Because he's just so funny, ( and yes, a tad inappropriate) even beyond the Christmas tree season....
Monday, April 27, 2009
The IHM conference 2009 - the encouragement we need!
The IHM conference flyer and brochure is out!
http://www.ihmconference.org/national/flyer.pdf
Sooo many faithful priests attend and guide us, quite a few from EWTN! The speakers are VERY impressive this year and you can read about each of the scheduled talk topics at this link.
It's hard to describe what a treat it is to be surrounded by so many people who truly appreciate homeschooling and honor the Catholic faith. And, it comes right at a time of year when we need that encouragement...not to mention the deals and delights at the FIELD of vendors tables. Dr. Ray Guarendi is sooooo much funnier in person!
It's also a great way to meet some of our online friends. But, if you can't go, consider getting the conference recordings. My husband listens to them in car rides all year long. Consider this the continuing educational credits you need for your job as a homeschool parent! ;)
If you're looking for a shot in the arm to invigorate your home educating, you won't be disappointed! (No, I do not work for IHM, but this is one of the events of my year that I truly look forward to and ya gotta pass along a good thing, right?!)
http://www.ihmconference.org/national/flyer.pdf
Sooo many faithful priests attend and guide us, quite a few from EWTN! The speakers are VERY impressive this year and you can read about each of the scheduled talk topics at this link.
It's hard to describe what a treat it is to be surrounded by so many people who truly appreciate homeschooling and honor the Catholic faith. And, it comes right at a time of year when we need that encouragement...not to mention the deals and delights at the FIELD of vendors tables. Dr. Ray Guarendi is sooooo much funnier in person!
It's also a great way to meet some of our online friends. But, if you can't go, consider getting the conference recordings. My husband listens to them in car rides all year long. Consider this the continuing educational credits you need for your job as a homeschool parent! ;)
If you're looking for a shot in the arm to invigorate your home educating, you won't be disappointed! (No, I do not work for IHM, but this is one of the events of my year that I truly look forward to and ya gotta pass along a good thing, right?!)
April Showers of photos - gilding the Lily
I haven't been too good about April Showers this year, but starting Friday I hope you'll join me again in honoring the Our Blessed Mother, as is traditional in May.
As often as you can in May post something under the title, SOMETHING ABOUT MARY. See that link for the types of posts on The Virgin Mary last year.
This year I will again have a Blogiversay prize for one of you who joins me in Something About Mary! Stay tuned....
Friday, April 24, 2009
Chilling Irony
As posted here ---> The Catholic Key Blog: President Obama's Chillingly Precise Prophecy
The President said today:
"It is the grimmest of ironies that one of the most savage, barbaric acts of evil in history began in one of the most modernized societies of its time, where so many markers of human progress became tools of human depravity: science that can heal, used to kill; education that can enlighten, used to rationalize away basic moral impulses; the bureaucracy that sustains modern life, used as the machinery of mass death, a ruthless, chillingly efficient system where many were responsible for the killing, but few got actual blood on their hands."
Someone should read that back to him.
IMAGINE (and please pray and sacrifice) that his heart would soften to 4,000 unborn children who die DAILY in abortions, partial birth abortions and born alive and left to die under his pro-abortion ideologies......
The President said today:
"It is the grimmest of ironies that one of the most savage, barbaric acts of evil in history began in one of the most modernized societies of its time, where so many markers of human progress became tools of human depravity: science that can heal, used to kill; education that can enlighten, used to rationalize away basic moral impulses; the bureaucracy that sustains modern life, used as the machinery of mass death, a ruthless, chillingly efficient system where many were responsible for the killing, but few got actual blood on their hands."
Someone should read that back to him.
IMAGINE (and please pray and sacrifice) that his heart would soften to 4,000 unborn children who die DAILY in abortions, partial birth abortions and born alive and left to die under his pro-abortion ideologies......
