You Can Do ANYTHING!

Yes, that's right...through the power of the Internet, you can do anything. Well, that's not true. But there sure are a ton of online resources that try to show you how do a lot of things...

eHow - http://www.ehow.com/ - How To Do Just About Anything!

How To Do Anything - http://www.howtodothings.com/ - Not as comprehensive as ehow, but some of the topics are a bit, how shall we say...eclectic?

43 Things - http://www.43things.com/ - This site helps you figure out how to do things and even introduces you to people with interest on the same topic. A social networking/interest/support group.

Hey, we don't make this stuff up - we just tell you about it!!!

For those of you who want to do it the hard way...learn How Stuff Works first, and then just try to teach yourself how to do it: http://www.howstuffworks.com/

And if you prefer to watch step-by-step instructions, try doing a search on YouTube - many Martha Stewart wanna-bes are making their own "Do-It-Yourself" videos and posting them online: http://www.youtube.com - check out the great video we found on how to make lasagna....http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q0LpoU5w8eE - yum!

This weekend, members of our staff might try to make macrame pot holders and/or a hammock stand. :)

Homilies: Websites and Resources

The librarians at the Maida Alumni Library all agree that it must take a lot of courage to prepare and present a homily. You have to be calm, speak slowly but with conviction, and you need to reach out to a wide range of parish members...from small children to the elderly.

We'll say it flat out: Nope, we couldn't do it.

But for those of you who do give homilies, or are learning to give homilies, here's the first installation in a three part mini-series highlighting resources (yes, we are doing a mini-series...we can't share all our hints at once). And FYI - the library has over 175 books dedicated to the topic of preaching and homiletics!

Catholic Homilies - http://www.homilies.com/
Audio and video of homilies as well as tips for specific types of homilies related to Holy Days and life events, such as funerals, weddings, etc.

ePriest - http://www.epriest.com/
ePriest features best practices of parishes around the United States and offers "Homily Packs" which provide thought provoking questions and comments on readings.

United States Conference of Catholic Bishops - http://www.usccb.org/nab/index.shtml
Weekly readings available at the click of a button - sponsored in part by the Diocese of Metuchen (New Jersey).

So much more to tell you about...Part II will focus on public speaking skills! Part III - the very best books and e-books on homilies.