Catholic Blogger Spotlight (5)
Introducing…Redemptorist Preacher
Redemptorist Preacher Facebook Page
Redemptorist Preacher Twitter
How do you help Catholics through blogging?
As a Catholic priest and as a Redemptorist, one of my primary ministries is preaching; in my home parish, on parish missions and during retreats.
My blog is a tool first and foremost to help me take the time I need to reflect and pray and write so that I can give the people the type of homily that they deserve. But there are other benefits.
By using the liturgical readings of the day and sharing my reflections I offer others, who I don’t get to meet in person, a chance to use my thoughts to aid their own prayer and reflection both now and in the future.
Who is your favorite Saint?
I am not much of a person for favorites, but a very important Saint that has influenced my life would be St. Alphonsus Ligouri, an 18th century Neapolitan lawyer turned priest.
St. Alphonsus left the crowded streets of Naples to minister to poor country people in the hills of Scala who had no access to the Church’s sacraments. Eventually St. Alphonsus would found an order to do this work called the Congregation of the Most Holy Redeemer (The Redemptorists), the order to which I belong.
What are some things that few people know about you?
Before I became a priest I was following in my father’s footsteps working as a carpenter in the construction industry.
In my spare time I build kayaks. Which is interesting because I don’t know how to kayak, so far I just like to build them.
My cat is unaware that I am really a dog person.
What are your three favorite/most popular blog posts?
Easter Sunday; This post offers a summary of our hope as Christians in the face of the darkness we sometimes have to face.
Counting the Cost; one of my most viewed posts because people come through Google image looking for a picture of the Leaning Tower of Pisa, but an inspiring little piece all the same.
List your three favorite Catholic or Catholic resource websites:
I love
wikipedia:
www.wikipedia.org: I wouldn’t bet my life on its accuracy but it’s great for homily tidbits.
If I need to do a little more robust research I really appreciate the document library of
EWTN: http://www.ewtn.com/vlibrary/search.asp It seems to have every document ever written by, for or about the Catholic Church.
And finally, for mind blowing, side-splitting, thought provoking inspiration I turn to
Ted Talks: http://www.ted.com/ How long have you been blogging?
I have been blogging for 1-2 years.
Why do you find it important to blog?
I consider blogging part of my work and part of my ongoing spiritual development. Being able to pray, read, reflect and write is one of the many blessings of being a priest.
Posted by Monica @ Equipping Catholic Families I am a wife, Mom of 5+ kids, a designer, an architecture school survivor, an author and a crafter and I think it’s cool to be Catholic! Check out the Arma Dei Shoppe for solid Catholic, fun teaching tools and gifts to celebrate and teach the Catholic Faith and subscribe to Arma Dei: Equipping Catholic Families for family-building and Faith-centered crafts!
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
It will soon be your turn to be in the spotlight at
www.catholicbloggersnetwork.com! Unfortunately, it has been MONTHS since we collected information through the Catholic Bloggers questionnaire…and most people don’t remember what they wrote! We have also added a couple questions… and I would like to give you the opportunity to answer them for your spotlight. ALSO…may I have permission to use some of the photos from your blog? It really adds interest to these posts! If you have a preference for which pictures, please send me the links or direct me to them.
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Catholic Blogger Spotlight ((4))
How do you help Catholics through blogging? If there were one thing I would feel comfortable saying about my blog is that I want others to learn it is okay to have fun with your faith, to relax, to enjoy while growing in wisdom. Life happens and life is too short.
What is your favorite Link-Up Party?
A group of ladies gathered to share their family traditions for the Advent season. It was amazing to see so many wonderful ideas compiled into one place! A LOT of work went into that link up 🙂
Who is your favorite Saint? It depends on my hour of need! Saint Anthony never has failed me. Ever! Saint Jude has stormed the heavens for me on many occasions. Our Lady and Saint Ann inspire me on a daily basis to be a better mother and wife. Saint Gerard helped me through some very dark moments in my life. Saint Nicholas will always hold a special place in my heart.
What are some things that few people know about you?
I sleep walk. The more tired or anxious I am at bedtime, the more I walk in my sleep.
I “sing” opera to my baby when she is fussy. It ALWAYS gets her to stop crying and then laugh!
What are your three favorite/most popular blog posts?
Twas The Night Before Vacation. In honor of my mother. I totally “get” what she meant when she would say, “I wish your father would take all of you on vacation for one week and leave me behind to have the house by myself.”
How long have you been blogging and why is it important to you?
I started in April of 2010. It has been so rewarding.
Blogging not only keeps me sane but teaches me to see all the good in my life and to really enjoy it.
Why do you find it important to blog?
For many reasons: personal record, I feel like I’m talking to another adult, growth in faith, new friends across the miles, and a good reminder of how blessed I am.
…and we’ve added a few more questions to the Catholic Bloggers Spotlight, so we asked Patty (Reasons for Chocolate)…
Who would you most like to meet in Heaven?