Programming Note ~ EWTN this Sunday
The wonderful priest at the recent Catholic Homeschooling Mothers retreat I went to asked us to consider, "How can we support the Holy Father's initiative to encourage the Latin Mass in his Summorum Pontificum Motu Proprio?" Father Z notes there are many who see this as the Holy Father's way of reclaiming our Catholic Identity, a marshal plan....brick by brick.
MISSA CANTATA
FOR GOOD SHEPHERD SUNDAY - LIVE ( 2 hrs)
From the Shrine of the Most Blessed Sacrament,
Missa Cantata High Mass in the extraordinary form for Good Shepherd Sunday.
Sun 4/26/09 8:00 AM ET / 5 AM PT
Mon 4/27/09 12:00 AM ET / (Sun) 9 PM PT
"Most Catholics have not seen this heavenly celebration in over 40 years," said Father Calvin Goodwin, a professor at the Society's international English-speaking seminary (where training took place) located in Denton, Nebraska. "We are very excited to help EWTN and to support the Holy Father's call for a wider presence of this form of the Mass. This is a cause for great joy."
FOR GOOD SHEPHERD SUNDAY - LIVE ( 2 hrs)
From the Shrine of the Most Blessed Sacrament,
Missa Cantata High Mass in the extraordinary form for Good Shepherd Sunday.
Sun 4/26/09 8:00 AM ET / 5 AM PT
Mon 4/27/09 12:00 AM ET / (Sun) 9 PM PT
"Most Catholics have not seen this heavenly celebration in over 40 years," said Father Calvin Goodwin, a professor at the Society's international English-speaking seminary (where training took place) located in Denton, Nebraska. "We are very excited to help EWTN and to support the Holy Father's call for a wider presence of this form of the Mass. This is a cause for great joy."
For more photos and the story of the 3 EWTN priests who have been training and will pray the Mass in the Extraordinary Form, go HERE.
Referred to as "The most beautiful thing this side of heaven"....it is the identity of the Catholic Mass up until the last 40 years.
Referred to as "The most beautiful thing this side of heaven"....it is the identity of the Catholic Mass up until the last 40 years.
Thursday, April 23, 2009
Hallelujah - I am Second
"Hallelujah," Jason Castro says, is a special word reserved for God....praise my King...
I am Second is a movement where significance in life is a shared value among people of all kinds. Actors. Athletes. Musicians. Business leaders. Your next-door neighbor. People just like you. Their authentic stories on iamsecond.com provide insight into dealing with typical struggles of everyday living.
I am Second is designed to help people discover their purpose in life. Have you discovered yours? Watch the one with Brian Welch of Korn!
I am Second is a movement where significance in life is a shared value among people of all kinds. Actors. Athletes. Musicians. Business leaders. Your next-door neighbor. People just like you. Their authentic stories on iamsecond.com provide insight into dealing with typical struggles of everyday living.
I am Second is designed to help people discover their purpose in life. Have you discovered yours? Watch the one with Brian Welch of Korn!
Unicef, March of Dimes, Susan G. Komen - all abortion supporters!
Isn't it sad that companies you would want to support, that SHOULD be proLIFE, support the abortion industry and the death merchants of planned parenthood?!
UNICEF- "UNICEF Calls for Legal Abortion in Dominican Republic
By By Piero A. Tozzi, J.D. and Paola Ocejo
(NEW YORK – C-FAM) Despite direct intervention by a top United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) official, the Dominican Republic appears poised to adopt a new constitution that protects human life “from conception until death.”
While Dominican lawmakers were debating the merits of such a provision and the nation’s penal prohibition of abortion, Nils Kastberg, UNICEF’s regional director for Latin America and the Caribbean, interjected himself, calling on Dominican legislators to consider liberalizing abortion"....read more at http://www.c-fam.org/
MARCH OF DIMES - http://www.lifeissues.org/marchofdimes/index.html
The MOD began its "Screening to Kill program" or "Search and Destroy" operations with the creation of so-called "genetic hygiene" or "genetic counseling" centers at major medical institutions throughout the United States. Here, pregnant women thought to be at risk for certain genetic disorders such as Down syndrome or Tay Sachs disease could undergo prenatal diagnosis via mid-trimester amniocentesis, abort any suspected "defective" fetuses, and carry to term only "normal" progeny. Such eugenic-based programs presupposed the existence of liberal abortion laws permitting abortion well into the second and if necessary third trimester of pregnancy. [5]
SUSAN G. KOMEN - Susan G. Komen for the Cure awarded 72 grants to Planned Parenthood afflilates during the years 2000 through 2005 here and here Komen claims that money raised by affiliates who give money grants to Planned Parenthood is for breast services only. However, Planned Parenthood documents in its 2005-2006 annual report that 9,900 more abortions were performed and 81,500 fewer breast exams were provided in 2005 than in 2004.
ALTERNATE BREAST CANCER ORGANIZATIONS: Click here for breast cancer organizations that do NOT support abortion facilities or destructive human embryo experimentation.
Sadly, you even have to be careful about buying those GIRL SCOUTS cookies..... their promotion , of the sexually explicit book, It's Perfectly Normal to 10-14 year old girls is shocking.
Wednesday, April 22, 2009
Where's the Beef? And other ponderings on reclaiming our Catholic identity.
Here is a great blog post for all those times you've heard someone address a liturgically challeneged Mass with the words, "But, it's still Jesus up there ...." Adoro te Devote: But...!
This post, by Father Longenecker, on our modernist priests is also sooooo poignant! http://gkupsidedown.blogspot.com/2009/04/resurrection-and-theological-sleight-of.html
This post, by Father Longenecker, on our modernist priests is also sooooo poignant! http://gkupsidedown.blogspot.com/2009/04/resurrection-and-theological-sleight-of.html
Tuesday, April 21, 2009
Crazy 8's
Jessica over at Shower of Roses tagged me for this meme. I haven't been very good at accepting and posting my memes and I apologize to all my blog friends who have been so kind to think of me.
8 Things I am looking forward to:
1. Attending the Chaplet homeschool conference on Saturday!!! There will be great speakers, Mass in the Extraordinary form in the Latin Mass parish of Mater Ecclesiae and all the time I'll have to chat with my friends in the car rides and when we go out to dinner after the conference.
2. The Hope of heaven and seeing those I miss.
3. Weekends and my husband making breakfast, praying the family rosary on the way to Latin Mass on Sundays and talking with all our friends after Mass.
4. An evening bonfire on my deck with my family.
5. My youngest son's first Holy Communion.
6. The Church reclaiming it's Catholic Identity.
7. End of our 3rd year homeschooling.
8. A time when Life is respected and protected from conception to natural death.
8 Things I am looking forward to:
1. Attending the Chaplet homeschool conference on Saturday!!! There will be great speakers, Mass in the Extraordinary form in the Latin Mass parish of Mater Ecclesiae and all the time I'll have to chat with my friends in the car rides and when we go out to dinner after the conference.
2. The Hope of heaven and seeing those I miss.
3. Weekends and my husband making breakfast, praying the family rosary on the way to Latin Mass on Sundays and talking with all our friends after Mass.
