The Ironic Catholic

I want to go to this VBS

Fri, 13 Jul 2012 03:10:00 +0000

I'll give up my aversion to skits to see this slightly Monty Python-esque version of the book of Esther.

Caption Contest #114

Wed, 11 Jul 2012 18:58:00 +0000

HT to Brian Crane (source of the picture) and Kevin Curtis (through FB).

Caption away in the midrash box.

I'm ba-ack and I have cheese.

Tue, 10 Jul 2012 02:50:00 +0000

That is, back after a month abroad with a new son, less weight, a lot to process, and a few somewhat ironic notes on Ukraine.

Ukraine is a land constitutionally opposed to fans. Not Euro Cup fans, of which we saw many. Fans that would make a 5th or 6th floor apartment in high summer bearable without AC.
We were told by our facilitator "there is no Russian word for funny". We began to understand that in a couple of days.
There are lots of icons. Everywhere. That's great. Except for one store was selling them right next to paintings that could only be described as soft porn.
Borscht is only marginally better there. Sorry Ukrainian friends. Beets aren't my thing.
I may never eat pork again, having had my lifetime quota in one month.
Ukraine tourism industry: appreciated that you decided two years ago to mark many streets and signs in downtown Kiev in both Cyrillic and transliterated English. Now consider telling the cashiers that it is not a sin for foreigners to not have exact change. And arrest the guys dressed in goofy costumes who accost the tourists for money in the form of "want to take a picture with me"?
This is a land where I could not manage to buy unspoiled meat (other than pork) but could buy easily some of the best chocolate I've ever had.
Never saw a Beer machine before. Now I have. (As in drop in your coins, press a button, and its Miller Time.)
I know this will amuse some of you traddy folks: we went to the Roman Catholic co-Cathedral in Kiev, St Alexander's. They offer an English mass early on Sunday (thank you!). The hymnal: Gather. We laughed a bit--just unexpected.
Speaking of St. Alexander's, its humbling to most Americans (including myself) when you read the Church history on the side of the nave: "We re-opened in 1994 after our pastor in 1939 was executed by Stalinists."
...But there were flowers by the ubiquitous statues of Lenin....

Well. We met many people we liked there, and to my mind, that was the strength of the country. Kiev was likable and interesting, and the Orthodox churches remarkable. Most of our time was in a small town mid-country, and that was more intense for a variety of reasons. I'll write about it someday, but not today, and probably not here.

The Cooper family (trying to adopt Harper) is still in process with their adoption. If you could continue to pray for them, that would be much appreciated. I will update you as I can.

We're swamped with adjusting to a new member of the family who cannot speak English, has some significant physical needs (he has CP) and is pretty overwhelmed by the change his life has taken. Mind you, he's doing well in many ways and is usually smiling. But it is a 24-7 job being "on" our kids right now. I'll do a better "welcome chic #5" post sometime--maybe at his baptism.

But I will try to hop in here, to stay connected and feel like I am not always in a new adoption bubble. So, for your ironic amusement: Britain holds contest to create a national anthem to Cheddar Cheese. (It isn't theological but too good not to pass along.)

Prayer request: UPDATED

Mon, 11 Jun 2012 18:55:00 +0000

Greetings from the other side of the ocean! We've been in Alex's home country for three weeks now.

We go to court to try to adopt Alex tomorrow, Tuesday. It is at 2:30am Minnesota time. All prayers for a smooth process would be appreciated. We've met Alex and he is a sweetheart. I promise to share more later.

Peace and lots of cabbage and sausage, IC

UPDATE: We passed court! There are still things to pray for in the process (no hiccups with passport application, etc.) but first and foremost: Alleluia! There is a new little chic (child of the Ironic Catholic) in the family! Thank you for your prayers and we'll be home probably sometime last next week....prayers of thanksgiving for all of you here!

WINNERS!

Sat, 26 May 2012 18:01:00 +0000

Jennifer here, guest posting for Susan who is currently just hours away from meeting Alex!

WINNERS! WINNERS! WINNERS!

