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Merry Christmas from Women of Grace!

"For unto us a Child is born, unto us a Son is given."  -Isaiah 9:6

My Dear Friends in Christ,

As we enter the final days of Advent and begin our journey into the season of Christmas, we joyfully anticipate the great gift of the Christ Child and all that His birth has meant to humanity.  Our hearts are filled with gratitude for this unfathomable gift. 

We are also filled with gratitude for all that you have done to support the mission of Women of Grace and all of our outreaches.  We wish all of our benefactors, customers and friends the peace, joy and love of Jesus Christ and pray that the He will fill your hearts with His Love and Peace!  May the coming New Year bring you "every spiritual blessing in the heaven!" (Ephesians 1:3)

All of the staff of Living His Life Abundantly® and Women of Grace® offer our prayers for you and your intentions during this Christmas season.  We ask you to please remember us and the efforts of our apostolate during your times of prayer!  I would also ask you to prayerfully consider making a sacrificial year-end donation to assist us in our mission of evangelization for the coming year. 

May you and your families have an even greater experience of the presence of the Child Jesus and His Holy Mother, Mary in the deepest recesses of your soul this Christmas and always!

God bless you!

With gratitude,

Johnnette's Signature

Johnnette S. Benkovic and Staff

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It's Habit Forming!

Yesterday morning while I was making my bed, a question entered my mind. "Why is it," I queried, "that it is so easy to develop a bad habit and so difficult to acquire a good one?" The answer came as I tucked the sheet and fluffed my pillow.

A bad habit rises out of our passions. In most cases, our disordered passions. Even if the pleasure is licit, lack of self-discipline and restraint makes it negative (shopping? food? gossip? -- you get the idea). It is rooted in concupiscence, our natural inclination to sin. And we naturally lean toward it.

A good habit, on the other hand, requires order, constraint, mastery, dying to self. It requires taming unbridled desires and wants through mortification and sacrifice. Taking custody of our senses. Asceticsim. Doing this goes against the grain of our natural desire and so it doesn't bring us pleasure -- at least initially. Therefore, we don't like it. While we may desire it in theory, we lean back from it in practice.

What, then, do we do? Do we give up and give in? No. That clearly is not the appropriate response.

In addition to praying for all of the supernatural help and grace we need and making good use of the sacraments, we employ the will and begin to reorder ourselves toward the good, the holy, the truly beautiful.

As we do so, we begin to seek a different kind of pleasure -- one rooted in the things of God rather than the things of the world. One that seeks the eternal rather than the temporal. One that leads us to truth rather than illusion. One that lifts us up to a new level of knowledge and understanding about God, man, ourselves.

Doing so yields not only good habits with their accompanying virtues, but that which good habits and their virtues bring -- happiness. True and abiding happiness. Philippians 4:8.

As we make our way through this Advent season, let us continue to root out that which is disordered and replace it with the virtue opposite to it. By Christmas day we may be well aloong the way to replacing a most pernicious bad habit with a good one. What a gift that would make for our King!

 

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Happy Feast Day, Mother!

As you know, Women of Grace is consecrated to Our Lord Jesus Christ through the beatitude of the Blessed Mother under her title of Our Lady of Guadalupe.

Following is the prayer we used on October 3, 2003 at our first national conference held in Doylestown, PA at the Shrine of Our Lady of Czestochowa:

Lord Jesus Christ, Savior and Redeemer of all mankind; Incarnate Wisdom,

At the hour of Your death, You gave to us the Blessed Virgin Mary and willed her to be the Mother of the Church, the mother of us all.

Before this blessed Missionary Image of Our Lady of Guadalupe, which signifies her presence among us, I do formally consecrate Women of Grace its mission, and its outreach to the Immaculate Heart of Our Lady of Guadalupe.

I humbly request the fruit of this consecration be conversion, healing, reconciliation and salvation. I further petition Our Lady of Guadalupe to instill in the hearts of her daughters an ever deepening understanding and appreciation of the feminine genius, and I ask that through her motherly influence and maternal intercession Our Lady of Guadalupe would lead her daughters to the Sacred Heart of her Son, Jesus Christ.

Hear my prayer, Lord Jesus, through the powerful love of the Immaculate heart of Our Lady of Guadalupe. I make this consecration with thanksgiving and trust, and for the spiritual welfare of women everywhere, especially those who are Women of Grace.

May this consecration deepen the virtues of faith, hope and charity. May it bring an awesome reverence for the gift of life, physical and spiritual life, and for Your Real Presnece enthroned in the Eucharist. May it help us bear witness to the Gospel and live the teachings of the Catholic Church.

