Sancta Nomina community

Happy Mother’s Day! (I’ve got goodies for you!)

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Happy Mother’s Day!! πŸ’πŸ’πŸ’ I say this to all of you, even if you’re not moms, because everyone gets in on the celebration on Mother’s Day, don’t they?! At Mass this morning I saw so many older moms that I see every week by themselves or with their husbands, and maybe sometimes one of their children, but today it seemed like they had all their grown-up kids with them (many that I’ve seen grow up) — and I was so happy for them, what a great way to celebrate Mother’s Day. ❀

As I did last year, I really wanted to do something special for you all in honor of Our Lady during her month of May, and also in conjunction with Mother’s Day. I told you all recently about the priest who gave a mission at our church during Lent, and his story regarding the power of St. Gerard’s intercession for couples who are hoping to conceive. Then just recently, someone I know told me she’d encouraged her daughter-in-law (who’s not Catholic!) to ask St. Gerard for his intercession, and they just found out they’re having twins! So I really had it on my heart to do a novena to St. Gerard, specifically for all of you who are hoping for babies. Today was the last day of the novena, and I already said today’s prayers for it, so you’re all covered! I hope you’ll let me know when your St. Gerard babies are on the way! 😊 (I’ll also just die if any of you find out you’re having twins!πŸ‘―)

Also, yesterday I attended a special celebration of the 100th Anniversary of the first apparition of Our Lady at Fatima and the canonization of our new St. Francisco and St. Jacinta πŸ’•πŸ’•πŸ’•πŸ’•πŸ’•πŸ’•πŸ’•πŸ’• at the Auriesville Shrine (I documented it on Instagram!), and remembered all of you and your intentions during the beautiful day. I’m so grateful for you all! 🌹❀🌹❀

Finally, I wanted to give you something tangible and God provided me the perfect thing! Kortnee is a reader who has an Etsy shop called Studio Senn (she also has a non-Etsy web site here, and she’s also on Instagram, where she sometimes posts promo codes), which is “a watercolor and hand lettering small business specializing in wedding paper, watercolor maps and Catholic goods for families and children.” Regarding its origin, she told me,

“Studio Senn was born a couple years ago after working for a wedding florist/planner who asked me to do hand lettering and watercolor for some small projects she had. I started doing custom invitations and watercolor maps after that. This year I’ve decided to branch out and add more of my passions to the shop: Catholic goods for families and children, baby announcements, and hopefully soon original artwork.”

You guys! She has some ah-MAZ-ing things that I know you will all LOVE as much as I do! Like this ABC Saint Poster (she paints a little saint for each letter! So darling!):

ABC_saint_poster

She also has a boy version and a girl version. SO perfect for a nursery!

Then there’s this Narnia map (available in a bigger size too):

Narnia_map

And this St. Therese quote:

St_Therese_quote

There are so many sweet sweet things to choose from! But my very favorite is this Custom Saint, Letter, Color Square Print:

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Which is why I’m giving one of them away to one of you!! πŸŽ‰πŸŽ‰πŸŽ‰ To enter, click here to go to the Rafflecopter page for this giveaway! It starts today and ends at midnight on Wednesday, and I’ll announce the winner on Thursday — the birthday of St. John Paul the Great! πŸ‘ŠπŸ’•

For the rest of you, Kortnee’s offering a special discount code for Sancta Nomina readers! Use SANCTANOMINA15 until June 1 for 15% off anything in the shop! And as a special bonus — she also shared about her sons’ names! They are:

Fulton Douglas
Becket Raymond

😍😍😍

She explained,

“Our son Fulton is obviously (or at least I would guess so for your readers) named after Venerable Fulton Sheen. My husband and I have been inspired by his words for years. His middle name, Douglas, is after my father-in-law. Becket is named after Saint Thomas Becket. We thought he would be a wonderful intercessor for religious reedom in this day and age and we have always loved the work the Becket Fund does for that same cause. His middle name, Raymond, is after my dad and grandpa. It happened to be a coincidence that they are both surnames. Not necessarily a trend we plan to keep but always fun to think of what would go well with them!“

I hope you all found this post as fun to read as I had writing it!! Don’t forget to enter the raffle and check our Kortnee’s Etsy shop, web site, and Instagram, and I hope you all have a wonderful wonderful day!! 🌼🌺🌷🌸

Reader question: how to deal with negative attitudes toward big families (and a cool name!)

