Holy Week 2012

"In God's providence the Cross of Christ was destined to be a sign of glory and not an emblem of shame: from that Cross came victory over Satan, from it came life, resurrection and salvation"

♥

Blessed be God!

Blessed be His Holy name!

And blessings to you all during this Holy Week!

Our plans for this week

• Stations of the Cross and benediction at our parish this Wednesday
• A few practices with the kids (track and softball)
• Confession
• Veneration of the cross here at home with the kids
• A special dinner for Holy Thursday
• A hike and very special dinner on Good Friday

(My FIL is yet again been blessed.  His cancer has once again been remarkably controlled and tumors have all reduced from the chemo.  He feels well enough to have the whole family over on Good Friday; and we are all so grateful for his health and time with us!  Thanks be to God!!) 

• Easter Vigil at our parish on Saturday

(A sweet little girl is receiving her sacraments that night, please pray for her)

• Easter Sunday!!!!!

 (Not sure what we are doing yet but it'll be with family and I'm sure there will be a feast of some sort and a nice bottle of wine ;-)

God of such unwavering love,
how do I "celebrate"
the passion and death of Jesus?
I often want to look the other way
and not watch,
not stay with Jesus in his suffering.
Give me the strength
to see his love with honesty and compassion
and to feel deeply
your own forgiveness and mercy for me.
Help me to understand
how to "celebrate" this week.
I want be able to bring
my weaknesses and imperfections with me
as I journey with Jesus this week,
so aware of his love.

Dreams

Early this morning Cecilia came crawling into my bed.  She does this often so I wasn't too surprised to feel her little body climbing on the bed.  But, she did this for a very different reason.

Cecilia began to stroke my face; not something she's done before.  I opened my eyes and was about to tell her that, 'momma needed more time to sleep', I mean the sun wasn't even up yet.  But her little voice began to tell me of a dream.

A bad dream.

This is her tale:

Cecilia:  "Oh, Momma I had a bbbaad dream.  You were on the roof and there was water everywhere.  Then I saw you fighting with a shark!  I was so scared for you."

Me:  "I was fighting with a shark in the water or on the roof?"

Cecilia:  "No you were on the roof and the shark was fighting you on it."

I started telling her not to worry because sharks can't live above water, we were all safe.  She seems to be fine afterwards, but she was up, so I was up.  I hopped into the shower and it was a few minutes before I heard a knock on the door.  Cecilia was at the door.  She came in and began to ask me a bunch of questions.

Was I okay?
Was there water under the tub?
Where did the water go?
Was the tub protecting me?

Oh poor baby!  I didn't know whether to laugh or cry!  She was quite protective of me for the remainder of the day....until I said she couldn't have a piece of chocolate.  Then she just walked away.  I assume she thought I didn't need anymore protection, LOL.

"The Hunger Games" (SPOILERS) - A Commentary by Fr. Barron

Lucy wanted to read these series when they first started circulating among her friends.  At the time I didn't think she was ready for the details of violence and sacrifice the book describes; she wasn't exactly pleased about this but accepted it. 
I just now allowed her to read it and then had her listen to Fr. Barron's take on it.  There is a lot of violence in the this book so I would NOT recommend it to a child younger than 14.  Lucy spent some time learning of the massive persecutions of the early Christians.  So I was comfortable with her reading and being able to discuss the details with me. 
Fr. Barron makes some great connections between The Hunger Games books and history here in this 10 minute clip.  I'm not sure about the movie yet, but I've heard that it stays true to the book; but scaled down the violent to get a PG-14 rating.

St. Joseph, Pray for us!

St. Joseph, how wonderful it is to celebrate your feast day today.  You who showed love and complete trust under great difficulty.  You who accepted the gentle words from God's messenger without hesitation.  You serve as an example, you and our Mother Mary, of a holy family.  We've remembered your past days with lots of food, altars adorned with gifts for the hungry, gatherings and treats.  Today, as you know, we've scaled down the celebration.  But just a bit.

The children are coloring sheets, they are building and creating pieces for a little altar, and dinner will be an old favorite.  All for you!

Continue to pray for our families, dear St. Joseph.  Pray for our husbands, as you are the example and patron of fathers.  Pray for the men in our our lives; our fathers, husbands, brothers, uncles, father-in-laws, sons, and friends. 

My little working bees!



Our resources:

1.   3D Mini Altar and coloring sheets;

thanks to Evann for first inspiring how we celebrate San Giuseppe's feast day.

