CSC MISSION: To educate, inform and inspire YOU-

To conserve, preserve, & protect ALL creation. ____________________________________

 

SOLDIER DOGS

SOLDIER DOGS is now on the New York Times Best Seller list proclaiming it to be intrepidly reported, richly illustrated, heartwarming account of the dogs who play an increasingly vital role in our military efforts.

The Untold Story of America's Canine Heroes, by Maria Goodavage. The story of Cairo-the Belgian Malinois involved in the raid on Osama Bin Laden's compound in Pakistan-first captured America's heart in May 2011. Now, Maria Goodavage, an editor and featured writer at the popular dog website, Dogster, goes behind the gated government facilities to discover the untold stories of these phenomenal canines and their human counterparts.

Goodavage, a former USA Today reporter, provides an unprecedented window into the world of these adventurous, loyal warriors. A detailed account driven by extensive "boots-on-the-ground" reporting, SOLDIER DOGS recounts the tales of dozens of military working dogs. Moving beyond the battlegrounds and the schools where dogs and handlers first earn their chops, Maria speaks with dog-cognition experts about why dogs love nothing more than a mission with someone they trust-even if they have to rappel from helicopters deep in enemy territory.

Also, visit PAW NATIONfor more insight and more amazing pictures from Maria's book.

Raising your dog with the Monks of New Skete  

Pet Loss: Letting Go 

~by Susi Pittman

The greatest dog in the world lived with me! Each dog owner that ever loved a dog can say that. I lost my beloved Dutch in 2005, but, her memory lives in my heart forever. This week I offer you a lesson in Pet Loss and Letting Go, a simple but straight forward approach to losing a pet family member.

READ MORE...

We Remember, We Celebrate

~by Father Ron Camarda

It is in remembering that the spirit and love of those who have loved and sacrificed for "us" is carried to the next generation. Father Ron reminds us with a song.

READ MORE...  

How to Plant a Spiritual Garden 

~by Sister Marie Rene, S.S.J.

Are you thinking of planting a garden? Sister Rene gives you a "master gardeners" tips to success.

READ MORE...  

Honor Their Service 

~by Frank Gromling

Frank brings to mind our responsibility to our veterans as they return home. He highlights an incredible service being offered in the state of Washington Department of Veterans Affairs for its returning veterans.

READ MORE...  

Mary has question for you about our country's National Anthem...how many verses are there and what is the story that these four verses tell? If you don't know, this is a MUST READ column that will lend you a new perspective on a national treasure.

A Dog's Eyes

~by Louis Templeman

Have you ever really looked into the eyes of a dog? Could you possibly believe that it could be life changing? Does Louis have a column for you that ends with a big AMEN!

READ MORE...  

She was a Algonquin/Iroquois Native American woman who was a early convert to Roman Catholicism. Known as the LILY OF THE MOHAWKS, she is the FIRST Native American to venerated by the Roman Catholic Church. Steward Joe takes us on a journey into the beautiful heart of a soon to be Saint!

It is the story of the vision and founding of the world's most beloved animal sanctuary. Michele has been a Guardian Angel member of

BEST FRIENDS

for many years and is proud to share this magnificent journey into the heart of compassion for God's beautiful creatures, those animals who would be our pets.

Tam, The War Dog that would not leave its handler behind 

NEW AFFILIATE SHOPPING for YOU!  

We continue to build a small but, well focused group of vendors, offering products in line with stewardship of the earth and its creatures. By visiting these product sites from our page, you are helping to support our mission.

is a small batch coffee roaster operated by the Carmelite Monks of Wyoming through an online gourmet coffee bean store. Many consider their website the ultimate source for gourmet coffee where it is easy to buy coffee online. The monks carefully craft each freshly roasted coffee to perfection for dark roast coffees, espresso, ground coffees, whole bean coffees, single origin coffees, fair trade coffees, flavored coffees and especially the monks' special gourmet coffee blends. Try our special auto delivered coffee subscriptions also for the best coffee online.

CLICK HERE TO VISIT MOUNTAIN ROSE HERBS

MOUNTAIN ROSE HERBS has always taken a formidable and uncompromising stand when it comes to the protection and sustainability of our natural world and the delicate systems which balance all life as we know it. This complex and venerable planet produces all of the products we share with you, and it is simply a matter of appreciation and respect that must be given. Not only do we lead the industry in environmental stewardship, we also adhere to strict principles and protocols that ensure fair treatment and compensation for the people involved with the production of our products; both domestically and overseas.

