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Aug 5, 2016
Catholic Influencers· Faith· Resources

The Perfect Plan for Prayer, Service and Family

In full disclosure, I was given a copy of Mission: Christian: A Journal for Young Catholics on a Mission and Living Sparks of God: Stories of Saints for Young Catholics to Color to write a review for both products.  This article contains affiliate links.

This review took place this summer – but the Lent Journals are now available!  Click here to check them out: Mission: Christian Lent 2017

I was late for the meeting.  Just like I am late for swimming lessons, family parties and pretty much anything that has a start time.

This time it was a Junior Legion of Mary meeting for young Catholics.  I was asked to write a review of two new books (Mission: Christian Journal and Living Sparks of God Coloring Book) and wanted to get the opinion of some young Catholics and possibly their parents. I had contacted the moderator of the group and asked if I could come to get some feedback on the materials I had been given.  Lucky for me an old college friend was there with three of her daughters.

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Once it again God amazes me with His timing and how He brings people together. I met Sarah at a retreat in college.  I was a senior and she was a freshman.  About three years ago I noticed her in church and said a short hello and how are you – but with her young children and how are church parking lot is set up and how are lives are just so busy. . . we just never really got past, “it’s so nice to see you” stage of a conversation.

I was so happy and relieved when I saw her sitting in the board room.  I knew she was the perfect person to help me evaluate these books.  Sarah has seven children.  Her oldest is 14 and her youngest is two.  Four of her daughters are the perfect age for these materials and resources.

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I gave her a copy of Mission: Christian to take home and asked her if she could let me know if the book was something her family or children could use.

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Saint Kateri; colored by Abby age 10

I then took out the coloring book and asked if any of the girls would like me to make a copy of a page for them to color. The smile and excitement that I got in response was so visible in made me smile!  Each girl chose a different saint.  I already knew I liked the coloring book as an adult who likes to add coloring in my prayer journaling.  Now I knew it was a big hit with girls between the ages of 8 and 13.

About a week later I texted Sarah to see when we could discuss the Mission Christian Journal. She invited me over for breakfast and there she told me that this book was an answer to her prayers!

Let me explain.

Sarah loves the Legion of Mary.

She loves how it gives her family an opportunity to experience consistent prayer and service.  However, she noticed her daughters were getting frustrated when things were going “over their heads”.  As a concerned mother, she didn’t want her daughters to associate frustration with prayer and service.

Sarah voiced how much she loved that the material provided in Mission: Christian is not over her children’s heads and draws the whole family into the liturgical celebration.  She asked where she could get more copies, because she wants to use this as a daily devotional for her family.

Sarah also pointed out:

“when my brain is fried and I feel depleted, there is also a point of entry for me”

In other words, it’s mommy brain proof.  I am tired and I have one child.  I can not imagine how tired a mother of seven could possibly be!

Mary, who is almost 9,  chimed in saying she really liked hearing the saint story.

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Sarah also expressed other attributes she liked about the journal:

  • The Mission Prayer in the beginning of the book is awesome and could be said daily.

  • It is nice because it allows natural examination and is a form of Ignatian Spirituality that is accessible to children.

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  • The art graphics are modern and draw in a younger audience but traditional pictures are also included which make it a nice blend of both tradition and modern art.

  • It shows that church has a sense of humor.  The saint that was roasted over a fire is not patron saint of cooks.

The mission for yesterday was to find a secret place to pray.  Sarah said she went to adoration for the first time in a long time.  She also said one of her daughters decided that to pray in the bathroom and as a busy mom, that gave her a good laugh.

So, if you are looking for an authentically Catholic and practical way to teach your children about how their faith is with them on a daily basis, Mission: Christian is the perfect answer.  And if you as an adult like to color, or any of your children enjoy coloring, Living Sparks of God is a beautiful, educational and delightful coloring book.  I highly recommend both products!

Purchase both of these on Amazon today!

Living Sparks of God: Stories of Saints for Young Catholics to Color

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Mission: Christian: A Journal for Young Catholics on a Mission

MissionChristianbook.jpg

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Previous Post: « Going Back In Time: Being a Kid with Our Kid
Next Post: Saint Rita and Saint John Neumann: Praying for Healing, Peace and the Impossible »

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Jessica says

    August 5, 2016 at 12:40 pm

    I might have to get this!