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This doesn’t have to do with names, but it does come from one of you readers, and it does have to do with big families, and our little community here has a higher-than-average proportion of big families when it comes to most other places online, and I’ve not seen a kinder virtual community anywhere.

So: a mama and devoted reader, who’s expecting her third baby,Β writes,

“Many of your consultations and readers (as well as yourself!) seem to have larger families (4+). How does everyone deal with society’s negativity towards it? How do you maybe evangelize the Catholic way of thinking, openness to life, the idea that there is value and benefit in larger families? Granted we are not ALL called to have large families, it is a personal matter you settle with God. But still, what do you say to help others understand or turn the news from ‘oh ANOTHER one’ to ‘yippy!’“

I was so sad to read this! I know having to deal with this is a reality the more children a couple welcomes into their family, but it’s so sad to me when a mama experiences it for the first time. This particular reader has been told (regarding what name they’ll give the baby), “If you’re smart, you’ll call it ‘Quits.'” (Hardy har.) She’s been given eye rolls when she mentions friends having their fourth or fifth baby, and facial expressions and tones of voice that convey to her that the person she’s speaking to doesn’t approve when she discusses things like possibly getting a bigger vehicle.

I told her thatΒ for myself, I just try to remember that there are a lot of people who truly don’t understand our mindset and world view — they’ve been so affected by what they see around them, and most people don’t come into contact with big families on a regular basis. And I always try to be joyful! I mean, obviously I’m not always joyful — my poor kids will tell you I’m impatient and have a bad temper! — but in general I am, because I know that our life is full of blessings, not least of which are the children. So I try to convey that to others, whether at the grocery store or school or church or whatever. But not in a beat-them-over-the-head or holier-than-thou way either, you know? Just in general, trying to *not* confirm whatever negative preconceived ideas they have about having a lot of kids. If it’s a situation where I’m chatting with someone, I love to tell the latest funny or cute or sweet stories about my boys — in my experience, people tend to love those kinds of things. Especially funny stories! Laughter is the best medicine after all. πŸ˜€

How about all of you? What suggestions or words of wisdom or moral support do you have to offer this mom, and all others who deal with this kind of thing?

(Also, just to end on a namey note, I came across the name of an Italian Dominican theologian from long ago [1580-1660; he’s not a saint or a blessed, just a cool guy], and it’s been rolling around in my head for days because I’m so taken with it: Xantes Mariales!)

 

Prayers needed please!

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The community one of our readers lives in was rocked by a horrible shooting tragedy yesterday, and she wrote to ask you all to for pray for all of them — she said, “It is a small community here and everyone has a connection to someone related to this incident or to the first responders.” She also asked for prayers forΒ the attack in London yesterday, and I ask a special prayer for the protection of my brother and his colleagues who arrived in London yesterday and, according to my sister-in-law, had gone through the area where it happened just before the attack.

For the souls of all those who died in these incidents, and for their grieving families, and for all the injured and all those otherwise affected by these tragedies, and for safety for both communities going forward, we pray. St. Anne, pray for us!

Another prayer request

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Thank you all for praying for this morning’s mama — if I get an update and she gives me permission to share it, I will!

