1. Catholics in business

Last week, someone stumbled on my blog while searching for Catholic business resources. They emailed me, asking if I knew of any more. This is something that’s been on my mind since the  business book post I did a while back, but which hasn’t hit my priority list because of a whole host of other things. It’s a priority now, though, in part because I’m curious.

I’m pulling together a listing of Catholic business resources, including blogs, podcasts, websites, books, and other things that can be used to help Catholics thrive in the business world. Do you know of or use any great Catholic business resources? What would you recommend?

2. Another great conversation

My love of the Among Women podcast is well documented in this space, but I would be remiss not to rave and direct you to listen, if you’re not already, and especially to episode 85, which is a conversation with Elizabeth Scalia (aka The Anchoress) and Pat Gohn (aka The Hostess with the Mostest).

I have never re-listened to a podcast, in three years’ of listening to all sorts. But…I think I may have another listen to this one. And I may give in to the urge I felt to take notes. I’ve not paid as close attention to Elizabeth Scalia as many others do, for various reasons, but hearing her talk (perhaps especially after revisiting her blog over the last month or so) made me a full-fledged fan. Her passion is evident, but it has a great streak of…well, I don’t know how to describe it. She just seemed more like a real person suddenly, listening to her describe some things that just seemed harrowing to me, instead of like an inaccessible Catholic superstar.

I’m trying to explain–and maybe I shouldn’t–some of the ways this was such a phenomenal conversation, and I’m failing. Just go listen. You won’t be sorry…not only will you have the usual dose of Pat’s smooth voice and incomparable wisdom, you’ll have this amazing interview with a woman who I’m only just discovering.

3. From a dad’s perspective

A couple of months ago, I started listening to Just Another Catholic Dad, a podcast that is superbly produced by Sean McCarney, a Catholic dad in the UK who is hilarious and passionate (and an air traffic controller, which, if it doesn’t have your curiosity piqued yet, should). I just finished episode 26, and I think I’m going to have to record some voice feedback.

Here’s why. From my mom perspective (and wife perspective too, I suppose), listening to Sean talk about the two hours he spent watching a fairy movie with his three-year-old cutie patootie daughter, Caitie (who does the show intro and who I can’t help but just love) gave me a warm glow. I know that men have these feelings and insights, and it makes me pump my hand in the air and cheer to hear them expressed so beautifully.

But then, in addition to sharing this lovely, intimate dad moment, which wasn’t sappy or even that unusual, he tackled a big topic near and dear to my heart. Sean also does a bang-up job exploring matters of faith without being overbearing or preachy: he’s just a Catholic and a dad and a guy, struggling along the same as so many of the rest of us (moms included). Oh, and he uses the most delightful phrases. (Anyone who’s heard me bless their cotton socks lately can attest to that.)

4. I love B16!

Lisa Hendey brought the Pope’s message for this year’s Word Communications Day to my attention a few days ago, and after reading it, I have plenty to say. But not today. Tomorrow. I did, though, want to share this gem:

…[W]e must be aware that the truth which we long to share does not derive its worth from its “popularity” or from the amount of attention it receives. We must make it known in its integrity, instead of seeking to make it acceptable or diluting it. It must become daily nourishment and not a fleeting attraction. The truth of the Gospel is not something to be consumed or used superficially; rather it is a gift that calls for a free response.

I’ll be posting more tomorrow, but don’t wait for that to go and read it for yourself. It’s not long, and it’s overflowing with great stuff!

5. What’s hot here

The iPad has lost its appeal for my six-year-old, and here’s why:

Yes, pixiehollow.com. She plays, and while she plays, she has entire conversations (with herself? with the characters? I’m not sure…). They’re quite interesting. (More than 140 characters, though, so I don’t capture them on Twitter…yet, anyway.)

6. I think I have a new favorite author

His name is Chesterton. I picked up–and put back down–a book of his late last year, so I had some trepidation when a friend suggested we read Orthodoxy together. But I’m really enjoying it. And, though I usually let things gather a lot of dust before re-reading them, I have read the first chapter twice…and enjoyed it quite a bit both times.

I’m finding Dale Ahlquist’s book The Apostle of Common Sense helpful. Granted, I’ve only read the first chapter so far, since it goes with Orthodoxy, but I’m planning to finish it and, probably, devour more of the Chesterton works it covers.

7. Because this post would NOT be complete without it

A taste of style, a la three-year-old:

There are always a lot of Quick Takes to enjoy at Conversion Diary, so go on over and check it out!