WooHoo: we closed!

Say goodbye to Colorado ... hello to Virginia.

The house closed today and we can't thank you all enough for your many prayers throughout this rather long year+ ...

but thanks to the intercessions of Mary, Joseph and Servant of God JPtheGreat, as well as prayers to a local hero, the papers were signed and the keys turned over on the very day JPtheGreat was born 89 years ago in a small Polish village -- Happy Birthday to Servant of God, JP the Great!

And again thanks for all the prayers ... keep 'em coming for the house here, please!

Prayer: please pray for a home-school mom

Please, please send up extra prayers for Elizabeth -- a young mom undergoing a major cancer-related surgery on Thursday ... please pray for her health, her surgical-team's prowess, her recovery and her lovely family ...

Novena: I guess it depends on WHO you pray thru ...

... because I gotta say that this past weekend we began to pray thru a good friend's FIL who died this past September as well as thru his daughter-in-law (a wonderful Dominican who we just found out is in a cloistered community now ... so of course we sent a prayer request to her and her fellow sisters RIGHT AWAY! and got a response back that of course she would pray (as well as her community) as often as possible!) ....

Anyway, this morning we got word that the Colorado closing is right on track for next Monday (!) and the house we LOVE? The woman is trying to figure out the best way to make that work ...

So, it's not only praying or how you pray but also to whom you ask help .... because that was FAST work! God is SOOOO good, isn't He?

Prayers!

WOOOHOOOO!

We just signed a contract on our house in Colorado -- it's less than we paid, but more than we owe so God is so good to us!

Please continue to pray as we go thru appraisals, inspections, etc until closing in mid-May ... and thank you so much for all your prayers on our behalf. The Blessed Mother, St. Joseph and Servant of God JPtheGreat really are coming thru for us ... and we continue to pray thru them for God's assistance.

Sidebar: new petition prayer

Regular visitors to my blog will notice an addition to my sidebars -- a petition prayer card to St. Joseph. Thanks to a wonderful friend, I have this beautiful petition prayer that I'll be saying from now until the next St. Joseph feast, May 1st.

Please feel free to right-click and save this prayer card to your own computer if you'd like to join me in this prayer-pilgrimage. We continue to pray for the sale of our house in Colorado ... April 1st will mark the beginning of ANOTHER year on the market, and this is tough on us all, particularly dh! We also are discerning what the next few months and years will bring: move back to Colorado or stay here and lose the house, and/or possible job for me (which could mean no more home-educating the little ones). These are tough times ... just when praying through St. Joseph is needed most!

Thank you for any prayers you can say on our behalf. Know that you are all in my daily prayers.

St. Joseph, protector of families

pray for us!

Feast Day: St. Joseph ... otherwise known as ...

... the saint I forgot but have now found!

It's funny: I'm a cradle-Catholic from a fairly Catholic family; we celebrated feasts and the liturgical calendar; we lit candles at Advent and avoided desserts during Lent. But somehow, we never really did much for St. Joseph. Our grammar school was run by Sisters of St. Joseph, so we did have our school/parish festival on St. Joseph's Day ... but honestly, that's all I can remember!

But this year is different. Worrying about the house not selling in Colorado (yep, it's still available if you want it!), worrying about dh worrying about the house, discerning what we should do .... and on and on ... has been a blessing in many ways: I'm praying much more and have really discovered a strong devotion to St. Joseph, the patron of everything and anything.

Often, when you have trouble selling a house,folks will suggest burying a St. Joseph in the front yard. This is not the St. Joseph to whom I've found a devotion, the St. Joseph of superstition and magic.

The St. Joseph to whom I have a new-found devotion is the one that is described by St. Bernard of Clairvaux:

"There are some saints who have the power of protecting in certain specific circumstances; but St. Joseph has been granted the power to help us in every
kind of need, and to defend all who have recourse to him with pious
dispositions."

St. Teresa of Avila is even more specific: "to other saints our Lord has given power to help in one sort of need, but this glorious saint helps us in EVERY need."

How cool is that ... a saint who is second only to our Blessed Mother in closeness to Jesus and thus, God; a saint who wants to help us and only needs to be petitioned!

We've been praying the St. Joseph Novena to petition the good saint for help with our house in Colorado and discerning God's will. One part of the prayers is particularly apropos for us now: obtain for me a pure, humble, charitable mind, and perfect resignation to the Divine will. Wonderful stuff!

