As we cast a backward glance to 2009 and enter 2010, it is good to take a reflective moment to thank God for the many blessings we have received in the recently parted year. It may even be helpful to record them in your journal.

Sometimes these blessings are obvious such as family, friends, and good health.

Sometimes they are taken for granted like food on the table, a roof over our head, the conveniences of everyday living. 

And sometimes, the greatest blessings of all are shrouded in dark packaging like the trials, tribulations, reversals and contradictions of daily life.

What were your top twelve blessings in 2009?

Mine follow.

Read the rest…

Last Wednesday on our radio program, Women of Grace Live (Weekdays 11 AM ET via EWTN Radio or via podcast www.womenofgrace.com and Sirius 160) I had a “scathingly brilliant idea”(Hayley Mills, The Trouble with Angels).

Why not post some of our listeners, viewers, and blog readers favorite Christmas recipes? So, I invited everyone to send in their submissions.

The following culinary delights were sent to us by Mike from Terre Haute, Indiana. I’d love to receive your submissions as well. You can do so by sending them to info@womenofgrace.com or by way of “Comments” right here on the blog.

Mike’s recipes follow. Happy cooking and joyful eating! Read the rest…

Well, I can’t believe it has been this long since I have posted a blog. A big mea culpa to all of you!

I must admit that the last part of October and all of November was a whirlwind of activity, travel, and production. That is my excuse and I hope you accept it.

As an olive branch, however,  Iwould like to offer you a snapshot of what has been happening in our apostolate as well as in my personal life. Read the rest…

Hello everyone! It has been a very busy time for me and, though my intentions were of the best, it has taken me longer than I’d hoped to get a post ready to go.

As you know from my previous post, I attended the Catholic Radio Association Conference held in Birmingham, AL from October 13 – 17. The event began with a tour of Radio Mountain, the home of the shortwave radio network begun by Mother Angelica back in 1994. I never cease to be amazed at the wonder of radio communication through the air waves. Read the rest…

Hello Everyone!

I am in Birmingham, Alabama this week for the annual Global Catholic Radio Conference. Today we went to “Radio Mountain,” the site of the shortwave radio network that provides Catholic programming to the world and to the US via 200+ AM/FM radio stations and also through Sirius Satellite (Station 160).

As a program provider since its inception, I was once again awestruck by the opportunities available by means of electronic communications. Zeal filled my heart and desire filled my soul. I am hoping to offer you some pictures from our visit today and to keep you informed of the event in general.

Off to the Shrine in Hanceville tomorrow for a retreat. Wing a prayer for me and for all of those attending and presenting.

Blessings in Jesus and Mary,

Johnnette

Back in the early 1990’s, I had the privilege of serving as associate producer for a four-hour television documentary that encompassed the evangelization of Europe and the efforts to bring Christianity to the New World.  Called River of  Light, it was produced by British film maker, John Bird, and was part of a series of films he produced about Our Blessed Lady. 

Part of my assignment was to join the crew for eight days in Spain where they were producing some key segments for the documentary. It was a blessed experience in many ways and on many levels. One of the most significant moments for me came when we visited the Monastery of Our Lady of Guadalupe, located in the Estremadura in the village of Guadalupe.

What I didn’t realize but came to know was that Our Lady of Guadalupe played a significant role in the life of Christopher Columbus and in the founding of the New World.

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One of the great blessings of Catholic radio is its ability to have a significant impact in the lives of those who listen and, as a program provider for EWTN Global Catholic Radio, I have the opportunity to experience this often.

Take this past Monday’s program for example. At the beginning of the program I shared a little about the difference between good fear and morbid fear and the virtue of trust. Apparently, it struck a chord with a lot of our listeners. Following is one email we received. What touched my heart about this woman’s experience is that she began to see God making a difference in her life almost immediately.

When you have finished reading the piece you can find additional information about the topic by listening to the podcast of our program (go to the website www.womenofgrace.com) or you can read my post dated 04/28/09.

May God bless you and meet your deepest need!

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