On behalf of Susan and Vera, thank you so very much for all of the generous contributions made to help bring Harper home. We were hopeful in the beginning, but stunned and humbled by the amazing generosity of so many people on behalf of one little girl. In donating, you became HIS hands and feet, you did "for the least of these," and when there is news on Harper's homecoming, I know Susan will share that here. (Because, I for one, cannot wait to see a picture of that little cutie smiling!)

AND - on behalf of the Jenks' family - thank you to those who contributed to their fund in this last week. They, too, are now nearly fully funded!

Here's the lowdown:

Winners received entry number(s) based on the order in which Susan received comments detailing donations/share. Using that list of entries, I created a "randomized sequence of integers" at random.org.

IF YOU ARE A WINNER - I will send e-mails to all winners - except "Patrick" - I only have a blog address for "Patrick!" If I have your prize in my possession, I will ask for your address. If I do not have your prize in my possession, I will forward to you the name of the donor so that you can contact them directly.

IF YOU ARE A PRIZE DONOR - I will be putting winners in touch with you ASAP.

$50 Kohl's giftcard
WON BY - Thelma Crutchfield

$50 Tiffany's "gift coin" good for merchandise at a Tiffany's store
WON BY - Chad and Kathy Myers

$25 Barnes and Noble giftcard
WON BY - Kyla

$25 Amazon giftcard
WON BY - Carol Miller

$25 Scentsy giftcard
WON BY - Patrick

$25 Subway giftcard
WON BY - Chad and Kathy Myers

$25 Applebees giftcard
WON BY - Brenda LeJeune

$5 Potbelly (restaurant) giftcard
WON BY - Kimberlie and Paul Meyer

Julie Davis' Happy Catholic: Glimpses of God in Everyday Life
WON BY - Anne A

Mark Shea's The Work of Mercy: Being the Heart and Hands of Christ
WON BY - Brandon Vogt

Style, Sex, and Substance: Ten Catholic Women Consider the Things That Really Matter
WON BY - Patrick

Why Is There A Menorah on the Altar? Jewish Roots of Christian Worship by Meredith Gould
WON BY - Anne A

Marcel LeJeune's Set Free To Love: Lives Changed By The Theology of the Body
WON BY - Thelma Crutchfield

Jonathan Potter's House of Words
WON BY - Hilary Sloutsky

Brandon Vogt's The Church and the New Media: Blogging Converts, Online Activists, and Bishops Who Tweet
WON BY - Jenn E

Mary DeTurris Poust's Walking Together: Discovering the Catholic Tradition of Spiritual Friendship
WON BY - Patrick

Amy Welborn's Wish You Were Here: Travels Through Loss and Hope
WON BY - Carol Miller

The Ironic Catholic's Dear Communion of Saints: amusingly apt advice for foolish Christians
WON BY - Jim

The Tall Tales of the Tenacious Tomboy by Regina Bradley
WON BY - Michele and Michael Fernandez

Five (5!) Interpreting Christian Art apps. Called "art/y/fact.Xn," and reviewed here by Sarah Reinhard
WON BY - Nate Eberle

Pinback button set: Vote St Catherine of Siena '12, Vote Augustine '12, and I Support The Communion of Saints Ticket "political buttons".
WON BY - Alexis Wesley

Roshen Chocolates
WON BY - Chris Lee

Lia Sophia "Fairytale" necklace and earring set
WON BY - Anne A

$15 credit toward Wiehl of Faith Jewelry, item(s) shipped free. Winner chooses from selections, which can be seen here.
WON BY - Nate Eberle

Three handcrafted Italian millefiori glass bead bracelets, win as a set
WON BY - Chris Lee

A FRAMED print: Kissing the Face of God
WON BY - Michele and Michael Fernandez

Two 8x10 photographic prints, suitable for framing, by Life Through the Looking Glass Photography
WON BY - Cory Fuller

A baby layette and baby girl outfit, new with tags, 6-9 months old
WON BY - Jessa Barniol

Lace stitch neckwarmer, handcrafted of Merino wool
WON BY - Cory Fuller

Lace stitch scarf, handcrafted of Merino wool
WON BY - Thelma Crutchfield

Thirty-one organizing utility tote in "Circle Spirals" pattern
WON BY - Benjamin Baxter