I particularly like this image of St. Joseph ... the father working hard while his son sits and chats and learns. When I see this, I think of my own dh gardening or working on the car and the boys sitting and talking with him, learning from him. And learning more than just a skill ... learning how to be an adult and how to love. Georges de La Tour (1593 - 1652) painted this painting titled, St. Joseph the Carpenter.
Here's the St. Joseph Litany we prayed at the end of Mass:

V/ Lord, have mercy. R/ Lord, have mercy.
V/ Christ, have mercy. R/ Christ, have mercy.
V/ Lord, have mercy. R/ Lord, have mercy.
V/ Jesus, hear us. R/ Jesus, graciously hear us.
V/ God, the Father of Heaven, R/ have mercy on us.
V/ God, the Son, Redeemer of the world, R/ have mercy on us.
V/ God, the Holy Spirit, R/ have mercy on us.
V/ Holy Trinity, One God, R/ have mercy on us.

R/for ff: pray for us.
Holy Mary,

St. Joseph,

Renowned offspring of David,

Light of Patriarchs,

Spouse of the Mother of God,

Chaste guardian of the Virgin,

Foster father of the Son of God,

Diligent protector of Christ,

Head of the Holy Family,

Joseph most just,

Joseph most chaste,

Joseph most prudent,

Joseph most strong,

Joseph most obedient,

Joseph most faithful,

Mirror of patience,

Lover of poverty,

Model of artisans,

Glory of home life,

Guardian of virgins,

Pillar of families,

Solace of the wretched,

Hope of the sick,

Patron of the dying,

Terror of demons,

Protector of Holy Church,

Lamb of God, who take away the sins of the world, R/ spare us, O Lord.
Lamb of God, who take away the sins of the world, R/ graciously hear us, O Lord.
Lamb of God, who take away the sins of the world. R/ have mercy on us.
He made him the lord of his household. R/ And prince over all his possessions.

Let us pray. O God, in your ineffable providence you were pleased to choose Blessed Joseph to be the spouse of your most holy Mother; grant, we beg you, that we may be worthy to have him for our intercessor in heaven whom on earth we venerate as our Protector: You who live and reign forever and ever. R/ Amen.

Can you see why I'm enthralled with this quiet saint about whom little is known? As Fr. Z. said at Mass today, Joseph was silent only when he needed to listen; he talked when it was necessary. A distinction I need to practice more!

So what did we do today to celebrate this wonderful feast in the Liturgical Calendar? Had a great time learning about St. Joseph through reading and discussing the wonderful meditations in this month's Magnificat. After, we each did a different craft ... String Bean did a "virtual St. Joseph altar" by coloring, cutting-out and pasting the pieces to cardstock; Bam-Bam colored a glorious picture of Joseph holding the infant Jesus; Lego-Maniac wood-burned a picture of St. Joseph while I did a shrinky dink plaque (see the beginning of this post).

Then we ran errands, including stopping at the Lego store to purchase more bricks so the kids could be "carpenters" while we watched another couple of episodes of The Adams Chronicles. Dinner was a veritable feast of St. Joseph inspired items:

• boneless-skinless chicken breasts marinated in italian dressing
• garlic-butter breadsticks (that looked like Joseph's staff) -- see recipe below
• salad with Italian dressing
• shell-pasta with butter and garlic
• Fritelle di San Guiseppe -- see recipe below

After dinner, we sat and watched the classic The Dog of Flanders, a great movie with a strong parental character, a "not sure he wants to be a father" paternal figure and a few grumpy men who should NEVER be fathers!

St. Joseph, Protector of the Holy Family, pray for us!

Recipes:

St. Joseph's Staffs (garlic butter breadsticks)

1 tbs yeast
1 1/3 c. Warm water (105 to 115 degrees)
3 tbs Vegetable oil
1 tsp. Salt
2 cups All-purpose flour
1 cup whole wheat flour
1 tbsp. honey

Dissolve yeast in warm water in 2 1/2 quart bowl. Stir in 1 cup of the flour, the oil, honey and 1 teaspoon salt. Beat until smooth. Stir in enough remaining flour, scraping dough from side of bowl, until soft dough forms. Cover and let rise in warm place until double, about 45 minutes. Heat oven to 400 degrees. Stir down dough by beating about 25 strokes. Turn dough onto generously floured surface; roll around lightly to coat with flour. Divide into 18 equal parts. Roll and shape each part dough into a rope, about 9 inches long, sprinkling with flour if dough is too sticky. Place on greased cookie sheet. When baking, bake until crust is deep golden brown and crisp, about 15 minutes. Immediately remove from cookie sheet. Store loosely covered.
Garlic-butter: while sticks are still hot, brush with mixture of 1/4cup melted butter, a minced clove of garlic, and 1 tsp dried parsley.

