CatholicMom.com

Family Catechetical Books Contest

By Lisa Hendey • Jul 15th, 2009 • Category: Contests, Lisa's Blog

This week, in conjunction with Catholic Moments #110 and our interview with Kathy Bleichrodt, I am pleased to offer you a chance to win one of three set of terrific catechetical books for the entire family. Kathy is the author of the Mother Mary and Willy Wheat book series for families.  She is graciously sponsoring this contest, where you will have the opportunity to win one of three prize packages including:

1st place is the Family Package which includes 3 books:
1. The deluxe large hardback edition of The Parable of Willy Wheat
2. The children’s Mother Mary… God’s Gift to You
3. The teen/adult Mother Mary—God’s Quick & Easy Way to Divine Holiness.

2nd place is the Children’s Set which includes 2 books:
1. The deluxe large hardback edition of The Parable of Willy Wheat
2. The children’s Mother Mary… God’s Gift to You

3rd place is the Teen/Adult Set which includes 2 books:
1. The soft cover edition of The Parable of Willy Wheat
2. The teen/adult Mother Mary—God’s Quick & Easy Way to Divine Holiness

To enter, you must leave a comment on this post with a valid email address (which won’t be published or shared) before Midnight PST on August 1, 2009.  I’ll draw random winners and announce the names over the weekend.

Kathy shares the following information about her books and her ministry:

Back in 1988, after grinding wheat for bread, I was inspired to write and, eventually, illustrate The Parable of Willy Wheat.  This would, eventually, become the foundation of the Mother Mary series.

From this simple story, God began to show me hidden meanings and analogies in the story that simplified different spiritual concepts that were hard to understand. I began to write pages and pages of deep truths and thought that I was being called to write a typical book explaining these newly discovered understandings.

In 2003, the Year of the Rosary, Bishop Roman Danylak, after thoroughly studying each word and illustration in the books, gave the Nihil Obstat and Imprimatur to the entire series. This was given in Rome, Italy on the Feast day of the Annunciation.  The first shipment of books arrived from the printers (long overdue) one year later, on March 25, 2004 — that very same feast day of The Annunciation. Why is this so significant? The feast of the Annunciation is the day Saint Louis De Montfort calls us to make our Total Consecration to the Blessed Mother — which is the main theme and teaching in the Mother Mary books! These books truly are our Blessed Mother’s!

The Mother Mary series is a completely new way to present theology… in a simple, fun manner where children and parents can enjoy learning together.  The catechisms are easy to understand because they teach in the manner Jesus used by telling a story and then explaining the hidden meanings.  Jesus often used parables to teach and simplify deep mysteries of faith that even children could understand. The Parable of Willy Wheat lays the foundation for the analogies made in the Mother Mary catechisms.

The main emphasis of the series is to help the readers come to know Mary as their Mother who truly loves them and wants to help them change and grow to be like Jesus, Who lives in them. More important than “head knowledge,” the Mother Mary series teaches “heart-knowledge” about our Catholic faith, and helps develop habits of holiness for a lifetime.   Lead the children to their Mother Mary and She will lead them to Her Son Jesus and keep them rooted in their Catholic faith.

The 175 page Mother Mary—God’s Quick & Easy Way to Divine Holiness teaches deep spiritual truths to pre-teens through adults.  The young children’s version, Mother Mary…God’s Gift to You, is appropriate for 8 years and under and is divided into 3 volumes. It is simplified even more and includes more hands-on activities and bold, colorful illustrations.

The books are especially well adapted to parents who home-school and want to supplement their children’s religious education and prayer life. Parents will appreciate the simple self-guided teaching style that requires no additional teacher’s manual.  The colorful “Who Says So?” at the end of each chapter, teaches the importance of using reference materials and being able to back-up their beliefs.

For more information about Kathy Bleichrodt and these wonderful resources, visit www.willywheat.com.

Update: Our lucky winners are Jenn Davis (#95) – First Place, Sarah (#44) – Second Place, and Claudia (#37) – Third Place. Your prize will be sent soon.  Take a look at our other CatholicMom.com contests for more great chances to win!

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Lisa Hendey

Lisa Hendey - Lisa Hendey, wife and mom of two teenage sons, is the founder and webmaster of CatholicMom.com.
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103 Responses »

  1. Anne on July 15th, 2009 at 3:10 pm:

    These look great. Family catechetical help is so important for so many of us who don’t know where to start!

