Laura Berquist and the Latin Mass

On googling "Laura Berquist and Latin Mass" I found that she has written articles for Latin Mass magazine. (This is just one from 2001)

Regarding a book teaching children about the Latin Mass, Laura Berquist gave this review.

"We want our children to love the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass. Love proceeds from knowledge: YOU CAN ONLY LOVE WHAT YOU KNOW. The Catechism teaches us that our purpose in life is to know, love and serve God. It is only if you know God, that you can love Him. In The Mass Explained to Children, Maria Montessori gives young readers the knowledge from which a love for the Mass can grow." -Laura Berquist, Homeschool Specialist

A friend of mine who teaches at a MODG co-op school spoke with LB at Virginia's IHM conference and she relates that there may be more about the Latin Mass in the curriculum in the future as our Pope has made it known that he would like the Latin Mass in every parish.

Not surprising that the creator of Mother of Divine Grace Catholic, CLASSICAL curriculum appreciates the historical Latin Mass and supports it through her writing.

When you know the Latin Mass, just like knowing your faith...fear-doubt-and uncertainty no longer cloud perception. The Mass, and our Pope's writings on it, should be embraced by Catholics. Our Holy Father believes both Masses are valid and he is the Vicar of Christ on earth. He has worked hard to encourage the beauty of the "old Mass" to be welcomed into parishes. Should we hesitate... complain... or fill this prescription for our soul from this holy man and spiritual advisor we look up to?

Spirit of the Liturgy by Pope Benedict XVI

While the Eyes of the Great were Elsewhere, by Professor William Biersach

Readers, I have often heard that Dr. Clark of Seton attends traditional Masses as well...perhaps Byzantine...can you confirm?

Beach reading

Mater et Magistra is a great, Catholic homeschoolers "magazine". I loved reading it on the beach, especially Alice Gunther's article.

Google it.

I hope to finish Maureen Whitman's For the Love of Literature on the beach as well, but my back has seized up. How sad I will be if I can't enjoy all the family time at the seaside. If you have a moment to lift a prayer, I'd appreciate it. :)

More scene's from a summer vacation

Learning to Sacrifice

Mrs. L at the Wellsprings of Traditional Life has a lovely exercise for bloggers. It's about Learning to Sacrifice.

I believe I made a start at it today. I defended the Latin Mass on a homeschooling yahoogroup and was moderated from making further comments.

I am naive enough to wonder, why other Catholics would be "offended" by the "hot topic" of the Mass?? Do they not appreciate the hard work of our Pope, the Vicar of Christ on Earth, led by the Holy Spirit who has made it known he wishes this Mass in every parish? We can talk all we want about the Novus Ordo of the last 40 years, and no one complains but we cannot talk about the TLM that preceded it for thousands. That offends some eventhough their Pope thinks both Masses are valid. Testimony to it's unearthly power, the sacred seems to always be assaulted in "this world." The Traditional Latin Mass is considered a threat by those that should love the Holy Sacrifice.

This is an opportunity to see into and align with the Pope's struggle, to unite with him in prayer and obedience. Despite my inclination to want to take this further, I will sacrifice that impulse and keep this in prayer. Our Holy Father has been gentle while working to encourage the Latin Mass for years. It would do me good to be so patient...since I will never be as wise.

Scene's from a Summer vacation ~ and we've only just begun

See Renee's Go East, they said blog for more summer photos from participants...

It's here...the time we just live for as a family...beachtime with extended family...lots more photos to come!

It begins....

Wet suits ready to rip the curls...we're paddlin' out!

For Bella, the mothership, as she Satellites

For BELLA, the mothership, as she journeys through the space between now and the birth of her long awaited firstborn and son. This song comes to mind... (click)

Friends please pray for my bedridden friend and her child. Who knows, maybe she'll see your comments from her hospital bed if she's bored enough to read my blog. :)

What a great Mother we have

"Because she had proved to the the most humble among angels and men, Mary was raised above all that was created, and is most beautiful of all and more like God tan any other can be." ~ St. Bridget of Sweden

Thank you dear Mother for your intercession to our Lord. Only the Immaculate can present our needs to Him in a spotless way....and we are grateful for prayers answered on this day.

It's as if you would not allow your devotee to receive bad news on your feast day!

