Stations Made Simple
Posted by Rachel Balducci in Family on Thursday, March 04, 2010
Driving in the car one Lenten afternoon, I decided we would talk about the Stations of the Cross. I could ask each boy to name a specific station and then we could discuss in further detail exactly what happened.
“Charlie,” I asked as we headed down the road, “will you name one of the stations?”
“Jesus falls the first time,” he replied.
“Good,” I said. “Tell me what happened.”
“Jesus fell…the first... READ MORE
Don't Give Up Chocolate for Lent
Posted by Danielle Bean in Reviews on Wednesday, February 10, 2010
A few months ago, I was honored to be asked to review a copy of Consoling the Heart of Jesus: A Do-It-Yourself Retreat by Br. Michael Gaitley, MIC.
I get a lot of books in the mail, and many of them are spiritual ones. But in many years not one of them has spoken to my heart the way that this book has.
Brother Michael has a rare gift for speaking to simple souls and encouraging them to draw closer... READ MORE
Support a Catholic Artist
Posted by Danielle Bean in Reviews on Wednesday, January 13, 2010
Isn’t this image of Our Lady beautiful? Every time I see it, it stops me in my tracks.
It’s a painting by the contemporary artist Cameron Smith. He has done a similar painting of the Sacred Heart that you can see at his blog.
The good news is that prints of these inspiring works are available for purchase. I can’t think of a lovelier addition to your home or a more thoughtful gift for any Catholic... READ MORE
Meeting Him at Midnight
Posted by Danielle Bean in Faith on Thursday, December 24, 2009
A few years ago, when our pastor suggested that we Beans attend Midnight Mass for Christmas, I balked.
What?
We only had about a million kids. We were supposed to wake them up in the middle of the night and drag them to a 2-hour liturgy?
Really?
Yes.
And we have ever since. What a blessing the midnight Mass has been for us!
I love to watch my children approach the nativity scene at our church at... READ MORE
I Am So Happy on Christmas Eve!
Posted by Rebecca Teti in Faith on Thursday, December 24, 2009
Do you know this sweet Norwegian carol? Listen to the melody here if not.
Er Saa Glad Hyer Julekveld
I am so glad each Christmas Eve,
The night of Jesus’ birth!
Then like the sun the Star shone forth,
And angels sang on earth.
The little Child in Bethlehem,
He was a King indeed!
For He came down from heaven above
To help a world in need.
He dwells again in heaven’s realm,
The Son of God today;
And... READ MORE
Last Chance to Slow Down
Posted by Danielle Bean in Faith on Tuesday, December 22, 2009
Being Like Our Mother
Posted by Arwen Mosher in Faith on Wednesday, December 09, 2009
Our pastor is an excellent homilist and will often make a point so striking that I wish I had a notebook with me so I could write it down immediately. Then he’ll keep talking and I’ll realize it’s something I’ve known all along, and was simply failing or forgetting to think about in the proper way.
With his homilies he brings the truths of our faith back into focus and helps renew them in our minds... READ MORE
Advent Reading
Posted by Rachel Balducci in Family on Wednesday, December 02, 2009
Tonight during reading time, Henry pulled out this little gem—Tomie’s Little Christmas Pageant
We’ve had this book for years, but it will be the first Advent that Henry is old enough to enjoy (or mildy appreciate) the story of the Nativity. Tonight, as we read through this book by one of my favorite illustrators, what fun it was to have Henry repeat phrases like “baby Jesus” and “three wise men” and “Holy Family.”
I recommend this book because it’s a great way to introduce the story of the Nativity—as told by dePaola through his experience as a boy in a Christmas pageant. It’s a simple retelling with wonderful pictures—perfect for the resident toddler.
Do you have any books about the Nativity that your family loves? What do you recommend?
The One We Seek
Posted by Danielle Bean in Faith on Wednesday, December 02, 2009
It is Jesus that you seek when you dream of happiness;
He is waiting for you when nothing else you find satisfies you;
He is the beauty to which you are so attracted;
It is He who provokes you with that thirst for fullness that will not let you settle for compromise;
It is He who urges you to shed the masks of a false life;
It is He who reads in your hearts your most genuine choices, the choices that others try to stifle.
It is Jesus who stirs in you the desire to do something great with your lives, the will to follow an ideal, the refusal to allow yourselves to be ground down by mediocrity, the courage to commit yourselves humbly and patiently to improving yourselves and society, making the world more human and more fraternal.
—Pope John Paul II
HT: Happy Catholic
Rejoice and Be Glad
Posted by Danielle Bean in Faith on Sunday, November 01, 2009
“Blessed are the poor in spirit,
for theirs is the Kingdom of heaven.
Blessed are they who mourn,
for they will be comforted.
Blessed are the meek,
for they will inherit the land.
Blessed are they who hunger and thirst for righteousness,
for they will be satisfied.
Blessed are the merciful,
for they will be shown mercy.
Blessed are the clean of heart,
for they will see God.
Blessed are the peacemakers,
for they will be called children of God.
Blessed are they who are persecuted for the sake of righteousness,
for theirs is the Kingdom of heaven.
Blessed are you when they insult you and persecute you
and utter every kind of evil against you falsely because of me.
Rejoice and be glad,
for your reward will be great in heaven.”
—Matthew 5:1-12
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