Truth be told, there is nothing I’d rather receive for a gift than a book. Jewelry, nope. Clothing, nope. Perfume, nope, not for me. But books? Bring ’em on! I am a book-oholic for sure, as I can’t resist buying one with an intriguing title or one where I just heard the author on the radio or one a trusted source recommends. So suffice it to say I have stacks!

For the last year or so, I just can’t seem to quench my thirst for Catholic books, and I’ve read quite a few over that period. Here are a few that I’d recommend as gifts for the newbie Catholic OR the cradle Catholic — a good book is a good book.

“Rediscover Catholicism” by Matthew Kelly – This is perfect for an RCIA candidate, someone new to Catholicism, someone who’s fallen away from the faith or someone who just wants an easy-to-understand refresher about the holy Catholic church. This book helped sell me on becoming Catholic. Kelly made sense of all the things that, to me, seemed outdated and illogical: fasting, going to mass EVERY week, penances and more. It is a simple read that can make a big difference in a person’s life. You can get FREE copies at www.dynamiccatholic.com

“God’s Bucket List” by Teresa Tomeo – Listening to Teresa Tomeo, who hosts a national radio show on Catholic Radio every morning, is one of the favorite parts of my day. She is fun to listen to — you feel just like you’re chatting with your girlfriend — and she gives a Catholic perspective on the news of the day, as well as interviews all sorts of authors and experts in Catholicism. She’s helped me make sense of my new faith on many an occasion. In her characteristic personable style, she’s written a new book all about discerning God’s plans for you. A play on the pop culture phrase “bucket list,” she encourages readers to follow God’s bucket list for their lives instead of their own and gives you step by step instructions to start making that shift. A fun and insightful read.

“Imitating Mary: Ten Marian Virtues for the Modern Mom” by Marge Fenelon – This book is a wonderful study of Mary for moms. Fenelon walks you through all the key stories in the Bible that mention Mary, encouraging you to imagine how she must have felt. She then points out her most blessed virtues in the face of much surprise and sadness and shows us how we can embrace those virtues as moms with action steps for each chapter. Every Catholic mom should read!

“The Holy Land: An Armchair Pilgrimage” by Father Mitch Pacwa, S.J. – I also love listening to Father Mitch on Catholic Radio when takes questions about Catholicism on shows like Open Forum. He was the first one who made sense of purgatory and redemptive suffering for me! He explains things so simply and clearly, and in this new book, he helps you understand the geographical setting of the Bible in order to better understand the scriptures. It’s a lovely book, which literally takes you step by step through all the key sites in the Holy Land, offering insight, prayers, meditations and scripture readings. This is a good gift for any Catholic, or especially those who are are tough to buy for.

“The Story of a Soul” by St. Therese of Lisieux – Learn from this beautiful little saint how you can turn all the “little” things in your life into gifts to God. She shows you that God doesn’t always require big actions and that the simplest acts of denial and sacrifice can benefit other souls when offered up to God. She is my confirmation saint and I love her dearly :).

“These Beautiful Bones” by Emily Stimpson – This book is one of the best written books I’ve come across — she truly turns words into a work of art. I’d recommend it for those interested in theology or who want to deepen their Catholicism. It may prove to be a tough read for a newbie unless they’ve dived headfirst into theology. I loved this book, though. She shows you how to use the body God has given us for His glory in everything we do from cooking and cleaning to how we dress and more. It’s full of quote after quote. If you’re looking for a truly lyrical read about Catholicism, this is it!

These are some of my favorites from the past year that I think others would enjoy. Get them for yourself or for others for Christmas or as books to read in the New Year. Happy reading!

I know this is a question I hear from my kids all the time. They want to think heaven is that beautiful spot in the clouds where the streams of sunlight originate as they shine through the clouds :). Here’s a great explanation from the YouCat (Youth Catechism):

If the Father is “in heaven”, where is that heaven?

Heaven is wherever God is. The word “heaven” does not designate a place but, rather, indicates God’s presence, which is not bound by space and time.

We should not look for heaven above the clouds. Wherever we turn to God in his glory and to our neighbor in his need; wherever we experience the joys of love; whenever we convert and allow ourselves to be reconciled with God, heaven opens there. “Not that God is where heaven is, but rather heaven is where God is” (Gerhard Ebeling). (YOUCAT question 518)

Even just six short months ago, I would have seen the title to this blog and probably run screaming :). I distinctly remember laughing and rolling my eyes about a ride in the car with someone who listened to “Jesus music” even after I had begun my entrance into the Catholic church. My how we should never say never! I can’t tell you the number of times I’ve had to eat my words and ended up doing things I never could have imagined.

So what caused me to take an interest in Christian music? A book I was reading, “Ordinary Lives, Extraordinary Mission,” a guide to becoming the saint you were meant to be, introduced the idea of being aware of what we surround ourselves with. What TV shows do we watch? What music do we listen to? Who are our friends? All of these choices can help us or harm us. The author, John Wood, shared how he switched to Christian radio, specifically K-LOVE, which is available in most major markets, for his family. That stuck in my mind for some reason because it was such a specific suggestion.

