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Oct 16, 2023
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5 People on Your Gift List that need a New Bible

gift wrapping with title of post 5 People on Your Gift List that need a New Bible

This post contains affiliate or associate links with several businesses (which means if you shop through the links, I earn a small commission). As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

The Ascension Great Adventure Bible and the OSV Blessed is She Catholic Notetaking Bible were both given to me in exchange for an honest review, as was a free trial of the Hallow app.

When my husband and I got married, we received many gifts.

Most of them, were monetary.

But one gift was a Bible.

The white Catholic Bible we were given on our wedding day was from Matt’s Aunt Betty Ann.

Aunt Betty Ann is often known by another title. That title is Sister Betty Ann, IHM.

I have no relatives that chose the religious life. Matt having an Aunt that is a religious sister is such a blessing.

I have to be honest, when I first opened that gift – the Bible – I thought:

“That’s sweet. Her vow of poverty limits her on how much she can give, but this is such a kind gift”.

17 years later I realize that gift was of far more value than I realized back then.

This Bible has been our only Bible for most of our marriage!

5 People on Your Gift List that need a New Bible

1. A Gift for the engaged couple or newlyweds

What dawned on me lately is if we only have a Bible because Matt’s Aunt is a religious sister and she gave us one for our wedding gift – how many Catholic couples and families DO NOT have a Bible!???

I mean, I had another Bible when we got married – but that was my Bible from my sophomore year of high school.

I went to a Catholic High School and we were required to have a Bible that year for Religion class.

And once again, it dawns on me . . .

How many Catholics have not gone to Catholic school? How many went to Catholic school but were never required to have their own copy of a Bible?

So, this year, before I write another Catholic Christmas Gift Guide, I want to STRONGLY ENCOURAGE you to buy someone a Catholic Bible for Christmas this year.

3 bibles stacked on an outside table

The one Aunt Betty Anne gave Matt and I is the New American Bible Saint Joseph Edition

It has served us well šŸ™‚

in the past few years, some other great options have been published.

2. A Gift for the new convert to Catholicism or the couple you know where one is Catholic, the other is a non-Catholic

Ascension’s Great Adventure Bible

I was given a copy of this Bible last year in exchange for an honest review.

It’s fantastic.

I love that it goes along with the Bible in a Year Podcast and there are really so many reasons to like this version.

It’s great for a couple. It’s a great gift for a man or woman.

My neighbor and good friend has a copy of Ascension’s Great Adventure Bible and she just converted to Catholicism!

I think the Bible in a Year podcast helped her on her journey home to the Catholic Church.

It’s a sad reality that some Catholics are not as familiar with Sacred Scripture as other Christians. This does not have to be! The Bible in a Year podcast and great publications, like the Great Adventure Bible, makes knowledge of Scripture very accessable and attainable.

3. The gift for a couple that just got their baby or toddler Baptized

I actually gifted a copy of Ascension’s Great Adventure Bible to my sister and her husband when they had their two children Baptized this past year.

I called her up after to explain my reasoning (as you read above) and she told me they actually only had a New Testament, so this gift was something that they did not have . . . and on my end, I felt like it was truly appreciated.

In young families, there may be quite a few Children’s Bibles. .. . they probably don’t need another one of those. Give the adults a gift that will grow with the children and the family!

4. A Gift for your Christian Sister, Mom or Girlfriend

Another Bible I am loving lately is the Blessed is She Catholic Notetaking Bible published by OSV.

This is a beautiful book to give to a woman – no matter what age!

Many parishes have started Bible study programs, and this Bible allows the woman to not confiscate the family Bible each time she leaves to go to a meeting or do her independent studying.

This Bible is a great Eucharistic Adoration companion.

For middle aged women, or older, this idea that it’s okay to color, write and draw in your Bible is a little new. For many of us, writing or coloring in our Bibles was not encouraged. This new found freedom could be quite a blessing to a loved one!

5. A Gift for Your Catholic Christian Dad, Husband and Brother

And, on a side note, here’s a funny story.

One year, for Christmas, I bought my father a Bible.

My dad had modeled the faith for me growing up, but I although I often saw him with Rosaries and always wearing a Miraculous Medal, I wondered if he owned a Bible.

So I was pretty excited about this great gift idea I had for him.

I gave it to him. He looked at it. He told me that it was really nice.

Then, he broke it to me:

It wasn’t a Catholic Bible. It was then that I learned not all Bibles were the same.

I think I might have been 20 years old. This was news to me – King James Bible – not the same as a Catholic Bible.

Still, I think a Bible was a good gift for him.

But think about it – the men in your life . . . when is the last time someone gave them a Bible?

There are options now that may have not been available or necessary years ago.

Large print Bibles for the older crowd that can not read the small print so easily.

