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.



Monday, March 31, 2008

Do You Trust a Dog's Nose?

Listen to my audio blog...

(3 minutes, 6 seconds)

Click This Link To Play The Audio Message

Vivat Jesus,

Dan

Thursday, March 27, 2008

Fast Food Confession

OK...you have to admit it. This is funny...



Vivat Jesus,

Dan

Saturday, March 22, 2008

Where was Jesus on Holy Saturday?


Great question for today, huh? Well, you can read a great answer from Steve Ray's blog by clicking here...

Happy Holy Saturday...He is Risen soon!

Vivat Jesus,

Dan

Friday, March 21, 2008

One Year by Mouth

Today marks the one year anniversary of my going back to taking communion by the mouth instead of by hand. I know that both ways are accepted by the Church, however I was strongly drawn to go back to the "old school" way of my youth. One of the cool by-products is that my family joined me in this without any prompting from me. They asked and I simply explained that I knew that if the Pope was offering me communion at St. Peter's Basilica, I would take it by the mouth! Jesus is the same in the Eucharist everywhere, so why wouldn't I do the same at home?

That was only one reason. I realized that there was something special for me in taking Jesus' body on my tongue. When my decision was made last Good Friday, I can't tell you the joy I felt after receiving Jesus in the Eucharist. It was like coming home again.

One final thought...

My wife Barb mentioned to me an additional reason she went back to "old school". She found herself sitting in the pew trying to get something off the bottom of her shoe. She realized that her unwashed hand would be holding Jesus. She knew at that moment that she would make the switch back.

Don't get me wrong, many people have given me good reasons to take communion by the hand. To me, it's an individual thing. What I will say is that if you haven't taken Jesus by the mouth in a long time (or ever), try it this Easter weekend. See if it has the same effect on you as it did me.

Happy Easter!

Vivat Jesus,

Dan

Thursday, March 20, 2008

Taking it to the Street

For all my friends in Kitsap County, the fight continues...

Good news from Kitsap 40 Days for Life member Glenn Stockton. The group will continue to vigilantly pray outside the Planned Parenthood clinic in East Bremerton every Thursday indefinitely. This is our opportunity to help in the battle to save the lives of the unborn in our county.

If you can ever give even an hour to this cause, please call Glenn at 360-329-4985.

Vivat Jesus!

Dan

Sunday, March 16, 2008

One Step Closer to Sainthood


Check out this news release from the Knights of Columbus. For my fellow Brother Knights and all connected with Catholicism in the United States...this is great news!

Vatican declares Knights of Columbus founder "venerable"

Fr. Michael J. McGivney would be first American-born priest to be declared a saint

New Haven, CT - March 16, 2008 - Pope Benedict XVI Saturday approved a decree recognizing the heroic virtue of Father Michael J. McGivney, founder of the Knights of Columbus. The pope's declaration significantly advances the priest's process toward sainthood and gives the parish priest the distinction of "Venerable Servant of God." If canonized, Fr. McGivney would be the first American born priest to be so honored.

"All of us who are members of the Knights of Columbus are profoundly grateful for this recognition of the holiness of our founder," said Supreme Knight Carl Anderson. "The strength of the Knights of Columbus today is a testament to his timeless vision, his holiness and his ideals."

Worried about the religious faith and financial stability of immigrant families, Father McGivney founded the Knights of Columbus with the help of several men of St. Mary's Parish in New Haven in 1882 to help strengthen the faith of the men of his parish and to provide financial assistance in the event of their death to the widows and orphans they left behind. He was also known for his tireless work among his parishioners.

Born in Waterbury, Conn., Aug. 12, 1852, Michael Joseph McGivney, was the first of Patrick and Mary (Lynch) McGivney's 13 children, six of whom died in infancy or early childhood. His parents, natives of Ireland, had immigrated to the United States during the 19th century. Patrick was a molder in a Waterbury brass mill, where Michael himself worked for a brief time as a child to help support his family.

From an early age, however, he realized a calling to the Catholic priesthood. After studying in several seminaries, he was ordained in that Baltimore's historic Cathedral by Cardinal James Gibbons Dec. 22, 1877. He took up his first assignment, as curate at St. Mary's Church, New Haven, Conn., Jan. 2, 1878. Father McGivney was named pastor of St. Thomas Church in Thomaston, Conn. in 1884. He became seriously ill with pneumonia in January 1890, and died Aug. 14, 1890 at age 38.