4. An evening bonfire on my deck with my family.
5. My youngest son's first Holy Communion.
6. The Church reclaiming it's Catholic Identity.
7. End of our 3rd year homeschooling.
8. A time when Life is respected and protected from conception to natural death.
8 Things I did yesterday:
1. Started up week 27 of homeschooling after a long Easter break
2. Enjoyed the rain. I like the mood it creates, the cozy grey and the sound of it on the roof.
3. Watched City of Embers with my kids after school
4. Made grilled chicken and fettucine with alfredo sauce and peas for dinner
5. Prayed
6. Remarked how I really like my kids.
7. Told my husband I was in love with him
8. Feel asleep with my 4 year old daughter, snuggling together as we watched TV
8 Things I wish I could do:
1. Convert hearts
2. Join my mother in visiting my sister in L.A.
3. Live more simply, declutter more and be more organized
4. Have my home decorated by a cool TV show (I know, how ridiculous are these two juxtapositioned next to each other?!)
5. Be better about food and exercise.
6. Be holier in prayer and reactions.
7. Live beachfront
8. Travel to exotic locales
8 Shows I Watch
1. LOST
2. The Office
3. American Idol
4. occasionally a rerun of Seinfeld
5. Netflix, Pius Media, & Faith and Family Flix with the kids
6. They watch SpongeBob and Tom & Jerry so I do too while brushing hair
7. NHL hockey and Golf to be near my husband
8. lots of YouTube, like Tim Hawkins
8 tags - my frequent commenters, you gals who bring smiles to me daily. THANK you and God bless you! (Jamie, Christine, Sarah JOT, Regan and Sarah you've all been tagged so ...)
1.Jenny of Just a Minute
2. Dawn at A Helping Hand
3. Ruth of Just Another Day in Paradise
4. Laura of Homeschooling with Joy
5. Renee of Go East, They Said
6. Cheryl of The Cherry Blossoms
7. ConservaMom
8. Melissa at Shabby Blue Bungalow
Fort building
This has become an annual, Springtime activity for my children. They love this joint project where they build each other forts in the backyard woods.
Monday, April 20, 2009
Thursday, April 16, 2009
Another betrayal - "Catholic" in name only colleges
Notre Dame's Father Jenkins insists that Catholics should welcome Obama at commencement to "further dialogue" and yet he refuses to dialogue with his own students.
His hypocrisy speaks volumes.
NOTRE DAME, Indiana, April 15, 2009 (LifeSiteNews.com) - In a private letter addressed to a coalition of 12 campus groups and organizations, University of Notre Dame president Fr. John Jenkins denied students' requests for dialogue regarding the University's invitation of President Obama to speak and receive an honorary degree at this year's commencement exercises.
Responding to a letter sent to him by representatives of the ND Response coalition on April 7th, the University's president wrote that "conditions for constructive dialogue simply do not exist," and said that students could disregard his earlier invitations to meet with him.
In their letter to Fr. Jenkins, the student leaders of ND Response had expressed hesitancy to accept the parameters of a meeting he outlined in an email to ND Response on March 27th. President Jenkins had offered to hold a closed-door meeting with 25 members of the coalition.
The student group, however, requested that the meeting be held in a large classroom and open to all members of the coalition groups.
The student group, however, requested that the meeting be held in a large classroom and open to all members of the coalition groups.
The students also asked that the University affirm its "commitment to defending human life in its most vulnerable stages" before any meeting, outlining some steps the school might take to recuperate and guard its reputation and agenda on life issues.
"See related LifeSiteNews.com coverage:
Canon Lawyer: Notre Dame Prez Reasoning "Too Bizarre for Words"http://www.lifesitenews.com/ldn/2009/apr/09041403.html
Leaked: ND Prez Comment on USCCB Document Prohibiting Honoring Pro-Abortion Politicianshttp://www.lifesitenews.com/ldn/2009/apr/09040808.html
ND Bishop Clarifies: Demonstrate Sure, But Don't Disrupt Graduationhttp://www.lifesitenews.com/ldn/2009/apr/09041404.html
Bishops Bruskewitz, Aquila Issue Stinging Condemnations to "Formerly Catholic" Notre Damehttp://www.lifesitenews.com/ldn/2009/apr/09040906.html
For excellent coverage, cutting analysis and truly Catholic commentary of the landslide of every letter written to or about Fr. Jenkins/Notre SHAME by Archbishops, Cardinals, Canon Lawyers and illustrious religious see these LINKS.
"Catholic" in name only college scandals are prevalent. This disease is festering as St. Joseph is also in the news.
As is Georgetown, losing it's Catholic identity....
The Cardinal Newman Society keeps track of colleges FAITHFUL to the Magisterium.
Wednesday, April 15, 2009
YouTube NEEDS a Bailout!
