Together for Good

July/August 2008 Issue | Posted by Tom and April Hoopes in Homework

FAM MAIL

I love your magazine! I am a veteran among even the veterans you feature — at the ripe old age of 43, with 12 children ranging in age from 21 down to 2 and 2 (twin boys). The May/June 2008 issue was so fun with the feature about little ones in Mass, Kids to Mass,” and the divide-and-conquer scenario, “Mass Together … Or Apart.”

It was very affirming to one who has run the gamut of good and exemplary Mass attendees under the age of 18 to “Who is that woman and who let that circus in here with her?” I love the short-and-sweet, easy-to-assimilate-in-a-rapid-reading tidbits in Home Front. Some­ times that’s all the time or attention I can give!

Keep up the great work!

Jo Flemings

Charlotte, North Carolina

WRITING CONTEST 2008

We picked a question for the second annual Faith & Family children’s writing contest. It’s “What does the Pope expect from young people in America today?” Stay tuned for details about the writing contest in the September/October 2008 issue, but until then start collecting your ideas. We look forward to your essays!

Robyn Lee

Assistant Editor

VOCATION BONUS

I just received my second issue of Faith & Family and it is such a pleasure to read. I wanted to let you know that your “How-to” tips in the Bonus Room on ways to encourage the priesthood were very nice.

I had never thought to send a card to the seminarians. I will be sure to send them letters.

Kim Whelan

Weston, Florida

FAITH INVESTMENT

A few years ago my husband and I were having money problems and my Faith & Family subscription came due. I was willing to let my subscription lapse to save a bit more money, but my husband held up an issue and told me one thing we will not let go of is this magazine subscription be­ cause of the high moral and undeniably Catholic content.

Our children make a collage for each letter of the alphabet they learn. I love seeing pictures of Pope Benedict XVI for the letters P and B. This magazine is feeding souls of all ages in this family.

My sincere thanks for teaching us how to truly be Catholic.

Heather L. Siekierski

Roseville, Michigan

Do WHAT? — Slimming Secrets

We asked readers: What is your favorite tip for avoiding unhealthy eating?

• I find that my desire to eat usually begins as thirst. I try to down a big glass of water before eating anything.

• Offer up the sacrifice of that “special” food for a particular intention: for your children or your family growing up.

• I base my eating on what I allow my kids to eat. I try to eat only when they do and on the

kinds of healthy things I allow them to snack on.

• Only buy healthy foods. If you don’t have the potato chips in the pantry, you won’t eat them.

• I get something in the crockpot early in the day. This keeps us from stopping for fast food before or after a baseball game.

• I brush my teeth first. After brushing, my teeth feel clean and shiny and I no longer want the food I was craving.

Say WHAT? — Crabby Customer

We asked readers: What do you say when a person in front of you is berating the clerk or other service person?

• When it’s my turn, I say to the clerk, “Hi! I’m here to cheer you up!” and try to make the clerk feel special in some way.

• I would buy them a coffee or something, hand them the coffee and say, “Have a blessed day!”

• I go out of my way to be kind to the clerk and the person doing the berating. They are both in need of kindness.

• I wouldn’t say anything to the “mean” person, but I always tell the clerk afterwards how I give them so much credit for working in the service industry!

• Distract the angry person with compliments — about their children, their clothing, or hairstyle.

• I would say out loud how grateful I am to have someone working to serve me in the first place.

Homework: For the November/December 2008 issue, send answers to these questions:

Say What? What if someone makes a mistake about the faith in your presence — but only in passing, as part of a different subject of conversation. How do you correct it?

Do What? What’s your favorite last-minute, no-time-or-energy dinner that isn’t takeout?

Here’s where to send us your stuff:

Faith & Family Homework

432 Washington Ave.

North Haven, CT 06473

Fax (203) 230-3838

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