Kids Meals, Giving Blood, and Raking Leaves:
Creative Dating Tips for the Single Catholic

So, you are single, Catholic, and dating. Congratulations! You have tons of fun dating experiences ahead of you. But we also wish you good luck, because dating as a single Catholic can be a bit challenging. As a single Catholic, you may be looking for dating activities that are in line with your morals and convictions. Bars and dance clubs may not be your scene. But we have some tips for you to create fun, creative dates for you and your companion. Dating as a Catholic single doesn't have to be boring or unoriginal.

Single Catholic Dating Tip #1: Be a Kid Again
Go to a fast food chain and order a couple of kids meals--if you are both really hungry, get more than one each. Then take your kiddie meals to a nearby park or playground. Your local Catholic church may have one. Have a picnic with your kiddie meals--you even get to play with the toys that come with them. Once your food has settled, it's playtime. Hit the slides, the sandbox, the monkey bars. The swings are a particularly romantic piece of playground equipment.

Single Catholic Dating Tip #2: Create Something Together
Paint-your-own pottery places are popping up all over the place, and oftentimes on weekends they have specials for singles going on dates. Creating something together forms an imaginative bond between you and gives you something in common. It doesn't have to be painting pottery--you can plant a tree. Or draw chalk pictures on the sidewalk. Or bake a cake. It allows for a lot of time for conversation as you work.

Single Catholic Dating Tip #3: Take Me Out to the Ballgame
A ballgame doesn't have to be a professional sporting event. Look around for local sporting events at high schools or community centers. You can take in a Little League game together for much less than the cost of professional tickets, and you can get sno-cones and popcorn, too! Plus, it is a joy to watch children playing and having fun. It will spark conversations about your respective childhoods, and you will learn about each other. And if you are a single Catholic looking to start a good Catholic family, being around kids can help you feel out how your potential mate feels about children.

Single Catholic Dating Tip #4: Dinner and a Movie
Yes, it may seem like the boring old standard, but there is plenty of room to get creative. Cook the dinner yourselves! Begin by planning the menu, then shopping for the ingredients, then spend a few hours in the kitchen having great conversation as you cook up something yummy. After you enjoy your culinary creation, pop in a DVD and relax without the crowds, noise, and expense of seeing a movie at the theaters.

Single Catholic Dating Tip #5: Do Chores Together
That's right, do chores. Rake leaves, shovel snow, clean out the garage. Do it together--and do it for someone else, such as your elderly neighbor. Doing something nice for someone else is not only fun and good in and of itself, but sharing it with a date is a bonding experience like no other, especially for a Catholic.

Single Catholic Dating Tip #6: Have A Bloody Good Time
Similarly, you can do something good by donating blood together. It is less scary to donate blood as a pair than alone. You can get to know each other over juice and cookies, and the wooziness you feel might just loosen you up a bit so you won't feel so nervous about your date.

Single Catholic Dating Tip #7: Crash a Wedding Ceremony
Everyone knows that Catholic weddings are a sight to see. The flowers, the numerous bridesmaids, the dress. There is almost always a wedding happening at your church on any given weekend, so why not go check one out. You can see a beautiful, heartwarming ceremony and attend a full mass while you are at it. This date may not be appropriate for a first date, but it is a fun one for serious Catholic couples. If you are truly daring, you can even try to crash the reception. Get some ideas--because you may not be a single Catholic in the dating scene for much longer!

Source: http://www.catholicpeople.com/single-catholic-dating/index.asp

Flirting Tips for the Single Catholic Girl

Being a single Catholic girl in today's America can be rough. How do you make that all important first connection with a potential Prince Charming? You don't want to come across as too sexy or easy. But you don't want to be a wallflower, either! Flirting can seem silly or scary, but in reality, it is all about subtle, almost natural moves that can make you, and any fella, feel at ease. Once you are at ease, the conversation starts flowing, and the sparks may fly!

Flirting Tip #1: Make Eye Contact

Your parents probably taught you this one a long time ago, and making eye contact is just as important in flirting as it is in greeting Father Nolan on Sunday or shaking hands with your boss. Your eyes are your most expressive feature, windows into your soul, and the single Catholic girl should know how to use them. So, when you see someone you are interested in, let him know by catching his attention. Give him a subtle, gentle smile for five to six seconds, then drop your gaze. Do this every few minutes and he will know that it is definitely him you are looking at, and that you are definitely flirting with him. Eye contact, especially at a party shows that you are single and interested!

