The hard thing about a hardening heart is recognizing it so you can  (with the grace of God) reverse course.

And sometimes I recognize this in myself, and I just don’t want to turn things around. I want to wallow in my grumpiness and judgement.

That right there ^^^^ that statement is why you can’t do it alone. We need God’s grace to do the hard things. You may not know or recognize it as grace, but it’s there. 

And that little reminder, I hope, is enough to send up a little prayer “God change my heart. Mary pray for me.”

Ask for help, lean on God’s Grace for assistance, and start taking little actions even if you’re heart isn’t in it yet.

Love and prayers,
Megan

The custom of distributing prayer cards is a centuries-old tradition in the Catholic faith. 

Prayer cards, or holy cards, are small, devotional cards for the use of the faithful that bear a religious image and a verse or prayer that can be used for private devotion. They also make great keepsakes from special events like First Communions, weddings, and ordinations.

This convenient album will keep your treasured prayer cards safe from wear and tear, allowing you to continue to pray with them for years to come!

This 10″x 9″ blue album comes with six clear pages and can store up to 48 holy cards. 

Refill for album also available – 6 pages in the refill packet.

Our Lady of Grace lightweight & durable Vinyl Polyresin Statue. Can be used indoor/outdoor.

24″ Tall, made in USA.

Picasso’s artistic inspiration takes hold of young Emma’s faith imagination in Drawing God, a beautifully illustrated hardcover picture book about how we all see God differently.

“This urge to draw something beyond spectacular would not leave my side. ‘What should I draw?’ I thought. I sat quietly, listening to my mind and heart. That’s when I heard their whisper and I decided to draw God.”

Emma tries again and again and again to draw God, but her classmates can’t see God in any of her drawings. Emma finally realizes that she doesn’t need their approval.  

“I knew I had drawn God. God knew I had drawn God, and maybe Picasso knew, too. That finally felt like enough.”

But when Emma returns to school on the following Monday, something beyond spectacular happens. Drawing God is a story for children to discover what inspires their very own faith imagination and to realize the contagious faith that lives powerfully within them.

Our cat is by far the most annoying inhabitant in our house. He meows incessantly to be let out – and then to be let right back in.

He will clean himself with the loudest licks you’ve ever heard.

He lets us know there’s a mouse under the couch, then retreats to the kitchen to yell at us about his empty bowl while we grab fly swatters and kitchen tongs to herd the terrified mouse to the outdoors.

He’s not capable of much more than sleeping, eating, and annoying me. 

But he’s cute, so I guess he has that going for him.

Herman (that’s our cat) makes no bones about what he wants from us. He’s a straight-talking cat for sure. We know exactly when he wants food, cuddles, or fresh air.

There is no mystery in this cat. 

And he frustrates me to no end.

But he brings me an awareness of God. Right when I think I’m at my absolute wit’s end with that cat, he makes me laugh at myself. 

All that fuss over a meow? Really?

And that’s when I remember to send up a tiny short prayer. Herman is like my fuzzy, obnoxious prayer reminder.

But would it kill him to catch a mouse?

Love to all,
Megan

Free Shipping Alert:
Every single year we sell out of this nativity set, and each year we order more than ever before.
For good reason: It’s gorgeous and super affordable. 
We’ve put in our order and have been notified that they’re on their way. Meaning we’ll be able to start shipping them out mid-October – with free shipping on your order.
St. Joseph stands 12″ tall. The pearl finish is stunning. Don’t miss out on this nativity set (again).
$130 + Free Shipping

When feelings of frustration, anger, or hurt bubble up in your daily life, this Saint Francis of Assisi necklace reminds you to breathe and become peaceful. Let St. Francis help you de-stress as you turn your actions and thoughts towards those of peace.

This necklace has a modest but elegant look. The St. Francis medal is thick and substantive, as is the “Peace” tag and rhinstone setting.

Comes carded with a burlap branded bag. Miriam Hahn Designs.

Chaplet of the Blessed Sacrament with color laminated Prayer Card. Contains prayer “Soleman Resolution” with instructions and Job’s Tears beaded chaplet in clear carded package. Prayer card measures 4 1/8″ x 2 1/2″.

