Bill and Monica McConkey live in Stouffville, Ontario with their 3 children, Emily (8 years), Kelly (5 years) and Joseph (3 years). Together, they created a Catholic family publishing apostolate called Arma Dei (the Armour of God). Arma Dei’s first initiative was to publish Monica’s book A Treasure Chest of Traditions for Catholic Families, and since then they have created a number of other resources dedicated to passing on the richness of the Catholic Faith.

As a Management Consultant and a regular lecturer in the Faculty of Management at the University of Toronto, Bill focuses on the marketing of Arma Dei’s products. Trained as an architect, but currently a full-time mom, Monica enjoys the creative outlet that the creation of these products provides.

A few times a year, the family packs up the van, visiting family as well as bookstores, reviewers, directors of Religious Education, parishes and schools, and attending conferences across North America.

While the vision of creating products that integrated Catholic teaching and tradition into family life was bubbling for many years, the thought of self-publishing emerged more recently. Unsatisfied with the resources she found, Monica began collecting ideas to celebrate the Liturgical Calendar at home.  Thinking that she would compile the ideas into a little pamphlet for her local moms group, the collection grew and grew to a comprehensive resource of more than 300 pages.

Delving into Catholic Teaching and Traditions for the meaning behind the celebrations, ideas for additional projects began to emerge.  Feeling led by the Holy Spirit, a section entitled Cathletics (found in the Ordinary Time section of the book) led to the creation of additional Catechetical tools.

Now available is a series of 18 Cathletics Key Cards.

Cathletics Key Cards are innovative, self-quizzing cards, each focused on a particular theme and packed with Catholic information.  Each illustrated, 8.5”x3.5” laminated card has a fun, full-colour Key Card Spinning Flap ™ to entice kids (and adults!) to test their knowledge.  The cards are intended to introduce core concepts of our Faith for both training and ongoing quick reference, offering a spring-board for further discussion.

A Treasure Chest of Traditions for Catholic Families is a 304 page fully illustrated book, offering ideas for activities and crafts to help families celebrate the various Seasons and Feast Days of the entire Liturgical Calendar.  In addition to Advent, Christmas, Lent and Easter activities, other ideas are offered to teach elements of the Catechism, as well as to celebrate both the extraordinary events and everyday routines of Ordinary Time.