August 27, 2018

The Pelican and the Phoenix

St. Maximilian Kolbe loved Mary and her Immaculate Heart. He loved her passionately and spent much of his life leading people to love Mary so that she could lead them to her Son with a more perfect love.

On his feast day, August 14th, 2018 a the Penn grand jury report was released and since then more and more filth has come out. Around the country many people have learned that the men who married them, heard their confessions, gave them their first communions, and baptized their babies also molested and abused children and teenagers. The Bishop who confirmed me has been named as complicit in covering up McCarrick's scandal.

Over the weekend I learned that a former nuncio released a statement on the Feast of  the Queenship of Mary. This statement explains how Pope Benedict knew about McCarrick and took away many of his privileges but then Pope Francis knew and lifted the sanctions. Pope Francis has said he would not say a word about it and we need to draw our own conclusions. This is not acceptable to me. If the pope wants to have a relationship with me as my Holy Father then he needs to speak.

Friends, I am tempted to give up, to despair. Who do I trust and how do I trust them? I have written letters. I will write more, using Nell and Jenny's as inspiration, but will they do any good? I don't know. Men I thought were good were weak. I am hoping for transparency and confessions of sins; I am hoping that even the innocent will share all they can and a total purging will happen. Because how else will I ever trust again?


When I picture this situation in prayer I always have the image of a massive building burning down and that's what I want to do: burn it all down. Rip them all out. Stick them in prison with only sackcloth to wear and stones to sleep on. Give them bread and water and fill their days with hard labor and prayer.

And what is this thing that seems to be both collapsing around me and forever firm in its lies and perversion and evil? I have lived out the Church's teachings in ways that are sometimes very hard and I have spent much of my last ten years encouraging other women to live out their Catholic faith with joy and trust. And now I find myself wondering, "What for?"



A Reading from the Gospel according to John:

Jesus said to them, "Amen, amen, I say to you, unless you eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink his blood, you do not have life within you. Whoever eats my flesh and drinks my blood has eternal life, and I will raise him on the last day. For my flesh is true food, and my blood is true drink.
Whoever eats my flesh and drinks my blood remains in me and I in him.

(The Gospel from August 19th, 2018; the Sunday after the Grand Jury report was published.)



I know that same sex attraction is not the cause for this and at the same time I know that gay men have used the priesthood to groom and prey on young men and that an active homosexual culture has flourished in seminaries and rectories. A lack of chastity combined with seminary directors + vocation directors + bishops lacking the intelligence + courage + personal holiness to kick out bad men is the problem.

I also know that celibacy is not the problem. If it were then anyone living a life of celibacy would be susceptible to this timeline that ends in perversion: nuns, consecrated virgins, single people waiting for the vocation of marriage, and married couples having to abstain for months or years in their practice of NFP. But from what I have read I don't think that is what's going on. Besides, I know of plenty of priests who fell in love with women and they rather simply left the priesthood and married.

In the end, I believe these priests when they say that chastity and priestly community are what is needed. It makes sense to me.

But still. There is so much that needs to change and I have no idea if I can do anything to change it.



A Reading from the Prophet Ezekiel:

The word of the Lord came to me:
Son of man, prophesy against the shepherds of Israel, in these words prophesy to them to the shepherds: Thus says the Lord GOD: Woe to the shepherds of Israel who have been pasturing themselves! Should not shepherds, rather, pasture sheep? You have fed off their milk, worn their wool, and slaughtered the fatlings, but the sheep you have not pastured. You did not strengthen the weak nor heal the sick nor bind up the injured. You did not bring back the strayed nor seek the lost,
but you lorded it over them harshly and brutally. So they were scattered for the lack of a shepherd,
and became food for all the wild beasts. ... Thus says the Lord GOD: I swear I am coming against these shepherds. I will claim my sheep from them and put a stop to their shepherding my sheep so that they may no longer pasture themselves. I will save my sheep, that they may no longer be food for their mouths. For thus says the Lord GOD: I myself will look after and tend my sheep.

(The First Reading on August 22nd, 2018 the Feast of the Queenship of Mary and the first day of #sackclothandashes.)



When I think on it all long enough the rage comes out and because I cannot yell at the people I am furious with I yell at my kids or am short with a friend. I am so angry about the horrible things people did to children and then I turn around and take it out on my kids.

