ADVENT

We wish you and your families a blessed and joyful Advent! 

What a beautiful season this is!  And yet it has become such a whirlwind of preparation - purchasing, wrapping, and mailing gifts; baking cookies and other favorites; mailing cards; attending parties & school plays; decorating our homes, and the to do list goes on and on... It's enough to make your head spin!  And all of this is good - after all, it is a time of joyful anticipation!  But do you ever wish you could get off the merry-go-round to spend a few quiet minutes with Jesus, and with your family, just enjoying the season?  Well, we've discovered some sites that can help you do just that!  EWTN offers short mini-reflections and a simple opportunity for putting your faith into action every day, the USCCB is giving us the gift of mini-reflections featuring words from Pope Benedict VI, and there are others that offer great ideas for getting our kids involved, creative gift giving ideas, and more!  You'll find links to these sites below, as well as some suggestions of our own for making this a  more peace filled, joyful season!

Jesse Tree

Some of our suggestions:

• Commit to eating at least one meal together as a family each week - breakfast, lunch, dinner, it doesn't matter.  Spending time together is what counts!  Maybe this could be an opportunity to have one of the kids light the Advent candle(s).  Some wonderful ideas can be found at:  http://gracebeforemeals.com/index.php.
• Do you really have to go to every party you're invited to?  Don't feel guilty saying no - spend the time with your family instead!
• Take time to enjoy the simple pleasures -be a kid again - play in the snow, drink hot chocolate, sing carols...
• Avoid the malls, and give a priceless gift:  Purchase a gift from an organization that helps people in impoverished areas of the world.  Or make a donation in honor of someone to one of these organizations.  We've been giving gifts of chickens, goats, clean water, a sewing machine, food for a family, and more from Food For the Poor as gifts to our family members for a while now.  They say it's the most precious gift they receive, and eagerly wait to see what it will be each Christmas. We've also purchased Fair Trade gifts from Catholic Relief Services, such as Divine chocolate (trust us, it's heavenly), coffee, handmade crafts, and gift baskets.  These items are made by people all over the world, including the USA, and your purchase enables them to be independent and helps them support their families.  94-96% of every dollar donated to these organizations goes directly to the poor.  "Give a child a fish, he'll eat for a day.  Teach him to fish, he'll eat for a lifetime."
• Make time to bake and decorate your favorite Christmas cookies with your kids - you'll be making great memories, and having a blast!  Not a baker, or don't have time to make cookies from scratch?  No problem - buy ready made dough!  Or even easier, buy plain sugar cookies from your bakery and have the kids decorate them with canned icing, sprinkles, etc.  If you do have the time, another fun idea is making salt dough or cornstarch dough ornaments.  The kids can decorate them with paint and glitter. My brothers and I made dough ornaments with our mom as kids.  We enjoyed it so much, I carried on this tradition, and I still have the ones my son made when he was 3 - that was 15 years ago!  Every year he laughs when he sees them on the tree (but I bet he is secretly glad).  I cherish them more than any other ornament - what memories!

LINKS FOR GREAT ADVENT IDEAS:

http://www.americancatholic.org/newsletters/cu/ac1103.asp

Creighton University daily reflections -  also provides many other useful Catholic links

EWTN - daily readings and reflections, plus Advent in Action - simple suggestions for putting your faith into action during Advent - a different opportunity every day!

Advent and Christmas with Pope Benedict VI -- a gift from USCCB this Advent:  Daily Scripture quotes and mini- reflections for each day of Advent through the Octave of Christmas, featuring short reflections taken from the Holy Father's homilies, speeches and addresses.

Who was St. Nicholas? - Read the true story of St. Nicholas with your children.  This site also offers great crafts, printable activities, and other ideas to celebrate St. Nicholas' feast day - December 6.

Advent and Christmas Traditions

USCCB - daily reflections, readings, etc.

Catholic Mom - great Advent prayers; creative gift ideas, and more!  

Advent Crafts and Activities for children

ALL SOULS DAY 

November 2

(the commemoration of all faithful departed)

The Catechism of the Catholic Church teaches that all who die in God's grace and friendship, but still imperfectly purified, are indeed assured of their eternal salvation; but after death they undergo purification, so as to achieve the holiness necessary to enter the joy of heaven.  