    • Amy says

      August 5, 2016 at 12:46 pm

      It really is such an awesome tool!

  2. Barbara says

    August 5, 2016 at 1:18 pm

    Think we need to add these to our resource shelf at church. Personally i’d like to use the journal with my daughter.

  3. Julie says

    August 6, 2016 at 12:05 am

    Wow! The book Mission: Christian… sounds wonderful. I checked on Amazon, though, and noticed that the cover is printed with August/September 2016. Is this journal only for 2 months? If so, will there be future journals, formatted the same way, with 2 months together? Or, is there an option to purchase one for the entire Church year?
    Thanks for posting your review!!

    • Amy says

      August 6, 2016 at 7:17 am

      Hi Julie! I should have mentioned that – so sorry! YES, there will be future journals! I think they will be setting them up 2 months at a time!

    • Amy says

      August 6, 2016 at 7:19 am

      Julie, you can buy the whole set here – https://www.gracewatch.media/product-category/missionchristian/

  4. Kerry says

    August 15, 2016 at 6:47 am

    Thanks for sharing your review. I think I would enjoy the colouring book for myself!

    • Amy says

      August 15, 2016 at 11:06 am

      Haha, I think you would!!!

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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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This is not a joke, I actually do this. I have a h This is not a joke, I actually do this.
I have a hard time answering God’s call to “be still@. Coloring as a way to slow down is such a great way for me to relax and meditate.
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My husband’s birthday was on Monday, and I was so excited to give him this book from Voyage Comics!

The truth is, him and I are both fans of this small Catholic business.

Our son loves their comic books too!

Catholic gifts for women often seem plentiful… but when it comes to men, well … shopping for them can be more of a challenge.

I love how the men over at Voyage Comics create extremely incredible content and works of art that entertain without compromising virtue.
I love that I can say to my son and other young people, “look, you can enjoy your work and give glory to God at the same time”!

If you want to give an inspiring gift for Father’s Day… and make your husband or dad smile that this handsome guy… definitely go shopping at Voyage Comics!
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In full disclosure, I was given some products in exchange for my honest review. Honestly… 5 STARS!
As an associate of Voyage Comics, I earn on qualifying purchases.
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Thank you God, for so many answered prayers and bl Thank you God, for so many answered prayers and blessings!
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Friends!!! Please join me in welcoming Katie home! Friends!!! Please join me in welcoming Katie home! Katie fully entered the Catholic Church on Sunday!

Katie was raised by wonderful Christian parents in the New Apostolic Church and I honestly want to really get her to share her conversion story.
Until then
I will say this… 

never hesitate to invite someone to pray the Rosary with you!

Katie embraced the Rosary as a Christian 
and funny story… I remember her holding it once and saying “I’m not converting “ as her Catholic husband walked by us 😂 

Truth be told, Katie has helped me pull off every single Prayer Wine Chocolate Retreat since the very beginning!

Watching her research and completing dive into the Word with her whole heart has been a beautiful, inspiring sight.

And quite frankly, between her and Mark Wahlburg… I think I hear about the Hallow app at least 3 times a day 😆.
Seriously @hallowapp , you should hire her 😉😜!
Welcome Katie and drop a hug emoji below!!!
Love you Katie @craftymom714 !!!!
#Catholicconvert #RCIA #Catholicfaith #Bibleinayear #stayprayedup
How can we love our identity and still be humble? How can we love our identity and still be humble?

Does that sound like a good title for a talk?

I’m working on a “Talk” on Identity (or a blog post if I chicken out 🐓)… and I’m really liking the topic of humility… along with modesty.
My plan was to post this morning and ask for your prayers… but along the way I saw that today is Saint Philip Neri’s feast day.
So, naturally, I googled “Saint Philip Neri humility”.
To my delight, I found this quote:

“Humility is the safeguard of chastity. In the matter of purity, there is no greater danger than not fearing the danger. 