  2. Mary Alice Phillips on July 15th, 2009 at 3:37 pm:

    I’d love to see these. As a Catholic homeschooling mom, I’m always looking for good resources.

  3. Celina on July 15th, 2009 at 5:12 pm:

    Excited to see these books up close! Getting started early on my home school resources.

  4. Terry LeGrand on July 15th, 2009 at 5:45 pm:

    Lisa – thank you for introducing all of us to this wonderful author. My 3 children, all grown now, went to Catholic schools, but when we talk about many practices that they should be very familiar with, I find that they don’t know them as well as I would expect, given their background. My oldest daughter who is 36 and the mother of two beautiful children herself, is what is these days being called a “revert.” She left the church for many years, but has recently returned and is like a sponge, wanting to re-learn and begin a sincere Catholic practice as an adult. Of course, she is also eager to teach her children, so I am invisioning these books as a two-fer. Both my adult daughter and her 2 1/2 and 6 year old children will learn together and become strong in their faith. Thank you for your great podcast, Lisa. I love it and listen to it the minute I-tunes makes it available to me! God bless and keep you and your family. I’ll say a special prayer that you will make it through the week without your youngest chick! Take care! Terry

  5. lynn on July 15th, 2009 at 6:02 pm:

    I have been looking for something like this for my kids.

    Thanks — if I don’t win I will definately have to buy.

  6. Julie on July 15th, 2009 at 7:03 pm:

    As a homeschooling mom, I would love these materials. I am always on the look out for books like this. Thanks.

  7. Lisa@Sound Mind & Spirit on July 15th, 2009 at 8:32 pm:

    These books look great.

  8. Michelle on July 16th, 2009 at 6:50 am:

    These look really great – would love to check them out for my family.

  9. Joann on July 16th, 2009 at 7:08 am:

    Something new for my kids would be great! I hope we get to check them out! Thanks.

  10. Kecia Parker on July 16th, 2009 at 7:41 am:

    Definitely enter me! I am building up my library now and want my kids to be exposed to this type of material! I’ll definitely buy them if I don’t win!

  11. Sarah Reinhard on July 17th, 2009 at 8:23 am:

    Wow! What wonderful resources, Lisa! Thanks for sharing them with us. I’d love to win them, but I think I’ll be getting them whether or not I do… :)

  12. Terri on July 17th, 2009 at 2:15 pm:

    I have these books — all of them — and they are AMAZING! I, too, am a ‘revert’ and wanted to ensure that my own daughter did not have similar ignorance about her faith that might give her reason to look outside of the Catholic Church for simple yet complex theological Truths.

    If you want to understand the power of Marian devotion better or want your kids to know why ‘to Jesus through Mary’ matters, then do yourself a favor… worth every penny!

    http://www.willywheat.com

  13. Andrea on July 17th, 2009 at 3:11 pm:

    I am always trying to find ways to develop a love for the Lord and His Church in my children. Unfortunately, I don’t have the background in the way I was raised and feel a little overwhelmed how to create a domestic Church. Thanks.

  14. Diane on July 18th, 2009 at 9:41 am:

    These books would be great for my family as well as sharing with other families at Church. Please enter me.

  15. Maureen G on July 18th, 2009 at 10:05 am:

    This looks great. Thanks for the info and the chance to win.

  16. Shaffer834 on July 18th, 2009 at 10:12 am:

    These sound wonderful! They would make an excellent addition to our children’s books. Thank you!

  17. Lenetta on July 18th, 2009 at 10:44 am:

    What a wonderful resource! Thanks fo rthe chance!

  18. Carmela Edwards on July 18th, 2009 at 11:09 am:

    Great resource for our Faith..I would love a chance to win one of these great items..

  19. Jamie on July 18th, 2009 at 11:21 am:

    I’d love a chance to win these. I have this episode waiting on my iPod for my next spare moment to listen.
    Thanks!

  20. Lisa Sweet on July 18th, 2009 at 11:21 am:

    Thank you for this opportunity. These books look great!

  21. Joelle on July 18th, 2009 at 11:42 am:

    These look really interesting! Thanks!

  22. Emily on July 18th, 2009 at 12:27 pm:

    Sounds interesting, it would be very nice to have another option for my children.

  23. Susanna Vujovic on July 18th, 2009 at 12:36 pm:

    I love great faith resources. Thank you for the opportunity. I hope this counts for Canadians too!!
    Thanks again!