I have another prayer request — one of our longtime readers, Joanna, a real-life dear friend of mine who I also posted a birth announcement for when she had her sixth baby, had a terrible scare recently when she had her first diabetic seizure in the nearly twenty years since her diagnosis; it left her mouth and tongue chewed up, and both her arms dislocated. Her husband has wanted to get a diabetic assistance dog for a while, and this incident has sped up their plans. It’s an expensive venture, and Joanna’s family has set up a Go Fund Me page to help defray the cost. If any of you are able to help financially, I know they would be so appreciative! Joanna also has to have surgery on her arm in the near future — you all know how hard these things are to manage when you also have little ones to take care. She’s been posting updates on her blog, if you’d like to follow along, and prayers are very welcome and needed. Thank you all! ❀

February CatholicMom column up, a Nameberry mention, and thanks for the fun!

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I’ll start with the last bit of the post title — thanks for all your great ideas re: a sister for Reverie! That was so fun to read! You all have amazing ideas!

Secondly, our reader Clare, who has an awesome name site of her own (Name News)Β and is also my Welsh pronunciation expert, had a piece posted on Nameberry a couple days ago in which she mentioned Sancta Nomina — specifically the “Men Who Love Mary” category! If I’m ever remembered for one thing, having it be names for Mary would be one of my very top choices. 😍 Go check out her great post:Β Who Knew Victor Hugo was a Name Nerd?

Finally, my February CatholicMom column posted yesterday — a slight re-boot of this post from a couple years ago: Names for Miscarried Babies. Miscarriage was on my mind recently because my parish just started a miscarriage ministry and asked me to help with it (and you know I tapped into our reader Mandi’s great resources at A Blog About Miscarriage). I hope this is helpful for anyone who’s mourning a little one.

catholicmom_screen_shot-02-15-17

 

Book review: Kate Wicker’s *Getting Past Perfect*

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I recently posted a guest post by Kate Wicker (with name ideas for her baby) and a birth announcement, and today I’m thrilled to post a review of her new book!

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Kate Wicker’s forthcoming book, Getting Past Perfect: How to Find Joy and Grace in the Messiness of Motherhood, is exactly the book a lot of momsβ€”myself includedβ€”need, often. Half memoir, half self-help, it spoke directly to me, which isn’t surprising given that Kate’s often done that for me through the years. She has a really lovely way of wording things, which become little nuggets of wisdom, like from a mom or a big sister, even though, in my case, she’s a peer (we’re the same age, and my oldest is the same age as her oldest).

Not only does she reveal her hard-won insider info that all moms experience and are embarrassed to admit (β€œthere are lots of other days and even weeks when I feel like a total failure when I’mΒ pretty sure I’ve royally screwed up my kids, and they’ll all end up in therapy. Those are the days when I’m in awe of my children’s deep pools of mercy and how eager they are to love imperfect me”), but she frames it all within an understanding of the crosses God asks us to bear, and the assurance that He is right there with us at every step. I loved when she noted that, β€œGod is the only perfect parent there is, and let’s take a look at his childrenβ€”you and imperfect me, all his offspring who have questioned him, those who crucified his only Son, and then all those who have committed abhorrent acts of genocide, bride burning, and other horrifying crimes of hate. One look at this Father’s broken people, and you’d think he has failed miserably as a parent. So why, then, do we take our own children’s behavior and choices and imperfections as an indictment of our own parenting?”

The ideas of β€œperfect” and β€œimperfect” moms and children (but especially moms) are addressed and moved past throughout her whole bookβ€”hence the title Getting Past Perfect. Kate says over and over again: you are not everything, and you *are* good enough. You aren’t perfect and you don’t need to be.

I loved how each chapter begins with an β€œevil earworm” (those nagging, untruthful or half-truthful refrains that get stuck in our heads) and a responding β€œuntarnished truth” based on faith and reality. I loved the β€œMom’s Time Out”—a prayer/reflectionβ€”at the end of each chapter. I loved that Kate included lots of personal anecdotes and bible quotes throughout, and the reading group guide and additional resources in the back make it a perfect book for individuals or groups. And I really loved this line, which I think sums up Kate’s whole goal: β€œDear mamas, imperfect love is still love.” Sometimesβ€”a lot of timesβ€”we all need to hear just that.

