Ladybug Lights: Faith

Feast of Our Lady of Fatima

Tue, 13 May 2008 21:33:08 GMT

Today is the feast of Our Lady of Fatima. Mary appeared to 3 shepherd children on the 13th of each month from May thru October, 1917. She asked them to pray the Rosary to save poor sinners from going to hell. She predicted World War II. She showed them a vision of hell. In October, a miracle occured that was witnessed by thousands of people, the Miracle of the Sun. She wants us to pray the Rosary every day, wear the Scapular of Mt. Carmel, and make the 5 First Saturdays - our world is in need of much prayer and conversion...is she really asking us to do that much to help bring peace to the world???

To find out more, visit:

The World Apostolate of Fatima http://www.wafusa.org/

Fatima Family Apostolate http://www.fatimafamily.org/

May Altar

Thu, 01 May 2008 04:01:02 GMT

May is dedicated to our Blessed Mother. Do you have your May Altar planned??? It can be as simple as a statue of Mary and a vase of flowers or a candle or something more elaborate including all or any of the following...a table covered with a blue cloth, statue or picture of Mary, candles, flowers, family picture(s), Rosary, Bible, Catechism, Rosary meditation book, etc. Your children will probably have great ideas of how to make a beautiful altar for Mary!

We ask Mary's intercession during May in a special way...we do not pray "to" Mary, but ask her to pray for us. She is Jesus's Mother...who do children ask when they want something? Mom of course! So we are asking our Heavenly Mother, whom Jesus gave to us before He died on the Cross, to intercede for us...to pray for us. If you are sick or going to have surgery, or something like that, do you ask other people to pray for you? It is no different to ask someone on earth to pray for you than someone in Heaven, like Mary...except of course Mary is Jesus's Mother, therefore her prayers are even more powerful than ours! We STILL listen to our mothers...don't we??? So does Jesus . Just like He did at the Wedding at Cana when Mary first interceded for someone...the bride & groom. We are not praying to the statue or picture either, we are using that image to remind us of Mary (or whoever the statue or picture is of). Do you have pictures of your children or grandchilden or parents or grandparents? Do you worship that image??? Of course not! But those pictures remind us of those we love! Do you sometimes even kiss that picture of your loved one? Do you 'love' the picture? No, but you love the person that the picture reminds you of! So we have statues and pictures to remind us of Jesus and Mary and our favorite saints...because we love them too!

Happy May! Happy Spring! Happy Mother's Day!

Tribute to Pope John Paul II

Tue, 29 Apr 2008 22:23:15 GMT

A Star rose in Poland,

Bright, beautiful and strong

Formed in a land of suffering,

Amidst much right and wrong.

A Scholar, Philosopher, Theologian, Poet

An Actor, Mystic, man heroic

Called to be a priest, bishop, then Pope

Bringing to a confused world much hope.

A man of suffering, love, strong faith

Inspiring youth to a life that is safe

Traveling the world, meeting the great and lowly

Bringing the Good News of Christ, so all be holy.

Vicar of Christ, Visible Head of the Church

Neglecting no one in his universal search

To bring the world to Christ and Mary His Mother

Pope John Paul the Great, man's favorite brother.

(by, Fr. Robert J. Fox - www.fatimafamily.org)

Vacation Bible School

Fri, 11 Apr 2008 22:18:21 GMT

I am working on plans for Vacation Bible School at our church for this summer. Our theme is "Under Construction with St. Joseph." If you have any ideas let me know!

Apostolate of Holy Motherhood

Tue, 19 Feb 2008 20:54:34 GMT

Christ Child speaking on February 23, 1987: "I wish you to be joyous even in your trials and tribulations. This may seem difficult to understand, but if you unite your suffering to Mine, I will turn it into joy...Christian suffering has meaning and is redemptive. In fact, it is necessary for your salvation, for he who would follow Me must take up his cross...Never seek what may not be God's will. Pray always that God's will be done and accomplished in you...I wish to establish in the world greater devotion to Me as the Christ Child. This will be helpful in combating the evils perpetrated against innocent children which are so sadly common now. The innocence of children must be guarded as a precious jewel...At the end of each Rosary say three Hail Marys for the mitigiation of the suffering of the innocent children in the world - so precious and dear are they to My Mother and I. Often throughout your daily duty, say, 'This is for the innocent children suffering in the world.'"

