The past two days mark the feasts of two great saints of the Church, a mother and a son, whose lives give testimony to a sure-fired method of evangelizing those we love.
St. Monica (August 27) is the mother of St. Augustine (August 28), though Augustine was no saint when Monica began her earnest intercession. At that time he was a pagan and a member of the heretical Manichean sect. He was known to be a carouser who lived with a woman to whom he had fathered a child. A brilliant mind, he was "devoted" to his views and his lifestyle, and had no intention of converting to the Catholic faith.
St. Monica was distraught about her son's dissolute ways and decided to do something about it. She prayed. And in the end, her prayers won the soul of her son.
What was it that made St. Monica's prayers so effective? I think five strategies are primarily responsible. Perhaps you can implement them as you seek to evangelize those you love.
Not long ago, a woman aspiring to sanctity and holiness of life shared with me that she received a beautiful gift from the Lord on her birthday. It was during her time of prayer when she seemed to "hear" the voice of God deep down in the inner recesses of her heart.
This is what she heard:
"Let me love you, my daughter. Let me love you in those areas of pain, in those areas of shame, in those areas that seem to be the refuse of your life. Let me love you there."
Two weeks ago, I was in Huntsville, Alabama for two beautiful and heartwarming events -- a tea and a retreat. Both events were the fulfillment of a dream for one very gifted, magnanimous woman, Carole Esk'ridge. A true "woman of grace," Carole has a vision and mission that can significantly impact the lives of the "poorest of the poor." And both events were first steps in realizing her dream. If you need any artist related blog then 
From time to time we hear from people at the apostolate who are fairly convinced that God just doesn't answer their prayers. Is it possible that we can petition the Lord and He would turn a deaf ear to us? Not if we understand the nature of God.
As St. John tells us in his epistle, God is love (1 John 4:8). And love, defines Pope John Paul II, is an act of total self-donation. All we need do is look at a crucifix to see the truth of it: "For God so loved the world that He gave his only begotten Son, that everyone who believed in Him might not perish but have everlasting life" (John 3:16).
So, it logically follows that if God is love, and love is an act of total self-donation, then God to be God, must give us all of Himself. He, who is Perfect Goodness, must give us the Good Who is Himself. Therefore, we can deduce that God not only answers our prayer, but must always be answering our prayer.
Why, then, does it sometimes seem like He isn't? Three reasons may well answer this question.
So, after about four weeks of mild fever, coughing, and a generalized fatigue, I am back blogging.
In the meantime, much has been going on.
Women of Grace held its fourth annual retreat and leadership institute at Malvern outside of Philadelphia, PA . It was preceded by the Women of Grace Leadership Institute which I presented. Through presentations and a workshop format, the women who attended not only realized their specific call and mission in this our day and time and the virtues necessary to engage it, but also developed their personal vision and mission statements, goals and strategies to fulfill it. Based on their evaluations and comments, it was well-received and blessed the women abundantly. 
The retreat began with the opening dinner at 6 PM on Friday evening with 340 women in attendance. Its theme was "The Blessed Mother, The Angels, and The Spiritual Battle" and it was one powerful retreat weekend!
Our keynote speaker, who gave the majority of the talks due to my ragged voice and health, was Kathleen Towne. Our participants benefited greatly by her teachings. She captivated their attention as she discussed the fall of the angels, the way to discern between the good angels and the bad, how the demonic presents itself to us, and the tools to combat evil spirits. With conviction, humor, and insight, Kathleen helped the women to see that through Christ Jesus and our Blessed Mother,the victory is truly ours.
I was able to squeak out one two hour talk (yes, can you imagine!), and two half-hour talks which reminded us of our call, our mission, the importance of Our Lady especially at this moment in the history of man, and how each one of us has been chosen by God to be a conduit of His life in the world today. The women were on their feet with holy zeal, and a true desire to be those valiant women of grace at this critical, pivotal, and historic juncture in time.
Father Edmund Sylvia, C.S.C. gave three marvelous homilies which anchored the women in the blessings of Holy Mother Church, the gift of the sacraments, the Holy Spirit and Our Lady. During the healing service on Saturday night, Father processed among the women with the Blessed Sacrament, pausing to bless them as they opened their hearts to the healing action of God. Many women were set free and experienced hope and new life as the graces flowed from Our Lord's Eucharistic Presence.
Three selfless, dedicated, and loving priests tended to the women's spiritual needs throughout the weekend -- and I do mean throughout the weekend. Father Richard Fineo (North Dakota), Father Michael Fitzpatrick (Massachusetts), and Monsignor Robert Laliberte (North Dakota), prayed and interceded for all of the women as the talks were being presented. But, they ministered to the women via the Sacrament of Reconciliation for hours on end -- one period of time from early morning, throughout the evening, to the wee hours of the next morning ( about 18 hours in all! ). So many women availed themselves of the sacrament after having been away for as many as 30 years or more.