Frittele di San Guiseppe (from Evelyn Birge Vitz’s A Continual Feast) -- St. Joseph Fritters

2-1/4 cups milk
1 cup rice (I used brown)
Pinch of salt
1/4 tsp vanilla
1/4 cup sugar
2 eggs
1 tbls flour
1 tsp baking powder
2 tbs fruit brandy (optional – I didn’t use)
Grated rind of 1 large orange
1/2 cup golden raisins (original called for just 3 tbls)
1/2 cup chopped nuts (called for pine nuts, but I used chopped pecans; original called for just 3 tbls)

Oil for frying; powdered sugar for dusting fritters

The night before or very early on St. Joseph’s day: bring the milk to a boil in a saucepan. Add the rice, salt, vanilla and sugar. Cover the pan and simmer gently until rice is cooked and the milk absorbed – about 30-45 minutes. Let the rice cool overnight or for several hours.

Mix the cooled rice with the eggs, flour, baking powder, orange rind, raisins and nuts.

Heat oil to 375 for deep-fat frying. Drop the frittellle mixture 1 tbls at a time into the oil. Cook a few at a time, keeping the frittelle separate. Fry till golden.

Drain on a paper towel. Serve hot, sprinkled with powdered sugar.

Both of these recipes are definite keepers -- good thing St. Joseph has another feast in the calendar -- St. Joseph the Worker on May 1st!

SNOW DAY! March version

Well it seems March is going to roar in like a lion ... last night (Sunday) the snow and wind and cold started and it's still snowing and blowing a bit now, at noon on Monday!


Here's what we woke up to:

Quite a bit of the cold, wet stuff here in Virginia -- so much in fact the Federal Govt even had a late-start! I guess String Bean and Bam-Bam were right -- wearing pj's backwards the night before = snow day!


We're all home, cozy and warm, with plenty of food and things to keep us busy .... so we're having some fun today with no worrying about family on the road or having to get to or from somewhere.


Prayers for all those who had to drive somewhere today ... may they soon be back with their families and friends, drinking warm drinks and enjoying the weather inside.

It's not looking too good for out and about tomorrow either ...

Prayer: please pray for a home-school mom

See this button MicheleQ-designed button for Elizabeth:

Elizabeth, is a Catholic mom who has been battling breast cancer and she's got a tough road ahead. Please save this button (or the one in my sidebar) to your computer and post on your blog, website or even print and post nearby, so that you can send up a prayer for Elizabeth, her dh and five children.

Know that all prayers are answered ... Jesus promised "Hitherto have ye asked nothing in my name: ask, and ye shall receive"(John16:24)

Hmmm: God's in Charge!

It would be good if it could be said of you that the distinguishing feature of your life was "loving God's Will". – St. Josemaria Escriva, The Forge, #48

So often, I have a corporate mentality of seeing a problem, developing a solution, implementing the solution and then moving on. Most of the time this works ... except for when it doesn't!

We've seen this recently with our trying to sell a house in Colorado so that we can stay here in Virginia. Seems pretty simple ... fix it up ... contact a realtor ... post it for sale ... and someone will buy it.

But it's not been that simple. The house will be "for sale" for 10 months come Saturday! We've had one really, low-ball offer ("a bottom feeder", as it were) ... but otherwise, zip, zilch, nada, nothing! And this is a really nice house in a really nice area for less than we paid. At our current burn rate (i.e., paying rent here + mortgage payment there = WOW!), economic downturn of the stock market (i.e., investments heading down the tubes) ... we can't keep doing this.

So, we figure one of two conclusions: God is asking us to ask for a miracle ... that someone will come along and offer a fair and honest amount soon (i.e., within the next month) ... OR ... we are supposed to move back to Colorado.

Our newest prayer, and one that we would ask you to pray for us ...

God, if it be your Divine Will that we put down roots here, please let us have a miracle and send someone to offer a fair and honest price for the house in Colorado ... if it not be your Divine Will that we stay here in Virginia ... than please give us the grace to accept Your Divine Will and move back to Colorado, accepting this year as one of growth, love and sacrifice for the greater Good!

Thanks for any prayers you can send up ... we WANT to follow God's will ... we want to joyfully and enthusiastically do what He would have us do ... we just don't know what that is yet!

