Hello everyone! I am interested in finding a children’s collection of short stories from the Bible (preferably one that is Catholic). Ages (0-3) or (3-5). Any recommendations are welcomed! Thank you and God Bless!

hello all,

i, very sadly, miscarried my first baby last week (5 weeks pregnant), this was also my first pregnancy ever. it feels weird to mourn and grieve something i only knew for a short period of time, but also this has caused me anxiety for future pregnancies as this was my first experience. my husband and i would like to try again this coming cycle.

does anyone else have any experience with this? this is a very isolating experience as no one except us knew about the pregnancy.

I go to mass on another side of town now (in large part due to my inability to drive). But I loved my childhood church, I loved my youth group there, and I felt close to Christ for the first time while I was a teenager because of their leadership. I have a ton of respect for our priest there.

He took a fall and it was exponentially worse than I’ve ever seen other elderly people. He wasn’t sick, just fell. And he was in hospice seemingly overnight. I will be grieving, but I want to offer some kind of something to the church more than just my prayers. Something actionable.

Would volunteering to take off some of the load of the church staff ESPECIALLY this time of year be inappropriate? The most I feel Christ is through good works, and they deserve the service very, very much. If not this, what would be appropriate?

Also if you could keep Fr. Jack Kelly of Holy Infant in your prayers, please do. It would be so meaningful and important for such a dedicated man of God.

Warning: this is such a stupid situation I'm actually ashamed I'm asking this. Please don't judge me, I feel so stupid as it is.

Hi everyone. I wanted to share this with you. I (21F) have a crush on a guy, I can't get him out of my head- I keep thinking of what it could be and stuff. My head is always in the clouds and I've been so 'anxious' about him that I've put off prayer (the Chaplet of devine mercy in the afternoon and the my usual morning prayers) because I've been so absorbed by this. This is totally my fault, I actually feel so stupid because of this- since we haven't been on dates or everything and it's probably all in my head.

I even told my friends about this guy, a thing I never do. I feel like I'm actually, slowly, descending into madness. BECAUSE HE IS JUST A GUY.

I usually never feel like this. I believe I'm so consumed by these feelings due to a combination of things:

1. my never actually liking anyone

2)the new medication for my endometriosis that does not blend well with my anxiety medication 3) my ocd

But here I amfinally posing the question: do you think I am under some sort of magic or something? I know it sounds mad, and rationally I know, but it's hard to reason with the ocd voice in my head telling me I'm enchanted or something.

Anyways, I've prayed 'the prayer', as the prots say, so I'll see if he still showes interest in me when I'll see him.

I posted here about a month ago that I was going on a dating fast (thank you for your prayers, it’s going great!) and I’m learning a lot/revisiting some old things about myself while trying to prep for when I eventually put myself back out there. It’s been really good for me and have no timeline for when I re-enter the dating pool, but I have some old sins that I’ve repented for yet still feel a lot of shame. When I was a teenager I sent some nudes and had sexual conversations with a couple of guys (I’m 25 now so this was years ago). Some of it by my own admission and some of it happened through coercion. By the grace of God nothing ever happened physically and I have remained a virgin + I had my reversion a few years later so I’ve confessed these things but I seem to feel a lot of guilt and that a guy will never accept me for this. I know it’s silly because to me, someone doing something like that in their past wouldn’t be a deal breaker as long as they amended their life but I just worry I’ll tell a guy I sent nudes as a teen and he will be instantly turned off. Like I’m not “pure” enough or not really a virgin or I’m somehow damaged. Have any of you experienced this? I know the enemy wants us to despair so I’m trying really hard not to, but as I work through this old regret I am beginning to feel like it’s a huge factor in my future endeavors. TIA, hope you all had a blessed Thanksgiving for those in the US 🦃🍁

I'm 15, not liberal and I do believe that the wife should be submissive and the husband should be a leader, women at home if possible, men working all that stuff. But doesn't he take it to far? Like he made a "Dump her list" with a bunch of crazy tags. And acts like women are only there to serve the men.

