End of October Musings

It's been 4 long years since I've put anything on this page. Living life liturgically definitely looks different once the kids are young adults. It's simply a part of the rhythm of our lives no longer involving the search for just the right project on the internet ;-) Not to mention, there are so many bloggers out there doing this work well that this is mostly a private reflection.

November is fast approaching and there will be new pictures to put on our table of remembrance. Each year our prayer table is transformed for the last part of ordinary time to remind us that life on earth is fleeting. We remember those who have walked before us, lift them in prayer, and in our hope, ask them to pray for us in turn.

When the kids were young, there was a November book basket, holding books about various saints: 

Currently, this lovely book has a permanent space on the prayer table:

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Let's pray for one another as we approach the end of our long ordinary time.

<3 Beate

St. Elizabeth Ann Seton

A sculpture by Heloise Crista at Taliesin West in Scottsdale:

Ordinary time...

...a time to let the joy of the Feast grow in our hearts!

This was gleaned from another formation leader at one of our sessions during the summer and I plan on using this phrase with the children in the atrium as a way to define the "growing time" of the Church. The past couple of weeks discussion topics in our home have been St. Maximilian Kolbe, sacrificial love, abundant mercy, and how to love amidst hatred. The maxim, "Do good to those who hate you," has been lifted out more than once.  However, we've also watched as our dry, brown grass was quickly revitalized by the 2" of rain that fell, and we've seen the Lantana go from droopy to blooming seemingly overnight. The Holy Spirit reminds us that we are sons and daughter of the King and "Alleluia" is our song. May the joy of Easter continue to grow in our hearts as we set out in confidence to serve our Lord.

The Feast of Pentecost

We generally celebrate Pentecost by making a 12 Fruit Salad, in honor of the Gifts of the Holy Spirit, but today we're having a quite afternoon watching the rain come down and praying for the busload of young people who are on their way to LifeTeen Camp in Georgia. May the Holy Spirit guide and protect them on their journey. In a little bit, I'll pack up all of the remaining Easter decorations, pull out our 7 red candles, and we'll gather with those at home to pray the following prayer: 

CONSECRATION TO THE HOLY SPIRIT

 O Holy Spirit, receive the perfect and complete consecration of my whole being. 

In all my actions, grant me the grace of being my Light, 

my Guide, my strength and the Love of my heart. 

 I surrender myself to You,

 and I ask You for the grace to be faithful to Your inspirations. 

 Holy Spirit, transform me

 through Mary and with Mary into a true image of Christ Jesus, 

for the glory of the Father, 

and the salvation of the world. 

Amen 

 Fr. Félix de Jesús Rougier, M.Sp.S – Founder Missionaries of the Holy Spirit

Wells Cathedral, England – Pentecost Altar Frontal

He Is Risen - He Is Risen Indeed!

Wishing you and your families a joy-filled Easter Season. During these 50 days of Celebrating our Lord's Resurrection, there are many little things easily incorporated into family life to help make this period a tangible part of our faith. In our prayer area, the purple has been replaced by white, the ashes by Easter water, and the crown of thorns by the Paschal candle. We used a plain white candle and decorated it with colored wax, focusing on the prayers for the blessings of the candle. 

                                        

Another idea would be to use parts of the Exultet as the evening prayer. We focused on thanksgiving for the bees and the lovely scent of the Easter candles and the overall joy of the Proclamation. 

Be glad, let earth be glad, as glory floods her,

ablaze with light from her eternal King,

let all corners of the earth be glad,

knowing an end to gloom and darkness.

We've also copied and decorated the word 'Rejoice' with the younger children:

Rejoice,

let Mother Church also rejoice,

arrayed with the lightning of his glory,

let this holy building shake with joy,

filled with the mighty voices of the peoples.

Last week, all of us were amazed at the brightness of the moon, a perfect time to lift up the following verse:

This is the night of which it is written: 

The night shall be as bright as day, 

dazzling is the night for me, 

and full of gladness.

Most of all, enjoy this blessed time together. For me, it is always a reminder that each day is a gift. May God's peace be with you all ~ Beate

" Let us accept the grace of Christ’s Resurrection! Let us be renewed by God’s mercy, let us be loved by Jesus, let us enable the power of his love to transform our lives too; and let us become agents of this mercy, channels through which God can water the earth, protect all creation and make justice and peace flourish." ~ Pope Francis

Neglected Blog

Our long period of Ordinary Time is drawing to a close and the readings are urging us to assess where we are - how are we doing in our collaboration with God? It's been a year designed to assure we don't settle into complacency over here and quite a few times I've completely empathized with the grumbling Israelites!

November came, and we put photos of our loved ones who've been called from their earthly home on the prayer table to remind us to pray for them. For the most part, they led full lives among many hardships which they handled with trust and grace. I ask them now to pray for me as this particular journey ends. Where will the Good Shepherd lead me next?

I love the upcoming season of Advent and will sing with the children,

Prepare now, prepare now,

The way of the Lord.

Make ready, make ready,

The path of the Lord.

This year, we'll have the longest possible Advent time, as Christmas falls on a Sunday. I'm looking forward to those days of joy filled preparation and waiting.

The 40th day of Easter...

..or Ascension Thursday has come and gone, which means Pentecost is right around the corner. The readings yesterday reminded us of the initial despair that the apostles likely experienced when Jesus ascended into Heaven. They needed a reminder that He would return and, in the meantime, they needed to wait for the fulfillment of God's promise. On Pentecost, fear and anxiety was transformed into courage and the apostles went forth to proclaim the Word! One by one through personal encounters they brought the love and mercy of Christ to anyone who would listen.

For me, it is fitting that the celebratory days of the Easter season culminate with Pentecost - a harvest feast of offering our first fruits to our loving Father transformed into the feast of the Father offering the gift of the Holy Spirit to us all. I tend to be prideful, desiring to do great things. Yet the Father whispers, "Let me!" I'm reminded to live my life, to proclaim the word, to "remain." Thus the fruit is born. Two thousand years after the Apostles, the teachings of our Lord must still be transmitted in a series of encounters - in relationship! Our deepest calling as parents is to transmit the love and mercy of God the Father to our children and only then can the teachings of our Lord take root.

Father Don reminded us:

"We are loved and not abandoned,

Treasured and not forgotten,

Cherished and not dismissed."

May the Good Shepherd bless and keep your families ~

Beate