Blessed Mother speaking, later on February 23, 1987: "Continue to pray for all priests as they need your prayers right now. The Christ Child will be your guide in perfecting you in the way of motherhood, such a sublime vocation which has fallen into disregard among many...The children which God has given them must be first in their lives, even at times coming before their husbands, but, of course, neve before God Himself. The more that you love God, the more you will love your husband and children...I am sorrowful that so many mothers neglect their duty for other things. This is often unnecessary and solely for the purpose of accumulating more wealth, when their true wealth, their children, go unattended. I pity those poor mothers on their judgment day as they will have much to account for.

Wisdom from Mother Teresa

Thu, 07 Feb 2008 22:14:07 GMT

The Word of God becomes flesh during the day, during meditation, during Holy Communion, during contemplation, during adoration, during silence. That Word in you, you give to others. It is necessary that the Word live in you, that you understand the Word, that you love the Word, that you live the Word. You will not be able to live that Word unless you give it to others.

Total surrender to God must come in small details as it comes in big details. It's nothing but that single word, "Yes, I accept whatever You give, and I give whatever You take." And this is just a simple way for us to be holy. We must not create difficulties in our own minds. To be holy doesn't mean to do extraordinary things, to understand big things, but it is a simple acceptance, beacuse I have given myself to God, because I belong to Him - my total surrender. He could put me here. He could put me there. He can use me. He cannot use me. It doesn't matter because I belong so totally to Him that He can do just what He wants to do with me.

Lent is a time when we relive the Passion of Christ. Let it not be just a time when our feelings are roused, but let it be a change that comes through cooperation with God's grace in real sacrifices of self. Sacrifice, to be real, must cost; it must hurt; it must empty us of self. Let us go through the Passion of Christ day by day.

What to give up...

Mon, 04 Feb 2008 00:44:32 GMT

Lenten Reflection: What to Give Up...

Give up complaining...focus on gratitude.

Give up pessimism...become an optimist.

Give up harsh judgements...think kindly thoughts.

Give up worry...trust Divine Providence.

Give up discouragement...be full of hope.

Give up bitterness...turn to forgiveness.

Give up hatred...return good for evil.

Give up negativism...be positive.

Give up anger...be more patient.

Give up pettiness...become mature.

Give up gloom...enjoy the beauty that is all around you.

Give up jealousy...pray for trust.

Give up gossiping...control your tongue.

Give up sin...turn to virtue.

Give up giving up...hang in there!

The Fruitfulness of the Seed Sown

Wed, 30 Jan 2008 15:43:01 GMT

First, remember the principle of God's grace: God often withholds from us the grace to avoid a lesser sin because we are in danger of a greater sin. To avoid pride, He sometimes lets us fall into lust, since lust in usually obvious, undiguised, and temporary, while pride is not. So to conquer lust, we should focus less on lust and more on pride. Only when we are truly humble does God give us the grace to conquer lust. Second, remember St. Thomas' diagnosis of lust, which I think he must have learned from St. Augustine: "Man cannot live without joy; therefore when he is deprived of true spiritual joys it is necessary that he become addicted to carnal pleasures." God is not a substitute for sex, as Freud thought; sex is often a substitute for God. The deepest passion of the soul is meant for God. When the true God comes, the false gods go. To conquer lust, forget about lust and love God. Third, we must lay the axe to the root by operating on our very thoughts, as St. Paul advises, "bringing every thought into captivity to Christ." We need a good brainwashing. Brainwashing is not propaganda; brain-dirtying is propaganda. Our thoughts are wild animals; only Christ can tame them. All we can do, all we need to do, is bring them to Him - immediately. Thought is the rudder of life. As the poet Samuel Smiles says:

Sow a thought, reap an act.

Sow an act, reap a habit.

Sow a habit, reap a character.

Sow a character, reap a destiny.

(Peter Kreeft)

Our Lady Mystical Rose

Wed, 30 Jan 2008 00:00:12 GMT

The Feast of Our Lady Mystical Rose is January 30. When we started homeschooling, we named her the patroness of our homeschool. This is an ancient title of Mary that is not used much anymore, but is so beautiful! Here is a prayer we found that we have been saying as a Novena. You could use it starting tomorrow as a Novena for the 9 days after the feast as well.

