Is Halloween dangerous? What did the Vatican say?

Last night I was looking through my newsfeed on Facebook and an article caught my eye. It was in the Daily Mail  and it was called, Pope slams Halloween 

Like any Catholic mother would, I read it, but for some reason I was suspect of it. I must admit, I have always had somewhat of an aversion to Halloween. Even as a child, I was was extremely uncomfortable with the Halloween celebrations. I did not like that night.

This morning, I wanted some clarification of the UK, piece and stumbled upon yet another piece "Vatican condemns Hallowe'en as anti-Christian." I kept searching for the truth,

 "What did the Vatican say?" 

Here is an article I wrote for the Catholic Register, I was interviewed on the Drew Mariani show on the very topic. The article takes a candid look at Halloween and how parents might view it. 

I would love to hear what you think of it. 
 CLICK HERE to read it.  

Personally, I  do not understand why  families might put gruesome skeletons on their front lawns, or dress their kids up in very scary costumes. 

A family in our neighborhood, used to go all out on Halloween. They placed put a coffin, a (real guillotine) and life sized vampires, spectacular lighting and sound effects blaring from their front lawn. At night time, it used to scare the daylights out of me. I did my best to avoid it, but sometimes I could not. It was on the single street that gives us access to our subdivision.

I was flabbergasted by moms, who would force their petrified screaming children, to knock on the door on Halloween night. The house, on that night, felt evil. The homeowner would take great pride in working on the display for a long time before Halloween night.

I used to actually carry a bottle of Holy Water, and as I walked by the house, I would discreetly sprinkle Holy Water on the lawn. (I know, I am crazy). I am so very grateful, that the household, not longer does this display! I am not sure why they stopped, but I am so relieved.

Anyway, back to the media and it's suggestions that the Vatican slammed Halloween this year....    I started to turn to reliable Catholic sources and here is what I found;

Catholic Culture Clarification 

Pope Condemning Halloween is a HOAX


What is your take? How do you celebrate Halloween, or do you? As always, I love hearing from you!

Two other  great articles,
Is Halloween Essentially Evil?  both by Taylor Marshall
Top Ten Ways to Have a Catholic Halloween

Glen Campbell Loving the Lord in the midst of Alzheimer’s

I may be aging myself, but my sister grew up listening to Glen Campbell, and as her younger sister, I listened along. Both he and his music were gentle, no edges. Honestly, I was surprised today to find out exactly how successful he was.

I was saddened to hear about his journey with Alzheimer's but edified to listen his wife describe the journey. You can listen to Kim Campbell talk about the journey on Fox news, by clicking HERE

The aides and nurses say he must have been a godly man because they always see him thanking the Lord. I’ve seen him walk over to the window and lift up his hands and say, “Thank you, heavenly Father.” 

I hope to have the opportunity to see the new documentary out about Glen Campbell's journey with Alzheimer's. 
It's called, Glen Campbell: I will be me 

Janet Morana,  the executive director of Priests for Life and co-founder of the Silent No More Awareness Campaign

writes a thought provoking piece taking a candid look at the the choice Brittany Maynard in stark contrast to the choice the Glen Campbell and his family have made.  

Read more: http://www.ncregister.com/blog/JMorana/glen-campbell-and-brittany-maynard-face-their-mortality-very-differently#ixzz3HUrQG1fh
Both of their life  situations are sad, but one response brings me a tremendous amount of sorrow; the other an edifying joy.

I would love to hear your thoughts! As a wife, a spouse, what's your take. What decision would you want your loved one to make in the midst of their tragedy?

I sincerely hope and pray that my life is surrounded by the Glen Campbell's of this world, in my mind, their response is heroic!

Wednesday, October 29th 2014

UPDATE on Brittany! She wants to LIVE! 
Read this! CLICK HERE 

Please Pray for Canada - Watch Prime Minister Harper thanking Vickers!

Watch !!!
Prime Minister Harper thanking 
Kevin Vickers 
on behalf of Canada!

