"Lent is ... an opportune time to meditate on our Divine call to be saints in and through our daily deeds."
Tuesday, March 11, 2014
Monday, March 10, 2014
CRS Message for Today
Sacredness and Dignity of the Human Person
“You formed my inmost being; you knit me in my mother’s womb. I praise you, because I am wonderfully made; wonderful are your works! My very self you know.”
—Psalms 139:13-14
Created in the image of God, all human life is sacred and possesses a dignity that comes directly from our creation and not from any action of our own.
“This teaching rests on one basic principle: individual human beings are the foundation, the cause and the end of every social institution. That is necessarily so, for men are by nature social beings.”
—Pope John XXIII, Mater et Magistra #219 (Mother and Teacher)
This speaks to me as a parent and as an educator, challenging me to recognize Christ in all I encounter. It's also a reminder that our inherent value is always in our being, and not in our doing.
~ Beate
Friday, March 7, 2014
First Friday of Lent
Most of the family started out Lent marked with ashes, a reminder that our life here is temporary. While searching through my Lent resources, I reminded myself to do one thing and do it well. This year, I've chosen Donna Marie Cooper O'Boyle's:
This was published a couple of years ago and Donna wrote a new booklet for the current year which is available as an e-book. It uses quotes from Teresa of Avila Thérèse of Lisieux, so should be just as good. :-)
As a family we discussed doing three things each day:
As a family we discussed doing three things each day:
- Fast - give up something. This could be different each day, just some type of self-denial.
- Almsgiving - do something for somebody else.
- Pray - add one extra prayer time to your day.
Last evening after our daily meditation from the book, my husband and I were surprised to hear the sounds of camaraderie coming from two of our children who have been especially at odds lately. Definitely music to a parent's ears ;-)
I'm also encouraging the kids to watch the CRS videos featured on the Rice Bowl app each week. All too often it's easy to forget how very blessed we are.
May your Lenten season be fruitful!
Beate
Friday, February 28, 2014
Lent begins March 5!
For by your gracious gift each year
your faithful await the sacred paschal feasts
with the joy of minds made pure.
From the Preface for Lent
CROWN OF THORNS Lenten Project
Ingredients
1 cup salt
2 cups all purpose flour (I also add ½ c cocoa powder)
1 cup luke warm water (or left over coffee)
Directions
1. In a large bowl mix salt and flour.
2. Gradually stir in water. Mix well until it forms a doughy
consistency.
3. With your hands form a ball with your dough and kneed it
for at least 5 minutes. The longer you kneed your dough the smoother it will
be.
Form 3 long ropes and braid loosely into a ring, joining the
ends.
Stick toothpicks into the wreath in every direction to represent
the thorns. Bake braid on parchment paper at 275 degrees for one to two hours
or until dry.
There are a few options to color your salt dough:
1. Add powdered tempera paint to your flour,
2. add food coloring or paint to the water before you mix it
with the salt/flour, or
3. add natural coloring like instant coffee, cocoa, or curry
powder.
For each sacrifice that a child (or adult) makes or act of love
he commits he
takes out a "thorn." The goal should be to
remove all "thorns"
from the crown by Easter.
Once the thorns are removed, glue brightly colored beads where
the
thorns once were and if you'd like paint the crown. This makes a
beautiful Easter Sunday center piece with a great story to share.
Apparently I'm the mom of saintly children - last year the crown was picked clean before the first Sunday of Lent!!
Apparently I'm the mom of saintly children - last year the crown was picked clean before the first Sunday of Lent!!
If you're wondering how to approach this season with your children, my advice would be to keep it as simple as possible, yet interesting enough to engage everyone to participate. Young children have no concept of sin, but do know about waiting ;-) It can be terribly difficult, so taking advantage of the feast days that fall within Lent is great. When Lent starts early, I'm the one counting down to St. Joseph's feast day on March 19! (Not that we ignore Lent on solemnities, but a nice dessert is definitely in order!)
As our children mature, they recognize sin and often need reminders of the mercy and love our Lord so desires to share with us. Participating in the sacrament of reconciliation as a family is a wonderful activity esp. for older elementary and middle school children.
Counting the days of Lent is done easily with either a calendar, or with a paper chain. I'll have a calendar for you to pick up in the entrance way of the RE building. The children can mark off the days, add a sticker, or color the squares, whichever works best for you.
A nice way to start the season, is to celebrate Fat Tuesday by having pancakes for dinner. The kids also like to gather up the palm branches left over from last year in order to burn them for the Lenten prayer table. Sometimes I'm just a tad concerned at the pleasure they seem to take in burning things!
In our family, we've run the gamut of creating elaborate plans only to end up with mom and kid burnout ;-) and coasting through Lent with barely a nod at the season. Believe it or not, there is a middle ground! This year, my youngest is 10, so the goal is to have all the kids help to plan the season. As a family, we do talk about sacrifice as well as adding a spiritual exercise to our lives.
If you like to be inspired by some things others are doing during this season, here are a few links I've found helpful:
Exploring Lent is a nice starting place with some background and activities that are well suited for families.
A Lenten Guide poster that can be printed and posted on the fridge.