House: We need a miracle here y'all!

Dear prayer warriors ....

9 months ago I came to you with a prayer for our house in Denver to sell as dh had just accepted a job helping to start up a brand new high school here in Virginia. We're loving the school and being in Virginia, but we still haven't sold the house in Denver.

Right now we're leasing a town-house but with little ones, renting is quite stressful as every ding, bump or spill on the carpet is nerve-wracking. Our lease isn't up until June, but in March we need to tell our landlord whether we want to continue renting.

Also, we will need to do the long-haul drive to Denver this summer to work on the house if it hasn't sold by then. Altho it would be GREAT to see our Denver friends ... we'd rather they visited us here!

We've started looking at our options here and because the market is very depressed here, we have some great options -- both in-town homes or out in the country a bit with some land (and thus, space for the boys to get out all their excess energy). There are some really great places but we are stymied until we can sell our home in Colorado. We have been such "nomads" for the last dozen years that we'd like to put down roots, figuratively and literally here in Virginia.

So please, please join us in prayer that we're granted a miracle and someone wants to buy our house for a fair and just price and SOON! Also, that we're able to find a good house here, for a fair and just price, and that we're able to help a family out here in Virginia by buying the house they need to sell.

As always, we pray for you and yours daily ....

Musings, meditations and a bit of whining ...

... as I sit here at 1:50 am ...

the house is silent... we've brought in the New Year and I'm catching up on my reading of the Magnificat for this evening. Fr. Cameron (OP, of course) has some great meditations in this issue.

But what really strikes me and mine tonight is the example of Simeon and Anna -- both of whom waited and prayed ... prayed and waited for God to answer their pleas. They never gave up ... just kept praying the same prayer and it was answered with the birth of Jesus in a Stable in Bethlehem!

We have waited since end-of-March-2008 for the sale of our home in Denver. We have prayed novenas to St. Joseph, beseeched the help of Mary and prayed directly to God ...

... but our house still remains un-sold.

But tonight (or rather, this morning), I find hope ... hope in trusting that God will answer this prayer in His time ... not in mine! As Fr. Cameron puts it:

What at first seems like refusal on the Lord's part is in fact an invitation to greater ardor. Jesus blesses us with the chance to show Him how much we rely on Him and how little we can depend on ourselves.

In other words ... when we've done all we can ... all we have left is prayer and asking God to take over!

Please join us in praying for God's will to be done in the sale of our house in Denver!

2009: Resolutions for the New Year Ahead!

It’s that time of year again. Just as the year begins to wind down toward it’s end, thoughts turn to resolutions for next year – how can we improve … do better … weigh less … etc.

When I was little, resolutions were like the “what did you do this summer” – resolutions became a 500 word essay we had to write every year just after getting back from Christmas break. The resolutions were written either to look good in front of the teacher or to be sassy (think Lenten sacrifices for kids that include giving up spinach, avoiding reading books, etc).

As I matured (that is, as I got into high school and undergrad), resolutions began taking on meaning but they were all “me” focused – looking better by losing weight, getting more sleep, eating right or just generally externals that would make me superficially better. Why look deeper – wasn’t it all about me anyway and how people saw me?

Now that I have children – especially since we started home-educating – my resolutions have gotten more focused and have more meaning. I try and think how we can improve our family internally and spiritually. I really try and devise ways of making ME better internally and spiritually. I take much more time on formulating these resolutions – even started thinking about resolutions back in November this year. I like to post them on this blog, not as the 500-word essay I have to still do but so I can try to keep us more accountable for what we say we’re going to do and what we actually do. [Here is a great reason for blogging – when I write something on here, I feel accountable and responsible for making things happen, for doing what I said I would do, for making things work.]

I also try to synthesize our resolutions down to a word or two.

This year – our family resolution will be PEACE; peace that can only be acquired by re-ordering our priorities and thus our lives and home.

This year St. Athanasius Academy will focus on setting our priorities to be: God, family, school and all else.

In other words, we’ll try to focus our family on going to daily Mass as often as practicable, living the liturgical year (with all Her feasts, fasts and festivities), and generally serving God first and foremost.

Than the next priority would be peace in the family – joy and love with a true reduction in bickering and sarcastic comments. We’ll work more toward focusing on our family – more family game nights, reading together, movies, etc. We’ll go on weekly outings. During the day, we’ll focus on helping each other – with the older ones helping the younger ones with school work, with playing games, with being a family. We’ll work on getting outside every day to enjoy God’s creation, regardless of the weather – something I am not good about but really want to change.

