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.



Tuesday, February 26, 2008

Weekend in Victoria

I can't believe it's been a week since I last posted a blog...sorry. I'm chairing the auction for my Rotary Club and also doing President-Elect "stuff". In fact, I was in Victoria BC over the weekend for a Rotary conference and I had the chance to go to St. Andrew Cathedral in Victoria. It's a beautiful church...it's everything you would picture a cathedral to be.

The cool thing was I was going to daily Mass on Saturday morning at 9:30. I got there early because I wanted to make sure I ate in time to take Communion and so I had time on my hands. I decided to go into pray by the Blessed Sacrament and to my joy I found there was a Rosary just starting!

It felt like God had taken me there early for a reason. One of those small gifts that God will bestow upon you just when you need it!

Vivat Jesus,

Dan

P.S. I'd love it if you can help out my Rotary auction. It's online this year. We raise thousands of dollars to help people all over the world. The Rotary motto is "Service Above Self". Stewardship is what we are all about. You can help us by bidding on some very cool things online starting next Tuesday. Check out what we have by clicking here, or cutting and pasting this URL - http://poulsborotary.cmarket.com.

Tuesday, February 19, 2008

The Last Chance...


This is your last chance to register for tonight's FREE teleconference with Doug Strauss at 6:00pm PST. We have a big group listening in and I'd love to add you if you haven't already signed up.

To learn more about Doug, his family, and his amazing daughter Gloria, go to www.gloriasangels.org. This is an opportunity to change your life this Lent. Don't miss it.

To register, simply e-mail me at dan@danweedin.com, or hit "reply" and say "Sign me up for Doug Strauss". You will be sent a link and instructions on how to participate, either by phone or internet. I will also be taking questions via e-mail.

I hope to have you join us tonight for this very special interview.

Vivat Jesus,

Dan

Monday, February 18, 2008

On the Front Line...

Today was the first day I was out on the front-line for 40 Days for Life. I was praying for life in front of the Planned Parenthood facility in Bremerton, WA. As I stood out there with another soldier in this battle, it dawned on me how busy the clinic was, even on a national holiday. That's why what we do as a faith community is so important. The evil of abortion takes no days off.

My friend and I prayed the Divine Mercy Chaplet while people came in and out of the clinic. I also silently asked St. Michael to protect these people. I remembered the Gospel from today - "Do not judge lest you be judged." How important it is to pray for all people who don't understand the horror of abortion. We can't judge them...just pray for a change of heart.

We did get a few friendly honks from drivers passing by. That was encouraging. It was appropriate I guess though that the last one to honk at us as I was finishing my shift let out a an expletive laced shout as he drove by. The ironic thing was that the young lady on the passenger side simply waved. One out of two ain't bad!

Please remember to pray during these 40 days for an end to abortion. If you have a chance, go out and stand vigil in prayer before an abortion mill. You will be changed. It will take all of us to fight this holacaust of the unborn. But in the end, we will prevail.

Vivat Jesus,

Dan

P.S. Just a friendly reminder...my FREE teleconference tomorrow features my guest Doug Strauss from Gloria's Angels. Please join us at 6:00pm PST and listen to the incredible story of his daughter Gloria and how she transformed lives in her short time on earth. Let her story transform yours, too. Simply e-mail me at dan@danweedin.com to get the information on how you can participate.

Sunday, February 17, 2008

The Last Lecture

I just received an e-mail from a good friend who sent this You Tube video out. You need to see it. I had heard the name Dr. Randy Pausch from my friend Doug Petch, but I didn't know why he mentioned him. I should have asked.

Want to get out of the blues? Want to be energized? Need a pick me up on life or just your day?

Watch this video by clicking here -

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_tIyt8oSLVs

We do have a choice in how we approach life...thanks for the reminder!

Vivat Jesus,

Dan

Saturday, February 16, 2008

Check out this great post from Steve Ray

Catholic apologetic Steve Ray has a great new post on his blog. He was kneeling in front of St. James remains in Jerusalem. If you're like me, you will find it very moving. Click here to read Steve Ray's blog...