Flirting Tip #2: Smile!

Your second greatest physical asset, other than your eyes, is your smile. A happy smile is friendly, inviting, and memorable. It makes you attractive and approachable. Just make sure it is natural-looking and not forced. A big, natural smile will show that you are having a good time.

Flirting Tip #3: Luscious Lips

You don’t have to lock lips with someone to make them notice your kisser. People are attracted to moist, full lips because they are a sign of fertility. As a single Catholic girl, you can vamp it up with some rich, red lipstick or, for a subtler look, a high-shine lips gloss can make your lips look moist and attractive.

Flirting Tip #4: Touch Your Hair

Touching or flipping your hair will draw attention to a beautiful, pure part of yourself than men have always found alluring. A single Catholic girl knows how to twist, twirl, flip, and shake her gorgeous mane in a girlish, yet not immature, way that will make men notice. Keep their eyes near your face and eyes and away from any inappropriate glances.

Girl Flirting Tip #5: The Arm Touch

You know that electric feeling that sends tingles up your spine whenever your hand brushes against someone you like? Well, as a single catholic girl you can use that tingle to your advantage by purposely creating that intimate and exciting moment of contact by occasionally reaching out and touching the inside of a man’s arm. Don’t grab, don’t hit, just let your fingers lightly graze his forearm as you laugh or excitedly tell a story. The seemingly casual contact will show that you are reaching out and are comfortable with him.

Girl Flirting Tip #6: Nice Boys Like Nice Girls

Every good Catholic girl knows the Golden Rule: “Do unto others as you would have done unto you’. If you are single and are approached by a man you find unattractive, unkind, or simply offensive, do not rudely brush him aside or insult him to his face. No smart single woman should ever treat a man that way, no matter how repulsive. Other men, men who might be more attractive and suitable, could be watching, and if they see you mistreat someone, they may not want to risk suffering similar rude rejection. Always treat others as you would like to be treated.

Girl Flirting Tip #7: Get A Little Help From Your Friends

Being single does not mean you are all alone out there. Not only do you have the Catholic community supporting you, but you have all of your friends on your side too. Get a few of your buddies to help you out. When you go out, have some of your girl friends help you observe. They may be able to spot a guy who is shyly checking you out before you can.

Girl Flirting Tip #8: But Don’t Become a Girl Gang, Either

Large circles of women intimidate men, Catholic and non-Catholic alike. A guy might be afraid to approach you for fear of being rejected in front of all of your friends. So, every now and then, you and your girls should break up and move around on your own a bit. Just take a quick spin, or go up to the bar to get your Coke as a single (read: not part of a gang) girl. Make yourself approachable (your girls can still be watching from across the room) and see what happens!

If you follow these tips, and if you show the world that you are confident, happy, and secure, you won’t be a single Catholic girl for long!

Source: http://www.catholicpeople.com/catholic-single-girl/index.asp

Catholic Nostalgia: What Do You Remember?

What does it mean to be Catholic? Beyond Holy Communion and the Baltimore Catechism and Holy Days of Obligation, being Catholic is being part of a culture, of a heritage. We were raised in houses filled with Catholic iconography: a crucifix in every room, figurines of the Virgin Mary here and there, maybe a stone statue of St. Francis in the garden.

When we were little, we looked forward to Palm Sunday because our grandfathers would make intricate woven artwork from the palms we received at church. We fidgeted in our pews on Sundays because we couldn't wait for the donuts and orange juice in the Parish Hall afterwards. We cherished our white gloves and white patent leather purses that we carried to mass each week, a tiny Missal tucked inside. We had our throats blessed on St. Blaise Day. Some of us went to Parochial school, some of us when to CCD every Sunday. We knew which patron saints to pray to, for everything from toothaches (St. Christopher) to sunny days (St. Thomas Aquinas). The smell of incense still comforts us like an old friend.

