Equipping Catholic Families

God’s Heart for You {GIVEAWAY and Printable Prayer Doodle}

March 27, 2012 by Monica McConkey 16 Comments

God’s Heart for You
by Holley Gerth

Book Badge Review, Doodle Summary and {Giveaway}

This is a treasure of a book. The form factor…its small pocketbook size, padded, board-book cover make it a special little gift with a big message. Affirming and personal and grounded in Scripture, this book offers a reminder of our dignity and preciousness as daughters of God.

Filed Under: giveaway, Reviews

Scrapbooking for Sacraments {free printable}

March 21, 2012 by Monica McConkey 1 Comment

=&0=& series of Cathletics Craft Kits by PDF downloadable,

with edits reflecting the NEW Mass,
added Kelly Comics graphics and better resolution, we are releasing a FREEBIE PDF of graphics (in vibrant color) and journalling prompts for use with any of our 3 kits:

Filed Under: Catholic Crafts, Sacraments

Holy Week Link-Up is up and running!

March 15, 2012 by Monica McConkey 2 Comments

Holy Week Fiestas de Enlaces

Filed Under: link-up, Catholic Bloggers Network

TY dolls to Saints: Index

March 6, 2012 by Monica McConkey 6 Comments

This is my special Project Gallery for TY doll to SAINT makeovers!

Here’s a better look at Lucia’s TY Saint Dolls!

I have a couple of posts about my
TY dolls to Saints Makeovers.
Do you remember TY dolls? This is what the TY dolls look like…before…

Filed Under: Saints

Daytimer Prayer

February 29, 2012 by Monica McConkey 4 Comments

This Lent I have promised myself to pray more often, more deliberately, more consistently and more thoughtfully. I know that I have tried many approaches to prayer throughout my life with varied diligence and consistency! As I look back, there where times when my prayerlife was stronger…but I didn’t necessarily know it at the time! I know that I have felt happier and more peaceful when I’m praying each day…and preferably using a prayer journal to write my prayer, reflect on Scripture, ask the Lord questions and try to listen to what He is telling me. I have filled up quite a few prayer journals…but there are some times when I have strayed and fought to get back on track…and I think that this is one of those times. Sometimes I have resorted to Lenten resolutions or gimmicks=&1=&to get myself back on track. (More about prayer gimmicks to come in future posts!) With a particularly bumpy start…it looks like this Lent is going to be one of those times. Inspired by the 3 times I have been on the Lightweigh, I recognize the importance of checking in everyday and keeping myself accountable to my commitments…even if I have to resort to a checklist to keep track. Somehow a checklist motivates me…I’m not sure why. Does anyone else understand that?

Before Lent started this year, I was already trying something new. I picked up a spiral-bound daytimer calendar at the dollar store. I like it because there are only about 2 days per page, with lines to write on and even little check-circles to check. The calendar is not specific to any year…it has the months and the dates, but not the day of the week. I’m using it to keep track of how I meet my goals each day:

Filed Under: prayer

castle and catapult craft!

February 29, 2012 by Monica McConkey 2 Comments

Here’s a great craft for Leap Year Day!

I have posted about this craft before and have used it at TWO medieval birthday parties…usually this time of year! It’s a lot of fun to make and play with!

Filed Under: link-up, Catholic Bloggers Network

Just opened the Arma Dei Shoppe!

February 19, 2012 by Monica McConkey Leave a Comment

Equipping Catholic families has never been easier now that our new Arma Dei Shoppe is open! Our Catholic Family Apostolate is called Arma Dei, latin for Armor of God, referring to our favorite Scripture Ephesians 6:13-17. We have created books, paper craft kits and quizzing cards to help teach and celebrate the Catholic Faith through Feastdays, Seasons and Sacraments! Six of our favorite Cathletics Craft Kits are now available by PDF for you to download, print and copy for your family or a whole class! Check out the new Arma Dei Shoppe…or look for us at Lift Jesus Higher Rally (Toronto, ON Canada), the Mid-Atlantic Congress (Baltimore, MD), NCEA (Boston, MA) or IHM (Fredericksburg, VA)

NOW AVAILABLE at the Arma Dei Craft Kit Printables Online Store!

Color Me Catholic: New Roman Missal Edition
(printed version: $16 + shipping) printable version: $14

Catholic Lingo Bingo (English)
(printed version: $12 + shipping) printable version: $10

Filed Under: Arma Dei Shoppe, Catholic Crafts

Journey with Jesus through Baptism, Reconciliation and Holy Communion

February 16, 2012 by Monica McConkey 1 Comment

Celebrate your child’s Journey of Faith! Journey with Jesus through (Baptism) Reconciliation & Holy Communion NOW AVAILABLE by PDF PRINTABLE!

This is our Journey with Jesus through Reconciliation and Holy Communion Craft Kit.
It includes 18 already researched, illustrated and formatted templates of prompting catechism and reflection questions. As all our Cathletics Craft Kits, it comes with permission to photocopy for a whole class for one term or for all the kids in your family (who live with you) as they celebrate their First Sacraments!

There are suggestions for making your own scrapbook or using a store-bought scrapbook. There are also instructions to create an Accordian Book. In either case, there are plenty of catechism based questions, adorable cartoons drawn by 12 year old Kelly and prompting reflections about your child’s experience of the Sacraments, their prayerlife and their growing relationship with Jesus!

Work on a page a day, recording and reflecting about Baptism, the Rosary, the Divine Mercy Chaplet, Reconciliation, the Commandments, Sin, Holy Communion, the Mass, the Domestic Church, Qualities in my Family and Friends, all about Jesus, Mary and the Saints and reflections about Jesus and me and my prayerlife.

Filed Under: Catholic Crafts, Sacraments

Journey with Jesus through the Sacraments!

February 16, 2012 by Monica McConkey Leave a Comment

Journey with Jesus through the Sacraments NOW AVAILABLE by PDF PRINTABLE! This kit offers layouts of catechism questions (with answer keys!) and reflection questions to help teach and celebrate the Sacraments, including material based on the Commandments, Sin, the Domestic Church and the Stations of the Cross. This kit teaches and celebrates all 7 Sacraments… not just the ones your child has received, helping them to reflect on Marriage (what weddings have I been to? who married my parents?) Holy Orders (name the priest who gave me my First Sacraments, who is my pastor? my bishop? our Pope?) and the

Anointing of the Sick

Filed Under: Catholic Crafts, Sacraments

Catholic Bloggers Colossal Share-a-thon & Giveaway

February 10, 2012 by Monica McConkey 2 Comments

Opening Monday February 13, 2012 at Catholic Bloggers Network! Check out the First Ever Catholic Bloggers Share-A-Thon! These are the prizes that I have contributed to the giant give-away… but there are PLENTY more awesome prizes to win …all donated by our own Catholic Bloggers! 4 Chances to Win Arma Dei products! 1.

A Treasure Chest of Traditions for Catholic Families (book)

Filed Under: Catholic Bloggers