Our next priority than becomes our school-time. We need to refocus our time and energy so our days are more organized for doing the school work we need to get done. Reading, writing and math will be the focus … but with all the other subjects included. Focus will be not only on attaining the proper skills and subject mastery but also in fluency and ability to tell and live the story of our Faith, our History, our world.

Our special prayer, that we will add to our evening meal prayer, will be:

Prayer to Our Lady, Queen of Peace
Glorious Queen of Peace
grant us peace in our hearts,
harmony in our families
and concord throughout the world.

Immaculate Mother,
as patroness of our beloved country,
watch over us and protect us with your motherly love.

Our Lady, Queen of Peace, pray for us.

A book that will help us – especially me – in finding and maintaining peace is, oddly enough, titled Searching for and Maintaining Peace: A Small Treatise on Peace of Heart by Fr. Jacques Phillipe. This is one of those tiny volumes (only a slim paperback) that packs a punch in every paragraph. Fr. Phillipe gently and lovingly explains why many of us are restless and not at peace; how to re-order our lives to ensure that we obtain peace, and finally, how to retain the peace we find, primarily through living the lives God wants us to live.

+=+=+

My personal resolution this year is Humility:

• Humility instead of tearing down others through gossip or conjecture.
• Humility by striving to put others first.
• Humility to joyfully accept God’s will for me and mine.
• Humility to put my own wants and desires after all else.

Here is the prayer I’ll be praying at least once per day:

Litany of Humility
by Cardinal Merry del Val
(1865-1930; Cardinal Secretary of State under St. Pius X).

O Jesus meek and humble of heart, Hear me.

From the desire of being esteemed,

From the desire of being loved,

From the desire of being extolled,

From the desire of being honored,

From the desire of being praised,

From the desire of being preferred to others,

From the desire of being consulted,

From the desire of being approved,

Deliver me, Jesus.

From the fear of being humiliated,

From the fear of being despised,

From the fear of suffering rebukes,

From the fear of being calumniated,

From the fear of being forgotten,

From the fear of being ridiculed,

From the fear of being wronged,

From the fear of being suspected,

Deliver me, Jesus.

That others may be loved more than I,

That others may be esteemed more than I,

That in the opinion of the world, others may increase, and I may decrease,

That others may be chosen and I set aside,

That others may be praised and I unnoticed,

That others may be preferred to me in everything,

That others may become holier than I, provided that I become as holy as I should,
Jesus, grant me the grace to desire it. Amen.

In addition, I’ll be praying this short prayer throughout my day:

Lord, Jesus Christ, have mercy on me a sinner
Lord, Jesus Christ, help me to joyfully embrace the Will of the Father
Lord, Jesus Christ, help me be a living example of faith, hope and love

In today’s Magnificat, there is a reflection from Pope Benedict XVI, that sums up my need to do resolutions and try to keep them:

A new beginning is something precious; it brings hope and possibilities as yet undisclosed…. we can use the time of reflection in order to stand aside and widen our vision, thus gaining inner freedom and a patient readiness to move on again.

Blessings and prayers for

a healthy, holy and happy 2009!

Feast Day: Immaculate Conception

Couldn't let today go by without posting ... The Feast of the Immaculate Conception is a BIGGGGGG deal for Catholics. This is when we affirm that the Blessed Mother, in order to carry the Christ Child, in order to BE the Mother of God, in order to be "full of grace" -- HAD to be conceived and born without the stain of original sin. In some ways, this is an obvious doctrine -- how could the woman who carried the Son of God be anything less than the New Eve ... be anything less than the perfect human.

Some folks have a problem with this doctrine -- to me, it's an obvious one.

And we love to celebrate this feast -- it comes in the midst of Advent, when we're all focused on Christ's birth. It comes when we need to remember the joy of the season of Advent, while still remembering that Jesus came into this world to die for our sins! It comes at a perfect time -- which makes sense as this is all part of God's plan and MUST be perfect.

Today, since Kotch had the day off (going to a good Catholic school, ends up paying off), we all were able to attend Mass with the students of dh's school. The chaplain, Fr. Z., does an amazing job of explaining doctrine so all the kids (especially the teens who may not have a whole lot of Catholicity at home) "get it".

After Mass, we did a quick run to the library, than home to celebrate the Feast. We read Tomie de Paola's beautiful tribute to Mary, Mary: Mother of Jesus, and then watched Steve Ray's Footprints of God: Mary video which is an amazing mix of history, catechism and legend blended into an entertaining and informative 60+ minute documentary. We also colored pictures and made another Marian plaque to go with our collection (thank you, Waltzing Matilda!).