Lord, have mercy on me.

My son wants to be a priest. He talks about celebrating Mass and practices with his Mass kit. I have prayed to God that He would give one of my sons a vocation to the priesthood. But now I just don't know if I want that for him, for any of them.



A Reading from the Book of Joshua:

When they stood in ranks before God, Joshua addressed all the people:
"If it does not please you to serve the LORD, decide today whom you will serve, the gods your fathers served beyond the River or the gods of the Amorites in whose country you are now dwelling.
As for me and my household, we will serve the LORD."

(The First Reading from August 26th, 2018.)



As much as I want to despair, I am also challenged by the words of Fr. Mike Schmitz to evaluate my own life and the ways that I am lax about sin and let things slide. At times this scandal is all crushing and every day since I have learned of it I have had to pick myself up and remind myself that crumbling into useless despair does not serve the Kingdom of God. In the end I want to be a saint so perhaps this is my time.

Perhaps for such a time as this I was put in a happy, supportive marriage so that I may raise up good and holy children who will love and serve the Lord. Perhaps for such a time as this I was given a silly platform to encourage men and women to fast and pray. Perhaps for such a time as this I was given the sometimes annoying ability to passionately brainstorm.

And perhaps it is satan, prowling about, who is whispering in my ears, "You cannot do this. You cannot work with this. There is no answer but acceptance and apathy." Because I think it is God whispering in my heart, "Now!"

I will be honest, it scares me and I have tried to hide from it.



A Reading from the Gospel according to John:

As a result of this, many of his disciples returned to their former way of life and no longer accompanied him. Jesus then said to the Twelve, "Do you also want to leave?" Simon Peter answered him, "Master, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life. We have come to believe
and are convinced that you are the Holy One of God."

(The Gospel Reading from August 26th, 2018.)



I have come to believe and am convinced that Jesus is the Holy One of God. I am convinced that He established one Church. But, Lord, help me! because this is hard.

But I think that God is speaking to me, to us. Look at these readings. Look at the way that Mary has been with us from the beginning and plans to walk with us through it all. God is asking me, "Who will you serve and will you go?" and He's using the Mass, the feast days of the Church, the saints, and Scripture to very clearly communicate to us. He is using this broken Church to communicate with us which only seems to confirm that it is His and He is guiding it.

The #sackclothandashes period of prayer and fasting continues through the end of September, the month dedicated to Our Lady of Sorrows.  Mother Mary, help me to pray and love and not give up. Jesus, truly present in the Blessed Sacrament, sustain me through this. Holy Spirit, guide me.

May the Sacred Heart of Jesus and the Immaculate Heart of Mary triumph in the end! And perhaps future altars will feature the Pelican and the Phoenix.


August 24, 2018

Back to School + a Giveaway

The kids went back to school and I have been humming "The Most Wonderful Time of the Year" for over a week. 



Each year I snap pictures of the kids, all shiny and ready to go. JF's picture looks a bit funny because he was struggling to smile through the misery of seasonal allergies but oh well. He's a cute booger butt, as are all the kiddos. 


Resa's First Day of 1st Grade
I'm most excited about recess, Math, *everything*! (she sang the word "everything")
I want to be a Mom and a teacher like Mrs. D when I grow up because she has kids but then goes goes to school every day, too!
I like my teacher, Sofia the First, French toast sticks, my Minnie Mouse doll, and my friends.

JF's First Day of 2nd Grade
I'm excited about recess, Math, playing at inside recess, and my First Communion.
I want to be a pumpkin farmer when I grow up.
I like trains, whatever Bennet likes, and safe French toast sticks.

Ben's first day of 3rd Grade!
I'm most excited about seeing my friends and learning about Math some more.
I want to be a priest when I grow up.
I like pizza, JFL, playing ball tag, and chess.


L's first day of 5th Grade!
I'm most excited about getting a *Locker!!" and meeting new teachers.
I want to be a bakery owner when I grow up.
I like school, pizza, cube steak, basketball, cross country, friends, and (my favorite) NOT getting bug bites!!

This Back to School season has brought the addition of L running Cross Country and Ben being in JFL. The kids love these activities and I can see how it's been good for them but it adds a layer of craziness to our schedule to which I'm having a hard time adjusting. We've mostly taken to dinner at 4 because I want to eat as a family as often as possible. Moms who have done this longer than me - HELP! Any tips or suggestions welcome!

