Category Archives: Catholic Living

Wonder & Whimsy: Now I know where “Ask Jeeves” comes from!

Now and then I like to share the helpful, enjoyable, and inspirational things that I have come across lately. Perhaps some of these might be just the thing you were looking for…

#1 — Quote from St. John of the Cross — Mind your own business!

From time to time I use my Small Steps for Catholic Moms devotional that someone told me about when we first came into the church. It is full of inspirational quotes, and I stumbled on a great piece of advice by St. John of the Cross earlier this week:

“Take care not to meddle in things which do not concern you, nor even allow them to pass through your mind; for perhaps you will not then be able to fulfill your own task.”

Ouch. Yes. Got it. Eyes on my own paper.

#2 — RB Digital app

Libraries are offering more and more digital options, which is so helpful. Our library system now uses RB Digital for some magazines and audiobooks. Previously, I was only aware of the Overdrive app for checking out digital content through the library. What’s nice is that RB Digital has some content that Overdrive does not. You use the RB Digital app (just like the Overdrive app) on your smart phone or tablet, and it links to your library account. Now I have another free option to check before going to Audible for my audiobooks.

#3 — Baking soda and white vinegar

No, I’m not eating it — it’s a very effective blood stain remover which my friend just told me about today. And we need one of those! My boys get a lot of bloody noses (sometimes because of dry winter weather and other times because of toddler fist fights), and my carpets and upholstery suffers. You sprinkle the baking soda on, pour a little white vinegar on top, let sit for a minute and fizz, and then dab up with a rag. It was kinda like magic. Previously I have used Oxi Max spray, but it’s great to have a non-toxic option!

#4 —  P. G. Wodehouse

I just started listening (through the Overdrive library app) to the audiobook of “My Man Jeeves” by P. G. Wodehouse. Delightful! It’s just the thing to fold laundry by — so light-hearted and funny. The narrator is absolutely spot on. This volume is the first in a series about Bertie Wooster and his butler/valet Jeeves, who has exactly the right answer for any predicament. Now I know why the website is call Ask Jeeves!

Do you have any favorite finds to pass on to me? Post them in the comments, please!

 

Copyright 2018 Jessica Ptomey

“Pray For Us!” Printables

Over the course of last year I posted “Pray For Us!” pictures on Instagram throughout the year on various saints’ feast or memorial days. They invoke the saint’s intercession and have an inspiring quote (usually by that saint) on them. Here are a couple of samples:

 

I have collected about a dozen or so of these in a PDF, and I am sharing it with you! Just subscribe to the form below to access the PDF. You may want to share the pictures on social media or print these for use in your domestic church. Hopefully you can use these throughout the year to help celebrate the liturgical year!

 

Copyright 2018 Jessica Ptomey

3 Possible Advents, 3 Prayers

It is the second Sunday of Advent, and we light the “Bethlehem Candle” of faith today, or the candle of “preparation.” Advent is really all about preparing to give birth to, and sustain, new life – to allow the Holy Spirit to do a new work in our hearts and our walk with the Lord. That is why the rhythm of the Church doesn’t start with Christmas. Our hearts cannot welcome the birth of Christ without preparation. Part of that preparation is a realization of the long groaning of all of creation throughout the centuries of salvation history.

But another important part of Advent is to recognize what Christ still means to fulfill in our individual lives. We are still waiting for the complete fulfillment of the promise of that covenant relationship made so long ago to make all things new and for our Father to fully restore us to himself. The Advent of our King was not a one-time event. It is a once-for-all-time event. Which means that his coming in our lives – and the new life he births in us because of his birth – is reoccurring – daily, weekly, monthly, yearly.

So the question that I have for you in the middle of your Advent season is this: What is it that Christ wants to give birth to in your life this Advent? What is he preparing you for, and how is he preparing you to walk more closely with him?

I want to use a pregnancy analogy (since I’m currently 34 weeks pregnant), to help describe three possible seasons of Advent that may be happening in your heart right now. Think first of the woman whose pregnancy and expectation of a new life is filled with nothing but joy. Everything about it is wonderful and exciting. My first pregnancy was like this. It’s a happy time…not without its overwhelming moments of how life will change…but you are preparing for this new birth with a welcoming joy.

In the spiritual life, these are the easiest and best Advent seasons, aren’t they? Preparing for what God is about to do, for the unique way that he appears to be coming in your life, is full of joy. During this time God may be giving birth to lots of exciting new things and wonderful insights. It might be a time of blessing, and you are probably being called to bless others through that blessing. This may be a time when you are experiencing a lot of spiritual consolations too. These are good times in the spiritual life. But these are not always the only seasons of Advent that God has for us. Continue reading →