And he and Fr. Thomas Berg did co-author a wonderful article about religious liberty and the recent attacks on the Catholic Church in Connecticut which has been published at National Review Online.

Thank you for noticing.

Gabby: Man! I am so glad I didn’t give up mustard for Lent.

This morning, I got up early and attended Mass by myself. As much as I like going to Mass en masse, I also like to go alone now and then — a distraction-free 60 minutes with Jesus can be a very good thing for a mom.

When I told Dan I would be going to a parish that is 30 minutes away, he said, “Are you sure you wouldn’t rather go to [parish that is only 10 minutes away but is not exactly a 'spiritual home' for us, if you know what I mean]?”

I told him the quiet 30 minute drive there and back was part of what I needed. But I don’t expect a dad to understand that.

And I guess I don’t expect a 4-year-old to get it either.

When I arrived home and Raphael noted his father and brothers preparing for a later Mass, he turned to me and asked, “Do l have to go to church today?”

“You can stay here with me if you want.”

The boy breathed an enormous sigh of relief as he sank into a chair.

“Oh, I am weally glad about that! Oh that is weally good!” he beamed.

But then quickly remembered himself.

“Uh … I mean that’s okay with me,” he added quickly before running off to play.

UPDATE: Annamarie now has enough sources — thanks for your input!

Does your child — or a child you know — have Celiac Disease and is celebrating his or her First Communion this season? Annamarie Adkins, a correspondent for the National Catholic Register, is writing a story on Celiac Disease and Catholics, and would like to speak with you. Please email me if you’re interested in helping out.

Check out this bit of British intelligence from MEP Daniel Hannan. Straight talk, with a British accent — Jolly well done!

HT: Creative Minority Report

The big girls are going away for the weekend.

As big girls do, they are taking their responsibilities seriously, packing, and preparing the house in advance for their absence.

Kateri, for example, has a younger brother lined up to take over daily care of the chickens. She’s paying him in cash and use of her iPod.

I watch the dealings and wonder …

How long till she questions why she must pay a brother to do the work that she does every day of her life for free?

Don’t forget to stop by and share your small successes with us at Faith and Family Live today!

After dark stick ball in the still-snow-covered field: