Simply Joyous
Posted by Daria Sockey in Features on Wednesday, October 29, 2008
Between soaring food and fuel prices, many of us might find our Christmas budgets tighter than usual this year. But is that any reason to stint ourselves (and our children) on Christmas joy? Heaven forbid!
We’ve talked to several expert economists — Catholic moms dealing with a single family income and multiple children — to hear how they do it.
Simply Meaningful
Teresa Giorgio of Akron, Ohio, is... READ MORE
The Year Ends
Posted by Daria Sockey in Season on Wednesday, October 29, 2008
“Year’s end is neither an end nor a beginning, but going on, with all the wisdom that experience can instill in us.”
— Hal Borland
Feasts, Traditions … and Fun
Nov.
More Faith and Family Days in November
2 All Souls
Visit your loved ones who passed away.
23 Christ the King
Say a prayer to Christ the King (see FaithandFamilyLIVE.com “Resources”).
30 First Sunday in Advent
Collect greens for... READ MORE
Be Prepared
Posted by Danielle Bean in Faith on Monday, November 10, 2008
I just bought my Advent candles—have you?
For your shopping convenience, Aquinas and More Catholic Goods has a page devoted to Advent resources and The Catholic Company does as well.
This year, there is a great new resource for parents who struggle to prepare for Christmas while observing a meaningful Advent. Check out Advent Adventure, brought to you by the people who bring us Holy Heroes:
Every day during Advent we will send you an email with a link that takes you to that day’s activities. You’ll see short videos, listen to short audio selections, download coloring pictures, word searches and games, take quizzes to see what you’ve learned, and more.
Best part—it’s free! Sign up for Advent Adventure today.
Beyond the Jesse Tree
Posted by Danielle Bean in Faith on Monday, November 17, 2008
With just under two weeks left before Advent begins, I thought I’d offer a list of some easy ways to keep your focus on Christ during this typically frenzied season.
Plan a gift for Jesus. Think of something special you can give Christ this Advent. Will you cut back on sweets, add a daily Rosary, or ... make room in your heart to forgive someone who needs forgiving?
Let it go. At least once each... READ MORE
Feast of St. Andrew
Posted by Rebecca Teti in Just me on Saturday, November 29, 2008
Do you pray the St. Andrew novena for Advent?
So-called because it starts on the feast of St. Andrew, which --sometimes, as is the case this year--coincides with the First Sunday of Advent?
The pious practice is to say it 15 times a day to receive a special grace, but I confess we don’t do that. We just say it together once as part of our family prayer during Advent.
I do think of it often during Advent and at other times during the year when I want to meditate on the mystery of the Incarnation. There’s something about the wording that helps me “enter in” to that mystery right away.
The version I have committed to memory runs: “Hail and Blessed be the hour and moment when the Son of God was born of the Most Pure Virgin Mary at midnight in Bethlehem in piercing cold. By that hour vouchsafe, O Lord, to hear my prayers, and grant my request through the merits of Our Savior Jesus Christ and of his Most Holy Mother, Amen.”
Image: Two Hearts Design.
1st Sunday of Advent
Posted by Danielle Bean in Faith on Sunday, November 30, 2008
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.
Advent Day 2
Posted by Danielle Bean in Faith on Monday, December 01, 2008
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
Waiting for Christmas
Posted by Arwen Mosher in Faith on Monday, December 01, 2008
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 3
Posted by Danielle Bean in Faith on Tuesday, December 02, 2008
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
Let’s Not Fall For It
Posted by Rebecca Teti in Faith on Tuesday, December 02, 2008
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
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