writing

Promote Catholicism Day – Silence and Word

May 24, 2012 By Sarah Reinhard Leave a Comment

I was silent yesterday on all my social networks. I even took down a post I had scheduled here.

The reason? In preparation for Promote Catholicism Day, which is today. They got the idea from Pope Benedict XVI and his excellent message for World Communications Day (which was Sunday, May 20), “Silence and Word: the Path of Evangelization.”

(If you’re here for the next installment of Looking Closer at the Hail Mary, don’t worry! It’s coming in a few hours!)

I’ve shared my answers to “What in Catholic Media has had an impact on me during the past year?” over at the Catholic Writers Guild blog today.

You can join in, too! Go to the forum at New Evangelizers and you can share your own answers.

Filed Under: blogging, links, writing Tagged With: blogging, Catholic, Catholic Writers Guild, evangelization, New Evangelizers, writing

What Would Be on Mary’s iPad?

May 22, 2012 By Sarah Reinhard Leave a Comment

Let’s pretend, for a moment, that Mary had an iPad. (Yes, I know: there’s all sorts of suspension of belief here.)

Here are five apps I think she would have on her iPad…

Want to know what they are? You’ll find them at CatholicMom.com.

Filed Under: Inspired by the Virgin Mary, writing Tagged With: CatholicMom.com, technology, writing

The Lazy Mom’s Mary Garden

May 19, 2012 By Sarah Reinhard 1 Comment

I’m a fan of Mary Gardens. At least in theory.

When it comes to the details, though, I get a little fuzzy.

First, I have to figure out a budget for buying all those special plants. Then, I have to make the time to actually do it. And there’s sure to be more steps, and I’m sure to forget something.

It is with my own lazy streak firmly in place that I offer you these tips for a Mary Garden even I can handle.

I share my “secrets” over at Columbus Catholic Women this week.

Filed Under: Garden, Inspired by the Virgin Mary, writing Tagged With: Columbus Catholic Women, gardening, Virgin Mary, writing

Review & Giveaway: The Work of Mercy

May 18, 2012 By Sarah Reinhard Leave a Comment

If you’re like me, when you hear the topic of Mark Shea’s book The Work of Mercy: Being the Hands and Heart of Christ, you might wonder how it can be (a) enticing, (b) non-preachy, and maybe even (c) interesting.

The topic, you ask? The corporal and spiritual works of mercy.

My first thought, I’ll admit, was that it can all be summed up in a poster. Who needs a whole book?

Find out the answer in the rest of my review and enter to win a copy at CatholicMom.com!

Filed Under: Books, Reviews, writing Tagged With: Books, CatholicMom.com, contests, giveaways, Mark Shea, Reviews, writing

Writing Opportunity at CatholicMom.com

May 16, 2012 By Sarah Reinhard 2 Comments

We interrupt today’s Wordless Wednesday for this opportunity…

I’ve been writing a weekly Tech Talk column at CatholicMom.com for a while. It’s a lot of fun, but I’ve noticed something increasingly in that time:

Lots of people have Android phones and devices.

I do not. I have iOS (Apple) stuff. I can write until I’m blue in the face about these apps (because I am nothing less than an appaholic, oh yes), but it doesn’t really help those people with Androids.

Lisa Hendey and I have been talking, and she gave me the permission to start recruiting.

So, if you’re interested, here’s what we need:

Someone who can write on at least a monthly (possibly weekly or biweekly) basis about Android apps. Tech Talk isn’t always about apps, mind you, but we want someone who can focus on Android (and neither of us can).

Benefits:

You’ll have their own column page on our site (which is an increasingly fabulous thing–check mine out)
You’ll have a basis for requesting (and receiving) free apps.
You will have the chance to become an “expert” on this topic, which means radio interviews, speaking about this topic, etc.
Writing for CatholicMom.com is very flexible.
It’s great exposure, especially as the CatholicMom.com book line gets launched and the site gets increasing exposure and popularity.
You get to work with Lisa Hendey and myself. She’s a ton of fun, truly nice and kind, and I add humor to things on a minute-by-minute basis (just see my Twitter feed if you have any doubts).

What’s needed from you:

A commitment to write on a regular basis.
Contact me, either in the comments of this post or by email.

Filed Under: writing Tagged With: CatholicMom.com, opportunities, writing

Tech Talk: New Apps for Mary in Prayer

May 15, 2012 By Sarah Reinhard Leave a Comment

I’m sharing three great Marian apps in this week’s Tech Talk at CatholicMom.com. Go check em out!

And while you’re there, take a peek around at the new layout!

Filed Under: Inspired by the Virgin Mary, writing Tagged With: apps, CatholicMom.com, Virgin Mary, writing

Last Week’s Writing: Lots of Mary

May 13, 2012 By Sarah Reinhard Leave a Comment

Here’s your linky-roundup of my other writing from the last week:

“Sharing Mary” at New Evanglizers

Sometimes, it’s far easier for me to talk about my faith than it is to live my faith.

Take Mary, for example.

I have a huge and ever-growing devotion to the Blessed Mother, and I’ve even written quite a bit about her. Most weeks, at my blog, I do a whole post about her or inspired by her.

So you might have the (false) impression that my kids know all about Mary. You might assume (wrongly) that my family prays the rosary. You might (mistakenly) think we do all sorts of Marian things in May every year.

Truth is, this year is the first time I’ve actually set up a May altar.

Join me there.

Tech Talk at CatholicMom.com: A Great Rosary App

Without my iPad, my prayer life is vastly different. For one thing, I lose my prayer book.

I added the Rosary HD app from ESB Solutions to my essential apps folder just last week. At $2.99, it’s a bargain. Take it fromsomeone who continues to search for the perfect rosary app.

(No such thing, sorry to say, but this one’s definitely a keeper!)

Let me walk you through Rosary HD and tell you what I love about it.

Read it all.

Review of Great Resources for Kids at CatholicMom.com

Excuse me if I sound a little hurried in this review. My seven-year-old returns from school soon and when she sees this pile, I’m going to lose them all. There’s no way my four-year-old will remain oblivious when her older sister shows interest.

And how could they NOT be interested in the beautiful books Pauline has sent to me for review? I’m still debating if I want to share them…

Read the rest for three great new titles from Pauline.

Celebrating May with Flowers

I’ve been Catholic long enough to know better.

I’m surrounded by blooming flowers: on the side of the road, in various flowerbeds, in the yard.

And I have young kids.

So what’s my excuse for not having a May altar of some sort before now?

Read the rest at Columbus Catholic Women.

Blog Talk at Catholic Writers Guild Blog

There’s something appealing about a good picture with a good blog post. I started using images as a matter of course when I noticed some of my favorite bloggers doing it.

It’s like a challenge, sometimes, finding the picture that expresses the post. Sometimes it’s a way of sending another message in the post.

In the rest of the post, I share my favorite free photo and image sources and a few tips for image use.