Doesn’t every one feel like if they hear the same song on the radio ONE more time, they just can’t stand it? I was having moments like that where I was sick of all the overplayed songs and ready for something new. Plus, I was becoming more aware of some of the lyrics and how I did not want my young boys to hear inappropriate language and innuendos, which are so common in Top 40 music.

I’d already started listening to Catholic Radio (talk radio), but I found that playing it with my boys in the car was sometimes challenging. Abortion is mentioned quite often, and it’s not a topic I’ve figured out how to address with them yet. Sometimes the conversations even get graphic and I just don’t want them exposed to that. Plus, they find it quite boring 🙂 and I’d rather they have something pleasant to fill their ears and make them happy.

SO, I thought… maybe I’ll give this K-LOVE a try… I scanned the radio and found what I thought was it and decided just to listen to the music for a bit and see what I thought. I’d listen for 5-10 minutes here and 5-10 minutes there until I started to get to know the songs. I found I REALLY liked them. It didn’t take me more than a week or two before I knew enough of the songs that it felt familiar and comfortable. Well, I’ve never really turned it off, except to switch back and forth to Catholic Radio.

The songs and the conversations are so uplifting and inspiring and truly give you a boost if you’re having a challenging morning. When you listen to the lyrics, just like when reading scripture or Catholic books, you’ll find messages that you need to hear RIGHT THEN. Plus, there are NO commercials, which is so lovely. Occasionally, I will switch over to Radio Disney, because I feel like they are the least likely to have offensive lyrics, but I’m still hearing the songs I was sick of several months ago and switch back pretty quickly.

I never even mentioned this switch to my kids and they’ve never made any comment or acted like they noticed. Suddenly their lives are just filled with positive songs, and a couple of times, they’ve even said “I like this song!”

Here are my tips for making the switch:

1) Just try it.

2) Promise yourself to listen just for 5 minutes a day for the next week.

3) At the end of the week, if you haven’t found a song or two you like, I’ll be very surprised! The music is really good and reminds me of singer-songwriter type music, which is very soulful, pure and lets the singer’s voice truly shine.

Take the Christian Radio challenge and tweet about it using hashtag: #SwitchtoChristianRadio. I can’t wait to hear what you think! Anyone else made the switch? How has it changed your life?

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In Teresa Tomeo’s new book, “God’s Bucket List,” she challenges us to forget our own to-do lists and consider what God would put on our bucket list. Essentially, she’s invoking the age-old idea of getting out of your own way and turning your life over to God. In a recent interview, she put it this way: “If God’s your co-pilot, you’d better changes seats! He should be the pilot!”

That’s certainly a path I’ve been on over the last year or two. So I wanted to stop and ponder each of the items that Teresa considers are likely on God’s Bucket List for most and see how I’m doing. No. 1 on the list? Live with stillness. She quotes from scripture, “Be still and know that I am God.” — Psalm 46:10.

I have always sought stillness and solitude in my life. I’ve never been much for noise and loudness. Since childhood, I was the quiet person — the one you could find curled up in a chair with a good book rather than out at the neighborhood party.

Growing up and into my 20’s I could find that quiet and silence when I needed it without any demands on my time except my early jobs and my boyfriend, now husband. I explored yoga and meditation and ventured down the new age path of philosophies and communion with God.

When I had my kids, my silence pretty much got flushed down the toilet! And that was a huge challenge for me — and still is. My kiddos, both boys, pretty much make noise constantly whether actual words or just “noise” and silliness. My youngest is quite the talker and since he was a baby was literally always “saying” something.

So stillness is how God “hooked” me into the Catholic church. He called me there and I went, and after I experienced the peace and solitude, I kept coming back for more and more.

I was truly surprised at how much emphasis the Catholic church puts on meditation, reflection and silence in the presence of God. It reminded me a lot of my new age experiences. I love meditation, which I had already honed in my yoga and other practices, but with the focus on Jesus and in the presence of the Eucharist, it reaches its true fulfillment. Once you truly learn how to let go of the world around you, the joy and peace that wells up inside during meditation is unmatchable.

So now I try to attend daily mass whenever I can, spend time in the Blessed Sacrament as often as possible, pray multiple times daily and do spiritual reading at home. When my body is screaming for quiet, these activities refill my tank, so I can be  noisy with my family without pulling my hair out. 🙂

“He leads me beside still waters. He restores my soul.” — Psalm 23:2, one of my favorite verses.

If you can be still, this is where you will “hear” God. I have been called to do many things during the still times of my life that I would have missed had I not taken the time to slow down and listen.

How are you doing with bucket list item No. 1? Please share!

No 2 on Teresa’s bucket list: Live your passion. Stay tuned…