UPDATED: Liberal Intolerance Gets Ridiculous in North Dakota

April 9, 2015 By Lisa Mladinich

UPDATED (SEE BELOW): The latest outrage involves two young girls being denied their constitutional rights to free speech. The sophomores, Brigid and Katie, tried to start pro-life clubs on their high school campuses in Fargo, North Dakota, and have been blocked by their School District for being too “controversial,” even though both schools support both Gay-Straight alliances and various Christian groups. Apparently, they realized that “controversial” wouldn’t hold up in court, so the District changed tactics and is attempting to block the pro-life... Read more

I Recommend a Beautiful New Book: “A Catholic Gardener’s Spiritual Almanac”

April 8, 2015 By Lisa Mladinich

Margaret Rose Realy, Obl. OSB, is a contemplative lay hermit. She grew up just outside Detroit, sharing a home with her maternal grandmother where the love of gardening flourished. Margaret reveals her love of nature and learning about the Creator through his creation in her books, columns, and presentations. She is a regular contributor to Catholicmom.com, and writes for the Catholic Channel on Patheos. Margaret’s third book, A Catholic Gardener’s Spiritual Almanac is the first book to offer gardeners spiritual resources... Read more

Hallelujah! God Be Praised! He is Risen!

April 5, 2015 By Lisa Mladinich

May the resurrecting graces of Easter fill your life with hope, healing, and great joy. I offer this beautiful rendition of the Hallelujah chorus in honor of all our beloved dead. Lord, comfort those on their way to you. Grant them the fullness of your pardon and peace! He is RISEN! Hallelujah! Read more

My New Book on Women’s Interior Beauty Has a COVER!

March 30, 2015 By Lisa Mladinich

TADA! This is the cover of my NEW BOOK, True Radiance: Finding Grace in the Second Half of Life!!! Due out this fall, it’s already available for pre-order from Amazon. I thank, with all my heart, the many women (and one man!) who allowed me to interview them in preparation for writing this book on women’s interior beauty! You are mentioned by name in the acknowledgements of the book. You are all beautiful! Lori Bartels, Tracey Belucci, Bernadette Brandon, Jennifer... Read more

Right in the Kisser: What the Media Says About Older Women

March 29, 2015 By Lisa Mladinich

Last night I watched Candice Bergen get punched in the face. She was playing a typical role for older actresses–the powerful, rich woman who also happens to be mean and hard and wrong about everything. In Sweet Home Alabama, Bergen’s New York City mayor is smooth as silk and hell on wheels. And in the end, she gets what’s coming to her. Reese Witherspoon’s saucy southern character hauls off and punches Madam Mayor smack in the kisser and gloats as... Read more

#Inspiring and #Creative: Catechist Christian LeBlanc

March 21, 2015 By Lisa Mladinich

I have an awesome new video for you that will whisk you on a fascinating journey from Genesis through Revelation into the deeper meaning of God’s great gift of marriage. It’s a 30-minute, totally-Catholic Bible talk by one of the smartest, funniest catechists I have ever known. Christian LeBlanc is a Catholic husband and father, an architect and author, and a dynamic presenter increasingly in demand in the Catholic world. And rightly so. I profiled Christian when his catechetical book, The Bible Tells Me So, first... Read more

Number One #Superfood: The Eucharist, Hands Down

March 14, 2015 By Lisa Mladinich

Whoever eats my flesh and drinks my blood has eternal life, and I will raise them up at the last day. For my flesh is real food and my blood is real drink . . . This is the bread that came down from heaven. Your ancestors ate manna and died, but whoever feeds on this bread will live forever (Jn 6:53-55, 58). I’d like to begin my post by telling you about one of my favorite saints, St. Jean-Marie-Baptiste Vianney... Read more

Life Doesn’t End Here: Teaching Faith to Special Needs Children

February 10, 2015 By Lisa Mladinich

Teaching faith lessons to your special needs child or grandchild can be a tough, isolating experience if you don’t have the guidance and encouragement of wise and experienced friends. A new book by David and Mercedes Rizzo, Spiritually Able: A Parent’s Guide to Teaching the Faith to Children with Special Needs, is a big help. The Rizzo’s latest effort combines personal stories with tips and practical advice, based on their own journey with their autistic daughter, Danielle. I asked the couple to share a few... Read more

#Giveaway: GOD FIRE, the “Purgatory Lady,” and Her Amazing New Book!

February 5, 2015 By Lisa Mladinich

“I saw my Guardian Angel, who ordered me to follow him. In a moment I was in a misty place full of fire in which there was a great crowd of suffering souls.” St. Faustina (Diary, 20) It is rare that an author is blessed by a pope, but Susan Tassone was twice blessed by Saint John Paul II for her work bringing to the world a new interest and understanding of the Church’s powerful devotions to the Holy Souls... Read more

Guiding Your Child Through Grief is About Remembering, Not “Getting Over it”

January 19, 2015 By Lisa Mladinich

Victims of a catastrophe never forget the moment their lives changed forever. While others are impatient for them to get over it, they suffer – sometimes for the rest of their lives. Some do so in silence, self-medicating away the pain with alcohol, drugs, sex or work. But many struggle to make sense of the event, to find some sort of meaning that restores stability to their lives, so they can move on. In rare cases, victims take the process... Read more