EDIT: he thinks That women need to ask their husband if it's okey every time to go outside (like even to run an errand, go to the park), they can't do sports (or it's at least a red flag to do sports) he thinks that women having education is bad. Women wanting less then 12 children is bad.

I do see a therapist and I have been through this many years. I am not on medication anymore it did not work for my mental health made it worse. What have you done to get through the day?

Hi everyone. I’m looking for a good counselor who understands the sanctity of marriage while also being open minded about the reality of annulments. Ideally trained in the gottman method since my husband and I both find their approach extremely useful. I doesn’t matter with country they are at as long as they can provide therapy in English.

We have been together for 2 years. I have been bringing him with me to Mass and trying to guide him - his family is Catholic but only the type to only go to church on Christmas. He knows my terms and conditions, I’m not living with him, I want to save myself but I have messed up in the past and I think that has made him not take it as serious. Through reconciliation and penance I have found the strength to stay true to my beliefs and be strict in saving myself and sticking to my terms and conditions. I am so supportive of him since he has a very demanding career and I’m still in my last year of college and unemployed. We have talked about marriage and how I want to have children and raise our family very Catholic. He agrees but all I’ve heard for the past year is he’s waiting until he’s ready financially. But nothing has changed. He keeps saying he’s gonna start a side business but has done nothing to do that. He said he wants to pay off debt but that shouldn’t delay anything since there’s always gonna be debt. He said he wants to wait to buy a house until he has enough money saved but he has a great salary job and has lived with his parents this whole time. I’m the one who moved out at 19 because my home situation was toxic. And he gets to come over and hang out. He helps me financially but that’s not what I’m after.
He wants me to trust him but it’s so hard. I feel like our relationship of 2 1/2 years has proven more than enough that we should be married and really start our life together. Everyone around us is getting married and he wants me to wait. But I’m about to graduate and I’ve also had a lot of dreams of travel and living in another state and experiencing new things, yet I’ve put it on hold until we are married. I’m scared that I am wasting my time and I shouldn’t be waiting around to do these things if this man isn’t even proposing to me or taking any action for a future?

I guess my question is, do I leave? Do I give an ultimatum? I love him, he would be an amazing husband and father but I just have so much fear that I am going to be unhappy and feel like I am compromising when I shouldn’t.

Advent is fast approaching and I want to buy some advent candles - do you prefer votive or taper candles in your household?

I found a lovely Etsy seller that offers both. I personally love the appearance of taper candles, but I'm slightly concerned that they could be a fire hazard if they're knocked over and I'm worried about getting beeswax everywhere. I would love to hear about everyone's preferences/ experiences! I need to make a decision and would love to chat:)

Side note: I know that battery operated candles are an option, but I prefer wax!

ETA: the devotional is, “Daily Reflections for Advent & Christmas, Waiting in Joyful Hope 2024-2025” by Jessie Bazan!

I’ve got an Advent wreath set up with LED candles, and a new devotional! Also have my Christmas tree up. Just really pumped. Can it be Dec 1 already??

Cross-posted from r/AskAPriest.

Hi! First, I do have plans to speak with a priest once I find a home parish. Just hoping for some additional insight on how to proceed. I'll try to be concise.

I'm in my 2nd marriage. I am 42/F

First marriage was to O. We were together 18 years. He is a baptized (not confirmed) Catholic, but not a Christian. Always open and supportive, and when I decided to go through RCIA to get Confirmed, he agreed to get our marriage convalidated.

I lied to my priest about being open to life and was on birth control. O also never wanted children. Years later, I had a tubal ligation. Years later O and I had a very amicable divorce and are still friends.

I remarried M. M is not a Christian. M is also wonderful and supportive as I find myself wanting to return to Catholicism.

I am ashamed to have O know that I'm considering an annulment (does the other party have to know??) and embarrassed to ask M for a convalidation (mostly because he thinks organized religion is a bunch of malarkey). Regarding the sterilization, I have age and finances working against me. M and I have discussed this at length and come to the agreement that reversing it is not an option.

Realistically, what the HECK do I do?

Ugh!

