Pamela Q. Fernandes's Blog, page 14
March 18, 2020
60 Deeper in Scripture Through Lectio Divina
Lectio Divina and mental prayer can help us raise virtues in the garden of God.
Dan Burke
Who is Dan Burke?
Dan BurkeDan Burke is the founder and President of the Avila Institute for Spiritual Formation. It offers graduate and personal enrichment studies in spiritual theology to priests, deacons, religious, and laity in 72 countries and prepares men for seminary in 14 dioceses.
Additionally, Dan is the author and editor of over 15 books on authentic Catholic spirituality. He hosts the Divine Intimacy Radio show with his wife, Stephanie, broadcast weekly on EWTN Radio. Past episodes can be found, along with thousands of articles on the interior life, at SpiritualDirection.com.
In his deep commitment to the advancement of faithful Catholic spirituality, he is also the founder of Apostoli Viae. It’s a world-wide, private association of the faithful dedicated to living and advancing the authentic spiritual patrimony of the Church.
Most importantly, Dan is a blessed husband, father of four, grandfather of one—and grateful to be Catholic.
Deeper in Scripture Through Lectio Divina
In this episode, I talk to Dan Burke about mental prayer and Lectio Divina. He explains:
-What is the need for us to pray with Scripture?
-What is Lectio Divina?
-How do we start this practice or the steps?
-What is the advantage of doing this? How does it help spiritually?
I was looking to strengthen my Lenten season with Lectio. I’ve mentioned my struggles with it during the podcast. And Dan had written a wonderful post introducing people to it. I didn’t read much about him except that he had moved and founded his own institute. Even as I spoke to him I didn’t realize who he was until I listened to the podcast today again. In his intro he mentions he used to be the head of EWTN news. And I remember telling my mother and she said wow!
Anyways, I was blessed to talk and listen to him. He addresses my own struggles with mental prayer by saying,
“For every year of our lives, we’re allocated a thousand monkeys and these monkeys drive us crazy.”
Dan Burke
And it’s so true, since I find all my worries piling over when I take up my rosary or even sit down to pray. Dan suggests we do it first thing in the morning when the monkeys are groggy. It’s funny but also true. When I attend mass in the mornings, I’m more alert with prayer. By evening I can’t wait for it to be over: AMEN!!!! Who’s felt like this? I encourage you to take up Lectio Divina and mental prayer. Especially, since the sacraments are difficult to attend during this chaotic time.
RESOURCES
In order to read more about Lectio Divina here are a few resources that can be helpful.
Into the Deep by Dan BurkeThe Better Part by Fr John Bartunek
This is our 60th podcast and I should be celebrating this milestone. However, since it’s Lent we’re keeping in mind the spirit of the season.
ENJOYED THIS PODCAST?
We hope you enjoyed this podcast. Check out our podcasts on St Teresa of Avila and Lenten Questions for Self Reflection.If you liked this podcast, like us, leave us a comment and share our episodes on social media with those who may benefit from it. If there is a particular saint that you would like to hear about us, tell us and we’ll add him or her to our future episodes.
We are on iheartradio, Stitcher, Itunes, and tunein.com. We’d love to hear from you. If you hear us on Itunes, please rate and review us.
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March 10, 2020
Post Flu: Ten Reminders is Free
He is changing the water of your life into the wine of his kingdom.
Pamela Q. Fernandes
I am back after having been down with the normal flu. Starting just a couple of days before Ash Wednesday I knew I was coming down with something and within a couple of days was completely bed bound. And now I’m back to writing and promoting my books. Ten Reminders will be free for Lent. Yay.
TEN REMINDERS FOR THE SINGLE WOMAN IS FREE
TEN REMINDERS FOR THE SINGLE WOMAN is free between the dates 16th- 20th MARCH. It’s my Lent gift for my female readers. I hope you get a chance to read and enjoy it. Here’s the trailer that I love so much.
CHRISTIAN WOMEN
Since it’s also International Women’s Month, I chose to promote the book that is closest to my heart and that fulfills my ministry. Last month we were talking on the podcast about Chastity and Love and it triggered so many memories while I wrote this book. Since 2017 when I first wrote it, it has helped me and so many other women. There was this review in 2018 that I had completely forgotten about and stumbled on it a few days ago.
