Ellen Gable's Blog, page 77

St. Agnes, Virgin and Martyr

Today is the Feast of St. Agnes, Virgin and Martyr. I knew little of this saint until I read about her during my research for A Subtle Grace. I have dedicated my book to her.

It’s no surprise that St. Agnes’ feast day is so close to the U.S. March for Life. Agnes’ name in Greek means “chaste, pure or sacred,” and in Latin, it means “lamb.” She is the patron saint of young girls, chastity, engaged couples and rape victims (and others). In past centuries, young girls would recite this prayer/poem to St. Agnes on the Eve of the feast day with the hope they would dream of their future husband.

The following is a link to an excerpt of A Subtle Grace which includes the prayer/poem to St. Agnes:

Excerpt from A Subtle Grace

St. Agnes, Virgin and Martyr, pray for us!

Sunday Snippets – January 19

Image copyright Ellen Gable Hrkach

Please join me and other Catholic bloggers at RAnn’s Place for Sunday Snippets where we share our posts from the previous week and answer a weekly question.

This week, RAnn asked if we got a “Patron Saint of the Year” from the saints’ generator. My answer: Yes, my 2014 patron saint is St. John of Kanty. You can find out more about him here. He’s the patron saint of workers who have been unjustly fired. Another saint I’ve been praying to daily is St. Agnes, who is my novel’s patron saint. She is the patron saint of rape victims, among other things.

My one and only post this week was 7 Quick Takes:

7 Quick Takes Friday – Birthdays, Anniversaries Etc

Copyright 2014 Ellen Gable Hrkach

7 Quick Takes Friday – Birthdays, Anniversaries Etc.

Join me and other Catholic bloggers at Conversion Diary for 7 Quick Takes Friday.

1. 18th Birthday!!

My fourth son turns 18 next week. I can’t believe I will have four adult sons when he turns 18! To me, it is always a joy to watch my sons grow older. But my two youngest sons (photo below) have a special place in my heart. When my third son was 10 months old, I nearly died from complications of an ectopic pregnancy. We were told not to have any more children. Through prayer and discernment (Responsible Parenthood blog post), we chose to be open to more children and I’m so thankful we were.

2. Grandmother’s Birthday

Next week is also my maternal grandmother’s birthday. Bessie May passed away in July of 1967, but every year on her birthday, I remember her in a special way. If you look at both the photo of my fourth son as a toddler and my grandmother’s photo above, you’ll probably see some resemblance.

3. March for Life

In honor of the March for Life next week in Washington, I’d like to recommend that you read the lyrics of the pro-life song that my husband wrote when he was a teenager.

4. Parents’ Anniversary

My father has been gone for 36 years and my mother for seven, but I always remember them on their anniversary, January 15th (two days ago). They were married on January 15, 1955. My maternal grandparents on the right, my paternal grandparents on the left.

photo copyright Ellen Gable Hrkach

5. A Subtle Grace Update

Beta readers are nearly finished reading the pre-publication draft of my novel, A Subtle Grace. Proofreaders will be reading it next.

6. Recommended Reading

In honor of the March for Life in Washington next week, I’d like to recommend to following great pro-life books:

Pro-Life Answers to Pro-Choice Arguments by Randy Alcorn

Unplanned by Abby Johnson

The Hand of God: A Journey from Death to Life by an Abortion Doctor Who Changed His Mind by Dr. Bernard Nathanson

7. Dust Bunnies Cartoon

image copyright James and Ellen Hrkach Please do not use without permission

copyright 2014 Ellen Gable Hrkach

Sunday Snippets – January 11

Image copyright Ellen Gable Hrkach

Please join me and other Catholic bloggers at RAnn’s Place for Sunday Snippets where we share posts from the previous week.

As I’m still recuperating from the flu, I only have one post this week:

7 Quick Takes Friday – Mini Review Edition

Copyright 2014 Ellen Gable Hrkach

7 Quick Takes Friday – Mini Review Edition

Please join me and other Catholic bloggers at Conversion Diary for 7 Quick Takes Friday.

I’m trying to catch up on reviews and there’s no better way than to write a 7QT post with seven mini-reviews!

1. The Sinner’s Guide to Natural Family Planning by Simcha Fisher

Funny, engaging, entertaining and true to life…this book needs to be on every NFP-using couple’s bedside table. I laughed out loud many times and shared favorite sections with my husband. Highly, highly recommend! Buy it here on Kindle.

2. Elizabeth: A Holy Land Pilgrimage by Cheryl Dickow

In this short novel, we meet Elizabeth, wife and mother who takes the (solo) trip of a lifetime to Israel. We accompany her as she travels throughout the Holy Land. Not surprisingly, she makes a spiritual journey as well. The book’s summary says it all: “not the typical inspirational novel. Part travelogue, part history lesson, part Bible study, this book blends a wonderful story with empathetic characters.” Enjoyable, edifying read. Buy it here on Kindle.