I've been in a pretty bad place mentally and thought it would be a good idea to get closer to god. The only issue is that I don't know how. Should I read the bible, if so which one? There are so many on Amazon, I don't know which one. And then how do I read it? Is there a certain order? Sorry, I'm very new to this.

Hi All,

I (30F) have lived separately from my mother for several years now. She is a very cruel and narcissistic person. She has burned bridges with pretty much everybody in her life. I am her only child, so when I deal with her, I am completely alone.

Countless conversations on the topic, and in summary, she simply does not care that she is hurting people. As her daughter, she views me as her property and thinks she has a right to treat me however she wants, and I am obligated to just sit there and take it.

My father passed away a few months ago, and she was tremendously cruel to me at this time. Things like blaming me for not being able to handle his alcoholism. It made a very terrible time of my life several times worse. I’m still hurt by this tbh.

She texted me that she is very sick, and that I should come over to help her. My body recoiled as if it’s approaching a threat, the same way it requires when you step too close to a ledge.

I think I need some advice from fellow Catholic women as to how to navigate this. I do plan to at least deliver groceries to her. I do want to be a dutiful daughter. But she destroys me and I just can’t handle it.

Hello! I recently got engaged and I’m planning on telling my parents tomorrow. Im a bit young (only just turned 22) and I know they are going to be shocked/horrified, they’re not Catholic, they’re atheists, so I don’t know how much they understand about Catholic Dating and marriage. My fiancé also has his house and job etc literally everything sorted so they can’t be like where are you going to live?!? Etc in their criticisms of me. How do you guys think I should tell them? I’m socially awkward and have a hard time telling my parents anything personal, even more so in real life rather than message. Please give examples of actual phrases and things to say if possible! I have no idea how Im going to do this. Maybe I could just say ‘hey so he gave me this and asked if I wanted to get engaged I said yes’?

My sister in law really doesn’t like her son. She adopted her youngest daughter as an infant in a very wanted adoption, and later on the birth mother asked if she would also take her older boy who was about two or three at the time. (I was around fifteen sixteen at the time and just started dating my now fiancé so I was only but so aware of the circumstances.) He had extreme behavioral problems mostly to do with parental neglect, and after five or six years with my sister in law he has come around to be a very polite little boy who is quiet and conscientious. My fiancé told me that he has behaviors at home like not being able to sleep and creeping around the house at night (he’s the only one who sleeps on the ground floor) and eating dog food, but she does have him in therapy and getting help. He’s a really, really nice boy.

The thing about it is, I think she never wanted to adopt him really. She never sought it out and in a way maybe she thought she was the only good choice for him since his previous home life was legitimately terrible and had a lot of police and CPS involvement. My sister in law has one older daughter who she treats like her best friend, and she treats her youngest daughter like a cute little doll baby who she dresses up and takes care of. Her boy is ostracized from her family in photos, treated twice as harshly by everyone in the family, and on many occasions now they’ve went on family vacation without him. They don’t have a good excuse for leaving him out of family vacation, they just don’t want him there.

Today, they brought a lot of stuff for thanksgiving and her little boy brought in a big pot for her, which she didn’t ask him to do. In my opinion, he wanted to be helpful and took initiative. She started yelling at him though and telling him that he was careless and horrible, and he had no right to do that sort of thing. Just going on and on verbally abusing the guy. It was a heavy pot and it was still hot, so it wasn’t wise for him to do it, but she just started punishing him for it so severely. Everyone else started piling on, the other girls treat him worse too just because it’s modeled for him.

There are a million stories about him being treated like that in front of me and it drives me crazy. It makes me hate them all a lot. It’s not fair, and it’s so wrong to do it. She chose to be his mom and it makes me so angry to think that he’ll never get to be in a family that wants him at this rate. He’s an amazing little boy, I try to be extra nice to him and when he gets left behind from family vacations I take him places like chuckee cheese to make it all up to him somehow.

I just feel like I’m complicit in it all anyways. I’ve never even said a cross word to the boy because I know he hears enough of it (I’m generally more strict with kids than most people in my family). But when he’s getting yelled at like that I feel like picking a fight with my sister in law. I don’t, because it wouldn’t help anyone and my fiancé’s family can be really mean and hold grudges for a long time. If I was overtly judgmental of the situation, it could cause a lot of problems the would last a long time and, more importantly, do nothing for the poor little boy. My first instinct is to yell at her and tell her that she’s a bad mom, but I wouldn’t do it.

