The Importance of Holy Water

Faith and Family Live! | Posted by Rachel Balducci in Family on Wednesday, July 18, 2012

When we were in Rome last month, we came across this powerful sculpture in the church of St. Paul Outside the Walls. It’s actually a holy water font with a small child happily going along his way while a clearly agitated and pained demon (maybe it’s Satan himself) writhes in agony right next to the child. The power of the holy water is so tremendous it keeps the child safe, just like that.

We marveled... READ MORE

Train Up A Child

Faith and Family Live! | Posted by Rachel Balducci in Family on Tuesday, July 17, 2012

“Train up a child in the way he should go and when he is old he will not depart from it.”

That Proverb is one I learned as a girl and wrote it just now from memory (but I had to look up the verse, Proverbs 22:6). My parents had a book of Proverbs and we learned a new verse each week. I bet we hemmed and hawed about having to memorize these short lines. I don’t remember complaining but I just can’t... READ MORE

Cart Blank

Faith and Family Live! | Posted by Rachel Balducci in Family on Friday, July 06, 2012

Is it better to grocery shop on a full stomach or on an empty stomach?

This is what I’ve been asking myself lately as I open the refrigerator to find piles of food staring back at me.

Last week, when I did my big monthly trip to Costo, I was starving. I hadn’t eaten all day and it was after lunch. I snacked my way through the aisles, accepting every food sample the store workers offered—so lunch ended... READ MORE

Story of a Miracle

Faith and Family Live! | Posted by Rachel Balducci in Family on Tuesday, July 03, 2012

Last week, Pope Benedict helped move forward the sainthood cause of Archbishop Fulton J. Sheen by recognizing his heroic virtue. The next step, according to Catholic News Services, will be to determine that a miracle has occurred through his intercession.

The miracle under review is that of a newborn baby who was dead for over an hour before his heart started beating. His parents, who had already named their son after the Archbishop, asked for his intercession.

Read the incredible story here. I was blown away. Miracles do still happen. We know that, but it’s always nice to be reminded.

Something Beautiful for God

Features | Posted by Rachel Balducci in Family on Sunday, July 01, 2012

When I was growing up, my friend Susie was the only person I knew who said a daily rosary. I knew lots of people who said the rosary of course, but no one else came from a family that said it every single day. Seven p.m. sharp. No matter what.

Many a summer evening, I would run across the street to meet up with Susie only to be invited by her dad to stay for the rosary and then we could head out to... READ MORE

Independent Woman

Faith and Family Live! | Posted by Rachel Balducci in Family on Friday, June 29, 2012

Thanks so much to Hallie who shared this story of the car-less mother who totes her six children around by way of bicycle. How fun!

Lately I’ve been thinking about adventures with my kids, what kinds of things I’m willing to do on my own with them versus waiting for my husband. Summertime often prompts these ruminations. I want to go off and have fun, to take them places and try new things. But…I... READ MORE

Favorite Flicks

Faith and Family Live! | Posted by Rachel Balducci in Family on Thursday, June 28, 2012

(First off, I feel like any post today not discussing the ACA mandate is superfluous, so understand that I am aware this topic is silly in light of what is going on in our country today.)

Rebecca’s post on beloved (and not so beloved) books got me thinking about favorite films, the ones we can watch over and over. They might not be Classics, but they’re classic to you—those movies that you will watch... READ MORE

Ancient Parenting

Faith and Family Live! | Posted by Rachel Balducci in Family on Thursday, June 21, 2012

My husband and I just returned from ten days in Italy, and while we were visiting the Vatican Museum I saw this statue. Don’t you love it?

I wonder if there were any debates back then about nursing in public and covering up? I’m thinking not. At one church there was a painting with a priest saying mass and a woman seated in front of him nursing her baby. Beautiful!

Caring for our babies is something... READ MORE

What Not To Say

Faith and Family Live! | Posted by Rachel Balducci in Family on Tuesday, June 19, 2012

Here’s a great article written by a woman battling breast cancer, who lists the things better left unsaid to someone in her situation. It’s quite helpful really, and worth the read.

Likewise, some very dear friends of mine lost their father suddenly last week. When I was talking to them recently about what is the most (and least) helpful comments people make, they agreed that just telling someone... READ MORE

Good Christian Music

Faith and Family Live! | Posted by Rachel Balducci in Family on Wednesday, June 06, 2012

If you’re on the hunt for some good contemporary Catholic music, check out this site that has a lot going on. According to the site:

Offering the latest releases by both big-name artists and emerging new talents, spiritandsong.com is THE place for contemporary Catholic music. Link and listen online anytime with streaming audio, download songs, and get updates on new releases through our newsletter.... READ MORE

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