Feast Day Fun: St Monica

August 26, 2014 by Monica McConkey Leave a Comment

Feast Day Fun: St Monica!

St Monica is remembered as having a stressful life, between her ill-tempered husband and rebellious son! Through persistent prayer, sacrifice, patience and gentleness, St Monica’s husband converted before he died. Her rebellious son Augustine was also converted and became a bishop and saint and is recognized as a Doctor of the Church. With patience, gentleness and persistence, St Monica reminds us to pray for others, even when they are difficult to get along with …and resistant to changing their ways! She offers us hope in our prayer for those who stray from Jesus.

Filed Under: Feast Day Fun, Saints

YOUCAT Review

August 24, 2014 by Monica McConkey Leave a Comment

I have been wanting to check out the Youth Catechism for a while and Ignatius Press graciously sent me a YOUCAT for review! You can get your copy of the YOUCAT at Ignatius Press.

I really like this paperback book and I think it will be an integral part of the University Care Pack I put together for my daughter as she leaves this week for University, 4.5 hours away! (We’re Canadian…and we use the word University the way Americans use College. We do have Colleges too…but there are generally some distinctions between the two.)

Filed Under: Catholic Resources, Reviews

Feast Day Fun: Queenship of Mary

August 23, 2014 by Monica McConkey 2 Comments

August 22nd is the Feast of the Queenship of Mary!

Go to Mass today!

Draw attention to the 5th Glorious Mystery of the Rosary: the Queenship of Mary, as you say your family Rosary.

Do you have the Revolving Rosary or the Spiritual Bouquet of Prayer Petal Flowers Cathletics Craft Kits? These paper crafts keep little hands busy while saying the Rosary, one decade at a time. There’s a Back to School Catholic Craft Kit Special going on right now…

Filed Under: Feast Day Fun, Liturgical Calendar Crafts, Saints

Back to School Craft Kit Special!

August 22, 2014 by Monica McConkey 1 Comment

Over 20 Catechism, Prayer, Saints and Sacrament Cathletics Craft Kit PDF printables to choose from…

over at the Catholic Printables Gallery

Use code backtoschool2014 to receive $10 off your purchase of Cathletics Craft Kit PDF printables!

That’s a 25% discount!

Visit the Arma Dei Shoppe for descriptions and purchasing!

what’s on YOUR wish list?

The Identical, Vows, Tree, Party, Aquarium and a Pickle Bee

August 21, 2014 by Monica McConkey 2 Comments

We’ve packed a lot into this second last week of the summer!

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We were happy to have the opportunity to view this new movie coming out: The Identical. Emily and I saw it and enjoyed the music, the wholesome family message and just the right amount of early Rock ‘n Roll rebellion.

Filed Under: 7 Quick Takes

Make Ordinary Time ‘Extraordinary’!

August 20, 2014 by Monica McConkey Leave a Comment

Check out my latest article at Seton Homeschool: Living the Liturgical Year: Make Ordinary Time; ‘Extraordinary’

1. Bringing Catechism to Life

2. Inspiring Prayer in Kids

3. Get Enthused by the Saints!

Filed Under: catechism activities, Liturgical Calendar Crafts, ordinary time, prayer, Saints

Flaming Mini Cross Bow

August 19, 2014 by Monica McConkey 1 Comment

OK, so I know it’s a bit of a stretch to think up a good Equipping Catholic Families reason to make this Mini-Cross Bow. This is all I’ve got:

It’s a cool project…making me a pretty cool mom for suggesting it and providing the instructions and templates to make it.
It kept two 13-year old boys busy for 3 or 4 hours, honing their crafting and inventive skills with nary a need for first aid: not even one glue gun burn or X-Acto knife cut. Well done, boys!

Although they were unable to actually fire flaming matchstick arrows with any precision, I’m wondering if with some extensive aiming practice and zero wind conditions one might be able to torment the squirrels enough to keep them away from the soffits of our house. Wishful thinking, I know.

Filed Under: DIY Crafts

20 Years Married

August 18, 2014 by Monica McConkey 2 Comments

Things have been on turbo a little bit lately, with a family trip to Chicago, CMN Catholic conference, and lots of decade celebrations of birthdays and anniversaries in our family (more about this soon!) This weekend we finally celebrated our 20th Anniversary (officially a few weeks ago) with an intimate gathering of our immediate family including my parents and brother, and two of our favorite priests, Fr Roger and Fr Leslie.

Filed Under: family traditions

Feast Day Fun: Assumption!

August 14, 2014 by Monica McConkey Leave a Comment

August 15th is the Feast of the Assumption!

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Go to Mass today!

This is a Holy Day of Obligation…it’s the Feast Day commemorating the 4th Glorious Mystery of the Rosary. Mary’s body was taken up into Heaven. Mary’s body was the First Tabernacle of Jesus…it makes sense that her body would remain in Heaven after her life on earth!

Filed Under: 7 Quick Takes, Feast Day Fun

Back to {Home}School Grand Prize Pack GIVEAWAY

August 14, 2014 by Monica McConkey Leave a Comment

I’m offering something a little different today…I’m participating in a gigantic GIVEAWAY of awesome resources for Homeschoolers! Over $1000 in prizes!

Back to {Home} School season is in full force!! If you haven’t started back yet, chances are you will be within a few weeks. What better way to kick off a new school year than by winning a HUGE homeschool prize pack? That is exactly what will happen to one lucky reader!

Filed Under: giveaway