Welcome!

Welcome to my new blog! I am a person who enjoys constant change, so in honnor of the anniversary of the Teen Catholic Family, I have created a new blog which is just an extension of TeenCatholic. Since the start of my last blog I have grown and matured much in my faith. I have learned constantly and have formed solid opinions, which is something that my last blog had lacked. I learned many lessons through the challenges of life. In the past year, my youth director, deacon, and parish priest have tested my faith and challenged me in it. I have grown as a person and want to share this with my readers.

I chose my new blog title from a quote of a great saint that really touched my heart: "Holiness is not the luxury of the few, it is a simple duty, for you and me." - Mother Teresa. This quote has been reaffirmed by Pope John Paul II in his Apostolic Exhortation "Christfideles Laici". Holiness is one thing that I strive for in everyday life through the simple things we do each day. Heaven is ultimatly our goal, but for now all we can do is pray and strive to achieve.

Another new thing about this blog is it's new patroness, Our Lady of the Smile. I came across this image of the Blessed Mother while researching the life of St. Therese of Lisieux. The image is one beyond compare in my opinion because it is one of the few where the Blessed Mother has a smile on her face. It shows how our Mother rejoiced in her son, Jesus, and how happiness is what we recieve when we say "yes" to God.

I pray that this blog will inspire the hearts of many to go out into the world and be witnesses to the truth wich God has revealed to us in his son, Jesus Christ.

In love,
Jude Graham