Also new this year: we have adopted a patron saint for the school year, an idea I got from my friend Beth. Travis and I chose John Paul the Great, a saint we want our kids to learn more about and love. I brought a picture of him to display in the house and we've already started talking about him more and yelling out, "JPII: Pray for us!" And seriously, JPII, pray for me!

It's not until the second week of September that I really feel like I can say, "We are Back to School, folks!" By that time the school's heat schedule is over and Jofis will be settling into Pre-K4. The rhythm of the school days is such a gift to me and I love it. The structure-free summers are hard for me but the schedule of each school day gives me such a balance of productivity and rest - have I mentioned that I love it? Because I loooooove it.

In honor of my love for Back to School time I reached out to some of my favorite vendors to do a Giveaway. This is perfect for a woman going off to college for the first time or starting her degree after many years out of the classroom. It's perfect for a mom or grandma who is putting her kids or grandkids on the bus, or braving the drop off line, or homeschooling for the first or twelfth year. Heck, this is a great giveaway for any woman who just likes a good chance at winning some amazing, quality, Catholic goods!

Because I love to sip on my coffee or tea each morning from a real mug, the winner will receive a Mug of her choice from Rose Harrington Art.

Because I love having a little pouch in my diaper bag to hold my lipstick, hairband, business cards, and whatnot, the winner will receive a Pencil Bag of her choice from Someday Saints Design.

Because I like to dress to remind myself of why I'm doing what I'm doing, the winner will receive a T-Shirt of her choice from Brick House in the City

 Because I love to leave a mark on cards, my planner, and notes to my kids' teachers, the winner will receive a Stamp of her choice from Look to Him and Be Radiant.

Because I purchased a print of JPII with a quote to keep us inspired this school year, the winner will receive a Print of her choice from Santa Clara Design.


Because I think it's fun and powerful, and I love that it's not painful or permanent, the winner will receive a Temporary Tattoo Set of your choice from Just Love Prints.

The total value of this giveaway is over $100. The winner will receive store credit in each online shop for the type of good listed. This giveaway is for anyone 18 or older in the continental US (Sorry, everyone else!)To enter just head over to my Instagram account and follow the rules there!

Congrats to the winner, Karissa!




August 20, 2018

Sackcloth, Ashes, and Acts of Reparation for Our Lord

Stop all the clocks, cut off the telephone,
Prevent the dog from barking with a juicy bone,
Silence the pianos and with muffled drum
Bring out the coffin, let the mourners come.

The first stanza from W.H. Auden's poem "Funeral Blues" has been running through my head. It's how I feel in the face of all the horrendous news from the past weeks surrounding former-Cardinal McCarrick and the Grand Jury's Report on the rampant sexual abuse by priests and subsequent cover-ups and mishandlings by bishops throughout the state of Pennsylvania.

Naively I did not see this coming. But here it is.

At times I am furious and I want it to burn it all down. At times I can't hold the sobs in. The victims, their families, and all of us who feel betrayed - it's too much. The anger comes and goes in waves but the sadness has been constant.

I didn't see this coming but here it is and more than anything I feel like mourning. This - the violence and lies - feels like death.


Last week I shared how I have written letters but even then, behind the scenes, I was working with Kendra Tierney and other writers, artists, and social media friends to create a mass of people fasting and praying in reparation for what has been done.


As Wikipedia tells us, "Man is restored to grace through the merits of Christ's death, which grace enables him to add his prayers, works, and trials to those of Our Lord "and fill up those things that are wanting of the sufferings of Christ, in my flesh, for his body, which is the church" (Colossians 1:24). Man can thus make some sort of reparation to the justice of God for his own offences against Him, and by virtue of the Communion of the Saints, the oneness and solidarity of the mystical Body of Christ, he can also make satisfaction and reparation for the sins of others."


I seek to console the Sacred Heart of Jesus and will help to bring healing to the Church. I hope you will join me and the many, many others.




Because Mary loves her Son with all her heart I know that she sees His pain and wants to walk with us, her children, as we pray and sacrifice. For that reason, we will be praying and fasting for forty days beginning on the Feast of the Queenship of Mary, this Wednesday, August 22nd, and going throughout the entire month of September, which is dedicated to Our Lady of Sorrows.