O Mary, Mystical Rose, help us to love God with a love that is ready to sacrifice everything, even life, rather than offend Him and lose His grace. Help us to love chastity and to take heed lest we do or permit anything contrary to this holy virtue. Through prayer and frequent Holy Communion, aid us in preserving the virtue of purity until death. Grant us an increase in faith as well. Amen.

The Apostolate of Holy Motherhood - 2

Tue, 22 Jan 2008 23:45:17 GMT

(Christ Child speaking) I will bless the world again as I did at Fatima. Each will have a chance to repent. You are living in an era of extraordinary mercy. Make good use of it and repent.

(Blessed Mother speaking) Do not worry, my children who are living the proper life. You will be spared. The Scapular of Mt. Carmel is a sign of my protection. Wear it always. It will help you to do good because it is a sign of my love and will remind you of me often. This is the purpose of all sacramentals - to remind you of the person behind them and to help you to imitate their virtues. The Scapular and the Rosary are the greatest of these and will afford you the most protection. I want all my children to wear one. It will help them to love Jesus more.

(Blessed Mother speaking) Try to atone for some of the sin in the world always, but particularly on Fridays.

(Christ Child speaking) Devotion to Me as a Child is important for it manifests the tenderness of My love. Pray to Me as the Christ Child. This is most pleasing to Me. Cultivate this devotion.

(Blessed Mother speaking) O, how I wish that I could persuade all my priest sons to return to their Rosaries. But so many have become hardened in sin, it grieves me. They have forgotten how to pray....Purity and humility, obedience and poverty, prayer and penance - this will lead them back to my Son Who also loves them so. I exhort you all, all my faithful followers, pray for my priests that they all return to me, and I will lead them to Jesus....The Rosary is most powerful now. Use it as your weapon to combat all evil.

The Apostolate of Holy Motherhood

Sat, 19 Jan 2008 00:36:36 GMT

I am reading a TERRIFIC book called "The Apostolate of Holy Motherhood." It is an absolute MUST read for all mothers...and for priests. The introduction is by Mark Miravalle, S.T.D. of the Franciscan University of Steubenville. The book consists of the approved revelations of Mary and the Child Jesus to "Mariamante" in 1987 and has both an Imprimatur and a Nihil Obstat. You can order the book from: The Apostolate of Holy Motherhood, PO Box 227, Geneva OH 44041

Some quotes from the book:

...all mothers, and particularly those called to this Apostolate, are meant to become living images of Our Blessed Mother through the power of the Holy Spirit and by the imitation of Our Blessed Mother's virtues

...you are being made pure by the graces in the confessional

Do not be afraid. Rest in my Immaculate Heart and I shall protect you...Be a model mother. It is important to be a good mother

Be attentive to your children. They are most important. They will live during the Reign of my Immaculate Heart. This is the prelude to the ushering in of the Reign of the Sacred Heart

The messge of Fatima is most important for this time. Humility is a wonderful virtue. Practice humility. Pray for the world. It is urgent now. The world is facing a grave cataclysm beyond known proportion due to the impiety and impurity...The message of Fatima contains all that is necessary for you to know in this time. The Eucharist must be adored. Adore the Eucharist. The Eucharistic Heart of Jesus is the greatest gift God has given men.

Mothers, teach your children to be kind to one another. The important lessons are learned at home. Do not expect others to teach your children. This is your responsibility and should be your joy...Discipline is necessary, but so is joy. Love your children...Love and cherish your children. They are gifts from God. Follow the example of the Holy Family who lived in humility and love, deferring to one another...Continue to pray for the world...It is everyone's responsibility to be holy.

Why God Allows Problems? (part 2)

Wed, 16 Jan 2008 21:20:31 GMT

Here are the final 3 reasons why God sometimes permits problems...