Archbishop Fulton J. Sheen & a Dynamic Woman of Faith

Just at the turn of the century, there was a woman married in Paris, just a good, ordinary Catholic girl married to an atheist doctor, Dr. Felix LaSeur. 

He attempted to break down the faith of his wife who reacted by studying her faith. 

In 1905 she was taken ill and tossed on a bed of constant pain until August, 1914. When she was dying, she said to her husband, "Felix, when I am dead, you will become a Catholic and a Dominican priest."

"Elizabeth, you know my sentiments. I've sworn hatred of God, I shall live in the hatred and I shall die in it." 

She repeated her words and passed away.

Rummaging through her papers he found her will. 

"In 1905 I asked almighty God to send me sufficient sufferings to purchase your soul. On the day that I die, the price will have been paid. Greater love than this no woman has than she who lay down her life for her husband."

Dr. LaSeur dismissed it as the fancies of a pious woman. He went to Lourdes to write a book against Our Lady, but as he looked up into the face of the statue, he received the great gift of faith. So total, so complete was it, that he never had to go through the process of juxtaposition and say, 'how will I answer this or that difficulty?' 

He saw it all. At once.

Summoned to Rome by Pope Benedict XV, Dr. LaSeur recounted his conversion and said he wanted to become a Dominican priest. At first, the Holy Father refused, and said he must stay in the world to repair the harm he had done. After speaking to Fr. Jon Vinnea who accompanied Dr. LaSeur, the Holy Father changed his mind.

Lent, 1924. I made my retreat in the Dominican monastery in Belgium, where four times each day, and 45 minutes each time I listened to Father Felix LaSeur, Catholic Dominican and priest, who told me this story.

written by Archbishop Fulton J. Sheen

Free Copy of St. Teresa of Avila's Book

Did you know that you can get a FREE copy of 

St. Teresa of Avila's book online?

What a wonderful opportunity to start reading a book by this wonderful saint! 

Find it here The Life of St. Teresa of Avila, written by herself.

Gary Sinise Makes an Important Statement

Recently, Hollywood actor, Gary Sinise spoke at a conference with well over 2000 delegates. 

"The Chicago native, a star of stage, film and television who is widely known for his portrayal of Lt. Dan in the 1994 movie “Forrest Gump,” also described his gradual move toward the Catholic faith and of his family’s decision to join the Church."

To read the full story CLICK HERE

Pretty in Pink - What do you think?

I know even before I finish writing this post, that there are going to be folks out there thinking that I am judging this girl and her family.

From the bottom of my heart, I am not judging, I am just scratching my head, wondering;

Is that all there is?

So, here's what happened. 

This past Sunday we ended up visiting another parish for Sunday mass. As we settled into our seats, within eye shot, I saw a young girl - about 7 or 8 years old reading a book.

She was very well groomed, her hair was carefully brushed into a very neat hairdo. She wore everything pink, including an adorable vest, pink Ugg boots, a pink little skirt and tights - She even had an adorable doll, all in pink. It was hard not to notice her, she looked like a little starlet.

I was impressed how engrossed this young girl was in reading her book, with book mark and all. Because of where I was sitting, it was easy to see that the book was about young girls who dance.

I really had to fight with myself to get my eyes off of her and focus on participating in the mass and praying myself.

I know I am a sinner, I know I shouldn't notice such things, and please be assured that I did my absolute best not to notice, but I did.

I know parents of children with autism, have gotten quite upset with at me for suggesting (in another post) that we need not always bring  paraphernalia to church to amuse children. 

This girl did not have autism. 

The young girl spent the entire mass in another world, the world of reading, reading her book about dance. She did not participate in the mass in any way shape or form, and I found my heart weeping...

She was in church, but at the same time, she wasn't at church at all. 

Personally,  I have vivid memories of my mom making sure I knelt and stood up at the right time. She took time to explain (way before my religion classes) that Jesus was truly present on the altar and that children's prayers were very powerful. 