Handcrafted brown and burnt orange curly scarf
WON BY - Benjamin Baxter

Four sets of Bath and Body Works lotions, scents, and soaps

Japanese Cherry Blossom: shower gel, lotion, body spray.WON BY - Kimberlie and Paul Meyer
Black Raspberry Vanilla: lotion, shower gel, body cream. WON BY - Beth Klein
Warm Vanilla Sugar: body cream, lotion, shower gel. WON BY - Therese Zimmerman
Dark Kiss: body cream, lotion, body spray.WON BY - Carmen Santamaria

A free handcrafted rosary of your choice from Roses for Mary
WON BY - Chris Lee

A variety of Holy Cards from Harper's home country
WON BY - Benjamin Baxter

We're coming, Alex....

Mon, 21 May 2012 12:36:00 +0000

If you are long time readers of the blog, you know that my husband and I are adopting (God willing!) a little boy named "Alex" with the help of Reece's Rainbow in Eastern Europe. Our flight leaves Tuesday. We hope to be there (that is, a capital city and then a very small town with a hot dog stand and train station) no more than three weeks--and then back home with our new son. When we get home, we may be very busy adjusting to "the new normal"--it is also possible Alex may have some medical needs (he has CP) that need to be addressed right away. Please pray for us. We hope to have some wifi and if we do, you may see a post or two from me.

Peace and all good, Susan aka IC

Last Giveaway Update (except for the winners! and a new adopting family in the mix!)

Mon, 21 May 2012 03:12:00 +0000

You all, words cannot express how grateful I am for your generosity to Vera's family and ultimately to little Harper. Their adoption grant fund stands at 16,147 as of Sunday night. Vera had calculated that the mid-range of being fully funded would be around 16,200 (although fluctuating plane tickets are the variable here). We started this giveaway a few days ago with hope, generous donations, and an initial grant of $1200. Let's do the math--that means you all have raised $14,800 for Harper to get both a family and the medical treatment she needs. Just. unbelieveably. amazing. God is GOOD! Thank you for being his hands and feet.

The giveaway with all the fun donated items continues through to May 25th. You can donate to Vera's family grant fund (tax-deductible) and give them a bit of a buffer. Her family also benefits from sales of the Pray-Advocate-Adopt necklace (or three other styles) at JoyBelle Jewelry the next four weeks, until June 16. If you prefer to spread the love and help out another family in need, the Jenks family is also needing funds asap: they are planning to adopt Sydney and Lucien, two infants with Down Syndrome, and they are expecting to get a travel date any day--which means they will travel in 2-4 weeks. They have a substantial grant, but they are also adopting two--and that just costs more. If you donate to their Reeces Rainbow FSP, that counts as an entry in the giveaway! See the main giveaway page.

My giveaway partner Jennifer Doloski will be drawing names through random.org sometime soon after the 25th. Please give her some time to pull it together (I will be away! see next post!), but she will post the list of winners here on the blog.

Again--Vera, Jennifer and I have been so deeply moved by people's response to this need. May your generosity be rewarded in this life and the next! Thank you!

And now I understand the Bible like I never have before.

Wed, 09 May 2012 02:52:00 +0000

From the rounds at facebook.

Please remember to "social media share" and, if led and you have a dime, donate to the great big whopping especially for Catholic book lovers giveaway for Harper, so she can get home asap to her family and receive the medical treatment she needs. Spreading the word is important, please don't knock the value of clicking a button! Many thanks!

There's a reason for choir robes, even with the kids' choir

Thu, 03 May 2012 12:13:00 +0000

From facebook.

***

Also, the great big giveaway for Harper is still going strong! Please help us by sharing this post with others and (if led and able)--make a donation yourself! Let's get this little girl the family and medical care she needs!

The great big giveaway for a new life for Harper! UPDATED again!

Mon, 30 Apr 2012 11:57:00 +0000

May 20 PM UPDATE: Since the adoption grant for Vera's family is within a hair's breath of being fully funded (THANK YOU) with Vera's blessing we are adding another family to the mix. Rebecca and Mark Jenks are adopting two infants with DS, and while their grant is sizable, more money is required to adopt two children. They are also traveling really really soon--probably within the month. So if you are late to this giveaway, we encourage you to donate EITHER to the Cooper grant for Harper (at end of post) or the Jenks' grant for Sydney and Lucien (follow the link). Your choice. You get entries (if you email me or comment at the end of this post) either way!