The cause, or process, for Father McGivney's sainthood, was opened by Hartford Archbishop Daniel A. Cronin, in December 1997. The cause was presented to the Vatican in 2000, where it has been under review by the Congregation for the Causes of Saints. With the pope's recent decree, and the authentication of a miracle at Father McGivney's intercession, the priest could be beatified. A second miracle would be required for canonization.

Still maintaining its headquarters in New Haven, the Knights of Columbus is the world's largest Catholic Fraternal Organization with more than 1.7 million members in the United States, Canada, Mexico and Central America, the Caribbean islands, the Philippines, Guam and, most recently, Poland.

Vivat Jesus,

Dan

Friday, March 14, 2008

OK...Mom's need some pub too!

I recently saw this and figured I needed to give Mom's their due on The Catholic Dad.



See you next week for Holy Week posts.

Vivat Jesus,

Dan

P.S. Sign up for my interview with Aaron Stockton from Seattle 40 Days for Life by e-mailing me at dan@danweedin.com. Space is limited so act today!

Monday, March 10, 2008

Breaking News - My next Teleconference guest is scheduled!

Great news...my next teleconference guest for my The Catholic Dad Teleconference Series is now scheduled for Tuesday, March 25th at 5:00 pm PST.

Aaron Stockton is one of the organizers of the Seattle 40 Days for Life campaign. He has been instrumental in its success and has really been a "boots on the ground" warrior for the cause. Aaron will share his experiences with you as well as update you on how the fight to end abortion is going. You won't want to miss the opportunity to grow from this young man.

The event is FREE...but you must register to participate. Space is limited, so e-mail me today at dan@danweedin.com and you will be sent a link to the teleconference web site. I look forward to you joining Aaron and me on March 25th at 5:00 pm PST.

Vivat Jesus,

Dan

Friday, March 7, 2008

Service Above Self


If you follow my blogs, you know that I've been promoting my Rotary Club's online auction - click here to visit and bid - and may be wondering why I find Rotary a wonderful opportunity for stewardship.

Rotary just celebrated it's 104th birthday in February. Paul Harris founded Rotary as a way for business leaders to not only form business and personal relationships, but to do good in the community for those less fortunate. A century later, Rotary still does that proudly. From the near eradication of polio in the world to building bridges in Vietnam, to bringing fresh water to communities in Guatemala, Rotary truly exemplifies it's motto of "Service Above Self". As Catholic Christians, we have a commitment to the church and the global community as a whole to give of our time, talents and treasures to help assist all of God's people. Rotary has been my civic and global stewardship commitment for nearly 15 years.

As I head off to a conference this weekend with 700 other President-Elects around the Pacific Northwest, I realize how important organizations like Rotary are. I also belong to the Knights of Columbus and have read about the incredible acts of mercy and kindness the Knights have done since the late 19th century.

Brothers and Sisters in Christ, if you haven't already done so, consider expanding your time, talents and treasures outside of just your family. Lent is a great time to ponder it. Service organizations like Rotary, Kiwanis and the Lions give great opportunity to serve. For my brothers out there, consider the Knights of Columbus as a ministry.

Remember, you always receive more than you give. Giving is a win-win situation for everyone.

Vivat Jesus,

Dan

P.S. Check out a Rotary Club near you. Click here to go to the Rotary International website.

Sunday, March 2, 2008

Welcome Home to Family...


My daughter Mindy is home for spring break from Franciscan University in Steubenville. We are currently getting the house ready for a big family gathering this Sunday evening. As I help Barb clean (a miracle in and of itself), I hear my two daughters and their boyfriends laughing and having a grand old time playing with the Wii (R) and enjoying each others company.


That reminded me of days when I was at my wife Barb's house when we were teenagers. The shouts and clamor of a full house is a truly joyful sound for a family. I remember it then and it's ironic how I'm now the parent in the scene. Now that Mindy is gone nine months out of the year, it reminds me also of how much I miss having her around.


No matter what stage in parenthood you are, feel blessed and happy with what God has given you. It passes by very fast. You are a steward of your child's life. Make sure you are giving it your all...


Vivat Jesus,


Dan