Today and tomorrow take the time to consider what you will do: Fast from breakfast, snacks, or creamer in your morning coffee. Give up sweets, podcasts, or Netflix. Pray a daily Rosary or Chaplet of Reparation or attend daily Mass. If possible, talk to your confessor or spiritual director about it and then join us. Pope Francis has even asked us to do this!





 Kendra created these images to be used throughout the forty days. Please feel free to save, print, and share them. Encourage your small groups, parochial schools, co-ops, and parishes to join us. You can commit by commenting here or anywhere you see one of the #sackclothandashes graphics. A tremendous evil has been prowling about our Church, the Body of Christ. Let us come together in love for our Lord to soothe His wounds.





August 17, 2018

Letter Writing and Prayer

What a horrible, hard week it has been.

I read through much of the grand jury's report on the sex abuse scandal in the Pennsylvania, which really just showed us all how deep and dark and disgusting things have been. Over 300 priests abused over one thousand children and that is gross and heart breaking and horrible.

I have taken to prayer and letter writing and more prayer. I alternate between incredible sorrow and fury. And in the middle I have to keep living life and send the kids back to school and read library books and make dinner. It's such an odd place, this both / and life.

In the coming days and weeks I have things planned for my life online and off and I ask you to walk with me in the tension between living life with joy and love and working through the immense pain, disgust, and horror caused by the scandal in our Church.

In the meantime, I want to share a few articles that I have found helpful to me in this time, along with the Grand Jury's Report itself. Maybe you have seen these already but maybe not and maybe they will be helpful to you, too.

The Grand Jury's Report on the sex abuse in dioceses in Pennsylvania

What's a Faithful Catholic to Do by Jenny Uebbing

A Letter to My Bishop and A Letter to My Parish Priest by Molly Walter

New Allegations Surface Surrounding Archbishop McCarrick and Newark Priests by Ed Condon at the National Catholic Register

Truth Is Needed to Free the Church from Sacrilege of Clergy Scandal by Fr. Roger Landry at the National Catholic Register

What Can WE Do About the Abuse Crisis? by Haley Stewart


Sacred Heart of Jesus, have mercy on us.


August 13, 2018

The Last Bits of Summer

This will not be a sentimental post. 

The weeks before the kids go back to school are super stressful and overwhelming to me with the overload of errands, appointments, paperwork, and more. The house is constantly messy, the kids are bored of the slip n' slide, there's all kinds of fighting, and I am just so tired of feeding them. They want to go back to school and I want them to, too. How did people do it for thousands of years? How do homeschoolers do it? 

To me this is not the end of summer. Summer basically ended on August 6th. I will get out my Fall decorations on September 1st -ish and this time in between is a purgatory of stress and heat and exhaustion. (As an aside, some people think I'm a bit dramatic but I just don't see it.)

I made a playlist to get me through these next weeks. You can see how badly I want to get on with my life in that I titled it "September 2018." Some of the songs are pretty new to me and so I cannot vouch for all the lyrics and content, but if you want to discover some new songs right along with me click over and check it out. There's some safe ones, too, like Ben Rector and Mat Kearney. ;)

School starts with a half day on Thursday, so here's a look the last bits of summer, the things that happened at the end of July and the first week of August. That is, the things that I want to remember.



Jofis celebrated his 5th birthday. He wanted a train cake and party and since his favorite color is green I was able to make all his dreams come true super simply. A few of his classmates and cousins came over, everyone played outside, and we ate wacky cake and drank lemonade. He got a bug catcher and water balloons and his life was made. 



I celebrated my birthday, too. I turned thirty-seven and to celebrate I got coffee with friends, went shopping at Target with Travis, bought a new dress, asked people to donate to baby Olivia's GoFundMe, found a few new grey hairs, and overall had a good day. 



We also celebrated Harry Potter's birthday. The kids listened to several of the audio books this summer and L read the whole series for the first time. They have watched several of the movies, too, so it was a lot of fun to surprise them with a table filled with candles, pretzel rod wands, and this birthday cake. They snacked in the candlelight while watching the first movie before bed. And just so you know, there's a bit of a back story for this cake and you can hear about it if you watch the You're a Bad Mom video here.



