Welcome Message

Welcome to my blog about Catholic life and family values.
This blog will center around the beauty of Catholicism and how to raise families, evangelize our faith, and fight the ongoing spritual battles that challenge us daily.

You are invited to share your wisdom on these pages with all the readers. Together we will address important life and faith issues and how to enhance our Catholic identity.

Key areas that you will find me addressing regularly will be about important Catholic doctrine and beliefs and how they help us raise strong Catholic Christian families. My hope is that you will learn, enjoy, and be challenged by my posts. You may be informed, amused, or even annoyed, but I hope it will in some way improve your Catholic faith.



Wednesday, November 28, 2007

Deacons...

Tonight, my family will be attending a celebration for our deacon who just passed 25 years of service. What a wonderful vocation being a deacon is. I'm sure it has been a blessing to him and his wife, however I actually think of all the blessings he has bestowed on others all those years. Deacon Carl is an excellent homilist and we constantly ask him for copies of his talk. My dad came into the Church in 1998 and his formation was led by a deacon. And, in the parish my wife works at, the long-time deacon, Deacon Jim, has been a fixture in the lives of parishioners and students for years and is dearly loved.

Regardless of duty, whether it be a wedding funeral, or other ministry, deacons are a vital pat of the success of a parish and diocese. The month of November marks the ordination of many new deacons, so hats off and prayers to all of them. I know I've been guilty of taking them for granted by just assuming they are always just there. Celebrations like tonight remind me about the time, effort, and sacrifice they make. Next time you see your deacon, thank them for their service...they deserve it!

Friday, November 23, 2007

Register online for Teresa Tomeo interview in January


You are now able to register for my interview with Teresa Tomeo on January 23, 2008 at 6:00 pm PST (9:00 pm EST). Teresa will be discussing her book, Noise, which illustrates the issues of how the secular media is corrupting our children and the impact on our faith. If you have children or grandchildren, this is a must read and hear. Teresa will answer YOUR questions as you have the opportunity to e-mail me questions before and during the event. As soon as you register, you will be sent a link to a web site to get instructions for the teleconference and can immediately send me your questions. I will do my very best to get them all answered, even if it means less time for me to ask!


Your investment is only $29.95. What a great opportunity to hear this great Catholic radio personality and author LIVE. Special Bonus: The first 50 people to register will receive a FREE MP3 copy of the interview, that's right FREE. Everyone else will have to pay $29.95 so you will get to take part in the interview AND get the audio. Is that a great deal or what?


To register, click here. Don't miss this exciting event.
Dan
More about Teresa Tomeo:
Teresa Tomeo is an author, syndicated Catholic talk show host, and motivational speaker with more than 26 years of experience in broadcasting as a talk show host, radio and TV news woman, and newspaper columnist primarily in the Detroit area.

Teresa left the secular media in 2000 to start her own speaking and communications company. Teresa’s daily morning program, “Catholic Connection”, is heard on over 120 Catholic stations through EWTN Global Catholic Radio.

Teresa is a regular contributor to “Our Sunday Visitor”, a national Catholic newspaper. She has also appeared frequently on EWTN TV and has also been featured on “The O’Reilly Factor” and Fox News.

As a speaker Teresa travels around the country addressing the topic of media awareness and activism, as well as sharing her faith journey and providing concerned citizens with the tools needed to stand up against today’s culture. Her book, “Noise-How Our Media Saturated Culture Dominates Lives and Dismantles Families” was published in February by Ascension Press.

Tuesday, November 20, 2007

The Big Ouch: Blondie’s Best Lesson Saved for Last


“She’s gone.”

Simple words spoken by Dr. Monica as the shot laced with an overdose of anesthesia gently ended the life of our family dog Blondie at 5:15 pm on November 19. We had scheduled this time because we brought Blondie home as a 6-week old puppy on Monday, June 1, 1991 at 5:00 pm. Sort of a fitting end. The 6,016 days in between were full of love, loyalty, and friendship.

I’ve been compiling for some time lessons I’ve learned from Blondie. Maybe I’ll write a book on them because they are lessons we humans can use at any stage of our lives.

The final lesson she taught me through this process is this – we are blessed with gifts and in some cases there is a time to give them back. The reality of letting go and helping a loved one through the dying process is a fact of life. No matter how well you prepare, until you go through it there is a huge unknown. Now, even though every death in our family will be painful and different, Blondie has taught me that it can be done with dignity, courage and love.

Yes, I know she was a dog, not a human. She was also a binding member of our family for 16 years; a common bond of love for not only our immediate family, but our extended one as well. Parents, siblings, and friends have all shared their sorrow with us. In fact, one of my daughters close friends left a bouquet of flowers on our doorstep last night. That’s one of the many gifts pets bring. They can be the “glue” that brings people more closely together Giving back the gifts are painful, yet always with a lesson to be learned. I want to thank all of my friends and family who have wished us their condolences. Each one is special and appreciated.

