Let the Little Ones Come

For Bill

Our family has a great devotion to St. Josemaria Escriva and we have been asking his intercession these past months for Bill.  Could you please pray for Bill this morning if you are able? Thank you very much!

Sixty Saints for Girls and Boys

 

 I cannot believe that in all of my 14 years of parenting, I have not heard of Joan Windham.  I just recently discovered the treasure of books that she has written on the lives of the saints and I am overjoyed to have new stories to read to my little ones.  

Windham has written many books but most of her saints stories are included in the anthologies:  Sixty Saints for Girls and Sixty Saints for Boys.

The stories are a perfect length to read aloud in one sitting for the younger set or to be read alone by the older set!   I used her story on St. Catherine of Siena when I taught Little Flowers this past year and the story was fabulous--very detailed and written so engagingly.  I haven't been so excited about a saints book since I discovered Ethel Pochocki's Once Upon a Time Saints books.  :)

Oh, and I just discovered that Pochocki has written a third volume in her saints series.  A great idea for a Christmas gift!  ;)

Queen of May

Our family's homeschool group had a wonderful May Crowning and procession this past week.  A lovely mom organized a beautiful day for us beginning with Holy Mass and then continuing with the Rosary and then topped off with yummy food (much of it blue to honor Our Lady) and a craft (May baskets for the moms, what a lovely surprise!).  See the pictures below for a little peek into our beautiful day!

Fr. S led us in the recitation of the Joyful Mysteries.  For each Hail Mary, a child laid a carnation at the Blessed Mother's feet.  

Our Lady with her crown of flowers.

Everyone tried to wear blue to honor Our Lady...Doesn't our little homeschool group look festive?

Little Joseph giving Mary a big hug before we headed home....

Happy Mothers Day!

Our family's Mary Wall

The Most Important Person on earth is a mother.

She cannot claim the honor of having built Notre Dame Cathedral.

She need not.

She has built something more magnificent than any cathedral

-a dwelling for an immortal soul, the tiny perfection of her baby's body...

The angels have not been blessed with such a grace.

They cannot share in God's creative miracle to bring new saints to Heaven.

Only a human mother can.

Mothers are closer to God the Creator than any other creature;

God joins forces with mothers in performing this act of creation…

What on God's good earth is more glorious than this: to be a mother?

 -Joseph Cardinal Mindszenty

John Paul II, Pray for Us

On the fourth anniversary of his death, may we remember always this holy man who I am sure now intercedes for us before our Heavenly Father.

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O Blessed Trinity We thank You for having graced the Church with Pope John Paul II and for allowing the tenderness of your Fatherly care, the glory of the cross of Christ, and the splendor of the Holy Spirit, to shine through him. Trusting fully in Your infinite mercy and in the maternal intercession of Mary, he has given us a living image of Jesus the Good Shepherd, and has shown us that holinessis the necessary measure of ordinary Christian life and is the way of achieving eternal communion with you. Grant us, by his intercession, and according to Your will, the graces we implore, hoping that he will soon be numbered among your saints. Amen.

Blessed Feast of the Annunciation!

"And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us."

--St. John, 1:14

Bible Study

Meg and I began a new bible study last week.  It is based on Jeff Cavins' Great Adventure Bible Study.  It is so well-done--a very good and dynamic study of the bible focusing on fourteen core books of the bible to give you a good feel for bible timeline/history.  I am watching the DVDs with Maggie and we are both reading scripture on our own and discussing.  Fun, Fun!!

Today, I discovered an email in my inbox with the announcement of a kids' version of the Great Adventure Bible Study.  I am very tempted to buy it right away.  It looks terrific for the little kiddos!

And meanwhile, I am still slowly making my way through the Acts of the Apostles in my Navarre Bible!  It is all good!

Remembering Michael Today

Today I visited Michael's mother and aunt's blog.  I found a little more information about how he is doing.  Can you remember him in your prayers today?  When we lost our little baby, Will, I had a copy of Mother's Manual with me.  That little blue book comforted me so very much.  Here is a prayer that has meant a lot to me. 

For a sick child

Dearest Mother, how helpless I feel in the presence of my ailing child!  No labor of my hands, or sacrifice of my energy, can restore my child quickly to health.  And yet my heart yearns to do something for my child.  

So to you I turn, dear mother, consoler of the afflicted and health of the sick.  Show your loving protection once more and, as my child was blessed in my womb and at his birth, so intercede for him now that God may restore his health of body.

I renew the consecration of my child to you forever, most cherished mother.  In sickness and in health,may it be always yours.

Mary, sorrowing, Mother of all Christians, pray for us.

Please Pray for Michael.

Michael Summerville is fighting for his life.  Please pray for this brave little toddler who is exactly my little Joseph's age.  I have been beseeching our Lord for a miracle, won't you join me?

Today, Michael's mom, Sabine, asked for more prayers:

"Please, please, do not give up on Michael. He is fighting so hard. I don't know about the rest of you, but perseverance does not come easily to me. This situation will surely be a test for us all. I continue to stop and ask strangers to pray for our Michaelman and encourage you all to do the same!" 

If everyone who reads this would please storm Heaven for Michael!!  Fast.  Offer Sacrifices.  Pray.  

Thank you.  

God bless you and Mary keep you.

Prayers for a gentle soul

Meg's godfather passed away Saturday morning at the age of 78.  He had been diagnosed with pulmonary fibrosis a few years ago and had begun to suffer terribly from this disease.  He was a gentle, loving soul and a father to five, grandfather to 11.  He will be sorely missed.  Please pray for the repose of his soul.  

Eternal rest grant unto him, O Lord.

And let perpetual light shine upon him.

May his soul and the souls of all the faithful departed, rest in peace.

Amen.