Currently this book sits at a rank of 2075 on Amazon’s list for Christian Marriage. That’s quite a feat for a book that I did very little to promote. My faith in Jesus is the crux of my life. Through the valleys, God has sustained me and has been my only refuge. I highly encourage you tell other Christian women about this book and I hope and pray it will help them.
LENT
It’s also the season of Lent and a trying season this year. I’ve found a lot of relief during Adoration. If you don’t have adoration at your church, I encourage you to come to our church at Saint Thomas Aquinas on 9th street for our Adoration service from 7 to 10 pm on the 27th of March. We have an amazing Praise and Worship Team called Si7 that will lead us. And as always with Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament, everything is always life changing.
I pray that you may have a blessed Lenten season. As we reflect during all the upheavals in the world, know that Emmanuel: God is with us, yesterday, today and forever. I leave you with the beautiful words from Pat Barett’s song Canvas and Clay.
In my mother’s womb
You formed me with Your hands
Known and loved by You
Before I took a breath
When I doubt it, Lord, remind me
I’m wonderfully made
You’re an artist and a potter
I’m the canvas and the clay
I know nothing has been wasted
No failure or mistake
You’re an artist and a potter
I’m the canvas and the clay
God is not finished with you yet… Happy Lent!
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February 17, 2020
Happy Hearts Month 2020
Happy Hearts Month 2020! To celebrate Valentine’s month we’re teaming up with Goodreads.
Yes. Goodreads will give away 100 Kindle copies of my book; IN OTHER WORDS. We’ve already had 476 people requesting it! Wow!
Goodreads Giveaway
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Goodreads Book Giveaway
In Other Words
by Pamela Q. Fernandes
Giveaway ends February 29, 2020.
See the giveaway details
at Goodreads.
Enter Giveaway
All you have to do to enter the giveaway this Hearts Month is click enter if you have a Goodreads account.
I’m actually blown away by the reviews. You can check out the reviews and decide for yourself if it’s up your alley. It always stuns me how people describe it as a tear-jerker, breezy read, angsty romance, etc.
Book Trailer
I’m also sharing my book trailer again, just because I like the song.
I hope you enjoy reading this multicultural romance.
PRINT BOOKS
I’m getting ready to release the print version of IN OTHER WORDS very soon. You remember when we did the cover release, I was super excited and I can’t wait to see the print cover when Najla makes it.
Writing About Love
I’ve spent almost all of 2019 writing women’s fiction. I’ve missed writing romance. And the magic that goes with writing love stories. I’m constantly amazed at how people fall in love everywhere. I’m a sucker for a good love story.
While I’m always a realist, it’s beautiful how so many serendipitous moments draw two people together. And even more, what keeps them together. We’ve all been given people in our lives, that we’re meant to love and I hope this month you celebrate that love with all the people your life is filled with!
On that note, Happy Hearts Month 2020.
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February 9, 2020
59 Chastity and Love
Chastity frees us to experience real love.
PAUL KNIAZ
Who is Paul Kniaz?
Paul KniazCurrently living in the Boston area, Paul teaches ESL in a public high school and strives to incorporate his faith in his daily life. Raised in Catholicism, he deepened his faith by completing his undergraduate degree at a Catholic liberal arts school. He has a passion for sharing his faith.
The Case for Chastity and Love
In this episode, I talk to Paul Kniaz about the case for chastity and love. He talks about:
-What does it mean to be chaste?
-Why do we need to be chaste?
-How can we become more chaste? What are some practical ways?
-What about the those dealing with addiction, couples who question the boundaries and chastity after marriage?
Chastity and Love? Does it really matter?
In today’s world, there’s an agenda to wipe out this virtue. Ask me, because various Catholic authors, Christian people and so many others were unwilling to discuss it on a podcast. I was shunted from place to place to find someone who would talk about this. Our sexuality is God given and nothing to be embarrassed about. At the end of the day we’re all fallen.
I loved was how open Paul to talk about chastity and love. He shared some of his own tips and some great advice:
Watch your fleeting impure thoughts. Watch how you speak and dress. Focus on the Eucharist since it requires us to be in a state of grace. Talk to other people about your faith. Avoid near occasions or situations that will not keep you chaste. Avoid company or discourage jokes that treat other people as less than temples of the Holy Spirit.
Resources
In order to read more about chastity and love here are a few resources that can be helpful.
Theology of the Body by John Paul IITheology of the Body for Beginners by Christopher West.Matt Fradd and his work for those struggling with sexual addiction.
