St. Valentine was a Bishop and Martyr

and we should remember him today, on his Feast, for all the self-less things he did (perhaps we should also try to be a little selfless ourselves today?)

For those of us from the Eastern regions, though, there is even more to celebrate!

Come on...it's hysterical. Laugh a little :0)

Whether you're a Valentine or a Cyril and Methodius, let us invoke these and all the Saints to pray for us as we traverse this life until, with God's grace (and our humility), we meet them one day in Heaven.

We are blessed.

All You Holy Men and Women

Yay, we're finally to the actual feast of All Saints! I admit, even though the kids didn't dress up for Mass (they used to...it was fun, actually), it has to be up there among my favorite holi(y)days. I think that is in no small part because it's an excellent antidote to the previous day's festivities. Yes, we go trick or treating because we have some dear friends from church that enjoy seeing the kids (as do auntie and grammy), but I am pleased that we've come to a good balance with everything.

Some of the last few days of activity...

Saturday - the local Halloween parade. Lots of candy, extra bonus of seeing certain godparents we love...

Post-parade, we head to the church next door for Trunk or Treat. We have gone to this for several years now and we love it. Each trunk is a different Bible story so the kids collect candy and review some of our favorite parts of the faith.

like Noah's Ark...fun.

After TorT, dh took them to a friend's apartment building where they were having an in-house trick or treat for the older folks. What a wonderful concept. It was clear from a lot of the treats handed out that they had been worked on and thought about for some time. Corporal works of mercy...every day...even for Halloween ;0)


Sunday 

We headed to Mass, the 40 Days for Life vigil (still a few more days for you to go!), then home to finish the preparations. We've been having a Saints party for a few years as well and it's been such a blessing, especially when it falls before Halloween, to put our hearts and minds towards heaven...all while having fun and learning good things.

Some excellent Saints this year, as always!

 

Sorting the Rosary mysteries with St. Dominic and playing memory match with St. Theresa's joyful faces

Saints quiz with St. Ignatius of Loyola and, I'm told, someone forgot a bunch of the books for the Bible sort with St. Jerome. Mea maxima culpa. I was really tired...and if the Latin is incorrect, again, not my language. ;0)

Everyone loved bowling down the fallen angels with St. Michael !

 Of course, every party needs food and, of course, a Saints' party needs Saintly food...
 

I have found this to be one of the most instructive exercises about the Saints. St. Seraphim was a monk who lived in the wilderness and befriended a bear...St. Peter Chanel, a missionary who was clubbed to death by the locals. The fish aren't labeled because all the fishermen Saints wouldn't fit on the sign!

I couldn't find any Saint (Dorothy does have apples) who would cover the fruit bowl so, close enough. This year we had St. Sylvia instead of St. Isadore the farmer for the veggies.

The kids seemed to enjoy themselves again this year and it is wonderful to watch them interact with one another as they live out and learn their faith. What greater examples do we have in almost any aspect or situation of life (except fruit, apparently!) than the Saints? We can always turn to them for guidance!

Monday 

After Mass and family Adoration, we somehow managed to fit in some classwork on Halloween (ok, probably as much as the other schools did) and then it was time to head out for the candy grab. I was grateful to dh for toning it down a bit this year. We went to a dear lady's home to visit...

stopped at a few houses on her street then covered our block and headed home. The kids got to hand out candy for a change and play on the porch to enjoy the evening. 

I had the added blessing of filling in for someone at Adoration last night. It seemed about the most perfect way I could usher out All Hallows' Eve and usher in All Saints Day. 

Wishing you a most blessed day, filled with the grace that comes only from above. It feels right to have the Saints' attention as we head into the last week before the elections. Never a bad thing to ask for heavenly intervention.

We are blessed. 

Holy Saturday

The Eastern Europeans (and probably others of whom I am unaware) have a tradition of blessing the food for the Easter meal (the Slovaks, like Christmas, eat the main meal on the eve). We are blessed to live in a place that has a rich tradition of ethnic diversity and, as such, we have our pick of many parishes throughout the city who hold basket blessings on Holy Saturday.

Today, like last year, we went to our home parish. There is a preciousness to having the priests who guide your parish family bless the food you will share with your home family.

Last night on EWTN (or this morning, I guess, we were up late), I heard a lovely discussion about Holy Saturday. The priest remarked that it was a day to concentrate on Our Lady and her sorrows. How blessed I was to have a beautiful day for a run followed by time for a rosary and reflection with the Blessed Mother.

I have no idea what the flower chain is for

She walked with me when I lost my child so I figured it was the least I could do. As always, the grace flowed and it was such a blessed few minutes alone with the woman who knows best the trials and blessings of motherhood.

