Announcing the winners

Thanks to everyone who entered the two contests I ran the last few days. It always surprises me how few people put their names forward for freebies. And these are really great freebies! My next giveaway will most likely be in early December, just in time for Christmas.

Oh, yes, drum roll please....

The winner of the Saints Daily Planner is....

Olivia from the blog Biddeford. Olivia, if you click on my profile, you will find my email address. Just send me your mailing address and proper name, and I will put the daily planner in the mail for you tomorrow.

The person with the least number of sacramentals is someone who just entered their name today, and goes by the name Venerable Bede. Please follow the contact info posted above, so I can send you out the Song of Angels print.

As it stands

Tomorrow I will announce the winners of the two giveaways - I would really like to give the Saints Daily Planner to a student, and several have already put their names forward. It's not too late to submit your name for either contest! Click here to enter the contest for the Song of Angels framed print and click here to enter the contest for the Saints Daily Planner.

The Song of Angels framed print is designated to go to whomever has the least number of sacramentals in their home, and from the submitted entries, here are the tallies:

Marilena - 29 and counting
Anita Moore - 26
Shirley - 22
Nancy - 21
Andrew -7
Patricia - 5
Ashley - 5
Peter - 4
Venerable Bede - 1

What is in your home?

Adrienne and Angela inspired me to run a contest where the participants count the number of sacramentals and Catholic images they have on display in their home. Adrienne's rules are simple: the items have to be Catholic (don't count books) and they have to be on display at all times. I was surprised at the number of Catholic items I have in my home. When they are spread out in different rooms, it seems like less.

Ready, set go! Count up your items while I search for an appropriate prize to award to the person who actually owns the fewest sacramentals. You didn't think I would give it to the one who has plenty, did you?

Here is a count & photo display of my favourite items: (Click on any picture to enlarge it)
Pictures 30 (it seems high because I have the stations of the cross)
Crucifixes 7
Statues 10 plus 1 in my garden for 11 total
Holy water/font 2
Rosaries on display 2 plus a rosary ring for 3
Scapulars on display 5

Total 57 items


This crucifix hangs in my kitchen, one of seven throughout the house.


This is my oldest statue, that of the Holy Family. It sits on my 1920's antique piano, which I don't have time to play anymore.


This picture is in the entrance way to our home, a gift from my last priest, one for each family who was present for the consecration to the Sacred Heart.


This beautiful crucifix is the first thing anyone will see when they enter our house - a gift from my blogging buddy, Dr. Bombay. It's so beautiful, yet he still was able to part with it.


These little statues sit on my Catholic bookshelf in my prayer/reading room. My sister Marilena gave me the statue of St Therese, and the other two were given to me by Dr. Bombay.


These are three of the fourteen stations of the cross I have in my prayer room, also given to me by Dr. B. He sent me a whole box of stuff when he sold his house!


My Catholic bookshelf; there are lots more books elsewhere, too!


Our Lady of Fatima, holding a very special pearl and silver rosary that I gave to my daughter on her Confirmation day this year.

The Last Supper, which I purchased at a Catholic bookstore in downtown Seattle last year when I went with my sister Shirley to Father Corapi's Lenten Retreat. The statue of the Sacred Heart I purchased in Quebec City a few years ago. It has its own interesting little story.

So come on, join in the contest! I will post the prize in a few days.

Book Giveaway at Seeking Jesus

My sister Shirley, of the blog Seeking Jesus is giving away five copies of the book The Incredible Catholic Mass, by Fr. Martin von Cochem. (Click here for the post with the giveaway). This is a book that opens your mind to the sacred mysteries of the Mass, and inspires one to holiness. It is an absolutely incredible read. This book was sent to me a few years ago by my blogging partner Dr. Bombay (who happens to have very good taste in books!). After I read it, I passed it on to Shirley, and now five lucky others will soon be holding this helper to heaven in their hands.

Here is the excerpt from Tan Publishers:
An absolute revelation to most Catholics! Based on the Traditional Latin Mass, but actually about the essence of the Mass itself. Shows it is not just a prayer, but a powerful sacrifice given to us by Almighty God to fulfill all our spiritual needs. You will divide your life into "before" and "after" you read this book. Going to Mass will never be the same again, once you appreciate the significance of every Mass (as explained by this book). Every Catholic needs to read this! Impr. 450 pgs, PB

It didn't take long

To get a winner to the Name this Saint post. Mallys identified the painting as Jakob Potma’s 1694 mural in the Jesuit church in Mindelheim, Germany, depicting Xavier’s dream of carrying an Indian on his back; in his missionary fervor he willingly accepted this symbolic burden.

Mallys, if you email me your info, I will send out one of those books to you. (Just click on my profile to get my email address).

Name this Saint

Do you love contests? I do, and even better than entering one is hosting one! Whoever can name the saint in this picture, and give a brief explanation of what the image represents will have a chance to win either a copy of The Glories of Mary by St. Alphonsus de Liquori or a copy of The Imitation of Christ by Thomas a Kempis, or The Dolorous Passion of Our Lord Jesus Christ by Anne Catherine Emmerich; your choice. (Books will be shipped directly from the publisher to the winner's address). Ready, set, go!

And the winner is....drum roll please!

Well, I said I was giving away a free copy of the Glories of Mary. I can't think of a better way to spread devotion to the Blessed Mother. (And, when I am done reading my copy, I will be passing it along, as well.) I have decided to choose Alan for the winner of the new book, as Karyn very generously said she could easily get a copy from her bookstore. So Alan from FE, send me your address (just click on my profile to get my email) and I will be happy to have the publisher send it out to you.

Freebies!

Everybody loves contests and we all love free stuff, so head on over to Karin's blog to see what she is giving away! And Divine Mercy also has a little something for one of her lucky readers. No hints, now! You'll just have to go see for yourselves. And good luck to you all!