November 30, 2017

TODAY! - Christmas Novena

While a novena is normally a nine-day [or nine hour] prayer, the term sometimes is used for any prayer that is repeated over a series of days. The Saint Andrew Christmas Novena is often called simply the "Christmas Novena" or the "Christmas Anticipation Prayer," because it is prayed 15 times every day (we pray five [5] each at breakfast, lunch, and supper) from the Feast of Saint Andrew the Apostle (November 30th) until Christmas. The First Sunday of Advent always is the Sunday closest to the Feast of Saint Andrew.

The novena is not actually addressed to Saint Andrew, but to God Himself, asking Him to grant our request in the honor of the birth of His Son at Christmas. You can say the prayer all 15 times, all at once, or divide up the recitation as necessary (perhaps five times at each meal).

Prayed as a family, the Saint Andrew Christmas Novena is a very good way to help focus the attention of your children on the Advent season.

Saint Andrew Christmas Novena
Hail and blessed be the hour and moment in which the Son of God was born of the most pure Virgin Mary, at midnight, in Bethlehem, in piercing cold. In that hour, vouchsafe, O my God! to hear my prayer and grant my desires, through the merits of Our Saviour Jesus Christ, and of His Blessed Mother. Amen.

(source: by Scott P. Richert at Catholicism.about.com)

July 2, 2017

Freedom

July 2, 1776 - The Continental Congress votes for independence, passing a resolution offered by Richard Henry Lee of Virginia: "Resolved, That these United Colonies are, and of right ought to be, free and independent States, that they are absolved from all allegiance to the British Crown, and that all political connection between them and the State of Great Britain is, and ought to be, totally dissolved."

June 23, 2017

Feast of the Sacred Heart

Here is a link to a fabulous page with several prayers and everything you ever wanted to know about the Sacred Heart of Jesus and His love....for YOU!

Catholic News World:
Sacred Heart of Jesus

June 22, 2017

Sacred Heart Novena - Day 9

O Lord Jesus Christ, to Thy Most Sacred Heart I confide this intention (mention your request).
Only look upon me, then do what Thy Heart inspires.

Let Thy Sacred Heart decide.

I count on Thee.
I trust in Thee.
I throw myself on Thy Mercy, Lord Jesus!
Thou wilt not fail me.

Sacred Heart of Jesus, I trust in Thee.

Sacred Heart of Jesus, I believe in Thy Love for me.

Sacred Heart of Jesus, Thy Kingdom come.

O Sacred Heart of Jesus, I have asked Thee for many favors, but I earnestly implore this one.  Take it, place it in Thy open, broken Heart, and when the Eternal Father looks upon it, covered with Thy Precious Blood, He will not refuse it.  It will no longer be my prayer, but Thine, O Jesus.

O Sacred Heart of Jesus, I place all my trust in Thee.
Let me never be confounded.

Amen.

(Our Father, Hail Mary, Glory Be).

June 21, 2017

Sacred Heart Novena - Day 8

O Lord Jesus Christ, to Thy Most Sacred Heart I confide this intention (mention your request).
Only look upon me, then do what Thy Heart inspires.

Let Thy Sacred Heart decide.

I count on Thee.
I trust in Thee.
I throw myself on Thy Mercy, Lord Jesus!
Thou wilt not fail me.

Sacred Heart of Jesus, I trust in Thee.

Sacred Heart of Jesus, I believe in Thy Love for me.

Sacred Heart of Jesus, Thy Kingdom come.

O Sacred Heart of Jesus, I have asked Thee for many favors, but I earnestly implore this one.  Take it, place it in Thy open, broken Heart, and when the Eternal Father looks upon it, covered with Thy Precious Blood, He will not refuse it.  It will no longer be my prayer, but Thine, O Jesus.

O Sacred Heart of Jesus, I place all my trust in Thee.
Let me never be confounded.

Amen.

(Our Father, Hail Mary, Glory Be).

June 20, 2017

Sacred Heart Novena - Day 7

O Lord Jesus Christ, to Thy Most Sacred Heart I confide this intention (mention your request).
Only look upon me, then do what Thy Heart inspires.

Let Thy Sacred Heart decide.

I count on Thee.
I trust in Thee.
I throw myself on Thy Mercy, Lord Jesus!
Thou wilt not fail me.

Sacred Heart of Jesus, I trust in Thee.

Sacred Heart of Jesus, I believe in Thy Love for me.

