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.

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.

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.

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!

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.

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

“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.

Two Little Words, Much Appreciated

It was a strange-looking envelope, made even more so by the fact that no one in the house has a birthday in early May.

Who could be sending a card?

Read the rest at Amazing Catechists.

If the name Kevin Lowry isn’t familiar to you, allow me to change that.

Kevin’s the author of a great new book, Faith at Work: Finding Purpose Beyond the Paycheck. (I’ll be reviewing it in depth next week.) Kevin also blogs at Grateful Convert, where you can find his conversion story, his recent reading recommendations, and his thoughts on how we should treat others.

Kevin was a guest here on Thursday, where he reflected on the word “womb” as part of the ongoing Looking Closer at the Hail Mary series.

Today, he’s going to be answering a few questions that I sent him, with strict instructions that he had 140 characters or less to use for answering.

What do you hope people take away from your book?

Hopefully a new perspective on the power of integrating faith and work, and encouragement to do so in practical, simple ways each day.

What was the best part of writing this book?

Working with the OSV team, meeting other Catholic writers, and discovering that even my mistakes could serve as blessings to other people.

Who was your biggest inspiration while you were writing it?

My dad, for our countless discussions about faith and work over the years. I also prayed constantly to the Holy Spirit for guidance.

When did you write this book? Is there a certain time of day or setting that works best for you?

I sat in an old recliner in our family room, right in the midst of all our family chaos. It was my attempt to integrate writing and family.

When you think of the book, what about it makes you smile?

Recalling some of the stories, such as getting chewed out by the ref in chapter 13. I still give my friend Tom a hard time about that one!

Be sure to check out more of Kevin’s work at Grateful Convert.

— 1 —

You know what makes me happy? This conversation from Facebook and the subsequent picture I have in my head because of it.

Anyone know where I can find a statue of Mary on a HORSE? Huh? I think I need one.

Well, come to think of it, I probably need two. My four-year-old is sure to claim one to play with. (You know, like she did with the Holy Family.)

— 2 —

If you’re reading this in a feed reader, I’ll spare you the necessary click-through and just show you how the window view at the top of my blog has changed, thanks to Dorian and her amazingness.

— 3 —

In case you have an interest in my latest obsessions, it has involved dirt, flowers, and mulch, transforming my front view to this:

— 4 —

That streak of motivation also led to this:

— 5 —

In other news, I just confirmed, this week, that I’ll be in Dallas at the end of August. For this:

and this:

I’m a weeeeeeee bit excited, especially as I’m going to be stuck like glue to her:

(and a few other people too, but Julie and I have a special plan, mwahaha)

— 6 —

This week, my phone (which is not “smart,” and that’s part of the reason I love it so), has been spending a lot of time in rice:

It had an unfortunate meeting with some coffee and then, as I was watering my hanging baskets, I leaned over to water some of the planted stuff and forgot all about the Truth of Watering Hanging Baskets: They will drip on you if you are under them.

To this I say: I’m glad I have rice in the house!

— 7 —

And here’s something pretty I just wanted to share, and which the artist, Michelle Paine, gave me permission to share (it’s copyrighted):

Used with permission; copyright Michelle Arnold Paine

She shares about her painting of this “transciption” of Fra Angelico’s original and the story behind it on her blog. She’s doing a whole series on the Annunciation and I’m moved by them.

It reminds me of how I used to love going to the Museum of Art in Toledo with my mother, and how she would stand beneath the panel of Monet’s Water Lilies and just gaze. I never understood that stopping and looking, that pausing to savor, that slowing down.

But maybe I do, just a bit, now.

Michelle Paine is doing some amazing work. Her figurative paintings on Mary just make my heart beat harder and tears well up in my eyes…and I have no ability to explain why.

Quick Takes can be found this week at Betty Beguiles. Please pray for Jen from Conversion Diary.

Win a Kindle Touch and Catholic Family Fun

You can enter a number of different ways, a number of different times, but only through May 11. Read it all and enter to win at CatholicMom.com.

Star of the New Evangelization

The stars were GPS for the sailors of many years ago, and Mary is our GPS when it comes to the New Evangelization. Her perfect knowledge of Jesus will lead us closer to Him, if only we let it. We can look to her example and find inspiration and revival.

She shows us how to become a witness, even as we strive to become teachers.

Join me at New Evangelizers.

Introducing Myself in a New Place

I’m so excited to be part of a new initiative: a blog of Catholic women by Catholic women in Columbus! I introduce myself over there this week, and I hope you’ll join the fun, especially if you’re in the Columbus Diocese!

A Great New Novel

When I heard about Regina Doman’s new novel, written with Rebecca Bratten Weiss, Catholic Philosopher Chick Makes Her Debut, I was ALL ABOUT reading it.

Here’s the gist of my review: I LOVED IT. (Yes, in all caps. No apologies.)

Read it all and enter to win at CatholicMom.com.

May and Mary

May is, without a doubt, a crazy month for most of the people I know.

Lately, I’ve been reflecting on the fact that maybe May is Mary’s month because the only way we moms will get through it is with her help.

Call me a bit cynical. Or overwhelmed. Or considering crawling under the table to hide from my to-do list.

Read the rest at the Catholic Writers Guild blog.