ONE REQUEST: whether you are contacting me through the comments or email, please give me your full name and your email address! I have quite a few first name entries, no email. Also a couple of email addys, no name. Hope we don't have two "Tyler"s contribute, for example.... Otherwise, carry on, spread the word, and God bless!

Oh, this is going to be so much fun. But first, you need to read this!

Many of you know my husband and I are adopting a little boy through Reece’s Rainbow, a Christian ministry that advocates for the international adoption of kids with special needs. We anticipate completing that adoption within the next month or two. In the meantime, we’ve been going through a bureaucratic ropes course (so to speak) to move forward on this. Alex is totally worth it, but I admit, it has been grueling. Kind of like doing five years of taxes with PMS while in line at the DMV.

I met Vera (her website) through the support group for those adopting from our hoped-for son’s home country in Eastern Europe (we can’t name the country online, sorry!). Vera and her husband Joey were trying to adopt another little boy, same age…but towards the end of their paper trail, found out the child was suddenly not be available for international adoption after all. After a few months of trying to find clarity on what was a complicated family court situation in his country, they were advised to give up hope on adopting this particular child they had loved and prayed for. Not knowing what else to do, they grieved, and just tread water for a few weeks.

But that desire to adopt, that sense someone was out there and meant to be in their family, caused them to look again. And they saw 4 ½ yr old pig-tailed Harper (not her real name).

This darling girl needs something to smile about, I say.

...and knew. She’s the one. They made quick inquiries—truly? She’s available when she’s 5? Actually, they were told, she’s available NOW. Because she has HIV and HepC…two diagnoses that are manageable on their own, but together, require very savvy medical care to keep in check. (If you wonder how safe it is to adopt a child with HIV, check here. Very safe!) Because of the coinfection, they’ve been told Harper is a sick little girl and needs better medical care asap. Vera and family are almost entirely ready to go paper-wise--the dossier is being sent this week--and they have paid thousands out of pocket for nearly all costs to this point. But they had expected to have a few months to fundraise and gather resources for travel and facilitation fees. To get Harper the medical care she needs as quickly as possible, they need to raise about $15,500 in...two months.

Like most families adopting kids with special needs, the problem is not really how to afford to care for the kids once home: decent medical insurance helps a lot with this, and there are federal rules for what people need to earn to be able to adopt. People who choose this kind of adoption think it to death, trust me! Vera and family are ready to love Harper and provide good care for her. But the costs of international adoption—well, no one I know has that kind of money lying around. We are able to complete our adoption through the incredible generosity of friends and family. Look, God can do this. But He needs His people’s help. Another woman who has just adopted through RR (Jennifer Doloski) and I schemed to run a fundraising giveaway for Harper. Everyone, the situation is serious, but this part of it is going to be fun—as it should be, because we all get to be part of saving a little girl’s life. We’re celebrating, people!

I'm a dead ringer for this woman. Not.

The giveaway concept is simple. Donate money to their family sponsorship fund at the bottom of this post (a fund that Reece’s Rainbow releases for their adoption when they get a travel date), and you get entered in the giveaway pool. More you donate, more entries! See bottom for details. Share this fundraiser on your blog, you get another entry. Share on facebook or twitter, you get yet another entry. See, you don’t even have to contribute money to help! One of the coolest things has been seeing people respond to my pleas for items so quickly and generously. We’ve got 42 items to give away! (Very willing to take more items, esp. giftcards, if you want to donate them...but let me know asap!) We’ll run this giveaway until May 25th.

And as “The Ironic Catholic,” I need you tell you all—Vera is THE Ironic Eastern Rite Catholic! (She’s Ukrainian Catholic.) She has made me laugh hysterically throughout this often trying process. For that alone, I’d give her all the money to get Harper home if I had it. But I don’t…so I do this instead; and maybe it is better this way, more people to pray Harper home. Please, consider spreading the word and donating your coffee money or more this month. All donations are tax-deductible; Reece’s Rainbow is a 501c3 organization.

