Author: JenniferFitz

Seven Things before Texas

So one of the reasons I’m so crazy busy right now is because of the Catholic Writers Conference coming up at the end of the month.  So I was going to write one thing about that, but it’s that day, so I’m going to see if there are seven.

1.  The one thing: If you are going to be in Arlington, TX the week of August 27 – September 1st and you read here, please find me and say hello?  I’m sorta shy and I can’t keep names or faces straight, and also I stink at small talk.  (Teaching? No problem.  Public Speaking?  No problem.  It’s thinking up random things to say when nobody has any questions I need to answer, that’s what kills me.)

So what you do is you look for the Catholic Writers Guild people, and you ask around until you find me (I’ll be volunteering, so there will be someone who can find me), and then you say:

“Hi Jen, I’m _[it doesn’t matter too much what you say here, so you could make something up — really a functional description is better than a name, you know?]__, and I read your blog.  And now since you stink at small talk, I’ve thought up some things to say, or else I have some questions, or else look, I see you rented your daughter’s camera, maybe someone could take our picture with it [I am NOT photogenic — you want the other Jen F. for that, but she has a long line, you know?].”

Or you could say:

“I’m just as introverted and lousy at small talk as you are.  Maybe even worse.  How about if we just stand near each other?”

That would be great.  Anyway, I really do like meeting people.  I remember people.  Not their names, and not their faces, but them.  Because you know, you aren’t your name or your face, you’re you.  You have this whole story.  And I do remember that.  Totally. And I love to hear it.  So if you’re in Texas when I’m in Texas, find me.

2.  You know how bad I am at that whole face-recognition thing?  I was reading Why Students Don’t Like School by David  Daniel Wallingham, and there was this picture of a set of identical twins to illustrate some point.  And I thought: Those are twins?  Really?  They just look like these two guys.  I guess they’re the same-looking.  Or not.  I dunno.

Useful book, though.

3.  So, Texas.  I’m going.  I give up, I’m not making seven this week.  Back to work.  Have a great weekend!

 

Oh wait, look, we haven’t prayed for Allie Hathaway in a long time.  Give her #’s 4 and 5, and her dad 6 & 7.  That worked.  Thanks!

Book Review: Benedict of Bavaria

I picked Benedict of Bavaria for my latest Catholic Company review book because I had a feeling I should.  I didn’t want to.  I’ve developed this gut-reaction to all things Pope-Book, thinking that surely it will be a major effort, I’d rather be reading an American Girls mystery . . . you know the fear.  But I reasoned that a little work would be good for me, so I took the plunge.

I love being wrong.

This was a fun and interesting read, and not difficult at all.   Very enjoyable way to learn more about the Holy Father.

What it is:  The book tells the story of Pope Benedict’s life from his birth in Germany through about 2007.  The focus is on his German heritage — the villages he lived in, life during World War II and conflict within the Church over how to respond to the Nazi regime, and his career as a theologian and cleric in postwar-Germany.   His family life, including the role of his sister Maria in supporting him throughout his life, is a steady theme.

In all it’s a fascinating look at the personal life, career, and heritage of the man who now leads the Church.  An appendix detailing “A Day in the Life of the Holy Father” is particularly interesting in light of the Vatican-Leaks scandal this summer.

Included are excerpts from and analysis of his writings over the years, showing his development as a scholar, and providing inspiration and encouragement to the reader.  The author writes from a Catholic, faithful-to-the-Church point of view, but without glossing over or excusing problems in the Church.

Reading Level: I’d recommend this for adults who have some basic background knowledge of the Catholic faith, and of recent history. The writing is clear and easy to follow for those who read on a true high-school or early-college reading level, but you do need to be the kind of reader who knows words like “Jesuit” “postmodernism” “celebrant” “ora et labora”  and so forth.    A map of Germany is handy to have on hand as well — Google Earth would work fine — because there are so many German place-names mentioned.

Excellent choice for someone who knows the faith, but doesn’t know much about the life of the Holy Father. Also recommended for young men discerning a vocation to the priesthood — great glimpse into the kinds of different challenges our clergy face, from seminary on up through the ranks of the hierarchy.

Summary: Very nicely done.  This one’s a keeper.  Deserves to be better known and more widely read.

 

***

I’m grateful once again to The Catholic Company for letting me participate in their reviewer program, in which bloggers like myself get great books for free, in exchange for an honest review — though they seem to mostly stock good stuff, so that makes my job a whole lot easier.

They remind me to remind you that The Catholic Company is also a great online store for all your Catholic gift needs, such as baby baptism and christening gifts. You can also find a wide selection of Catholic Bible Studies for both parish groups and individuals, as well as a variety of other Catholic Bible study resources.

