Carnival #168

It's carnival time again at the Pillars!! Yeehaaww! But, there is another special event to celebrate this week, too, with our Holy Father coming to the United States of America! So, I thought that a few pics of our "German Shepherd" would be in order. How exciting for us! Well, what am I waiting for? Heeeere comes the Carnival!

The first submission I have received is from Joseph at Ho Kai Paoulus called, "Most dangerous Words" and boy is he hitting a soft spot!! "At least once a week - for many of us, every day - we speak very dangerous words. Do we really take time to think about what we're asking for when we pray? About what Jesus prompted us to ask of God," says Joseph. Forgiveness as our heavenly father forgives us? Can that be true? I really love Joseph's discussion on this because I am aware of this fact every time I pray the Our Father and feel rather defeated at times. Thanks, Joseph for easing the pang of guilt!


MaryAnn, A proud mother presents a video produced by her son
for the Diocese of San Diego, greeting the Pope on his visit to the United
States. See the pictures from her blog, Heart of Home. Thanks, Mary Ann!

Hope, from Mothers of Many Saints, has a great post, called, "The Wicked Witch is Dead" that I just enjoyed! There is so much of me in that post!! Does Hope know me?? In a way, probably, yes. Thanks for the wonderful lesson of uplifting advice, Hope!

Elena LaVictoire presents How to have a Domestic Church posted at My Domestic Church.

Sarah, the snoring scholar, has a wonderful book in her post, Not Just For Mommy Readers about Heidi Sexton's book, "Raising Up Mommy: Virtues for difficult Mothering moments." I have already ordered it and hope Heidi knows which Ebeth I am to autograph it.......? Sarah devoured the book and so will you!

Denise Hunnell presents Peter Kreeft: The GK Chesterton of Our Times posted at Catholic Matriarch in my Domestic Church aka Catholic Mom. What a combination, both Chesterton and Kreeft are very powerful minds. Thanks for the recommendations, Dr. Hunnell!

Next, Kate Wicker presents Working Wednesday: Yoga for Catholics posted at Kate Wicker. My children are growing up so fast, I am panicking that I didn't spend enough time with them and do enough Kid things. Sounds like Kate has a good handle on that, Thanks for the share, Kate!

The Catholic Writer's conference is coming!! I can't wait. Here Heidi wants to get the word out about it in her post,"Can your query pass seven second test" from her one of many blogs, Silent Canticle. The registration deadline for the first Catholic Writer's Conference Online is April 25! This weeklong conference (May 2-9) is free to writers of all ages and at all levels, to participate as much or as little as you like. In this post, Heidi announces the topic of her presentation, which will be held the first morning of the conference. Be sure to sign up!

Speaking of Catholic Writers, Heidi , this time from her blog Mommy Monsters, has quite a flair, so without further ado, in her post,"As if Children weren't embarrassing enough at Mass..." she shares a memory and a book about the first week she received three foster children the same week she took her turn behind the piano at Mass. A reflection on how we offer our gifts to God in different ways at various stages of life.

Next, David shares from his blog, "The Apostolate of the Laity,a very important discussion about war and abortion in his post,"The Incongruity of Freedom." Here is an excerpt:

As America propels itself down the path of choosing a new President, perhaps the prayer should be that its next leader will take a step back from the dark abyss of bad choices freely chosen by leaders past and instead take a step forward towards the true freedom that is the Gospel of Our Lord Jesus Christ.

Lately, Heidi's prayer is what I need most of all! In Heidi's other blog she shares this post, "Mary Prayer: When you need sleep." Thanks, Heidi....you have yet another book I need to purchase!!

Michele, from Philly Catholic Spirituality, shares a great post, "Who wants to do the dishes?" that can apply to all walks of life in mundane jobs. This is a short reflection on the end of the Gospel of John - how can we follow Christ in tending to the everyday needs of the people in our lives: finding God in the dishes and the laundry.

God our Father,
work is your gift to us,
a call to reach new heights
by using our talents for the good of all.
Guide us as we work and teach us to live
in the spirit that has made us your sons and daughters,
in the love that has made us brothers and sisters.
Grant this through Christ our Lord. Amen.

Seth, from Catholic Land, shares a post where he responds to comments about his support of NFP called,"contra-Contraception." Thanks, Seth. I especially liked his statement:

In other words, the man is using the woman's body for his own ends and the woman is denying the end for which her body was made. In neither case do you have mutuality, self-respect, or love without conditions. It's bonding and intimate, but it's artificially sterile and fruitless. It seeks nothing but the satisfaction of one's libido.

Next, Kevin, from Exceptional Marriages, discusses, "The Voice and Call of Shepherd" about the readings for the 4th Sunday of Easter. Great post...as always, Kevin!

Steven, has an interesting post on the The Mad Celtic Warrior Poet Priest. You need to check out his blog anyway at, Bookreviews and more. In this post, Steven shares his ontological self understanding, written for a church history course back in 2003.

Kimberly has a nice blog and a great post to share called, "Anthropology and the Eucharist." She says, "She has been making some pretty neat connections between what she's learning in one of her Anthropology classes (Social Organization) and Catholicism. A lot of it has been stuff that the Church has already taught, but it's exciting to make those connections on a personal level." Cool!! I'm loving this new connection and way of thinking! Thanks, Kimberly!!

Elena LaVictoire presents Ready links for Whore of Babylon posted at Visits to Candyland. Last week, anti-Catholic blogger Candy at www.keepingthehome.com wrote an article comparing the Catholic Church to the Whore of Babylon mentioned in the book of Revelation. The bloggers at Visits to Candyland and elsewhere refuted much of what Candy wrote. This is the list of our articles.

Kelly presents Papal Ponderings posted at Visits to Candyland.

cathy adamkiewicz presents in full bloom posted at from the field of blue children. Wow, Cathy, I really liked that post! I need to get back and read some of your other stuff, too! Thanks for the share!

Marcel, from the Mary's Aggies , down in Aggieland, TX is going to make sure you have all the information you need about the Papal trip to the USA! Check it out! Thanks Marcel!

Jean, from Catholic Fire, is also celebrating the Papal USA Trip with her post, "Welcome To The USA, Holy Father!" In this post, Jean hopes to provide all that you need to get the most out of the Holy Father's visit to the U.S.A. to enable it to be a memorable and spiritually enriching experience for you and for all Americans. She has cleverly included: prayer, resources, the Holy Father's Itinerary, and a number of links to various other resources pertaining to the Holy Father's visit. Here I am in North Carolina, so close, but yet soooooo far away!

May the Lord bless and keep you safe on your trip, Papa!
(waving wildly)