How about some Lenten trivia? Challenge each other with these questions at dinner one night.
There are some other sites listed in the "helpful links" section, but again, keep it simple! Oh, speaking of keeping it simple, here is an article aimed at adults titled "Keeping it simple this Lent with Fr. Jim's 1-1-1 Plan"
May the peace of the Good Shepherd be with you all ~
Beate
"Be courageous, and go to confession,” ~ Pope Francis
Friday, January 31, 2014
The Feast of St. John Bosco...
...who never fails to inspire me is today. Here are some of my favorite quotes by this wonderful educator:
"Young people often need convincing that we have confidence in their ability to improve, and feel there is a kindly hand to help them. You can get more with a friendly look, with a word of encouragement that gives his heart new courage, than you can with repeated blame, which serves only to upset, and weaken enthusiasm. Using this system, I have seen real conversions among those one would otherwise have believed impossible. All youngsters have their off-days - you have had them yourselves! Heaven help us if we do not try to help them to get through them without trouble. Sometimes simply having them understand you do not think they acted from malice is enough to ensure they do not fall again into the same fault."
"Let us regard those boys over whom we have some authority as our own sons. Let us place ourselves in their service. Let us be ashamed to assume an attitude of superiority. Let us not rule over them except for the purpose of serving them better. This was the method that Jesus used with the apostles. He put up with their ignorance and roughness and even their infidelity. He treated sinners with a kindness and affection that caused some to be shocked, others to be scandalized and still others to hope for God's mercy. And so he bade us to be gentle and humble of heart."
"Remember that education is a matter of the heart, of which God is the sole master, and we will be unable to achieve anything unless God teaches us, and puts the key in our hands. Let us strive to make ourselves loved, and we will see the doors of many hearts open with great ease, and join with us in singing praises and blessing of Him who wished to make himself our model, our way, our example in everything, but especially in the education of the young."
"Do good while you still have the time."
"Walk with your feet on earth, but in your heart be in Heaven."
Do you have a favorite?
~ Beate
"Young people often need convincing that we have confidence in their ability to improve, and feel there is a kindly hand to help them. You can get more with a friendly look, with a word of encouragement that gives his heart new courage, than you can with repeated blame, which serves only to upset, and weaken enthusiasm. Using this system, I have seen real conversions among those one would otherwise have believed impossible. All youngsters have their off-days - you have had them yourselves! Heaven help us if we do not try to help them to get through them without trouble. Sometimes simply having them understand you do not think they acted from malice is enough to ensure they do not fall again into the same fault."
"Let us regard those boys over whom we have some authority as our own sons. Let us place ourselves in their service. Let us be ashamed to assume an attitude of superiority. Let us not rule over them except for the purpose of serving them better. This was the method that Jesus used with the apostles. He put up with their ignorance and roughness and even their infidelity. He treated sinners with a kindness and affection that caused some to be shocked, others to be scandalized and still others to hope for God's mercy. And so he bade us to be gentle and humble of heart."
"Remember that education is a matter of the heart, of which God is the sole master, and we will be unable to achieve anything unless God teaches us, and puts the key in our hands. Let us strive to make ourselves loved, and we will see the doors of many hearts open with great ease, and join with us in singing praises and blessing of Him who wished to make himself our model, our way, our example in everything, but especially in the education of the young."
"Do good while you still have the time."
"Walk with your feet on earth, but in your heart be in Heaven."
Do you have a favorite?
~ Beate
Thursday, January 9, 2014
Pope Francis Reminds Us:
"...baptism gives us new birth in Christ, makes us sharers in the mystery of his death and resurrection, grants the forgiveness of sin and brings us new freedom as God’s children and members of his Church. Let us not forget the great gift we have received. Our baptism has changed us, given us a new and glorious hope, and empowered us to bring God’s redeeming love to all, particularly the poor, in whom we see the face of Christ... As we celebrate the feast of the Baptism of the Lord this Sunday, let us ask him to renew in us the grace of our baptism and to make us, with all our brothers and sisters, true children of God and living members of his body, the Church." ~ Pope Francis
In our homes, we celebrate birthdays. Yet Pope Francis rightly reminds us not to forget the gift of Baptism that most of us received as infants. How do we remember, celebrate and honor that day when we were first invited to the table of Our Lord? I confess to not even knowing all my children's baptism dates! However, for Sunday's Feast of the Baptism of Our Lord, I plan on printing out a baptismal photo for each of them, writing the date on the back, and laying it on the prayer table along with a shell which signifies baptism to the children who have been in the atrium. We'll light a white candle and recall each of their special days, perhaps bringing out our family's baptismal gown.
Perhaps that will be an impetus for me to celebrate their baptismal dates, along with those of myself and my husband, by Mass attendance and lighting a candle during dinner time.
How do you honor this day in your family?
~ Beate
3 of the 7 gifts of Baptism - water, the oils and light:
Sunday, January 5, 2014
Happy Feast of the Epiphany!
Hello families! Here we are at the culmination of the Christmas season - the 12th day of Christmas. We tried to read a different Christmas book each of the past evenings since Christmas, but the season would have to last longer so we could get to all our favorites!
