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Under the “too cool not to share” heading: Ellen Gable is giving away Kindle copies of Emily’s Hope from today through Sunday, February 12. If you’re looking for a good novel, give it a try. You can read it virtually anywhere–there are Kindle apps for every device and even a way to read using the Amazon Cloud Reader.

A bit about it:

Emily’s Hope is the fictionalized, parallel true stories of Ellen and her great-grandmother. Damon Owens said: “Compelling…a real page turner.” Lisa Hendey said: “…great storytelling that teaches some important messages, but they are wrapped in a plot that will pull you in and leave you wanting more.”

So what are you waiting for? Free books = good February.

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Speaking of free books…have you entered my contest yet?

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My audio reflections on Mary this week:

• Our Lady of Lourdes and the lessons she teaches me in the Mary Moment segment on iPadre
• The reminder Mary gives me that my kitchen is the heart of my home, especially during the hunker-down days of winter in the Mary in the Kitchen segment on Catholic Foodie (text version here)

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Over at CatholicMom.com this week, I’m considering how I can better understand art using a great app and I also share about some Lenten devotionals that have crossed my desk in the last few weeks.

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I first discovered the Catholic Writers Guild during their first online conference a few years ago. (You should sign up to participate!)

I participated in that conference on a whim and because of the price (free). It was mostly a lark, but I have to look back with some amusement. I ended up helping with some behind-the-scenes things and then joining the Guild. I learned a lot about writing and, even better, made some connections with real people.

I didn’t even consider myself a writer then, though I had been blogging for a while (and blogging is writing) and I was dabbling in a few other writerly things.

That conference shifted my perspective of myself and, between their other conferences I’ve attended over the years and my involvement with the Guild, I’ve found a great network of resources and people who share my faith and my craft.

Beyond all that, it’s fun. It’s a change of pace. It’s educational.

And you can’t argue with the price: it’s FREE!

This year, it’s two weeks, March 17-31, with one week dedicated to forums and one week dedicated to chats. I’m going to be helping out again as a presenter and probably as a chat moderator, and I’d love to see you there!

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If you’re interested in being in other places, the Catholic Writers Guild blog is looking for either regular or one-time guest posts from members. (You do have to be a member of the CWG to write for the blog.) If you’re interested, check out the blog guidelines and get involved!

I was over at the CWG blog this week with a post talking about being a Small Fry Blogger.

I was in a couple of other places too.

Ginny Moyer, the hostess over at Random Acts of Momness, invited me to share the greatest gift my mother gave me, and the Patheos Book Club ran my review of Christopher West’s new book.

And then, over at Amazing Catechists, I share my experience with the seven deadly sins and a room full of fifth graders.

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You know what I’m looking forward to this Lent? Hearing the special Among Women podcast that Pat Gohn is putting together.

Could you spare a few minutes to share your favorite and most meaningful Lenten practices? Pat’s collecting them at amongwomenpodcast@me.com or 206-203-2024 until February 20.

I’ve done my part…now, you do yours and we’ll have a wonderful little Lenten gift.

Visit our lovely guest hostess Betty Beguiles for more Quick Takes!

I usually am, and I’m talking resolutions in my latest column at CatholicMom.com: To Resolve or Not to Resolve.

Intercessory Prayer: A Must-Read

What Would You Like Me to Pray For? Pat Gohn inspires and challenges me yet again. Here’s an excerpt:

The interior logic of intercession leads to love. For some people, that might be an unintended consequence, but the law of love is always within the will of God.

So, this is only advice I can give: When you choose to actively pray for someone, prepare yourself to love him or her. If you already love someone, prepare to love them even more. And if you pray for someone that you do not love or like—be it a difficult boss, an annoying relative, or someone who has trespassed against you—prepare to see signs of love or peace breaking through, even when you’d rather resist. You might not see changes in that person or their circumstances, but you will soon find that you cannot pray for someone in a detached way. It will move your heart in ways that might be surprising and sympathetic, especially if it leads to forgiveness, or freedom, or healing.

Don’t miss the whole thing. I found myself touched and moved to tears. I’m also looking at my own pull (dare I call it a “call”?) to intercessory prayer in a new light.

A Take on Priests: Highly Enjoyable

I’ve worked with a priest for eight years now, and I have a dedicated soft spot for priests in general. Simcha Fisher’s piece this week, Here Comes Fr. Everyone, caught my eye and moved me. She nails it. They’re men. That’s what’s to love (and what’s to grit your teeth about, sometimes, too).

Made Me Think: A Different Way to Look at Weight Challenges

I came across a link to Tara Parker-Pope’s article, The Fat Trap, in the December 28 New York Times thanks to Bearing. I read it, over the course of an afternoon and evening, in snippets. Unfortunately for me, it was late when I really got my mind sunk into it, and my husband was unable to discuss it and my friends were all asleep or offline and it was just me and my brain.

I think I’ll be considering this for, oh, the rest of my life. Weight issues surround me in many ways, and I feel so unequipped to face them. This article really made me consider the challenges of weight loss in a new way, especially with the biological findings and other factors that are discussed. It’s a long piece, but well worth reading, especially if you have any interest in the topic.

I agree with Bearing that it seems a bit depressing and frightening–the conclusion is that you’re stuck, in some ways, if you ever lose your will to keep working on it. On the other hand, that could be a big motivator (if you knew you could fight off some deadly disease, would you keep fighting? or give up?).

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It’s the feast of Our Lady of Fatima, and I had grand plans to do a post in honor of her.

And then life hit.

So you get, instead, this mish-mash post.

(Which might be more in keeping with my devotion to Mary, now that I think about it: very much immersed in what happens in the present moment of my life.)

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Speaking of the present moment, that Major Life Change I’ve alluded to for a few weeks? Well, it all comes to a head next week.

We’re moving.

There. I’ve said it.

And you’ll laugh when you find out that it’s essentially across the street.

Mary gets total credit for this one. Was it six or eight months ago that I gave up on a new house altogether and just accepted that we would be spending some time in this old house, spiders and wasps and all?

Yeah, well. Guess God had a different plan…and I can’t help but wonder if I had to just let go to let his plan work? Hmm.

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So back to Our Lady of Fatima (hope you don’t have whiplash). The always wise and lovely Pat Gohn has a wonderful article over at Patheos that you should read: A Bullet in Our Lady’s Crown.

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I can’t help but think, on this feast of Our Lady of Fatima–who called herself Our Lady of the Rosary to the children in Fatima–about my devotion to the rosary and how it’s the prayer I have to say to arm myself for my life.

If you’re NOT devoted to the rosary, I encourage you to give a decade a try today. Ask Mary to help you. Pick a mystery that seems to speak to you. And then…just like exercise (which is MY particular weakness)…just DO it.

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I wrote about Our Lady of Fatima over at Catholic Exchange a few years ago. She’s a great reminder to me that I can’t do it all and that I shouldn’t even try. Call it setting my priorities, call it living in the present, call it following God’s will: I call it Mary at work in my life. Learning more about her different titles and the reasons for them–including Our Lady of Fatima–has been one of the best things for me.

(“Thing” seems like the wrong word, but I’m not sure how to categorize it: educational practice? spiritual enrichment? obsessive stalking of Mary?)

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Mary’s role is ALWAYS to bring us closer to her Son. In that spirit, I encourage you to read my review and enter to win your own copy of Eric Sammons’s book, Who Is Jesus Christ? Unlocking the Gospel of Matthew. He’s generously donated a copy to CatholicMom.com, though, really, it’s a book worth buying. I was so impressed that I think I’ll be buying copies to give as gifts to those hard-to-buy-for people in my life.

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I want to end this post on a happy note. I feel very-VERY-VERRRRRY blessed. Some of my prayers–prayers I didn’t even really put words to–have been answered lately, and in a way far more wonderful than I could have imagined. If I’m quiet here on the blog (or dipping into the archives) in the next week, know that, despite any complaining you hear from me, that I credit Mama Mary with continuing to encourage me to do my best to cooperate with God’s grace and continue to try to rest in her Son’s arms.

Be sure to visit Jen at Conversion Diary for all of the 7 Quick Takes Friday posts.

Wear Blue

A while back, I came across something that suggested wearing blue on Marian feast days. So let’s all wear blue today, in honor of a great feast day for Mama Mary. It’s not an overtly crazy thing to do, but maybe when you look down at your shirt (or your jeans or your shoes or your socks or…well, whatever) you’ll remember to send her a shout and blow her a kiss.

Loving Mary

An incredible way to spend the day and honor Mary would also be to sit back and crank up episode 67 of the Among Women podcast, which is titled “What I Love About Mary.” You’ll hear me, but you’ll hear a host of other contributions too, some from saints, some from letters, and some from calls Pat received. There are lovely songs by Susan Bailey and the Daughters of St. Paul and no shortage of inspiration. Don’t miss it.

A Rosary for You

After a lot of reflection about praying for others, I wanted to offer to you a spot on my prayer list. I am often asking for your prayers, and I wanted to extend my thanks to you and reciprocate this important work of the Church. Leave a comment, email me, or let me know via one of the various social networks, and I will remember you during my morning prayers (which right now include a rosary).

Yes, it’s true: I love Mary.

I call her Mommy. I talk to her throughout my day. I lean on her and encourage others to do the same.