Call upon the Sacred Heart of Christ in times of need with our Blessed Sacrament Catholic Chaplet and Prayer Card. Meditate on the Seven Sorrows using the pale-colored rosary beads and a crowning silver medal while using the included rosary prayer pamphlet as a reference.

I color code my calendar. Between work, kids, personal – all of it has a color. And church stuff is purple (purple is also my favorite color – or royal blue).

So I have these little chunks that appear here and there on my calendar, but what I really really want is a light purple that is the background of ALL of my time.

I’m on a constant quest to make God the center of everything I do, and I fail more often than I succeed. But once I made the visual connection in my  brain that instead of JUST small dark purple chunks, my life could have a constant, steady lavender background, I feel a whole lot better about the times I fail at putting God first.

Because I don’t have to wait until the next purple chunk to make it right. 

Just a simple acknowledgement of His presence throughout every nook and cranny of my life is comforting. 

Thank God.

Love to all,
Megan

Our Lady of Mental Peace

Mother of Tranquility and Mother of Hope,
look upon me in this time of my
weakness and unrest.
Touch my searching heart to know that
God’s Love for me is unchanging and 
unchangeable, and, that true human love 
can only begin and grow by
touching His Love.
Let your gentle Peace which this world
cannot give be always with me. And help 
me to bring the same Peace into
the lives of others.
Our Lady of Mental Peace, pray for me.

St Francis Peace Charm Necklace

When feelings of frustration, anger, or hurt bubble up in your daily life, this Saint Francis of Assisi necklace reminds you to breathe and become peaceful. Let St. Francis help you de-stress as you turn your actions and thoughts towards those of peace.

This necklace has a modest but elegant look. The St. Francis medal is thick and substantive, as is the “Peace” tag and rhinstone setting.

Comes carded with a burlap branded bag. Miriam Hahn Designs.

Head of Christ Brass Pyx

Share God’s healing power with ailing Catholic loved ones via our Head of Christ Brass Pyx. Delicately fashioned from high-quality brass, our pyx displays a pewter cover featuring an image of Christ crowned with thorns.

Along with a prayer cross, this brass pyx is an ideal gift for sick Catholics seeking a divine cure. Inspiring faith in the power of Christ, our pyx is an ideal gift for traveling priests or those who minister to the sick. Help our fellow Catholics find peace through the Lord via this Head of Christ Brass Pyx.

Inside this pyx, you will find a high point (or bump) at the bottom for easy access to the Host. 

I like to spend my weekends in my garden. But this Saturday I got out there and realized I had nothing to do. 

There were no weeds to pull, and not much to harvest beyond just grazing on carrots and cherry tomatoes.

The stores are all sold out of canning lids, so making more salsa is out of the question for now.

So I kind of just stood there and looked around a bit. Poked at some peppers, talked to the cauliflower, and went back inside.

Throughout the day I found excuses to go out and water this or compost that, but nothing to really get my hands dirty.

At the end of the day, I felt distressed because I hadn’t accomplished much. There was no plan, there was no achievement, just a day of putzing around. 

How often do we lack a project or a goal in our faith life? Maybe we’re not fired up on Sunday morning because we don’t have a vision for what COULD be in our communion with God.

Take a minute to envision what you want out of your faith. What does that look like? By when do you want to accomplish it?

Thoughtful, intentional growth in faith…. think about it.

Love and prayers,
Megan

The cover of this bible is so soft and comfortable in the hand you will never want to put it down, and the slightly larger font size makes it easy on the eyes for young and old.

Bible is embossed with a single decade rosary on the back.

How to Converse with God is a famous booklet of St. Alphonsus Liguori, Founder of the Redemptorists and Doctor of the Church, which shows us that God delights in us speaking to Him as we would a friend. 

Crucifix from the Veronese series in cold-cast bronze cross with pewter style corpus, 10″.

Have you ever looked back on your life and traced your spiritual story?

As in:

“I grew up in a Catholic home and was baptized as a baby. I thought everyone prayed before meals and went to Mass on Sundays.