Not to be forgotten, Bishop Barron had a wonderful ancient homily on his post today about Jesus descending to hell and speaking to Adam...

See the scourging of my back, which I accepted in order to disperse the load of your sins which was laid upon your back. See my hands nailed to the tree for a good purpose, for you, who stretched out your hand to the tree for an evil one.

I slept on the cross and a sword pierced my side, for you, who slept in paradise and brought forth Eve from your side. My side healed the pain of your side; my sleep will release you from your sleep in Hades; my sword has checked the sword which was turned against you.

But arise, let us go hence. The enemy brought you out of the land of paradise; I will reinstate you, no longer in paradise, but on the throne of heaven. I denied you the tree of life, which was a figure, but now I myself am united to you, I who am life. I posted the cherubim to guard you as they would slaves; now I make the cherubim worship you as they would God.

Dinner tonight with my family, mom and aunt. It's hard to believe tomorrow could be any better but, as we know, it will be so glorious. Wishing you all a most blessed Easter, filled with the glory of the resurrected Jesus, Our Savior.

We are blessed.

Then again...

I sometimes jump the gun on the quality of my day.

Full-disclosure/girl-stuff moment...I am extremely anemic right now. My favorite Bible passage is Luke 8:40-48 because, while not 40 years, I can say I've identified with the woman in a big way for at least the last 25. I love pregnancy because it means no periods for a year...hurray! That's not the case today. Today is a day when I need an iron shot or, more truthfully, a blood transfusion.

Digression over...just trying to set the stage. We spent most of the morning searching down library books needed to write reports and by the time swim lessons came around, I was exhausted. We made it through that (thank you car video and Pocoyo!) and came home. It's Wednesday...

Our church has holy hour every Wednesday. If you've been reading the blog, you know I always find some good stuff at holy hour. Tonight, even in my exhaustion and dragging two tired little people along (the others were well-behaved...minor miracle), the grace was flowing.

I know this because as we pulled up I heard drums...and amplified guitar. The church next to ours is fond of this type of worship. Let me say I don't even like Festivals of Praise because Adoration, to me, is silent (or as silent as little people can be...I'm good with chatting about Jesus in the Monstrance or saying a Divine Mercy Chaplet...nice, right? Drums? Not so much). When we entered the church we were good because the rectory serves as a block to most of the rock church next door. Problem solved.

Except for the neighbors on the other side...Crossfit moved in a few months ago. Let me say I have nothing against people working out. It's a good thing. If I have a few childless moments and have planned ahead, I too like to indulge in a little physical activity. The noise music, however, I find less-than-appealing.

They don't care of course and usually it drives me a little to distraction. Today? Grace. Complete and total Grace. I heard it, I felt it and I had no reaction at all. I looked at the Monstrance and thought, "I'm where I need to be". Father furthered that idea in his homily which I enjoy because sometimes I think I'm just wandering alone out there.

Somewhere in the "quiet time" of the hour, I looked toward the Tabernacle. We have a beautiful space to house our Tabernacle.

God above with His hands outstretched, the Blessed Mother below Him and a ring of Marian Saints surrounding Jesus in His Tabernacle. It's such a lovely sight.

Well, tonight we sat in the right section in the back and when I looked up I saw the Tabernacle completely but only God's right hand and arm and the right hand of the Blessed Mother. For the next few minutes my eye kept being called back there.

I feel like most days (certainly today), that's my life. I'm not a Fatima kid or a great Saint. The visions of God and Our Lady are not mine to enjoy in this life. Still, the grace I receive is enough to remind me that they are there, leading me. Their hands are clear to me (except on those days when I have to walk completely with faith...thankfully they are few lately) and enough to keep me walking toward the goal. I know, earlier in my life, it was probably more like the tip of one finger and I am grateful that I held on in that precarious time. I know now that the Tabernacle in full view is what allows me to walk with certainty on more days than not. He is pushing me as His dear Mother and Our Father guide me. What an amazing blessing to have. What a gift of grace...and dearly needed in this life.

Father talked about the joy of having our crosses to unite with Christ's. Tonight, in my state, having an extra 40+ pounds push my tailbone most uncomfortably into the wood of the pew...that's about as clear a sign as any I can hope for in this life. I prayed hard and thought of all the intentions for which I could offer the pain only, in God's goodness, to be rewarded at the end of the service with the realization that I had been holding my very own cherub during that most difficult time.

Following His will can take more strength than any human has alone. This is why it is essential that we do all we can to draw more closely to Him as often as possible. His Grace is sufficient.

Genitori, Genitoque
Laus et jubilatio,
Salus, honor, virtus quoque
Sit et benedictio:
rocedenti ab utroque
Compar sit laudatio. Amen. 