And finally, may this consecration help to bring us all to the joy of Your kingdom where You live and reign with the Father and Holy Spirit; one God forever and ever. Amen.

(For more information on Our Lady of Guadalupe, click on her image in the slide show presentation on our website.)

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Dr. Edward Sri on Fox News

Edward Sri S.T.D., a frequent guest on Women of Grace, seen on EWTN (Weekdays 11 AM and 11:30 PM), was a recent guest on Fox News talking about the new translation of the Mass.

You can watch the interview at http://video.foxnews.com/v/1318869351001/has-it-been-mass-confusion-at-catholic-churches/.

We also invite you to view the programs we produced on this topic with Dr. Sri at WOG Exclusive. Go to www.womenofgrace.com.

 

 

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Feeling Persecuted?

Some time ago I posted a blog about an experience we had as a ministry when we went to lease space. Though the leasing agent was fully aware of our operations, he did not tell me about a clause in the lease contract -- until it was time for me to sign the lease. The clause prohibited any tenant who provided religious services including Christian, Jewish, Muslim.

While we do not provide religious services for the general public in terms of liturgical celebration, our entire mission is oriented to providing a service for religion -- the production of Catholic radio and television programming, the distribution of relgious products, and an apostloate for Catholic women.

When I questioned if this mission disqualified us as tenants, the agent's comment was, "Just don't tell anybody." Clearly, he was eager for a tenant and clearly the lease precluded us. I asked him to check with his legal department. He called me back and told me that "he would have to pass on this one."

There are those that would say "persecution" is too strong a term to be used to describe this event. However, I disagree. The language was broad enough to exclude any operation that did anything religious -- a religious goods store, a religious social service agency, a store-front church, an apostolic outreach. Religion was opted out.

Religious persecution, especially of Christians, and Catholics in particular, is becoming commonplace. So much so that the Vatican has announced the need for an international day against Christian persecution. I agree.

Read the article below and let me know what you think.

 

 

 

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Reflections From An Old Prayer Book

Today on our radio program, Women of Grace Live, I shared a reading from a very old prayer book called Hail Holy Queen in a section called Counsels and Maxims. The prayer book was published in New York by P.J. Kenedy & Sons in 1928 with an Imprimatur by Patrick Cardinal Hayes, Archbishop of New York, on August 21 of that same year. The subtitle tells us it is A Book Of Prayer and Counsel For Catholic Girls And Women.

Though the writing hearkens back to an earlier day and time, the wisdom is everlasting. I am offering it to you for your consideration and prayerful meditation. To hear my comments about it as well as another reading from this gem of a book, go to www.womenofgrace.com and click on Podcasts. It is number WGL 1269.

Zeal, Industry

A Girl's character can be pretty well judged by knowing what she does with her spare time.

The piety of a good girl will manifest itself not only in attending devotions, but, when necessary, in being willing to do her share in parish activities.

The Blessed Virgin was not afraid of spoiling her hands by doing household work, although she belonged to the royal family of David and was God's most favored creature.

You may think you are able to take care of a husband's home; but you are not, unless you are able to take your mother's place in the work of your own home.

Those who dislike work in all its forms and phases, and who yield to their indolent disposition are like barren fig-trees, useless to themselves, to God and to man, fit only for the ax and the fire.

If the time that is wasted in useless or dangerous talking and reading, or in unnecessary rest and recreation, were devoted to the service of God and the salvation of souls, the whole world would be converted.

For the encouragement of those whose life is a daily grind of routine work, it should be remembered, first, that the world depends on patient faithfulness to such tasks; next, that the expert performance of simpler duties always fits one for higher and more responsible posts; and finally, that in the sight of God, and as far as our eternal reward is concerned, it is not what we do, so much as the intention with which we work that counts.

The obligations of justice should be discharged before generosity is indulged in. Therefore the satisfaction of debts and the performance of duties to those dependent upon us take precedence over the giving of alms to optional charities.

It is said that you can catch a thief, but that you cannot catch a liar; but for liars is reserved hell fire, as St. John warns in Rev. 21:8.

It is most useful to cultivate the friendship and companionship of other good girls, whose virtuous example and conversation will be an inspiration to higher and nobler life. "He that walketh with the wise shall be wise; a friend of fools shall become like to them." -- Prov. 13:20.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Forming "Jiminy": A Teacher's Tale

My special family friend has taught elementary school for over 30 years, most of those years with five year old kindergarteners. Through the years, she has witnessed a changing demographic. Not only are her classes more culturally, ethnically, and religiously diverse, but the lifestyles and home lives of her children have experienced a demographic shift as well -- not for the better.

