Archangel_Raphael_Fr._Joseph_Whalen_(640x480).mp4

A week for Warriors

This week is filled with celebrating and remembering some of the strongest and dearest 

"You should be aware that the word "angel" denotes a function rather than a nature. Those holy spirits of heaven have indeed always been spirits. They can only be called angels when they deliver some message. Moreover, those who deliver messages of lesser importance are called angels; and those who proclaim messages of supreme importance are called archangels."

~ from a homily of Pope Gregory the Great

Feast of the Archangels

September 29th

 Micheal the Archangel

His name in Hebrew means "Who is like God?", fought against Satan and all his evil angels.  He is our protector against all the snares of that which wants to see God's very creation destroyed.

Gabriel the Archangel

  "Strength of God", a special messenger that told Zachariah of the birth of St. John the Baptist and announced to Mary that she would be carrying Our Lord.  "His address to her, “Hail, full of grace, the Lord is with thee” (the “angelic salutation”) is familiar to all who say the Rosary".

The Archangel Raphael

"Medicine of God", healing Tobit in the Old Testament guiding him through his travels

(source: Women for Faith and Family)

These sites are worth a click:  Georgette & Mike Aquilina

dinner: Apple Chicken

dessert: Angel Food Blackberry Trifle

"It is a tradition that blackberries are no good to eat after September 29th because 'the Devil spat on them when he was cast out of Heaven into Hell on Michaelmas'!" ~ A Book of Feasts & Seasons, by Joanna Bogle

(Thank you Charlotte and Abigail for mentioning this, I shared it with the older kids and they ate up the blackberries like never before)

Prayer:

From the book, My Nameday, Come for Dessert (I just found this book through the yahoo group Cathswap but I don't know where else you can find it.  Jessica also mentions it here)

Father: The Lord, King of archangels.

All: Come, let us adore, alleluia.

Father: I looked up and saw a man standing there clad all in linen and his girdle was of fine gold. Clear as a topaz his body was, like the play of lightning shone his face; and like burning crossets his eyes; arms and legs of him had the sheen of bronze, and when he spoke, it was like the murmur of a throng.

All: He bestows favors on those nations who honor him, and his prayer leads them to the kingdom of heaven, alleluia.

Father: The angel Michael, chief in paradise, to whom the angelic citizens pay honor.

All: Most glorious prince, archangel Michael, be mindful of us here and everywhere; pray ever for us to the Son of God, alleluia, alleluia.

Father: From the writings of Pope St. Gregory the Great:

Michael means "Who is like God!" When any work of remarkable power is to be done, we are toldMichael who is sent, that from both his action and his name we may understand that none can accomplish what God in His might accomplishes.

All: Salvation belongs to our God, alleluia.

Father: Let us pray. O God, who ordained the services of angels and men in wonderful order, be pleased to grant that our life on earth may be guarded by those who stand always ready to serve You in heaven. Through Christ our Lord.

All: Amen. Christ conquers, Christ reigns! it is

~

St. Jerome

September 30th

I'm not sure how we will celebrate this feast day but there are plenty of suggesstions here:  Catholic Cuisine

~

St. Therese of the Child Jesus

October 1st

Day 6

We've had company and NO time for blogging.  But we have been continuing our novena to St. Therese.  I can't write about it now, but there has been three very dear moments since we began our novena.  There seems to be a hint of showers coming.  I don't know in what way, but so far it's been just lovely!

day 6 ~
O St. Therese of the Child Jesus, who during your short life on earth became a mirror of angelic purity, of love strong as death, and of wholehearted abandonment to God, now that you rejoice in the reward of your virtues, cast a glance of pity on me as I leave all things in your hands. Make my troubles your own, speak a word for me to Our Lady Immaculate, whose flower of special love you were -- to that Queen of Heaven “who smiled on you at the dawn of life” Beg her powerful intercession the grace I yearn for so ardently at this moment...and that she join with it a blessing that may strengthen me during life, defend me at the hour of death, and lead me straight on to a happy eternity.
Amen.


O God, who did inflame with the Spirit of Love, the soul of your servant Therese of the Child Jesus, grant that we also may love you and make you much loved.
Amen.

O Little Flower of Jesus, you have shown yourself so powerful in your intercession, so tender and compassionate toward those who honour you and invoke you in suffering and distress, that I kneel at your feet with perfect confidence and beseech you most humbly and earnestly to take me under your protection in my present necessity and obtain for me the favour I ask in this novena...Vouchsafe to recommend my request to Mary, the merciful Queen of Heaven, that she may plead my cause with you before the throne of Jesus, her divine Son.. Cease not to intercede for me until my request is granted.