It's a good time to ponder on the theme of light we find throughout scripture - the light that can always dispel and conquer darkness!
"a star shall come forth from Jacob, and a sceptre shall rise from Israel..." (Nm 24,17).
"Arise, shine; for your light has come, and the glory of the Lord has risen upon you.... And nations shall come to your light, and kings to the brightness of your rising" (Is 60,1.3).
"I am the light of the world; he who follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life" (Jn 8,12).
"The true light that enlightens every man came into the world" (Jn 1,9).
Several years ago during our Epiphany celebration a catechist pondered with the children - "I wonder how long the Magi would have followed the light?" and later "How long would we follow the light?" One child, who is now 13, said pensively "Forever. Even when I get to Heaven!"
With the older children today we compared the response of Herod and "all of Jerusalem" with that of the shepherds and "all who heard of it." We pondered hearing with ears of faith and seeing with eyes of faith. Sharing scripure with children is a true gift to all of the catechists at St. Thomas, and it propels me to do more of that in my home.
I'll set out our Epiphany display once I'm home and bake a Bundt cake, which we probably will have for tea time tomorrow. Tomorrow evening, we will also bless our home using the following blessing:
All make the Sign of the Cross.
Head of Household: "Peace be to this house and: to all who dwell here, in the name of the Lord.
All: Blessed be God forever.
Reader: In the beginning was the Word and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things cme to be through him, and without him nothing came to be..... And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we saw his glory, the glory as of the Fahter's only Son, full of grace and truth. (John 1:1-3.14)
Using chalk, write on the outside of your house, above or next to an entrance:
20+C+M+B+14
These words stand for Christus, Mansionem Benedicat, which mean "May Christ bless this house".
All: Lord God of heaven and earth, you revealed your only begotten Son to every nation by the guidance of a star. Bless this house and all who inhabit it. May we be blessed with health, goodness of heart, gentleness and the keeping of your law. Fill us with the light of Christ, that our love for each other may go out to all. We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen.
There is a longer version found at the USCCB, just choose one you that speaks to you :-) After doing this, we will sprinkle the individual rooms with Holy Water.
You can check out last year's Epiphany post for photos and other ideas if you'd like
May the peace of the Good Shepherd reign in your homes!
~ Beate
"We need to ‘set out anew from Christ,’ with the zeal of Pentecost, with renewed enthusiasm. To set out from him above all in a daily commitment to holiness, with an attitude of prayer and of listening to his word. To set out from him in order to testify to his Love by living a Christian life marked by communion, charity, and witness before the world." ~ JP II homily on the Feast of the Epiphany 2001
It's a good time to ponder on the theme of light we find throughout scripture - the light that can always dispel and conquer darkness!
"a star shall come forth from Jacob, and a sceptre shall rise from Israel..." (Nm 24,17).
"Arise, shine; for your light has come, and the glory of the Lord has risen upon you.... And nations shall come to your light, and kings to the brightness of your rising" (Is 60,1.3).
"I am the light of the world; he who follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life" (Jn 8,12).
"The true light that enlightens every man came into the world" (Jn 1,9).
Several years ago during our Epiphany celebration a catechist pondered with the children - "I wonder how long the Magi would have followed the light?" and later "How long would we follow the light?" One child, who is now 13, said pensively "Forever. Even when I get to Heaven!"
With the older children today we compared the response of Herod and "all of Jerusalem" with that of the shepherds and "all who heard of it." We pondered hearing with ears of faith and seeing with eyes of faith. Sharing scripure with children is a true gift to all of the catechists at St. Thomas, and it propels me to do more of that in my home.
I'll set out our Epiphany display once I'm home and bake a Bundt cake, which we probably will have for tea time tomorrow. Tomorrow evening, we will also bless our home using the following blessing:
All make the Sign of the Cross.
Head of Household: "Peace be to this house and: to all who dwell here, in the name of the Lord.
All: Blessed be God forever.
Reader: In the beginning was the Word and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things cme to be through him, and without him nothing came to be..... And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we saw his glory, the glory as of the Fahter's only Son, full of grace and truth. (John 1:1-3.14)
Using chalk, write on the outside of your house, above or next to an entrance:
20+C+M+B+14
All: Lord God of heaven and earth, you revealed your only begotten Son to every nation by the guidance of a star. Bless this house and all who inhabit it. May we be blessed with health, goodness of heart, gentleness and the keeping of your law. Fill us with the light of Christ, that our love for each other may go out to all. We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen.
There is a longer version found at the USCCB, just choose one you that speaks to you :-) After doing this, we will sprinkle the individual rooms with Holy Water.
You can check out last year's Epiphany post for photos and other ideas if you'd like
May the peace of the Good Shepherd reign in your homes!
~ Beate
"We need to ‘set out anew from Christ,’ with the zeal of Pentecost, with renewed enthusiasm. To set out from him above all in a daily commitment to holiness, with an attitude of prayer and of listening to his word. To set out from him in order to testify to his Love by living a Christian life marked by communion, charity, and witness before the world." ~ JP II homily on the Feast of the Epiphany 2001
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