-04:00

Small Successes is something that was started at Faith and Family Live! to help us moms recognize and be proud of the little things that we do that contribute to the whole of our homes. So every Thursday, I will be posting 3 of my small successes and I hope that you will join me by leaving a comment with your successes as well!So here goes:1. I took care of my 2-year-old who has strep (we think)

Prayerful Life

2009-06-18T06:27:00.002-04:00

St. Gregory BarbarigoIn praying, do not babble like the pagans, who think that they will be heard because of their many words. do now be like them. Your Father knows what you need before you ask Him. Matthew 6:7-8I was talking to my brother a few months back about religion and God and the whole bit. He said he has wanted to learn more about our faith for a long time, but just hasn't yet. Then

From the Desk of Gabby

2009-06-17T15:35:00.001-04:00