Ginny’s Gems

The words of St. Elizabeth Ann Seton on the day of her first Confession are very appropriate: “How awful are those words of unloosing after a thirty years’ bondage! I felt as if my chains fell, as those of St. Peter at the touch of the Divine Messenger. My God! What new scenes for my soul!”

A few months ago, I wrote an article dealing with blaming yourself as a Catholic parent whose children have veered off course. In it, I told the story of a man who spent an afternoon in a famous museum. The man walked around and observed the paintings of Raphael and the sculptures of Michelangelo.

Words, like music, can create harmony or discord. Words, like certain fine instruments, can refine and beautify or, like blunt tools, can break and smash. The art of living requires sensitivity to the choice of words, to the tone of voice, and to the manner of speech.

Do you know what an aspiration is? An aspiration is a strong desire to do something, be something, or possess something. People have many different aspirations. Some aspire to be musicians, doctors, or librarians. Some aspire to go to college, while others aspire to go right into the workforce. Some aspire to be priests or religious brothers or sisters, while others aspire to be good husbands and wives. There are as many aspirations as there are people in the world.

Pregnant and nauseous, I traveled with my husband, kids, and parents to Emmitsburg, Maryland, to sit on a rock. Yes, a rock. It’s a long story that begins and ends with Saint Elizabeth Ann Seton. As I sat on the rock from which Saint Elizabeth Ann Seton taught her first three students, with my first three “students” Gianna...

How do I figure out the grade for my students for Section A on the quarter reports? I have an active wiggly little boy who does not want to sit still for his schoolwork. What do I do? Do I need to keep attendance records for my school district or for Seton?

Every Catholic homeschooler knows the marks of the church – One, holy, catholic and apostolic. We recite them in the Creed at Mass, and they remind us of the nature of our Church. In much the same way, Catholic homeschooling has marks and characteristics too.

Seton is clearly a rigorous academic program, designed to enable students to excel in college. But, for any number of good reasons, many Seton graduates do not continue their studies after high school. Truth to tell, a liberal arts college education really is not mandatory for success in life or salvation; students who choose to enter the work force or the trades after high school are not therefore second-class citizens!

How do I begin to figure out financing for college? Is a campus visit absolutely necessary? How do I determine if a college is right academically? ...

Of course civility dictates that a person strive to make a good appearance that befits the occasion in an honest expression of who he or she is, and the person in the role of judge must take into consideration the fact that a first impression may be insufficient grounds for a correct interpretation.

A warm and Merry Christmas from all your friends at Seton, wishing you the blessings of the season and a holy holiday! For your delight, we offer below St. John Chrysostom’s "Homily on Christmas Morning”; famous for his 'Golden Throat' or words, it is a particularly beautiful and inspiring rendition of this sacred event.

My twin sister recently told me about a woman in her church who was faithful and devout. This woman did everything she could to keep her children from the world. She even home schooled them in order to preserve them for Christ. And yet, in the end, one of her children went the way of the world and even ended up on drugs.

The Catholic family home is often hazardous to sacramentals. Knowing that these sacramentals are symbols of holy people and things, we try to be respectful. We do. But there seems to be always such a clutter everywhere!

It looks like… White blankets of snow, sparkling Christmas lights on the front porch, and a tall, fully decorated tree; It smells like… Fresh pine needles, vanilla candles, and the aroma of homemade Christmas cookies; It sounds like… Christmas CDs, family music concerts, boisterous laughter, and the crinkle of wrapping paper;

As I clasp my hands together and pray, / I closed my eyes and wish that today, / Will bring forth good memories. / From Christmas days I've celebrated / Not so long ago–as a child.

In my experience, no one makes comparisons more than homeschoolers. We say things like: “Mrs. Jones is better than I am at teaching math,” or “Why can’t we get our kids to do their violin practice as well as Mrs. Smith’s children?” or “That family doesn’t let their kids watch television—they’re better than we are.”

Christmas is a time of traditions – unique to each family. Many years ago Katie's grandmother started a Christmas Village under the tree; this village grew over the years as Katie's mother added her magical touch. She passed along pieces of the village to her children hoping they would continue the tradition.

It is possible to take many things too seriously. Coaches and athletes can take winning too seriously (It’s only a game). The avaricious and the miserly who worship gold take money too seriously (It’s only metal or paper). Politicians can take elections and political power too seriously (They are not the salvation of the world). Scholars can take learning too seriously and presume that man is god and that human knowledge supersedes divine wisdom (“Even though a wise man claims to know, he cannot find it out,” Solomon states in Ecclesiastes).

The Domangues From our homeschool room to yours: May the blessings of the coming of the Christ child fill your home with joy, your heart with love, and your life ...

Psst! Are you one of those people who slowly become unraveled and unglued when you get behind on your housecleaning? If you are, pour yourself a cup of tea and sit down. I want to talk to you. If dust bunnies don’t bother you, sit with me anyway.