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How’s your Advent going? Good? Great? Or… um, yeah… about that…. Maybe you’re behind on your Jesse Tree and Advent calendar. This year, just hearing about how other’s Advent seasons are going just makes you tired. Maybe you’re having a great Advent this year and are all caught up! Regardless of how your Advent season […]
8 Hacks to Help You Finish Advent Strong Read More »
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It’s almost Christmas, which means you may have quite a few Christmas parties on your calendar. If you aren’t dressing up as Saint Nicholas to pass out Christmas gifts, then you may be at a loss for what to wear. Whether it’s a holiday party for your Catholic youth group, or a small get together
7 Perfect Ugly Sweaters for Catholics Read More »
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Christmas is right around the corner. Some of us have finished the Christmas to-do list and checked it twice. But others have run out of time, spent too much money already, or are stumped on what to give that one person who has everything. If you fall into the second category, don’t worry. There is
Epic Gift Ideas for the Last Minute Shopper Read More »
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It’s that time of year again! Time to take a relaxing stroll through the most epic (or not), hilarious (or not), and creative (or not) nativity scenes that people have come up with. Before you explore the nativity scenes for this year, take a look at the past three seasons’ collection: Part I: 10 Hilarious
You Won’t Believe These Nativity Sets-Part IV Read More »
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They say there’s nothing new under the sun, and this age-old adage bears weight in the spiritual realm as well. As humanity collectively – or individually – struggles with different aspects of our fallen human nature through the centuries, certain themes rise and fall in a cyclical timelessness. And so it is that a great
St. John of the Cross Weighs in on the Big Topics of 2017 Read More »
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With Christmas fast approaching you may be feeling like we tend to get Advent wrong in our rush to Christmas. Maybe you have developed some Advent pet peeves that leave you feeling like you want to offer some Catholic Christmas clarifications to keep the season feeling “Merry and Bright” (and penitential – after all, Advent
The 6 Most Annoying Pet Peeves of the Advent Season Read More »
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Looking for another rich tradition to incorporate into your celebration of Advent? Has your observance of the Advent season been derailed, causing you to search for something to help you finish strong and prayerfully? Look no further than the Latin American custom of Las Posadas! This is a beautiful and unique novena that brings to
Throw Open the Doors of Your Heart to Jesus Through This Advent Novena Read More »
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It’s that magical and exciting time of year: shopping carts are filled, festive cards are addressed and mailed out, and stockings are hung by the chimney with care. The hustle and bustle of the Chrismtas season is upon us, and while you’re hopefully adequately celebrating the wonderful Advent season, there’s no doubt that most people
10 Unique Gifts for Your Favorite Priests Read More »
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In today’s culture, it’s painful to see how seldom the saints are discussed. After all, they are powerful intercessors for us and examples of how to live a life of virtue. Yet, they are tragically set aside and ignored. This is contrary to what the saints themselves believed. Many saints have looked to other saints
Here’s What the Saints Have to Say About the Saints Read More »
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If you’re looking for an Advent meditation, look no further than the poem “Annunciation” by Denise Levertov. IT. IS. FANTASTIC. It presents an exploration of the moment between when Gabriel asked Mary to be the Mother of God and her saying yes to God’s plan. It is a great meditation for Advent and there are
This Poem Will Help Make Your Advent EPIC Read More »
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Advent is a time of preparation and hope, a season full of rich tradition. A common tradition during this season is the Advent wreath. At your local parish, and perhaps in your own home, the wreath is a reminder of the light of Christ. Each week that the candles are lit, we are reminded that
Do You Know the History of the Advent Wreath? Read More »
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Advent is fast approaching and will be gone before we know it, particularly because it is an unusually short season this year with the 4th Sunday of Advent and Christmas Eve landing on the same day. Since we only have 3 full weeks of the season, it is especially important to be intentional about how
7 Tips and Resources for a Fruitful Prayer Life this Advent Read More »
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Advent hasn’t even started yet, but it’s a short season this year so we need to prepare as much as possible! Here are some Christmas albums to add to your rotation this year – enjoy them while you set up your Christmas tree! 1. The Christmas Attic by Trans Siberian Orchestra Although any album
Christmas Albums to Trim Your Tree To Read More »
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After a week full of eating, visiting family, shopping, and giving thanks, Tuesday is dedicated to giving. Giving Tuesday is an opportunity to share the blessings that God has given you this year with those around you. Do you want to support an amazing Catholic charity this Giving Tuesday? If the answer is ‘yes’, we’ve put together this list
8 Incredible Catholic Charities to Donate to on Giving Tuesday Read More »
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Homeschooling is becoming ever more popular. The percentage of students homeschooled aged 5-17 in the United States, for instance, doubled between 1999 and 2012. One of the main reasons for this is parental concern about public school environments. In fact, 91% of homeschooling parents surveyed in the vast 2012 United States NCES report said just that.
The 2017 Global Homeschooling Research Roundup Read More »
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For most Catholics, the word ‘scapular’ brings to mind a small necklace with two wool patches. But scapulars were originally worn by members of religious communities as part of their habits. Scapulars didn’t originate as the small necklaces they are today – instead they were the size of a large work apron. It was often
Do You Know About These Different Types of Scapulars? Read More »
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Thanksgiving Day kicks off the holiday season for us here in America – a season full of beauty and opportunity to reflect on the marvelous blessings we have been given in unique and individual ways, but also a season which can be challenging for those of us who struggle to connect with our families. Too
At Odds with Your Family during the Holidays? Call on Leonie Martin Read More »
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Thanksgiving is upon us – a great time to be thankful for all the blessings we have in our lives. That means it’s also a great time to think about all the people in our lives we’re thankful for. One way to show people we’re thankful for them is to give them a gift, and
16 Catholic Businesses to Patron on Small Business Saturday Read More »
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A royal romance. A country torn apart by war. A pleading pope. An emperor and king and his devoted empress, who, together, had eight children. A kingdom in exile and a heroic death. If you think this sounds like the plot to a pretty awesome movie, you would be right, but this story is better
The Saintly Royal Couple You Might Not Know (Yet) Read More »
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November is the month dedicated to the Holy Souls on the Church calendar, and it is a golden opportunity to deepen our understanding of Purgatory while praying for those on their way to the Beatific Vision. You can’t spend too much time thinking about Purgatory and the afterlife without having your thoughts turned towards Dante.
3 Quick Takes from Dante’s Purgatory Read More »
