Seal of Approval
The following books have been awarded the Seal of Approval for the 4th quarter of 2023:
- Joseph: Little Saint Stories by Cassie Herrington
- Helmet of Salvation by Theresa Linden
- Deception in December by Doreen McAvoy
- Saint Therese: The Sleeping Saint by Maria Riley
- A Home for Jesus in My Heart by Kristina Schoettle
- Wild Life by Corinna Turner
- Bonvida's Quest for Light by C.D. Smith
- In the Beginning by Stephen G. Kenny
From Our Blog
Divine Drudgery
Echoes from a New Catholic
Divine DrudgeryBy Lisa Livezey
“Can anything good come from Nazareth?” – John 1:46 (NAB)
I wrote down a list of chores for the day – fold laundry, weed front flower bed, drive my son to swim practice, make meatloaf for dinner – the items continued. Our landline rang, and I glanced over to see yet another spam call, reminding me to add our number to the Do Not Call Registry. One more random task tacked onto my lengthy lineup.
Catholic radio accompanied me alongside my daily duties, a vital source of growth and information to a budding Catholic. On this day, I learned about a Polish nun named Sister Maria Faustina Kowalska. Menial work filled her days at the convent in the 1930’s, with jobs ranging from cook to gardener to doorkeeper. Beyond this rote work, Sister Faustina sought time with Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament. Her diary, Divine Mercy in My Soul, tells of her intimate relationship with the Lord and speaks of her everyday tasks.
Today, St. Faustina isn’t famous for her culinary work, gardening skills, or diligent door-keeping duties, but rather for her message of Divine Mercy. With assigned titles like Saint, Mystic, and Secretary of Mercy, her influence – including the chaplet and image she envisioned – now extends around the world!
When faced with a sense of daily drudgery, one can take courage from St. Faustina’s life. It’s amazing how broad the impact of a single cook, gardener, or doorkeeper can be!
Lord, thank You for those who model lowliness to the world including St. Faustina, who proved that humility truly does come before honor. St. Faustina, pray for us.
Consider: What tasks in your life feel like drudgery? Offer them up as a sacrifice to the Lord and ask Him to use those very things to encourage others.
“God walks among the pots and pans.” // St. Teresa of Avila
(photo: G. Pribaz)
© Lisa Livezey 2024
Note: Find previous posts from Lisa Livezey’s CWG blog series, Echoes from a New Catholic, here: From Cross to Crucifix – The Catholic Writers Guild and Angels in Waiting – The Catholic Writers Guild
The CWG Prayer
Holy Family, guide our minds, our hearts, our hands, as we write, speak, illustrate – help our words to live in union with the Word.
Teach us discipline and skill to use the talents God gives us.
Give us also insight and courage to convey God's love through our craft, and humility to be open to His divine will, shaping our lives, in loving loyalty to His Church.
In Christ's name,
Amen.
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