InsideCatholic.com reports on The End of YouTube?
"Despite massive growth, ubiquitous global brand awareness, presidential endorsement, and the world’s greatest repository of illegally-pirated video content, Google’s massive video folly is on life-support, and the prognosis is grave....
The problem lies with the bean-counters. According to a report by Credit Suisse, YouTube is on track to lose roughly $470 million in 2009. "
Sad indeed if YOUTUBE were to go under. Yes, it's a place to view carefully but I utilize it almost everyday for homeschooling!
* When my children's curriculum suggests a classical piece of music to listen to I can not only play it but show them the symphony and alternate versions!
* When they are directed to memorize poetry or Shakespeare they are assisted invaluably be hearing it done by others, even famous actors. What a context and cadence it brings to them!
* When we are reading about a period of history and a famous character, that character can come alive to them via newsreel footage on YOUTUBE...Mussolini's smug head nodding speech...Hitler and his hial hand movements...so that's what they look/sound like...
* Recently, we even found math lessons that totally bridged an area of confusion for my youngest son and my preschooler loves the little ABC and phonics clips we find....
We enjoy it outside of homeschooling as well, so I hope YOUTUBE can reorganize to continue to bring to us all the GOOD things that it does.
"Despite massive growth, ubiquitous global brand awareness, presidential endorsement, and the world’s greatest repository of illegally-pirated video content, Google’s massive video folly is on life-support, and the prognosis is grave....
The problem lies with the bean-counters. According to a report by Credit Suisse, YouTube is on track to lose roughly $470 million in 2009. "
Sad indeed if YOUTUBE were to go under. Yes, it's a place to view carefully but I utilize it almost everyday for homeschooling!
* When my children's curriculum suggests a classical piece of music to listen to I can not only play it but show them the symphony and alternate versions!
* When they are directed to memorize poetry or Shakespeare they are assisted invaluably be hearing it done by others, even famous actors. What a context and cadence it brings to them!
* When we are reading about a period of history and a famous character, that character can come alive to them via newsreel footage on YOUTUBE...Mussolini's smug head nodding speech...Hitler and his hial hand movements...so that's what they look/sound like...
* Recently, we even found math lessons that totally bridged an area of confusion for my youngest son and my preschooler loves the little ABC and phonics clips we find....
We enjoy it outside of homeschooling as well, so I hope YOUTUBE can reorganize to continue to bring to us all the GOOD things that it does.
They'll come for us
Fear tactics.
Propaganda....meant to stir people up.
Persecution ahead.
STILL, can you remain quiet in the face of another Holocaust? !
The time is coming to make some hard choices of self-sacrifice.
Homeland Security has sent THIS to EVERY police department to fuel the fire against ProLIFE demonstrators.
1 And there came to him the Pharisees and Sadducees tempting: and they asked him to show them a sign from heaven. 2 But he answered and said to them: When it is evening, you say, It will be fair weather, for the sky is red. 3 And in the morning: Today there will be a storm, for the sky is red and lowering. You know then how to discern the face of the sky: and can you not know the signs of the times? 4 A wicked and adulterous generation seeketh after a sign: and a sign shall not be given it, but the sign of Jonas the prophet. And he left them, and went away.
Propaganda....meant to stir people up.
Persecution ahead.
STILL, can you remain quiet in the face of another Holocaust? !
The time is coming to make some hard choices of self-sacrifice.
Homeland Security has sent THIS to EVERY police department to fuel the fire against ProLIFE demonstrators.
1 And there came to him the Pharisees and Sadducees tempting: and they asked him to show them a sign from heaven. 2 But he answered and said to them: When it is evening, you say, It will be fair weather, for the sky is red. 3 And in the morning: Today there will be a storm, for the sky is red and lowering. You know then how to discern the face of the sky: and can you not know the signs of the times? 4 A wicked and adulterous generation seeketh after a sign: and a sign shall not be given it, but the sign of Jonas the prophet. And he left them, and went away.