“I remember when I was really little – long before my First Communion – I wanted to receive the Host so badly that I DEMANDED my mom bring back one and give it to me.”

And on and one the story goes with the highlights, struggles, and turning points that bring us to today.

If you do decide to do this exercise, this next part could be very revealing….

Now that you have your story, go back and find the parts where you were trying to run the show or where you weren’t hearing what God had to say. Maybe there are even parts where you felt His presence, and didn’t know what to do with it.

And look for the parts that were blessings and graces.

For example – in the little story above perhaps the Eucharist was so attractive to me as a child, but I had no idea what was drawing me in or why.

Are there any over-arching themes? Did you learn anything about yourself or how you want to move forward with your faith?

Hindsight can be so helpful, and I know I don’t use it often enough.

Love to all,
Megan

We’re just starting to test out these little prayer card albums.  We have 3 of each color and will bring in more colors (and more quantity) if you like them.

This convenient soft bound leatherette album with snap will keep your treasured prayer cards safe from wear and tear, allowing you to bring them with you and have them at your fingertips when you need them!

This 4 x 5 inch blue or black album comes with 20 single card clear pages. 

The Our Father in beautifully illustrated Hardcover form, this book explains each phrase of the Our Father simply so our children can pray along with the story.

What a sweet way to end an evening’s storybook reading. Please note that “you” and “your” are used in place of “thee” and “thou”.

This beautiful patron saint sterling silver bracelet is handmade in New England by talented silversmiths. Each medal depicts its subject in delicate detail.

This sterling silver bracelet features the following saints: Christopher, Joseph, Therese, Jude, Anthony, and Anne. It also has a Miraculous Medal, Scapular Medal, and a crucifix charm.

Last week I had the pleasure of learning from an expert in the world of brainwaves and what that has to do with our ability to get into that ever elusive state of “Flow” – where you are so involved with the thing you are doing, time seems to fly by and you make massive amounts of progress.

It was so interesting learning about the phases you have to go through in order to get to that phase – Struggle,  Release, Flow and Recovery.

Struggle is where beta waves start to flow through your brain and we have to consciously focus because there is some resistance – the task is just a little hard so it conjures a bit of stress.

Once you overcome the “hard” part, your mind quiets and you get to the Release phase (with alpha waves), and then you can slip into Flow. Flow is where we become open-hearted and the task becomes effortless, timeless and selfless.

I think Flow is where I’d LOVE to be whenever I pray my rosary, but seem to get stuck over and over and it becomes a chore. And I think I now understand why thanks to this scientist.

There is a final phase that I’ve been neglecting. And without proper time in this phase, the Flow state becomes harder to get to.

Recovery. Recovery is were we are actively restoring our brain. Think of going to the gym; you don’t build muscles at the gym; you tear them down. When you rest and eat a healthy diet, that’s when those muscles grow back.

The Restore phase cannot take place while you are watching TV or scrolling through social media. Recovery requires intention.

I spent a huge chunk of this email just explaining the phases, but I couldn’t help but consider my own prayer life as he was explaining the bits and pieces. 

What really caught my ear was the term “Open Hearted”. That’s what I want to be to God’s voice. Completely open hearted to His will.

About a year ago I expressed to my spiritual director that I wanted to hear God’s voice – like literally hear it because I felt like I was always guessing.  I was stuck in Phase 1: Struggle.

Now I’m armed with breathing techniques and paying attention to how I allow myself to recover. 

God told us to rest. He certainly wasn’t wrong.

$5

Children and teens love these fun, cute, colorful and durable charms. This St. Therese of Lisieux Tiny Saint Charm is made of soft PVC. The clip allows you to attach the charm to jacket zippers, backpacks, keychains, or lanyards.

Made in the USA.

So many saints to choose from!

$7.95

This classic book, a guide for anyone seeking union with God in contemplative prayer, invites us to intently and purposefully seek the Lord, pointing out to us the challenges along the way, so that we might remain on the true path.

$9.98

These rosaries are perfect for the car. The magnetic clasp allows you to easily store this one-decade rosary around your rear-view mirror. Regardless of the color you choose, these beads are designed to catch and scatter the sunlight into a beautiful spectrum of light. A perfect gift for that someone who has everything.