Apps like Hallow that have a virtual option may open a door to Christ simply because it will literally be at his fingertips (yes, you can give Hallow as a gift!!!).

Don’t be afraid to give one person a Bible this year!

Share that it is something you appreciate having in your home, or share a personal story about how you came about owning your own Bible.

You can do this!

Do you have a Bible? Was it a gift or something you bought for yourself? Tell us about it in the comments!

And don’t forget to share and Pin this post!

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Comments

  1. Amy Schisler says

    October 17, 2023 at 10:01 am

    My daughter gave me the Ave Maria women’s Bible last year for Christmas, and I was sooooooo happy!! My husband and I always give nativity sets as Christmas gifts. That was the one thing we realized we didn’t have when we decorated for our first Christmas (my mother had already given us a Bible 😊).

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GUIDE: How to Plan your Own Prayer Wine Chocolate Retreat

Be Yourself! Journal

Journal for tweens and teens

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I’m Amy Brooks, I connect Catholics! Make Catholic friends that love a GNO! Attend a retreat, start a parish group! Author of Be Yourself Journals šŸ™‚

When I was a little girl, I vaguely remember a sil When I was a little girl, I vaguely remember a silver and blue medal fastened to my school uniform with a pin. My mom put that medal on my uniform. I don’t remember asking any questions, but I still think that blue was so pretty.
Fast forward about 9 years, and another memory surfaces… my Dad took our family to a church in a neighborhood we had to drive to. I remember parking across the street and entering the front doors of the @miraculousmedal Shrine. I recall the pads of paper placed on the marble in front of the different statues. These little memo šŸ“ pads were notes to God, asking Our Lady to intercede for us. I loved that I could write an intention but that one of the suggestions was ā€œfor a Catholic boyfriendā€ I was 15, I checked that box.
But honestly, I wasn’t a ā€œMaryā€ person when it came to prayer.
Any personal prayer addressed Jesus or God.
10 years later my friend’s Mom gave me a Miraculous Medal keychain. I put it on my keys and life went on…

And over a decade later… it was that shrine I went to with this big idea about a Catholic gift guide and a giveaway.

But confession, many times in between those years each and every time I was going through something hard,I visited that place.
I poured my hearts desires on those little memo papers.
I asked Our Blessed Mother to pray for me.
I begged God to answer my prayers.

And He did.

Without me knowing the details of the Miraculous Medal.
But that time I went in there with the gift guide and giveaway idea… I was asked if I was only going to write one blog post.

That question inspired a second.
I researched the Miraculous Medal and read that Our Lady promised graces, especially to those who wore it around their neck.

More graces? Yes please 

I wrote a postā€¦ā€ 5 Reasons Why I wear a Miraculous Medal and maybe You Should Tooā€.
Church Pop @churchpop asked if they could publish it.
It went viral… at least viral for me.

And a few weeks ago, I brought about 30 women there for a retreat.

I didn’t pursue Mary, Our Lady of the Miraculous Medal… I pursued her Son.
My pursuit was sloppy.
Like any mother, she couldn’t resist helping me a little.

O Mary, conceived without sin, pray for us who have recourse to you
No one is EVER beyond God’s abundant love, generos No one is EVER beyond God’s abundant love, generosity and power.

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ā€œThis was the BEST RETREAT I have ever been to!ā€ ā€œThis was the BEST RETREAT I have ever been to!ā€ 

I forgot to create a feedback paper again, but thankfully one of the attendees made sure to tell me this before she left! Someone else told me later they overheard the same words in the ladies room!
Woohooo!!! I am so happy and grateful!!!

If you missed it, please know I have created resources for you so that you can make one of these events happen in your community!

I will be thanking the many sponsors of the 2025 Prayer Wine Chocolate Retreat all week… but let me give a few shout outs now!

@dr.monique.ruberu bought the chocolate candy we enjoyed with the wine!

Raina from @giveloveandblessings provided each attendee with a beautiful Rosary bracelet.

The Basilica Shrine of the Miraculous Medal @miraculousmedal provided a spectacular day for all of us. I am so happy this year’s retreat day was at this incredibly special and holy place.

O Mary, conceived without sin, pray for us who have recourse to you!

#Catholicretreat #Catholicpilgrimage #Catholicmom #Trustandhope #Catholicwomen
I did not plan to start a ministry that included a I did not plan to start a ministry that included an annual retreat…
But wow, God is so good!

The friends I have made and met through this work are such a blessing!!!

I’m sure glad you’re here reading this!

I’m so grateful for this mission… to foster, encourage and nurture friendships that put faith first.

Join me in making praying with friends just as normal as drinking wine with friends!
 
Let’s joyfully invite others to see the love God has for each one of us.
 