Monday, April 13, 2009
Jay Leno seeks to shut down crisis pregnancy centers??? NOT FUNNY!
Please contact Jeff Zucker, NBC Chief Executive, and ask him why his star, Jay Leno, is raising money for an organization that attacks pregnancy care centers.
Ask NBC, What Does Jay Leno Have Against Pregnant Women?
April 13, 2009
As the king of late night comedy, Jay Leno has few living peers. He is watched and beloved by millions of American viewers, which makes it difficult to understand his support for an organization that seeks to shut down facilities that have as their sole purpose to give a home and guidance to young ladies who find themselves pregnant with nowhere else to go.
On April 29th Jay Leno and his wife are hosting a fundraiser for the Feminist Majority Foundation, a radical pro-abortion group that not only advocates for abortion on demand, but also for the closing of pro-life pregnancy centers. This month the Feminist Majority Foundation sent an e-mail to its 400 campus affiliates planning a nationwide protest against facilities that dare to offer women alternatives to abortion and the support they need to choose life.
Please let NBC know that is unacceptable, Please contact Jeff Zucker, NBC Chief Executive, and ask him why his star, Jay Leno, is raising money for an organization that attacks pregnancy care centers.
Saturday, April 11, 2009
I Know My Redeemer LIVES
I spoke with Him this morning....
There's an empty tomb.
HE IS RISEN ~ Blessed Easter!
Every time I hear this song, I lose it.
There's an empty tomb.
HE IS RISEN ~ Blessed Easter!
Every time I hear this song, I lose it.
Friday, April 10, 2009
That image of Mary holding her Son.....
My 4 year old daughter was in my arms, on the couch today as we watched the old version, Jesus of Nazareth. At the crucifixion, with Our Blessed Mother Mary she began to cry. (How can you not?)
"Why did they kill Jesus? I am sooo sad" she cried. I cried with her as she quickly recovered, "We'll just have to wait till Sunday!"
O, how my heart goes out to my Mother, Mary ... filled with love for my Lord.
That image of Our Lady holding Our Lord.
Mother and Son.
She through whom all Graces flow and The Redeemer.
Thursday, April 9, 2009
VIRI SELECTI - choose men - washing the feet of 12 male apostles
The Fifth Column: Holy Thursday Washing Feet is quite an education in the matter by author, Steven Kellmeyer .
For a truly in-depth analysis read the above link on the largely unobeyed RUBRICS of VIRI SELECTI (choose men) regarding today's Mass.
What did Christ do today?
The Baltimore Catechism tells us he instituted the Eucharist and the priesthood with 12 male apostles.
Has the Pope, the Vicar of Christ on Earth ever washed the feet of women? http://www.adoremus.org/97-03_pokorsky.htm What has happened to obedience to the Holy Father?
Reclaim our Catholic Identity and pray for obedience to the Magisterium!
On this day, one may gain a plenary indulgence, under the usual conditions, by reciting the Tantum Ergo (Down in Adoration Falling).
For a truly in-depth analysis read the above link on the largely unobeyed RUBRICS of VIRI SELECTI (choose men) regarding today's Mass.
What did Christ do today?
The Baltimore Catechism tells us he instituted the Eucharist and the priesthood with 12 male apostles.
Has the Pope, the Vicar of Christ on Earth ever washed the feet of women? http://www.adoremus.org/97-03_pokorsky.htm What has happened to obedience to the Holy Father?
Reclaim our Catholic Identity and pray for obedience to the Magisterium!
On this day, one may gain a plenary indulgence, under the usual conditions, by reciting the Tantum Ergo (Down in Adoration Falling).
UPDATE:
April Shower of Photos~ backyard exploring
With the weather slightly warming, there is a lot of imagination to be used in the backyard.
Every little twig looks so bare, yet soon it will burst with life and this backyard will take on a very different look.
There's pretend fishing to be done among blue sky reflections...
..and tree climbing....
Every little twig looks so bare, yet soon it will burst with life and this backyard will take on a very different look.Wednesday, April 8, 2009
The Crucifixion approaches...for the Church too...