ENJOYED THIS PODCAST?
We hope you enjoyed this podcast. Check out our podcasts on St Augustine and Mother Teresa who was well known for her season of spiritual dryness.If you liked this podcast, like us, leave us a comment and share our episodes on social media with those who may benefit from it. If there is a particular saint that you would like to hear about us, tell us and we’ll add him or her to our future episodes.
We are on iheartradio, Stitcher, Itunes, and tunein.com. We’d love to hear from you. If you hear us on Itunes, please rate and review us.
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January 24, 2020
Using Other Creative Arts
The use of other creative arts for inspiration is not uncommon. As many of you know from my newsletters, I’ve started writing Goalstruck. It’s the third book for Touchpoint press, in the To Love A Sportsman series.
And for some reason, it’s been a difficult manuscript because I love soccer so much. I’m not sure what I should write and what I should leave out. There’s so much I want to add to the book without dragging out the romance.
So I’v turned to other art forms for inspiration. Right now, I’m half way through and reached a critical point. The dreaded middle! Here are some of my inspirations.
Music
I honestly don’t listen to any Hindi/Urdu music. I’m more into the Kpop/country/pop/piano classics. However, as I write Goalstruck, I’ve managed to listen to a few Hindi songs and Arijit Singh’s Pachtaoge is on repeat on my playlist. It’s probably got 10,000 listens from me over the last few days.
I’m not sure if it’s the flute, the poetry of Janni, the lyrics itself in Punjabi (which I don’t speak) or the fact that it’s Arijit Singh’s voice. The song almost makes me cry and it’s helping me write some of the more difficult chapters in the book. It has also been a way of keeping me in the “mood” of the book which is kind of a regrettable vein. So apt!
Poetry
I’m new to contemporary poetry. Come to think of it, songs are poetry but I’ve not given it much thought. On my Christmas break, I had very little reading time and used it to read poetry. There are some really nice contemporary poets, Lang Leav among them. Poetry has got me thinking about the rhythm of sentences and the way we say things. I’m trying to incorporate more cadence into my writing. And some of the poems I’ve read have been super helpful.
Theater
I was invited to a repeat of the Nonologo by Eleonora Micali and this time, I managed to focus on the tighter writing and snippy dialogue. Stefano Maria Palmitessa conveys enough sarcasm through the one hour play. Since it’s a monologue, its very difficult to enact all the characters, but Eleonora does it effortlessly.
I loved how the writing is now more polished and fine tuned. It has kind of taught and reminded me how every draft can be edited to a fine sheen.
Inspiration Ideas?
Writers, do you use other art forms for inspiration? Pottery, crochet, tap dancing? Let me know. I might give it a try as I type my way through my latest manuscript! 
January 19, 2020
58 How to make time for prayer?
Prayer shows us that God has a unique touch on our lives.
Becky Eldredge
Who is Becky Eldredge?
Becky EldredgeBecky is an Ignatian-trained spiritual director, retreat facilitator, and author. She invites people to deepen their walk with Christ. She facilitates retreats and days of reflection. Becky writes and provides spiritual direction.
Passionate about Ignatian spirituality and teaching people how to pray, Becky leans on her 20 years of ministry experience. That’s how she helps people make room for God in the busyness and invite then into deeper relationship with God.
Becky lives in Baton Rouge, LA. She meets with men and women of all ages for monthly spiritual direction. Becky leads people through the Spiritual Exercises of St. Ignatius. She directs in-person days of reflections and retreats. She also has online retreats to make the Ignatian retreat experience accessible to all. Becky is co-founder of the women’s ministry, Women of the Well (http://womenofthewellbr.com)
In addition, she offers weekly reflections on her own website, www.beckyeldredge.com. She contributes reflections on Loyola Press’ Ignatian Spirituality blog, dotMagis.
She shares life with her husband and three children.
How to make time for prayer?
In this episode, I talk to Becky Eldredge author of the book, Busy Lives, Restless Souls about making time for prayer. She tells us:
-Why does prayer take such a back seat despite us knowing it’s benefits?
-What are some practical ways we can find more time to pray?
-How do we increase in prayerfulness?
-What do we do when we have this spiritual dryness in our prayer life?