What can you say in these situations? I’ve been thinking about saying something like “you don’t have to be so mean to him.” Or “He’s just trying to be a helpful boy. He didn’t mean to do something wrong.” It’s little things, like he forgot to pack his swimsuit for vacation one year (he was seven) and she was berating him for it over and over. I said not to worry and just bought him one myself, and that made her stop with it all and I think kind of humbled her on the matter. I just can’t think of a way to engage with the situation without causing drama that doesn’t involve just sitting there and ignoring it. I can’t just ignore it, I try to avoid my fiancé’s family at all costs but I can’t really, and I don’t want to burn any bridges. I just don’t know what to do, it’s all so upsetting.

I posted this to mommit as well. I am having a discussion with my husband tonight.

Normal husband parenting

How do your husbands parent? My husband is one of 6 and says I live in a false reality as an only child regarding parenting.

We have a 25 month old and 8 month old.

He yells “shut up” to our toddler when he repeats words over and over, is having a tantrum and crying, being whiny.

He calls him kid when he’s mad at him. For example, if my toddler is using his riding horse to get onto a coffee table, he will yell “come on KID” with disgust in his voice then very firmly rip him off the table and semi-throw the horse behind a gate.

When my toddler is interested in something that my husband isn’t, like a speck on the ground and is pointing it out to my husband, he will say “I don’t care”

My husband works from home and my son loves to go into all the rooms at home. If my husband is in the bathroom and my son goes in, he will push him out and slam the door in his face. If my husband is getting changed in the bedroom and my sons gets in, he will push him out and slam the door in his face.

The other night I got so tired of all the negativity in our house that I lost it. I hold up and do the hard work to help my son regulate all day as a SAHM, while doing all the wakeups with my daughter all night, then working on bringing in income after our kids go to sleep. Within 5 minutes of my husband watching the kids there is always yelling or negativity and it gives me anxiety. Majorly. I cannot imagine how my son’s nervous system must feel.

The very first time he yelled shut up to our son was when he was a few months old and crying and wouldn’t sleep. He told me he wouldn’t remember and he would be better by the time he would remember. I fear he hasn’t changed.

Please tell me how your husbands parent and discipline. He says he will not be a second mother to our children, but I don’t find this being a father. I find it being authoritarian.

Some other examples: -Holds him down and yells at him, slams his legs down during diaper changes -Pushes his body down and pins him into car seat How would your husbands handle these situations,

tw: possible miscarriage

last week i took a pregnancy test (well, 5 pregnancy tests) and was blessed with a BFP.

one week later im in the ER for heavy bleeding and cramping. i’ve been told its a waiting game for the next few days until they can draw more blood to compare hcg levels.

anyway, this is my first pregnancy and my heart is hurting so much. especially since we are early along and no one knows. if you can, please pray for the safety and health of my baby and me.

Hello beautiful ladies.
A few months ago I asked in here about becoming a catholic, and have joined the OCIA classes at my parish. So far, it is going very well. A few months ago, I felt the push to start praying the rosary, and funnily enough, the class I had after the push and looking up rosaries online, was about the rosary and praying it.

I am now having the though/push to start veiling. However, I'm not sure which covering would be best for me. I have toddlers that will likely pull anything, but the stuff that they likely wouldn't just doesn't seem right. There are so many beautiful options both style and design that it feels a bit overwhelming.

I suppose my question (which is probably silly, but google isn't helping much) is, is there like a sample set option? Like, bandana style, infinity scarf, cap, etc? If not, what would you recommend for a new-to-veiling double toddler mom?

And one more question I suppose,
I have not been baptized ever, and will be at the Easter Vigil. Our priest does the water pouring over the head. Would a veil be recommended or should it be skipped/removed for baptism?

Thank you in advance! Any other advice is also welcome!

