Christmas Giving
November/December 2008 Issue | Posted by Tom and April Hoopes in Editor's Note
April: If you’re like me, you hate the times when you switch the channel to NPR to hear commercial-free news, and hear a plea for money instead.
You might not mind in this case. This editors’ note is one of those times where you tune in and hear about how much money an organization needs. But we won’t... READ MORE
Simple Moments
November/December 2008 Issue | Posted by Robyn Lee in Homework
Junior Hostess
My 7-year-old daughter, Angelina, created this Santa appetizer all on her own. She used vegetables to create an edible Santa vegetable platter. This is a great way to engage the kids in holiday food preparation.
Laura DiNorcia
Evergreen, Colorado
Advent Planner
A few years ago I purchased... READ MORE
the Home front
November/December 2008 Issue | Posted by Danielle Bean in Home Front
NUTRITION by Danielle
8 Ways to Avoid Holiday Weight Gain
Party Plan
Attending a Christmas party doesn’t have to blow your goal of healthy eating. Here’s a plan:
• Eat first. To avoid overeating, have a high-protein, low-sugar snack like nuts, whole grain crackers, or low fat yogurt to satisfy your... READ MORE
What ‘Men of Good Will’?
November/December 2008 Issue | Posted by Rebecca Teti in Faith&Culture
The angels sang peace on earth to men of good will, but what is good will?
This summer, new evidence proved definitively that JonBenet Ramsey’s parents had nothing to do with her assault and murder. The truth eventually will come out, but in this case not before the grieving mother had gone to her... READ MORE
Christmas Memory Quiz
November/December 2008 Issue | Posted by Tom and April Hoopes in Mind Games
MEN: What was the Christmas gift from your childhood that you most cherish?
A. Rock’em Sock’em Robots (or that Firebird Trans-Am model), because it was the hippest thing that year.
B. Deluxe Electronic Erector Set (or Pong game), because it was expensive, regardless of the use I got out of it.
C.... READ MORE
Party Planners
November/December 2008 Issue | Posted by Robyn Lee in Party Planners
There’s No Place Like Home
Occasion: Lucy’s fourth birthday
Party Planner: Jessica Allen
Theme: Wizard of Oz party
Guests: “All who were invited were instructed to wear red shoes to the party. These ranged from my grandma’s red Keds, to my cousin’s patent leather shoes from her prom, to many varieties... READ MORE
Ready Your House and Hearts
November/December 2008 Issue | Posted by Robyn Lee in Insider
1. Bending Near the Earth
Layered-wood angel watches the Nativity scene from above. Angel can be displayed as one piece or separated into three pieces. 8 inches high. $24.95, from CatholicSupply.com or (314) 644-0643.
2. Glory Given
Stained-glass ornaments shine with a mini-bulb from your Christmas... READ MORE
When ‘Home for the Holidays” Never Ends
November/December 2008 Issue | Posted by Wayne Laugesen in Marriage
im came home to visit her parents for the Christmas holiday. She hugged her mother Shirley and her father, Deacon Dan. She looked at her brother, with whom she had always been close.
“Hey, Boomer,” Kim said. “How’s the basement these days?”
She had been home all of one minute and the tension was thick.... READ MORE
Simply Joyous
November/December 2008 Issue | Posted by Daria Sockey in Features
Between soaring food and fuel prices, many of us might find our Christmas budgets tighter than usual this year. But is that any reason to stint ourselves (and our children) on Christmas joy? Heaven forbid!
We’ve talked to several expert economists — Catholic moms dealing with a single family income... READ MORE
Debt is the Real Grinch
November/December 2008 Issue | Posted by Melissa Hartog in Features
By Phil Lenahan
ipersonally have never felt the “holiday blues.” But I know many, many people who have celebrated a beautiful Christmas — only to get the bills blues in January.
I will always remember a young couple who once participated in my 7 Steps to Becoming Financially Free small group study.... READ MORE
How the Boy Found Christmas
November/December 2008 Issue | Posted by Melissa Hartog in Features
By Tom Hoopes
The Miracle of Saint Nicholas is one of those books that aligns all the stars of Christmas for me, and drives the whole Catholic experience home in a way little else can.
You see, there are Christmases and then there are Christmases.
First, there’s Dec. 25. That’s when the Church —... READ MORE
The Year Ends
November/December 2008 Issue | Posted by Daria Sockey in Season
“Year’s end is neither an end nor a beginning, but going on, with all the wisdom that experience can instill in us.”
