Lena {JOYfilledfamily}

A New Start

March 15, 2010 by Lena {JOYfilledfamily} Filed Under: Lent

There are many things that I give thanks for at this time. My number one item of thanks is Laetare Sunday, Rejoice, O Jerusalem.

…special signs of joy permitted on this day, intended to encourage the faithful in their course through the season of penance….

I’m filled with JOY that we are given an opportunity for a “new start” to our Lenten journey. I’m graciously taking this wonderful opportunity to start anew, to recommit myself to the promptings that God has placed on my heart, and to prayerfully re-enter this time of penance.

May the JOY and Peace of Christ fill us all during the remainder of this Lenten Season.

Enjoying…..

March 13, 2010 by Lena {JOYfilledfamily} Filed Under: Crafts, St. Patrick

….a quite Saturday, neglecting my Lenten cleaning, and getting some crafting in.

The girls and I saw a simple craft for St. Patrick’s Day on Sewing School. We immediately got to work. It’s been one of those days where we’ll do anything to avoid cleaning.

The girls chose headbands for their felt shamrock cut-out. They’re into headbands and are no longer thrilled with my bows. I did manage to sneak a bow into this craft.

Rose decided to do without the bow.

I may add a St. Patrick’s medal to their shamrock.

Novena to St. Joseph

March 10, 2010 by Lena {JOYfilledfamily} Filed Under: Novena, St. Joseph

Novena to St. Joseph

SPOUSE OF THE BLESSED VIRGIN MARY AND FOSTER FATHER OF JESUS

Feast Day – March 19

The novena that I selected is taken from EWTN. It has specific meditations for each day.
If one starts the novena on March 11, he will complete the novena on March 19 – St. Joseph’s feast day.
or
One could start the novena today, March 10 and complete the novena on March 18 – the Eve of St. Joseph’s Feast Day. My family likes this approach best.

*NOVENA PRAYER

*(prayer to be said at the end of each day’s devotion)

Saint Joseph, I, your unworthy child, greet you. You are the faithful protector and intercessor of all who love and venerate you. You know that I have special confidence in you and that, after Jesus and Mary, I place all my hope of salvation in you, for you are especially powerful with God and will never abandon your faithful servants. Therefore I humbly invoke you and commend myself, with all who are dear to me and all that belong to me, to your intercession. I beg of you, by your love for Jesus and Mary, not to abandon me during life and to assist me at the hour of my death.

Glorious Saint Joseph, spouse of the Immaculate Virgin, obtain for me a pure, humble, charitable mind, and perfect resignation to the divine Will. Be my guide, my father, and my model through life that I may merit to die as you did in the arms of Jesus and Mary.

Loving Saint Joseph, faithful follower of Jesus Christ, I raise my heart to you to implore your powerful intercession in obtaining from the Divine Heart of Jesus all the graces necessary for my spiritual and temporal welfare, particularly the grace of a happy death, and the special grace I now implore:

(Mention your request).

Guardian of the Word Incarnate, I feel confident that your prayers in my behalf will be graciously heard before the throne of God. Amen.

MEMORARE

Remember, most pure spouse of Mary, ever Virgin, my loving protector, Saint Joseph, that no one ever had recourse to your protection or asked for your aid without obtaining relief. Confiding, therefore, in your goodness, I come before you and humbly implore you. Despise not my petitions, foster-father of the Redeemer, but graciously receive them. Amen.

Little Flowers 6th Meeting – Generosity & St. Katharine Drexel

March 8, 2010 by Lena {JOYfilledfamily} Filed Under: Little Flowers, St. Katharine Drexel

We had a great turn out! All 13 girls were in attendance. Angelica provided a wonderful Lenten snack, fresh fruit. The girls listened to a Glory Stories CD – St. Katharine Drexel while finishing their snack. They all took special notice of St. Katharine’s generosity. Specifically, St. Katharine Drexel was aware that all things belong to God the Father and that we are to give from our first fruits. The girls were asked to work on ways that they can practice their generosity.

The girls received their activity sheets. They also received a packet of African Daisy seeds. The daisy was the flower chosen to represent generosity. The selection of the African daisy was chosen to represent the people that St. Katherine Drexel was called to serve.

A popular annual that is chosen for its sunny disposition and long bloom season. Also known as Cape Marigold, the African Daisy (Dimorphotheca Sinuata Mix) starts to bloom in May (the Month of Mary), with a vibrant display of yellow, orange and white flowers. This plant does loves full sun locations but does not grow well in high humidity and prefers well drained soil.

The girls’ binders were updated. Hopefully the girls will be drawn to work in their binders to grow in virtue and knowledge of the saints.

We started a collection of canned food items for the local Food Bank. This was for the girls to have an opportunity to practice an act of generosity. All items will be donated to the Food Bank in the name of St. Katharine Drexel and our Parish. The canned food drive has also been extended to the parish. The collection box is located in the vestibule. Collection will end on Wednesday, March 24.

In addition to our saint & virtue study, we created Resurrection Eggs. Resurrection Eggs are a great manipulative to help the children meditate/recall Christ’s Passion and Resurrection. Each egg contains something that symbolizes Christ’s Passion and/or Resurrection. There is a script that goes along with the eggs. The girls were encouraged to share their project with their family throughout Lent.