Without going into too much detail, I am in a situation where I left my husband at the beginning of the year, and now am a single mom of 4 living at my sister's house with my two sisters and BIL. Every adult except me works full-time, and so housekeeping tends to fall on me (mopping, sweeping, dusting, etc), and I also grocery shop and cook for our family of 8. It is included as part of my "rent" to buy groceries, as it would be too difficult to separate food, and we all eat together.

I homeschool/stay home with my 10yo and 4yo, my two older kids attend public school, and just parenting, homeschooling, cleaning, and cooking takes up a lot of my day.

I am totally neglecting working and studying, which I need to figure out how to prioritize so I can eventually move out and into my own home with my children.

The thought of doing more is exhausting to me. From my perspective, my siblings get to work and then come home and shut off their responsibilities for the day. But on days when I am doing all I typically do, plus work (I am a house cleaner) and manage to fit a couple hours of studying in (for a doula certification), I do. not. stop. My day is completely filled with tasks and chores and I go to bed feeling completely burnt out.

I can't change my situation. I cannot ask people for help. I have to lift myself out of this and make more money. I am depressed, and tired all of the time. So how do you go on?

How can I reframe my thinking, just do the things I need to do even if I'm tired, pull myself out of depression, find joy, not resent the people around me whose lives seem easier and better? How do I approach the resentment and sadness in my heart and offer it to God, instead of dwelling and feeling sorry for myself?

I guess I am looking for prayers, books, Saints, etc. I am in therapy and have an appointment to ask my doctor for depression meds.

I’m due in May with my first baby, and I want to start preparing and educating myself on birth, parenting, and everything in between. I also want to have meaningful conversations with my husband about these topics. I’d love advice on what baby items to put on my registry and what’s not worth it.

On another note, I’ve been eating so poorly lately—craving way more sugar than usual and avoiding cooking altogether. I’d love tips on how to curb those cravings and make healthier choices, even when I don’t feel like cooking.

I am surrounded by a lot of people who complain and act like everything is a burden and it is really affecting my view of my vocation. I feel like I’m trying to prepare “protect my time” already instead of viewing it all as a blessing and leaning into my vocation. How do you combat this worldly view of marriage and family when we are surrounded?

Lastly, I’m specifically looking for advice and recommendations from devout Catholic moms rather than a mix of random opinions. Please share your favorite resources, advice, and tips—thank you so much in advance!

How does proper compromise look like in a marriage? How does it manifest in your marriage? I'm not talking about surface-level things, like where to go for dinner... Specifically, rules that you and your spouse disagree with (rules that the church hasn't specified you to follow). Rules that one spouse has created in that moral gray-space; that they believe will guide their family through the narrow path.

My boyfriend and I cannot agree on something. He believes that the best way to go about it, is to try and talk it through (with deep understanding for each other, perspective from priests, and discernment with God). debate. Yes. I do those things too. I get different answers from priests, and unfortunately the CC hasn't helped clarify my questions. And see who's ideas are closest to truth, agree, and stick to it. He believes it is not good to compromise on such things; as it would feel that he is going against his good conscience to compromise with me just to keep me happy. To promote me-- and allow our children, to do what he sees as 'sin'.

While I appreciate a good and heartfelt debate-- I have been feeling down in the dumps about this, lately. It feels like I am the only one willing to step down, and have trust in his logic and discernment over my own, under the understanding that I am not always right. Recently, some of the things I have tried to follow his perspective on, have been regurgitating against me under the form of stress (from constant cognitive dissonance). Since then, I have been openly disagreeing with him on a couple of things again. Like what rules are necessary to impose on our future children, and that includes the subject of modesty. I feel as though my intellectual ability is looked down upon in our relationship, seeing how he seemingly isn't comfortable to do the same for me, and consider that maybe my ideas aren't too bad. My solution was to be open to compromise. Do I need to get over myself? Or am I right for believing that compromise is best action to do for those "gray areas".

context:

I am an ex mormon. I lived by rules. Intention was never a factor of consideration. Alcohol, bikinis, tattoos, double piercings, marrying a man of different faith, anger, not perusing motherhood as a woman, was always seen as bad and sinful in my former religion. No matter your intention. Intention is a foreign idea to me. I hope that helps you understand my POV.

