The Season

May/June 2009 Issue | Posted by Melissa Hartog in Season

“If every tiny flower wanted to be a rose, spring would lose its loveliness.”

— St. Thérèse of Lisieux

Spring

Activities for you and your family.

Feasts, Traditions … and Fun

May 10 Mother’s day

­ ­• Mom — if the following appeals to you, leave this page where your family will find it:

After Sunday Mass and your traditional Mother’s Day breakfast or brunch, present Mom with a couple of rented chick flicks and a gift pack of her favorite snack foods. Then pile the kids in the car and get lost for the afternoon, leaving Mom free to relax.

Alternatively, give her permission to hop in the car and go where she wants while you stay home with the kids. Have supper ready when she comes home. And tonight, when it’s time for family prayer, let Dad be the one to gather the family, who have, of course, agreed ahead of time to come quickly and cheerfully!

— Daria Sockey

21Ascension

­ ­• Go to Mass. Holy Day of Obligation (check FaithandFamilyLIVE.com “Resources” for exceptions).

A traditional activity for this day is to climb to a hill top or scenic overlook of some kind, as Jesus and his followers climbed the Mount of Olives. Have a picnic on your high place, and maybe release a helium balloon and watch it disappear from sight, just as the Apostles watched Jesus until they could no longer see him.

The text of this traditional Protestant hymn appears on the Women for Faith and Family website (WF-F.org). Read it to your family as a poem/litany, having them say (or shout!) the Alleluias after each line.

Hail the Day That Sees Him Rise

Hail the day that sees him rise, Alleluia!

Glorious to his native skies: Alleluia!

Christ, awhile to mortals given, Alleluia!

Enters now the highest heaven! Alleluia!

There the glorious triumph waits; Alleluia!

Lift your heads, eternal gates! Alleluia!

Wide unfold the radiant scene; Alleluia!

Take the King of glory in! Alleluia!

See! He lifts his hands above, Alleluia!

See! He shows the prints of love: Alleluia!

Hark! His gracious lips bestow, Alleluia!

Blessings on his Church below. Alleluia!

Lord, beyond our mortal sight, Alleluia!

Raise our hearts to reach thy height, Alleluia!

There thy face unclouded see, Alleluia!

Find our heaven of heavens in Thee. Alleluia!

— Daria Sockey

Your own faith and family traditions in May:

More Faith and Family Days in May

₁

St. Joseph the Worker

Make a special breakfast for Dad today.

9

Blessed George Preca

Visit FaithandFamilyLIVE.com to learn more about this saint.

31

Pentecost Sunday

Wear red today for the Holy Spirit.

Feasts, Traditions … and Fun

June

14

The Most Holy Body and Blood of Christ

The solemnity of Corpus Christi, which dates back to around 1300 A.D., is celebrated on the second Sunday after Pente­ ­ cost. Here are some activities to do as a family:

• Attend a Eucharistic procession. If your parish doesn’t have one, ask your pastor to hold one. For information: FaithandFamilyLIVE.com “Resources.”

• If you can’t attend a procession, attend a holy hour.

• Sing songs about the Blessed Sacra­ ment. Suggestions include: “Panis Angelicus,” “Jesus My Lord, My God, My All,” and “Adoro Te Devote.” Or you can hear the Vienna Boys Choir sing my ultimate favorite, “Ave Verum Corpus” by Mozart, on YouTube.com (links: FaithandFamilyLIVE.com “Resources”).

• Read stories of saints with special Eu­ charistic devotion, such as St. Tarsic­ ius, St. Pio, St. Gerard Majella, St. Tho­ mas Aquinas, and St. Peter Julian Eymard.

• Make a yummy Sunday dinner fitting for this great solemnity, and include bread and wine in the menu with an angel food cake dessert.

— Maryan Vander Woude

21Father’s Day

• Try changing up the classic grilled burger to show your appreciation for Dad today!

Guacamole Bacon Burger

(a la Red Robin style)

Make and grill your hamburger to your liking, then top each burger with:

Slice of Swiss cheese

(add onto burger in

the last minute of

grilling)

2 slices of hickory smoked bacon

greenleaf lettuce

2 slices of tomato

slice of Vidalia onion

zesty guacamole

sesame seed bun

mayonnaise

Homemade Zesty Guacamole

2 ripe avocados, peeled and pitted, then mashed

2 tablespoons chopped cilantro leaves

1 tablespoon minced onion

1/2 jalapeño pepper, seeded and minced

1/2 garlic clove, minced

1/2 teaspoon chili powder

fresh lime juice

salt

Mix together, adding salt and lime juice to taste. Refrigerate until ready to use. What doesn’t go on the burgers can be served with chips!

For quick guacamole, April Hoopes recommends smashing two ripe avocados and mixing them with 2 tablespoons or more of Trader Joe’s Salsa Auten­ tica, a squeeze of lemon, and a dash of salt. You can try another salsa, but it won’t have April’s seal of approval.

— Maryan Vander Woude

Your own faith and family traditions in June:

More Faith and Family Days in June

19

The Most Sacred Heart of Jesus

Pray the Litany of the Sacred Heart of Jesus

(at our website).

22

St. Thomas More

Visit FaithandFamilyLIVE.com for a list of activities to do with your family.

29

St. Peter and St. Paul

Watch Paul: Contending for the Faith (Ignatius.com).

Your own faith and family traditions in June:

Homework: Share your own faith and family traditions with us. Contact information, page 6.