Catholic Baby Steps: About Me

My name is Laurie. I am a mom of 7 who loves living and learning with my children. I have been married 30 years to my wonderful husband. Three of my children have started their own families (2 married with children, 1 married January 2011).

At home, we have our 3 wild and wonderful boys and our very talented teen daughter. This blog is a modest effort to show some of our adventures in learning about and discovering the treasures of our Catholic faith.

For our family, this been an incredible (and ongoing) journey. I hope you find something useful or inspiring to help you along yours.

The only picture I have of our whole family. It does include two extra adults and two little ones, but we love them too so it is okay. :)

Update on Family: 4 children now married! And 8 grandchildren!! :) Our three boys are 16, 14, and 11.

Pray for our Children

For the Choice of a Good Spouse

St. Raphael, you were sent by God to guide young
Tobiah in choosing a good and virtuous spouse.
Please help ___in this important choice which
will affect ___ whole future. You not only directed
Tobiah in finding a wife, but you also gave him
guidelines which should be foremost in every
Christian marriage: "Pray together before making
important decisions." If through prayer she/he
keeps God as the "third Partner" in her/his marriage,
she/he will have the strength and grace she/he need
to always accept and do His will. Amen.

Pray 1 Our Father, 1 Hail Mary, 1 Glory be...

A Prayer For Priests

Keep them; I pray Thee, dearest Lord.
Keep them, for they are Thine
The priests whose lives burn out before
Thy consecrated shrine.
Keep them, for they are in the world,
Though from the world apart.
When earthly pleasures tempt, allure -
Shelter them in Thy heart.
Keep them and comfort them in hours
Of loneliness and pain,
When all their life of sacrifice
For souls seems but in vain.
Keep them and remember, Lord,
they have no one but Thee.
Yet, they have only human hearts,
With human frailty.
Keep them as spotless as the Host,
That daily they caress;
Their every thought and word and deed,
Deign, dearest Lord, to bless.

By the late John J Cardinal Carberry