My children. My siblings. My grandparents. And to see my own father again.
What do you like most about being Catholic?
Oh my goodness! Our faith is SO tangible. It really uses all five senses. Most importantly though is the Holy Eucharist. How powerful and amazing is that!
If you could visit any place in the world, where would it be?
I must say that I love learning about my roots. My father was mostly Irish with some English in him as well. My mother is 100% Slovenian. She was able to visit her “homeland” twice, seeing the church and baptismal font that her father was baptized in! I would love to visit these places.
What have you learned from your kids?
Forgiveness and love of life.
Posted by Monica @ Equipping Catholic Families I am a wife, Mom of 5+ kids, a designer, an architecture school survivor, an author and a crafter and I think it’s cool to be Catholic! Check out the Arma Dei Shoppe for solid Catholic, fun teaching tools and gifts to celebrate and teach the Catholic Faith and subscribe to Arma Dei: Equipping Catholic Families for family-building and Faith-centered crafts!
Catholic Blogger Spotlight ((3))
Introducing…A Slice of Smith Life
Facebook: A Slice of Smith Life Facebook Page
What is your favorite Link Up Party?
My favorite Link Up Party…is any party at Catholic Bloggers Network
…or No Ordinary Blog Hop that I co-host.
How do you help Catholics through blogging?
I hope my blog shows that Catholicism is rich in love, family, faith, traditions and above all, Truth. There are so many misconceptions about Catholicism and I hope visitors to my blog will see that living the beautiful teachings of our faith as a family is not only possible, but also fun! It takes alot of hard work to live out the Gospel daily and maybe through my blog, people will see that Catholicism is so much more than what our media and society portrays.
Who is your favorite Saint?
My favorite saint is St. Therese of Lisieux. I have always been drawn to her and her “little way” and I see in my own life the many opportunities there are to make sacrifices daily, although I fail all too often and want to go my own way! 🙂 When I went on my first pilgrimage to Medjugorje in Nov. 2009, St. Therese’s name and image kept popping up in conversations and in different locations around this holy place. It was so special, but I’m still trying to figure out what all the “signs” meant and how to better respond to them. Also, my first name, Tracy, is a form of Therese 🙂
What are some things that few people know about you?
After my 1/2 marathon I changed things up a bit and I now wake up at 4:30 AM where I go to the gym 3 mornings a week to do weights/cardio and do kettlebell/cardio routines the other 3 mornings. Strength training combined with cardio has many benefits that I enjoy!
What are your three favorite/most popular blog posts?
Scoring Points with Basketball Homeschool Lessons
Star Wars Birthday Party
(not quite) Wordless Wednesday-Our Homeschool Classroom
List your three favorite Catholic or Catholic resource websites:
WOW! There are so many great Catholic blogs and resources out there in blog land so this is difficult to answer, but I’ll give it a try…
Forever, For Always, No Matter What
Jen’s blog posts are loaded with pictures of her beautiful children and wonderful resources for adoptive families!
I love all Catholic blogs and resources that give ideas to make Catholicism fun and real for our children and families especially:
Arma Dei: Equipping Catholic Families (Thanks, Tracy!)
Crafolic
Catholic Icing
Do you review products?
Yes, I review Catholic products and educational resources.
How long have you been blogging?
I have been blogging since June 2010.
How do you find the time to blog?
Unfortunately, the only non-interrupted time that I have for blogging is early in the morning after my workouts and before the kids wake up and late at night when the kids go to bed. Which makes for a tired mommy!
Why do you find it important to blog?
I make time to blog because I enjoy sharing my faith, values, and family with family, friends, and the world. Blogging is an easy (and fun) way to share what I am passionate about to those whom I don’t get to see on a regular basis or may never get to meet in person in this lifetime.
No Ordinary Blog Hop is such a great place to participate in Link-ups…and the hosts always respond to the posts you link up! I wish I could do the same at the Catholic Bloggers Monthly Round-Up! (If you’d like to be part of the Catholic Bloggers Welcoming Committee…please email Monica if you are available to help comment on all the linked posts!)
If you would like your blog to be showcased in the Catholic Bloggers Spotlight…fill in the Catholic Bloggers Spotlight Questionnaire!
Posted by Monica @ Equipping Catholic Families
I am a wife, Mom of 5+ kids, a designer, an architecture school survivor, an author and a crafter and I think it’s cool to be Catholic! Check out the Arma Dei Shoppe for solid Catholic, fun teaching tools and gifts to celebrate and teach the Catholic Faith and subscribe to Arma Dei: Equipping Catholic Families for family-building and Faith-centered crafts!
Catholic Blogger Spotlight ((2))
Introducing…
Catholic Sistas
Facebook: Catholic Sistas Facebook Page
Twitter: Catholic_Sistas
Pinterest: http://pinterest.com/catholicsistas/
How do you help Catholics through the Catholic Sistas blog?