Now let's have some fun here!

When we assemble the pool and entries, we will draw (through random.org) for these donated items:

Giftcards! ($230 worth total!)

$50 Kohl's giftcard, donated by Pam, sister-in-law of Jennifer Doloski
$50 Tiffany's "gift coin" good for merchandise at a Tiffany's store, donated by Kimberlie Meyer
$25 Barnes and Noble giftcard, donated by Leann Putz
$25 Amazon giftcard, donated by Elizabeth Sullivan
$25 Scentsy giftcard, donated by Bianca Montelaro-Olivier
$25 Subway giftcard, donated by Mary Windley (thanks, Mom!)
$25 Applebees giftcard, donated by Mary Windley
$5 Potbelly (restaurant) giftcard, donated by Stephanie Frey

(Signed!) Book-o-rama!

Julie Davis' Happy Catholic: Glimpses of God in Everyday Life, signed and with an extra quotation for fun, "a favorite that didn't make it in" says Julie. I own a copy, reviewed it on this very website; trust me, it's a fun book, mining funky TV shows, movies, songs, pop and classic novels, and cartoons for surprisingly Christian insights. As others have said, it's inspirational reading for people who hate Chicken Soup for the _$*^%^(_ Soul books. And people who like that will like this better. Julie is way Catholic, but non-Catholics will like this too: it's basically "desperately seeking Christianity" in pop culture. Fun.

Mark Shea's The Work of Mercy: Being the Heart and Hands of Christ, signed.
New! To say Mark is a crisp writer and passionate Catholic is to understate things. I haven't read this, so you'll have to win it, read it, and tell me about it! The book blurb: At the very heart of the Gospel are the Corporal and Spiritual Works of Mercy. Just as Jesus was God "hidden" in the flesh, mercy is the incarnational echo of God's presence in our world. His light shines forth through you and me, powerfully illuminating the dark places and guiding us along the path of sanctification. In The Work of Mercy, we take a good look at these fourteen forms of service to the weak, defenseless, and poor that have been embedded in the Christian tradition from the beginning and learn how each of them must and can be carried out today by God's people. Spiritual and practical, The Work of Mercy helps a 21st Century reader live the ancient teaching of the One who said, "as you did it to one of the least of these my brethren, you did it to me."

Style, Sex, and Substance: Ten Catholic Women Consider the Things That Really Matter, bookplate signed by all 10 authors (Including Simcha Fisher, who is donating this copy....) A typical Amazon review (they are all 5 stars--impressive!): "What a great book for Catholic women. This book really matters - great stories on topics that are important not only to Catholic women, but women everywhere. I think this is a book we should all recommend to friends. Loved it!"

Why Is There A Menorah on the Altar? Jewish Roots of Christian Worship by Meredith Gould, signed. Meredith is another one of those "unique writing voices", and this book is both fun and important. I wish I could write this well, frankly! From one Amazon review: What about Christianity is Jewish besides Jesus? Meredith Gould tells you with wit and depth. The book is excellent -- erudite and charming and breezy (in a good way) all at the same time. And she has constructed a book for today's short attention spans with boxes, lists, etc., without sacrificing fact, history or theology.

Marcel LeJeune's Set Free To Love: Lives Changed By The Theology of the Body, signed. Marcel is a campus minister at the megaministry at Texas A&M (Aggie Catholic, y'all) and popular apologetics speaker. A glowing Amazon review: "This book is truly captivating--you won't be able to put it down. If you haven't experienced the Theology of the Body or you don't see its importance, you must read this book. The stories are life-changing and will cause your heart to yearn for something deeper in your relationships. Perfect book for all people of all ages, married, single, or religious."

Jonathan Potter's House of Words, signed. This is a wonderful book of poetry...one of the poems was recently read on Garrison Keillor's "A Writer's Almanac." A reviewer: "House of Words is an intelligent, heartfelt inquiry into the simple and sublime, into the mysteries of faith and love and whether poems can ease 'the ache of years.'"