Sacred Heart of Jesus, Thy Kingdom come.

O Sacred Heart of Jesus, I have asked Thee for many favors, but I earnestly implore this one.  Take it, place it in Thy open, broken Heart, and when the Eternal Father looks upon it, covered with Thy Precious Blood, He will not refuse it.  It will no longer be my prayer, but Thine, O Jesus.

O Sacred Heart of Jesus, I place all my trust in Thee.
Let me never be confounded.

Amen.

(Our Father, Hail Mary, Glory Be).

June 19, 2017

Sacred Heart Novena - Day 6

O Lord Jesus Christ, to Thy Most Sacred Heart I confide this intention (mention your request).
Only look upon me, then do what Thy Heart inspires.

Let Thy Sacred Heart decide.

I count on Thee.
I trust in Thee.
I throw myself on Thy Mercy, Lord Jesus!
Thou wilt not fail me.

Sacred Heart of Jesus, I trust in Thee.

Sacred Heart of Jesus, I believe in Thy Love for me.

Sacred Heart of Jesus, Thy Kingdom come.

O Sacred Heart of Jesus, I have asked Thee for many favors, but I earnestly implore this one.  Take it, place it in Thy open, broken Heart, and when the Eternal Father looks upon it, covered with Thy Precious Blood, He will not refuse it.  It will no longer be my prayer, but Thine, O Jesus.

O Sacred Heart of Jesus, I place all my trust in Thee.
Let me never be confounded.

Amen.

(Our Father, Hail Mary, Glory Be).

June 18, 2017

Sacred Heart Novena - Day 5

O Lord Jesus Christ, to Thy Most Sacred Heart I confide this intention (mention your request).
Only look upon me, then do what Thy Heart inspires.

Let Thy Sacred Heart decide.

I count on Thee.
I trust in Thee.
I throw myself on Thy Mercy, Lord Jesus!
Thou wilt not fail me.

Sacred Heart of Jesus, I trust in Thee.

Sacred Heart of Jesus, I believe in Thy Love for me.

Sacred Heart of Jesus, Thy Kingdom come.

O Sacred Heart of Jesus, I have asked Thee for many favors, but I earnestly implore this one.  Take it, place it in Thy open, broken Heart, and when the Eternal Father looks upon it, covered with Thy Precious Blood, He will not refuse it.  It will no longer be my prayer, but Thine, O Jesus.

O Sacred Heart of Jesus, I place all my trust in Thee.
Let me never be confounded.

Amen.

(Our Father, Hail Mary, Glory Be).

June 17, 2017

Sacred Heart Novena - Day 4

O Lord Jesus Christ, to Thy Most Sacred Heart I confide this intention (mention your request).
Only look upon me, then do what Thy Heart inspires.

Let Thy Sacred Heart decide.

I count on Thee.
I trust in Thee.
I throw myself on Thy Mercy, Lord Jesus!
Thou wilt not fail me.

Sacred Heart of Jesus, I trust in Thee.

Sacred Heart of Jesus, I believe in Thy Love for me.

Sacred Heart of Jesus, Thy Kingdom come.

O Sacred Heart of Jesus, I have asked Thee for many favors, but I earnestly implore this one.  Take it, place it in Thy open, broken Heart, and when the Eternal Father looks upon it, covered with Thy Precious Blood, He will not refuse it.  It will no longer be my prayer, but Thine, O Jesus.

O Sacred Heart of Jesus, I place all my trust in Thee.
Let me never be confounded.

Amen.

(Our Father, Hail Mary, Glory Be).

June 16, 2017

Sacred Heart Novena - Day 3

O Lord Jesus Christ, to Thy Most Sacred Heart I confide this intention (mention your request).
Only look upon me, then do what Thy Heart inspires.

Let Thy Sacred Heart decide.

I count on Thee.
I trust in Thee.
I throw myself on Thy Mercy, Lord Jesus!
Thou wilt not fail me.

Sacred Heart of Jesus, I trust in Thee.

Sacred Heart of Jesus, I believe in Thy Love for me.

Sacred Heart of Jesus, Thy Kingdom come.

O Sacred Heart of Jesus, I have asked Thee for many favors, but I earnestly implore this one.  Take it, place it in Thy open, broken Heart, and when the Eternal Father looks upon it, covered with Thy Precious Blood, He will not refuse it.  It will no longer be my prayer, but Thine, O Jesus.