(To the everlasting Father,
And the Son Who reigns on high
With the Holy Ghost proceeding
Forth from each eternally,
Be salvation, honor, blessing,
Might and endless majesty. Amen.)

We are blessed.

A few on Friday

since I have no idea how much time I have before some little person wanders in asking to eat more candy, let's get started...

1. Better Than Candy

 

Have you had them yet? Wow, they are awesome! Make sure you get the salted ones, though...I seem to keep making that mistake and then they're kind of pfft. The Sweets and Beets are also yum.

 

 

2. Our pre-Halloween

 

I figure the school kids are having their parties so we always make the rounds to the elder stateswomen in the afternoon. My aunt, mom and mom's neighbor always make a fuss and dump unreasonable amounts of candy on these little people. My mom is so cute...she even made them a "pin the nose on the jack-o-lantern". She is such a good Grammy :0)

 

Mr. "G"iraffe :0) Cutie

It was a tie between #s 2&4

Afterward, there were the rides on Grammy's chair...indoor Kennywood!

 

3. Art Class

 

The older two have been taking an art class through a homeschool group for the last two weeks. This session, they're studying Monet's The Japanese Footbridge.

 

 

I don't know a lot about the teacher but she must be fantastic. I sent her two semi-excited, non-artistic kids and she got them to do this (and talk about it...which means they were extremely excited). Can't wait for Seurat!

 

4. Teaching the Kids

 

Tomorrow is the last soccer game and the dress rehearsal for Sunday's show. The more important things is that it's All Saints Day. We usually dress for Mass but, since it's not a Holy Day of Obligation this year (really? come on people! - a quote from #1. She may or may not have heard it from me) we may go in our non-Saintly attire. We'll see how the morning goes.

 

Regardless, we will do our best to spend the day continuing our discussions from Wednesday. A HUGE help will come in the form of CCD Celebration Saturday (once-a-month meeting for homeschooled kids at our parish). They are covering All Saints Day and the service project after is Burying the Dead (for All Souls on Sunday) during which they will visit the cemetery, leave flowers, and look for Saints names among the dead. Yes, our DRE is AMAZING. The kids are so blessed with the opportunities she provides. Pray it doesn't snow :0(

 

I'll leave it at 4 since I'm out of time.

 

Wishing you a holy All Hallows Eve, All Saints Day and All Souls Day. We are blessed! 





 









For all the Saints...

Yes, there was this during the week...

but let's get to the more important stuff!

1. Home School Saints Party

 

This is our second year and it's a not-to-be-missed event! If my kids were in school (especially a school who had an issue with kids dressing as a Saint for Halloween) I would sneak them in to this activity ;0). It's an awesome event. "Guess the Saint", Saints bingo, everything concentrating on the important part of late October/early November. Not a mummy, zombie or witch to be seen!

 

If you need a quick and easy refresher on how to approach Halloween with your Catholic kids, head over here.

 

 

2. All Saints Mass

 

We are early-risers so we always end up at 8 AM Mass for the Holy Days (also because DH has to get to work and can't wait around until 10). We have dressed in our Saints costumes for two years now and it's been awesome. People come up and talk to the kids about their Saint and tell them how happy they are to see the Saints here with them today. It can feel a bit awkward but, thankfully, it's our usual Mass and the people are used to our family doing things in a big Catholic way. This is our way of being in the world...we use every opportunity possible to witness to our faith. Hopefully when the kids are older we can walk up the main street to church in full costume. That would be awesome :0)

 

St. George (with his phone - lol), St. Francis of Assisi, St. Anne (not into the paparazzi),

St. Wenceslaus and St. Zita

 

 

3. Learning about the Saints

 

When we got home, today's lesson was on the Saints! Ha, I love that! So, for our history/art/reading, we learned about each kid's Name Saint, including their symbol (and why it's their symbol) and then colored a corresponding sheet to hang. I like the way it came out, including #1s - no template for those over 6 ;0)

 



 

All you holy men and women, Pray For Us! Wishing you all a blessed day.

 



All You Holy Men and Women...

pray for us!!!

From the Saints-In-Training, we wish you a very blessed All Saints Day!