Vivat Jesus,

Dan

P.S. Two days to go before my interview with Doug Strauss. Sign up today for FREE by e-mailing me at dan@danweedin.com.

Thursday, February 14, 2008

Happy Valentines Day

Last night, I spent a good portion of my evening working on my Rotary Auction project as I'm the chair of the committee. I came upstairs, bleery-eyed after a couple of hours of working...ready to hit the stack.

My wife Barb was sitting on the coach waiting for me and asked, "Dan, do you know what tomorrow is?"

My reply - "Thursday."

Her facetious response was fitting - "Boy, did I marry the most romantic guy!"

Whoops.

Happy Valentines Day to everyone, especially Barb!

Vivat Jesus,

Dan

P.S. Speaking of my auction, you can help support our cause regardless of where you live. We are doing an online auction starting March 4 and running through April 18. To donate an item or register to bid, go to http://poulsborotary.cmarket.com. Help us make a difference in the lives of millions.

Tuesday, February 12, 2008

On the Radio!!!

Did you hear me on Sound Insight this morning with Tom Curran? If not, go to www.mycatholicfaith.org and go to the section to listen online to the replay. Let me know what you think.

Vivat Jesus,

Dan

P.S. I had several sign-ups for the Doug Strauss interview next week. To participate in this FREE teleconference on February 19th at 6:00pm PST, e-mail me at dan@danweedin.com right away. Space is limited. Do it today!

Monday, February 11, 2008

On the radio tomorrow

Just your friendly reminder...

I will be Tom Curran's guest on Sound Insight tomorrow morning at 8:00am PST. We will be discussing evangelizing our faith through the mediums like blogs, video, and e-zines. Please tune in tomorrow on 1050 AM Sacred Heart Radio (Seattle).

One more reminder, next week Doug Strauss will be my guest for the February teleconference - February 19th at 6:00pm PST. The teleconference is FREE, but you must e-mail me to save your space. Contact me at dan@danweedin.com and take part in this event.

Vivat Jesus,

Dan

Wednesday, February 6, 2008

Can you take my Lenten Challenge?

Don’t give up anything for Lent this year! Accept my Lenten Challenge instead.

Finding something to give up for Lent every year is a challenge, right? It’s almost like making a New Year’s Resolution – no candy, no chocolate, no beer!

What ends up happening is that instead of really living Lent, you treat it as a burden to endure. Lent turns into a time to detest instead of an opportunity to grow in your faith. What’s worse is that many of us become apathetic and forget what Lent is really all about. Apathy in our faith is dangerous.

This year, instead of giving something up, why don’t you take my Lenten Challenge instead? What’s my Lenten Challenge, you ask? You have opportunities this Lent for you to join your brothers and sisters in Christ in special events at your parish, I bet. All you have to do is commit to attending one event per week to grow and pray as a parish community. Jesus has called us to “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand” (Matthew 4:17) Lent is a time for us as a faith community to worship, praise, and repent together.

Here are some examples from my parish - Lenten Soup Suppers, Stations of the Cross, Perpetual Eucharistic Adoration and Benediction, Prayer Groups, and Missions. Look and see what your parish is doing...I bet you will be surprised.

I guess in a sense, you will be giving up something…your time. However consider the rewards you receive by participating in these parish events:

* You will gain a deeper understanding of this most holy season of Lent
* You will be accepting the call from Christ to conversion and repentance (“Come after me and I will make you fishers of men…” Matthew 4:19)
* You will experience a more fulfilling Lenten season

Now, my challenge doesn't include Mass. Why? Because Mass is a normal obligation for us. The Lenten Challenge is summoning you to go above and beyond the normal requirements. Jesus went above and beyond for us by suffering his passion and death on the cross. Lent is a time for us to do the same.