In other news, we were given a Days of Creation paper chain (which you can see here) along with a beautiful, giant floor puzzle from WeeBelievers. Both are super sweet but we especially love the floor puzzle because we are just floor puzzle people, people! I mean, look at how happy Tee is with it! The illustrations are so sweet, you guys. I really love it. But the best part is that it's two sided so it's two, two, TWO puzzles in one!



In other news, I caught this super sweet picture of Travis and Tee sleeping one morning a few weeks ago. I mean, be still my heart. 



And now I'll tell you all a secret: this summer we attended 7am daily Mass Monday - Friday. The vast majority of the time the whole family went: Travis, me, and all seven kids. We missed a few days, and occasionally some of us had to stay home but usually we were all there.

Now this was even feasible because:
#1 - we did not have a newborn / someone recovering from major surgery (like last summer)
#2 - Travis is a teacher with summers off and this summer his handyman jobs were all local so he was almost always around to attend with us.

The reasons I wanted to do it are:
#1 - For years Travis and I were daily communicants and I was really missing that Gift.
#2 - I knew that if we attended 7am Mass all summer long our days would still end around 8pm which meant we could keep the same bedtime and evening routine. I knew I wanted to have time with Travis every night and I hoped that the return to the school would feel less like a crash and burn this way.
#3 - I'm hoping it will inspire my boys to love the priesthood and I pray that one of them has been given that vocation.

I don't know what will happen next summer but I know that being able to attend daily Mass this summer was such a gift to me. Even when my kids complained. Even when MJ would not be contained to the pew and had to wander. Even when we had to sit in the cry room because we were so late. It was such a gift.



 Speaking of Mass, this seems like a good time to show you the preview copy of Ginny Kochis's new Mass Journal for Kids. Ginny sent it to me and I promptly passed on to my 10 year old, L. It's really lovely, you guys, and if you're looking for something you can either gift to your own children, godchildren, students or use as a family to prepare for or review the Sunday Mass readings I really encourage you to try this.


L and I were both really taken by the layout and feel of the book. It's big; has room for doodles, journaling, and note taking; and includes all the readings + reflections, quotes from the saints, and more. I also like that it goes by seasons - this one covers the Autumn months - so it's not too bulky nor too big of a commitment. If you're looking for a nice Back to School gift this would be a great one, I think.


One last note: the winners for the Sheenazing Awards have finally been announced! You can head to the original post to see who earned the top three spots in each category! Thank you to everyone who voted - over 1,100! - and congratulations to the winners! I hope everyone had fun along the way!

Alright, time to get a move on. See you soon, you guys!

WINNERS for the 2018 Sheenazing Awareds

Thank you to everyone who voted in the 4th Occasional Sheenazing Awards and Congratulations goes to the winners! 

The winners and two runner-ups are listed at the top of each category. If you see them around the internet please be sure to congratulate them on winning an inconsequential award and thank them for doing their part to honor God through their time online. 



FAVORITE BLOG

Winner: Mama Needs Coffee

First Runner Up:Carrots for Michaelmas
Second Runner Up: Catholic All Year

Everyday Abundant
Team Whitaker
Blessed Is She Blog
Martin Family Moments
Not So Formulaic
Little Forest Oratory
We, a Great Parade
Never Give Up
Mothering Spirit
Seasons of the Heart and Home
Stumbling Toward Sainthood
In the Light of the Law
My Domestic Monastery
Small Things
This Ain't the Lyceum
Sweeping Up Joy
No Greater Love Blog
Something Pretty Blog
Hail Marry
Gloria in Excelsis Deo
Under Thy Roof
Sterling Jaquith
Do Small Things with Love
Testosterhome
House Unseen
Laura McAlister
Wildflowers & Marbles
A Blog for My Mom
In the Heart of My Home
Better Than Eden
Clover Lane
I Have to Sit Down
Whole Parenting Family
Camp Patton
The Evangelista
The Merrier World
Like Mother Like Daughter
Adam's Ale
The Natural Catholic Mom
A Welcome Grace



FAVORITE INSTAGRAM ACCOUNT


Winner: 
@blessedisshe__
First Runner Up: @kendra_tierney
Second Runner Up: @mary_scarpati