Do you ever find yourself noodling on a certain part of the Mass – as if it’s the first time you’ve heard the words (even though you’ve heard them a thousand times)?

I had that experience this weekend. I was cantoring for our parish’s online streaming Mass, and it was time to sing the invocation (I had to look that up – I don’t know the names of the parts of the Mass).

The part I’m talking about is when we sing or declare “Lamb of God you take away the sins of the world, have mercy on us. Lamb of God you take away the sins of the world, have mercy on us. Lamb of God, you take away the sins of the world, grant us peace.”

We ask for mercy before we ask for peace. The order of these statements I think is really important. (Granted – this is how it struck me this weekend. I do not have a theology degree.)

First we ask for His mercy – to take away our sins – to wipe us clean of our past actions. THEN and only then do we as for Him to grant us peace in the future.

Why not just ask for peace in the future? Because our sins were harmful. We can’t just pretend they didn’t happen. We need forgiveness. We need a clean slate and THEN we can have peace.

Granting “peace” over a sea of wounds isn’t loving. How long would that peace last? How true could that peace really be?

Heal the wounds. Grant us peace.

The White First Holy Communion Keepsake Box is the perfect size to hold a rosary, a cross necklace, and/or other trinkets that reminds your little one about one of the most momentous (and holiest) occasions in their young Catholic life, making it easy to look back on the special gift they’ve been given through Christ in the Eucharist. 

The timeless wisdom of the Rule of the Ten Evangelical Virtues allows the Blessed Mother’s “ten evangelical virtues” to illuminate the path to holiness for Marian Fathers and Marian Helpers alike.

This short book focuses on imitating the Mother of God, particularly in her perfect example of the virtues of Chastity, Prudence, Humility, Faith, Devotion, Obedience, Poverty, Patience, Charity, and Compassion. 

It includes a history of the Rule (with color images), chapters on each virtue, and how to pray the Chaplet of the Ten Evangelical Virtues.

Free Shipping!

Angel lightweight & durable Vinyl Polyresin Statue. Can be used indoor/outdoor.

Made in the USA. Handpainted. Crafted for the outdoors (if it gets over 95 degrees outside, please put in a cooler area or in the shade)

I just got off the phone with a good friend who reminded me to breathe. 

It was exactly what I needed. Deep breaths and a moment to pause and remember God is my Father. Thank God.

Too many surprises and unknowns have been stacking up, and these are the times I need to be running toward God instead of thinking “I DON’T HAVE TIME!” (In my head I scream this at myself.)

Of course I have time. I have 5 seconds now to take one deep breath and ask for help and send up gratitude. 

I just need to give God a little space to come in. He finds the cracks and works His way in, and for that I am so grateful.

“…For he has said, ‘I will never forsake you or abandon you.'”
~ Hebrews 13:5

Love to all,
+Megan

This bible is one of my favorites because it has sections that answers questions that I’m too afraid to ask because I don’t want people to think I don’t know my catechism (I don’t.) 

This is the type of bible that your grandfather had dogeared and bookmarked, and always at his side. It’s beautiful and the cover is so soft to the touch.

It comes in burgundy and black.

These are new! I wanted to test them out, so I only have 3. 

(There is also a version for boys found here.)

Give your new communicant a special place to keep their treasured reminders of their special day with this First Holy Communion Girl’s Keepsake Box.

This pink and white wooden keepsake box features a whimsical illustration of a little girl dressed in a white communion gown and the words “First Communion” painted in pink script across the top. The front of the box has a pink glitter border for added sparkle!

If you are unsure of what to do during your time with the Blessed Sacrament, use this handy guide. Your time will fly by and you will find yourself looking forward to Adoration.

The small step-by-step card walks you though the following division of time with detailed instructions and ideas on how to meditate on each:

Step 1: Recognize the Presence of God
Step 2: Thanksgiving
Step 3: Reparation
Step 4: Petition

I want to share with you the promises Our Lord made to St. Margaret Mary for those devoted to His Sacred Heart.  