Currently, my friend has 14 students in her class. Of the 14 only  2 do not have at least one parent incarcerated. Two of her students are half-sisters, but they don't know it -- Dad impregnated two women at the same time. He's not been around for either of them. And this dear person has had to call social service agencies any number of times since September because of dangerous information her children have told her.

Lest you think she teaches in an inner-city school, think again. She teaches in a neighborhood school in a suburb of a rather smallish resort city.

One of the challenges this special teacher faces is that few if any of her students have any real concept of right or wrong, socially acceptable behavior, moral truth. They've witnessed in five years more than most adults see in a lifetime. Good example? Please. Their solution to problem-solving is to throw things, have a temper tantrum or defecate. They've done it all in her classroom.

But, my family friend runs a tight ship. These babies come in spouting four letter words that would curl your hair and leave her class at the end of the school year reading, writing, doing math, and --yep -- practicing manners.

It's a transformation really. And this caring woman digs deep to help it happen. She hugs these babies, rocks them in a rocking chair, tells them how precious they are, rewards them when they follow through, and corrects them (sternly) when they do wrong.

And -- she has Jiminy Cricket.

In the public school system, she can't really talk about her Faith. She can't mention Jesus, His saving act, or the eternal realities. It's tough to help form a good conscience when situational ethics and political correctness legally prevail.

But, she can teach them the natural law. And Walt Disney is her aide with his katydid-like insect, Jiminy Cricket. You may recall that Jiminy is Pinocchio's alter-ego, his conscience. He shows up to inform  the marionette of what he should and should not do. When Pinocchio listens to Jiminy, good things happen. And when he doesn't -- well, a heap of trouble follows.

My family friend tells her little ones the story and let's them know they each have a "Jiminy Cricket". She tells them their Jiminy is the little voice they hear inside that tells them right from wrong. With repetition, good effort, and reinforcement, they get it. They begin to heed the law God  has written on their heart.

Eventually, she tells them Jiminy has another name. "Conscience". And they need to pay attention to their Conscience. Though the challenges remain, progress begins to happen. And a school year closes with more success than failure.

The kids are boomerangs, though. They move on to first, second, third grade, but they keep coming back to my friend's classroom. They come for a morning hug, a treat, to hear a kind word, to talk about a problem, to help her set up for the day. They sing out her name in the cafeteria, flock to her after school, blow kisses to her when they see her: all the return of her investment and their good "Jiminy."

These kids were born with strikes against them. Who knows how their futures will pan out. It will take heroic effort and courage for many of them to make it out of their environments.

But, they have experienced a teacher who has loved them, taken the time to show it, and has given them something for the long haul in addition to reading and math: the foundation for a well-formed conscience. And with that, they have a chance to really grow sturdy and strong.

We need more people like her -- and far more "Jiminys" as well.

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Beauty and Grace In A Face

skincare tips

The skincare industry can be kinda overwhelming, which is why we’re (always) here to help. And we totally understand your dilemma; with literally hundreds of innovative products being released each week and the discovery of another “must-have” ingredient, it can be hard to determine what products you really need and what’s just a trend. To guide you through the beauty-jargon on your quest for happy, healthy skin, here are  tips that cover ALL the bases.

Keep your hair happy and healthy all summer long using these natural, chemical-free methods.

Natural hair rules in the summer! Now is the season to let go of perfect, sleek hairdos and embrace that loose, natural look. Learn how to protect your hair from the heat, sun, and humidity without turning it into an endless battle.

1. Cover up!

Use a scarf or hat to cover your head when you’re out in the sun. Not only does this provide extra UV protection, but it also helps your scalp to retain moisture. A hat reduces damage caused by wind, especially if your hair is prone to tangling, and protects colour-treated hair.

2. Put your hair up in loose, comfortable styles

A messy braid is ideal for keeping your hair under control and minimizing exposure to the sun. Tight hairstyles can be damaging because they tend to pull and tear hair, especially if your hair is dry from the summer heat. Extensions are design to make your hair long, checkout these Kinky curly bundles of human hair.

3. Wash less often

Frequent washing strips your scalp of its natural oils, which in turn stimulates additional oil production and makes you feel the need to wash it even more. Try just rinsing in the shower after a day at the beach or pool, and see if that gets rid of some extra oil. Use a homemade or natural dry shampoo, such as cornstarch, in place of regular shampoo to go a bit longer without washing. Another quick fix is to dab a cotton ball soaked in witch hazel along your scalp to dissolve excess oil.