3. The Good Sinner by Elizabeth Schmeidler

Speaking of women named Elizabeth, many readers may know Elizabeth Schmeidler from her pro-life and music ministry. She is also the author of three novels. The Good Sinner is a fast-paced, page-turning, pro-life thriller that illustrates any heart can change. Entertaining, edifying and inspiring!! Here is the link to the Kindle edition.

4. A Body in Prayer by Neil Combs

Have you ever thought of using your whole body to pray? Have you thought about how each part can be used to praise and glorify God? Prayer doesn’t only have to be vocal. We can pray with every part of our body. Neil Combs walks you through “praying from head to toe.” Inspiring, beautiful and highly recommended! Only 2.99, the link to the Kindle edition is here.

5. Now And at the Hour of Our Death by J.S.B. Morse

Mary Credence is the daughter of a senator and the professed virgin finds herself pregnant. How did it happen? Was it by the Holy Spirit, is she keeping a romance secret or is there some other explanation? It was an interesting enough story and a compelling page turner. However, sometimes the writing seemed too clinical for a novel and I found Mary’s character at times off-putting. The ending was a bit too neatly tied up. But overall, I enjoyed the story and would read more by this author. Buy the Kindle edition here.

6. The Miraculous Medal: Stories, Prayers and Devotions by Donna-Marie Cooper O’Boyle

This is a fascinating, inspiring and prayerful book and anyone who wears the Miraculous Medal can learn more about this beautiful devotion, even if you have already read other books on the topic. The story of St. Catherine Laboure is included, but the author shares personal stories as well. Highly recommend! Buy it here on Kindle or Paperback.

7. Wrapped Up: God’s Ten Gifts for Women by Teresa Tomeo and Cheryl Dickow

Delightful and inspiring book about the “ten gifts” God gives to every woman to help her embrace her unique vocation: God’s Love, God’s Forgiveness, Allowing God to be God, Joyful Attitude, Suffering, Letting Go, Sacramental Life, Sisters in Faith, Setting Priorities and the Gift of You. Beautifully written in each author’s distinctive voice, I found it inspiring and enjoyable read. I highly recommend it! The Kindle edition is at this link.

Copyright 2014 Ellen Gable Hrkach

Sunday Snippets – Epiphany Sunday

Image copyright Ellen Gable Hrkach

Please join me and other Catholic bloggers at RAnn’s Place for Sunday Snippets, where we share posts from the previous week.

It’s been a quiet week of blogging with the holidays, entertaining relatives, taking care of sick people and watching my husband perform in the local Christmas musical.

But tomorrow is the Feast of the Epiphany and one of the ways we celebrate is with an Epiphany Blessing, which you can learn more about in my previous post.

My one and only post for this week:

7 Quick Takes – Happy New Year Included are a link to my favorite Christmas present (a video), updates on my new novel (review requests welcome!!), our Christmas card and other cool tidbits!

Copyright 2014 Ellen Gable Hrkach

7 Quick Takes Friday – Happy New Year!

Please join me and other Catholic bloggers at Conversion Diary for 7 Quick Takes Friday.

1. New Year’s Day Tradition

One of my New Year’s Day traditions (besides attending Mass) is making a huge pot of my grandparents’ “Vegetable Soup.” When I was growing up in Philadelphia and New Jersey, my mother made this scrumptious soup every New Year’s Day. We welcomed guests, watched the Mummers Parade and ate soup. I’ve continued this tradition with my own family. If you’re interested in the recipe, leave a comment and I’ll send it to you.

2. A Subtle Grace – Update

A Subtle Grace will be released on Kindle March 22nd, 2014 (Feast day of St. Catherine of Sweden). The print book will be available on Amazon on April 6th, 2014 (Blessed Pierina). Speaking of saints, St. Agnes plays a pivotal role in this story and is the patron saint of this novel.

Most of the edits are finished!! My medical and gun experts are going through the pre-publication draft for historical and technical accuracy. My spiritual director has read it (thank you!!) and now my team of beta readers are reading it. Last step? Proofreaders!! If you’re interested in receiving a review copy, either leave a comment below or email me: fullquiverpublishing(at)gmail.com.

3. Full Quiver Publishing is Growing!

This year, FQP will be publishing four novels!! For this small company, that’s nothing less than a boon!

4. My Favorite Christmas Gift

My favorite Christmas gift was this amazing video my husband and three of my sons made for me: a medley of two popular Christmas songs (you can view it without a FB account).

5. The Gate by Nancy Carabio Belanger, mini-review

Josh is an eighth grader with an attitude. When his teacher assigns a pen-pal project involving an elderly man in a rest home, Josh wants nothing better than to finish it and move on. Since his father died, Josh has become accustomed to doing the minimum at school, at home and at church. He is angry, frustrated and self-centered. When Josh finally meets his pen-pal, Pie, the feisty and devoutly Catholic elderly man challenges him in more ways than one. As Josh’s friendship with the man deepens, Josh realizes that he has much to be thankful for, most especially his friendship with Pie. This is a beautiful, well-written story and I highly recommend it for all ages! Buy it here on Amazon.