 All Souls day, celebrated by the Church on November 2, is a day for us to remember all of the suffering souls in Purgatory.   We can help them by praying for them, offering up our sacrifices and good works, and most importantly, having Masses said for them to relieve their suffering and hasten their delivery from Purgatory. The Holy Souls will repay us a thousand times over.  When they are in heaven at last, they will pray unceasingly for the friends on earth who helped them. They are even able to obtain for us the grace of a shortened stay in Purgatory, or a complete pardon!

Remember, the best gift we can give to our departed loved ones is to have a Mass offered for them!  Many parish Mass Intention Books are filled for months or years, but  a great avenue to have Masses offered is through the missions.  These priests depend on offering your Masses in order to spread the Gospel, provide food and medical supplies, and bring the Eucharist to the the poor of the world.  Below are several links to Missions:

Franciscan Missions

Missions in Kannur, India 

Association of Marian Helpers - Marians of the Immaculate Conception

 Catholic World Missions

The following is a beautiful analogy of Purgatory by Gus Lloyd, host of Seize the Day on the Catholic Channel

Purgatory

Today we celebrate the Feast of All Souls. It is the day we remember all the souls in Purgatory. Purgatory can be a controversial topic, and hard to explain. So, I would like to help you with that. Following is the copy of A Minute in the Church, a series of apologetics minutes that I have written for the radio. I hope this helps.

A family was having Thanksgiving dinner. So they took out their finest china, their most prized possession, for the feast. After a long and delicious meal, their fine china was full of gunk. Rather than put the china directly into the china hutch, the most beautiful place imaginable where it would stay forever, they put it into the sink and lovingly washed off the gunk.

This little parable may be a good way for us to understand Purgatory. You see, you are that fine china…God’s most precious possession. The table represents our lives on earth, where we accumulate a lot of gunk. And the beautiful china hutch represents heaven, where we will live forever.

In 1 Cor. 3:13-15, St. Paul speaks about the person who is being saved, in other words on their way to heaven, but who is being purified as through fire. The word purgatory simply means “to be purified.” Now the Book of Revelation 21:27 says that nothing unclean will enter heaven. So think of Purgatory as the sink, where God lovingly washes us clean, so that we can take our place with all those who have gone in faith before us.

Father, we pray for all the souls in Purgatory, that they may be released and behold your face in heavenly glory. Amen.

A True Account of Purgatory

 An Unpublished Manuscript on Purgatory, which has received the Imprimatur, offers us an amazing glimpse of Purgatory.  In the 1800s, a deceased nun appeared to a living nun, giving her astonishing revelations of Purgatory - what it's like, its levels and sufferings, the value of suffering, and how to avoid the lowest level.  Everyone should read this book - it will dramatically affect the way you view the rest of your life!

There is a good article about the booklet at Spirit Daily (the Catholic site with spiritual news from around the world)  - the booklet can also be ordered from this site.

The following are a few excerpts from the book:

If you could only know what I suffer! Pray for me, please. I suffer intensely everywhere. My God, how merciful You are! No one can imagine what Purgatory is like. Be kind and take pity on the poor souls . . .

Yes, I suffer very much, but my greatest torment is not seeing God. It is a continuous martyrdom. It makes me suffer more than does the fire of Purgatory.

August 15, 1875. Yes, we have seen the Blessed Virgin, she has gone back to Heaven with many souls, but I am still here. You feel the heat? Alas! if you knew what the heat of Purgatory is compared to yours! A little prayer does us so much good. It is like a glass of water given to a thirsty person.

On All Souls' Day many souls leave the place of expiation and go to Heaven. Also, by a special grace of God on that day only, all the suffering souls, without exception, have a share in the public prayers of the Church, even those who are in the great Purgatory. Still the relief of each soul is in proportion to its merits. Some receive more, some less, but all feel the benefit of this extraordinary grace. Many of the suffering souls receive this one help only in all the long years they pass here and this by the justice of God. It is not, however, on All Souls' Day that the most go to Heaven. It is on Christmas night.

FRIENDS OF THE POOR SOULS 

PROVIDES MORE INFORMATION ON HOW YOU CAN HELP THE POOR SOULS:

• Enroll your living and deceased friends and relatives in The Golden Book
• Become a prayer warrior - Pray the Rosary for them, Make the Stations of the Cross
• Have Masses said for them.
•  Offer up all of your pains and sufferings for the relief of the Holy Souls in Purgatory.