GOD USES PROBLEMS TO CORRECT YOU:

Some lessons we learn only through pain and failure. It is likely that, as a child, your parents told you not to touch a hot stove. But, you probably learned by being burned. Sometimes, we only learn the value of something...a relationship, health, money...by losing it. "It was the best thing that could have happened to me, for it taught me to pay attention to God's Laws." (Psalms 119:71)

GOD PERMITS PROBLEMS TO PROTECT YOU:

A problem can be a blessing in disguise if it prevents you from being harmed by something more serious. Last year, a friend was fired for refusing to do something unethical that his boss had asked him to do. His unemployment was a problem, but it saved him from being convicted and sent to prison a year later when management's actions were eventually discovered. ""You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good." (Genesis 50:20)

GOD PERMITS PROBLEMS TO PERFECT YOU:

Problems, when responded to correctly, are character builders. God is far more interested in your character than your comfort. You relationship to God and your character are the only two things you are going to take with you into Eternity. "We can rejoice when we run into problems...they help us learn to be patient. And patience develops strength of character in us and helps us trust God more each time we use it until finally our hope and faith are strong and steady." (Romans 5:3-4)

Why God Allows Problems 1

Mon, 14 Jan 2008 02:54:48 GMT

I belong to the Universal Living Rosary Association of St. Philomena in which you are assigned a decade of the Rosary to say each day for the intention of the triumph of the Immaculate Heart of Mary and in honor of St. Philomena & Blessed Pauline Marie Jaricot. By joining, you receive not only the graces and merits of your decade, but share in the graces and merits of the other EIGHT million members worldwide as well! The Living Rosary Association was founded by Blessed Pauline Marie Jaricot in 1826 and was approved by Pope Gregory XVI. Pauline was a close friend of St. John Vianney. For more information, visit their website www.philomena.org or call 281-309-9821 or write Universal Living Rosary Association, PO Box 1303, Dickinson, TX 77539.

In the Winter newsletter they had several great articles, as they always do. I would like to share with you the one entitled "Why God Allows Problems." I will probably share this article in 2 or 3 posts over the next week as time permits.

WHY GOD ALLOWS PROBLEMS, UNIVERSAL LIVING ROSARY ASSOCIATION NEWSLETTER, WINTER 2007

The problems you face will either defeat you or develop you, depending on how YOU respond to them. Unfortunately, most people fail to see how God wants to use problems for good in their lives. They react foolishly and resent their problems rather than pausing to consider what benefit they might bring. Here are FIVE reasons God may have permitted the problems you have experienced in your life:

GOD PERMITS PROBLEMS TO DIRECT YOU: Sometimes, God must light a fire under you to get you moving. Problems often point us in a new direction and motivate us to change. Is God allowing this situation to get your attendtion? "Sometimes, it takes a painful situation to make us change our ways." (Proverbs 20:30)

GOD PERMITS PROBLEMS TO INSPECT YOU: People are like tea bags...if you want to know what's inside them, just drop them into hot water! Has God tested your faith by allowing a problem or two into your life? What do problems reveal about you? "When you have many kinds of troubles, you should be full of joy, beacuse you know that these troubles test your faith, and this will give you patience." (James 1:2-3)

Ordinary Time

Tue, 08 Jan 2008 23:01:59 GMT

Ordinary Time can be just that...ordinary, and somewhat boring at times. Be sure to celebrate the feast days of the saints, especially those who are patrons of the members of your family; Baptism and other First Sacrament days; and special Feast Days. Plan a special meal & dessert, use china (what are you saving it for???), find an activity online or in a liturgical celebration book that relates to the feast to do as a family, play a game together, say a special prayer...the possibilities are as limitless as your imagination!

You can extend the CHRISTmas season to the Baptism of Jesus (January 13) or even to the Feast of the Presentation (February 2). Some thoughts for things to do this week, from Holy Cross Family Ministries (you can sign up for daily prayer & weekly family activities by email at www.hcfm.org):

1. During this time after CHRISTmas we think of the Holy Innocents. Call to mind today in your prayers, children the world over who suffer and die through no fault of their own.

2. Pray the Rosary as a family offering it for peace in the world and an end to war and violence.

3. When we think of Epiphany, we think of stars, kings, and gifts. At the supper table, place the three kings and some stars on the table and pray for grace that God will enlighten this year.

4. These days of the New Year are days of reflection. Take time to ask, "What do we hope for this New Year?" Write down your hopes.

The Feast of the Epiphany

Sat, 05 Jan 2008 22:48:24 GMT

The Feast of the Epiphany is Sunday, January 6. In Greek, Epiphany means 'appearance' or 'manifestation.' This feast officially ends the CHRISTmas Season, though I usually wait till the Baptism of Jesus (the following Sunday) to take down my CHRISTmas decorations .