Brandon Vogt's The Church and the New Media: Blogging Converts, Online Activists, and Bishops Who Tweet, signed by Brandon. A fun collection of what's happening now in the virtual Church, with questions about there this goes in "The New Evangelization." Five endorsements by cardinals and archbishops! I think that's a record. Even Thomas Aquinas didn't get that kind of love while alive....

Mary DeTurris Poust's Walking Together: Discovering the Catholic Tradition of Spiritual Friendship, signed. One of the book's many glowing reviews is from Fr. James Martin SJ: "This enchanting new book is also an important new book, inviting readers to reflect on an often neglected part of the spiritual life: friendship. Using examples from the scriptures, from the lives of the saints, and from her own life, Mary DeTurris Poust shows us how love is connected to friendship, how charity is connected to companionship, and how loving relationships with one another lead to friendship with God. Helpful, wise, provocative, sensible and always inspirational, this is a book for all Christian disciples, whom Jesus called 'friends.'"

Amy Welborn's Wish You Were Here: Travels Through Loss and Hope, signed. A lot of us remember when Amy (Catholic writer and blogger extraordinaire) posted that her husband Michael Dubruiel had hours before died of a sudden heart attack. This book is the story of the next few months, and not surprisingly, it's wrenching and beautiful. From the illustrious Fr. Robert Barron: Amy Welborn's latest book is a must-read spiritual treasure. It reveals not only the heart-wrenching dynamics of grief but also the odd and wonderful way grace illumines even the thickest darkness. Funny, engagingly written, spiritually profound, Wish You Were Here is a gem."

The Ironic Catholic's Dear Communion of Saints: amusingly apt advice for foolish Christians, signed. Reviews. Sorry if you win this one (blush). Um, moving on....

The Tall Tales of the Tenacious Tomboy by Regina Bradley, signed. "What do you get when you cross a tomboy and the Ozark wilderness?" Regina is adopting from RR herself and wrote these stories for her daughters. I would strongly suggest reading it just for the alliteration of the title....

(OK, non-Catholic friends and contrbutors. I know that was a whole lot of catholic going on--what can I say, I know Catholic authors--but I really think every Christian would like these books. Each book has a connection to the "bigger world" out there. So don't be afraid!)

Fun things!

Five (5!) Interpreting Christian Art apps. Called "art/y/fact.Xn," and reviewed here by Sarah Reinhard. (Just Apple versions...sorry, Android version not available for the giveaway; app creator Eileen says blame Googul for that!) This app is just fun. Helps you go to the museum (or church or book or internet) and interpret Christian art through questions and mini essays, when a goal of deepening meditation through art. People have a real blast with this app, and shhh, its educational too.... Donated by Eileen Daily, theologian, art lover, and now app creator.

Pinback button set: Vote St Catherine of Siena '12, Vote Augustine '12, and I Support The Communion of Saints Ticket "political buttons". (Look, even if you are supporting a specific candidate, you may find these appealing..."Faithful Citizenship approved"...moving on....)

Yummy goodies!

Roshen Chocolates: for the record, these chocolates are made in Harper (and Alex's) home country. People coming from there absolutely mourn the loss of this chocolate like it was their very best friend. It is apparently that phenomenal. Think the best quality swiss chocolate, then a bit better. This batch is donated by Sara Wall...she is trying to get this box pictured and an assortment of Roshen chocolate bars. Don't blame me for your subsequent addiction.

Beautiful things!

Lia Sophia "Fairytale" necklace and earring set (value $90), donated by Jennifer Doloski.

$15 credit toward Wiehl of Faith Jewelry, item(s) shipped free. Winner chooses from selections, which can be seen here. The above blue bead necklace is just an example; Kathy does lots of different and beautiful beadwork, reasonably priced. (p.s. She's selling them to fund her own RR adoption too!) Donated by Kathy Wiehl.

Three handcrafted Italian millefiori glass bead bracelets, win as a set. Donated by Carla Dobrovitz, and made by her talented daughters!

A FRAMED print: Kissing the Face of God, donated by Laura Lewis

8x10 print

The other 8x10 print

Two 8x10 photographic prints, suitable for framing, by Life Through the Looking Glass Photography, donated by Regina Bradley

A baby layette and baby girl outfit, new with tags, 6-9 months old, donated by Elizabeth Sullivan

Lace stitch neckwarmer, handcrafted of Merino wool, donated by Christy McClain Ferguson

Lace stitch scarf, handcrafted of Merino wool, donated by Christy McClain Ferguson

(I love the colors on both of those!)