  24. Jennie Lou on July 18th, 2009 at 12:38 pm:

    I’d like to win!

  25. Mary Jo Gremling on July 18th, 2009 at 12:40 pm:

    I’ve had the great privilege of being Kathy’s friend over the years she wrote these books. I can assure you they have been written with much prayer and sacrifice, and the theology is sound and well documented. This material is suitable for all ages, from young children all the way through adults. Like Jesus Himself, Kathy teaches deep theological truths using simple everyday examples and analogies. The illustrations are captivating and convey the teachings so simply and beautifully that even toddlers “get it.” A wonderful resource!

  26. Maxine Oberle on July 18th, 2009 at 12:40 pm:

    Beautiful!

  27. Linda M on July 18th, 2009 at 12:47 pm:

    I am always looking for new resources. My kids attended a great Catholic Camp at our parish abiout Marian apparitions. this would be a great resource.

  28. Kansas Mom on July 18th, 2009 at 1:03 pm:

    I’m always looking for new books for the kids that exemplify the faith!

  29. Jessica on July 18th, 2009 at 1:16 pm:

    I have felt there is a need for resources like this from mothers who have been in the daily grind of running a household. There is so much we can give to each other in sharing our gifts with each other. Thank you for following the Spirit and writing these books to share with the rest of us!

  30. Katie on July 18th, 2009 at 1:36 pm:

    Thanks for sharing these books with us!! As a first time mother, I am more aware than ever of the need to integrate the practice of my faith into our family’s everyday life.

  31. Andrew on July 18th, 2009 at 1:37 pm:

    Please enter me in this contest. Thank you.

  32. Pam on July 18th, 2009 at 1:38 pm:

    Thank you for sharing these resources! Please sign me up for the drawing, too.

  33. Joann Estis on July 18th, 2009 at 1:39 pm:

    Kathy, these look great. Please enter me. Thanks.

  34. Mike on July 18th, 2009 at 1:40 pm:

    I’d like to win these books. Thanks.

  35. Jen in CT on July 18th, 2009 at 2:00 pm:

    Please enter me into the contest for these books. Thanks.

  36. amy on July 18th, 2009 at 2:03 pm:

    I’d love to win these for my kiddos.

  37. Claudia on July 18th, 2009 at 2:08 pm:

    I would love to be entered into the contest please, the books look great.

  38. Cathy on July 18th, 2009 at 2:30 pm:

    I teach Kindergarten at a Catholic School and am always looking for resources to articulate our precious faith in language they love and can understand (in their Kindergarten minds). It is truly the high point in our day when they “get It” and want to act out the stories they hear. Thank you for the opportunity to share some hot off the press children’s authentically Catholic literature!!! I believe you were inspired!!!

  39. Susan on July 18th, 2009 at 2:39 pm:

    These books look great…as a homeschooling family we are always looking for new books to share our faith with our children. Thanks for sharing these resources.

  40. Andrew Bleichrodt on July 18th, 2009 at 2:47 pm:

    Kathy is my mother, and I am the youngest of the four children mentioned in her interview. As wonderful as these books are, please don’t enter me in the drawing since I am able to read as many of the books as I am able. I would like to reemphasize how wonderful these books are and how important they are in these times. The wonderful ideas that my mom has shared with me about Mary not only being the mother of God, but also being my mama are all in these books along with numerous important theological teachings presented in an easily understood manner. I would suggest them to any parent for themselves first and then for their children also, don’t get the idea that these are only books that children can benefit from! Good luck to everyone and enjoy the gifts that God has made available through my mom in these books.

  41. jo on July 18th, 2009 at 2:48 pm:

    These look like great resources for our homeschooling family! Please enter me. Thanks so much.

  42. Jenny P on July 18th, 2009 at 3:41 pm:

    These sound cool. I’d love to win some of them.

  43. Lori from Texas on July 18th, 2009 at 4:59 pm:

    I have the whole set of books!!! And Yes, I would love to enter to win to share these books with my closest friends.
    I can’t tell you how much my childern and I have enjoyed your books. You can tell that the Holy Spirt gifted you with
    His words. Just wanted to say Thank you and share with other readers what I thought of your books. I’m sure who
    ever wins will be blessed with these books.

  44. Sarah on July 18th, 2009 at 5:52 pm:

    Please enter me – looks like a great resource!

  45. Amy, MEV on July 18th, 2009 at 7:02 pm:

    They sound great!