2.  Past post from St. Joseph's Feast Days;

 here, here, and here

Dinner for tonight

Minestrone Soup

Creamed Raspberry Cupcakes

The First Time ::

She asked God to forgive her

it was sweet, private, guided by a priest who is gentle and remembers the hearts of children;

it was perfect!

Sweet Rose,

The night before your first confession we sat together, examining our conscience, slowly the sins that have hurt God came up.  Each time one came up your eyes widen.  Each time we spoke how when we fall so easily into sin, it brings tears to Jesus eyes, you teared up.  There have been changes in you, as I've seen your heart open.  And this has been happening long before this night.

You then made the sweetest letter to take with you. Your drawing of the chalice filled with His precious blood made me pause.  It was your letter of your first confessed sins.  Innocent little list, a list that I pray stays as simple as it was this first time. 

Then as it is with you, when you woke the next morning the very first thing you asked, "Momma have I done anything bad since last night?"  You wanted to make sure you covered your tracks.  So typical of you.  I think Jesus must have laughed and perhaps think, as I thought,

"Oh what a wonderful creation!"

Your first confession, Rose!

Your first taste of the endless mercy from Jesus.

Thank you Jesus!  Thank you for our Rose!

Why we need to be involved::

Because this is our future and that of our children.

This is all over the place.  Most of us can't get away from it; in just the last two weeks our own Fr. S has delivered passionate messages from his homilies because of it.  But how do reach those that aren't religious? 

It's simple.  Share videos like this one.

The average American is watching late night news, CNN, MSNBC and hearing that is a 'religous' attempt to control women.  Beyond what this is to me as a Catholic mother, it's also what it means as Americans.  It's the concern over where this leads as a country. 

My own Lucy, just was confronted by a relative regarding the Church and her involvement over 'private' matters'.  WHAT!!  She stated so very eloquently, "Mom they don't even see how our very liberties are being taken away!"  Yes, mija they are.  And this she knows at 14! 

Lord, have mercy on us!

Mother Mary, pray for us!

What a nice surprise!

I'm a bit embarrased to announce that a very sweet Texan has voted my little blog for a

Part of the nomination involves:

Thanking the one that nominated the blog and giving you all a link back to their blog.

  Well I'm ever so happy to so both.

Her name in Neen, love the name; it reminds me of a summer flower.  Neen blogs about her 'busy' life of home schooling, loving and living her life as a Catholic wife and mother.  This momma is pretty amazing and though I just recently began to read her blog it's become a quick favorite.  Why?  Because any women that can carry that awesome smile while going after 8 kids and growing twins, is worth as a friend for sure.  Pay her a visit!  She writes at All This and Heaven about her family; and she writes about home schooling here at I Really Do Homeschool All These Kids

List seven things about themselves

(this won't be so easy for me)

1.  I am the first American born in my family.

2.  I am the first of six children.

3.  I am a huge debator and if it weren't for meeting and falling for The Lineman, I may have run for office; or be living in Africa ;-)!

4.  I am a novice sewer and have desparately been trying to advance for the last 10 years....hopeless!

5.  I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE to cook and bake.

6.  I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE to organize and plan for parties...I'm a 'party girl' at heart but organizing isn't easy for me.

7.  I melt, just a little, each time The Lineman offers his great smile in the way that he did the very first time I saw him.  It was love at first sight!

8.  I have terrible grammer.  Goodness why am I trusted to home school?!?

9.  I have a bit of an obsession with talk radio.

10.  I love hikes and the mountains and to sit with a drink in hand; soaking up the scene and loving all that God has provided!!!

Pick 15 newly discovered blogs to give the award to.

(I haven't read to many new blogs...time just doesn't allow me to venture out of whom I visit anymore but I will list some and get back with more as I find them)

1. Blessed Are The Feet
2. Among Lovely Things
3. Loreto Rosaries

Around my home

Lent

is

everywhere

~

{Pretty, Happy, Funny, Real}

~ Capturing the context of everyday life ~
Every Thursday, with Like Mother, Like Daughter!

{Pretty}

It was a pretty day

It was a wonderful feeling

and

That lady next to me is pretty awesome

{Happy}

Goofy kids!

{Funny}

There is a story behind this picture. 

Rose is taking cello lessons and her lesson from this week involved, her bow and life saver candies.  There is a certain way to hold a bow for the cello.  One makes a bunny with the hand and then grasps the bow just so.  She had to practice this position while holding the bow straight up (this would the 'rest' position). 

Her teacher had a neat way of making this practice fun.  She placed a hard, life saver on the very top tip of the bow.  If Rose was holding it correctly, the life saver would stay in place and not fall.

She then got to eat the candy.