We would have done more, but the littles had dress-rehearsal for their plays this weekend right between 5-7:30p.m. (and dh had to have a crown re-glued at 3:15) which doesn't leave a whole lot of time for partying (especially when dh and I are up 4:30/5:00 each school morning!).

Prayer of Pope John Paul IIDecember 8, 2003

Queen of peace, pray for us!
Our gaze is directed toward you in great fear,

to you do we turn with ever-more insistent faith in these times marked by many uncertainties and fears for the present and future of our planet.

Together we lift our confident and sorrowful petition to you,

the first fruit of humanity redeemed by Christ,

finally freed from the slavery of evil and sin:

hear the cry of the pain of victims of war

and so many forms of violence that bloody the earth.

Clear away the darkness of sorrow and worry, of hate and vengeance.

Open up our minds and hearts to faith and forgiveness!
Mother of mercy and hope:

Help every human being of every race and culture to find and embrace Jesus,

who came to earth in the mystery of Christmas to give us 'His' peace.
Mary, Queen of peace, give us Christ, true peace in the world!

Mary, the Immaculate Conception,

PRAY for US!

Elections 2008: Last word on the election ...

... and this one is from my godson/favorite nephew (as spotted on his Facebook account):

I am simultaneously frightened and (somewhat selfishly) elated at the prospects of persecution and martyrdom.

Now, let's start praying for a smooth transition, praying for a change of heart toward a culture of life and human rights for ALL humans, praying for our Country's safety, praying for an end to the divisiveness that, unfortunately, is one of the outcomes of this election.

Be Not Afraid

Here is something I really need to tattoo on my arm so I don't ever forget:

I do not understand your uneasiness, my dear Sister, nor why you take pleasure in tormenting yourself as you do about the future, when your faith teaches you that the future is in the hands of an infinitely good Father Who loves you more than you love yourself, and who understands what is necessary for you much better than you. ... Oh! how blind we are when we desire anything other than what God wills! He alone knows the dangers that threaten us in the future, and the helps we shall require. ... Would that this principle, thoroughly grasped, could put an end to the troubles and anxieties that are so useless and so destructive of our peace of mind and spiritual progress. Shall I never be able even with the help of grace to introduce into your soul this great principle of faith, so sweet, so consoling, so tranquillising? “Oh my God!” we ought to repeat, “may Your will be accomplished in me and never my own. May Yours be accomplished because it is infinitely just and also infinitely advantageous to me. I acknowledge that You can will nothing that is not for the greatest benefit to
Your creatures as long as they are submissive to Your commands. May my wishes never be granted if they do not agree perfectly with Yours, because in that case they would be disastrous to me. And if ever, my God, it happens that either through ignorance or passion I should persist in desiring things contrary to Your will, may I always be refused or punished, as the effect, not of Your justice, but of Your compassion and great mercy.”

(excerpted from Abandonment to Divine Providence by Fr. Jean-Pierre de Caussade, SJ)

The election, sale of the house, my worries about the economy and my children's futures ... God knows what I need to fight the good fight and all I need to do is ask HIM!

[ht: Magnificat for today, October 27th)

Feast: Guardian Angels

"From infancy to death human life is surrounded by their (the angels) watchful care and intercession. Beside each believer stands an angel as protector and shepherd leading him to life. Already here on earth the Christian life shares by faith in the blessed company of angels and men united to God."
- from the Catechism of the Catholic Church; 336.

I'm so thankful for God's gift a protector, shepherd, helper for each one of us. This was a gift I never thought much about until I had children.

And boy, do my kids keep their angels hopping ... especially Bam-Bam. I know his particular GA is ever aware of just exactly what he has gotten up to. The fact that we've yet to need a run to the ER or the orthopedic surgeon or even an unscheduled doc visit is proof of the pudding!

Today we used the Guardian Angel prayer for copywork and while I read St. Patrick's Summer, the kiddoes worked on their very own GA's ... I figure I will post the hand-written prayers and angels near the kids' beds.

Feast: Archangels -- Michael, Gabriel and Raphael

Woohoo ... we love the feast of the Archangels (September 29th) around here. The boys love the fact that these guys are cool and "bust" the Lucifer and his minions .... String Bean loves Gabriel because he got to talk to the Blessed Mother. This feast has something for everyone!