The Magi offered Baby Jesus the gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh. The gold honored His Kingly role. The frankincense was a testimony of His Godhead and acknowledged Christ's future priestly role. Frankincense was used in religious rituals in the Old Testament and it was placed by the bread of presence (LV 24:7). The myrrh acknowledged that Jesus had taken on human form, for the redemption of the world and also foretold His future suffering and death. Myrrh was normally used in preparing a body for burial. The gifts also represented the disposition of the three Wise Men's souls: the gold signified charity, the frankincense their devotion, and the myrrh the unreserved sacrifice of themselves. These gifts are represented by the colors yellow (gold), green (frankincense) and purple (myrrh - for penance and preparation).

There are several fun activities you could do with your family to celebrate Epiphany. Bake a cake and decorate it like a crown (use a Bundt pan to get the round shape). Use colored sugar to represent the gifts brought by the Kings, as mentioned above. Some people hide a bean, a coin, or a plastic figure of a baby in the cake (after baking, but before frosting & decorating, make a slit & hide the bean or baby) and whoever finds the symbol gets to be king or queen for the day. Be sure you have a crown for them to wear! You could also do an art project with glitter and make stars; make paper crowns with card stock, gold foil or doilies; use the colors mentioned above to draw or paint; or make beaded or colored macaroni necklaces or bracelets using the colors above.

Bless your house on this day! This is an ancient tradition in our Church. Write the following (change according to the year) on a piece of paper, one for each outside door in your home: 19+C+M+B+08. There are 2 meanings to these symbols, one is that the C, M, and B stand for the names of the Three Kings, and the other is that it stands for "Christus Mansionem Benedicat" which means "May Christ bless this house." Have Dad or one of the children sprinkle each door with Holy Water as you place the signs above the doors. Say one or both of the following prayers:

Oh Lord, grant that the names of Thy saints, Caspar, Melchoir, and Balthazar, may, through their merits and petitions, bless our home and bring physical health and spiritual protection for all who enter here. Amen.

Lord God of Heaven and Earth, who hast revealed Thine only-begotten Son to every nation by the guidance of a star: Bless this house and all who inhabit it. Fill them with the light of Christ, that their love for others may truly reflect Thy love. We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen.

Feast of the Most Holy Name of Jesus

Thu, 03 Jan 2008 22:51:41 GMT

Thoughts on the Feast of the Most Holy Name of Jesus from Magnificat Magazine:

The Lord Jesus promised, "Whatever you ask in My name, I will do" (John 14:13). For "the name 'Jesus' contains all...His name is the only one that contains the presence it signifies" (CCC2666). "You have had yourselves washed, you were sanctified, you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ" (1 Cor 6:11). For there is no "other name under Heaven given to the human race by which we are to be saved" (Acts 4:12). This memorial provides us the chance to live with special attentiveness before the Holy Name.

"If you think the name of 'Jesus' continually, it purges your sin and kindles your heart; it clarifies your soul, it removes anger and does away with slowness. It wounds in love and fulfills charity. It chases the devil and puts out dread. It opens Heaven, and makes you a contemplative. It puts all vices and phantoms out from the lover." (Richard Rolle)

For more information about Magnificat check out www.magnificat.com or call 866-273-5215. Magnificat has the daily Mass readings; a shortened version of the Liturgy of the Hours for morning, evening and night prayer; saint information; and readings and reflections.

Pro Life Bumper Sticker

Fri, 21 Dec 2007 23:17:46 GMT

I just received a sample of a great Pro Life bumper sticker. It is full color, 15" long and says "Pray the Rosary for the Protection of Unborn Human Persons." It has a Rosary surrounding the words & a picture of Our Lady of Guadalupe on one side. They are only $2 each (plus $2 shipping, no matter how many you order, I think) and are available through:

Saint Catherine of Siena Company

Patrick Benedict, owner

PO Box 41257

Memphis, TN 38174

email: PatrickBenedict@rcin.net

The Potter's Hand

Fri, 21 Dec 2007 23:09:10 GMT

I just received the lyrics for this song in a CHRISTmas card. It is by Darlene Zschech. I have never heard the song, but the lyrics are really neat!

