“Catholic parents must learn to form their family as a “domestic church,” a church in the home as it were, where God is honored, his law is respected, prayer is a normal event, virtue is transmitted by word and example, and everyone shares the hopes, the problems and sufferings of everyone else. All this is not to advocate a return to some outdated style of living: It is to return to the roots of human development and human happiness!”
– Pope John Paul II
Review and Thoughts
I am blessed to have a wonderful mother who through the course of my life has kept Christ the center of our lives and our family. The rotating calendar of our church was reflected in our lives at home. We were sure to celebrate Lent and Advent, we celebrated mass each Sunday and on Holy Days. My parents both helped us grown in our personal relationships with Jesus by giving us opportunities to pray alone, with the family, and with them. And most of all, my parents made huge sacrifices to make sure we attended Catholic schools where we learned our subjects through Catholic eyes. I had a childhood blessed by God and I understand what a domestic church can look like.
“Let us remember that love lives through sacrifice and is nourished by giving. Without sacrifice, there is no love.” – St. Maximilian Kolbe
Reading Level
AR4.2 [0.5 points]
Interest Level
Grades 1-3
Review and Comments
The Legend of the
Bluebonnet is definitely my favorite Tomie dePaola book. This beautiful story shows how the selfless
giving of an ordinary, little Comanche girl accomplishes something quite extraordinary
and saves her people.
The Comanche people, especially the young and old, are
suffering greatly during what seems like an endless drought. They pray to the Great Spirits and ask what
they must do to end this devastating trial.
The shaman also prays to the Great Spirits, and when he returns from his
private prayer time, he tells them the drought is a result of their selfishness.
They must sacrifice their most valued possessions as an offering, and then
spread the ashes to the points of the earth.
If they do this, the drought and famine will end. The People are relieved they have an
answer. They acknowledge their most
prized possessions and talk about why each article is special, but in the end each
person decides that the Great Spirits surely isn’t asking forhis
or her particular item.
“God desires from you the least degree of purity of conscience more than all the works you can perform.” –St. John of the Cross
Interest Level
3-6 years
Review and Comments
Reviewing Good
Pictures Bad Pictures was challenging because of the subject matter. The message is meant to introduce children to
a “safe and healthy media experience.” I
feel the book handles this very serious topic with simple honesty and an
effective, valuable plan. We want our children to be safe especially in today’s
world, but this grandma’s heart is ever so sad and troubled that very young children
must be armed against such an evil reality.
“You have taught me, O God, from my youth, and till the present I proclaim your wondrous deeds. And now that I am old and grey, O God, forsake me not, till I proclaim your strength to every generation that is to come.” – Psalm 71:17-18
Reading Level
3.4 AR [0.5
points]
Grade 3
Interest Level
Pre-K –
Grade 2
Review and Comments
Nana Upstairs and Nana Downstairs is a true story based on Tomie dePaola’s early life. His close relationship with his grandmothers is very touching. Besides the obvious love Tommy has for his grandmothers, he also experiences the sad reality of grief from their deaths, which may be difficult for sensitive children. During his healing however, he begins to understand that the love of his grandmothers is never lost or forgotten. It will always be a cherished memory in his heart.
“IfJesus didn’t expect perfection from His people and if he accepted them for who they were, warts and all, perhaps I should dial down my own expectations for my family. Jesus chose to hang out with the likes of Peter and Judas on the evening before He saved the world from sin. He invited them to be part of his salvific plan, so why do I worry so much about my own family’s idiosyncrasies? Jesus handpicked a handful of very imperfect people who messed up a lot, just like I do and just like my family does.”–Colleen Duggan
Review and Comments
What a blessing this book was! I have to tell you, it was perfect timing for this mom filled with all kinds of emotions in this season of my life. I seem to constantly stress over a constantly messy house and piles of laundry. I worry about my first child who is entering kindergarten next year and thus begins to spend more time away from my protective grasp. I continually look at the divisiveness of the world and wonder where my children will end up as adults. Luckily, Colleen Duggan has offered me so much consolation in her book and reminded me of what is really important when raising children: that I do my best to bring them to God, and allow Him to do the rest. Continue reading Peace for a Mother’s Mind: A Review of ‘Good Enough is Good Enough: Confessions of an Imperfect Catholic Mom’→
“Love is shown by little things, by attention to small daily signs which make us feel at home. Faith grows when it is lived and shaped by love. That is why our families, our homes, are true domestic churches. They are the right place for faith to become life, and life to grow in faith.”–Pope Francis
Review and Comments
This is the second book I have read by Greg and Lisa Popcak and I am once again in love! After spending so much time reading parenting advice from every online article and opinion piece someone writes on their blog, I have found something I can get behind and learn from.
The Popcaks begin with a lot of statistics and research that indicate the difference between parenting and “Catholic” parenting to help lay the foundation for why we should listen to their advice. They explain the difference between punishment and discipline and the effect that can have on children (and there is a difference!). It provides numerous examples of children who were raised through “punishment” and how, as adults, they became great rule-followers, but not empathetic caring people. These people often followed the rules to their own detriment and the detriment of others. After reading this intro, though it was very long, I was convinced that they had done their research and were going to give some great advice. Continue reading Building a True Domestic Church: A Review of ‘Parenting with Grace: The Catholic Parents’ Guide to Raising Almost Perfect Children’→