  46. joann10 on July 18th, 2009 at 7:23 pm:

    We would love to be a winner—these books sound wonderful!

  47. Heather on July 18th, 2009 at 7:48 pm:

    The books look wonderful!

  48. Karen on July 18th, 2009 at 7:52 pm:

    Thanks to Faith and Family for brining these books to my attention! I’m sure my daughter will enjoy them.

  49. Molly on July 18th, 2009 at 8:07 pm:

    Thanks for the chance to win and for the information about the books!

  50. Maureen on July 18th, 2009 at 8:24 pm:

    Thank you- Please enter me!

  51. Katie on July 18th, 2009 at 9:35 pm:

    Please enter our family in the contest. We LOVE to read and these books look like great additions to add to our library of great Catholic teaching materials.

  52. Susan on July 19th, 2009 at 4:18 am:

    these books sound great!

  53. Michelle on July 19th, 2009 at 4:34 am:

    What a wonderful way to share the faith. I am always on the lookout for more ways to bring the faith into our home, and since my kiddos LOVE books, it would be great to add these to our collection. Thanks for doing this…and good luck!

  54. Carol on July 19th, 2009 at 4:50 am:

    Please sign me up for the contest. These sound like wonderful books!

  55. Claudia Z on July 19th, 2009 at 5:56 am:

    These sound wonderful~ sign me up!

  56. Loretta S. on July 19th, 2009 at 7:06 am:

    Great work – these books would be a great addition for anyone!

  57. Desiree Collier on July 19th, 2009 at 7:16 am:

    As a revert, with a tween and a teen , I would sure love to have these books!!

  58. Michelle D on July 19th, 2009 at 7:21 am:

    Please enter me!

  59. Lisa on July 19th, 2009 at 7:39 am:

    Wow, these do look amazing. MIght have to purchase them if I don’t win. Thanks, Lisa.

  60. Christine on July 19th, 2009 at 8:26 am:

    What a blessing this will be! Thank you!

  61. Colleen on July 19th, 2009 at 9:22 am:

    Having the resources to help our kids learn to love God is so important. Please enter me in the drawing!

    Thanks.

  62. Angela Foley on July 19th, 2009 at 11:20 am:

    I am always looking for things just like this for the kids. I can use all the help I can get!! Thanks for the opportunity to enter.

  63. Lea-Ann Virnig on July 19th, 2009 at 12:10 pm:

    Thank you for your commitment to the Lord and for following his promptings. What wonderful resources you have developed!

  64. Hilary on July 19th, 2009 at 12:25 pm:

    These books look great!

  65. CMerie on July 19th, 2009 at 12:38 pm:

    I would love to win. Count me in.

  66. Michelle on July 19th, 2009 at 12:44 pm:

    As a convert, it is not easy to teach that which you haven’t known yourself. Learning with my children about the faith is the biggest blessing I have received as a mother. We look forward to using your program as we come closer to the Blessed Mother. Please include us in your drawing.

  67. Teresa O on July 19th, 2009 at 1:38 pm:

    These books look wonderful, for me and my children!

  68. Kristin on July 19th, 2009 at 2:28 pm:

    Great stuff! Please enter me!

  69. Tracy on July 19th, 2009 at 2:33 pm:

    Wow! Sounds great! Please enter me! God Bless!

  70. Brenda on July 19th, 2009 at 2:44 pm:

    Sounds wonderful! If I’m fortunate enough to have my name drawn I will happily cover the postage to Australia :)

  71. Alexandra on July 19th, 2009 at 2:59 pm:

    Awesome. Please enter me.

  72. Susan on July 19th, 2009 at 5:10 pm:

    These books sound great…please enter me in your contest. Thank you for making great resources available!

  73. Wendy on July 19th, 2009 at 6:37 pm:

    These sound great – enter me!

  74. Andrea Janicki on July 19th, 2009 at 7:40 pm:

    These books look like they’d be a great help with homeschooling.

  75. Heather on July 20th, 2009 at 4:54 am:

    Would love to share these books with my kids! Thanks for the chance.

  76. Tracy on July 20th, 2009 at 5:26 am:

    I would love to use these with my kids.

  77. Karen on July 20th, 2009 at 5:35 am:

    Those books look great. Please enter me.

  78. Stacie on July 20th, 2009 at 7:04 am:

    We LOVE books at our house and can’t get enough of learning about our faith! Please enter me!