Chorus: Take me, mold me, use me, fill me. I give my life to the Potter's hand. Call me, guide me, lead me, walk beside me. I give my life to the Potter's hand.

Verse: Beautiful Lord, Wonderful Savior, I know for sure, all of my days are held in Your hands, crafted into Your perfect plan. You gently call me into Your presence guiding me by Your Holy Spirit. Teach me dear Lord to live all of my life through Your eyes. I'm captured by Your holy calling. Set me apart, I know You're drawing me to Yourself. Lead me Lord I pray.

Meditation from St. Louis de Montfort

Tue, 18 Dec 2007 23:09:12 GMT

Chosen soul, living image of God and redeemed by the Precious Blood of Jesus Christ, God wants you to become holy like Him in this life, and glorious like Him in the next. It is certain that growth in the holiness of God is your vocation. All your thoughts, words, actions, everything you suffer or undertake must lead you toward that end. Otherwise you are resisting God in not doing the work for which He created you and for which He is even now keeping you in being. What a marvelous transformation is possible! Dust into light, uncleanness into purity, sinfulness into holiness, creature into Creator, man into God! A marvelous work, I reapeat, so difficult in itself, and even impossible for a mere creature to bring about, for only God can accomplish it by giving His grace abundantly and in an extraordinary manner. The very creation of the universe is not as great an achievement as this. Chosen soul, how will you bring this about? What steps will you take to reach the high level to which God is calling you? The means of holiness and salvation are known to everybody, since they are found in the Gospel; the masters of the spiritual life have explained them; the saints have practiced them and shown how essential they are for those who wish to be saved and attain perfection. These means are: sincere humility, unceasing prayer, complete self-denial, abandonment to Divine Providence, adn obedience to the will of God.

CHRISTmas with a Capital "C"

Sat, 08 Dec 2007 00:03:28 GMT

This is an awesome song! You have to check this out & be sure to listen closely to the words. I went out & bought 3 "Go Fish" CDs after hearing this song It is so cool! This is the girls & my favorite group right now. They are almost as clever as the Veggie Tale guys maybe even as clever!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IAckfn8yiAQ

Something to think about...

Fri, 07 Dec 2007 23:39:40 GMT

If, as Herod, we fill our lives with things, and again with things: if we consider ourselves so unimportant that we must fill every moment of our lives with action, when will we have time to make the long, slow journey across the desert as did the Magi? Or sit and watch the stars as did the shepherds? Or ponder over the coming of the Child as did Mary? For each one of us, there is a desert to travel. A star to discover. And a being within ourselves to bring to life. (Author unknown)

First Week of Advent

Sun, 02 Dec 2007 21:03:00 GMT

O come, O come, Emmanuel, and ransom captive Israel, that mourns in lonely exile here, until the Son of God appear. (Refrain)

Refrain: Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel, shall come to thee, O Israel!

O come, O come, Thou Wisdom from on high, who ord'rest all things mightily; to us the path of knowledge show, and teach us in her ways to go. (Refrain)

The Advent Wreath consists of 3 purple candles and 1 pink candle. It can be decorated with greenery, ribbon, ornaments, whatever... My children take turns lighting the candles and blowing them out. The readers in the family can take turn reading the prayers, or you can say them together.

Blessing of the Advent Wreath:

Daddy: Our help is in the name of the Lord

All: Who made Heaven and earth.

Daddy: Let us pray. O God, by whose Word all things are sanctified, pour forth Your blessing upon this wreath, and grant that we who use it may prepare our hearts for the coming of Christ and may receive Your abundant graces. We ask this through Christ our Lord.

All: Amen. (Sprinkle the wreath with Holy Water)

First Sunday of Advent (light 1 purple candle):

As we light the 1st candle on our Advent wreath we start down a holy path to CHRISTmas. We give thanks to God for all of the good things in our lives, especially for the love of our family and friends. We are happy to share God's love with others while we are preparing to celebrate the birth of Jesus, God's Son. We ask that You help us stay on the Advent path and keep our hearts focused on Jesus as we prepare for CHRISTmas. Amen.

Prayer during rest of First Week of Advent (light 1 purple candle):

O Lord, stir up Thy might and come! Protect us from the dangers of our sins and save us. Help us to do good works. We want our hearts to be open to Jesus' coming at CHRISTmas. Through Christ our Lord. Amen. O Emmanuel, Jesus Christ, desire of every nation, Savior of all peoples, come and dwell among us.