St. Maximillian Kolbe who was killed on the eve of this feast day and who had dedicated himself to The Immaculate says of Mary,

We, too, are "called to be mothers of God, bearing Jesus Christ in human souls." And this can be effected by consecrating ourselves to Mary, "to be changed into her, that she alone remains, so that we may be as much hers as she is God's. She belongs to God, having become his Mother. And we want to become the mother who would give the life of the Immaculate to every heart that exists and to those that will still come into existence...
"Thus, entering these hearts and taking full possession of them, she may give birth to sweet Jesus, who is God, that he might grow in them in age and perfection."

H/T to Halloweed Ground for the always sumptious images

Maximilian Kolbe: Saint of Auschwitz

Perhaps he could do it because he had consecrated his life to Jesus...through Mary, the Immaculate....

Wordless Wednesday ~ He did it!

Before and After projects

Remember the messy scrapbook room I've been working on?

I did so enjoy looking through all the old photos, reliving memories and I think I am motivated to scrapbook again....here's the BEFORE....

It's still quite FULL, but I know where everything is now (wink). Here's the AFTER....

Then, there's my husband's office...the "computer" room and sometimes guest bedroom with pull out couch.

Here's the BEFORE....

And here's the AFTER...

I think you have to really live in a place to notice the improvements and feel the streamline. It is a joy to tick something off your summer to-do list! Cleaner surfaces, more room, more organization....check and check!

Fr. Z and the Solemn Assumption Mass

We'll be hearing and seeing Fr. Z. live on Friday!

The eighth annual Solemn Assumption Mass,

hosted by Mater Ecclesiae parish,Berlin, NJ,

will be celebrated at 7:00PM on Friday, August 15

at the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception, Broadway and Market Streets, Camden,NJ.

Dr. Timothy McDonnell, Director of Music at Ave Maria University, NaplesFlorida, will conduct the polyphonic music for the Mass

and Mr. NicholasBeck, the Music Director of Mater Ecclesiae,

will lead the Gregorian Propers of the Mass.

The musical selections are as follows: The Ordinary of the Massis the Messa della Cappella (1641), by Claudio Monteverdi. Other selections:Canzon XII a 8, Giovanni Gabrielli; Sonata Sopra "Sancta Maria", C.Monteverdi; Venite Populi and Sonata #12 in C major, K 263, W.A. Mozart;Pulchra est amica mea, Palestrina-Bassano; Ave Maria, Harold Boatrite; Hymns- Repeat My Soul, Walter Greatorex and Sing We of the Blessed Mother,Timothy McDonnell.

The preacher of the Mass is Father John Zuhlsdorf,

a renowned commentator and the author of the Blog, "What does the PrayerReally Say."

We are also honored to have in attendance, a long time friendof Mater Ecclesiae and pastor of St. Athanasius Parish, Phila., the BishopElect of the Diocese of St. Thomas in the Virgin Islands, Reverend MonsignorHerbert Bevard.

Here's a snipet of the heavenly choir joining in on Salve Regina from last year. When I hear them come in on the song, I still get chills.....

My son, the gold medalist!

Team Finland takes the local summer world hockey GOLD medal and the world league cup by a score of 7-3.

What an exciting game!

Simple Woman's daybook for August 11th

My Simple Woman's daybook ~ week beginning August 11th

I'm participating in A Simple Woman's Daybook carnival. Visit Peggy to see all the other daybooks of participants as well as many other creative ideas she has at her delightful blog.

Outside my Window...today we had a lot of exciting weather. During Mass there was a thunder and lightening storm. I am unable to remember ever being at Mass when that happened before. The inside of our white walled church was less bright, dimmed by the dark clouds and yet the stained glass looked more contrasted. During the homily you could hear the pinging against the stain glass of hail! In fact, later, at dinner time my husband had to grill under a giant umbrella as coin sized hail balls threatened him. We've had a lot of hail this summer.

I am thinking of...all the beautiful nature we enjoyed and photographed over the temperate weekend.

I am thankful for...all the birthdays we've celebrated over the last 17 days. Four!

From the kitchen...there will be leftover corn from a birthday dinner tonight, we've been feasting on requested birthday meals followed by Sundaes.

I am creating...well, trying to create some crochet. Mother of Divine Grace recommends it for 2nd grade small muscle development and I thought I'd try to learn before school starts. It's addicting!!! My husband says I'll soon have carpal tunnel syndrome. I've just been making strips, but I want to learn how to make an EASY baby blanket, or something EASY. Any crocheters out there?

I am going... to finsh my two projects Monday. My scrapbook room and my husband's office room. I hope to post before and after pictures. They both look so much cleaner, more streamlined and purged.

I am wearing....a black and white peasant skirt, that real lightweight kind with little appliques sewn on to it and a white, 3/4 length cotton shirt.

