Book Review: Frozen Footprints

Frozen Footprints
by Therese Heckenkamp
Arcadia, CA: Tumblar House, 2012

"Frozen Footprints" is the latest contribution to Catholic suspense by Therese Heckenkamp, author of "Past Suspicion." I freely admit, suspense is not my genre of choice, but Heckenkamp once again managed to keep me interested and invested in this story. Charlene and Max Perigard are twins, raised by their grandfather, a wealthy oil tycoon who wants little to do with them. When Max is kidnapped, their grandfather thinks it is all a scam and wants nothing to do with it. Charlene then goes after Max on her own and soon becomes trapped as well.

The vast majority of the story takes place in a cabin in the woods and centers on the relationship among Max, Charlene, their captor Abner and his brother Clay. It also, as one might expect given the Catholic fiction designation, focuses on each of the character's relationship with God. Each struggles with God in his or her own way.

Abner, the evil one, is a former seminarian who has since rejected God and now worships the devil. He is truly terrifying. Clay would like to believe in God but, after he accidentally caused his father's death when he was seven years old, feels that God has abandoned him. Max and Charlene have both been turned off of religion by their grandfather, yet in their hour of need turn to God and ask for help, even when it seems God is ignoring their pleas.

Interestingly, I found a very minor character in the story - the mother of Abner and Clay - to be the one that intrigued me the most. She is a devout Catholic, and has remained faithful despite a rash of horrible events in her life. She also teaches Charlene an important lesson at a time when she needs it the most. I think that a story from this mother's point of view would be very compelling.

Overall, if one enjoys Catholic suspense, this would be a good read. It is especially well-suited to teens and young adults.

"You are Mine" . . .

I had a whole stack of things to pick from to write about tonight, but then getting the little ones to bed proved to be one of those frustratingly long experiences, and those plans went out the proverbial window.

Instead, what spoke to me tonight was this post from Heidi Hess-Saxton's blog: You are Mine: The Love Project - Day 13

Heidi writes: Before we can do anything, we must first be. In particular, we must be secure in our identity as a child of God.

But what do you do when the circumstances of your life have conspired against you, and you feel as far from God as you could possibly be?

What do you do when … you feel angry with God? What then?

First, you tell him how you feel. If you don’t, the distance increases.
Next, you acknowledge the mystery of suffering: God has not caused your pain — rather, he identifies with it.
Then, you wait with expectation.

“When we are angry with God, he comes to us not in great and mighty ways — that would be too scary. Instead, he comes to us in the still, small voice. In small ways.”

Please read the full article here: heidihesssaxton.wordpress.com/2013/01/13/you-are-mine-the-love-project-day-13/

Quote of the Day

"Do your little bit of good where you are; it's those little bits of good put together that overwhelm the world." - Archbishop Desmond Tutu

Prayers and Support for Cassandra Poppe

Cassandra Poppe is a fellow Catholic writer. This past week, her husband and little boy were badly burned in a fire.

The most recent update about her son is as follows:

In summation, Fulton received 2nd and 3rd degree burns to his entire face and head, patches on his arms and left leg, and most of his back and chest/abdomen. So many angels have been with us over the last 36 hours, I could write a book on all the graces we have already received, which has fortified my faith and hope for the several grueling months we have ahead of us here in Galveston, TX.

His first surgery was today, where they scraped off many layers of skin on his hands, leg, arms, back and front. These wounds were then covered with 'fake' skin (more on that later). They decided that they would not touch his head and face yet, as they needed the operating room for 2 other children today, and the severity of his wounds were such that they decided it was best to wait. That surgery will come over the next 3 days - whenever they decide it should be done. HIs sweet angelic face is swollen and charred deyond recognition and I cannot believe the monstrosity of damage and pain my little buddy is enduring.

We are in desperate need of prayers - I will not lie. I have been entrusted with a task far beyond my capabilities and we will be here for several months, far away from home. All my trust has been placed in the hands of Our Lord and Our Lady, as only they will get me through this.

Please, please pray for Fulton! And pray for my dear sweet husband Jay who wants nothing more than to be here with us, but can't due to his own injuries.