CLICK HERE TO VISIT MOUNTAIN ROSE HERBS

___________________________________

A Division of Engineering Services & Products Company, FarmTek was founded in 1979 with the purpose of bringing the highest quality products at the most competitive prices with exceptional customer service directly to the agricultural, horticultural, building and retail trade communities.

CLICK HERE TO VISIT FARMTEK

~ General David H Petraeus, speaking of the war dogs in Afghanistan ~

Candid Canine Photography  

by Beth Adams, Hobart, N.Y.

candidcanine.smugmug.com  

As a lover of animals, I strive to capture their individual personalities. No official poses, no tables, no lights, no artificial backdrops.... just the animal as it lives in your life every single day. I provide a very personal service to each client. It's the years of experience and true love of all animals that allows me to set them at ease and get such natural shots. The relaxed atmosphere I try to put into my work gives us all the chance to see the perfect moments happen.

Catch Beth and some of her memorable works on Facebook.

USCCB calls upon all Catholics to participate in a FORTNIGHT FOR FREEDOM  

The fourteen days from June 21-the vigil of the Feasts of St. John Fisher and St. Thomas More-to July 4, Independence Day, are dedicated to this "fortnight for freedom"-a great hymn of prayer for our country. Our liturgical calendar celebrates a series of great martyrs who remained faithful in the face of persecution by political power-St. John Fisher and St. Thomas More, St. John the Baptist, SS. Peter and Paul, and the First Martyrs of the Church of Rome. Culminating on Independence Day, this special period of prayer, study, catechesis, and public action would emphasize both our Christian and American heritage of liberty. Dioceses and parishes around the country could choose a date in that period for special events that would constitute a great national campaign of teaching and witness for religious liberty.

CLICK HERE for Diocesan Activities  

Visit the Vietnam War Dog Memorial in Riverside, California 

____________________________________

Great Activities To Share With Your Dog  

Alaska Youth for Environmental Action

Youth have the power to change your community and create a sustainable world.

ayea.org  

Alaska Youth for Environmental Action (AYEA) inspires and trains diverse youth leaders to impact environmental issues through community action projects and campaigns; skills training in leadership, environmental education, civic engagement, and community organizing; and green jobs that sustain our communities and future.

AYEA is a program of the National Wildlife Federation with community chapters around the state and individual youth members from over fifty communities.

Our mission, first drafted by the 6 youth founders in 1998, is to educate, inspire, and take action on issues facing our diverse communities.

We operate on the values of youth empowerment, sustainability, diversity, justice, healthy environments, and cross-cultural experience.

How to Build a Water Garden

It has to be one of the "garden delights" of summer, having a water garden or pond to rest your eyes upon and allow yourself to cool near its edge. The variety of ways to create one and to embellish one are endless. The surrounding wildlife will love it too! Consider adding one of these beautiful features to your yard environment and enjoy the peace and beauty that only water can bring.

FIND OUT MORE...  

Catholic Cuisine-Recipes for celebrating the feasts and seasons of the liturgical year

Catholic Cuisine was founded by a Roman Catholic, Wife, and Home-Educating Mother of 7 after noticing the need for an online source for finding and sharing "Recipes for Celebrating the Feasts and Seasons of the Liturgical Year."

"For everything there is a season, and a time for every matter under heaven: a time to be born, and a time to die; a time to plant, and a time to pluck up what has been planted...a time to weep, and a time to laugh; a time to mourn, and a time to dance..." - Ecclesiastes 3:1-4. Likewise, there is a time for fasting and a time for feasting. In our culture of immediate gratification, many have lost sight of the importance of seasons. For Catholics, the observance of the different seasons and feast days as proclaimed by Holy Mother Church is essential to restoring the proper and holy rhythm of the liturgical year.  

~ Catholic Culture ~ 

Mealtime provides the perfect opportunity for observing these different seasons and feasts of the Catholic Church in our homes, the "Domestic Church." We are all, especially us moms, cooking and baking every day, why not sanctify these mealtimes and teach our children even more about our beautiful faith at the same time?

FIND OUT MORE...  

The 2012 Transit of Venus

Twice every 120 years, Venus passes directly in front of the sun. This happens again on June 5th, beginning at 3:09PM Pacific Daylight Time. It will be visible on 7 continents.

FIND OUT MORE..