Equipping Catholic Families

want to transform your Christmas celebration?

December 11, 2013 by Monica McConkey 2 Comments

“Would you like to transform your Christmas celebration from 12 hours of frenzied merry making to 12 days of festive and prayerful celebration?”

This 12 Days of Christmas project was created by a fascinating company I was blessed to discover at the Catholic Marketing Network this past summer.

This team of song writer, choir, crafter and designers have created a jammed packed craft kit focused on their beautifully sung version of the 12 Days of Christmas, explaining the Catholic/Christian meanings of the song.

Filed Under: Advent and Christmas

Jesse Tree Treasures for Christmas!

December 9, 2013 by Monica McConkey 2 Comments

A few weeks ago, we showcased our Jesse Tree Treasures and hosted a giveaway of the beautifully crafted 28 piece set.

Each wooden disk has a beautifully painted image representing the Scripture leading to the Birth of Jesus.

Filed Under: Advent and Christmas

Small Success IN 7 Quick Takes

December 5, 2013 by Monica McConkey 5 Comments

I have decided to combine Small Success Thursdays with 7 Quick Takes Friday. I really like BOTH communities of bloggers and enjoy taking part in both link-ups, but want to spare my subscribers from back-to-back, somewhat repetitive posts.

Filed Under: 7 Quick Takes

Cross Catholic Outreach Art Show

December 5, 2013 by Monica McConkey 1 Comment

We are participating in the Cross Catholic Outreach Art Show, submitting our kids’ artwork for donations for hungry kids in Honduras.

My kids love to draw…what better way to raise money for such a worthy cause?!

Filed Under: Advent and Christmas, link-up, Catholic Bloggers Network

Homemade Nativities

December 3, 2013 by Monica McConkey 2 Comments

Over the years, we have made a number of Nativity figures.

…out of egg Cartons, felt, clothes pegs and toilet paper rolls.

I made this hand sewn Nativity for my husband…before we had kids. I made the stable and the star, but not the tree. Last year I made the Painted Wooden Saints version for our school’s Ornament Share. I outlined some of my recycled materials Nativity figures in my book A Treasure Chest of Traditions for Catholic Families …and a couple years ago, my Aunt surprised me with the awesome knitted version: Auntie Ingrid’s Knitted Nativity (this link includes knitting pattern links!) Here are a couple other awesome DIY Nativities I have found online… Shower of Roses Paper Nativity Tuscany Creative Etsy Shop: Felt Nativity and Finger Puppets Felt Nativity from youcanmakethis.com pattern and instructions by pdf

Edible Nativity from AOK Corral

Magnetic Nativity from CutoutandKeep.net

Modelled Nativity from Melanies Crafts

Filed Under: Advent and Christmas

Keep Christ in Christmas: read Him, look for Him, pray to Him, visit him, share Him, give for Him; live for Him

December 1, 2013 by Monica McConkey 34 Comments

We have all heard the Nativity story, seen reenactments of Jesus’ Birth in school plays, Church pageants and even on the big screen. Santa Claus is pretty prevalent too, and we’re looking for ways to overpower the looming inflatable Santa Claus and Frosty that have adorned the house next door since mid-November.

Filed Under: #CatholicCrafts, Advent and Christmas, family traditions, Feast Day Fun, Liturgical Calendar Crafts Tagged With: Advent, catholic crafts, Feast Day Fun, liturgical calendar

Special Advent Addendum for your Family Prayer Bank!

November 29, 2013 by Monica McConkey Leave a Comment

We have just released our special Advent Addendum for use with our popular All Season Prayer Bank!

You can tuck these 24 Advent prayer cards and prayer card templates in your All Season Prayer Bank, buy the All Season Prayer Bank

Filed Under: Advent and Christmas, Catholic Crafts, Printables

Fun Friday before Advent Sale!

November 29, 2013 by Monica McConkey Leave a Comment

Get 30% OFF your purchase of THREE Cathletics Craft Kits TODAY!

Check out our inventory of

Cathletics Craft Kit Printables at the Arma Dei Shoppe!

Use the discount code Advent2013

after you ADD to CART: THREE Cathletics Craft Kit Printables

Filed Under: link-up, Catholic Bloggers Network

Small Success + 7 Quick Takes

November 28, 2013 by Monica McConkey Leave a Comment

I hope I’m not stepping on any toes…but I have decided to combine Small Success Thursdays with 7 Quick Takes Friday. I find that I’m really excited to be a part of both communities of bloggers, but I expect that my subscribers probably don’t need two back-to-back posts with overlap. I find that the crowd at CatholicMom is so welcoming and encouraging…and they really go out of their way to visit all the linked up posts (and they comment too!) It feels like a family over there!

Filed Under: link-up, Catholic Bloggers Network

8 things / 10 months / Pilgrimage to ROME!

November 27, 2013 by Monica McConkey Leave a Comment

These are my 8 things to do

….10 months away from my Pilgrimage to ROME:

Sept 22-Oct 3, 2014!

1. Find a great Catholic Tour company…like St Gemma’s Catholic Pilgrimages It’s Catholic!…and Mike and Sue are awesome hosts!

2. Consider and invite WHO you would like to travel with. I have recommended an awesome chaplain…and this week it was confirmed that Fr Scott McCaig will be the chaplain for our pilgrimage Sept 22, 2013- Oct 3, 2013! Fr Scott McCaig is the General Superior of the Companions of the Cross…and he’s a close family friend whose vocation we confirmed through his stay with us a week after our first baby was born.

Filed Under: Rome