Kate’s book will be released on March 3, 2017, and is available for preorder from Amazon, Barnes & Noble, and the publisher itself (Ave Maria Press).

Reading round-up: Birth/name announcement edition

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I know (or I hope) you all know how much I love your contributions to our wonderful little community here, right? πŸ’•πŸ’•πŸ’• Over the past couple of weeks I’ve received notes from several of you sharing birth and name announcements you’d come across that you thought I’d like to see, and of course you’re so right — I loved them all! And I wanted to post them here for all of you lovers of the names of our faith.

First up, I hope you all know Abby Johnson, former Planned Parenthood director-turned-amazing advocate for the unborn, as well as for those who work at abortion clinics and who want to get out of the industry (she provides all kinds of resources and support, including finding jobs for them and helping them financially, through her wonderful organization And Then There Were None). She’s absolutely tireless in her efforts, even with being mama to fiveΒ beautiful little ones AND expecting twins!! She and her husband recently solicited name ideasΒ for their twin baby girlsΒ (and shared their older kiddos’ names), and her husband shared on FB last week that they’ve decided! Go check out the beeaauutiful names they chose! πŸ‘― (Thanks to Mary and Jen for sharing this info!)

I always love hearing about the European royal names and how Catholic they often are, but I was pleasantly surprised to find out the names of a British politician’s children! Check outΒ Tory MP Jacob Rees-Mogg has given his fifth child an amazing nameΒ andΒ North Somerset MP Jacob Rees-Mogg welcomes fifth child but his name causes a stir. (Thanks to Jilana!)

Check out this little guy’s name! And Clive makes five: a birth story. I really loved reading how perfectly his name fit the naming rules his parents had — like, perfectly! And of course C.S. Lewis. Great naming story. (He’s also got some gorgeously named big sisters!) (Thanks to proud auntie Francine!)

Finally, Amy tagged me on a photo of her twin girls she’d posted on IG toΒ illustrate her announcement that she’d posted about how she’d chosen their names and said, “@santanomina how did I do? They’re both French, places and saints!” I’m still so tickled that anyone cares what I think! Haha! Of course I πŸƒ (or more like πŸ’ƒ) over to her blogΒ to read all about these sweet girls’ names in “Are They Family Names?” – Behind the Names SpecialΒ and can say with authority that she and her husband did a marvelous job. Beautiful times two! πŸ‘― (Thanks also to Mary, who also shared the link with me!)

What a fun round-up! I hope you all have as much fun reading about these babies as I did!

Special offer for Sancta Nomina readers!

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Our reader Natalie has a beautiful Etsy shop called At the Post Paperie & Gifts — you may remember her from a year ago when she offered some beautiful nursery prints for little girls featuring quotes from St. Catherine of Siena, St. Therese of Lisieux, and St. Mother Teresa because she said she’d β€œfound much comfort & grace in blogs like yours as I’ve grown in my faith, so I wanted to give a little something in return.” Since then, she’s had a baby boy! She gave him the amazing name J0hn W3thington (a family name), and they call him Wh!t (because those letters appear in that exact order in W3thington)! 😍😍😍 Love love love!

Natalie has anotherΒ wonderfulΒ offer for all of you today! She writes,

“I painted some new prints with JPII and Saint Gianna Molla quotes & I thought your readers would love & I would like to offer them 50% off with the coupon code SANCTANOMINA πŸ™‚ That would make these two downloadable prints only $2.50 πŸ™‚ Mostly, I love the thought that these favorite quotes would grace some more walls! I’ve attached a photo of them displayed.”

Check out these beautiful prints!

jp-gianna-quotes

I hope you all take advantage of Natalie’s generosity (I’m on my way there right now ☺). And I’m sure you’ll all love to follow her on Instagram (not least because she’s got great pics of her little guy’s a-DOR-able face!) and check out her blog too. Thanks to Natalie for this lovely gift!! πŸ’•πŸ’•πŸ’•

Prayers needed for some sweet little girls: Meagan, Regina, and BelΓ©n

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Happy Feast of the Most Holy Name of Jesus! The whole month of January is dedicated to His Name, and it’s a great day to ask you to pray for several Sancta Nomina babies.

