"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!
Elena 
Hi Elena,
I was just responding to the comment you left on my blog regarding my comments on Candy’s blog. Basically, I really have just a few honest questions. I felt as if Candy addressed a few of them in a way that explained and clarified some of them. I would be very happy for you to tell me (basic stuff) what is incorrect.
From what I’ve understood all my adult life about Catholicism is that they do teach things other than Christ’s death and grace imparted through faith alone are required for salvation. That salvation can be earned through works. And that there is a lot of borderline saints, Pope, and Mary worship. Is this incorrect? It just seems as if a lot of the Catholic Church’s teachings are not found in the Bible. Earning grace, penance through what a priest or bishop assigns, absolution of sin through confession, etc. Everything in a Catholic’s life seems to come back to to the “Church” and not between a vibrant relationship between onself and God the Father, God the Son, and God the Sprit. No one else is a mediator between you and God save for Jesus. A Priest is not required. They certainly have a place for leading a flock, but I feel as if too much “god-ness” is imparted to them. Even in reading this one post on your blog, you speak more of the “Church” and saints more than you do about God and Jesus and that is what the Catholic Church has always seemed to be to me. That they focus more on their traditions than the actual Word of God. Is this incorrect? I am very open to hear your side, her post was just interesting to me, that’s why I commented on it.
I am concerned with your comment though about labeling her post as hate speech. That in itself borders more on hate speech than her post did in my opinion. She was neither hateful nor inflammatory. It was more an expository than anything. I think that her post falls squarely in the category of free speech and open discussion. She was not encouraging a change in the way anyone is treated, she was just discussing something. You seem very against her and her blog, but she didn’t mention you at all, she was just talking about something she felt the Lord had shown her.
I will be very interested in hearing your side and explanation.
Respectfully,
Shyla
Mothering in Grace
Hi Shyla, that’s a lot to handle in the com boxes, but let me try to do my best:
Christ’s death and grace imparted through faith alone are required for salvation.
Catechism Catholic Church (CCC)
183 Faith is necessary for salvation. The Lord himself affirms: “He who believes and is baptized will be saved; but he who does not believe will be condemned” (Mk 16:16).
BTW- Faith alone is not in the bible.
Salvation, works, Mary, mediators are covered on my other blog here
“And that there is a lot of borderline saints, Pope, and Mary worship.”
Catholics do not worship anyone but God.
“It just seems as if a lot of the Catholic Church’s teachings are not found in the Bible.”
Catholicism is based on Sacred Scripture and Sacred Tradition. Of course the Catholic Church is not against the bible – in fact the Catholic Church compiled the bible and continued to protect and pass it on. By the way, again Bible alone isn’t in the bible. It isn’t biblical!
Everything in a Catholic’s life seems to come back to to the “Church” and not between a vibrant relationship between onself and God the Father, God the Son, and God the Sprit.”
I am a Catholic and I have a vibrant relationship with God BECAUSE of the Catholic Church. It was through the church that I came to hear of God, to know God, and to develop a relationship with Him. It was because of the church that I have a bible with which to read his sacred word and in fact that word is read at every Catholic mass, every day throughout the world!
No one else is a mediator between you and God save for Jesus. A Priest is not required.
Biblical basis for confession is here
Even in reading this one post on your blog, you speak more of the “Church” and saints more than you do about God and Jesus and that is what the Catholic Church has always seemed to be to me.
The church and the saints point us to Christ. I have 4000 posts on this blog for over four years.
I am concerned with your comment though about labeling her post as hate speech. That in itself borders more on hate speech than her post did in my opinion. She was neither hateful nor inflammatory.
She was both, although perhaps you would have to be reading it as a Roman Catholic (as well as someone who has been “talking” to her for some time, to see the true meaning behind the words. By the way, she did the whole Whore of Babylon thing before and I debunked it before here.
So why would she put it up again without addressing the points in that piece?
It was more an expository than anything. I think that her post falls squarely in the category of free speech and open discussion.
Except that she allows neither free speech or open discussion. She does not allow comments that disagree with her which is why I started this blog. I find that particularly hateful that she writes controversial articles and then deliberately blocks or deletes posts that disagree or can prove otherwise.
Would you tolerate a post from Candy if she used the same tone to degrade minorities, the handicapped, or the mentally ill? Probably not. Hate speech, is hate speech.
You seem very against her and her blog, but she didn’t mention you at all, she was just talking about something she felt the Lord had shown her.
Yes, I am very opposed to the hate speech on her blog and I do not believe it is the Lord who is showing her these things. She refuses to look at any information that might lead her to another conclusion. For example, did you know the Vatican is built on one hill? not 7. You will never get that information from Mrs. Brauer.
I will be very interested in hearing your side and explanation.
I hope this helped. Feel free to search my archives and also our archives over at VTC
Excellent post and wonderful reply Elena!!
I read Candy’s comment policy and agree with it, actually.
But if I were permitted to post a comment on her recent article, I’d ask her – in all sincerity – how she can possibly understand the Elizabethan English study notes in her 16th-century Geneva Bible!
The very text of Revelation identifies the “mountains” as kings (Rev. 17:9-10), not literal mountains. Let Scripture interpret Scripture.
It should concern Candy and her readers that, in misunderstanding Christ’s ordinances as “works,” she advocates disobedience among the disciples of Christ.
To my ears, she’s sounding like a false teacher, if for no other reason than this.
Elena,
I understand that you and Candy are at odds over many issues yet I believe that you are both women who in your own way are seeking to do what you believe is right. What side I stand on is of no matter here. What is so terribly disappointing to me is the way you violated Candy just now by posting her last name. I can’t see how that could be an oversight or how that could have been of pure intention. We women need not be so cruel to each other. I believed you to be better than that.
MMM,
Let me clarify something for you.
For a while Candy had a link on her blog to her husband’s site where he did use his full name. That is how I learned it – it was easily accessible from Candy.
Last spring Candy posted a picture on her web site of my street with an arrow pointing to my home. You want to talk about violation – how’s that?
She then e-mailed me to apologize and we corresponded for a while. She then requested that I quit using her last name and I complied. I am not however, going back through all of the archives and removing her last name from all of my prior posts – a name that was easily available from her own site!
This post was written prior to that incident
E.