The adventure is just beginning!
@craftymom714 @lotvministry 

#trustandhope #prayerwinechocolate #Catholic
As a busy Catholic mom, I want to do as much as I As a busy Catholic mom, I want to do as much as I can to promote a culture of life…

Here’s one thing I can definitely fit into my schedule!
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BACK IN STOCK!!!! AND… anyone who orders a Journal BACK IN STOCK!!!! AND… anyone who orders a Journal from me this weekend will get a physical Cozy Catholic Christmas catalog mailed with the Be Yourself Journal!!! 

This book is a fantastic gift for girls… ages 8 to 15!

Remember to give one when you are donating a toy this year too! If you pick a girl in this age range, add some gel pens and stickers and it’s the perfect gift!!

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I want to send 5 of you this catalog through the good old fashioned mail!

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Follow @catholicsonline and @prayerwinechocolate 

Tag 3 friends!

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The fine print:
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If we want to bring more of our loved ones back to If we want to bring more of our loved ones back to church… we need to invite them.

If we want our parish’s to have stronger communities, we need to meet the busy women where they are… and encourage faith filled friendships.

Praying the Rosary with others is powerful and life changing.
Let’s do this!
Who wants the link to learn more? Comment PARISH if you want more information!

#prayerwinechocolate #trustandhope #heartofthehome #Catholicparish #DRE #OCIA #Catholicfriends #catholicfellowship #Catholicwomen #Praytogether #PraytheRosary #faithandfriendship
October 2025…quickest month ever!!!! October 2025…quickest month ever!!!!
Wait for it. Discuss ā¬‡ļø #EucharisticAdoration Wait for it.
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I needed candles. Yes, I NEEDED them! Jill’s can I needed candles. Yes, I NEEDED them! 

Jill’s candle company is called Contemplative Candles @contemplativecandles 

Jill’s candle company if featured in the @catholicsonline Cozy Christmas Catalog!!!

I definitely bought myself a gift… but it’s for the whole family!

Our homes are domestic churches ā›Ŗļø 

I think the big Catholic influencers call it liturgical living ;)

@manyhailmarysatatime @onehailmaryatatime 

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ā€œI can’t go this year, but next year I hope to!ā€ ā€œI can’t go this year, but next year I hope to!ā€

I hear this every year when I’m planning the Prayer Wine Chocolate Retreat.

And every year I thinkā€¦ā€ I don’t know if I’ll be able to do this again next year.ā€

Each year- each day- is a gift.
Getting to plan a retreat for women that truly serves their minds, their souls and their hearts is truly a gift.
But the truth is, I never know if I’ll be given this gift again.

Jesus reminds us all in the Gospels that we all really don’t know what will happen in the future.
I don’t know what next year will bring…

But I do know that when women attend a Prayer Wine Chocolate Retreat for a day, they say things like

ā€œI needed thisā€
ā€œI would have paid you moreā€
ā€œIt’s like Christmas for Momsā€

I understand life is busy. I feel strongly that the busyness is a distraction from the stillness Our Lord is calling us to.

If you really can’t attend this year’s Prayer Wine Chocolate Retreat, may I make a suggestion?

Get out your calendar and schedule a day to go to confession,
A day to go to Mass that is not Sunday,
A day to get together with someone else to pray the Rosary out loud and a day to spend time with another woman that needs your prayers.

All of these things are available on November 15th.
There’s still time to register!

If you want to join us this year, comment ā€œRegister ā€œ and I’ll send you the details.

If you definitely can’t make it, drop a prayer intention in the comments- or message me- and we will bring your intentions with us!

Photo credit šŸ“ø: my 8 year old daughter 

#busymom #busywife #busywoman #workingmom #Catholicwoman #Catholicretreat #catholicliving
I swear my laundry is multiplying… I need to get o I swear my laundry is multiplying… I need to get out as much as anyone..

ā€œI’m so glad I live in a world where there are Octobers.ā€ —Lucy Maud Montgomery, Ann of Green Gables

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I have a LOT of situations! I heard if you revere I have a LOT of situations!

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Who’s with me?

#stopscrolling #sayyourprayers
Tired? Need some peace? Want to refill your cup? Y Tired? Need some peace? Want to refill your cup? Yes to any of these? The good news is you can still register for the 2025 Prayer Wine Chocolate Retreat! It’s November 15th… just in time to recharge before the busyness of the holiday season is in full swing.

Schedule time for prayer, sacramental grace, holy friends and a meal you don’t have to cook!

Message me or comment if you would like more details!

Share if you have ever been to a Prayer Wine Chocolate Retreat and enjoyed it!

#retreat #Philadelphia #Philly #PhillyCatholic #Catholicretreat #holyfriends #catholicfellowship #Catholicfriends #Catholicwomen
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