For my part, when I find a man secure of himself and without fear, I give him up for lost. I am less alarmed for one who is tempted and who resists by avoiding the occasions, than for one who is not tempted and is not careful to avoid occasions. When a person puts himself in an occasion, saying, I shall not fall, it is an almost infallible sign that he will fall, and with great injury to his soul.”

I feel like some great message is coming together here, but, I need your prayers.

I mean, I don’t even know if posting about humility on Instagram is like, a total oxymoron?

I’m so thankful to have Scripture and the writing of Saints to help me. I’m also extremely grateful for your prayers.

May we both live as it is written in 1 Peter 5:5 ~
“And all of you, clothe yourselves with humility in your dealings with one another, for:
“God opposes the proud
but bestows favor on the humble.”
* if you like that Saint Philip Neri quote, you can see and share it over at @catholicsonline 

Do you have any questions or thoughts on humility?
Let me know in the comments!

Photo taken by @nadiapittmanphoto 📸 

#Catholicspeaker #Catholicauthor #Scripturequote #SacredScripture #humility #Saintquotes #Chastity #virtuouswoman #Catholics #InstaCatholic
Moms, have you ever heard someone say, “You’ve Moms, have you ever heard someone say, “You’ve got your hands full!”?

I have … and it’s usually very true!

I’m so excited to share this new belt bag from Be a Heart (@beaheartdesign )with you!

I chaperoned a field trip today and it made my whole experience more pleasant than if I brought a pocketbook or handbag!

I’m hoping to enjoy lots of adventures with my children this summer, so this will be such an incredible blessing!

I LOVE the Marian blue lining and it truly is lightweight and comfortable!
Use coupon code PRAYERWINECHOCOLATE when you shop at Be A Heart and you’ll save 10% off!

Link in bio!
In full disclosure, Be a Heart sent me this bag in exchange for my honest review… and I honestly love it!
📸 by @nadiapittmanphoto 
#CatholicMom #Catholicmother #Middleschoolmom #Tweenmom #Momlife #classicaleducation #Catholicmomma #Catholicwoman #Catholicshop #catholicyouthministry
Do our sons understand what it means to be a “sp Do our sons understand what it means to be a “spiritual warrior “? Do we?

I learned and relearned a ton of things writing Be Yourself: a Journal for Catholic Boys.

Here’s what we all need to know about being a “Spiritual Warrior “:

1. Yes, there is a battle between good and evil and we are all in the midst of it. Years ago, in cartoons, it was common to see a devil on one shoulder and an Angel on another. It was CLEAR which voice was good and which was evil. The animation gave us a visual of what we were very familiar with.  Today, we must work a little harder so that all of us are detecting what is good and what is evil.

2. You don’t walk out onto a battlefield unprepared.
You put on your suit of armor and you bring your weapon. You do this FIRST! Faith is our shield, prayer is our greatest weapon. In other words, God has to be number one if we want to truly protect our soul. Knowing God has to be not only a priority, but our first priority.

3. We are not alone, but not everyone is going to grow in virtue. The virtues are our “armor of light” that protect us from the enemy. We would be wise to follow the advice of St. Francis de Sales in this, “Love everyone with a strenuous love based on charity, but form friendships only with those who can share virtuous things with you.”
Want to help your son on the battlefield?
Get him a copy of this journal today!
Link in bio!
#spiritualwarfare #Catholicmom #Catholic
I did this in one take… and you can totally tell I did this in one take… and you can totally tell, I know.
FYI I saw this movie the theater and there were real nuns there 😂 
I seriously don’t know what hashtags are appropriate for this…
My son has 2 Be Yourself Journals… I asked him t My son has 2 Be Yourself Journals…
I asked him to show me his favorite page and he chose the “mad libs like” activity 😆.

Anyone who purchases 2 copies of Be Yourself: a Journal for Catholic Boys from me this weekend will get the Bible Study for Boys (7 lesson plans) for FREE!!!
Tag your friends that are youth ministers, ccd teachers, DRE’s, catechists and Catholic school teachers!

You could even use it for a VBS program for older kids!

I believe we need the be excited about our faith… especially when we present it to young people!

Our faith is FASCINATING! It’s EXCITING!
It’s anything BUT boring!

Let’s do this!!!

