Introducing Lexi Conner – our newest blogger!

Hello,

I’m Lexi Conner and I am so excited to be part of the Women of Grace blogging family!

Perhaps you can guess from my name that I have a very special interest. I LOVE words!  Some might say that makes me a “geek” or a bluestocking, bookworm, or highbrow (See! I just can’t help it!). But it was this very interest that Johnnette found so intriguing (compelling, captivating, fascinating, riveting, titillating – pick one!).

However, she was very specific about what she wanted me to present in this blog (I think she might have thought I’d go off on a “word tangent” or something). She has asked me to explore words that are part of our Catholic Faith. You see, I am a devout  (zealous, passionate, ardent, faithful, fervent, earnest, orthodox) Catholic. I LOVE my Faith and I LOVE God and Our Blessed Mother and all of the saints.

Sometimes I will present you with words that are linked together by theme. Other times I won’t (I like to keep things exciting like this so you will never know exactly what you are going to get!). If there are any interesting features about the word – its history or etymology – I will let you know. If YOU have any interesting facts about the word, please let me know via” comment” and I will post it. It is all going to be so much FUN and we will learn so much about our Catholic Faith and its own special vocabulary!

I am looking forward to being your personal lexicographer (a compiler of a dictionary. Origin 1650-60. Late Greek. From “lexicon”—a wordbook or dictionary. Example: Noah Webster was a lexicographer. Interesting factoid:  The definition for Webster” comes from the Middle English. In its archaic sense it means “a weaver.” See how Noah’s last name reveals what he did – just like my whole name reveals what I do! He “weaved” together a book of words and I am providing you with a lexicon! Amazing! Can you already see how much fun we are going to have?!).

Speaking of names, I have a riddle for you. Oh yes, that is another interesting feature of the Lexi Blog (Don’t you LOVE it!): I will occasionally pose a riddle for you or a word jumble or a cute story or some other little exercise to keep your brain nimble and your funny bone tickled.

This riddle was told to my great-grandfather, whom I still have thanks to God, by his grandfather. That means it was my great-great grandfather who told it. See if you can figure out the riddle. If you think you’ve got it, post it in comments. The winner will receive a special gift courtesy of Women of Grace®(Johnnette told me it was okay). I will know who was the first to send in the correct answer (there is a way to do this, you know.).  Comment submissions will be good until one week from today.

Okay. Here is the riddle:

An older German gentleman was walking across a bridge when a beautiful young fraulein began to walk across the bridge from the opposite direction. When their paths crossed, the gentleman tipped his hat and drew his cane, and in this story I told his name. What was it? (Hint: Remember the story was told, not written. That is important.)

I’m giggling already. Have fun! I hope we become good friends!

Linguistically yours,

“Your Cross”

Friends, we had a beautiful discussion on today’s Women of Grace radio program about embracing our crosses.  One of our caller’s shared this prayer by St. Francis De Sales, which I promised to post for you.  There is much in it to pray over and I am certain it will deepen our understanding of the mystery of the cross. Read the rest…

A Personal Invitation

Dear Friends,

I want to personally invite you to join me, Fr. Philip Scott, FJ and Dr. Peggy Hartshorn, President of Heartbeat International for our upcoming 7th Annual Women of Grace Retreat and Benedicta Leadership Institute. It is certain to be a time of grace and healing in which Our Lord will refresh you with His spirit and renew your zeal for the mission to which He has entrusted you. Here’s a preview of what you will experience. Please pray about coming and if you feel prompted, give us a call or register online today.

 

Your sister in Christ,

Johnnette

Down Syndrome Child Gets Free Ride in Popemobile!

Pope Francis gave the world yet another glimpse into the profound charity of his Franciscan namesake when he gave a teen with Down Syndrome a ride on his Popemobile.

The Associated Press is reporting that 17 year-old Alberto di Tullio from Boiano, Italy got the ride of his life when Pope Francis spotted him in the crowd in St. Peter’s Square yesterday. Read the rest…

Fortnight For Freedom II Begins Tomorrow!

In anticipation of the August 1 implementation of the birth control mandate, the bishops of the United States are calling upon the faithful to fight this encroachment on the religious liberty of Americans by spending 14 days in prayer and faith-filled activities meant to remind us of how precious is this fundamental human right.

church and stateIn a handout prepared by the bishops, the faithful are being called to mark the 2nd Fortnight for Freedom from June 21 to July 4, 2013. Read the rest…

Name of St. Joseph Added to Eucharistic Prayers

The Vatican’s Congregation for Divine Worship and the Discipline of the Sacraments has issued new texts that include the name of St. Joseph, husband of the virgin Mary, in the main Eucharistic Prayers at Mass.

St JosephAccording to a press release by the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops, the Vatican has provided Latin texts of the revised prayers as well as official translations in the major western languages, including English and Spanish. Read the rest…

Sharing The Cross

“I could not be happy without the Cross – I would not lay it down for all the world could give. With the Cross I am happy; but without it would be lost.”

                                                -Blessed Mary of the Cross MacKillop

St marymackillop3

 

For Reflection:  

How can our cross be an anchor to happiness?

JPII Second Miracle May Soon be Approved

The Italian media is reporting that “Vatican sources” say the second miracle needed to canonize Blessed John Paul II has been approved by a board of theologians.

UCANews.com is reporting that the board of theologians of the Congregation for the Causes of Saints has approved the second miracle needed for the canonization of Blessed John Paul II. Read the rest…