Making Time for Prayer
This is our first podcast for the year! Yay! I contacted Becky in mid December to talk about prayer and through the craziness of New Year we settled on a date. It was fantastic how everything came together. And she was such a joy to talk to. Becky is very big on Ignatian spirituality. Since I’m under similar direction, we share the same perspective.
I loved what one of Becky’s retreat members said of prayer and the daily Examen.
It has made me see that my life is a lot more meaningful than I realize.
Becky also encourages people with spiritual dryness to NEVER STOP PRAYING. She says keep on praying.
THE DAILY EXAMEN
I wanted to share the daily examen so that you can do it everyday. I just lie down and do it bed before I sleep. It takes all of 3 minutes.
I’ve often been encouraged by my spiritual director to pray the Daily Examen. Becky tells us that St. Ignatius asked his pupils to pray it twice a day. It would be great if you could do it just once.
In any case, the message is clear. Find a way to pray and stay prayerful throughout the day. Ask the Lord to order your steps. Becky is hosting a number of retreats and you can take a look at some of them.
You might be interested in these for retreats:
Online Ignatian Retreats:Overwhelmed No More – 6 Ways to Discover and Live God’s Vision for Your Life: https://becky-eldredge1.teachable.com/p/overwhelmednomoreOnline Busy Person’s Retreat : https://beckyeldredge.com/online-busy-persons-retreat/List of in person retreats: https://beckyeldredge.com/speaking/
Links to Books:
Busy Lives & Restless SoulsThe Inner Chapel: Embracing the Promises of God
ENJOYED THIS PODCAST?
We hope you enjoyed this podcast. Check out our podcasts on St Augustine and Mother Teresa who was well known for her season of spiritual dryness. If you liked this podcast, like us, leave us a comment and share our episodes on social media with those who may benefit from it. If there is a particular saint that you would like to hear about us, tell us and we’ll add him or her to our future episodes.
We are on iheartradio, Stitcher, Itunes, and tunein.com. We’d love to hear from you. If you hear us on Itunes, please rate and review us.
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December 31, 2019
Happy 2020
Happy 2020 everyone. For those of you who’ve followed me this year, you know 2019 was a bit of a roller-coaster ride. It had many downs and ups too. A lot of unexpected things happened and with all the changes in the publishing industry, it was kind of hard to keep up.
As I write this, the beginnings of a cold are stirring my throat, for some reason I have nosebleeds, and I’m severely jet-lagged. As much as I love traveling, I’m wiped out! 
December 15, 2019
57 Why You Need Personal and Family Advent Preparation
Prayer is one of the best ways we can prepare for Advent
Gessica Tastove on personal and private Advent preparation.
Who is Gessica Tastove?
Gessica TastoveGessica Tastove is the wife of a wonderful husband and the mom to 3 active little ones. After retiring from her choir teaching job to stay at home, she created The Spiritual Cantor to share her love of music with others with practical tips and spiritual insight. She has been singing in the church for 17 years and as a cantor for 11 and uses her love of creativity to inspire her work.
You can find out more about her at thespiritualcantor.com
In this episode, I talk to Gessica from TheSpiritualCantor.com about personal and family Advent preparation. She talks about:
-Why we need to prepare for Christmas?
-Christmas preparations, private and family
-How can we prepare?
-What’s the biggest focus during Advent and how is it different from Lent?
Personal and Family Advent Preparation
It’s Gaudete Sunday as I post this and we all know in two weeks it will be Christmas. I contacted Gessica after seeing her detailed post about Advent preparation. She included tips on personal and family Advent preparation.
I asked Gessica what was the biggest obstacle to Advent preparation. She answered, “Being busy!” Something she said really struck me.
Being busy stands for Being Under Satan’s Yoke!
Gessica Tastove
It’s true. I’ve been consumed with choir practice, daily mass, novenas, and so much more that my Advent preparation has been very minimal. I focused a lot this year on mission work since I haven’t done any for the last to years. This episode was such a reminder for me that my personal preparation is just as important for Advent.
Feliz Navidad
So 2019 comes to a close. I was hoping to make it to 60 episodes this year and we fell short by three. I still give God all the glory for blessing this ministry. As hard as it’s been, it’s helped me grow. I’ve learned so much from the people that come on this podcast. There is a great generation of saints that God is raising up. I pray that you and your family, whoever you are and wherever you listen to us are from, you may be blessed.
Have a wonderful Christmas and have a blessed 2020.
ENJOYED THIS PODCAST?