What are your fondest memories of growing up Catholic? Listen to some of these anecdotes of Catholic nostalgia, from people who enjoyed the unique childhood of a Catholic:

"Growing up, my dream was to go to Our Mother of Sorrows, the Catholic high school in my town. The uniforms (skirts and blouses, not jumpers), the perfectly-scuffed saddle shoes, the special grown-up little gold cross necklace I saw all the girls wearing . . . I longed to be as holy and happy as those young ladies were. Imagine my misery when my family moved away just after my Freshman year! But I will never forget the thrill of my first day at OMOS." Carol, age 50

"Growing up Catholic may have been a little more intense than it was for non-Catholic kids, but I wouldn't trade it for the world. All the Angels and Saints kept me safe from the Bogeyman and helped me find my glasses whenever I lost them. Thanks St. Anthony!" ~ John Michael, age 33

"I was a bundle of nerves on the day of my First Holy Communion. I had been looking forward to it for months. I was so excited about actually having the body of Christ inside me that I had knots in my stomach. Unfortunately, I was so nervous and so excited that I threw up all my cake and ice cream at my party afterwards. My aunt soothed my fears as I sobbed that I had vomited up Christ, that I was only 8 and I was already a bad Catholic boy. I'll never forget her telling me 'Honey, Christ is always with you, and he understands when you feel sick, and he helps you do what you have to do to feel better.' I still chuckle when I think of it, my aunt convincing me that Jesus helped me throw up so my tummy ache would go away." Peter, age 29

"The nuns were both feared and loved at my Catholic school, but they had very strict rules. We lived by the Horarium, which was the Latin word for our schedule. What's Parochial school without rules? I am forever punctual because of that schedule. It is also one of the few Latin words I remember." ~ Regina, age 41

"When I went to my first confession, I was terrified. At our church, we actually sat in front of the Father John with our hands in our laps and our heads down. None of those mysterious and anonymous little booths like they show in movies. I practiced and practiced what I was going to say when it was my turn, but all I could choke out was 'I hit my brother and I talk too much during class.' As soon as I said it, I felt like a fool. I had more sins than that! Would my soul be cleaned from all of them? I passionately recited my penance and felt a peace come over me. I knew that my sins were wiped clean, and I felt like the best little Catholic girl in the world." Margaret, age 24

"I think Catholic nostalgia is just as important as your current faith- where we come from shapes our faith. Every Christmas, my Great Aunt Verna sends us altar bread from her Polish church up in Pennsylvania. My grandfather breaks the colorful cardboard-like squares, each featuring a holy image of Christ or the Sacred Heart. We eat it with honey and horseradish. It wouldn't be Christmas Eve without Great Aunt Verna's altar bread." Madeline, age 26

Source: http://www.catholicpeople.com/catholic/index.htm

You Are Not Alone:
The Benefits of Being a Single Catholic Woman

To be a single Catholic woman in postmodern America (or any other civilization, i would say) is to face challenges, to embrace these challenges, and to succeed in love and in life. In this new century, the definition of what it is to be a single woman has changed from being a lonely spinster to being a fabulous, self-confident achiever. Role models such as the ladies on Sex and the City, while not necessarily living pious lifestyles, do enjoy empowered, independent lives. Yet these modern women still face ancient challenges- finding the right mate, entering marriage, and having a family.

A single Catholic woman faces these challenges along with everyone else, but it can sometimes seem that she faces more challenges than the rest. How does she balance being a single modern woman and a single Catholic woman? Yet the single Catholic woman has a support system that sets her apart from the rest. There are many benefits to being a single Catholic woman.

The Single Catholic Woman (Should) Has a Support Group

As a Catholic, no woman is ever truly “single”. She has the love and support of the Lord, of Jesus Christ, her parish community, and the entire Catholic community. At her parish she can find guidance, friendship, and encouragement. Many parishes have organizations for young single adults, where she can share her experiences with others and discuss the trials of dating. She might even meet a potential mate through such an organization. The catholic community serves as a family for the single Catholic woman, offering support, answering questions, and guiding her along her journey to find love.

The Single Catholic Woman Has God’s Own Version of “The Rules”

No need to listen to trashy magazines that presume to tell a woman how to snag a man. The Lord Himself offers His own advice when it comes to finding love, and the single Catholic woman can look to the Bible for lessons and tips on relationships. The Bible tells us how to know when we have found true love:

"Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. Love never fails." I Corinthians 13:4-8a

The Single Catholic Woman Has Had Lifelong Education

Along with the Bible, a single Catholic woman has had a lifetime of education regarding the concepts of love, commitment, and family. Lessons all the way back in Sunday school taught the value of family and love in stories such as that of Sarah and Abraham, of Mary Magdalene, and all of the love that Jesus Christ showed us, his brothers and sisters, the children of God.

The single Catholic woman has been raised by the examples set by the Church--her own family and those in her community give her examples of what it is to be a happy Catholic family.

The Single Catholic Woman Knows What She Wants

Thanks to all of this support from her community, from her family, from the Bible, and from Jesus Christ, a single Catholic woman knows what she wants. She will not compromise her faith or her dreams. She sticks to her resolve and will one day experience the sacrament of marriage and enter into a new stage of love in her life.

