First post!

I've been intending to start another blog - a specifically Catholic blog - for some years now, but have always found an excuse not to start. Today, the feast of St Faustina, the event of the Beatification of Blessed John Paul II, and the feast of the Divine Mercy seemed too auspicious a day to miss.

Feeding the troops: spiritual battle cannot be waged on an empty stomach, so expect a fair bit of rambling about food on this blog. After todays Mass we had an almost-house-full. We prayed Blessed John Paul II's Prayer for Families together before tucking into an informal feast or cheese (14 varieties) bread, crackers and a massive pavolva. Food is a great way to bring people together. Families supporting other families, specifically Catholic families surrounding themselves with other Catholic families, is, I think one of the best ways to strengthen and protect our children before they head out into the world alone.

Afterwards my husband and I discussed how, when we were growing up, neither of us had any kind of Catholic community, or even Catholic friends, around us. Neither of us actually knew anyone who was a practicing Catholic, despite both of us coming from at least nominally practicing Catholic families (you know the drill - nip in late to Saturday evening Mass, then dodge out just after communion). Is it any wonder that we both lapsed?

Since reverting, repenting, and returning wholeheartedly to the One True Faith (more on this later) we've surrounded ourselves with other Catholic families, even more so since having children: the vast majority of our friends, and our children's friends are Catholic -- and real, living-it, breathing-it faithful-to-the-Magisterium Catholics at that. I hope that my children, unlike me, grow up taking their faith for granted as something normal and healthy, surrounded by others who share it so that, unlike me, they have a layer of armour to protect them when they head out into the world. Holy Michael the Archangel, defend us in battle!