We hope you enjoyed this podcast. Check out our podcasts on St Augustine and Spiritually Preparing for Advent. If you liked this podcast, like us, leave us a comment and share our episodes on social media with those who may benefit from it. If there is a particular saint that you would like to hear about us, tell us and we’ll add him or her to our future episodes.
We are on iheartradio, Stitcher, Itunes, and tunein.com. We’d love to hear from you. If you hear us on Itunes, please rate and review us.
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December 10, 2019
Giftmas 2019 is back!
Giftmas 2019 is back! Every year a handful of us authors and editors get together to give back. We support the Edmonton Food bank and raise funds for them. Just to make sure everyone has food this year.
I’m not Canadian and have never been to Edmonton but Rhonda is and she puts together this amazing fundraiser. I’m so glad to be a part of it! Every year, we’ve managed to hit the goal and then some. It’s always very modest. Last year we raised over 1000$.
Giftmas 2019
We have a lot of gifts for those who donate! There is also a snowman drawing contest for those interested.
a Rafflecopter giveaway
Participating authors
Here’s a list of all the authors who are giving away something and hosting this Giftmas 2019!
Schedule:
December 10th
Stephanie Weippert
December 11th
Stephanie A. Cain
December 12th
Tammalee
December 13th
Stephanie Lorée (www.stephanieloree.com)
JB Riley
December 14th
Pamela Fernandes (Yay! That’s me!)
Joseph Halden
December 15th
Donate to Giftmas 2019
If you donate to Giftmas 2019, know that every dollar feeds about three meals. We’ve donated books and other gifts, for the raffle draw at the end. If you donate do use the following image on social media and tag me. Use the hastag #giftmas2019.
This fundraiser’s history
2016 — $521 raised out of a $500 goal
2017 — $1,094 raised out of a $522 goal
2018 — $1,127 raised out of a $750 goal
Even a dollar will help! Woohoo! Christmas is here!!!!!
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December 8, 2019
OUT NOW! IN OTHER WORDS
In Other Words is out now! On December 1 we launched the first book in the Boothbay Harbor Series. I’m so excited because this book took almost a year to write and then edit. In fact, Najla Qamber, my amazing book cover designer from Bahrain had my cover ready in March. And you’ve seen my lovely cover. It’s gorgeous!
Blurb: IN OTHER WORDS
Trish Holt is a pianist, living in picturesque Boothbay Harbor, Maine. She is stunned and blindsided by the most bitter kind of betrayal: her boyfriend of three years has left her. His new lover is her manager. Her bitterness is compounded by the fact that Trish has made bad choices when it comes to past relationships. Much of it stemming from her own issues as an adopted child from Korea. She holds herself partly responsible for the breakdown in their relationship as she tries to fit into the stereotype of the ‘All American’ girlfriend.
When she moves out to a new home, she encounters Michael Quentin. Not only is he her neighbor but also a local chef on the island, who romances her and helps her get over the betrayal. As Michael and Trish fall in love, their childhood issues resurface.
Can Trish stop herself from loving Michael whose own family’s dark past is holding him back?
Can she ignore his love for tradition and roots?
Boothbay Harbor Series
The Boothbay Harbor Series is set in Maine. It’s based on the lives of the Quentin family. The parents are long dead and gone, the children are struggling to find love. With the disastrous childhood of their own, their ideas of love and marriage are skewed.
In this book, you meet three of the Quentin children, Melody, Derek and Michael. Melody is a young widow, Derek’s fiancee has just walked away ten days before the wedding day and Michael’s story has just begun.
I’m not sure what pace this series will take but I’m hoping you can tell me who you’d like to read about next. The series will have five books in total.
Trailer
We released the trailer last week. And it got so much love!
Share the Love
Since this is a multicultural romance, I’m encouraging people to download the cover, load it on your e-reader and tell people in your own language what is love and why multicultural romances are important via video
I’m going to share all of your videos on my youtube channel.
Where to Buy the Book!
We launched widely! So this book is available at 12 different publishers , Kobo, Smashwords, Apple, Scibd, Indigo, B& N including as an audiobook! Here’s the Universal Link!
https://books2read.com/u/38EAMZ
Reviews
Once you read the book, don’t forget to add your review to Goodreads and the publisher where you picked the book from. In Other Words is in a fairly new category since multicultural romances are not very peopular.
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