Cool right?

Well not for Rose, who had just given up sweets for Lent.  She was NOT at all happy to have such a practice where, as she stated; "I have throw out a perfectly good candy!"

{Real}

Nothing was more real or more beautiful than what I saw my Rose do on this day!  She was a light for many people and made some think twice.

Compunction

1. 1.  A feeling of guilt or moral scruple that follows the doing of something bad: "spend the money without compunction"
2. A pricking of the conscience.

•  Synonyms: remorse - regret - repentance - penitence - contrition

During confirmation class last night Fr. S spoke about Compunction.  How this is exactly what Lent is suppose to create.  We are to puncture away at our sins.  Our conscience is supposed to be on high alert for the 'feeling' that comes from nearing one self to sin.  It is Ash Wednesday and already I'm on the edge;  Lent has just begun and already I feel challenged. 
 
Praying that these next 40 days I am in the state of compunction.  That it leads me to repentance and change; ending my path at the foot of the cross.  I hope to gaze up upon the crucified King and know that I have walked with Him and towards Him.

 Praying for us all

Shrove Tuesday!

Whether today is Mardi Gras, Fat Tuesday, Shrove Tuesday or even Pancake Day for you.  It is always the last day before Ash Wednesday and the beginning of Lent.  40 days of self sacrifice, of doing more, growing more, being more for Jesus.  It's a time of silence and keeping focus on our souls.  For many it'll be a time of deep reflection, while for others it may be a time of change.

Shrove Tuesday is the last day of what traditionally was called "Shrovetide," the week preceding the beginning of Lent. The word itself, Shrovetide, is the English equivalent for "Carnival," which is derived from the Latin words carnem levare, meaning "to take away the flesh." (Note that in Germany, this period is called "Fasching," and in parts of the United States, particularly Louisiana, "Mardi Gras.") While this was seen as the last chance for merriment, and, unfortunately in some places, has resulted in excessive pleasure, Shrovetide was the time to cast off things of the flesh and to prepare spiritually for Lent.  Actually, the English term provides the best meaning for this period. "To shrive" meant to hear confessions

~ Catholic Culture

This is my favorite season of the liturgical year.  We are going to have a mix bag of pancakes and a dish packed with meat for dinner.  Then I'm off to assist with the confirmation class and we are in for a super treat with Fr. S beginning our evening with a talk regarding Lent.  Since he just returned from a retreat with fellow priest, I'm sure he is on FIRE right now and ready to feed the flock.

For my kiddies though we've had a day of music, lessons and Mardi Gras fun...check it out:

I wanted the kids to know whey there are 3 specific colors used on Mardi Gras

So I used a simple chart I made for them to fill in the meaning as we spoke about each color

(it's an easy little download I made and you may use it if you like)

Purple is for Lent signifying Justice

Gold is for Easter signifying Power

Green is for Epiphany signifying Faith;  

it officially ends the season of Epiphany and is the vigil for the starting of Lent

We then moved on to make Mardi Gras masks.  We used a simple template from here first found by Charlotte.

We spent some time on these, talking about our human mask.  The easiness of hiding our sins behind such masks but how our real selves are always seen by God. 

Our real selves are always so much nicer and the masks are fun to use for play.  But I really wanted the kids to understand that the play of 'Mardi Gras' as seen on T.V and such isn't what we celebrate.  As Fr. S stated tonight (I had to finish this post after my class) we enter into Lent to shed ourselves of what keeps us fulling from God.  We don't party it out on 'Fat Tuesday'.  We use today to prepare our way as we enter this time of Lent.

Look at those smiles...

Now for the morning and the start of Lent!

God, heavenly Father, look upon me and hear my prayer during this holy Season of Lent. By the good works You inspire, help me to discipline my body and to be renewed in spirit.

Without You I can do nothing. By Your Spirit help me to know what is right and to be eager in doing Your will. Teach me to find new life through penance. Keep me from sin, and help me live by Your commandment of love. God of love, bring me back to You. Send Your Spirit to make me strong in faith and active in good works. May my acts of penance bring me Your forgiveness, open my heart to Your love, and prepare me for the coming feast of the Resurrection of Jesus.

Lord, during this Lenten Season, nourish me with Your Word of life and make me one with You in love and prayer.

Fill my heart with Your love and keep me faithful to the Gospel of Christ. Give me the grace to rise above my human weakness. Give me new life by Your Sacraments, especially the Mass.

Father, our source of life, I reach out with joy to grasp Your hand; let me walk more readily in Your ways. Guide me in Your gentle mercy, for left to myself I cannot do Your Will.