Thirty-one organizing utility tote in "Circle Spirals" pattern, donated by Lauren Butler Hodges

Handcrafted brown and burnt orange curly scarf, donated by Beth Duffy. Beth says the glass head is not included and she knows it's kind of scary...focus on the cute scarf!

Four sets of Bath and Body Works lotions, scents, and soaps, donated by Amanda Menix Sadler. Each scent group counts as one item to be given away, and bottles are full-sized:

Japanese Cherry Blossom: shower gel, lotion, body spray.
Black Raspberry Vanilla: lotion, shower gel, body cream.
Warm Vanilla Sugar: body cream, lotion, shower gel.
Dark Kiss: body cream, lotion, body spray.

Holy things!

A free handcrafted rosary of your choice from Roses for Mary, my sister in law Becky's Etsy shop. The picture above is an example (yes, she's a relative, but trust me, these are absolutely lovely; look at her store feedback!). If you win you get to choose one from stock on hand, except the listed wedding rosary (sorry!). And guys, they aren't ALL rosey. You could get one too. Or give a rosey one to a woman in your life.

A variety of Holy Cards from Harper's home country, donated by Jennifer Doloski.

All these items will be mailed to the US addresses for free (offered "credits" may include shipping costs though). If you are donating from another country, we ask that you would help the person donating cover international ship costs. We'll give you the person's address and you all can work it out.

*****************************************************

Whew! Ready to help us celebrate?

THE DRILL, once more:
1. Donate. All donations are tax deductible. You can send a check to Reece's Rainbow if you prefer that to paypal.
2. Share on facebook/twitter if you wish
3. Share on your blog if you wish
4. Tell me how much you donated and if you shared. Jennifer and I promise to keep this information in complete confidence. You can tell me in the comments box, please, with email address for contact. (I have comment moderation on so I won't post comment on donated money, I'll just receive it, okay?) OR you can email me ironiccatholic at yahoo dot com ; please put "giveaway" in the subject heading!

Entries key:
One entry for a blog post mention on the giveaway, linking to this post.
One entry for a Facebook or Twitter share on the giveaway, linking to this post.
Donate $1-10 = 1 entry
$11-20 = 2 entries
$21-30 = 3 entries
$31-40 = 4 entries
$41-50 = 5 entries
$51-75 = 8 entries
$76-99 = 12 entries
$100-150 = 18 entries
$151-199 = 25 entries
$200+ = 30 entries and a big virtual hug

You can donate right here!>>>

Or if you prefer, you can donate on the Reece's Rainbow site here (which gives you instruction on sending checks if you prefer that).

The Jenks' family grant is found here, if you prefer to donate for them instead!

We're all done May 25th! Drawing for items will be soon afterward.

God bless you, everyone. Please don't forget the prayers for Harper. And you need to tell me what you donated and if you cyber-shared if you want to be gain entries for the giveaway, because the money is going directly to the family's Reece's Rainbow account, not me! I don't see it, I just see the rising total...I hope....

Peace and all good,
Susan aka IC

Behold the Ark of the Covenant ... Cake

Fri, 27 Apr 2012 13:02:00 +0000

Sometimes, there are no words.

Are those licorice snakes in the sugar dust? Um, nice.

HT: Nerdalicious.

What they don't tell you in pre-Cana

Wed, 25 Apr 2012 12:54:00 +0000

Last Sunday, I was a little stressed. OK, a lot. For reasons not having to do with my family.

Had a brisk and grumpy conversation with my husband on the way home from church. At one point, we're figuring out breakfast prep, and have a conversation about bacon.

We pull into the driveway. I just sit there.

My husband kindly begins rubbing my shoulders. I start to relax.

After a minute, I say "So you knew I was that stressed, huh?"

And he responded, "Well, no. I was just thinking about bacon."

I despise the new Blogger....