I will attempt to get through the hundreds of messages, posts and emails that have been sent to me - forgive me if I do not respond to them all! But please know that every word of every prayer is cherished.

God is good! Always! God bless!"

Prayers are much needed. In addition, a website has been set up for fundraising to help them. Please spread the word and donate if you are able to do so: http://www.giveforward.com/PrayForFulton

U.S. Bishops Recommend Prayers for Year of Faith

The U.S. Bishops have recommended the following Prayers for the Year of Faith. As Bishop David Ricken of Green Bay, Wisconsin, who heads the US Bishops' Committee on Evangelization and Catechesis, stated: "The Year of Faith is about returning to the foundational teachings of the Church and drawing strength from them."

The Nicene Creed is the official prayer of the Year of the Faith:

I believe in one God, the Father almighty,

    maker of heaven and earth,

    of all things visible and invisible.

I believe in one Lord Jesus Christ,

        the Only Begotten Son of God,

        born of the Father before all ages.

    God from God, Light from Light,

        true God from true God,

    begotten, not made, consubstantial

       with the Father;

        Through him all things were made.

    For us men and for our salvation

        he came down from heaven,

        and by the Holy Spirit was incarnate

        of the Virgin Mary,

        and became man.

    For our sake he was crucified

      under Pontius Pilate,

        he suffered death and was buried,

        and rose again on the third day

        in accordance with the Scriptures.

    He ascended into heaven

        and is seated at the right hand of the Father.

    He will come again in glory

        to judge the living and the dead

        and his kingdom will have no end.

I believe in the Holy Spirit,

        the Lord, the giver of life,

    who proceeds from the Father and the Son,

    who with the Father and the Son

        is adored and glorified,

        who has spoken through the prophets.

I believe in one, holy, catholic,

     and apostolic Church.

    I confess one baptism for the forgiveness of sins

        and I look forward to the resurrection

        of the dead and the life of the world to come.

Amen.

The Our Father

Our Father, Who art in heaven,
Hallowed be Thy Name.
Thy Kingdom come.
Thy Will be done, on earth as it is in Heaven. Give us this day our daily bread.
And forgive us our trespasses,
as we forgive those who trespass against us.
And lead us not into temptation,
but deliver us from evil. Amen.

The Hail Mary

Hail Mary, Full of Grace, The Lord is with thee.
Blessed art thou among women, and blessed is the fruit
of thy womb, Jesus. 

Holy Mary, Mother of God,
pray for us sinners now,
and at the hour of death.

Amen.


The Glory Be

Glory be to the Father,
and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit.
As it was in the beginning, is now,
and ever shall be,
world without end.

Amen.

Act of Contrition (there are variations of this, but this is a traditional one.)

O my God, I am heartily sorry for having offended You and I detest all my sins, because I fear the loss of heaven and the pains of hell, but most of all because they offend You, my God, who are all good and deserving of all my love. I firmly resolve, with the help of Your grace, to confess my sins, to do penance and to amend my life. Amen.

Act of Faith

O my God, I firmly believe that you are one God in three divine persons, Father, Son and Holy Spirit. I believe that your divine Son became man and died for our sins, and that he will come to judge the living and the dead. I believe these and all the truths which the holy Catholic Church teaches, because in revealing them you can neither deceive nor be deceived. 

Act of Hope

O my God, relying on Your almighty power and infinite mercy and promises, I hope to obtain pardon of my sins, the help of Your grace and life everlasting, through the merits of Jesus Christ, my Lord and Redeemer. Amen.  

Act of Love

O my God, I love you above all things, with my whole heart and soul, because you are all-good and worthy of all love. I love my neighbor as myself for the love of you. I forgive all who have injured me, and I ask pardon of all whom I have injured.

The Memorare

Remember, O most gracious Virgin Mary, that never was it known that anyone who fled to thy protection, implored thy help, or sought thine intercession was left unaided.
Inspired by this confidence, I fly unto thee, O Virgin of virgins, my mother; to thee do I come, before thee I stand, sinful and sorrowful. O Mother of the Word Incarnate, despise not my petitions, but in thy mercy hear and answer me.
Amen.

Canticle of Zechariah

Blessed be the Lord,
The God of Israel;
He has come to His people and set them free.

