Why is this Friday Good?

Why is this Friday Good?

DS asked me why it's called "Good Friday" when it's the day we commemorate Jesus' death? Shouldn't it be called Sad Friday or something similar?

Normally, we would mourn someone's death because we have lost this person in this life. However, Jesus' death, while sad, is to be celebrated because it is through His death and resurrection that He conquered death and sin. It is indeed good because through this event, we have been saved.

We celebrated this day by going to our parish's veneration of the cross. The kids got through this 1 1/2 hour service very well. I think it helped that the day before, we watched a DVD on the life of Jesus. During the reading of the passion of Christ, they could relate what was being read to what we had watched.

The church was sparsely decorated with few plants and red banners. There was a huge blood red piece of cloth hanging from the ceiling where the white screen on which a dlp projector usually projects its images hangs. It was definitely a center of attention. Drew DD3's attention right away. And as quick as she is, she wondered if it was the blood of Jesus. She wondered though why there was so much blood. She asked again why we need to kiss the feet of Jesus. I told her that it was our way of saying thank you to Jesus for His sacrifice and to show our love for Him. This seemed to satisfy her and she proceeded to kiss the feet of Jesus with a big smack!

After the veneration service, we proceeded to the hall to watch the passion play. It was going to be our first time to see it in our parish so we were hopeful that it would be a good experience. It did not turn out as well as we had hoped. Most of the dialogue was in Spanish. There were a few English narrations and lines thrown here and there. I wish they had just made it a completely Spanish production and inform us accordingly. Oh well, now we know to look to watch the passion play somewhere else next year.

We also started the Divine Mercy novena today. Devotion to the Divine Mercy is something I am personally moved to start. We've been doing the 3 o'clock prayer on and off but I'd like to start doing the chaplet more regularly with the children.

So that was our Good Friday this year. Everyone is looking forward to Easter Sunday and some rejoicing and celebrating!

Novena for Pope Benedict XVI

Novena for Pope Benedict XVI

Our Pope is under attack. The best way we can help defend and protect him is through our prayers. The Knights of Columbus have organized a novena to pray for strength for Pope Benedict XVI during these challenging times. It started today, Divine Mercy Sunday and ends on April 19, the 5th anniversary of his election to the papacy. You can find prayer cards to print out here.

PRAYER FOR POPE BENEDICT XVI
Lord, source of eternal life and truth,
give to your shepherd, Benedict, a spirit
of courage and right judgment, a spirit
of knowledge and love. By governing
with fidelity those entrusted to his care,
may he, as successor to the Apostle
Peter and Vicar of Christ, build your
Church into a sacrament of unity, love
and peace for all the world. Amen.
V/ Let us pray for Benedict, the pope.
R/ May the Lord preserve him,
give him a long life,
make him blessed upon the earth,
and not hand him over
to the power of his enemies.
V/ May your hand
be upon your holy servant.
R/ And upon your son,
whom you have anointed.
Our Father… Hail Mary… Glory Be…

The Cardinal Neumann Society is also offering an opportunity for us to join a spiritual bouquet to be offered for our pope. Prayer is really our best weapon against the enemy. I've already pledged our prayers for this week. How about you?

Easter Story Cookies

Easter Story Cookies

I had previously seen this recipe several years back at a MOPS magazine. I thought it was a good idea but forgot all about it. This year, I'm going to try it. I think it will make a good impact on my kids.

To be made the evening before Easter.

Ingredients:
1 c. whole pecans
1 tsp. vinegar
3 egg whites
Pinch salt
1 c. sugar
Zipper baggy
Wooden spoon
Tape
Bible

Preheat oven to 300 degrees F

Place pecans in zipper baggy and let children beat them with the wooden spoon to break into small pieces. Explain that after Jesus was arrested the Roman soldiers beat him. Read John 19:1-3. {Then Pilate took Jesus and flogged him. And the soldiers twisted together a crown of thorns and put it on his head and arrayed him in a purple robe.They came up to him, saying, "Hail, King of the Jews!" and struck him with their hands.}

