St. Joseph's Altar

Celebrating with family and friends

Our 2011

St. Joseph's Altar

My SIL graciously opened her home

and together we planned this evening of

prayer, food, crafts, and stories

We began our evening together with the

Litany of Saint Joseph

Our evening involved a potluck event with our co-op

which made this extra nice

Here my friend made a homemade "sweet bread" breaded into a crown

for Jesus' crown of thorns

~ Craft Time ~

The kids had quite the chose of crafts

from coloring pages to St. Joseph's little pocket window crafts

The coloring pages were free from

Holy Heroes

&

Homeschool Goodies

I had the St. Joseph's window pocket from

my Teacher's Helper CD

by Nippert's & Co Artworks

(picture to come soon)

~ Reading Time ~

My SIL read a section of

More Coffee With Nonna: Stories of My Italian Grandmother

and we had several books for the kids to read at their leisure

 

It was a beautiful celebration

among good fellowship

giving thanks to

San Guiseppe

Holy St. Joseph, spouse of Mary,

be mindful of me, pray for me, watch over me.

Guardian of the paradise of the new Adam,

provide for my temporal wants.

Faithful guardian of the most precious of all treasures,

I beseech thee to bring this matter to a happy end,

if it be for the glory of God and the good of my soul.

Amen.

St. Patrick's Day

It was a green busy green day around here.  With appointments starting early (like 7am early) the kids and I found ourselves driving to and fro a lot.  But that is the current way of things here.  Thus the late post of this day.  I still have St. Joseph's feast day to post about too....

But this didn't mean we couldn't, or didn't, have a little something for good St. Patrick though.

The kids made their version of Lacy's puppet idea.  Then they made a little play using the 4 St. Padricks...quite a creative version of a saint I might add.

Princess and her St. Paddy

 Rose and Max

On display for the day

I knew I wasn't going to get an Irish dinner on the table and potatoes is a big no no for Rose right now,

so we opted for a

St. Patrick's Tea & Craft

instead

Our St. Patrick books weren't in from the library yet

So we read

Jamie O'Rourke and the Big Potato

and

St. Patrick

My little helpers



Princess waits patiently for tea

We talked throughout the day of the mystery of the Trinity 

and enjoyed some quiet time together

I bind unto myself today

The strong Name of the Trinity,

By invocation of the same,

The Three in One and One in Three.

I bind this day to me for ever.

By power of faith, Christ's incarnation;

His baptism in the Jordan river;

His death on Cross for my salvation;

His bursting from the spicèd tomb;

His riding up the heavenly way;

His coming at the day of doom;*

I bind unto myself today.

I bind unto myself the power

The sweet 'well done' in judgment hour,

The service of the seraphim,

Confessors' faith, Apostles' word,

The Patriarchs' prayers, the Prophets' scrolls,

All good deeds done unto the Lord,

And purity of virgin souls.

I bind unto myself today

The virtues of the starlit heaven,

The glorious sun's life-giving ray,

The whiteness of the moon at even,

The flashing of the lightning free,

The whirling wind's tempestuous shocks,

The stable earth, the deep salt sea,

Around the old eternal rocks.

I bind unto myself today

The power of God to hold and lead,

His eye to watch, His might to stay,

His ear to hearken to my need.

The wisdom of my God to teach,

His hand to guide, His shield to ward,

The word of God to give me speech,

His heavenly host to be my guard.

Against the demon snares of sin,

The vice that gives temptation force,

The natural lusts that war within,

The hostile men that mar my course;

Or few or many, far or nigh,

In every place and in all hours,

Against their fierce hostility,

I bind to me these holy powers.

Against all Satan's spells and wiles,

Against false words of heresy,

Against the knowledge that defiles,

Against the heart's idolatry,

Against the wizard's evil craft,

Against the death wound and the burning,

The choking wave and the poisoned shaft,

Protect me, Christ, till Thy returning.

Christ be with me, Christ within me,

Christ behind me, Christ before me,

Christ beside me, Christ to win me,

Christ to comfort and restore me.

Christ beneath me, Christ above me,

Christ in quiet, Christ in danger,

Christ in hearts of all that love me,

Christ in mouth of friend and stranger.

I bind unto myself the Name,

The strong Name of the Trinity;

By invocation of the same.

The Three in One, and One in Three,

Of Whom all nature hath creation,

Eternal Father, Spirit, Word:

Praise to the Lord of my salvation,

Salvation is of Christ the Lord.

Well, why not?

At the dinner table tonight a serious discussion was started by Lucy.  She has been exploring careers in her class with her cousins and was sharing this with her Papi and I.  

Lucy: "I just know what I'd like to do but this would be great too.  But I don't know if it can happen."

Papi:  "Mija, if you want to try something and you think you would like it as a career than go for it."

Lucy: pauses for a bit

(in between bites chimes in her opinion)
Rose:  "Why don't you just be a Jedi?"

By request I used it, something and this as fillers instead of what Lucy was really referring too. 

A most important request

Our prayer is now including a family who has suffered the lost of seven of their eight children

I can not begin to imagine the grief of these parents. 

Oh Dearest Mother,

hold them tightly under your mantle

embrace them in love

sharing tears of grief with them

May God ease their pain soon,

Amen

Please keep them in your prayers....