6. Yo Vikings

My husband and the cast of Kanata Theatre’s Yo Vikings did a wonderful job at their recent performances!! Below is a photo of James in costume taken with some of our family members.

Photo copyright A. Hrkach

7. 2013 Hrkach Family Christmas Card

This year’s Christmas card!!

Image copyright James Hrkach

Copyright 2014 Ellen Gable Hrkach

Sunday Snippets – Merry Christmas

Image copyright Ellen Gable Hrkach

Please join me and other Catholic bloggers at RAnn’s Place for Sunday Snippets where we share posts from the previous week and answer a weekly question.

Today’s question: Tell us about your family’s Christmas traditions. Our Christmas traditions begin with putting out the Advent wreath on the first Sunday of Advent and reading a prayer as we light the candle(s) every evening at dinner. Around the second or third Sunday of Advent, we travel to the local Christmas tree farm and chop down our Balsam tree and put it up near the fourth Sunday of Advent. Then we bake cookies and watch a variety of Christmas movies in the days leading up to Christmas. Sometime before Christmas, the boys pose in front of the Christmas tree (we have photos from just about every year with them posing in front of the tree). On Christmas Eve, we attend the latest Mass on Christmas Eve and, early the next morning, after singing Happy Birthday to Jesus, we open presents. Yes, even though our sons are 14 and older, we still insist they sing Happy Birthday to Jesus. The day usually ends with a huge turkey meal with family here at our house (although this year, we’ll be having a huge meal on Boxing Day/St. Stephen’s Day. Below is one of the posed photos of my sons from 2006.

Copyright James Hrkach (Christmas 2006)

Here are my posts from the previous week:

Manger Memories (A story about our very special manger, given to me by my late mother.)

7 Quick Takes Friday – Favorite Christmas Movie Quotes (please feel free to share your own)

Since we have relatives coming up to visit and since my husband is in a musical this Christmas, I’ll be taking the next week off, so I’d like to wish everyone a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!!

Copyright 2013 Ellen Gable Hrkach

7 Quick Takes Friday – Favorite Christmas Movie Quotes

Please join me and other Catholic bloggers at Jen’s Conversion Diary for 7 Quick Takes Friday.

I’d like to share my seven favorite Christmas Movie/Special Quotes!

1. It’s A Wonderful Life (1946)

Clarence to George: “Strange, isn’t it? Each man’s life touches so many other lives. When he isn’t around he leaves an awful hole, doesn’t he?” (This is one of my all-time favorite Christmas movies and this is one of the best pro-life quotes there is…) This is my all time favorite Christmas movie. Find more information about the movie here: It’s A Wonderful Life.

2. Elf (2003)

Buddy: “The best way to spread Christmas cheer is singing loud for all to hear.”

Elf has become my second all-time favorite Christmas movie. Here’s Elf’s profile on IMDB.

3. A Christmas Story (1983)

Ralphie as Adult: [narrating] “Oh, life is like that. Sometimes, at the height of our revelries, when our joy is at it’s zenith, when all is most right with the world, the most unthinkable disasters descend upon us.” Find out more about “A Christmas Story” here.

4. Mr. Magoo’s Christmas Carol (1962)

The poor Bob Cratchit (played by Jack Cassidy) and family, singing the Lord’s Bright Blessing: “We’ll have the Lord’s bright blessing of knowing we’re together, knowing we’re together heart and hand; we’ll have the brightest Christmas, the very brightest Christmas, a Christmas far more glorier than grand.” (I loved this annual special when I was little!)

5. White Christmas (1954)

Bob singing Counting My Blessings: “When I’m worried and I can’t sleep, I count my blessings instead of sheep and I fall asleep counting my blessings.” White Christmas is one of the most popular and watched Christmas movies every year.

6. The Polar Express (2004)

The Conductor: “Seeing is believing, but sometimes the most real things in the world are the things we can’t see.” Learn more about this beautiful Christmas movie here.

7. A Charlie Brown Christmas (1965)

Charlie Brown: Isn’t there anyone who knows what Christmas is all about?

Linus: “Sure, Charlie Brown, I can tell you what Christmas is all about. Lights, please. And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. And lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid. And the angel said unto them, ‘Fear not: for behold, I bring unto you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. For unto you is born this day in the City of David a Savior, which is Christ the Lord. And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger.’ And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host, praising God, and saying, ‘Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.’ That’s what Christmas is all about, Charlie Brown.”

(Also another favorite of mine from my childhood years…)

More about this special here.

What is your favorite Christmas movie quote?

Manger Memories

My late mother bought this simple, inexpensive manger back in 1971. When she decided to replace it in 1976, I asked her if I could have it. I packaged it away in my “hope chest,” for use after I got married.

Our first Christmas as a married couple in 1982, I brought the manger out of its box and we have continued to use it every year since. We have replaced the Mary figurine and one of the animals, but otherwise, it is the original set.

It’s not the most elegant nativity set and is probably not worth much more than the original 2.50 my mother spent. However, the sentimental value is…well, priceless.