context 2: We disagree on modesty. He does not like the idea of me wearing a bikini at the beach. I think it's okay under the presumption that I am not doing it vainly, and wearing it at the appropriate location. So, he feels I would fundamentally be doing something wrong by wearing a bikini. He also isnt sure about one piece swimsuits... specifically, women's competitive speedo swimsuits. He wouldn't be too comfortable with his daughters participating in swim team. I grew up loving swim team, and also, I think that banning my future daughters from swim team is unnecessary. He thinks showing a "certain amount of skin" is fundamentally sinful, while I do not. We cannot agree. It feels like I must agree with him, bc he does not want to compromise on these things.

Another thing is music. He's more inclined to ban music from the house that has swear words, or song about things that are against the church/ his beliefs. On the other hand, I believe that it's up to the person to decide whether the music harms their spiritual life. I think he's too strict, overall.

fyi, I would never propose to do something the Catholic church is clearly against. I try to stay faithful to God, through the church's teachings. I do. This is about those "gray areas".

please dont insult him. He is a person too. Insults aren't appreciated.

I'm 20F, undergrad and I need to get out of my family's house. I already know that l'm going to have to work my butt off to get my own place but I need more help properly planning on how exactly I can make sure nothing is connected to them I regards to FASFA, health insurance, taxes, phone bill, etc. I currently don't have a car and I live on campus but I have to go back during school breaks. I genuinely do not feel safe going back home, there be moments of physical abuse and threats. I wasn't taught independence so I don't know where to start outside of getting a job. Any advice/ tips is appreciated!

Hi dear you,

I recently posted about my break up.

We had quite a lot of contact and then a while ago I indicated that I needed space and I deleted his number. I suffer a lot from anger and hatred. Love at the same time. This feeling is not from God and I am very ashamed of it. I don't know what to do and how to ask for forgiveness.

Even talking on Reddit I see as gossiping. So I'm very hesitant. I talked to people quite a lot in the beginning because everyone thought he was the sweetest person but no one knew about the mental abuse. I feel very guilty about this and so many things. I just want to get rid of these feelings. I just want to move on with my life and stop loving him.

I feel strongly about needing confirmation that he misses me and loves me too. He also said that a few weeks ago. But I feel so pushed aside. I just want to be worth it to someone, that someone chooses to go makes me very sad. I just don't understand, I just don't understand so many things.

I am grateful because this was an unhealthy relationship for me. I really need to heal from it but I don't know how. I'm ashamed of this. Any tip would be welcome.

Lots of love and God bless you <3

I’ve been feeling a little overwhelmed and all over the place emotionally (unplanned pregnancy). We're happy though.

I just wanted to share the news and would appreciate any advice about pregnancy/being a parent (especially unplanned and being this young), Catholic name suggestions, etc.

If baby is a girl, my bf and I love the name Elizabeth. We’re not sure about a boy name yet if baby is a boy.

♡ ty and God Bless

What books have you read that were helpful/insightful to the Catholic view on marriage? I’m getting married next year so I wanted to get read up

Hello everyone! As an adult i’m trying to learn more about the bible and was wondering if anyone had any good catholic bible study books or a website I can use? I find I benefit more from a guided study rather than just reading on my own. Thanks in advance!

Hey ladies, I specifically need one for postpartum breastfeeding. I am located in Australia and I want to do the Marquette method.

I’m not entirely sure the best way to title this post and it may seem like an odd question but does anyone know of any Catholic groups or communities that dress plainly and live with less technology? I suppose something similar to Amish or Mennonite but with still being of the Catholic faith and recognising the Pope and Vatican?

Thanks in advance for any help ❤️

So I liked this man , he was perfect, Christian family, preacher father (not catholic sadly though) and he was just a kind and gentle man, however he’s now moved away to England and I’ll likely only see him once a year at a camp we both attend in England. I can’t stop thinking about him though, are there any prayers I can pray to either get over him, or maybe that I can pray for him for when I see him.

I don’t think he even liked me like that however I really did and I would like for him to know that, even if it’s not reciprocated at all.