I am reading... to do lists as I prepare for a vacation.

I am hoping....and praying that my husband recovers from his back pain and leg sciatica. He's just not been himself....

Around the house...pumpkins are growing and cicadas are leaving their shells!

One of my favorite things.... seeing my kids happy. Today was my 2nd son's birthday and he seemed to really enjoy his presents. He might still be up building his lego ship! His mind was engaged today in many a new challenge. I juxtapose that to all the family films we've been watching. They were all soooo little, well, littler and very cute and I've also been coming across their photos too in my scrapbook room. Photos of memories I had not remembered. My family is certainly one of my FAVORITE things...just love them all soooooo much!!!!!!

A Few Plans For The Rest Of The Week...Dentist appointments. Oh! and Monday night my eldest son goes for the GOLD! His summer ice hockey team earned the right to contend for the gold cup and we intend to hold our breath while he plays. He's having a hard time sleeping he's so excited! We'll also be running errands and packing.

Here is a picture/thought I am sharing.... the summer breeze in my daughter's hair....

Eleven

Here we are at the end of that 17 day ride of birthdays and today is our 4th one. We'll take a break until the next birthday, September 13th.

Our second son turns 11 today, on the feast of St. Lawrence. We spent last night watching family movies and laughing our heads off. (O, how I am so misty to see them all so celluloid young and now so much older before my eyes.)

Birthday boy requested Dunkin' Donuts for breakfast. Father gave him a special blessing after Latin Mass. It was our social Sunday so he played uno cards with the other kids. On our way home at lunch time, he asked for his favorite pizza and soda.

Tonight, my parents will come over for a steak, corn and Sundaes birthday dinner. Right now the house is so quiet as he is playing Revolution Civilization Xbox and enjoying leading the Roman Empire.

We love who you are son, your imagination and the strides you've made this year in responsibility. I've noticed you are not a procrastinator. You are a witty and clever thinker. You've stepped outside of yourself to try to be more helpful and shown lots of love and compassion to littler ones. What a fine man you are becoming!

God bless you on your birthday and always!

And she was exceedingly beautiful...Judith 8:7

I love that this bible verse from Judith coincides with my daughter's birth verse. She has two others that I note as well.

She is 4 now.

She came downstairs all excited on her birthday morn, anxious to hear us all wish her a happy birthday! Having dressed in the clothing she desired, she asked for Princess Leia hair.
We had said, "Goodnight 3 year old," to her the night before and she had been waiting for this day of "Good Morning 4 year old, Happy Birthday!" Plans included Tom & Jerry cartoons, lunch at the Waffle House and a family pizza party.
She and I made a Thomas cake for dessert. Opening her presents she jumped up and down and gave effusive hugs...she was charming!

I love this age....

I love this daughter, my only one!

May the good Lord in His Love watch over her.

Blessed be God, in His saints and "angels"

A gift from an "angel" came yesterday.

Dear Christine from the HeartofSeton yahoogroup went on a pilgrimage and sent me this blessed, Cloisonne rosary with earth of Fatima. She brought back the holy water from Lourdes, of course and the beaded bag from Guatemala.

As only God knows, these items are very meaningful to me. It hardly seems an appropriate gift for moderating the Seton list for Christine, that was no big deal.

But that's how God works.

He rewards our "yes" 100 times over.

Thank you Lord, and thank you for your "angel", your messenger, Christine.

Turn your blog into a book

I had the first year of my blog "slurped", (quite easily, I might add) into a real hardback book.

For a tangible, preservation of your blog memories, go HERE.

Like peas and carrots....

Scrapping and blogging go together like peas and carrots, she says in her best Forrest Gump impression.

Renee has a post up about her love of scrapbooking. I too enthusiastically embraced the craft and started making books for my children years ago. I think I will always be attached to ideas that create a legacy and capture memories...and that's why I blog, as well.

Recently, with the arrival of digital photography and Shutterfly, I have leaned toward's it's convenience. My photos are online and there's no scissoring, less supplies and I can make yearly albums for my family in multiples with the click of a button....and as event gifts. They are not as elaborate in most cases as my old work, but still, the children LOVE paging through them. Here are some Shutterfly memory book examples....



Our Shutterfly book from 2006....

Now, through the "slurping" process Renee led me to, I am even turning my blog into a yearly book!

But yes, there was a time when I got-sticky-with-stuff and was a faithful, quarterly patron of Creative Memories...



And now, there's a marriage... http://www.scrapblog.com/

Can't wait to see where it will evolve from here!