Our Heritage

Sun, 02 Dec 2007 20:51:55 GMT

I have always been a little jealous of the people who have these rich heritages & cultures...then one day I realized that my Catholic faith is where MY heritage and culture lies and I should be focusing on learning more about our ancient customs and traditions instead of wishing that we still kept the culture alive from the countries where our ancestors hailed from. It was then that I learned more about the Liturgical Year and how to bring that into our home, as well as began learning some of our basic prayers in Latin and teaching them to my children. I do indeed have that rich heritage that I have always wished for! I just had to discover its beauty!

So now in our home, you will find purple decor during Advent, from the tablecloth to our home altar coverings to the clothes we wear to church! Yes indeed, it was by accident, but my daughters & I all have purple outfits to wear during Advent! And while we are putting our CHRISTmas tree up already, we will not turn the lights on yet and we will be decorating it with purple ornaments, lovely wide purple ribbon (I love ribbon!) and Jesse Tree symbols until the week before CHRISTmas. A couple years ago I even bought purple lights to put on the tree, but my light man...my hubby...wasn't too thrilled about changing the lights on the tree twice, not that I can blame him since I don't care for the job...hence the reason he is the light man So, maybe we will put the purple lights somewhere else during Advent.

Pope Benedict has recommended that we learn our basic prayers in Latin. So far, we have learned the Sign of the Cross and the Hail Mary. We are ready to start a new one...probably the Our Father or the Glory Be. There is even a web site where you can listen to the words of the prayers in Latin to help you learn correct pronunciation...found here: http://www.chastitysf.com/latinrecordings.htm

Happy Advent!

Wisdom of Fulton J. Sheen

Mon, 22 Oct 2007 23:43:36 GMT

I am reading a great book called "Meet Fulton Sheen" that you can find on my recommended books list. He is SO funny! And very insightful. I highly recommend the book and any of his books or recorded talks that you can find.

Here is a quote I especially liked from him: "Mary reflects her Divine Son, without Whom she is nothing. On dark nights we are grateful for the moon; we see it shining, we know there must be a sun. So, in this dark night of the world, when men turned their backs on Him Who is the Light of the World, we look to Mary to guide our feet while we await the sunrise."

And he was speaking 50 years ago! What would he say today???

How Much More Will the Father Give

Thu, 18 Oct 2007 02:22:24 GMT

1) Only for today, I will seek to live the livelong day positively without wishing to solve the problems of my life all at once.

2) Only for today, I will take the greatest care of my appearance: I will dress modestly; I will not raise my voice; I will be courteous in my behavior; I will not criticize anyone; I will not claim to improve or to discipline anyone except myself.

3) Only for today, I will be happy in the certainty that I was created to be happy, not only in the other world but also in this one.

4) Only for today, I will adapt to circumstances, without requiring all circumstances to be adapted to my own wishes.

5) Only for today, I will devote 10 minutes of my time to some good reading, rmembering that just as food is necessary to the life of the body, so good reading is necessary to the life of the soul.

6) Only for today, I will do one good deed and not tell anyone about it.

7) Only for today, I will do at least one thing I do not like doing; and if my feelings are hurt, I will make sure that no one notices.

8) Only for today, I will make a plan for myself: I may not follow it to the letter, but I will make it. And I will be on guard against two evils: hastiness and indecision.

9) Only for today, I will firmly believe, despite appearances, that the good Providence of God cares for me as no one else who exists in this world.

10) Only for today, I will have no fears. In particular, I will not be afraid to enjoy what is beautiful and to believe in goodness. Indeed, for twelve hours I can certainly do what might cause me consternation were I to believe I had to do it all my life.

(Blessed John XXIII)

Holy Family Shrine

Thu, 18 Oct 2007 02:03:44 GMT

I just returned from a retreat/planning day at the Holy Family Shrine in Gretna, NE. If you are ever in the Omaha area, I would recommend taking the time to visit the shrine. It is a unique and beautiful Church, built in the style of the architect, Frank Lloyd Wright. It blends with the landscape and is surrounded by beautiful prairie grasses. I enjoyed the day and made some new friends. You can visit the shrine online at http://www.holyfamilyshrine.com/, but I recommend visiting in person.