O Sacred Heart of Jesus, I place all my trust in Thee.
Let me never be confounded.

Amen.

(Our Father, Hail Mary, Glory Be).

June 15, 2017

Feast of Corpus Christi

"Jesus said over the elements, 'This is My Body.'  You say, 'No, it is not His Body.'  Whom am I to believe?  I prefer to believe Jesus Christ."

(Blessed Dominic Barberi) - He needs only ONE more miracle to be canonized!

"Holy Communion is the shortest and safest way to Heaven." (Pope St. Pius X)




"Ecclesia de Eucharistia" - Encyclical Letter on the Eucharist and Its Relationship to the Church by Pope St. John Paul II the Great

What Is the Holy Eucharist? - EWTN

Sacred Heart Novena - Day 2

O Lord Jesus Christ, to Thy Most Sacred Heart I confide this intention (mention your request).
Only look upon me, then do what Thy Heart inspires.

Let Thy Sacred Heart decide.

I count on Thee.
I trust in Thee.
I throw myself on Thy Mercy, Lord Jesus!
Thou wilt not fail me.

Sacred Heart of Jesus, I trust in Thee.

Sacred Heart of Jesus, I believe in Thy Love for me.

Sacred Heart of Jesus, Thy Kingdom come.

O Sacred Heart of Jesus, I have asked Thee for many favors, but I earnestly implore this one.  Take it, place it in Thy open, broken Heart, and when the Eternal Father looks upon it, covered with Thy Precious Blood, He will not refuse it.  It will no longer be my prayer, but Thine, O Jesus.

O Sacred Heart of Jesus, I place all my trust in Thee.
Let me never be confounded.

Amen.

(Our Father, Hail Mary, Glory Be).

June 14, 2017

Sacred Heart Novena - Day 1

O Lord Jesus Christ, to Thy Most Sacred Heart I confide this intention (mention your request).
Only look upon me, then do what Thy Heart inspires.

Let Thy Sacred Heart decide.

I count on Thee.
I trust in Thee.
I throw myself on Thy Mercy, Lord Jesus!
Thou wilt not fail me.

Sacred Heart of Jesus, I trust in Thee.

Sacred Heart of Jesus, I believe in Thy Love for me.

Sacred Heart of Jesus, Thy Kingdom come.

O Sacred Heart of Jesus, I have asked Thee for many favors, but I earnestly implore this one.  Take it, place it in Thy open, broken Heart, and when the Eternal Father looks upon it, covered with Thy Precious Blood, He will not refuse it.  It will no longer be my prayer, but Thine, O Jesus.

O Sacred Heart of Jesus, I place all my trust in Thee.
Let me never be confounded.

Amen.

(Our Father, Hail Mary, Glory Be).

June 13, 2017

Sacred Heart and St. Margaret Mary Alacoque

The Feast of the Sacred Heart of Jesus is coming on June 23rd!

Tomorrow (June 14th), you can begin a Novena to the Sacred Heart, the understanding and image of which was revealed to a Visitation nun, St. Margaret Mary Alacoque.

St. Margaret Mary Alacoque was born a cripple in France in 1647. She was cured miraculously by the Blessed Virgin Mary and, in thanksgiving, promised to give her life in service to God.

When St. Margaret Mary was seventeen, Jesus appeared to her as He was just after being scourged.  She immediately entered the Order of the Visitation.

St. Margaret Mary loved our Lord in the Blessed Sacrament very much, and later was shown His Sacred Heart in four visions.  His heart is surrounded by flames, which represent His burning love for us and His desire to be loved in return.  The crown of thorns remind us of His ultimate sacrifice for our sins.


Jesus revealed to St. Margaret Mary twelve promises of ways in which He would help those who honor His Sacred Heart.  He said to her: "Look at this Heart which has loved people so much, and yet they do not want to love Me in return. Through you My Divine Heart wishes to spread its love everywhere on earth."

St. Margaret Mary died in 1690.  Her Feast Day is October 16th.