I learn something new every time I read the list:

1. I will give them all the graces necessary for their state in life.
2. I will establish peace in their families.
3. I will comfort them in their trials.
4. I will be their secure refuge during life, and, above all, in death.
5. I will shed abundant blessings on all their undertakings
6. Sinners will find in My Heart an infinite ocean of mercy.
7. Lukewarm souls will become fervent.
8. Fervent souls will rapidly grow in holiness and perfection.
9. I will bless every place where an image of My Heart shall be exposed and honored.
10. I will give to priests the gift of touching the most hardened hearts.
11. The names of those who promote this devotion will be written in My Heart, never to be blotted out.
12. I promise thee, in the excessive mercy of My Heart, that My all-powerful love will grant to all those who receive Holy Communion on the First Friday of nine consecutive months, the grace of final penitence; they shall not die in My disgrace nor without receiving their Sacraments; My Divine Heart shall be their safe refuge in this last moment.

I hope you find this useful, whether it is comfort or education or inspiration.

Love to all,

Megan

$102.99. Family heirloom quality Twin Hearts Diptych. Free shipping in the USA: 6.5″ high and 9.5″ tall, this classic diptych was crafted in Italy.

$0.79 – Available in Bulk. Laminated Prayer Card

$4.79 – A perennial favorite around here for many reasons: Made in the USA by nuns. Bulk orders available. Sturdy, broad ribbon. Genuine Wool construction.

I’ll be honest – I have a hard time deciphering when to bite my tongue and when to speak up. 

Being a Catholic business we are a natural target for those who harbor pain and hatred towards us. Now I want to be really careful when I say this because in now way do I want to give off a “victim” vibe.

On the contrary, I’m in a position where I can handle it; I’m strong enough in my faith that these hurled barbs posted as comments on our ads or as “reviews” do not shake me.

But when it comes to deciphering if someone is raging to rage or if they are asking for help, I can’t tell if there is a window open to understanding our beautiful faith.

The super scary step that comes next – after the “yeah, I think I can talk about my faith with this person”  –  is “what the heck do I say?”

So once I get far enough to NOT stick my foot in my mouth (let’s be real – my foot has spent A LOT of time shoved ankle-deep in my mouth for most of my life), then what?

Really what I want is an easy answer. I think to myself “Can I just sneak a green scapular into their car or house and have them not notice? Mother Mary can take it from there….”

At every step I want to turn and run. In fact, I am quite terrible at talking about Catholic things to non-Catholic people. But — I gotta say — I’m getting better (if you consider moving from 1 to 1.5 on a scale of 1-10).

Prayer plays a roll, and so does educating myself and being extremely open-minded to the possibility of being wrong. Rigidity and a false sense of righteousness don’t do well in these conversations. 

I think these conversations naturally have a sense of urgency – as if I need to have the right answer RIGHT NOW. Giving myself the grace to say “I’m not sure” or “I don’t know” gives me the room I need to learn, gather my thoughts and pray (and perhaps cool down) about how I want the next part of the conversation to go.

This might all be presumptuous, but I’m hearing a lot of meaningful conversations happening. Facebook is losing it’s luster, there’s not a whole lot of new content on Netflix, and the news is tiresome. We’re running out of ways to distract our minds and returning to good ol’ conversations.

All this just to say… give grace, respond in love, and keep praying.

Love to all,
Megan

What’s New On Sale

“I love this item. I bought several of them. I used them for my prayer cards and I also organized my funeral cards. Beautiful quality and I love having all of these cards organized for easy access.”

With its stunning detailing and remarkable color combinations, this Cloisonne Pink Bead Rosary balances art and function. This rosary has 7mm cloisonne beads and is 20 inches in length.

In A Year with Mary: Daily Meditations on the Mother of God, best-selling Catholic author Paul Thigpen sets sail on that ocean, using as his map the profound insights of saints and other spiritual writers. These 365 reflections, drawn from their writings, reveal Mary’s role in God’s plan, the virtues she so perfectly models, and the rich benefits of Marian devotion.

The beautiful Premium UltraSoft gift edition features two-tone sewn binding, ribbon marker, gold edges, and designed interior pages.