— Hal Borland
Feasts, Traditions … and Fun
Nov.
More Faith and Family Days in November
2 All Souls
Visit your loved ones who passed away.
23 Christ the King
Say a prayer to Christ... READ MORE
By the Book
November/December 2008 Issue | Posted by Melissa Hartog in Features
Canonist Dominican Father Juan-Diego Brunetta answers questions about official Church practice. He is the director of Catholic Information Services for the Knights of Columbus. Homework — Send your question. Contact information, page 6.
QUESTION:
On prayer for the dead
When I list names of people... READ MORE
In the Bleak Midwinter
November/December 2008 Issue | Posted by Tom and April Hoopes in Features
In the bleak midwinter
Frosty wind made moan,
Earth stood hard as iron,
Water like a stone;
Snow had fallen,
Snow on snow,
Snow on snow,
In the bleak midwinter,
Long ago.
Our God, heaven cannot hold him,
Nor earth sustain;
Heaven and earth shall flee away
When he comes to reign;
In the bleak midwinter... READ MORE
Bringing Faith to Film
November/December 2008 Issue | Posted by Joseph Pronechen in Everyday Apostles
Digitally Pro-Life
Matthew Connors, age 19
No one knew better than Pope John Paul II the importance of using the media to proclaim the Gospel. It’s a lesson some young people are absorbing and answering.
“I always wanted to tell stories through film,” says 19-year-old college sophomore Matthew Connors.... READ MORE
CONNECTED
November/December 2008 Issue | Posted by Rachel Balducci in Features
I was blogging long before Danielle Bean invited me to join her and the other bloggers at this magazine’s FaithandFamilyLIVE.com site.
Four years ago, I sat down at my computer and started a blog. At the time, I had four boys — ages 2, 4, 6, and 8 — and was feeling a bit weary. My point, I decided,... READ MORE
Filming Grace
November/December 2008 Issue | Posted by Melissa Hartog in Features
By Simcha Fisher
Aaron Wiederspahn is a man who follows through.
The 36-year-old writer and director of the independent film The Sensation of Sight has chosen a difficult road for his fledgling production company, either/or films: He wants to bring his characters — and thus the audience — to an inescapable... READ MORE
SIMPLY Wonderful
November/December 2008 Issue | Posted by Melissa Hartog in What's Cooking
By Kate Wicker
If humanity might never see peace on earth, or in a mother’s kitchen, this time of year, fear not. We’re here to help. Before the crowds start flocking to your door, read here for entertainment ideas and an assortment of quick, easy, and impressive recipes that are sure to be crowd pleasers... READ MORE
The Dollar Store SANTA
November/December 2008 Issue | Posted by Susie Lloyd in Back Porch
It was all there in a plastic, pastel paradise at the discount store, my one-stop Christmas shop. A Belle head with accessories for hairdressing, a set of Disney Princesses Mega Bloks, and a mystery pet that hatches from an egg. None of it was over 10 bucks.
So what was stopping me? In a word — yuck.... READ MORE
Alimony Payback Time
November/December 2008 Issue | Posted by Father Richard Gill, LC in Spirituality
Question
My daughter has been divorced for five years. She left her husband because he took up with another woman, to whom he is now married. He has been paying child support for their three children regularly. The divorce was very bitter and the children suffered a lot. One day he contacted her and... READ MORE
Bonus Room
November/December 2008 Issue | Posted by Lynn Wehner in Bonus Room
“I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord” (Luke 2:10-11).
Joy is one of the 12 fruits of the Spirit — “perfections that the Holy Spirit forms in us as the first fruits of eternal glory” (Catechism... READ MORE
40 Gifts Under $40
November/December 2008 Issue | Posted by Lori Hadacek Chaplin in Features
Fabulous Christmas Gifts on a Budget
Faith & Family wants you to have your most relaxing Advent ever — to spend more time with family and preparing for the Christ Child’s coming — not fighting the crowds at the mall. We’ve found 40 fabulous gifts to please everyone on your list.
In this year’s guide,... READ MORE
Entertainment November/December 2008
November/December 2008 Issue | Posted by Robyn Lee in Entertainment
Awaken the Thrill
Gifts for everyone in your family.
LittleOnes (ages 0-7)
by Tim Drake
The Family That Plays Together …
This delightful book, written by Anne Fredrickson, tells the story of her father-in-law’s family of 18 children, 12 of whom formed an all-brother baseball team in the 1920s that... READ MORE