 

(St. Cecilia, St. Nicholas and St. Dominic...St. George and the little angel were not tolerating the paparazzi today)

Lord, have mercy on us. Christ, have mercy on us. Lord, have mercy on us. Christ, hear us.	Lord, have mercy on us. Christ, have mercy on us. Lord, have mercy on us. Christ, graciously hear us.
God, the Father of heaven, God the Son, Redeemer of the world, God the Holy Spirit, Holy Trinity, one God,	have mercy on us. have mercy on us. have mercy on us. have mercy on us.
Holy Mary, Holy Mother of God, Holy Virgin of virgins, St. Michael, St. Gabriel, St. Raphael, All you Holy Angels and Archangels, St. John the Baptist, St. Joseph, All you Holy Patriarchs and Prophets,	pray for us. pray for us. pray for us. pray for us. pray for us. pray for us. pray for us. pray for us. pray for us. pray for us.
St. Peter, St. Paul, St. Andrew, St. James, St. John, St. Thomas, St. James, St. Philip, St. Bartholomew, St. Matthew, St. Simon, St. Jude, St. Matthias, St. Barnabas, St. Luke, St. Mark, All you holy Apostles and Evangelists, All you holy Disciples of the Lord, All you holy Innocents,	pray for us. pray for us. pray for us. pray for us. pray for us. pray for us. pray for us. pray for us. pray for us. pray for us. pray for us. pray for us. pray for us. pray for us. pray for us. pray for us. pray for us. pray for us.
St. Stephen, St. Lawrence, St. Vincent, Sts. Fabian and Sebastian, Sts. John and Paul, Sts. Cosmos and Damian, All you holy Martyrs,	pray for us. pray for us. pray for us. pray for us. pray for us. pray for us. pray for us.
St. Sylvester, St. Gregory, St. Ambrose, St. Augustine, St. Jerome, St. Martin, St. Nicholas, All you holy Bishops and Confessors, All you holy Doctors,	pray for us. pray for us. pray for us. pray for us. pray for us. pray for us. pray for us. pray for us. pray for us.
St. Anthony, St. Benedict, St. Bernard, St. Dominic, St. Francis, All you holy Priests and Levites, All you holy Monks and Hermits,	pray for us. pray for us. pray for us. pray for us. pray for us. pray for us. pray for us.
St. Mary Magdalene, St. Agatha, St. Lucy, St. Agnes, St. Cecilia, St. Anastasia, St. Catherine, St. Clare, All you holy Virgins and Widows, All you holy Saints of God,	pray for us. pray for us. pray for us. pray for us. pray for us. pray for us. pray for us. pray for us. pray for us. pray for us.
Lord, be merciful, From all evil, From all sin, From your wrath, From a sudden and unprovided death, From the snares of the devil, From anger, hatred, and all ill-will, From the spirit of uncleanness, From lightning and tempest, From the scourge of earthquake, From plague, famine, and war, From everlasting death,	Lord, save your people. Lord, save your people. Lord, save your people. Lord, save your people. Lord, save your people. Lord, save your people. Lord, save your people. Lord, save your people. Lord, save your people. Lord, save your people. Lord, save your people. Lord, save your people.
By the mystery of your holy Incarnation, By your Coming, By your Birth, By your Baptism and holy fasting, By your Cross and Passion, By your Death and Burial, By your holy Resurrection, By your wonderful Ascension, By the coming of the Holy Spirit, On the day of judgment,	Lord, save your people. Lord, save your people. Lord, save your people. Lord, save your people. Lord, save your people. Lord, save your people. Lord, save your people. Lord, save your people. Lord, save your people. Lord, save your people.
Be merciful to us sinners,	Lord, hear our prayer.
That you will spare us, That you will pardon us, That it may please you to bring us to true penance, Guide and protect your holy Church, Preserve in holy religion the Pope, and all those in holy Orders, Humble the enemies of holy Church, Give peace and unity to the whole Christian people, Bring back to the unity of the Church all those who are straying, and bring all unbelievers to the light of the Gospel, Strengthen and preserve us in your holy service, Raise our minds to desire the things of heaven, Reward all our benefactors with eternal blessings, Deliver our souls from eternal damnation, and the souls of our brethren, relatives, and benefactors, Give and preserve the fruits of the earth, Grant eternal rest to all the faithful departed, That it may please You to hear and heed us, Jesus, Son of the Living God,	Lord, hear our prayer. Lord, hear our prayer. Lord, hear our prayer. Lord, hear our prayer. Lord, hear our prayer. Lord, hear our prayer. Lord, hear our prayer. Lord, hear our prayer. Lord, hear our prayer. Lord, hear our prayer. Lord, hear our prayer. Lord, hear our prayer. Lord, hear our prayer. Lord, hear our prayer. Lord, hear our prayer.
Lamb of God, who takes away the sins of the world, Lamb of God, who takes away the sins of the world, Lamb of God, who takes away the sins of the world,	Spare us, O Lord! Graciously hear us, O Lord! Have mercy on us.
Christ, hear us,Lord Jesus, hear our prayer. Lord, have mercy on us. Christ, have mercy on us. Lord, have mercy on us.	Christ, graciously hear us Lord Jesus, hear our prayer. Lord, have mercy on us. Christ, have mercy on us. Lord, have mercy on us.