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Prayer of St. Thérèse of the Child Jesus O Jesu Prayer of St. Thérèse of the Child Jesus

O Jesus, I pray for your faithful and fervent priests;
for your unfaithful and tepid priests;
for your priests laboring at home or abroad in distant mission fields;
for your tempted priests;
for your lonely and desolate priests;
for your young priests;
for your dying priests;
for the souls of your priests in purgatory.

But above all, I recommend to you the priests dearest to me:
the priest who baptized me;
the priests who absolved me from my sins;
the priests at whose Masses I assisted and who gave me your Body and Blood in Holy Communion;
the priests who taught and instructed me;
all the priests to whom I am indebted in any other way (especially …).

O Jesus, keep them all close to your heart,
and bless them abundantly in time and in eternity.
Amen.
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I dare you to comment below 3 to 5 things you are I dare you to comment below 3 to 5 things you are thanking God for today!!!
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I have a super sweet story to share with you! Las I have a super sweet story to share with you!

Last evening my husband and I decided that we were long overdue for praying a Rosary with the family.

We have friends searching for jobs that have asked us to pray and many others intentions.

Our kids were outside playing with a little girl who lives up the road.

I walked outside with a bunch of tangled up Rosaries (see reel I made yesterday) and told my 3 children they had to come in to pray the Rosary.

My daughter, who made this Rosary for me, asked if their friend could pray with us.

I said she was, of course, welcome to pray with us!

All 4 kids came inside and my son volunteered to lead the first decade. Our 9 year old guest led a decade too!

She stumbled a little with the words to the Hail Mary but by the end of her decade, I was so impressed.

Once we were done praying my husband complimented our young guest on how well she did.
It was such a beautiful, unexpected event.
What a great reminder… courtesy of my daughter in Kindergarten… to always invite others to pray with you!
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Some people want to start prayer journaling, but t Some people want to start prayer journaling, but that first page intimidates them.
Here’s a way to start that it totally stress free!
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We haven’t even started yet and there’s an iss We haven’t even started yet and there’s an issue 😂 🪢 
#familyrosary #prayingmama #signofthecross #Catholicreels
“I don’t even remember that”~ my Mom. When I “I don’t even remember that”~ my Mom.
When I told my mom how she inspired the title of the Be Yourself Journal, that was her response 😂.
As a tired Mama, I so appreciate this now.
It’s amazing what God’s grace and a mother’s love can do!
My mom felt bad that I felt left out. But, she was also tired and was probably in survival mode with 3 or 4 children at that point.
I get that now.
But God took what my mom didn’t say and placed in my heart the contents of the book I get to the author of!
I am finding so much relief in this realization today.
I often see my shortcomings as a Mother.
I’m tired.
I’m still disorganized like I was before motherhood.
But I do have faith in God and love for my children.
I believe that God knew exactly what He was doing when He chose me to be the mother of my children.
He knows my strengths and weaknesses.
His grace is sufficient… for all mothers.
Praise the Lord!
Happy Mother’s Day!

Share this post and remind others that it’s totally okay to not be perfect.
Keep loving!
#Catholic #Catholicmom #holy #faithful #babiesanddreams #mothersday
Did you know Our Lady of Fatima taught the three y Did you know Our Lady of Fatima taught the three young children a couple of prayers?

The Blessed Mother taught the children to offer all their personal sacrifices to God by praying:
O My Jesus, I offer this for love of Thee, for the conversion of sinners, and in reparation for the sins committed against the Immaculate Heart of Mary.

Another prayer Our Lady taught the children was:

O My Jesus, forgive us our sins, save us from the fires of Hell, lead all souls to Heaven, especially those in most need of Thy mercy.

I love how Our Blessed Mother encourages to us to start a prayer by addressing the Lord with these words:
“O my Jesus…”
One of my favorite prayers was taught to the Fatima children by an angel.
This is that prayer:

My God, I believe, I adore, I hope and I love Thee! I ask pardon for those who do not believe, do not adore, do not hope and do not love Thee.

Today, May 13th, is the feast of Our Lady of Fatima.
Our Lady of the Rosary, pray for us!