St. Therese of the Child Jesus, pray for us

Archbishop Fulton Sheen - St. Thérèse of Lisieux Pt. 1

Thank you Jessica, Shower of Roses, for posting this. It was a awesome!!!

Day Three ~

O St. Therese of the Child Jesus, who during your short life on earth became a mirror of angelic purity, of love strong as death, and of wholehearted abandonment to God, now that you rejoice in the reward of your virtues, cast a glance of pity on me as I leave all things in your hands. Make my troubles your own, speak a word for me to Our Lady Immaculate, whose flower of special love you were -- to that Queen of Heaven “who smiled on you at the dawn of life” Beg her powerful intercession the grace I yearn for so ardently at this moment...and that she join with it a blessing that may strengthen me during life, defend me at the hour of death, and lead me straight on to a happy eternity. Amen.

O God, who did inflame with the Spirit of Love, the soul of your servant Therese of the Child Jesus, grant that we also may love you and make you much loved. Amen

DAY THREE

O Therese of the Child Jesus, lily of purity, ornament and glory of Carmel, I greet you, great saint, seraph of divine love. I rejoice in the favours our Lord so liberally bestowed on you. I humility and confidence I ask you to help me, for I know God has given you love and pity as well as power. Tell Him, now, I beseech you, of the favour I seek in this novena... Your request will crown my petition with success and bring joy to my heart. Remember your promise to do good here on earth. “I shall spend my heaven doing good on the Earth After death I shall let fall a shower of roses.

St. Therese of the Child Jesus, pray for us.

Novena to St. Therese

“You know well enough that Our Lord does not look so much at the greatness of our actions,

nor even at their difficulty, but at the love with which we do them.”

~ St. Thérèse

O St. Therese of the Child Jesus, who during your short life on earth became a mirror of angelic purity, of love strong as death, and of wholehearted abandonment to God, now that you rejoice in the reward of your virtues, cast a glance of pity on me as I leave all things in your hands. Make my troubles your own, speak a word for me to Our Lady Immaculate, whose flower of special love you were -- to that Queen of Heaven “who smiled on you at the dawn of life” Beg her powerful intercession the grace I yearn for so ardently at this moment...and that she join with it a blessing that may strengthen me during life, defend me at the hour of death, and lead me straight on to a happy eternity. Amen.

SECOND DAY

Almighty God, giver of all good gifts, who did will that Blessed Therese, being watered by the heavenly dew of your guiding grace, should bloom in Carmel with the beauty of virginity and patience in suffering, grant that I your servant may go forward in the order of her sweetness an may be found worthy to become a devoted and loyal follower of Christ. Amen.

St. Therese of the Child Jesus, pray for us.

Thought for the day: Sin. The only grace I ask, O Jesus, is never to offend Thee. By love and not by fear, does a soul avoid committing the least fault. Yes, even if I have on my conscience every possible crime, I should lose none of my confidence; my heart breaking with sorrow, I should go and throw myself into the arms of my Savior. The remembrance of my faults humbles me and makes me afraid to rely on my own strength, which is nothing but weakness.

We've begun our St. Therese faith folders.  Making it along with the novena is helping the younger kids get to know St. Therese intimately. 

A birthday for Max ~ part 1

Max loves....loves meat.  And HomeTown Buffet.  I can do without much less meat than him and well his favorite eatery is probably my least.  But, it was his birthday and it was where he wanted to go. 

a slab of ham surprise in the morning

(no he didn't eat the whole thing but, almost)

The yells of joy could be heard for

miles and miles

hand in hand this could easily be a scene

from Little House on the Prairie

or something like it anyway

Tea Time and a prayer

"Let us see life as it really is...

It is a moment between two eternities..."

~ St. Thérèse

 

 

We started our novena after our school work was done.  And since it was "tea time", we set the table and began.


 

I didn't have roses on hand but,

my Rose brought me a little flower anyway

Novena to St. Therese of Lisieux the Little Flower

St. Therese of Lisieux marked her life without the intentions of fame or notoriety.  She instead lived out her life in simple terms set by her complete devotion to God.  It was love, pure and deep, that led her to the Carmelites so that she may lead a humble life of prayer.  And it was the love to serve others, love of prayer, and the love of the mercy God has for each of us that led St. Therese to us. 