We seek to catechize and bring Catholics of all walks to know the Faith even better than they already do. After several generations of poor catechesis, we feel very strongly about evangelizing and re-evangelizing Catholics, no matter where they are in their faith journey.
Our topics cover anything and everything from catechesis, conversion and reversion stories, testimonies, abortion, respect life, humor, the did you know factoid series, recipes, crafts, etc. We seek to connect with as many people as possible using various topics.
Who is the favorite Saint …of Catholic Sistas?
Try as we might, we could not be contained to just one saint. Just as we are many contributors, we have many saints who we turn to, to help guide our evangelization efforts. I like to refer to them as our “”all star”” patron saint cast. They are: our Blessed Mother, St. Joan of Arc, St. Teresa of Avila and St. Maximilian Kolbe. We also love Blessed JPII {as it was his vision for the new evangelization} and Fulton Sheen, who was instrumental in evangelizing using media.
What are some things that few people know about Catholic Sistas?
Most people don’t realize that the contributors already had an existing comaraderie in place when the blog was created. Imagine if 40 {at the time} of your online friends who you chat with daily decided to take those conversations and turn them into blog posts. The result would be a different kind of blog chemistry. The women of this blog all have the same goal in mind – to bring others to know, love, and serve Christ – and many of our conversations are spirited in getting the very best out of each other. We are truly sisters in Christ and not just a random gathering of people who chat once in a while.
What are Catholic Sistas’ three favorite/most popular blog posts?
LadyRibbon and her creation as the first Catholic pro-life ribbon
List your three favorite Catholic or Catholic resource websites:
Conversion Diary
Relevant Radio
National Catholic Register
How long have you been blogging?
We have been blogging less than 1 year with over 50 contributors: it affords us the ability to write with a more relaxed schedule – the pressure to have to write ourselves several times a week is eliminated.
Why do you find it important to blog?
Catholic Sistas is a multi-contributor blog of over 50 women, centered on sharing the Faith from a feminine perspective. We also feature men to share their perspective from time to time.
Check out Catholic Sistas! I counted at least 30 different contributors to this awesome blog…and each post is thoughtful and inspiring.
Make sure that you are subscribed to Catholic Sistas !
Posted by Monica @ Equipping Catholic Families
I am a wife, Mom of 5+ kids, a designer, an architecture school survivor, an author and a crafter and I think it’s cool to be Catholic! Check out the Arma Dei Shoppe for solid Catholic, fun teaching tools and gifts to celebrate and teach the Catholic Faith and subscribe to Equipping Catholic Families for family-building and Faith-centred crafts!
previously on the Catholic Blogger Spotlight!…
Our first ever Catholic Blogger Spotlight!
Introducing The Ramblings of a Crazy Face
The Ramblings of a Crazy Face Facebook Page
Twitter: @LovingStacey
How do you help Catholics through your blog?
I just try to tell my story as honest and open as I can. I submit to all Catholic Church teaching, so if I am wrong about something then I don’t mind anyone telling me.
Who is your favorite Saint and why?
Blessed Mother Teresa, Blessed John Paul II, and St Therese. All three have made it obvious that they are a part of my life, and that they are praying for me. Mother Teresa, because I know what spiritual dryness feels like, and she felt it worse. If she kept going then so can I. JPII, because I saw him as a teenager and he gave me hope. And St Therese, because I learned about her from my husband’s mother.
What are some things that few people know about you?
Nothing! I have a big mouth and I love to talk and share my story, any part that will help anyone. I’m an open book. Good, bad and ugly.
What are your three favorite/most popular blog posts?
How God has helped me with the pain of my past.
the story of the child that I lost and how I came to name her.
How God used sheep to show me that there is nothing He wouldn’t do for me. Ever.
List your three favorite Catholic or Catholic resource websites:
Conversion Diary
Catholic Sistas
National Catholic Register
How long have you been blogging?
less than 1 year*
(*OK, it’s been about 6 months since we collected all this info…so it could be a year by now. =)
How do you find time to blog? Why do you find it important to blog?
I don’t. It is the last thing on my list. I want to start setting aside time atleast once a week to blog, but I’m working on finding that time. LOL
Check out The Ramblings of a Crazy Face ! You will find thoughtfully written posts and you will want to follow her! If you would like your blog to be showcased in the Catholic Bloggers Spotlight…fill in the Catholic Bloggers Spotlight Questionnaire!
Posted by Monica @ Equipping Catholic Families
I am a wife, Mom of 5+ kids, a designer, an architecture school survivor, an author and a crafter and I think it’s cool to be Catholic! Check out the Arma Dei Shoppe for solid Catholic, fun teaching tools and gifts to celebrate and teach the Catholic Faith and subscribe to Equipping Catholic Families for family-building and Faith-centred crafts!