Finally, I want to especially thank the wonderful people at Poulsbo Animal Clinic, especially Dr. Monica and her assistant. The opportunity to say farewell to your pet in the privacy of your own home is something I can’t say enough about. Blondie hated going to the vet and this way it was just like having visitors to the house. No other people, no sterile environment; just peacefully passing away at home with your family by your side. Isn’t that the way we would all want to go?

Dan

Monday, November 19, 2007

The Gettysburg Address - November 19, 1863


Today is the 144th anniversary of one of the greatest, if not greatest, speeches ever delivered. It's short...for you fellow Toastmasters, it's about the length of a Table Topics. But its powerful. In honor of this day, please see the text below. You will also see the only known photograph of President Abraham Lincoln at Gettysburg per the Library of Congress.


Dan


Four score and seven years ago our fathers brought forth, upon this continent, a new nation, conceived in liberty, and dedicated to the proposition that "all men are created equal".


Now we are engaged in a great civil war, testing whether that nation, or any nation so conceived, and so dedicated, can long endure. We are met on a great battle field of that war. We have come to dedicate a portion of it, as a final resting place for those who died here, that the nation might live. This we may, in all propriety do. But, in a larger sense, we can not dedicate -- we can not consecrate -- we can not hallow, this ground -- The brave men, living and dead, who struggled here, have hallowed it, far above our poor power to add or detract. The world will little note, nor long remember what we say here; while it can never forget what they did here.


It is rather for us, the living, we here be dedicated to the great task remaining before us -- that, from these honored dead we take increased devotion to that cause for which they here, gave the last full measure of devotion -- that we here highly resolve these dead shall not have died in vain; that the nation, shall have a new birth of freedom, and that government of the people by the people for the people, shall not perish from the earth.

Tuesday, November 13, 2007

The ONLY way to go!


That's me at courtside of the Sonics-Pistons game last Sunday. The Sonics are a new client of mine and they were gracious to put me and my family at courtside for the game after we met (thanks to Chris Fryar). This opportunity came about because of sticking to my game plan and goals.


What are your goals with your faith? Have you set them? Maybe its praying the rosary daily. Maybe its getting to daily Mass. Maybe, if you're like me, it's simply trying to make your day more prayerful.


Whatever it is, stick to it. When you set a game plan full of goals, regardless of whether its business or faith, good things generally happen. Stick with your faith game plan and see if it doesn't get you in the front row for eternity!


Vivat Jesus,


Dan
P.S. Set a goal to listen to my 2008 teleconference series. My first guest is nationally syndicated radio personality and author Teresa Tomeo. She will help you fight the battle against the secular media. See my post below to learn more. The opportunity to register online is coming soon. Contact me now to save your spot - dan@danweedin.com.

Monday, November 12, 2007

In God We Trust...

I normally discard most of the Forwarded stories I receive in the e-mail. Many are untrue or just too long. This one I got came from a good friend, but I looked at the length and was just about to hit "delete" when something stopped me. A little voice said, "Read this one". So, I did. Boy, am I glad I did. To be truthful, sometimes I struggle with putting ALL my trust in God. I say I do, but many times in the recesses of my mind, I know I still have work to do - especially when things get tough. This was a great, timely message straight to me so I figured I'd share it with you in this venue. I hope you enjoy...

Dan

Several years ago, a friend of mine and her husband were invited to spend the weekend at the husband's employer's home. My friend, Arlene, was nervous about the weekend. The boss was very wealthy, with a fine home on the waterway, and cars costing more than her house.

The first day and evening went well, and Arlene was delighted to have this rare glimpse into how the very wealthy live. The husband's employer was quite generous as a host, and took them to the finest restaurants. Arlene knew she would never have the opportunity to indulge in this kind of extravagance again, so was enjoying herself immensely.

As the three of them were about to enter an exclusive restaurant that evening, the boss was walking slightly ahead of Arlene and her husband. He stopped suddenly, looking down on the pavement for a long, silent moment.

Arlene wondered if she was supposed to pass him. There was nothing on the ground except a single darkened penny that someone had dropped and a few cigarette butts. Still silent, the man reached down and picked up the penny.

He held it up and smiled, then put it in his pocket as if he had found a great treasure. How absurd! What need did this man have for a single penny? Why would he even take the time to stop and pick it up?

Throughout dinner, the entire scene nagged at her. Finally, she could stand it no longer. She casually mentioned that her daughter once had a coin collection, and asked if the penny he had found had been of some value.

A smile crept across the man's face as he reached into his pocket for the penny and held it out for her to see. She had seen many pennies before! What was the point of this?

"Look at it." He said. "Read what it says." She read the words"

United States of America"
"No, not that; read further."
"One cent?" "No, keep reading."
"In God we Trust?"
"Yes!" "And?"

"And if I trust in God, the name of God is holy, even on a coin. Whenever I find a coin I see that inscription. It is written on every single United States coin, but we never seem to notice it! God drops a message right in front of me telling me to trust Him? Who am I to pass it by? When I see a coin, I pray, I stop to see if my trust IS
in God at that moment. I pick the coin up as a response to God; that I do trust in Him. For a short time, at least, I cherish it as if it were gold. I think it is God's way of starting a conversation with me. Lucky for me, God is patient and pennies are plentiful!

When I was out shopping today, I found a penny on the sidewalk. I stopped and picked it up, and realized that I had been worrying and fretting in my mind about things I cannot change. I read the words, "In God We Trust," and had to laugh. Yes, God, I get the message.

It seems that I have been finding an inordinate number of pennies in the last few months, but then, pennies are plentiful! And, God is patient…

Thursday, November 8, 2007

Announcing the 2008 Teleconference Series!!!!


I'm very pleased to announce that starting in January 2008, The Catholic Dad will be hosting a monthly teleconference intended to help you become stronger in your Catholic faith. After much prayer and thought, this has become a reality with the announcement of my first guest.

Teresa Tomeo is a nationally syndicated Catholic radio personality and author. Her book Noise is a must-read for any Catholic or Christian parent as it details the dangers of today's secular media. Save the date of January 23, 2008 at 6:00 PM Pacific, 9:00 PM Eastern (and you can figure out the ones in between) for this 60-minute interview with Teresa Tomeo!

Your investment for this teleconference is only $29.95. Not only will you get to listen live by Internet or your phone, you will have the chance to ask Teresa questions via e-mail that come straight to me. What a great opportunity to "Ask the Expert".

The opportunity to register will be on my web site soon. If you don't want to wait, call (360-271-1592) or e-mail (dan@danweedin.com) me and I will personally register you today!

I'm very excited about this series and about Teresa joining me for my first one. I will keep you updated with more information over the coming weeks. Stay tuned.

Vivat Jesus!

Dan

Monday, November 5, 2007

Finding Balance on Gilligan's Island

Have you ever found yourself in a situation where you felt totally unable to function? Last night, I was staring at my computer monitor trying to get a little work done after a busy weekend. My oldest daughter Mindy had been home from college for several days and my wife Barb was taking her to the airport. I was at home because our old dog Blondie is starting a steep decline and we didn’t want to leave her alone. Lack of sleep, a helter skelter few days, and a debilitating overtime loss by the Seahawks had me completely distracted. You probably know that weird feeling of just staring blankly at e-mails!

That’s about the time I realized that balance was needed right then and there for my life. I subscribe to Alan Weiss’ newsletter, The Balancing Act (which I highly recommend – wwwsummitconsulting.com). Alan is constantly talking about life balance. In my case, sometimes you just have to take a break.

My method for taking a break was to turn off the computer (so as to not be tempted to come back), pour a smooth glass of wine, and watch my Gilligan’s Island DVD. Now you may be thinking “Gilligan’s Island! Is this guy a kook?” Maybe so. But, at that point and time, I needed a good dose of slapstick humor and relaxation to re-charge my batteries. After a relaxing evening and a good night’s sleep…I was able to tackle the next day with more vigor and focus. If I had continued on my path of work the night before, I’m certain I wouldn’t have had the same focus.

What about you? Are there times that you need to reward your mind and body with a much needed break to find balance? Now, you may not find Gilligan’s Island to be the right remedy for you. But a nice walk, a game of chess, or a quiet dinner with your spouse or significant other may be just what the doctor ordered.

Workaholics abound in our society. The desire to get ahead at all costs often lead to high blood pressure, stress disorders, and failed relationships. One thing I have learned in my life, and continue to be reminded of, is that balance is good for the mind, heart, and soul. Remember that next time you are staring blankly at your computer monitor.

Dan

Thursday, November 1, 2007

Happy All Saints Day

At Mass today, Father talked in his homily about using role models to achieve your goals. He used the example of if you wanted to become a professional basketball player, you might model the habits and traits of Michael Jordan or Larry Bird. If you wanted to be an inventor, you would likely model Thomas Edison or Alexander Graham Bell. If you wanted to be a musician, perhaps Mozart or Beethoven.

Don't we all want to be saints? Our goal should be heaven and everyone who has made it into heaven is a saint. If that is our goal, then wouldn't modeling the lives of the saints be wise?

I have several favorite saints that I have studied over the years - St. Joseph, St. Augustine, St. Therese, and St. Faustina to name a few. I am beginning a book on a saint-to-be, Mother Teresa of Calcutta. My daughter Mindy is reading the book, and because of a lengthy trip home for a visit, she is almost done with it. I think I will grab it before she leaves (she needs to finish it!) and get started. The term "latter day saint" is appropriate for Blessed Mother Teresa as canonization should be shortly forthcoming. Other than Pope John Paul the Great, I can't think of another person of our generation that would be a better role model to getting to heaven - can you?