Father Longenecker has another wonderful post on the 2 groups within the Catholic Church. He identifies the God lovers and the people lovers and it reminds me of his other post identifying the Happy Here types and the Happy Hereafter types....illuminating!
In the comments of the post readers ask Father to share how he thinks the Catholic Church can "fix the division?" I so hope to hear some suggestions too! This is not the first time I have heard a solid, orthodox priest say that our Church is divided.
I have been thinking about how much of a cross it is to reclaim our Catholic Identity and how, just like The Cross, it will be sooooo worth it.
The church, as The Body of Christ itself, I am told must also suffer...be betrayed and abandoned and scourged, suffer and die...to be redeemed.
It is an agony in the garden to think of such things happening....
But...Thy Will be done.
In the comments of the post readers ask Father to share how he thinks the Catholic Church can "fix the division?" I so hope to hear some suggestions too! This is not the first time I have heard a solid, orthodox priest say that our Church is divided.
I have been thinking about how much of a cross it is to reclaim our Catholic Identity and how, just like The Cross, it will be sooooo worth it.
The church, as The Body of Christ itself, I am told must also suffer...be betrayed and abandoned and scourged, suffer and die...to be redeemed.
It is an agony in the garden to think of such things happening....
But...Thy Will be done.
Tuesday, April 7, 2009
Advice
Some days you get the bear. Some days the bear gets you.
Some days you get the elevator...some days the shaft.
Some days you're the dog, and some days you're the hydrant.
Some days you're the windshield. Some days you're the bug.
click on pic to enlarge
Some days you get the elevator...some days the shaft.
Some days you're the dog, and some days you're the hydrant.
Some days you're the windshield. Some days you're the bug.
click on pic to enlarge
Friday, April 3, 2009
We were made to love Him.
It's our First Friday monthly homeschool Mass. The mid morning sky is almost black and it's raining cats and dogs. Many of us show up however and the little chapel is filled.
With this priest, at this chapel with no altar rail, we approach our homeschool pastor for Holy Communion. My 4 year old daughter is in front of me, her arms criss-crossed over her chest to indicate a blessing. Father knows her well, knows all of us well after 3 years of seeing him more than monthly, confessing with him monthly...
She recieves her blessing with the usual sweetness from our loving pastor and then she responds.
It's instinctual....to respond to Love with love.
She takes another step forward and hugs him, a little girl enveloping a tall priest around his knees.
I suck my breath in, filled with emotion. I too can not help but respond to the love. Her eyes are closed and she's smiling, head tilted up. Her pastor looks down at her with no shock, but gratitude and serenity. My eyes are moist with tears and he smiles as my eyes meet his at my turn.
When met with the blessing of Christ, His Eucharistic presence so near, His Alter Christi so engaged in emmanating Him my four year old daughter instinctually responds in recognition.
In her mind, she "sees" Christ.
If you saw Christ, you'd hug Him too!
We were made to love Him...
With this priest, at this chapel with no altar rail, we approach our homeschool pastor for Holy Communion. My 4 year old daughter is in front of me, her arms criss-crossed over her chest to indicate a blessing. Father knows her well, knows all of us well after 3 years of seeing him more than monthly, confessing with him monthly...
She recieves her blessing with the usual sweetness from our loving pastor and then she responds.
It's instinctual....to respond to Love with love.
She takes another step forward and hugs him, a little girl enveloping a tall priest around his knees.
I suck my breath in, filled with emotion. I too can not help but respond to the love. Her eyes are closed and she's smiling, head tilted up. Her pastor looks down at her with no shock, but gratitude and serenity. My eyes are moist with tears and he smiles as my eyes meet his at my turn.
When met with the blessing of Christ, His Eucharistic presence so near, His Alter Christi so engaged in emmanating Him my four year old daughter instinctually responds in recognition.
In her mind, she "sees" Christ.
If you saw Christ, you'd hug Him too!
We were made to love Him...