The 12 PROMISES for THOSE DEVOTED to the SACRED HEART:

1. I WILL GIVE THEM ALL THE GRACES NECESSARY FOR THEIR STATE OF LIFE.
 
2. I WILL GIVE PEACE IN THEIR FAMILIES.
 
3. I WILL CONSOLE THEM IN ALL THEIR TROUBLES.
 
4. THEY SHALL FIND IN MY HEART AN ASSURED REFUGE DURING LIFE AND ESPECIALLY AT THE HOUR OF DEATH.
 
5. I WILL POUR ABUNDANT BLESSINGS ON ALL THEIR UNDERTAKINGS.
 
6. SINNERS SHALL FIND IN MY HEART THE SOURCE AND INFINITE OCEAN OF MERCY.
 
7. TEPID SOULS SHALL BECOME FERVENT.
 
8. FERVENT SOULS SHALL SPEEDILY RISE TO GREAT PERFECTION.
 
9. I WILL BLESS THE HOMES IN WHICH THE IMAGE OF MY SACRED HEART SHALL BE EXPOSED AND HONORED.
 
10. I WILL GIVE TO PRIESTS THE POWER TO TOUCH THE MOST HARDENED HEARTS.
 
11. THOSE WHO PROPAGATE THIS DEVOTION SHALL HAVE THEIR NAME WRITTEN IN MY HEART, AND IT SHALL NEVER BE EFFACED.
 
12. I PROMISE THEE IN THE EXCESS OF THE MERCY OF MY HEART, THAT ITS ALL-POWERFUL LOVE  WILL GRANT TO ALL THOSE WHO SHALL RECEIVE COMMUNION ON THE FIRST FRIDAY OF NINE CONSECUTIVE MONTHS THE GRACE OF FINAL REPENTANCE; THEY SHALL NOT DIE UNDER MY DISPLEASURE, NOR WITHOUT RECEIVING THE SACRAMENTS; MY HEART SHALL BE THEIR ASSURED REFUGE AT THAT LAST HOUR.

March 19, 2017

It Ad Joseph!

To say that St. Patrick's Day is a high feast day in Savannah would be the understatement of the century!  It becomes The Emerald City, literally dying its multitude of fountains green and swathing every front porch in the Irish flag.

Do you know what the colors of the Irish flag represent?  The green represents the Catholics, the orange the Protestants, and the white the hoped-for peace between them.

(....I know.  Keep praying!)

Today, however, good St. Joseph is not to be ignored.  For all you Italians out there -- or just you humble daughters of the foster father of our Lord -- here are some crafty ideas for celebrating this important feast day from Catholic Icing.

Additionally, here is a really lovely, simple, paper "St. Joseph's Altar", courtesy of Evann Duplantier, for your family to construct.  Evann also has a lovely page full of menu choices, where you may enjoy everything from inspirational photos of other St. Joseph's Day altars to a super easy (and yummy!) edible craft.

Oh?  You've never heard of a St. Joseph's Day altar?  Oh, my dear, do let me tell you!

St. Joseph's Altars may be as humble or elaborate as you like, but I encourage you to enjoy this lively Italian tradition in your home.  From red wine to seafood to donuts, it's worth consecrating your edibles to the man who was the Provider for the Holy Family.

Our parish deacon reminded us one Christmas that, although St. Joseph figures prominently in Jesus's early life in the Bible, St. Joseph never says a word.  Not one syllable.  How many of us could be counted upon to hear the Lord, follow His instructions, trust in His ways, and serve Him as He wishes, without ever saying a word?

Not me.

Yet St. Joseph gives us all the perfect example of "silent strength."  If you want to raise up a mentor for your spouse, a hero for your sons, a good example for your fathers, or a model husband for your daughters, "it ad Joseph."  Go To Joseph!

And that's an order straight from the top:

"St. Pope John XXIII, who succeeded Pius XII in 1958, added some new feasts and made some other changes to the liturgical calendar, as well as amending some of the rubrics. In his 1962 edition of the Missal, he also deleted the word 'perfidis' (Latin: 'faithless') from the Good Friday prayer for the Jews, and added the name of St. Joseph to the Canon of the Mass. The second change was particularly significant, as many had considered the text of the Canon to be practically untouchable." (underlined emphasis added)

Prior to Vatican II, Eucharistic Prayer I was the only Canon used by the Church.  And it hadn't been touched for over 1,000 years.

Tales by the camp fire from that Council have it that an elderly priest originally made the humble suggestion to add St. Joseph to the Mass.  He was scoffed at by Vatican hierarchy, only to be vindicated when Pope John XXIII approved the addition the very next day.

It Ad Joseph!  Enjoy!




History of St. Joseph Devotion

March 16, 2017

St. Patrick....'Tis Himself!