Source: ahttp://www.catholicpeople.com/single-catholic-woman/index.asp

Life is Short !!! Comments

Wed 12:19

I (Ivone Whie) like this quote and posted on my Wall:
Life is short, Break the rules, Forgive quickly, Kiss passionately, Love truly, Laugh constantly & never stop smiling.
No matter how strange life is. Life is not always the party we expected to be, but as long as we are here, we should smile & be grateful.
As always a wisdom is easier said than done, but all we can do is try our best to see it through, then we are already on the right track to happiness.

But My friend (LKS) commented as follows:
i like the quote but life is not short it you go through every moments of bitterness as well as moments of sweetness, promise can be broken but not rules, forgive quickly but not to forget immediately, kiss passionately but not too long otherwise you will be suffocated, love truly and devoted, Laugh and smile constantly but not continuously otherwise people think you are crazy.
Agree, life is no party but survival.......but no matter what happen today, tomorrow is a brand new day......happy days or sad days..... life goes on.

So here goes my RESPONSE to that comment:
Life is NOT short, true, but then it is made SHORT for us with burden of everyday's problem, stress and etc.
Break the rules, well, I wish it is as easy as it is. We even make up more rules to follow conciously or unconciously. Each time, our society met another problem, they will make up new rules and regulations. So, I would like to say to break the "RULES" that u made for your own self and bound yourself to nothingness. BTW, good luck with that one, coz I have no success even with my own self.
Forgive quickly and forget nothing is more unlikely, coz we don't want to get the heartbreak for the second time, or the third or the fourth. Thou sometimes we say "you are forgiven", half the time we don't really mean it. We just said that for the sake of good virtue, so people didn't say that we like to hold grudges, but in time, it will show out of us. My choice is we forgive when we want to, coz holding grudges will corrupt yourself more than it would hurt the receiving end. And About FORGETting, we are lucky that modern medical term now are familiar with the term of SELECTIVE MEMORY LOSS, so make us of it.
Kiss passionately, yes, I would like that, but then Continously is absurb, unless we can figure how to breath without losing contact (I'll let you know when I have figured it out :P).
Love truly, hmmm.... I do believe it and I refuse to do otherwise or I want to be LOVED TRULY for myself, so don't expect me to change too much.
Laugh constantly & never stop smiling, but all the time continously. There will be times that we find things to laugh about or people to smile to, easily. But the most important thing is to remember to do the laughs and smiles, even when you don't feel like it with all your problems and troubles that currently in life, not just for the sake of your families or friends who worry about your well being, but it is proven from time after time to be the best, cheapest stress relief and not to mention that it is the best nature given anti-aging medication

No matter how strange life is, oh yes, it is strange, for the best or worse, if you took time to think about it. Life is not always the party we expected to be, and that is also depends on individual perspectives (some even say that LIFE can be Merry-go-round or Roller coaster ride but as long as we are here, we should smile & be grateful and enjoy the ride that we have chosen.

As always a wisdom is easier said than done, but all we can do is try our best to see it through, then we are already on the right track to happiness, coz sadness or happiness is always self inflicted decision, conciously or otherwise.

Life is short !!!!!!!!


The girl in the picture is Katie Kirkpatrick, she is 21. Next to her, her fiancé, Nick, 23.
The picture was taken shortly before their wedding ceremony, held on January 11, 2005 in the US .
Katie has terminal cancer and spend hours a day receiving medication.
In the picture, Nick is waiting for her on one of the many sessions of quimo to end.


In spite of all the pain, organ failures, and morphine shots, Katie is going along with her wedding and took care
of every detail. The dress had to be adjusted a few times due to her constant weight loss


An unusual accessory at the party was the oxygen tube that ketie used throughout the ceremony and reception as well.
The other couple in the picture are Nick's parents. Excited to see her son marrying his high school sweetheart.


Katie, in her wheelchair with the oxygen tube , listening a song from her husband and friends


At the reception, katie had to take a few rests.The pain do not let her to be standing up for long periods


Katie died five days after her wedding day. Watching a women so ill and weak getting married and with a smile on her face makes us think..... Happiness is reachable, no matter how long it last. We should stop making our lives complicated.


Life is short
Break the rules
forgive quickly
kiss passionately, love truly
laugh constantly
And never stop smiling
no matter how strange life is
Life is not always the party we expected to be
but as long as we are here, we should smile and be grateful