4. Reduce the heat

Try to blow-dry your hair as little as possible. It is already exposed to a significant amount of heat on a daily basis in the summer, and it will probably air-dry quickly anyways, so give the blow dryer a break and go au naturel if you can. Avoid flat-irons, too, as they will do further damage to already-dry hair. Plus, a sleek hairstyle only makes that frizz stand out more.

5. Spritz & Seal

Make a concoction of water, aloe vera juice, and avocado oil. Keep it on hand to spritz whenever a bit of moisture and/or control is needed. Another good option is argan oil mixed with water.

6. Condition always

Rinse with apple cider vinegar diluted in water for a quick natural conditioner. Use some coconut oil or shea butter (careful with this, since it can be heavy) to smooth, de-frizz, and moisturize your locks after washing. The oil will give some shine and, if you have wavy hair, create natural, air-dried curls. Try a natural deep conditioning treatment once a week to get that extra bit of moisture into your hair.

SkinCare

1.  Get to know your skin type

Understanding and getting to know your skin type is the most important thing you can do for your skin. If you’re unaware or misinformed, you could compromise your skin’s natural balance and trigger irritation, inflammation, breakouts, and even premature aging by using the wrong products. The most common skin types are oily, acne-prone, dry, sensitive, and mature skin; it’s also important to note that you can be more than one type and it can change over time or through the seasons, so always listen to your skin.

2. Make sure you know how to layer your skincare

If you don’t apply your skincare products in the right order you could prevent them from being fully-absorbed, which means they won’t be as effective. The general rule is to apply the most lightweight formulas first so they can be easily absorbed without the barrier of heavier creams. To avoid piling (those tiny little balls you get when you’ve used too much product), when you move onto thicker creams, give your skin time to absorb the product (at least a few minutes).

 

3. Don’t apply too much product

When it comes to skincare, ‘more is more’ is not a good rule. So if you apply too much moisturizer, the product will likely pill or could potentially block your pores. Plus, it’s a total waste of product and your money considering your skin won’t be able to absorb it all anyway! Make sure you follow this sizing guide:

4. Always double cleanse

Double cleansing is our fave K-beauty hack, and it’s completely transformed our skin. By cleansing twice, you’ll ensure all the dirt, bacteria, oil and pollution that’s built up on your skin during the day has been removed, leaving you with a thoroughly clean base for you to layer your nighttime skincare routine onto.

5. Never forget to do a patch test

Before you start using a new product, you should always do a patch test to avoid the risk of irritation or an allergic reaction. Just apply a small amount of product to your inner arm to see how your skin reacts to the formula.

6. Don’t use expired products

Hanging onto products past their expiry dates is a big no-no: It’s bad for you. Sadly, your beloved beauty products harbor bacteria (especially if you use them frequently), and these can lead to infections and irritations, not to mention, they don’t perform as well – we’re talking to you, gunky mascara! After a while, products can produce harmful toxins that can be dangerous to your health as well as your skin. As a general rule, if you can’t remember when you bought your face cream, SPF, foundation, mascara or eyeliner – get rid of it!

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Preparing the Manger of Your Heart

The Advent Season is upon us, and the call is to "watch and pray." One way to make fruitful this time of holy anticipation is to prepare the manger of our heart for the coming of our Lord and King.

To that end, let me recommend a couple of great resources we have available for you. On the Women of Grace homepage (www.womenofgrace.com) we are featuring two Advent retreats on CD -- one by Dr. Edward Sri and the other by Father Edmund Sylvia. Both of these offerings will take you deeply into the heart of the season and fill you with wonder at the gift that is ours through the Christ Child

Another great resource certain to enhance your Advent experience is Issue #4 of the Women of Grace Journal.  You can use this independently and it is a fabulous Advent study for your Women of Grace study group. It truly encourages us to enter deeply into the reality of this blessed season by calling us into the sacred mysteries of our Faith. For those of you who are Gold Members of WOG Exclusive, it is available in the library. Simply type "Women of Grace Journal" into the search feature and scroll to Issue #4. It is also available in print and can be ordered through our on-line store or by calling us at 1-800-558-5452.

I am confident that if we enter into this glorious liturgical season and let it enter into us by means of prayer and retreat, Christmas Day will be a graced event like never before.

Let's remember each other in our petitions and ask God to give us all holy anticipation for the coming of our Savior.

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