Let each child smell the vinegar. Put 1-tsp. vinegar into mixing bowl. Explain that when Jesus was thirsty on the cross he was given vinegar to drink. Read John 19:28-30 {After this, Jesus, knowing that all was now finished, said (to fulfill the Scripture), "I thirst." A jar full of sour wine stood there,so they put a sponge full of the sour wine on a hyssop branch and held it to his mouth. 30When Jesus had received the sour wine, he said, "It is finished," and he bowed his head and gave up his spirit.}

Add egg whites to vinegar. Eggs represent life. Explain that Jesus gave His life to give us life. Read John 10:10-11. {The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life and have it abundantly. I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep.}

Sprinkle a little salt into each child's hand. Let them taste it and brush the rest into the bowl. Explain that this represents the salty tears shed by Jesus' followers, and the bitterness of our own sin. Read Luke 23:27. {And there followed him a great multitude of the people and of women who were mourning and lamenting for him.}

So far the ingredients are not very appetizing.

Add 1-c. sugar. Explain that the sweetest part of the story is that Jesus died because He loves us. He wants us to know and belong to Him. Read Ps. 34:8 {Oh,taste and see that the LORD is good! Blessed is the man who takes refuge in him!} and John 3:16 {For God so loved the world,that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.}

Beat with a mixer on high speed for 12 to 15 minutes until stiff peaks are formed. Explain that the color white represents the purity in God's eyes of those whose sins have been cleansed by Jesus. Read ISA.1: 18 {Come now,let us reason together, says the LORD:though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they are red like crimson,they shall become like wool.} and John 3:1-3 {Now there was a man of the Pharisees named Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews. This man came to Jesus by night and said to him, "Rabbi, we know that you are a teacher come from God, for no one can do these signs that you do unless God is with him." Jesus answered him, "Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born again he cannot see the kingdom of God.}

Fold in broken nuts. Drop by teaspoons onto wax paper covered cookie sheet. Explain that each mound represents the rocky tomb where Jesus' body was laid. Read Matt. 27:57-60 {When it was evening, there came a rich man from Arimathea, named Joseph, who also was a disciple of Jesus. He went to Pilate and asked for the body of Jesus. Then Pilate ordered it to be given to him. And Joseph took the body and wrapped it in a clean linen shroud and laid it in his own new tomb, which he had cut in the rock. And he rolled a great stone to the entrance of the tomb and went away}

Put the cookie sheet in the oven, close the door and turn the oven OFF. Give each child a piece of tape and seal the oven door. Explain that Jesus' tomb was sealed. Read Matt. 27:65-66. {Pilate said to them, "You have a guard of soldiers. Go, make it as secure as you can." So they went and made the tomb secure by sealing the stone and setting a guard.}

GO TO BED! Explain that they may feel sad to leave the cookies in the oven overnight. Jesus' followers were in despair when the tomb was sealed. Read John 16:20 and 22. {20Truly, truly, I say to you, you will weep and lament, but the world will rejoice. You will be sorrowful, but your sorrow will turn into joy. 22So also you have sorrow now, but I will see you again, and your hearts will rejoice, and no one will take your joy from you.}

On Easter morning, open the oven and give everyone a cookie. Notice the cracked surface and take a bite. The cookies are hollow! On the first Easter Jesus' followers were amazed to find the tomb open and empty. Read Matt. 28:1-9.{Now after the Sabbath, toward the dawn of the first day of the week, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary went to see the tomb. And behold, there was a great earthquake, for an angel of the Lord descended from heaven and came and rolled back the stone and sat on it. His appearance was like lightning, and his clothing white as snow. And for fear of him the guards trembled and became like dead men. But the angel said to the women, "Do not be afraid, for I know that you seek Jesus who was crucified. He is not here, for he has risen, as he said. Come, see the place where he[a] lay. Then go quickly and tell his disciples that he has risen from the dead, and behold, he is going before you to Galilee; there you will see him. See, I have told you." So they departed quickly from the tomb with fear and great joy, and ran to tell his disciples. And behold, Jesus met them and said, "Greetings!" And they came up and took hold of his feet and worshiped him.}

HE HAS RISEN!