@marylenaburg
@omariamedia
@sylbass
@rachelbalducci
@carolyn_svellerella
@annunciationdesigns
@among_the_lilies
@linnieautumn
@findingphilothea
@chewslifeshop
@blythefike
@elizabethfoss
@kwhitaker96
@theoodlesofdoodles
@christyisinger
@thismessygrace
@substance_soul
@churchpop
@mattfradd
@booksfaithlife
@onehailmaryatatime
@takeupandread
@everysacredsunday
@hailmarryblog
@jenniferfulwiler
@jenmackintosh
@whole_parenting
@christyisinger
@nunandnunner
@houseunseen
@catholicsoul_2014
@fiatmihi.calligraphy
@therealkatiewaldow
@jacquiskemp
@theresabreslin
@theevangelista
@anendlesspursuit
@positively__imperfect
@catholicsistas
@thecatholicfeminist
@marybighair
@somedaysaintsdesigns
@katieprejean
@armorofgodlv
@rosiehill425
@ordinarylovely
@camilledipaola
@honeychildforest
@acatholicconvo
@thelionheartedlife
@laurenscharmer
@byloverefined
@thefiskfiles
@beaheartdesign
@shannonkevans
@thismessygrace
@bobbi_rol
@haleycarrots
@inhonorofdesign



FAVORITE PODCAST


Winner: Fountains of Carrots

First Runner Up: The Catholic Feminist
Second Runner Up: Abiding Together

Word on Fire Show
Coffee and Pearls
Catholic Stuff You Should Know
While You Were Folding
Catching Foxes
The Jennifer Fulwiler Show
The Gathering Place - Blessed Is She
Ryian's Coffee Shop
The Show with Edmund Mitchell
Busted Halo
Among the Lilies
The Electric Waffle
Read Aloud Revival
FIAT: Faith In All Things
St. Joseph's Workshop
Girlfriends with Danielle Bean
Fr. John Riccardo
Hobo for Christ
The Patrick Coffin Show
Diapers and Disciples
Do Small Things With Love
From the Friars
The Chimney
Ask Fr. Josh
Pints with Aquinas
Thomistic Institute Lectures
Divine Intimacy Radio
Hello and Welcome



FAVORITE YOUTUBE CHANNEL


Winner: 
Ascension Presents
First Runner Up: Bishop Barron / Word on Fire
Second Runner Up: Emily Wilson

A Catholic Mom's Life
A Country Life
Catholic Home Life
New Catholic Generation
Kate and Mike Catholic Crusade
Athenas Musica
Tabitha Kelley
Gabi After Hours
Sensus Fidelium
Surprised by Marriage
Sterling Jaquith
The Rosary Workout
Mary Scarpati
Pray More Novenas
Steve the Missionary
That Catholic Couple
Fr Roderick
Lizzie's Answers 



FAVORITE TWITTER ACCOUNT


Winner: 
Jennifer Fulwiler @jenfulwiler
First Runner Up: Tea with Tolkien @teawithtolkien
Second Runner Up: Sr. Miriam James @onegroovynun

Sr Helena Burns @SrHelenaBurns
Fr. Goyo  @FrGoyo
Joe Sales @joesales
Tommy Tighe @theghissilent
Novus Oreo Watch @novusoreowatch
C.C. Pecknold @ccpecknold
Ed Peters @canonlaw
Sr Theresa Aletheia @pursuedbytruth
Hail Marry Blog @HailMarryBlog
Courtney @catholichomegrl
Catholic Vote @CatholicVote
Kelly Mantoan @kellymantoan
Jenna Guizar @jennaguizar
Meg Hunter Kilmer @MegHunterKilmer
Gloria Purvis @gloria_purvis
FOCUS @FOCUSCatholic
Haley Stewart @HaleyCarrots
Patrick Madrid @PatrickMadrid
Carey Helmick @careyhelmick
Kyle Helmick @HelmickeyMouse
Fr. Dan Folwaczny @frrocketdan



FAVORITE FACEBOOK PAGE / GROUP




BEST KEPT SECRET
These are sorted by type but in the end you can only vote for one, be it IG account, blog, YouTube channel, or podcast, and not one in each.


