10 Flicks for Girls' Movie Night

It seems so hard to find a good movie to watch, doesn't it? Look no further. Now all you need is a bowl of popcorn, a cup of hot chocolate, and a friend to watch a movie with.

1. Leap Year 

Leap Year, starring Amy Adams, is about a young woman who has a plan to follow her boyfriend to Dublin, Ireland and propose to him on leap day, according to Irish tradition.


2. Soul Surfer 

Soul Surfer is based on the true story of teenager Bethany Hamilton. After Bethany (played by AnnaSophia Robb) loses an arm in a shark attack, she determinedly plans to continue surfing and competing. 

3. Cinderella 
Ella soon finds herself left in the care of her cruel stepmother after her father passes away. Soon after, she meets a handsome stranger and her life takes a turn for the better.


4. Pride and Prejudice (2005)
Based on the novel by Jane Austen, Pride and Prejudice portrays spirited Elizabeth Bennet and pompous Mr. Darcy. To the dismay of Elizabeth and the reluctance of Mr. Darcy, they soon find themselves slowly falling in love.

5. The Parent Trap
Twins Annie and Hallie meet at summer camp and scheme to get their divorced parents back together. 

6. The Princess Diaries
After Mia Thermopolis (Anne Hathaway) finds out she is heir to the throne of the European principality of Genovia, her grandmother, Queen Clarisse (Julie Andrews), begins giving her "princess lessons."

7. Titanic 
Rose meets poor, aspiring artist Jack Dawson and together they experience the tragedy of the R.M.S. Titanic.

8. Little Women
The March sisters experience financial struggles, family hardships, and romantic interests during the 19th-century in their home in Massachusetts. 

9. You Again
Marni (Kristen Bell) is horrified to learn her brother is marrying her nemesis from high school. Marni is determined to reveal Joanna's evil side to her family before it's too late.


10. The Help
An aspiring author (Emma Stone) puts her friendships and life status at risk by writing a book describing the African-American maids' opinions of the families they work for and their everyday struggles.

  

Make a Teacup Bird Feeder

In honor of Saint Francis’s feast day on October 4th, create this simple, unique, and inexpensive bird feeder in just a few simple steps! All you need is a teacup and saucer, durable adhesive glue, string, scissors, and birdseed.

STEP 1. Find a teacup and saucer. You can find inexpensive ones for less than 50 cents at thrift stores. STEP 2. Wash your teacup and saucer with warm water and pat dry.

Photo Credits: Avery Thomas

STEP 3. Run a line of adhesive glue down one side of the teacup and onto the center of the saucer. Firmly place your teacup on the saucer so that the handle faces upward.  

STEP 4. Let the glue set for at least 24 hours. Lay strips of tape across the teacup and saucer to secure its position.

STEP 5.  After the glue has set, pull off the tape, fasten a string to the handle of your teacup, fill it with birdseed, and hang it from a sturdy tree.

This bird feeder would also make a great gift for your mother, grandmother, or a friend. Or keep it for yourself, hang it outside your bedroom window, and watch the birds flutter around it as winter approaches...

Photos: Copyright Avery Thomas

Three Points to Live By

After you hear the word "sexy," don't get disgusted. Watch it all the way through. Ashton Kutcher makes some great points. He talks about three things: finding opportunities, building a life rather than living one, and what the true kind of sexy is: being smart. 

"Make a Difference" Day

Did you know that October 24th is "Make a Difference" Day? That got me thinking--how do we really make a difference? Do we even try to make a difference in the world around us? This upcoming month is a good place to start for trying harder to really make a difference. It sounds exhausting, doesn't it? But the thing is, you can start by doing something thoughtful for someone within your own family or friend circle. Work on a prayer bouquet for one of your parents, help out a sibling, make a card for a friend you really appreciate...the possibilities are endless. From there, you can try doing even bigger projects--like collecting items for the local homeless shelter, volunteering at a soup kitchen, or even making cards for elderly residents at a nursing home.

Pope Francis reminds us that "we must restore hope to young people, help the old, be open to the future, spread love. Be poor among the poor. We need to include the excluded and preach peace." 

Get started early. Don't wait until October 24th to begin.

The Ultimate List of Catholic Books For Catholic Girls

Ernest Hemingway once said, “there is no friend as loyal as a book.” Saint Alphonsus Liguori also said, "Without good books and spiritual reading, it will be morally impossible to save our souls." Below is the ultimate list of Catholic books that most Catholic teen girls should take the time to read. I have included a few favorite Christian books of mine. They're not necessarily Catholic, but noteworthy all the same.


                                     Tea & Cake with the Saints, by Alice Cantrell

The Youcat, the essential Catholic handbook

Beautiful Girlhood, by Karen Andrea 

Pure Faith prayer book

Ablaze: Stories of Daring Teen Saints, 

 by Colleen Swaim

Radiate: More Stories of Teen Saints,

by Colleen Swaim

That One Girl, by Christina Mead

An Easy Way to Become a Saint, 

by Fr. Paul O'Sullivan

Fictional Catholic books

NOTE: The books below have some very mature themes, so if you're under 

fourteen years old, check with your parents to see if you can read them.

Ten Commandments for Kissing Gloria Jean, 

by Britt Leigh

The Shadow of the Bear, 

by Regina Doman

I am Margaret, by Corinna Turner

This is where my list ends! I hope this was helpful to you. Please pass it on. And do tell, what are your favorite Catholic books? What do you think of the books I've listed? Comment below!