He has raised up for us a mighty Saviour,
Born of the house of His servant David.

Through His holy prophets He promised of old
That He would save us from our enemies,
From the hands of all who hate us.

He promised to show mercy to our fathers
And to remember His holy Covenant.

This was the oath He swore to our father Abraham:
To set us free from the hands of our enemies,
Free to worship Him without fear,
Holy and righteous in His sight
All the days of our life.

You, My child shall be called
The prophet of the Most High,
For you will go before the Lord to prepare His way,
To give his people knowledge of salvation
By the forgiveness of their sins.

In the tender compassion of our Lord
The dawn from on high shall break upon us,
to shine on those who dwell in darkness
And the shadow of death,
And to guide our feet into the way of peace.

Glory to the Father,
and to the Son,
and to the Holy Spirit.
As it was in the beginning.
is now, and will be forever.

Amen. 
 
Guardian Angel Prayer

Angel of God, my Guardian dear, to whom His love commits me here, ever this day (or night) be at my side, to light and guard, to rule and guide. Amen.

Prayer to St. Michael the Archangel

St. Michael the Archangel,
defend us in battle.
Be our defense against the wickedness and snares of the Devil.
May God rebuke him, we humbly pray,
and do thou,
O Prince of the heavenly hosts,
by the power of God,
thrust into hell Satan,
and all the evil spirits,
who prowl about the world
seeking the ruin of souls. Amen.

Prayer for the New Evangelization

Heavenly Father,

Pour forth your Holy Spirit to inspire me with these words from Holy Scripture.
Stir in my soul the desire to renew my faith and deepen my relationship with your Son, our Lord Jesus Christ so that I might truly believe in and live the Good News. 
Open my heart to hear the Gospel and grant me the confidence to proclaim the Good News to others.
Pour out your Spirit, so that I might be strengthened to go forth and witness to the Gospel in my everyday life through my words and actions.
In moments of hesitation, remind me:
If not me, then who will proclaim the Gospel?
If not now, then when will the Gospel be proclaimed?
If not the truth of the Gospel, then what shall I proclaim?
God, our Father, I pray that through the Holy Spirit I might hear the call of the New Evangelization to deepen my faith, grow in confidence to proclaim the Gospel and boldly witness to the saving grace of your Son, Jesus Christ, who lives and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever.
Amen.

Reject a Hit: A Fun Writing Activity

As a writer, I look forward to reading every new issue of Writer's Digest that comes out. I eagerly study the pages in the hopes of improving my craft. Writing has always been like breathing to me and I can't remember a time when I wasn't putting words on paper, but one can always improve, and of course, one can always use some inspiration and encouragement.

One of the great ironies of life is that my children really struggle with writing. While we have made some progress the past couple years, we have a long way to go. Therefore, I am always searching for activities for them to work on that will help them enjoy writing, thereby making the process a little less painful. One of the articles that they always enjoy reading from Writer's Digest is "Reject a Hit." In that column, someone gets to pretend that they are the publisher rejecting a "hit" - a well-known book that went on to become very popular. You can read an example here - a rejection of The Cat in the Hat by Dr. Suess.

So, this week, my children are working on rejecting a hit. Isaac is rejecting "Moby Dick" - a book he has spent most of this year trying to make his way through. As he says, he is on Chapter 93 of this book and he has yet to meet "Moby Dick" - what was Melville thinking? David is rejecting "Harry Potter and the Deathly Hollows" - a book he actually enjoyed very much.

They are having a bit of fun with the project and it makes a creative alternative to a book report. If you are searching for a new writing project for your students, this might be a fun one to try.

Paying Grace Forward

My friend Karen Ford offers a great take on Paying it Forward in this article on being salt and light to the world: Salt and Light

She writes: How can we be light? Simple kindness and charity (true love) are the best place to begin.  Likewise, reflect Christ's light when others don't see it in themselves.  In our world of instant information, we risk losing the ability to look into another's eyes and recognize Christ in our brothers and sisters.  Make eye contact with those around you.  Listen to their voices.  Notice their pain, their joy, their needs.

In 2013, will you join me to be "Salt and Light," to pay forward the graces and gifts our Lord has granted us three-fold each day, in honor of the Most Holy Trinity?