Good Friday Stations of the Cross

Good Friday Stations of the Cross

The girls are participating in the presentation of the Station of the Cross tomorrow, Good Friday by our homeschool group. The one pictured here is the last station when Jesus is laid in the tomb. The girls are Mary, Veronica and Mary Magdalene weeping as Jesus lays dead. Although Veronica being there isn't exactly told in the Stations, our parent director thought that Veronica must have followed Jesus as he walked up to his death. She could not have had such love and sorrow for him that she would leave after wiping his face. She was probably there until the end.
This will be our first time to participate so I don't really know how big of an audience we will have. I'm guessing not too big, probably many of them friends and family of the homeschoolers. It will be held in the morning so a lot of people will still be at work. There is the live stations of the cross in the evening too for the parishioners.
I think I like that we won't have that big of a crowd so that the kids have a less chance of stage fright. It's also a big church that if there were a lot of people, you might need to pull out those discount prescription glasses to be able to see if you were seated at the back. These are little kids who will be performing after all! LOL!
If you live in the Inland Empire and would love to come see us, drop me a line by leaving a comment here or sending me an email and I'll send you the details.
Hope you all continue to have a blessed week.

Lenten Sacrifice

Lenten Sacrifice

We're well into the season of Lent, a period of 40 days of sacrifice and prayer in preparation for the Lord's resurrection on Easter Sunday.

Personally, I have chosen to give up Facebook for Lent. Yes, it's been difficult but I've resisted the temptation not to open that link to Facebook. I kinda miss not being in the loop and not knowing what are the latest news from friends and relatives. However, I've also recovered more time for reading and praying because of my time away from FB.

For our family, we've decided to pray the Stations of the Cross. I got a pack of the Stations of the Cross for children from Amazon and we're using that this Lent. We're just doing it at home. I printed pictures of the different stations and taped them up on the walls of our dining room to the family room. It's been a good experience for the kids so far. Aside from the prayers the children are learning, the stations have also been discussion starters. I've taken the questions they ask about the different stations into learning opportunities for them, stressing the point that all these happened because God loves you so. While the praying of the stations are good in themselves, I think that the discussions we have about them are even more precious. I think that the prayers in themselves are like loose diamonds for the kids. They do not necessarily see the beauty at once. As parents, we have to dig in and discover the heart of these prayers and show that to the kids so that they can appreciate them better.

How about you? What have you sacrificed for Lent? What is your family doing?

Our Lady of Guadalupe

Our Lady of Guadalupe

I admit, I didn't know much about her story. All I knew was she appeared to Juan Diego and that her image was imprinted on his tilma.

But one of her messages to him was this:
“Am I not here, who is your Mother? Are you not under my protection? Am I not your health? Are you not happily within my fold? What else do you wish? Do not grieve nor be disturbed by anything.”

As I read this today, it felt like she was saying it directly to me. And it touched my heart deeply that I could not hold back the tears that welled up in my eyes.

Thank you dear Mother for reminding me that you are here for me. Thank you for allowing me to experience the warmth of your embrace.

Go here to read the full article: Faith & Family : Features : Juan's Mom

Posted using ShareThis

Let's Make a Jesse Tree

Let's Make a Jesse Tree

Hello December!!!! The air is crisper. The nights are brighter because of the Christmas lights in the neighborhood. Yep! Christmas is coming indeed.
How are you preparing for it? Having kids in the house definitely makes the waiting harder.

"When is Christmas?"
"How many days more before Christmas?"
"Is it coming soon?"

Yes, the questions can gnaw on one's nerves especially when there are a million other things going on in my head. Fortunately, there are a lot of Advent calendars available to help countdown to Christmas. While I like the idea, I wanted something more meaningful for the kids.

As I researched for more Christ-centered Christmas countdown ideas, I came across the Jesse Tree. Jesse is the father of David, the great king from whose lineage Jesus was born. The Jesse Tree traces salvation history from creation and fall of man to the birth of the Messiah, Jesus. At the start of Advent or December, a snippet (story) from the long love story between God and His people is read. Then a corresponding ornament which symbolizes that particular story is hung from a banner or tree. The Jesse Tree basically helps us remember how God prepared the world for the ultimate manifestation of His love for us - Jesus.

