"You are tenacious. I love a woman who won't give up." William Luse 6/1/04
"Kudos also to Elena, who proved that she can take it as well as she can dish it." TSO 6/4/04
"the wonderful Elena" Nathan Nelson 8/1/04
"Elena, I quake at the sound of your name" John B-Catholic Packer Fan 8-12-04
"I like your writing and your spunk." Todd Flowerday, Catholic Sensibility 11-8-04
"Elena is is so many shades of stupid they don't make a Crayola box big enough to begin coloring her" Anonymous TWA blog 2/05
"Well, Elena cuts to the chase. Says it like it is and doesn't mince her words." Alexa of Domestic Excellence
"Elena, a woman I have little in common with but have come to be fond of" Cecily Kellog 9/15/05
"I work nonstop to help people with stupidly limited perspectives, like you, accept this reality. Even when it’s hopeless, like in your case. You live in a fantasy. I can’t help you" Also Cecily Kellog 07/2020
"Your witness is horrendous" JCecil of Liberal Catholic News
"Truth, love, charity, and, oh yeah, sensitivity, decorum, good taste and a dollop of wit. That's more like it. Keep rockin'!" PMC 12/05
"I've also been reading this blog for some time and just noticed I hadn't added you to my favorite blogs. Done!" The Mighty Barrister 5/21/04
"Now go haul your huge, sagging, obese, smelly old body out of the chair and take care of those kids of yours before I call CPS and have them do an inspection and see what you're really up to when you're supposed to be homeschooling them." NMH 2006
"That you are one narcissistic, bizaare individual." Jill Filipovic on Feministe Blog September 2006
"I could certainly continue to go back and forth (and believe me, I would love to!!!!!), but that would be answering a fool according to his folly." Amy-anti-Catholic blogger at Blessed Motherhood 7/07/07!
"Where's Elena? We need Elena." Kathryn the Daring Young Mom 2/17/06
"I have no problem with Elena. I find her answers to be quite lucid, witty, and insightful." David B commenting on In Today's News 10/29/05
"She's not cranky, she just senses happiness and snuffs it out." Gabe, age 9, after being scolded for not being ready for swim practice. 12/0
"you are one narcissistic, bizaare, individual." Jill Filipovic 9/11/2006
"Elena of My Domestic Church get’s my nomination for living a life of loveliness that I could only ever dream of. She’s an awesome wife and mother, a deeply committed Catholic, a proponent of pro-life issues, a hands on make-and-bake-and-cut-and-stick-musical-momma, a prayerful, compassionate, thoughtful and passionate woman who endeavours to live a christocentric life in her own euphonious way. Yes, I am proud to know her as a blog buddy and sharing in her trials and her triumphs via reading her blog over the last few years has impacted me more than she could know… and always for the better." Deb from Ukok's Place 08/2007
"I have a feeling elena never moves on from anything. other than the couch to the fridge." 08/2007 commenter on the now defunct Rock Star Mommy Blog.
"I think you're a shrew." Anne Basso 7/08
"Even with our differences, I will say one thing--she's smart. I may not always agree with what she says, but she doesn't spout unsupported garbage as fact." Ruthjoec aka JAnn from AOL Catholic message boards and This That and the Other Thing Blog
"I was wrong. You were right. God bless you" T from LO2W blog 3/6/2008
"As a Catholic Mother myself, I enjoy reading My Domestic Church. It's one of the many blogs that I follow and read regularly. It's refreshing to read comments from a mother that shares your views. So much of what Elena has me nodding my head in agreement. I'm sure that any Catholic-Mother will enjoy reading Elena's blog." SAMinIL on Blog Catalog 9/09
"Because of my interest in Benedictine spirituality and monasticism, began reading about the Domestic Church. This site is an excellent resource. Like any good family it is alive with energy and the Holy Spirit." John on Blog Catalog 12/08
"I watched your talk on YouTube and thought you and your husband did a wonderful job. Very natural, not stilted. Your account of your child, Raphael's, life and death were extremely touching and profound." Eileen via e-mail 02/21/2010
"Happy Easter to you Elena! Four years ago I discovered Candy. Two years ago I discovered you. Last night (Easter Vigil) I was received into full communion with the Catholic Church. It was a beautiful night and one I will remember forever. Thanks to you and Kelly for clearing up any confusion there may be about what the Church believes, teaches, and proclaims. Have a blessed Easter season!" From a VTC reader. 05/2010
"Elena, You completely 'foul up' the catechism. I repeat you are a nice lady, but your lack of education and knowledge, as your distorted answers show," Jack from Liberal Catholic Sports Music 1/9/2009
"you repeatedly impress me. I know we have very different political views that show up in our comments to each other at times, but I have never once felt anything but generosity from you toward who I am." JB via e-mail 7/23/2010
"The post I really love, though is 28 Things I Learned About Marriage in 28 Years at My Domestic Church. In fact, it's so good I plan to show it on the first day of class for my Family and Society course this." Sister Edith at Monastic Musings
Elena was animated, enthusiastic, faith shined through! She was very real. For us, she was relatable and so honest and open. She motivated us the most and we are thankful that she shared so much of her personal life to show example. some PreCana evals from 2014
"you never cease to amaze me, and everyone else! You are unbelievably unforgettably wow! I'm so blessed to be your cousin and friend. Dan - My domestic cousin 5/2014
"Elena: A flute could never sound or feel so etherial as when you play." Marissa
"Your comments are continually provoking, idiotic and condescending" my nephew 11/2018
" As a mom of littles, I really appreciate moms like you tackling these tough issues and sharing your wisdom!" Laura commenting on Catholicmom 06/2019
"Thanks so much for a thoughtful article faithful to the teachings of our faith, while being compassionate towards gay people."Tim commenting on Catholicmom dot com 06/2019
"Grandma, snuggle me!" - My domestic granddaughter 2017
"When Elena turns the other cheek, it's so she can whip around the other side with full force!" Mr. Pete My Domestic Husband!