We were fortunate to be able to get to daily Mass yesterday ... reciting the St. Michael prayer as we were leaving:

St. Michael the Archangel, defend us in battle.

Be our defense against the wickedness and snares of the Devil.

May God rebuke him, we humbly pray,

and do thou, O Prince of the heavenly hosts,

by the power of God,

thrust into hell Satan,

and all the evil spirits,

who prowl about the world seeking the ruin of souls.

Amen

Thanks to a wonderful home-educating friend, we had pictures to color while we talked about the Archangels and what they did ... and continue to do ... throughout history.We then took a chance to make dessert (which we try to avoid during the week ... but being Catholic is full of sacrifices). We made a "black devil's food cake" from the classic, Betty Crocker's Picture Cookbook -- a cake I've made for YEARS!

But this time, we made it a bit differently. You can't just eat Devil's Food cake -- well, you can, but as the kiddoes remarked, that would mean we were celebrating the devil. So we have to make this cake with an emphasis on good over evil, right over wrong, sweet over bitter.

White, being the color of purity and goodness and generally a sweet option, we knew it had to be white. But running around on Mondays as we do ... we didn't have time for a gooey, cooked white frosting. Hmmmmmm....

Marshmallows are white ... fluffy ... sweet ... good! So once the cake was done -- we turned off the oven, scattered a cloud of mini-marshmallows on the warm cake, popped it back in the still-warm oven (with the door open) for about 10 minutes and then pressed the slightly melted clouds onto the chocolate.

The triumph of good over evil! (And boy was it good!)

We finished up the day with praying the Litany to the Holy Angels ... a beautiful prayer that includes a description of all the Archangels' actions throughout the Bible (Tobit, Gospels, Revelations) ... this is a great prayer to end the day:

Lord, have mercy. Lord, have mercy.

Christ, have mercy. Christ, have mercy.

Lord, have mercy. Lord, have mercy.

Christ, hear us. Christ, graciously hear us.

God, the Father of Heaven, Have mercy on us.

God, the Son, Redeemer of the world, Have mercy on us.

God, the Holy Ghost, Have mercy on us.

Holy Trinity, One God, Have mercy on us.

Holy Mary, Queen of Angels, pray for us

Holy Mother of God, pray for us

Holy Virgin of virgins, pray for us

Saint Michael, who was ever the defender of the people of God, pray for us

St. Michael, who did drive from Heaven Lucifer and his rebel crew, pray for us

St. Michael, who did cast down to Hell the accuser of our brethren, pray for us

Saint Gabriel, who did expound to Daniel the heavenly vision, pray for us

St. Gabriel, who did foretell to Zachariah the birth and ministry of John the Baptist, pray for us

St. Gabriel, who did announce to Blessed Mary the Incarnation of the Divine Word, pray for us

Saint Raphael, who did lead Tobias safely through his journey to his home again, pray for us

St. Raphael, who did deliver Sara from the devil, pray for us

St. Raphael, who did restore his sight to Tobias the elder, pray for us

All ye holy Angels, who stand around the high and lofty throne of God, pray for us

Who cry to Him continually: Holy, Holy, Holy, pray for us

Who dispel the darkness of our minds and give us light, pray for us

Who are the messengers of heavenly things to men, pray for us

Who have been appointed by God to be our guardians, pray for us

Who always behold the Face of our Father Who is in Heaven, pray for us

Who rejoice over one sinner doing penance, pray for us

Who struck the Sodomites with blindness, pray for us

Who led Lot out of the midst of the ungodly, pray for us

Who ascended and descended on the ladder of Jacob, pray for us

Who delivered the Divine Law to Moses on Mount Sinai, pray for us

Who brought good tidings when Christ was born, pray for uspray for us

Who comforted Him in His agony, pray for us

Who sat in white garments at His sepulcher, pray for us

Who appeared to the disciples as He went up into Heaven, pray for us

Who shall go before Him bearing the standard of the Cross when He comes to judgment, pray for us

Who shall gather together the elect at the End of the World, pray for us

Who shall separate the wicked from among the just, pray for us

Who offer to God the prayers of those who pray, pray for us

Who assist us at the hour of death, pray for us

Who carried Lazarus into Abraham’s bosom, pray for us

Who conduct to Heaven the souls of the just, pray for us

Who perform signs and wonders by the power of God, pray for us

Who are sent to minister for those who shall receive the inheritance of salvation, pray for us

Who are set over kingdoms and provinces, pray for us

Who have often put to flight armies of enemies, pray for us

Who have often delivered God’s servants from prison and other perils of this life, pray for us

Who have often consoled the holy martyrs in their torments, pray for us

Who are wont to cherish with peculiar care the prelates and princes of the Church, pray for us

All ye holy orders of blessed spirits, pray for us

From all dangers, deliver us, O Lord.