Two break-out sessions were offered to the women during the retreat. Thomas K. Sullivan, author of the book, Called to Knighthood: The Sacrament of Confirmation in the Kingdom Family of God 
I have been laid a bit low the last few days with some kind of infection in my respiratory system. The doctor gave me antibiotics and I am confident I will be feeling better pretty soon. In the meantime, what is one to do? Type A's don't generally do well with lack of activity, and this particular Type A (me) chomps at the bit even from a sickbed.
Does a physical malady have to put us out of commission? Or, does the Divine Physician sometimes "prescribe" a down time for some particular benefit?
Given the fact that nothing happens outside of God' permissive will, we have to acknowledge that even a bout with the flu or the common cold is an opportunity for grace. So -- how do we make good use of this time?
Father Edmund Sylvia, C.S.C. and I are at EWTN producing the next ten programs for The Abundant Life. They are slated to air this Fall. It has been a dynamic week filled with great guests and great topics. Here is an overview:
Widowhood: Challenge and Grace, Guest: Ronda Chervin, Ph.D.
The Cross in Our Lives: Living in Hope and Confidence, Guests: Linda Santo (mother of Little Audrey Santo), Lisa Valianti O'Brien
Our Lady, Our Mother, Guest: Michael Shea
Angels: Our Spiritual Friends, Guest: Mike Aquilina
Socialism: Threat to Freedom, Guest: Samuel Gregg
The Spiritual Battle: Round II, Guests: John LaBriola, Father Tom Euteneuer
Lay Apostolates in Mission: Guests, Bobbi and Dan Vaughan, Pete Truax, Monsignor Matthew Odong
The Defense of Traditional Marriage, Guests: Paul Rondeau, Mary Jo Anderson, Father Tom Euteneuer
Divorced and Catholic: What is One to Do?, Guests: Lisa Duffy, Vince Frese
Confirmation: Call to Knighthood: Guest, Thomas K. Sullivan
As you can see, we have a diverse group of shows and a diverse group of guests. Please keep us in your prayers as we continue to move through the week.
Thirty-six years ago today, I stood before God, family, and friends, looked into the eyes of a wonderful man and pledged to love, honor, and obey him until death us do part.
And for nearly thirty-four years, I did my best to keep those vows. Today, I remember my dear husband with joy, gratitude, and love.
Eternal rest grant unto you, my Love, and may the perpetual light shine upon you. May your soul and the souls of all the faithful departed rest in peace. Amen.
with just too much stuff.
In the last few days, I have made some additional progress largely aided by my kind nephew who has gifted me with his organizational ability, his "let's get the task done" attitude, and his masculine brawn.
In giving Nathan some instruction about what to put where, I noticed a small collection of books. I picked them up, dusted off the covers, and began to explore my find.
While five of the volumes have now made it into my home, one in particular caught my eye: The Road to Victory: The Second Front of Prayer by Francis J. Spellman, then Archbishop of New York, copyright 1942.
I turned to the Table of Contents and was immediately captivated. As I perused the book, I found the words written there to be as fresh today as they were when first penned.
It was clear that Denny both enjoyed his job and the people he met while doing it. He bagged my groceries with the precision of an engineer and the banter of a 1940's leading man.
But what made Denny truly special was his innocence and his guileless demeanor. He was sincere -- even in calling a 58 year old woman "young lady."
Some would say that Denny is challenged. I would say that Denny is challenging.
He challenged me to see the good in everyone. He challenged me to find pleasure in the mundane. He challenged me to embrace a smile and give one back. He challenged me to smile first. He challenged me to find joy in the most unlikely places.
He challenged me to remember that holiness is always in the uncomplicated and unprofane. He challenged me to strive for authenticity and generosity of spirit. He challenged me to purity of heart. He challenged me to remember that every human person is a child of God imprinted with His image and likeness. And finally, Denny challenged me to be kind, courteous, sincere, and unassuming.
As he handed me my bags, and instructed me to drive carefully and have a good night, I heard Denny greet the next customer in line, "And how are you this evening? Hope it's being good to you!" With a smile and a tear I walked to my car enriched and blessed.
Perhaps all we need in the world are more Dennys. People who remind us that we are called to be the very presence of God in the midst of our everyday circumstances and situatuions. In the midst of our jobs and our families. In the midst of the grocery store and the check-out line. In the midst of traffic, recreation, and quiet moments. In the midst of everything that colors our lives. The witness we give can yield abundant returns.
I'm willing to try to be a "Denny." Are you? Let's see what we can do together.