"My mission-to make God loved-will begin after my death. I will spend my heaven doing good on earth. I will send a shower of roses."~ St. Thérèse

Which is exactly what she did.  There are stories of roses appearing after her intersessions are requested.  I have had one example of her roses and I was humbled beyond description.  She is our aide and our example.

October 1st (and October 3rd in the traditional calendar) is her feast day.  And today marks the start for several novenas to St. Therese.  Our family is praying

The Twenty-four 'Glory Be's Novena to St. Therese

The Glory Be is said 24 times each day for nine days, in thanksgiving for all the blessings and favours given to Saint Therese of the Child Jesus during the 24 years of her life. Start the novena each day with this prayer:

“Holy Trinity, God the Father, God the Son, and God, the Holy Spirit, I thank You for all the blessings and favours You have showered upon the soul of Your servant Therese of the Child Jesus, during the 24 years she spent here on earth, and in consideration of the merits of this, Your most beloved Saint, I beseech You to grant me this favour, if it is in accordance with Your most Holy Will and is not an obstacle to my salvation.”

After this prayer, follow with the 24 Glory Be’s, between each of which should be included this short prayer”

“Saint Therese of the Child Jesus, pray for us.”

source: can be found here

Which ever novena (or what ever you do) I hope your time spent in prayer is blessed!

For Max

September 20, 2001

We often call you our "Only Boy".  Perhaps its' a title you grow tired of but, that's what you are our; Only Boy. 

You've brought loads of love into this family.  With your sweet nature and unconditional giving of yourself.

You were so needed and so loved.  You, who while nestled deep within my womb needed love too.  You craved it, desired it, and required it.  Even after birth you reached out to be comforted by it, by Papi and I.  We were your glue, your home.  We were your strength for a world you weren't quite ready for....

But, look at you now

Your arrival made Lucy a sister

and brought sweet laughter to our growing brood

Always the gentle one,

gentle to the lowest living things around you

yet not afraid of trying new things

whether on a fast track activity

or

a slower paced project

as long as it brought a smile to your face

you try it.

Now, you are 9!  A man dwells within; growing, learning, and forming.  I am in awe of this future man.  I am honored to be a part of him.

Our son,

kind hearted,

gentle spirit,

loving to please,

follower of God,

devoted to Our Lady,

seeking honor in all things,

the watch tower of laws in our home,

the investigator

and scientist...

our Only Boy

We love you kiddo
Happy Happy Birthday,

Papi and Momma

A Giveaway!

I may have mentioned this site before.  But, if you were out of the country or busy with little ones you may have missed it.  Luckily NOW is a great time to check it out...

Lapbooks for Catholics

Lindy Meyer (owner) has been busy, not just with mommy duties but, in creating the newest faith folder in time for a special feast day. 

St. Therese the Little Flower Faith Folder

St. Therese's feast day is only a few weeks away.  I can't think of anything better to add to our celebrations than this faith folder for our kids to work on.  The folders become a unique learning tool for faith formation.  Best of all, Lindy makes the purchase of her faith folders affordable and easy to use.  I can personally vouch for the quality of her folders!

~The Giveaway~

Lindy is offering a free St. Therese faith folder. 

The giveaway is being hosted by

Jessica at Shower of Roses

A very appropriate hostess for this giveaway!!  Please click on to her blog here:

Shower of Roses

There are 4 chances to win, just follow the guidelines posted on the blog.  You only have until Tuesday, September 21st to enter.  So don't delay....

Good Luck

Up in the mountains

Finally, we got some time to spend up on the mountain late in the summer .  We spent time with the grandparents, long bike rides and lots of time on the lake. 

Here are the highlights

Coffee in the morning

Check out this amazing cloud behind the kids

On the lake...on a pontoon named "ROSIE"

worms anyone?

Did anyone check this guys driver's license?

Just cruising

Max actually went swimming...yes MY Max

Mr. Cautious jumped in to the icy lake!



A good end to the summer

Catching up

There has been a life time of events that have occured in the last couple months.  I can't spend the time, nor do I have the energy, to post them all.  So here are the clip notes to a life of many events:

There was the birth of

my niece Gianna Clare

I had a birthday

and celebrated with my precious family

Max learned to sew

a very long dream of his

And what has kept me so so busy

turning this room

to

School has started and I was READY!!