There are a lot of choices with regard to stories to tell. I've searched in the internet and found a few. There are some differences among them but in the end they tell the same story.

I found this book at Amazon. I did not have enough time to make the ornaments here but I am thinking of starting on this project for next Christmas. I would have really wanted to do these as they seem really simple to make. I just do not have enough time.

As December was fast approaching, I was resigned to having to either put off this project for next year or buy a hodge podge of ornaments to use for these. I also found this site with printable ornaments that I could've used. While I appreciate that it's free, it was not as attractive as I would have wanted.

I also found and printed this wonderfully detailed bible readings from the National Catholic Register. I had decided to use these and modify them to accommodate the ornaments that were more easily available.

Then, I found this at one of my favorite digital scrapbooking stores. Coincidence? I think not! God was looking out for me!!! LOL! It combines the ease of simply printing off the ornaments with the crafty look I wanted. Add to that the fact that I was able to get these at 1/2 off because of the Black Friday sale the designer was having. Oh, God is good indeed!!

I still plan on making my own felt ornaments for next year but for now, this will more than suffice. In fact, I'm even thinking of giving a set of these ornaments as presents to some families I know.

I am sooo pleased!! I have them all cut up now and ready to be hung. Woohoo!

Examen for Families

Examen for Families

I initially found this article (Reflecting with Children: St. Ignatius’ Examen for Families with Children @ Piecing Stories) via the Facebook wall of Ignatian Spiritually. I think it's a beautiful thing to do as a family.

The Examen:

1. For what time or event today are you most grateful (thankful/happy)?

(Initially, you may have to name a few things in a young child’s day to help them catch on to the practice for #1 and #2.)

2. For which moment are you least grateful?

3. How did you show love today?

(For very young children, you may ask additional questions as your family begins this spiritual practice. Ex.: Who did you share with today? Who did you help today? It won’t be long before they understand the question and can reflect and respond without your assistance.)

4. What was one time your actions or behavior were negative or you withheld showing kindness?

(Again, for young children you might ask:

Was there a time you did not share today? Was there a time you said a hurtful word or did not help?)

5. Briefly give thanks for this time of reflection and sharing and for God teaching each of you to be more loving.

For our family, we've basically been doing #1 as part of our family prayers at night. We were doing it because we want the kids to develop the spirit of gratitude for God's goodness and the attitude that everything we have comes from God. Come to think of it, even if you're not Catholic or Christian or whatever religion you practice, this would be a healthy exercise. If each one would reflect on their day, we would learn a bit more about ourselves and take steps to become more loving, kinder, more patient, etc.
Personally, I think we can start incorporating the other questions, one at a time. I've got little ones so I know it might be too much if we try to introduce everything at once. Adding one reflection question at a time will allow the kids to understand it better and develop patience for the process.

Pentecost shower

Pentecost shower

Just thought I'd share this video of the annual Pentecost celebration at Rome's Pantheon. The bright red petals that fall down through the hole is meant to represent the Holy Spirit as tongues of fire coming down on the apostles. Beautiful imagery! I am in awe, thinking how it must've been on that day when the Church was born.

Pro-Life message to air in American Idol finale

Pro-Life message to air in American Idol finale

Apparently, this is the second of the series that this group(Catholicvote.org) had produced. This first one was set to air in the 2009 Superbowl but was rejected on the grounds that it included political issues. I think it was a pretty powerful ad. See for yourself.

Jesus meets His Mother

Jesus meets His Mother

I received this in my email and thought it would be good to share. There wasn't any link to the blog where it was originally posted nor the name of the author. If anyone reads this and recognizes it, please let me know so I can give proper credit to the author.

Jesus Meets His Mother

~from Good Friday 2007

The visiting priest apparently spoke about the fourth station, Jesus Meets His Mother, with such tenderness and insight. How could you not? I think, just about every mother would say that this station is the one they feel the most. It is the one point in The Passion that is sure to have me bawling just knowing it is coming up. It is the station that brought about the "reversion" of a dear friend of mine who was struggling with the Church's teaching on Mary. Why do we love her so much? As she discovered on the island of Capri one Holy Week... because He loved her so much!