ELECTION 2010
DO YOU KNOW WHO YOU ARE VOTING FOR?

One of the most critical elections in generations in just days away!  Do you know who you are voting for?  Do you know which candidates support life?  We are at a critical crossroads in America - friends, please vote for life.  Click on the links below to find out where your candidates stand.  

COMPARE.  DECIDE.  VOTE.  - NATIONAL RIGHT TO LIFE ONLINE VOTING GUIDE 

FLORIDA RIGHT TO LIFE ENDORSEMENTS - for those who live in Florida -- a comprehensive listing of congressional and gubernatorial candidate recommendations for our area.  If you live elsewhere, do a search for Right to Life for your state.

THE FLORIDA CATHOLIC  -  candidate questionnaire and the Florida Bishops'  election statement.


 FAITHFUL CITIZENSHIP - 
THE USCCB VOTING GUIDE - videos, podcasts, pre-election prayers and more.

  VOTING FOR TEENS -
 GO MAKE A DIFFERENCE IN THE WORLD!  Click on Young Catholics tab at top of page to access this.


NEW YORK CATHOLIC BISHOPS - STATEMENT ON VOTING


THE CURT JESTER BLOG ON CATHOLIC TEA PARTY...

Amazing Benefits of Praying the Rosary

Spiritual Benefits of Praying the Rosary

In addition to the 15 promises of the Rosary,

 the benefits of daily Rosary prayer are quite extraordinary

 Helps you understand your life's purpose.

* Brings you closer to God and allows Him to actively  help you in your life. 

* Improves discernment and gives you a better ability to know right from   wrong.

* Increases your empathy, compassion, and tolerance towards others.

* Creates peace in your life.  Helps create peace to those close to you.

* Directs you towards heavenly treasures rather than earthly desires.

* Increases your capacity to love yourself and others.

* Provides assurance and guidance in times of despair and hopelessness.

* Increases your will power and your desire for goodness.

* Decreases the desire to sin; helps overcome temptation.

Physical & Mental Benefits of Praying the Rosary

Studies show the therapeutic value of daily prayer & meditation

* Increased focus and attention.

* Mental clarity; clears the mind of distractions and negative thoughts.

* Decreased anxiety and fear.

* Reduces stress, alleviates muscle tension, aids relaxation

* Promotes a restful night's sleep.

* Aids the termination of physical addictions.

* Helps with coping with chronic illness.

JANUARY 2011

MONTH OF THE HOLY NAME

January 1

The Blessed Virgin Mary, the Mother of God

Blessed Mother, you are the perfect role model for us - not only Jesus' mother, but His first disciple as well.  We consecrate ourselves to Jesus through you, and beg you for the graces necessary for our salvation, the salvation of our children, and all souls.  We open our hearts to you dear Mother, and praise God for you! Let us never be afraid to devote ourselves to you, for you will lead us all ever closer to your beloved Son.  We pray that all who are afraid to call you Mother, and those who malign you, will come to know your all encompassing love, enter into the protective folds of your mantle, and find comfort in your loving arms.

January 2

THE EPIPHANY OF THE LORD

  

January 3
THE MOST HOLY NAME OF JESUS






January 4
St. Elizabeth Ann Seton
Pray for our children & those that love them






January 5
St. John Neumann
Pray for our children & those that love them






January 6
Blessed Andre Bessette
Pray for our children & those that love them








January 7
St. Raymond of Penafort
Patron of Attorneys
Pray for our children & those that love them







January 10
THE BAPTISM OF OUR LORD









January 13
St. Hilary
Pray for our children & those that love them





January 14
Servant of God
John the Gardener
Pray for our children & those that love them


John was a humble Franciscan friar at the monastery in Salamanca.  There he became known as "the gardener" for his work in the garden and the beautiful flowers he produced for the chapel.
God gave him the gift of prophecy and the ability to read hearts.  Important people, including nobility, came to this humble friar for advice.  His advice was to forgive offenses, offering them up as a penance to God, which God finds most pleasing.  John felt forgiveness was the loveliest thing in God's eyes.