In reading the comments , I get the feeling that no matter how many Catholics say they do not worhip saints or the Virgin Mary, the protestant reply will be “Of course you do!”. No matter how many times a Catholic says they have a realtionship with Christ, it’s “Well, I never had one when I was a Catholic”, perhaps forgetting that is her experience and not that of ALL Catholics.
Barbara’s latest post was a volley across the bows the of nasties. I hope that some of those that are spoiling for a fight or have questions take it to your other blog, and post there. Those that want to ask questions and learn, will.
Why we talk past each other, I think, is the result of our churches not only giving us answers but also supplying the questions.
Questions to which they have answers, of course.
I am Catholic at my most fundamental level, in my imagination. So, as a Catholic, I ask myself, “How does grace come to me? And to my fellow Evangelical?”
The Catholic Church gives an answer, the indispensable sacraments, but an Evangelical, who never asks that question, cannot accept that answer. To the Evangelical, it’s an absurd question, perhaps even a faithless question, revealing biblical ignorance, etc.
Inventory the questions raised in apologetic books or on Christian blogs. If someone found Noah’s Ark or the Garden of Eden, would your faith be strengthened? Can we trust the Bible? Is Jesus really God?
You see, in the last couple hundred years, Protestantism has had other challenges to address besides Catholicism, mostly from within (liberal theology, for instance), resulting in answers to questions I’ve never asked. Because I’ve always taken it for granted that we can trust the Bible and that Jesus is really God.
Through their apologetics, sadly, Protestants have brought more doubt to my faith than, well, just about everything, save the Tsunami and the sex abuse cover-up. Still, out of love, I continue to dialogue, even if it ultimately cost me my faith.
That’s interesting Theresa, because dialogue with protestants has strengthened my faith. I do not see a lot of reason or history in their questions or answers and discussions. Are you serious that talking with Protestants may cause you to lose your faith?
Since popular Protestant apologetics assume challenges are rooted in skepticism – Lee Strobel’s books are an excellent example – their unconvincing answers leave me hopelessly in my skepticism – a skepticism they themselves created, ironically.
But, I say again, whatever you may think of Fr. Greeley’s sociology, he’s popularized David Tracy’s The Analogical Imagination(1) such that we can understand why we don’t understand each other:
“When you read the Gospel you either read it as a Catholic or you read it as a protestant.”
This is the imagination or, what a Protestant might call a “worldview.” Anyone who is really interested in understanding the differences can, with the help of Tracy and Greeley.
Incidentally, I think Barbara’s knowledge of philosophy contributed to her decision.
(1) Sullivan’s review of Massa’s book is rather, uh, polarizing; Tracy’s work is irenic enough.
Elena, I have been reading the negative feed back poor Barbara is enduring due to her decision to come to the Catholic church. The statements that so called “Christian” women are making are so totally ignorant of what Catholics are and what we believe, I almost have to laugh at the foolish things they really think Catholics beleive and are about, if I didn’t laugh, I’d cry… where did they get this silliness? I am praying all the time for Barbara that she will have strength while these women attack her choice, they tell her they are “worried” for her and one even told her today that maybe the Devil is playing with her mind… what does that equate? Is that saying she equates the devil with the Catholic church? I’m totally out of words to describe how I feel, I just don’t know, I am just sad to see such ignorance.
Don’t paint all Protestants by those you are seeing in the blogosphere, many of whom are nuts. (Which I mean in the best possible sense.) I mean, let’s face it, we bloggers tend to be fanatics, right? Many a Protestant is more of the Billy Graham mode, respectful of Catholicism if not sold on it.
But that doesn’t make good blog copy. Bloggers, if they’re interesting, are going to be extremists and end up making any gulf wider than it needs to be. (It’s like liberal political blogs – those dudes are mostly nuts (as are some conservative political bloggers.))