3.5 Time Outs: Prayer Requests

Thanks once again to our host, Larry D. at Acts of the Apostasy, who has not kicked me off his minion-list despite my poor attendance.

Click and be amazed.

1.

Please keep Sandra L. of this combox in your prayers today.  She has a super-miserable tough day today, and it won’t be an easy week either.

2.

Please pray for the strength and consolation for a friend’s sister-in-law, who is very close to death, and for all her family.  They’ve moved up a planned wedding of one of the children to this weekend, in the hopes the mom will be able to attend before she dies.

3.

<Insert your intention here.>  I know there are plenty of other needs out there.

3.5

Still need prayers on the writing front.  Whatever God wants is AOK with me.  But knowing what that is and being sure it happens?  Pray!  Thank you.

 

***

And with that, I’m back to regular life.  I’ll keep y’all in my prayers, and I’m trying to work through my blogging backlog in addition to doing all the other stuff I need to do, so look for me to pop in with this or that, time permitting.  Have a great week!

(And yes, you can post links.  I am, by the way, reading comments.  Oh, about once a week, but I am.  And trying to reply as well.)

Submission of Will and Intellect?

Over at Amazing Catechists, I take a stab at answering the question: What the heck does the Diocese of Arlington mean when they ask for “submission of will and intellect”?  Hopefully it’s helpful.  Maybe?

–> Joe Poprocki deserves credit for pointing me and others to the issue.  I didn’t link to his post in the AC article because I knew it was being followed by some catechists who feel very hurt by the D of A’s new requirement, and I didn’t want to start a pile-on of any kind.  So if you visit his place, be extra nice.  (I like his blog and enjoy it.  If you read catechist blogs, his deserves your attention.)

3.5 Time Outs: Real Things

Thanks once again to our host, the very patient Larry D. at Acts of the Apostasy.

Click and be amazed.

1.

Really Real:

I was going to continue my slacker non-blogging, but Potty Race pushed me over the edge.  I had no idea video games could be so . . . realistic. First time I’ve ever said that about something Barbie.

2.

Really useful:

Chickens eat fire ants and highway grass.  So basically, as long as they keep that up, the new arrivals have a home for life.

Dogs eat chicken feed.  Luckily, there’s plenty of highway grass and fire ants, so the chickens won’t starve.

3.

Really cool:

Grayson Highlands State Park is air-conditioned.  The entire mountain.   Truly wonderful — so pleasant I didn’t mind camping in the rain, because at least it wasn’t hot.   The ductwork must run underneath North Carolina, because I’m pretty sure the actual air-conditioning unit is located here in central SC, where it’s pumping a reliable jet of hot air, especially during peak hours.  It would be pretty easy to disguise a giant heat pump as an office building.  They look about the same.

3.5

Really interested in the will of God:

Please pray for a special intention, writing edition.  You’ll get the other half of this take as soon as I have good news to report.  Which there will be, the big question your prayers are directed towards are the who and the when.  Thanks!

***

And with that, I’m back to regular life.  Have a great week!

(And yes, you can post links.  I am, by the way, reading comments.  Oh, about once a week, but I am.  And trying to reply as well.)

Deskavating

I suspected my desk was under those papers — and yes!  It is.  Still immersed here, but look I wrote something over at Amazing Catechists last week, and it’s proving helpful to people.  Score one for useful little engine. 

Please pray for two special intentions this week, and I’ll try to come up for air here in the next week or so.

4 Takes, 2.5 Time-Outs . . .

Most weeks, I really like the Tuesday / Friday method of staying on track.  It helps me remember to post stuff.  This is not that week.  I say that during the Wed-Thurs interregnum, Jen F. and Larry D. can split the difference.  In castle news this week:

1.  Child Vomits At Church.

Thank you Mrs. S. for cleaning the front pew while one parent whisked sick child home and the other disinfected the sacristy bathroom.  Thank you, Lord, that:

  1. The other two altar servers had already left the pew to go do whatever it is they do during the offering.
  2. Mrs. S, veteran mom, had chosen to sit next to Mt. Splashmore.
  3. Mr. O., who himself had blessed the altar-area in the same manner during his days as an altar boy, was sitting behind us and volunteered to watch two little girls while parents did more pressing parent jobs.
  4. No one else has gotten sick.

Nice usher guy was helpful, too.  He showed us the plastic toolbox in the usher’s closet labeled “Vomit Kit” — apparently this is all part of the life of an usher.  Though by that time I’d already snagged disinfectant and paper towels from the kitchen, and begged extra trash bags from the nursery.  Mothers don’t think the way ushers think.