January 17
St. Anthony of Egypt
Pray for our children & those that love them


In our society, many scoff at the notion of devils and angels.  However, St. Anthony was known for his great power over evil spirits.  Having devoted his life to prayer and solitude, St. Anthony reminds us that prayer is essential to Christians in all ages.








January 21
St. Agnes
Virgin and Martyr
Patron of girls
Pray for our children & those that love them









January 22
Day of Penance for violations to the dignity of the human person committed through acts of abortion, and of prayer for the full restoration of the legal guarantee of the right to life.


10 Reasons to Choose life:

1. Because at conception, your baby's curly hair, green eyes, 5'6"frame, and female gender have already been determined.

2. Because at 21 days, her heart is beating.

3. Because at 43 days, she has brain waves.

4. Because at 8 weeks, she has fingers and toes.

5. Because at 10 weeks, she can feel pain.

6. Because at 12 weeks, she can suck her thumb.

7. Because at 4 months, she can listen to Mozart.

8. Because at 5 months, she can dream.

9. Because at 7 months, she can recognize her mother's voice.

10. Because at 9 months, you've got a friend for life.
Labels: "human life"

January 24

St. Francis De Sales
Pray for our children & those that love them

St. Francis was known for his gentleness, and practiced his own motto - 
"a spoonful of honey attracts more flies that a barrelful of vinegar."
He is perhaps most famous as the author of the classic book of spiritual direction: An Introduction to the Devout Life.  His writings were meant for lay persons, stressing that they too were meant to be saints.











January 25
The Conversion of St. Paul
St. Paul, pray for our children and those that love them


St. Paul, consumed with a hatred for all that Jesus stood for, persecuted the Church - handing many Christians over for imprisonment.  His sudden conversion occurred on the Road to Damascus, where he encountered the risen Christ, saying:  "I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting."  From that moment, his entire life was a proclamation and living out the message of the cross.

January 26

St. Timothy and St. Titus

Pray for our children & those that love them

St. Timothy was a fellow Apostle with Paul, and St. Titus was a close friend of St. Paul, and his disciple.

January 27

St. Angela Merici

Pray for our children & those that love them

St. Angela once went on a trip to the Holy Land.  On the way she was struck with an illness and became blind.  Despite her blindness, she insisted on continuing her pilgrimage, touring the holy sites by seeing with the devotion of her heart rather than with her eyes.  On the journey home she regained her sight - but the experience prompted her not to shut her eyes to the needs she saw around her - not to shut her heart to God's call.

In an era when only nuns or wealthy women were educated, she saw how little education girls had in her hometown.  At that time, nuns were the best educated weren't allowed to leave their cloisters, women were not allowed to be teachers, and unmarried women were not supposed to go out in public alone, even to serve others.  Angela saw the old ways were not helping girls - they had no education and no hope.  So she developed a new way.  She brought together a group of Franciscan tertiaries, who went out into the streets and gathered up the girls they saw, bringing them to their homes to teach them.  They met for prayer and classes, and became so successful that Angela was asked to bring her innovative approach to other cities.  Though not in her lifetime, her group became known as the order of the Ursulines. They were the first teaching order of nuns, and the first to work outside of the cloister.  

Angela wasn't afraid to overcome stereotypes in order to follow God's will and help others to follow God's call in their lives as well.  She is a wonderful role model for us as well - be not afraid!  Today, take a look around you and notice people who need help, but are not receiving it.  You can make a difference in someone's life by helping them in some small way.  We have no idea how the smallest act of kindness, even just a simple smile, can bring hope to someone else!

January 28

St. Thomas Aquinas

Pray for our children & those that love them

St. Thomas is a Doctor of the Church

He is the Patron of students and Catholic schools

A superb teacher, he truly is one of the greatest minds the Church as ever known.  His greatest contribution to the Church are his writings.

January 31

St. John Bosco

Patron of Boys, editors, youth

Pray for our children & those that love them

The image above represents the Vision of the Two Columns, which Don Bosco was given in a dream.  There is a great battle depicted on the sea, with many ships attacking the large ship.  However, on the right column stands an image of the Virgin Mary with the inscription "Help of Christians", and on the left, a much larger column supporting the Eucharist, with the inscription "Salvation of Believers."  At the helm of the tall ship is the Pontiff, straining with all of his might to steer the ship between the two columns.