Books by Shannon Hale

The Goose Girl
By Shannon Hale

From the land of Kildenree, the timid and shy Princess Ani is sent to marry a prince in the country of Bayern. Skilled with the gift of animal-speaking, her only constant companions are her horse and the birds. However, when her lady-in-waiting decides Ani is not worthy of being a princess and takes her place, the journey alone to Bayern becomes treacherous. To survive in Bayern undiscovered by her deceitful lady-in-waiting, she takes a job as a goose girl until she can find some allies. Yet, how is she to find allies in a foreign country? Based on the tale of The Goose Girl by the Grimm Brothers, this captivating story will keep you awake through the night, as Ani dodges her maid’s treasonous plans and discovers the meaning of bravery.
Visit Shannon Hale’s website

-Review By Cy

Happy Thanksgiving

What are you thankful for?

For the spirit of Aloha
For my parents, mum and da
For siblings to play pillow fight with
Little brother, baby, sis
For wonderful friends with whom I play
Soccer, basketball, and talk the day away
For the tiny members of my family
Dogs, cats, birds, fish, and rabbits so cuddly
For books to read of adventures past
For being able to read, long books and fast
For the holidays that speckle the year
They remind us to be loving and full of cheer
For the beauty that surrounds us each day
For the cool rain that falls each May.
For the delicious food we eat
Even vegetables, carrots, celery, beet
For the Eurcharist we receive on Sunday
For each day of the week, even Monday
For the music that fills our hearts
Piano, clarinet, trumpet, harp
For all the blessings that have past
And all that came at long last
For the gift of hope in our strife
For the amazing and glorious gift of life
For the whole year God, we thank you
And for your love so kind and true

26 Saints

Happy All Saints Day!

How many of these saints do you know?

St. Albert the Great
One of the Greatest scholars of the 12th century. Scientist and teacher of St Thomas Aquinas.

St. Brigid of Ireland
When she was a child, she gave many of possessions to the poor, even the items she did not really own. Later she became a nun, and started many convents in Ireland. Lived about the same time a St. Patrick of Ireland.

St. Cecelia
Martyr of the first century, she converted her husband and his brother, who were also martyred. She is the patron saint of music.

St. Dominic
Our Lady appeared to him, telling him to spread the devotion of the rosary. Founder of the Dominicans, and was a good friend of St. Francis of Assisi. Patron of astronomers.

St. Edmund Campion
A Jesuit priest, he encouraged Catholics to remain steadfast in their faith during Queen Elizabeth I' reign. Martyred on 1581

St. Francis Xavier
A missionary in the 16th century, he sailed bravely to the southeastern part of Asia to convert the people there. Friend of St. Ignatius of Loyola.

St. Germaine Cousin
Born deformed, she was mistreated by her stepmother, ignored by her father, and forced to sleep in a barn. She was a shepherdess. She went to Mass as often as she could, and when she left her staff upright in the ground, her sheep flocked around it while she went to Mass.

St. Hyacinth
One of the first Dominicans, he introduced the order and preached in the many different countries of Europe. He is one of the Patrons of Poland.

Bl. Imelda Lambertini
She entered a convent at the age of 9, and couldn't wait until she could finally receive her First Holy Communion. On May 12 1333, she did, and died after from happiness. She is the Patron of First Communicants.

St. John Vianney
He had to go through many hardships to obtain priesthood. He was assigned to the little town of Ars, which at the time wasn't even a parish and sorely needed improvement. The people came to love him so much, that he attempted to run away once. Many came a long way to him just to have confession told. Patron of parish priests.

St. Katharine of Siena
When she was younger, she hid in a cave attempting to become a hermit. However, she heard God's voice telling her to return home. Later, she became a Dominican nun and even persuaded a pope to return to Rome.

St. Lawrence
Archdeacon of Rome and martyr. When commanded to bring the treasure of the church to the officials of Rome, he gathered up the poor people. He was grilled to death.

St. Monica
She persisted in her prayer for the convertion of her son, St. Augustine and also for her husband.

St. Notburga
Saint in the 13th century, she was a kitchen girl and helped the poor in any way she could. Patroness of farmers.

St. Olga
Queen of Ukraine, she tried to convert her country but couldn't. Grandmother of St. Vladimir. Patroness of widows.

St. Philip Neri
Known as the laughing saint, he cared for the sick and poor in a cheery way.

St. Quardus
He was a pilgrim to the Holy Lands and Hermit.

St. Rose of Lima
Dominican tertiary and hermit, grew crops and embroidered to help finance her family. Once there were pirates about to attack Lima. She prayed and the pirates left. Patroness of gardeners.

St. Sebastian
Captain of the guard in Rome, he was well liked by the emperor. He visited the Christians in jail and gave them courage. When discovered, he was shot with arrows. He survived and the emperor beat him to death.

St. Thomas Aquinas
Scholar of the 13th century, he secretly joined the Dominicans. When his family found out, they imprisoned him for a year. Doctor of the Church and patron of academics.

St. Ursula
Martyred princess. She and her maids refused to give up their faith. Patroness of schoolchildren.

St. Vincent de Paul
Once captured by Turkish pirates. Founder of the Congregation of the Daughters of Charity. Patron of charitable societies.

St. Wenceslaus
Converted by Sts. Cyril and Methodius and was duke of Bohemia. Patron saint of Bohemia.

St. Thomas Xico
One of the martyrs of Nagasaki

St. Yolanda of Hungary
Princess, Franciscan tertiary, and niece of St. Elizabeth of Hungary.

St. Zita
She was a servant, and she gave her own food the those who needed it.

Visit Patron Saints Index for more saints

A heartfelt thank you to all who write the saint's stories and carry on their work!