Here's a marvelous link to everything you ever wanted to know about St. Patrick!  And who wouldn't?  After all, he was Scottish, you know (!).  Enjoy!


http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/11554a.htm

March 15, 2017

Irish Soda Bread


Happy St. Patrick's Day!

Tomorrow marks the feast of this great Irish saint and to celebrate here's my favorite recipe for good ole fashioned "Irish Soda Bread" (of which there would be no "soda" without the visit to Ireland of two Americans, Mr. Arm and Mr. Hammer!).  It's my favorite because it's won out over many other failures through the years!

I cut this recipe out of a magazine years ago, but unfortunately did not cut out the magazine's name.  So, if anyone recognizes this exact recipe, please let me know so I may ascribe proper credit.  Enjoy!

Irish Soda Bread

Prep: 10 minutes
Bake: 1 hour

Ingredients:
1/4 c. sugar
1 tbl. baking powder
1 tsp. salt
1 tsp. baking soda
4 cups all-purpose flour
6 tbl. cold butter
1 1/2 c. buttermilk
1 c. golden or dark seedless raisins (optional - not authentic to original Irish soda breads, the addition of expensive dried fruits was a later American indulgence)

Instructions:
1.  Preheat oven to 350F degrees.  Grease large cookie sheet.
2.  In large bowl, combine sugar, baking powder, salt, baking soda, and flour.  With pastry blender or forks, cut in butter until mixture resembles coarse crumbs.
3.  Add buttermilk just until evenly moistened.  With floured hand, gently knead dough minimally into ball.  Do not over mix or bread will be tough.
4.  Place dough on cookie sheet and shape into roughly 7" round loaf.  With sharp knife, cut 4" long cross 1/4" deep in top and sprinkle loaf lightly with flour.
5.  Bake one hour.  Cool on wire rack.

This recipe yields a lightly buttery, moist bread with a rough, crunchy, crusty outside.  MMMmmmm!

March 14, 2017

St. Patrick's Day Craft


Here's an easy little craft to get you and your children in the right frame of mind for St. Patrick's Day!  The traditional image of a rainbow leading to a pot o' gold can be endowed with Christian meaning, a la St. Patrick's use of Ireland's native three-leafed shamrock to explain to the pagans there the Christian concept of three Divine Persons in the one God of the Most Holy Trinity.

Make a simple, rainbow-hued, paper chain and a black pot with gold coins from construction paper or sturdy card stock.  Remember, however, what the Bible tells us about treasure:

"Do not store up store up for yourselves treasures on Earth...but, store up treasures in Heaven...for where your treasure is, there will your heart also be!" (Matthew 6:19-21)

Therefore, on each link of the paper chain, write one of your spiritual "treasures" in life.  For this example, I chose these:

FAITH
FAMILY
PARENTS
FRIENDS
HEALTH
LAUGHTER

For another example, one of my children made one for an aunt and put each of our family member's names on a link.  The possibilities are endless and as unique to each of your children!

Now, go have fun with scissors!

And remember why anyone is a saint or striving to be a saint -- because God made us ALL to know, love, and serve Him in this world and to be happy with Him forever in Heaven.  And THAT's where we should store up our treasures!

Happy St. Patrick's Day!

March 1, 2017

Stations of the Cross - FREE Coloring Book


Just in time for inspiration during the Fridays of Lent, here is a lovely FREE coloring book, which you may download for your children.  It is based upon the Stations of the Cross:

http://www.sjtb.org/images/stations%20of%20the%20cross%20coloring%20book-Julie.pdf

February 9, 2017

The Weight of a Mass

I highly recommend this book, The Weight of a Mass, by Josephine Nobisso!




It is derived from a *TRUE* story that actually occurred in a butcher's shop and was witnessed and recounted by the father of Father Stanislaus, SS. CC. of Luxembourg. As a result of witnessing this exchange, Father Stanislaus's father began to attend daily Mass.... and his son (Father Stanislaus!) became a priest!

Josephine Nobisso is from the Bronx, NY and homeschooled her daughter from 5th grade through high school.  She is the author of many meritorious children's books, including Take It to the Queen: A Tale of Hope.






February 1, 2017

The Catholic Addams Family

Start humming the tune to "The Addams Family," snap your fingers, then treat yourself to Father Dwight Longenecker's latest article:

http://www.ncregister.com/blog/longenecker/the-catholic-church-is-home-to-the-tasteful-and-the-tacky-the-sinners-and-t

With Love From Your Fellow Sinfully Tacky Catholic,
Enjoy!