I posted a consultation and birth announcement for the sixth daughter of a friend of mine last year, and the year before that I posted about a fundraiser for their fifth daughter, who was diagnosed with hydrocephalus in utero and who — now at five years old — is an amazing little darling girl whose every day is a miracle. Her name is Meagan, and she’s currently in the hospital having a tough time. Her mom, Molly, posted this and said it was okay to share:

“It has been quite a week. Last Tuesday, while opening birthday gifts with Brian, Meagan collapsed on the floor. Her head became full with pressure and she was immediately lethargic. We rushed her to CHOA where she was barely breathing upon arrival but still forcibly vomiting from her head pressure. She had a carbon dioxide level of 95 and was immediately intubated. She then began to seize but luckily since we were already here it was stopped quickly with heavy medications. Despite being sedated and on a breathing tube she continued to pressure vomit so she was taken to the OR and her shunt was externalized to relieve the pressure. Somewhere in this process, Meagan aspirated. Thursday, Meagan spiked a 105 fever and the whole situation changed. We found out not only were we dealing with finding a new shunt solution for her, but she had aspiration from the vomiting and breathing tube combination which had settled in her lungs as aspiration pneumonia. The situation became very serious. Over the last 7 days, we have dealt with her struggling for oxygen, highest of high heart rates, lowest of low heart rates, an illeus (total gut shutdown), and now we found out today she has RSV on top of it all. Truly, it’s a perfect storm that she fell in to and was unavoidable. She has a long complicated fight ahead, not to mention a brain surgery that will have to follow – but she’s a fighter. Despite the hard pill to swallow of how sick she is, we have also witnessed amazing things this last week. Meagan has been doing what she has always done best – even while incredibly ill. We have seen people and communities from all aspects of our life come together in ways we couldn’t make happen. We have seen love, humor, charity and compassion – and it’s all because of her.

Meagan has been a miracle since the day she was born, and we continue to pray that she fights all of these odds against her to once again show us how miraculous she is. This has been difficult. I miss my girl’s smile, her laugh, her constant chatty looping conversations and her quirky questions.

We thank everyone for the many prayers, the amazing meal chain, braving the cold and rain to stand and pray for her tonight, helping wth the kids, and for our very close inner circle of support for being there for us and Megs at the hospital.

I will post an update when we know more or when we have any changes to report. Thanks and God Bless.”

Secondly, I posted a name reveal for blogger Sylvia (Tales from the Mommy Trenches)’s fifth baby girl back in October, when she shared that her baby had been diagnosed in utero with a congenital heart defect and Down Syndrome. Her baby has arrived! I was planning to ask her if I could do a birth announcement once things settled down, but I’m sure she’d appreciate the prayers right now — it looks like her little girl will be in the hospital for a while, and she’s got a lot of issues to deal with, which her mama’sΒ documenting beautifully on Instagram. They also decided to change her name from the planned Matilde Regina to Therese Regina “due to some hefty intercession of St. ThΓ©rΓ¨se,” but as with all their girls she’s going by her middle name, and Sylvia’s #reggiegram hashtag kills me, so sweet!

Finally, Lindsay’s little BelΓ©n is sick, and I know they’d appreciate prayers for her. Lindsay wrote on Instagram:

“Could I ask a prayer to be said for BelΓ©n? She is really struggling with RSV and we’re trying hard to keep her out of the hospital. She coughs so hard that she keeps vomiting her feedings. Thank you so much in advance. I know so many who need prayers right now so please know we are praying and offering for all of your little ones too!! We could use some fire powerπŸ™πŸ»πŸ™πŸ»πŸ™πŸ»“

It’s such a privilege to pray for your babies! And I’m so grateful that you’re all always so willing to jump right on the prayer train. ❀ ❀ ❀