Father of love, source of all blessings, help me to pass from my old life of sin to the new life of grace. Prepare me for the glory of Your Kingdom. I ask this through our Lord Jesus Christ, Your Son, Who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, forever.

Amen

Check out http://catholicicing.com/2012/02/lenten-link-up/
to Lent!

March for LIFE 2011

If you near would you please join us!

"The LA March is a ecumenical event that is brought to you by the Knights of Columbus, Van Nuys Council 3148. The purpose of the event is to raise awareness of the plight of the unborn and to raise funds that support pro-life causes in the San Fernando Valley."

~ The L.A March website

Our family participated several years ago, so I'm very excited to join the march once again.

This isn't a 'protest' kind of a march but a loving-educational event for everyone.  I remember leaving that corner moved and motivated.

This year's guest speakers include: Keynote, Bishop Gerald E. Wilkerson, Auxiliary Bishop of the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Los Angeles, Dr. La Verne Tolbert, Former member on the Board of Directors of Planned Parenthood NYC and now an avid pro-life advocate, and Jeff White Co-founder of SURVIVORS and Operation Rescue West Coast.

If you are near on

March 17, 2011

JOIN THE MARCH!

Details can be found on the

Los Angeles March for Life

website

"America you are beautiful . . . and blessed . . . . The ultimate test of your greatness is the way you treat every human being, but especially the weakest and most defenseless. If you want equal justice for all and true freedom and lasting peace, then America, defend life." - Pope John Paul II

Under Contruction

Excuse the mess while I do some changes to the blog ;-)

{Pretty, Happy, Funny, Real}

{Pretty}

A new hair cut for Rose and an adoring sister, who desperately wants her hair cut too.

{Happy}

The Lineman had Monday off from work so we packed the kids early and drove south to Legoland.  It was a total surprise for the three youngest ones.  There were signs with 'Legoland' as soon as we got off the FWY, but they weren't paying attention.  Max figured it out soon enough; once you drive up to their main street there are legos everywhere.  He just giggled the answer, "Oh I see lots of legos....I know where we are!"

{Funny}

We split up into two teams for a race.  It's funny how the guys react to competition.  They can get pretty serious about it; in this case Lucy and I were the serious ones. 

 It was game on! 

Lucy, Rose and myself were in the firetruck and Max, Cecilia and the Lineman were the police officers.

Due to technical difficulties, or should I say a very strong Papi, we came in 3rd.

{Real}

A home schooling family's idea of discipline.

I bet they'll finish their math next time!

(so kidding here, but I am tempted to build this at home;-))

~ Capturing the context of everyday life ~

Every Thursday, over at Like Mother, Like Daughter!

Finding love in the day

Did you know it was the feast of St. Valentine yesterday?  It kinda snuck up on me, rather like a cold.  Not that I don't enjoy the hearts, the reds and pinks, or the expression of love.  I totally do.  But, I hadn't prepared and I've been in a disconnected kind of place lately. 

Oh I'm not throwing a bah-hum-bug party, don't worry.  But celebrating lovely feast days and cool holidays is my kinda thing.  So, when I awoke to my kids making the heart shaped pancakes with beds made-chores done; when it's usually me raising them up from their sleep with the aroma of heavenly pancakes in some sort of heart shaped form (oh the violins are loud in the background), I knew I my head was in too many places and NOT at home.  

The breakfast was lovely and appreciated!  A momma needs some TLC too.  My visit to put steel on my teeth, and the thought of having to live with them for oh the next 2 years, was not as appreciated. Note, there will be less pictures of me on this blog for quite a while ;-).

Once I energized with a yummy green smoothie though, I gathered myself together.  The supplies were brought out, the computer became our ever loyal friend and we started crafting.

Max created

pencil holders using Lacy's down loadable cards!  Thank you Lacy for sharing!

Cecilia chose to express her love with some bling.

Several priceless jewels tucked away in her pouch for safe delivery.

Let Friendship Ring

Rose chose to write 3 very special cards

She decorated them as she wanted, writing a personal note to her recipients.

Lucy, as the big kid opted to use this image of St. Valentine

Making individually decorated Holy Cards to pass along to her cousins.

When the Lineman came home from work, he accepted my prompting to take the kids to deliver their love notes.  This would give me the time to cook, bake and decorate for a

St. Valentine's Dinner

The Lineman showed up with pretty white roses, several a bottle of wine, and my favorite dessert...FLAN...it was super good!

What started as a unprepared day,

ended exactly as it was meant too!

May God's unending love be forever appreciated!