Advent Day 5
Posted by Danielle Bean in Faith on Thursday, December 04, 2008 7:00 AM
In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God; all things were made through him, and without him was not anything made that was made. In him was life, and the life was the light of men. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.
-- John 1:1-5
Today’s task: Be still. Turn off the radio, the TV, and the iPod. Sit for 10 minutes and open your heart to God.
Today’s prayer: Begin the novena to Our Lady of Guadalupe
Today’s recipe: hot buttered rum
Saying Farewell
Posted by Lisa Hendey in Faith on Wednesday, December 03, 2008 4:33 PM
Last week, our parish and school community were hit hard by the sudden loss of two of our members to untimely deaths. So this week, we will be gathering twice within three days as a community to celebrate Masses of Christian Burial.
Yesterday was the first of the two funerals, to celebrate the life of a seventeen year old who had been suffering protracted illness and injury for the past year. Russell’s... READ MORE
Don’t Protect Christmas, Share It
Posted by Rebecca Teti in Faith on Wednesday, December 03, 2008 10:00 AM
I noted yesterday that there must be a good buried somewhere in the fact that merchants more or less must observe Christmas—even if their celebrations are out of tune.
I also noted that even Christians don’t say anything good about Christmas anymore—all we do is denounce commercialism.
No less an eminence than Joseph Cardinal Ratzinger made the same point in an essay back in 1977. While we’re... READ MORE
Advent Day 4
Posted by Danielle Bean in Faith on Wednesday, December 03, 2008 7:00 AM
Watch therefore — for you do not know when the master of the house will come, in the evening, or at midnight, or at cockcrow, or in the morning — lest he come suddenly and find you asleep. And what I say to you I say to all: Watch.
-- Mark 13:35-37
Today’s task: Be cheerful. Be happy in your work, especially if it’s tedious or nasty or thankless or difficult. Force your face to smile until the rest of you catches up.
Today’s prayer: Night Prayer
Today’s homemade gift suggestion: Christmas Cookies in a Jar
Today’s craft ideas: Advent wreath activities for kids
Today’s music: Behold the Lamb of God
Let’s Not Fall For It
Posted by Rebecca Teti in Faith on Tuesday, December 02, 2008 10:00 AM
The “War on Christmas” is no such thing, as the spate of stories about Thanksgiving pageants being canceled in our nations schools shows. What’s really under attack is festivity—the notion that there is anything worth celebrating. (Ultimately this attack on goodness is an attack on God, but he can handle himself!)
Here’s a column I wrote about three years ago and offer again not because I like to... READ MORE
Advent Day 3
Posted by Danielle Bean in Faith on Tuesday, December 02, 2008 7:00 AM
I give thanks to God always for you because of the grace of God which was given you in Christ Jesus, that in every way you were enriched in him with all speech and all knowledge — even as the testimony to Christ was confirmed among you — so that you are not lacking in any spiritual gift, as you wait for the revealing of our Lord Jesus Christ; who will sustain you to the end, guiltless in the day of our Lord Jesus Christ. God is faithful, by whom you were called into the fellowship of his Son, Jesus Christ our Lord.
-- Corinthians 1:4-9
Today’s task: Pay attention. Make eye contact. Stop, look, and listen when someone (especially a small someone) speaks to you.
Today’s recipe: Russian Tea Cakes are easy, delicious cookies that freeze well (just roll in sugar once and do the second rolling when you thaw them). They make a great gift packed in a pretty tin with a pound of coffee.
Today’s fun: Plenty of pretty to print, see, and do at JanBrett.com
Today’s subtle suggestion: If you are planning Advent baking, a Mega Baking Sheet
Waiting for Christmas
Posted by Arwen Mosher in Faith on Monday, December 01, 2008 6:29 PM
I am determined to celebrate Advent this year.
I know, I know. Coming from a practicing Catholic, that statement doesn’t sound particularly strong. Of course I’m going to celebrate Advent; we all do. It’s not like I’ve been simply ignoring the liturgical season in years past.
But the thing is that in a certain way, I have been.
Concentrating on Advent is a challenge in a culture where the... READ MORE
Advent Day 2
Posted by Danielle Bean in Faith on Monday, December 01, 2008 7:00 AM
Besides this you know what hour it is, how it is full time now for you to wake from sleep. For salvation is nearer to us now than when we first believed; the night is far gone, the day is at hand. Let us then cast off the works of darkness and put on the armor of light.
-- Romans 13:11-12
Today’s prayer: The Angelus
Today’s task: Let go. Forgive someone for something — even something small — that you have been holding on to.
Today’s treat: Hot Cocoa with cinnamon toast for breakfast
Today’s gift: Think of someone you know who needs encouragement. Call her and offer it today.
Drawing (and all the ones you’ll see this Advent) by Kateri
1st Sunday of Advent
Posted by Danielle Bean in Faith on Sunday, November 30, 2008 6:00 AM
Blessing: O God, by whose word all things are sanctified, pour forth thy blessing upon this wreath, and grant that we who use it may prepare our hearts for the coming of Christ and may receive from Thee abundant graces. Through Christ our Lord, Amen.
1st Sunday Prayer: O Lord, stir up Thy might, we beg Thee, and come that by Thy protection we may deserve to be rescued from the threatening dangers of our sins and saved by Thy deliverance. Through Christ our Lord. Amen.
More Advent background, blessings, and prayers.
Happy New (Liturgical) Year
Posted by Lisa Hendey in Faith on Saturday, November 29, 2008 8:00 AM
With tomorrow being the First Sunday of Advent, we celebrate the beginning of our new liturgical year.
I’m a huge resolution-maker, likely because I have so many areas that need improvement in my life! So I always love the beginning of a new liturgical year for the opportunity to reflect upon the past year of my life and to look forward to the future.
Last weekend at Mass, our homilist Msgr.... READ MORE
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