The article can be found here 

40 bags in

40 days

From the Archdiocese of Cincinnati:

Every day during Lent this year, empty one bag of ‘stuff’ that is no longer needed from your house, totaling a loss of forty bags of stuff!

1.) Taking a look at the size of your family and household, with an acknowledgement of how much ‘stuff’ is present, make a prudential choice on the size of bag to be employed during this challenge. Bag size should be small enough that the goal of 40 bags during the season of Lent is able to be accomplished, while not being too big that you are left with nothing. We must still live in the world, after all!

2.) If smaller children are a part of your family, a ‘gauge’ may be helpful to keep them engaged and help them keep track of progress. As part of your preparations, make a ‘paper chain’ of forty numbered links. As each new bag is started, place a new link in the bottom of the bag. This way, as the chain gets smaller, there is a greater sense of accomplishment.

3.) This challenge necessarily involves sacrifice. Each member of the family should be encouraged to give something to each bag, or there could be designated bags for each member of the family.

4.) Instead of just throwing things away, recycling is a great way to encourage good stewardship of the gifts we have been given, as it symbolizes that we are passing along our gifts to others. Families with children are encouraged to pass along clothes that no longer fit or toys that sit dormant in a closet to families in need instead of just throwing them away.

5.) Units of count need not necessarily be trash bags, either; however they should be equivalent. For example, a box of gently used toys or clothes could equate one bag off the chain. A stack of books donated to the parish library is another easy equivalent.

As the family accepts this challenge together, bonds will be created that will last a lifetime. Lessons are also learned not just by saying, but by putting it into practice. Here, the simple lesson will last throughout life that having fewer things can lead to a greater contentment in life.

We did a good job of this last year and you'll find quite a few post on it around the Catholic Blogs.  Some are from faith & family, Jeanette's, and here.  The idea is simple and the process of filling up those bags can be changed up to suit your family and family size.

So, grab a bag, some rags for a quick clean up and get to those closets.  You know the area (wink wink)

How ever it's done though, this is a great way to declutter and simplify your homes. 

Good luck!

Our Lord needs from us neither great deeds nor profound thoughts. Neither intelligence nor talents. He cherishes simplicity.

~St. Therese of Lisieux

A talk with Jesus

Our Lenten calendar is undone.
Our prayer table is simpler than in years past.
Our daily schedule lingers around crazy
and
There is clutter everywhere, and here I had planned to walk into Lent geared up and cleaner.

Cleaner?

I chuckled really when the letters formed the word.  I suppose I would have preferred to have been caught up with the laundry.  But though it's not, I am getting ready for something greater.  I am preparing my heart for a unity in prayer and lengthy conversations with the very one I am drawn too.  My God and my love here I am.  With some baggage to deal with and a bit of sorrow to give you too.

But

I also have joy to share.  An open door for you to come in and do what is necessary.  Show me Jesus.  I am following you into that desert.  I'm gearing up for it and bringing some kiddos and a hubby along with me too.  You may know them (wink wink). 

There is a quiet place that awaits for you.  I am teary up just thinking about it because I know your love and I know you have loads to show us.

The new day marks the beginning of Lent.  We'll be sitting in one of the pews, celebrating Mass and waiting for our ashes.  Then we'll walk out to face the journey.

Till tomorrow...

Protect us, Lord, as we stay awake; watch over us as we sleep, that awake, we may keep watch with Christ, and asleep, rest in his peace.

Opening Day

This past Saturday was opening day for the kids. 

That meant it was time for a parade

and also

It marks sunny days spent in the park,

 picnic blankets,

loads of snacks

 lawn chairs,

excited cheers

and

perhaps some jeers

but most of all

It's 3 months of good fun

This one was wondering why she wasn't riding on one of the trucks

Next year honey, mama needs a cheering buddy too :)

BTW, Max was long gone with his team buddies.  Too bad too he looked really cute in his uniform.

Viva San Giuseppe

St. Joseph's Altar

beautifully shared by Evann

We are here again, at the doorstep of Lent and just around the corner is the feast of St. Joseph.  I've been thinking a lot about San Giuseppe.  About this season of Lent.  How different it feels.  How glad I am to have something lovely to plan for and focus on.

One of those 'somethings' is the altar for St. Joseph.  Evann has opened the Virtual St. Joseph's Altar for 2011.  Our family took part in it last year and we plan to do something again for this year.  It looks like it'll be a larger event, hopefully I can keep myself from stressing out about it.

Her site is filled with detailed words of history, pictures, links, and ideas.  It is a treasured place for all who love this dear saint and want to learn more.

*this moment* with a prayer request

{this moment} - A Friday ritual. A single photo - no words - capturing a moment from the week. A simple, special, extraordinary moment. A moment I want to pause, savor and remember. If you're inspired to do the same, leave a link to your 'moment' in the comments at SouleMama for all to find and see

(My in-laws, grandma and grandpa.  If you will please keep grandpa in your prayers the reason is here)

*update

Grandpa has opted to go through chemotherapy.  There are several tumors effecting some vital organs but one in particular is large and dangerous; it poses the biggest threat anyway.  He is also open to concentrating on his diet and some natural alternative methods to gain strength and with God's will...time.

Just because I really needed the laugh

Many thanks to Melissa for sharing it