Winner: Sancta Nomina Blog
First Runner Up: The Real Katie Waldow IG
Second Runner Up: The Catholic Feminist Podcast

IG


Blog


Podcast


YouTube




MOST INSPIRING

Winner: Ascension Presents YouTube Channel
First Runner Up: Blessed Is She Blog
Second Runner Up: Catholic All Year Blog

Blog  
Mama Needs Coffee
Mothering Spirit
Like Mother, Like Daughter
Echoes From The Bell Tower
Seasons of the Heart and Home
No Greater Love
Blessed Is She Blog
Sweeping Up Joy
My Child I Love You
Messy Buns and Latin Chant
A Beautiful, Camouflaged, Mess of A Life
Do Small Things with Love
Finer Femininity
Everyday Abundant
Hail Marry
The Wine Dark Sea
Held by His Pierced Hands
Team Whitaker
Catholic All Year
A Catholic Convo
The Big White Farmhouse
Something Pretty
Fortitudine
By Love Refined
This Ain't the Lyceum
Sweet Little Ones

Podcast
Leah Darrow - Do Something Beautiful
Echoes From The Bell Tower
Hobo for Christ 
Word on Fire
Fountains of Carrots
Coffee and Pearls
Blessed is She- The Gathering Place
The Catholic Feminist
From the Friars
Upside Down Podcast

Social Media
@thismessygrace IG
@InHonorOfDesign IG
@Ordinary Lovely IG
@blessedisshe__ IG with a special shout out to Beth Davis' Teachable Tuesday
@PositivelyImperfect IG
@rakstardesigns IG
@mary_haseltine IG
@takeupandread IG
@Swissguardwife IG
@agentlemother IG
@whole_parenting IG
@allisonbenotafraid IG
@marylenaburg IG
@jenmackintosh IG
@onehailmaryatatime IG
@jenniferfulwiler IG
@RachelBalducci IG
@JamesMartinSJ Twitter
Ascension Presents  YouTube Channel with a special shout out to Fr. Mike Scmitz
Emily Wilson YouTube Channel
A Catholic Mom's Life YouTube Channel



SMARTEST 

Winner: Mama Needs Coffee Blog
First Runner Up: Pints with Aquinas Podcast
Second Runner Up: Word on Fire Podcast

Blog
Whole Parenting 
Like Mother, Like Daughter
Held By His Pierced Hands
Carrots for Michaelmas
Laura McAllister
Shower of Roses
Not So Formulaic
Sancta Nomina
Under Thy Roof
Between the Linens
Read Aloud Revival
Living With Lady Philosophy
Blessed Is She
Hail Marry
Grace Filled Mind
The Kavanaugh Report
Catholic All Year
Mama Needs Coffee
Fr. Z's Blog

Podcast
The Counsel of Trent
Just One Small Thing Podcast
Pints with Aquinas
Thomistic Institute Lectures
Fountains of Carrots 
Word on Fire
The Gathering Place - Blessed Is She
The Catholic Feminist Podcast
Catholic Stuff You Should Know 

Social Media
Laura Fanucci @thismessygrace IG
Christina Jaloway @theevangelista IG
The Well Read Catholic @thewellreadcatholic IG
Jen Fulwiler @jenniferfulwiler IG
Take Up and Read @takeupandread IG
Blessed Is She @blessedisshe__ IG
Megan Hjelmstad @PositivelyImperfect  IG
Kaitlyn Faucista @TeawithTolkien  IG
Mary Scarpati YouTube Channel
Kathryn Whitaker @kwhitaker96 IG
Mary Lenaburg @marylenaburg IG
Nell @Whole_Parenting IG
Kendra Tierney @kendra_tierney IG
Brian Holdsworth YouTube Channel  
Breaking In The Habit YouTube Channel
The Catholic Feminist @theCatholicfeminist



FUNNIEST

Winner: Jennifer Fulwiler IG
First Runner Up: Tommy Tighe Twitter
Second Runner Up: Honeychild Forest IG

Mary Scarpati YouTube
Blythe Fike IG

FAVORITE CATHOLIC ARTISAN

Winner: Rose Harrington Art
First Runner Up: Brick House in the City
Second Runner Up: Chews Life Shop




MISS CONGENIALITY


Winner: Kathryn Whitaker
First Runner Up: Sr. Miriam James
Second Runner Up: Haley Stewart



To see the past winners and nominees click here.