From the snares of the devil, deliver us, O Lord.

From all heresy and schism, deliver us, O Lord.

From plague, famine and ware, deliver us, O Lord.

From sudden and unlooked-for death, deliver us, O Lord.

From everlasting death, deliver us, O Lord.

Through Thy holy Angels, we beseech Thee, hear us.

That Thou would spare us, we beseech Thee, hear us.

That Thou would pardon us, we beseech Thee, hear us.

That Thou would govern and preserve Thy Holy Church, we beseech Thee, hear us.

That Thou would protect our Apostolic Prelate and all ecclesiastical orders, we beseech Thee, hear us.

That Thou would grant peace and security to kings and all Christian princes, we beseech Thee, hear us.

That Thou would give and preserve the fruits of the earth, we beseech Thee, hear us.

That Thou would grant eternal rest to all the faithful departed, we beseech Thee, hear us.

Lamb of God, Who takes away the sins of the world, Spare us, O Lord.

Lamb of God, Who takes away the sins of the world, Graciously hear us, O Lord.

Lamb of God, Who takes away the sins of the world Have mercy on us.

Lord, have mercy. Christ, have mercy. Lord, have mercy.

Our Father, Hail Mary, Glory Be

Bless the Lord, all ye Angels: Ye who are mighty in strength, who fulfill His commandments, hearkening unto the voice of His words.He hath given His Angels charge concerning thee, To keep thee in all thy ways.

Let Us Pray

O God, Who dost arrange the services of Angels and men in a wonderful order, mercifully grant that our life may be protected on earth by those who always do Thee service in Heaven, through Jesus Christ Thy Son, Who with Thee and the Holy Ghost are one God now and forever. Amen.O God, Who in Thine unspeakable Providence dost send Thine Angels to keep guard over us, grant unto Thy suppliants that we may be continually defended by their protection and may rejoice eternally in their society, through Jesus Christ Our Lord, Who lives and reigns with Thee, in the unity of the Holy Ghost, forever and ever. Amen.

Friends: Showers of Roses and Tips

Dear friend and fellow NoVA home-educator, Elizabeth Foss, is doing her best to keep her newest addition to stay in place until a bit closer to her due date of December 8th ... if all goes well today, Elizabeth will be allowed out of the hospital and will be on very strict bed-rest until the wee one makes her appearance.

I ask you all to shower Elizabeth and her family with spiritual roses (they have a great devotion to the Little Flower, whose feast day is Wednesday, Oct 1st) and prayers for a continued maturation of the Baby Foss. Also, if you have any tips for coping with extended bedrest ... while home-educating seven kids ... please post in the comments on her blog. (Of course, I suggested learning to knit and lots of read alouds!)

THANKS SO VERY MUCH!

Sainte Thérèse de l'Enfant-Jésus et de la Sainte Face, pray for the Foss Family!

Prayers Please -- revisited and still needed

Here's a fabulous article (ht: Elizabeth!) about Mr. VanderWoude who gave so much of himself, even unto death ....

Please, please continue to pray for Joseph who is still in the hospital, who may never really understand where his dad went or why he's gone ... and the grieving family and friends -- of whom Pa-pa had many!

Eternal rest grant unto him O Lord

And may the perpetual light shine upon him

May his soul, and the souls of all the faithful departed

Rest in peace,

Amen!

Lord God,

you are attentive to the voice of our pleading.

Let us find in your Son

comfort in our sadness,

certainty in our doubt,

and courage to live through this hour and the many to come.

Make our faith strong through Christ our Lord

Amen!

He will wipe every tear from their eyes,

and there shall be no more death or mourning,

wailing or pain,

for the old order has passed away.

(Rev 21:4)

Prayers Please!

A dear friend's FIL died today ... sacrificing his life for his 20-year-old Downs son in one of those weird, "how could it happen" kind of accidents on the family farm.

We all know Mr. Tom is partying with the Blessed Mother for her birthday but the family could sure use all the prayers and comfort they can get ... they're such a dear family, meaning lots to all of us that know them ... or who may have met them ... or who may have just heard about them.

Yes, they're that kind of family!

Pray for the continued healing of the son and for the widow and the family .... Mr. Tom will be missed!