2. Sandra’s Married!

And she told me I should wedding-blog. Which I will.  A different day.   Teaser:

  • Lovely, lovely ceremony.
  • Historic location + period dress = coolest combo ever.
  • Halloween-themed reception . . . oh I know you crabby apples are raising an eyebrow at that, ’cause I did too.  But it was just perfect for the couple, and not at all like you think.

More later.

3. Exciting writing news, almost ready to be announced.  If I seem like I’ve wandered off the edge of the earth, um, yes, I have.

3.5.  McKissick Museum.  For all your glow-in-the-dark geology needs.

4.  Check out the Catholic Writers’ Guild blog this coming Sunday, Christian LeBlanc has a cool post scheduled.  And Julie Davis writes on Saturday, I think, and she’s no slouch either.  It’s a good CWG weekend.

5.  Latin.  I think we’ve found a solution.  I’ll let you know in two months.

6.  And with that, I’m going to sneak back into hiding, and leave the internet to you.  If I’m lucky I might get a backlog of assorted posts run, but I’m not placing any bets. Have a great weekend.

OSV Editor David Dziena coming to CWG Sunday Night Chat

Lisa Mladnich reminds me to remind you:

 

Dear AC Columnists and Fr. Fink,

Tomorrow night, the Catholic Writers’ Guild is hosting a free event that many of you would probably enjoy attending, a visit from my editor at OSV. I’ll be moderating this free, open chat. I hope to see some of you there. Please post this at your blogs and social media, if you think your readers might also be interested. Thanks!

Here are the details!

DON’T MISS MEETING David Dziena, Acquisition Editor for Our Sunday Visitor during a moderated online chat at the Catholic Writers Guild. You do not have to be a member to attend. Spread the word. He will visit the Sunday evening chat on July 8, from 9pm-11pm EST.

David is an Acquisitions Editor for Our Sunday Visitor, the oldest and largest Catholic publisher in the world. In publishing since 1997, David has been deeply involved in author recruitment, product development, and strategic marketing for parish resources for several major catechetical publishers. He has great stories about the Catholic publishing world, and tips on practical issues like how to submit your manuscript, what’s happening on the publisher’s end while you wait, and what it’s like to collaborate with a design team! He’s enthusiastic about meeting YOU!

David will be with us for the whole 2 hours, talking shop and taking questions! Don’t miss out on this rare opportunity to spend an evening with one of the best in the business.

Make sure you have Java already loaded on your computer beforehand, and go to this page at 9:00 pm EST on Sunday, July 8. See you there! http://www.catholicwritersguild.com/index.php?name=Content_2&pid=1

Spread the word! All are welcome. Any questions? Contact Lisa@mladinich.com

Thanks!

Love,

Lisa

 

FYI: You can go to the CWG site right now and test out your ability to login to the chat room.  So that if you need to fix your computer or something, you don’t miss out on a chance to meet a publisher because you needed to download and uninstall and reinstall and all that stuff.

At CatholicMom.Com: The Ride-Along Lifestyle

In which I say: Pack your kid(s) in the car, and go do something boring together!

No, really.  Fun is over-rated.  I’m sure my latest CatholicMom.com column is just a reminder about what everyone knows . . . but given that this morning on the way to Target I got to explain basements, sump pumps, frost depth, and I think there were a few digressions into fashion, modesty, and I’m not sure what else . . . I stand by my point.  Ride around with your kids.  It’s time well spent.

Hey and look at Margaret Realy’s column while you’re there — lovely post on doubt and the Holy Family.

7 Exceedingly Quick Takes

Surfacing for air here, and then it’s back under for more mom-work-a-thon:

1.  Pray for Allie Hathaway.  Thanks.

2. I now remember why it is my children took so long to learn to swim.  Taking a baby, a toddler, and a preschooler to the pool by yourself?  Not easy.

3.  I did not do this today.  I rendezvous’d with a brave friend, and just *helped*.  It was enough.

4. If you are really, really good on a College Tour Heat Wave Marathon, I will buy you Krispy Kreme Doughnuts. 

5. And Dr. Pepper.

6. Also, if I love you especially much, I will be very diligent about removing my Krispy Kreme hat before I attend the next departmental tour.

7. I love patriotic hymns.

The end. 

Oh yes, PS: Please pray for Sandra and Larry, who are getting married tomorrow evening!  I’m so excited!

 

7 x 77 Quick Takes can be found at the home of our lovely hostess at ConversionDiary.com.  Other people write more stuff.  Go look.  WordPress is being exceedingly naughty this morning, so you’ll have to copy and paste the address in your browser.  Enjoy!