It’s no surprise, then, that I spent some time recording a segment for Pat Gohn, of the Among Women podcast, for her upcoming special on Mary. Not only did I feel a sort of personal mandate, a calling even, I thought it might be fun. (You know, because I needed a reason to cry.)

Though it took approximately 49 takes to record, thanks to Niagra Falls coming from my eyes, I did finally come up with a completed segment about what I love about Mary.

If you haven’t yet called Pat’s listener feedback line (206-338-6077) or emailed her (amongwomenpodcast@me.com) an mp3 file or email she can share, consider doing that this week. (You only have until August 3rd!)

Think of it as a love note, a little bouquet we’re gathering for a dear woman in our lives, a saint who intercedes for us in the most intimate and tender ways, who is always there for us, who is a mother in the most beautiful way.

Can’t wait to hear your contribution on the show!

Today, media maven Pat Gohn

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Why would a middle-aged mother like myself groove on new media? And dare to become a podcaster, a blogger, and use social networks like Facebook and Twitter? There are several reasons, but none more important than this one: the internet is like a second home to my three young adult children. Having raised a family in the digital age, I have one observation: nowadays the search for meaning often begins with Google. Or Bing. Or Yahoo.

That’s not a joke, that’s a reality. In the web-surfing world of key word searches and tags, you never know where that search will land.

That’s why I want to see the worldwide web flooded with people who love God and aren’t afraid to show it… Especially, passionate Catholic content-providers, media-makers and social networkers.  I want to make sure those searches yield websites and entertainment that effectively communicate Christian values, teaching, and wholesome entertainment that integrates faith and life.

What’s more, I long to see the incredible treasure that is the Catholic Church as a fixture in cyberspace… A vibrant bastion of truth, beauty, and goodness in the virtual world.

Let’s face it: The explosion of new media technologies is changing the way we live and work. It is changing the way Catholics grow and learn about their faith, as many turn to the internet daily for information and entertainment.

Pope Benedict XVI recently compared the web to a digital sea, asking Catholics to utilize it for the sake of the gospel. Benedict calls us to engage in the new evangelization, as did John Paul II, of happy memory. The Holy Father had this to say in a recent address at a Congress called “Digital Witnesses” in Rome:

Let us set sail on the digital sea fearlessly, confronting open navigation with the same enthusiasm that has steered the Barque of the Church for 2,000 years. Rather than for technical resources, although these are necessary, let us also qualify ourselves by dwelling in this world with a believing heart that helps to give a soul to the ceaseless flow of communications that makes up the web.

This is our mission, the inalienable mission of the Church. [Emphasis mine.]

Responding to the call for this new evangelization, the Catholic New Media Celebration, sponsored by SQPN, and hosted by the Archdiocese of Boston, takes place August 6-7, 2010. Attendees will learn how to evangelize using digital media, with special emphasis given to podcasting and blogging.  “Newbies” will learn alongside “veterans” in sharing ways to use new media effectively, within an atmosphere of Christian community.

The goal of the Catholic New Media Celebration is to inspire and develop new individuals and groups to use new media: to effectively create and share powerful, unique content for the benefit of the universal Catholic Church.

“This year’s CNMC will focus particularly on three things,” says Fr. Roderick Vonhögen, host of “The Break” and CEO of SQPN. “We will be exploring the best practices for creating quality content; how authentic catechesis and spirituality are incorporated; and, how a true sense of mission is instilled in those who consume this media and become a part of our online communities,” he says.

Fr Vonhögen will lead of team of SQPN podcasters in a podcasting track.  The blogging track will feature presentations by bloggers Thomas Peters of American Papist, Sarah Reinhard of Just Another Day of Catholic Pondering, and Rachel Balducci of Testosterhome and Faith and Family Live. Finally, there is a children’s track led my Allyson Sweeney of The Catholic Family Podcast and Lisa Mladnich of Amazing Catechists.

Keynote addresses will be given by Fr. Robert Reed of Catholic TV and That Catholic Guy on the Sirius/XM Network, Lino Rulli.

Complete registration details can be found at celebration.sqpn.com.

Two years ago, I was a writer and a catechist. Then I went to the Catholic New Media Celebration in 2008.

Today I still do those things, but now I do them using digital media.

Think what YOU can do.

Big Life Achievement of the Week:

Danielle Bean, Pat Gohn, and I talk new media and Fathers Day. Don’t miss the chance to participate by calling to leave voice feedback — Pat gave everyone some homework. :)

Good on My Word: I promised a full review of Awakening, and a full review you have, at CatholicMom.com.

Rosary Reflections: I’ve started a new series of reflections on the rosary at Today’s Catholic Woman. This week, I introduce the Joyful Mysteries. Come join!