But this priest asked a question that I had never heard before, maybe you have... what was Mary thinking when she met Jesus? As a mom, we can imagine some of the pain she was going through. We know for a fact it was as though a sword was piercing her own heart. But what was she thinking? Father posited an answer.

She prayed, "Please help Him!"

She said a quiet prayer. And it was answered. How do we know? Because the next station is Simon Helps Jesus Carry His Cross. Can't you just hear Mary begging God for this? Please help Him! She knew who He was and what He had to do, but she was still His mother and He was her son. Please, help Him!

And then the next station, Veronica Wipes the Face of Jesus. As a mom, it can be heart breaking to see your child's face altered due to a simple accident, even a childhood mishap that will naturally be corrected over time. This was her son's precious face, all covered with blood and sweat and dirt. Can't you hear the Blessed Mother crying inside... Let me see His beautiful face again!

This was the first time I had ever heard this interpretation and while I know that we can't know for sure, it really made sense to me. I have always been perplexed by the fifth station. Why did He need help? Who was Simon of Cyrene? Why was he chosen and what are we supposed to learn from this station? Yes, I've read the different interpretations and I think there are many scholarly people with plenty to say about the significance and importance of this station and the next, but I still. didn't. get it.

And St. Veronica? How did she make it through the crowds? Why would the guards have allowed this kindness after they had already inflicted so much pain? Were they distracted? Why?

It makes so much more sense now. God wouldn't refuse the prayer of the Blessed Mother. He knows the tortures of a mother's heart and he hears her prayers.

Online Visita Iglesia

Online Visita Iglesia

It's been a tradition in the Philippines to visit 7 churches during Holy Thursday.

For those of us who are unable to do so, particularly for those living in other countries where Holy Thursday is not a non-working holiday, the Philippine Jesuits have put together this online visita iglesia.

It's a good break, an opportunity to listen and reflect.

A phrase that jumped out at me and that I am claiming as God's word for me: the promise is fulfillment. This phrase gives me so much comfort right now. What God has spoken, He does.

Wishing you a blessed Holy Thursday.

Happy Easter

Happy Easter

{word art by kate hadfield}



Happy Easter to you all!
Especially happy for me since this means that I'm back in cyberspace! Haha...

To be totally honest, I wasn't completely away from the net. I checked my email now and again but I spent nowhere near my regular internet time, not even half of it. It was a nice break, for sure but I love me my scrapping and cyberspace time.

I've got a lot of catching up to do - emails to respond to, scrap projects to attend to, blogs to catch up on. But I just wanted to drop by here and wish you all a happy easter. May the victory of the risen Lord fill your days with joy and celebration!

Pope John Paul II

Pope John Paul II

Today, we mourn the death of our beloved Pope.
I cried when I learned he had died. I am saddened by the loss, much like a sadness one would feel at the passing of a grandparent, I guess.
News reports and tributes are being aired at cable news networks here. They speak of a Pope who had touched many lives. The speak of different experiences people had of the Pope while he was still alive. I have my own personal story to tell for those who care to listen.

It was January 1995. World Youth Day in Manila, Philippines. The Youth rally at Luneta Grandstand was the climax of the week-long celebration. I went with the rest of the members of our youth group.

I remember that during the evening session with the Pope, as we sang, he stood up and twirled his cane. It was such a thrill to see him do that. I guess I felt thrilled that he enjoyed the evening as much as I was. And it was nice to see the top man of the Church show his fun side.

Then, after the rally, a friend & I decided to come down from the place we were into the streets because we were going to look for some people. As we were going to cross the street, the crowd was stopped by police. We did not know why. Then we saw the Popemobile coming. I was going to see the Pope! As the Popemobile passed, I cheered and waved along with everyone else - chanting "John Paul 2, we love you!" And I swear, he turned towards me and looked straight at me and waved back. We locked eyes! Woohoo... it was so exhilirating!

I may sound like some crazed fan - fantasizing about meeting her idol. Well, I may not have met him face-to-face. I may not have kissed his hand. But you cannot take away from me that night, when for a fleeting moment, I felt his eyes look straight into mine. It is a moment I will cherish forever.

John Paul II, we love you!