Prayer to the Holy Family

Jesus, Mary and Joseph, like you we are members

of the Father's family. We pray that our family

love may reflect his love on its openness to all

people. May we forgive even when not forgiven,

and be patient with one another’s weaknesses.

Jesus, give us peace, unity and strength to

meet the difficulties of daily living. May we

use our family resources to improve the

quality of life for all people and ourselves.

Let us show joy in serving, for whatever

we do for others, we do for you.

Mary, inspire us, that our love may be

strong but not possessive. Let our willingness

to give depend on the needs of others

rather than on the cost of giving.

Joseph, help us to be attentive to the

Father's will. Let us be ready, as you were,

to act whenever he calls us.

Things coming to a close

Christmas vacation coming to a close, the kids go back to school on Thursday.  We got a surprise dusting of snow last night.  It looks like a dusting of powdered sugar all over the ground.  The girls went out at 11pm to see it last night.  Gabriel picked last night (of all nights) to do some camping with his friends!  He and his rowing buddies have started this camping obsession and so are out camping about 1 weekend a month--last night must have been cold!  They all have appropriate gear, but when I pick him up in an hour I won't be surprised if they slept inside!

Marian is working on an extra credit project on the moon and will be finishing it up soon.  She has been playing with her American Girl dolls a lot lately.  She brought one to Midnight mass all dressed up, but our priest did not know too much about American Girl dolls, so he was not impressed.

With Bogdan's end of the year bonus, we added more money to Anna's college account, since she will be the first to go in the family.  Now she has to work on her grades a bit!

We hope to see a movie before the break is over, perhaps Lincoln or Les Miserables, both getting good reviews.  But still not sure I want to see Les Mis, since I also read a mediocre review and it has my least favorite actor in it.

Was able to talk or Skype with many family over vacation and that was nice.  Many nice Christmas cards and letters from family and friends as well.

Merry Christmas

Happy Christmas Eve

Marian and Anna are very excited.  Finally, it's Christmas Eve.  Others I talk to (mostly adults) are saying "It's already Christmas Eve!"

I think we've watched "Miracle on 34th Street" at least 3 times this week already.  (The new version)  Marian loves it.

We are headed to help decorate the church this morning, transform it from Advent to Christmas in one day!

End of the World Humor

End of the world?

Don't worry about the world coming to an end today.  It's already tomorrow in Australia.
~Charles Schulz

Rain, rain, go away

Would much rather this be snow, but we are getting rain all day and into tomorrow.  The kids are having a relaxing Christmas break.  Bogdan has been on call all week (only 2 middle of the night calls) and he is able to take some time off next week. 

We are headed to a family mass tonight at our parish, with Bishop Stika presiding. 

Sadness and joy

Vacation has begun, perhaps on a more somber note than in past years.  We are filled with sorrow for those who have died in CT.  We read about the heroism, but also about the lives that have been lost.  Is it important to know why?  That is a question to ponder.

Sadness also in the remembering of Helen, who passed away recently and whose memorial mass was today. 

But, there is joy, as we light the pink candle of Advent, we are told to rejoice.  For it is the very word of Gaudete Sunday, Latin for rejoice.  A savior is near, born to save the world, born to set all people free.  And perhaps in his birth, some may find the consolation they need in this time of tragedy.

Prayers in the midst of tragedy

In the wake of the tragedy in Connecticut, I am reminded of this prayer of St. Patrick,

Christ be With Me

May the strength of God pilot me,
the power of God preserve me today.

May the wisdom of God instruct me,
the eye of God watch over me,
the ear of God hear me,
the word of God give me sweet talk,
the hand of God defend me,
the way of God guide me.

Christ be with me.
Christ before me.
Christ after me.
Christ in me.
Christ under me.
Christ over me.
Christ on my right hand.
Christ on my left hand.
Christ on this side.
Christ on that side.
Christ at my back.

Christ in the head of everyone
to whom I speak.
Christ in the mouth of every person
who speaks to me.

Christ in the eye of every person who looks at me.
Christ in the ear of every person who hears me today.

Cold enough to snow

What good is weather this cold if it's not going to snow?  This Southern Christmas, green or whatever you call it, stinks. 

Wish it were snowing, a foot in the streets, with a fire burning in the fireplace, I will just have to watch it on TV in a Hallmark movie.

 

Prayer of Thanksgiving

A friend of a friend received the best Christmas present this week, a bit early, but the best for his family.  He was in the hospital for the past few months, dying in need of a liver transplant.  He got word this week that there is a liver for him and he is on his way to getting a new liver and a new life.  Our bible study has been praying for him and his family for months, and this is a testament to the power of prayer.

12-12-12

Heard a lot in the news about today's date, many people are getting married today, many hoping to deliver their baby today, etc.

It is also the Feast of our Lady of Guadalupe. Pray for us, Patroness of the Americas.

Christmas Pickles

I have been giving out my Dill Pickles to everyone for Christmas.  Marian and I made 24 pints of dill pickles this summer (I made her do it, because my canning buddy, Rita, lives too far away).  The cucumbers were from our church vegetable garden, which had an abundance of them, and the dill was fresh from someone's garden.  People are so happy to receive the pickles and one person even told me they were awesome--when you are canning, you never know until you crack that seal and have a taste!