#Catholicprayer #prayerjournal #Catholicprayers #Catholic #prayerjournalprompts #OurLadyofFatima #Catholicwoman #Catholicwife #Catholicmom
Sometimes, when I go to Mass, the homily isn’t e Sometimes, when I go to Mass, the homily isn’t exactly stellar…

But bread and wine become the Body and Blood of Jesus Christ through the power of the Holy Spirit.

Sometimes, when I attend Mass, the other people in the pews don’t participate in the prayers or sing the hymns…

But bread and wine become the Body and Blood of Jesus Christ through the power of the Holy Spirit and the instrumentality of the priest. The whole Christ is truly present.

Sometimes, when I’m at Mass my own mind wanders and I’m distracted by children who can’t sit still…

But bread and wine become the Body and Blood of Jesus Christ through the power of the Holy Spirit.

An incredible miracle happens at every Catholic Mass… 

The whole Christ is truly present -- body, blood, soul, and divinity -- under the appearances of bread and wine, the glorified Christ who rose from the dead. This is what the Church means when she speaks of the "Real Presence" of Christ in the Eucharist.

The Eucharist is the body of Jesus Christ, which was given up for me and you.

#RealPresence #Eucharisticrevival #EucharisticAdoration #CatholicInspiration #Catholicchurch #HolyEucharist #HolyCommunion #Catholicblog #prayerjournal
There is not one person out there that understands There is not one person out there that understands ALL THE THINGS. This is another reason why it is so important to network with others.
We can help one another. All for the sake of His Kingdom.
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Long before “influencer” was a common term or Long before “influencer” was a common term or familiar word in our vocabulary, our actions and example made a difference in the lives of others.

Sometimes… perhaps more often than not, our choices impact the decisions of other people without us even realizing it.

When I was a teen, I ran cross country and track.

To my surprise, I was … not terrible at it.

I realized, through this sport, that God had not completely skipped me when giving out talents.

But, I questioned God.
Why give anyone the talent to run long distance?

How on earth could that talent be helpful to anyone?

I was young and the truth is… wisdom does come with age.
There was a ton of personal fruit that came to me from running.
But to my surprise… my example to continue running, even though I often thought it was a “stupid talent” didn’t just impact me.

For years I kept running because my Catholic education taught me that if God gave me a talent, it was my job to use that talent.

So even though I 💯 % thought it was the dumbest talent ever… I kept using it.

Years later my brother shared how my example led to him giving running as a sport a try.

He’s much more talented than me.

And I am still in shock that my actions grabbed his attention.

I strongly believe young people need to hear stories like this.
Blind faith and trust in God is not a waste of time.

I wrote more about this in Be Yourself: a Journal for Catholic Boys.
My brother, who really is a GOOD SPORT, allowed me to take his picture with the book that shares a part of this big story.
It was all in God’s plan.
Thank you Brian for sharing that story!!!

If you teach children or teens to trust God, even when they don’t quite understand why… comment and share below!
#TrustintheLord #havefaith #CatholicRunner #SacredScripture #ChristianRunner #Catholicschool #audienceofone
Stop scrolling… we need to talk. Yes… you! Do Stop scrolling… we need to talk.
Yes… you!

Do you have a Bible?
Who gave it to you?
What year was that?

I realized very recently that the only reason why my husband and I have a Bible is because his Aunt, who happens to be a nun, gave us one as a wedding gift.

I had a Bible before I got married.
I had it because I went to a Catholic high school and it was a required book for our religion classes.

So as I was thinking about this … I started to wonder…
How many Catholics don’t have Bibles???

I ask you to consider giving a loved one a Bible the next time you’re thinking about giving a gift.
There’s a rumor going around that Catholics don’t read the Bible very much…
Let’s make sure that’s not true.
This Bible is the one used by @fathermikeschmitz for The Bible in a Year podcast.

I was given a copy in exchange for promotion. I don’t think there has ever been anything easier to promote!

On a side note… my very good non-Catholic friend is becoming Catholic this month and this Bible and that podcast have a lot to do with that.

So friends… go spend some time with Jesus. Read your Bible and give someone you love a Bible too.

#SacredScripture #girlreadyourbible #BibleinaYear #Ascension #Catholicgift #Catholicblog #Catholics #Catholicsonline #catholicpodcast #CatholicsofInstagram
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