  79. Colleen on July 20th, 2009 at 8:01 am:

    Looks like a great teaching tool!

  80. Marie on July 20th, 2009 at 12:00 pm:

    Looks wonderful! Please sign up our family for the drawing.

  81. Kathy M. on July 20th, 2009 at 12:05 pm:

    Please enter me in the contest. Looks like a great prize!

  82. Barb Patterson on July 20th, 2009 at 1:05 pm:

    I know whoever wins these great books will be blessed. Thank you for giving us this opportunity!!!

  83. Katie on July 20th, 2009 at 1:48 pm:

    These look great! Please enter me in the contest.

  84. Jess on July 20th, 2009 at 4:43 pm:

    Please enter me in the contest. These really look great!

  85. Michelle Moshier on July 21st, 2009 at 6:39 am:

    As a mom of three and DRE of a large parish I would so put these resources to use. Thanks for entering me in the contest.

  86. Angie Geehan on July 21st, 2009 at 8:40 am:

    I have had the privilege of teaching with the Willy Wheat series in a Catholic School. I taught religion classes to Kindergarten and First graders using the Willy Wheat books as my main text book, along with Seton home schooling books (Kathy’s books were the favorite!)

    Theology/Religion class became fun and looked forward to by the students. We grew our own wheat plants (a bit of a science experiment) and filled in every page of the books ( a little English lesson!) At the end of the semester the children did a large project about sacrifice, prayer, and all the lessons taught by Willy. The principal, other teachers, and parents were astounded by what the deep incites the children had written and all the material we were able to cover.

    Pregnant with my first, I plan on using Willy to teach our baby to love and honor Mother Mary and her Son.
    I highly recommend Willy for both adults and children.

    P.S. Please don’t enter me into the contest, I would much rather someone else experience this true blessing of Theology.

    Angie
    Catholic Mother and Wife

  87. Jenny on July 21st, 2009 at 10:57 am:

    How beautiful! I would love to use these!

  88. Toni D Williams on July 22nd, 2009 at 7:45 am:

    What a great resource for the home. Thanks

  89. monique veley on July 22nd, 2009 at 11:19 am:

    Wow. Listened to podcast and interview with Kathy Bleichrodt. What a fantastic resource.

  90. Lesley on July 23rd, 2009 at 4:54 am:

    This would be PERFECT for our library for our NEW CHURCH

  91. Camille on July 23rd, 2009 at 11:48 am:

    The use of stories/parables is terrific. I would love a chance to see these and use them to help our children grow in their faith. Thanks!

  92. Cathy on July 23rd, 2009 at 12:09 pm:

    My children and I would definitely enjoy these books! Thanks for the opportunity!

  93. Sara on July 23rd, 2009 at 10:02 pm:

    I have never heard of these books before, but I would love to have them for my 4 and 2 year-old girls!

  94. Pam on July 24th, 2009 at 11:49 am:

    We don’t own any of these and would love to read them!

  95. Jenn Davis on July 25th, 2009 at 11:19 am:

    Lisa,
    I am so excited about these books, and I am going to be looking into getting them for my children, and my PSR Class. I think that these are great resources. Thanks for all of the information on these books. I am excited to read them myself and to my children.

  96. Pamela Karol on July 30th, 2009 at 7:50 am:

    Please enter me in the contest. I am trying to find books to incite more interest into my children of their Catholic Faith.

  97. Kelly on July 30th, 2009 at 2:23 pm:

    These sound like great books. It is hard to find ways to teach our children the “meat” of the faith in ways that they can understand. I look forward to learning more about this resource.

  98. Michelle on July 30th, 2009 at 7:41 pm:

    As a convert to the church, I appreciate all the help I can get to pass on this wonderful faith to my children. thank you for the great give-away!

  99. Marleen on July 31st, 2009 at 9:42 pm:

    Always love new resources to complement the CCD curriculum for our parish cluster.

  100. connie on August 1st, 2009 at 11:28 pm:

    I love your site it has helped me so much with faith formation. I hope I am not replying to late to be entered in the drawing.

  101. colleen matthewson on August 2nd, 2009 at 4:21 pm:

    If I win these books, I will save for my grandchildren They look good.

  102. Pam on August 11th, 2009 at 6:50 am:

    Love it! This would be a great resource and should be in every catholic family’s library.

  103. Deborah McDaniel on October 13th, 2009 at 6:30 am:

    This is great!~ Thanks for offering this to us!

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