Favorite Christmas Books

A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens

The Friendly Snowflake by M. Scott Peck

The Christmas Miracle of Jonathan Toomey by Susan Wojciechowski

Jingle the Christmas Clown by Tomie DePaola

The Christmas Box by Richard Paul Evans

Olive, the Other Reindeer by J. Otto Seibold and Vivian Walsh

Christmas Cookies by the week

Week 1 (this week)
Snickerdoodles (Bogdan)

Week 2
Peanut Butter Blossoms (Marian)

Week 3
Spritz cookies (Gabriel)

Week 4
Sugar Cookies (Anna)

And in between somewhere, a new cookie Apricot-Walnut Rugelach, my choice

Prayer a day for Advent

The Second Week of Advent--Sunday 

 

Dear Lord,
Through the darkness, I look for your wisdom.
I want my heart to be open to you.
But sometimes in these days, it seems that
so many things come between us.

Help me to be awake and aware
of the radiance you bring to my life.
Help me to be grateful each day
for the blessings of family and friends.
Let me be a peacemaker
in my own life, and in the world.
Let me pray especially for this difficult world
and those who are so in need of an end to violence.
My heart begs for this as my Advent prayer today.

Peanuts' Christmas

Come Thou Long Expected Jesus

Come, Thou long expected Jesus
Born to set Thy people free;
From our fears and sins release us,
Let us find our rest in Thee.
Israel's strength and consolation,
Hope of all the earth Thou art;
Dear desire of every nation,
Joy of every longing heart.

Born Thy people to deliver,
Born a child and yet a King,
Born to reign in us forever,
Now Thy gracious kingdom bring.
By Thine own eternal Spirit
Rule in all our hearts alone;
By Thine all sufficient merit,
Raise us to Thy glorious throne.

Happy Feast Day, St. Nicholas!!

The true story of Santa Claus begins with Nicholas, who was born during the third century in the village of Patara. At the time the area was Greek and is now on the southern coast of Turkey. His wealthy parents, who raised him to be a devout Christian, died in an epidemic while Nicholas was still young. Obeying Jesus' words to "sell what you own and give the money to the poor," Nicholas used his whole inheritance to assist the needy, the sick, and the suffering. He dedicated his life to serving God and was made Bishop of Myra while still a young man. Bishop Nicholas became known throughout the land for his generosity to the those in need, his love for children, and his concern for sailors and ships.

Under the Roman Emperor Diocletian, who ruthlessly persecuted Christians, Bishop Nicholas suffered for his faith, was exiled and imprisoned. The prisons were so full of bishops, priests, and deacons, there was no room for the real criminals—murderers, thieves and robbers. After his release, Nicholas attended the Council of Nicaea in AD 325. He died December 6, AD 343 in Myra and was buried in his cathedral church, where a unique relic, called manna, formed in his grave. This liquid substance, said to have healing powers, fostered the growth of devotion to Nicholas. The anniversary of his death became a day of celebration, St. Nicholas Day, December 6th.

Through the centuries many stories and legends have been told of St. Nicholas' life and deeds. These accounts help us understand his extraordinary character and why he is so beloved and revered as protector and helper of those in need.

(From The St. Nicholas Center)

Fourth Wiseman

 

Unbeknownst to most theologians, there was a fourth wiseman, 

who was turned away for bringing a fruitcake.

Prayer a day for Advent

The First Week of Advent--Wednesday
 

Lord of all,
you are a God of plenty, a Lord who provides
for us in our need.
As I begin these early days of Advent
help me to believe that you know what I need.
Give me the courage to listen to your voice
and the freedom
to open my heart to the graces you are
offering me to place my trust in you.

First King Sized Bed

Prayer a day for Advent

The First Week of Advent--Monday
 

Loving God,
I sense that all is your creation
and everything, and all of us,
are being drawn back toward your loving heart.
Help me to be a person of peace,
To speak about it in an uneasy world,
And to live it among the people
you have put into my life every day.
Light in me a desire to prepare for your coming
to stand in the darkness, waiting, eager and filled with joy.

Homemade soda

Gabriel learned about fermentation in Biology class this week and decided to make homemade soda with his friends today. The process should be done this week and we'll see how his homemade ginger ale and orange soda taste!

I Heard the Bells (Casting Crowns version)

I heard the bells on Christmas day
Their old familiar carols play
And mild and sweet their songs repeat
Of peace on earth good will to men

And the bells are ringing
Like a choir they're singing
In my heart I hear them
Peace on earth, good will to men

And in despair I bowed my head
There is no peace on earth I said
For hate is strong and mocks the song
Of peace on earth, good will to men

But the bells are ringing
Like a choir singing
Does anybody hear them?
Peace on earth, good will to men

Then rang the bells more loud and deep
God is not dead, nor doth He sleep
The wrong shall fail, the right prevail
With peace on earth, good will to men

Then ringing singing on its way

The world revolved from night to day
A voice, a chime, a chant sublime
Of peace on earth, good will to men

And the bells they're ringing
Like a choir they're singing
And with our hearts we'll hear them
Peace on earth, good will to men

Do you hear the bells they're ringing?
The life the angels singing
Open up your heart and hear them
Peace on earth, good will to men

Peace on earth, Peace on earth
Peace on earth, Good will to men