But wait, there’s more! We all love guarantees, right? Well, here’s a special guarantee from me. I guarantee you when you accept the Lenten Challenge; you will walk away with a deeper love for Jesus and your faith and will be changed forever. How can we back this up? Easy…Jesus himself promises us to, “Rejoice and be glad, for your rewards will be great in heaven” (Matthew 5:12)

Vivat Jesus,

Dan

P.S. If you commit to this challenge as a family or as a ministry, it makes it easier! You will be able to share your sacrifice of time with others. There is great joy and accountability that goes with this. Commit today to taking the Lenten Challenge!

P.S.S. Want another Lenten activity to join in and meet the challenge? Sign up for times on the 40 Days for Life campaign. No matter where you live, there's a campaign nearby. Check out the PDF on this page for those of you in Washington.

Tuesday, February 5, 2008

A Super Fat Tuesday


Where else but in America can we have a day that is both fat and super?

The day before Ash Wednesday has been called "Fat Tuesday" because it's the day you eat plenty in preparation of a day of fasting tomorrow. Now, I'm not saying we have to go as far as the Mardi Gras crowd, but it is a day to celebrate as we dive headfirst into Lent. Remember, all able bodied Catholics between 18-59 are required to fast tomorrow. Even you on the fringes who are in good health should, too! Take today to store away what you need to sustain you if need be, and be ready for tomorrow. I will post a special piece on Ash Wednesday.

And of course our nation goes politically crazy today as 22 states vote in the primary known as Super Tuesday. We in Washington vote on the 19th. Mike Huckabee is now the endorsed candidate by the National Right to Life organization. To see their endorsement letter, click here.

This election has to be about the right to life. Yes...there are many important issues that face our nation. That being said, I can't think of one more important than the basic right to life given to us by God, can you?

Vivat Jesus,

Dan

P.S. You know what else happens on the 19th? My interview with Doug Strauss. Don't miss it...all you have to do is e-mail me at dan@danweedin.com and you are in for FREE. Call now to save your space.

P.S.S. Glad you read down to here. On Tuesday, February 12 I am honored to be a guest on Tom Curran's morning show on Sacred Heart Radio called Sound Insight. Tom is a great Catholic radio personality, apologetic, and spreader of the faith. I'm excited to be on his show. I hope you will join us on February 12th at 8:00am on 1050AM Sacred Heart Radio. To learn more about Tom, click here.

Monday, February 4, 2008

I'm back!


I'm sorry to have taken a whole week off from blogging but I caught that nasty cold mid-week and it really got me down until yesterday (just in time to enjoy the Super Bowl). I'm feeling almost back to normal so I'm off to posting again!

That being said, I hope you will join me this week as I catch up on my posts by discussing Lent. Ash Wednesday is this week and that kicks off our preparation for Easter. Please check in often and add any comments you'd like to voice.

Prior to yesteday's Super Bowl, ESPN aired a special called the "Faith Bowl". It was a roundtable discussion with Catholic sports and acting celebrities. The panel included Jeff Suppan (Major Leage Baseball), Chris Horn (NFL player), Lauren Bauer (professional softball), and actors Matthew Marsden (Rambo), Eduardo Verástegui (Bella) and Chris Kramer (The Collector). It was in interesting discussion centered around how these atlete and actors are able to keep Christ and their Catolic faith the center aof their lives.

It's all part of a new organization called Catholic Athletes for Christ. To learn more about this organization, go to www.CatholicAthletesForChrist.com. They have put together some marvelous videos aimed at helping youg people live their faith. If you have a young athlete in your family, it's worth looking at their site.

I'll be back quite a bit more this week as we charge into Lent. I hope to see you here!

Vivat Jesus,

Dan

P.S. Don't forget about my interview with Doug Strauss on February 19th. Space is limited so please e-mail me at dan@danweedin.com and tell me you want to join this FREE event. To learn more about Doug and his daughter Gloria, go to www.gloriastrauss.org.

P.S.S. I will be the Master of Ceremonies for a kick off for 40 Days for Life in Bremerton on Tuesday, February 5 at Holy Trinity Church. Check out how you can help your local 40 Days for Life campaign. Download a brochure from this site.