My mom also talked about the importance of offering Holy Communion up for a very specific intention, telling me  that prayers offered up during the consecration and after receiving Holy Communion, had a special effect. Often times mom would pull out the Polish hymnal and point her finger to the words, so I would follow along. She always said that God blessed children who made an EFFORT to listen to the homily, just as much, if not more, than those who actually understood the homily.

God would bless my EFFORT to listen. Isn't that beautiful? Wasn't I blessed to have such a mom?

And, these are just a FEW of the lessons mom taught me at mass from the time that I was very little. 

I can't help but wonder if the habit of not engaging our children in the beauty of the mass, will affect their ultimate relationship with the Catholic Church?

I know when I wrote the post How to Behave at Mass, I got tons of nasty emails, accusing me of judgement and all that great stuff. The price of being a blogger, I guess. 

I am not sure if I should be putting my helmet on, over this post, but I can't help but think that this young girl will grow into a teenager who thinks,

Is that all there is?

I find myself thinking about that little girl daily, so I am taking her to prayer. 

The Pretty Girl in Pink is on my prayer list. 

Can you put her on yours?  

In the meantime, I think I will ask my husband to get me blinkers for Christmas!

Are you a Minimalist or Cluster Junkie?

I have been thinking a lot about clutter recently.

And, honestly, I think it's gotten a little bit of a bad wrap.

My momma always said that it was a part of a woman's role to turn a house into a home; to beautify it, to make it feel cozy and uniquely her own. 

In my mind, clusters of stuff do exactly that. 

I know that minimalism is all the rage these days. 

Whenever I go into a house that has no evidence that real 

living human beings actually live and do things in it,

I do get a bit uncomfortable. 

In certain homes I feel like I am in a hotel lobby, a 

museum, or maybe a Martha Steward concoction. 

It doesn't feel like a home.

I love little clusters of stuff - including books in every room. 

I cannot imagine a room without a book in it.

I love little interesting things here and there.

How could I resist this little statue? Do you 

you see the one in the top right hand corner?


Do you notice the license plate? 

Are you a minimalist or a cluster junkie, like me?

I wax and wane in my convictions in this area. I wrote a blog post once called My Relationship with Stuff. I do think having too much of something can signal a vice or two. When I see someone on a reality show bragging about their 400 piece Barbie collection, I do wince. I do believe that there is such a thing as too much. I remember someone once telling me that their dining room table (or set cost) them $35,000. 

I could not help but wonder if there was something morally wrong with spending that much. 

I know that Flylady flogs the idea of surrounding yourself with stuff that you LOVE - part of me agrees with that, but 

What if what you love costs $35,000?

 or

What if your seven year old son, shopped all day with his dad for a gift for you, one that he delighted in? Let's pretend you didn't like it at all - would you get rid of it, because you did not love it?

I pray not.  

I know I think way too much, but please do tell,

Are you a minimalist or cluster junkie like me?

Here is a cluster of stuff on my kitchen counter!

And finally a great article from Country Living on 

14 Things That Make a House a Home

My momma said that above each and every doorway in a Catholic home, there should be a small crucifix or at very least a small tasteful religious icon to help family members lift their hearts to a supernatural realm. I have to admit, I do have clusters of religious icons spread throughout my home!

How about you?

Are you a minimalist or cluster junkie like me?

Want to be inspired by a real life Super Hero mom?

You often hear about the woman's right to choose. 

Her freedom. 

Here is a woman who has chosen to exercise her freedom in a heroic manner. 

If you are looking to be inspired watch this very short video.

In a world where women often feel driven to pursue professional accomplishments, driven to exercise their right to do this or that; women who pride themselves in their busy travel schedules, remarkable shopping expeditions which land them the latest brands, or bigger homes...

And, so often we forget, that there are women who accomplish much more with one heroic decision that deeply affects the lives around her.    

Today, let's pause and salute women who make heroic choices that are not often spoken about. 

Not recognized.

Get out your box of Kleenex and grab your rosary beads and please pray for this mother and her family.

If there is something you feel prompted to do to encourage her - share it with us here in the comment section. 

To read the article CLICK HERE

Please share this blog post with your friends and inspire them with a real live super hero mom!