Wed, 25 Apr 2012 12:50:00 +0000

It's like they've gone from Catholic fullness to Eckannar.

Carry on. You Wordpress people, be quiet.

Caption Contest #113

Wed, 18 Apr 2012 05:00:00 +0000

Comment away in the midrash box.

WE HAVE A WINNER!
LarryD: Sadly, only 9 disciples saw the risen Lord...

Caption Contest #112

Tue, 17 Apr 2012 03:27:00 +0000

Comment away in the midrash box.

We HAVE A WINNER!
Joe: One of the elders said to me, “Do not weep." Then I saw sitting in the midst of the malted milk eggs a Lamb that seemed to have been slain. He had a chocolate egg with seven stars; these are the spirits of God sent out into the whole world.

(HT to Allen's Brain, from the justly infamous www.CakeWrecks.com.)

A Change Is As Good As A Vacation

Mon, 16 Apr 2012 03:37:00 +0000

Or we can just call the current blog design my visual midlife crisis.

...obviously, a work in progress....

Church Musicians After Holy Week

Tue, 10 Apr 2012 12:53:00 +0000

(from facebook)

There is a reason the Easter Octave is a capella.

From the days of yore: Liturgists, Musicians, Lectors Flood Rehab Post-Easter Masses

Blessed Easter to you

Sun, 08 Apr 2012 12:56:00 +0000

Good Friday

Fri, 06 Apr 2012 12:34:00 +0000

Holy Thursday

Thu, 05 Apr 2012 20:20:00 +0000

A poem for Holy Week

Mon, 02 Apr 2012 03:31:00 +0000

A short poem(yes, I wrote it). Hey, the Korrektiv folks post their own material.
Off the blog this Holy Week. Blessings to everyone.
--Susan Windley-Daoust

based on Mark 14:6

***

In Memory Of Her

“Leave her alone.”

And for the rest of my life, they do.

They are not supposed to look at me, but

sidelong glances and traitorous sounds tell them

I am crying,

and words I want to say are choked, stillborn.

I couldn’t tell them how I knew

unless they, too, saw it was obvious

that he was not meant to stay with us forever.

He seemed to know it that day,

the way he ate so slowly, deliberately,

staring at people, boring into their eyes,

the occasional pause, blink,

seeing something we could, or would, not.

He was with us and not,

and I knew: it was time.

So I rushed to get the jar of spikenard,

my dowry,

and stepped over reclining men,

to his place.

With a pleading glance, I knelt down,

cracked the seal,

and poured out a portion, then the whole, of my hope

on his head, and then his feet.

Kneeling in fragrant mud, I wept

with the knowledge of what I had done:

I have given my future

To this man, who will die.

As that perfume filled the room,

He smiled, touched my chin, lifting it, and addressed me:

…you will not always have me

She has done what she could

anointing my body for burial

Amen, I say to you

wherever the gospel is proclaimed

what she has done will be told….

So I was left alone by men.

No one understood, then;

truth, I barely understood myself.

But in that gift, my center shifted

And I knew

despite his coming death

that I was meant to be alone, for him, somehow.

All that strange sabbath,

after the catastrophe,

I cradled the broken jar,

losing myself

in the tang of lingering scent,

as I hoped.

It's not a face palm, it's a ...

Wed, 28 Mar 2012 13:34:00 +0000

HT to Michael Riecken.

(Miss you all. Very busy.)

Happy belated 6th bloggoversary to me....

Mon, 19 Mar 2012 18:03:00 +0000

Wow, I am getting old. I missed my own birthday! Including the anniversary of getting hit by a mack truck!

Sorry about the low posting lately, you all. I'm chin deep in kenosis and perichoresis and beautiful as it all is, I'm not feeling hysterical posts bubbling up. No doubt something will happen soon.

Happy St. Patrick's Day

Fri, 16 Mar 2012 15:29:00 +0000

See, he IS a saint!

On that note, traveling out of town with kids. Later....

You want to get insulted by Martin Luther?

Mon, 05 Mar 2012 13:41:00 +0000

One must admit the man had a way with words....

The one and only Martin Luther insult generator!

(My favorite: "Your astute minds have been completely turned into stinking mushrooms.")

HT to Neatorama.