JOYfilledfamily BLOG

Holy Day of Obligation

December 8, 2010 by Lena {JOYfilledfamily} Filed Under: Immaculate Conception, Marian

THE IMMACULATE CONCEPTION OF THE BLESSED VIRGIN MARY

DOUBLE, FIRST CLASS / WHITE
From all eternity Father, Son, and Holy Spirit chose Mary to be the Mother of the Word Incarnate. It was unthinkable that she be defiled by sin, in any way or for the least second of time. Therefore, in the instant of creating Mary’s person, the Trinity made her immaculate. This grace, like every other grace granted since the fall of Adam, was given her through the merits of Christ. She was truly saved, redeemed, not from an evil already present, but from an evil that threatened.

INTROIT Isa. 61:10I will rejoice greatly in the Lord, and my soul shall be joyful in my God, for He has clothed me with the garment of salvation and covered me with the robe of justice, like a bride adorned with her jewels.
Ps. 29:2. I will extol You, O Lord, for You have upheld me, and have not let my enemies rejoice over me.
V. Glory be . . .

COLLECT
O God, by foreseen merits of the death of Christ, You shielded Mary from all stain of sin and preserved the Virgin Mother immaculate at her conception so that she might be a fitting dwelling place for Your Son. Cleanse us from sin through her intercession so that we also may come to You untainted by sin. Through Our Lord . . .

Commemoration of the preceding Sunday

EPISTLE Prov. 8:22-35The Lord possessed me in the beginning of his ways, before he made any thing from the beginning. I was set up from eternity, and of old, before the earth was made. The depths were not as yet, and I was already conceived, neither had the fountains of waters as yet sprung out. The mountains, with their huge bulk, had not as yet been established: before the hills, I was brought forth: He had not yet made the earth, nor the rivers, nor the poles of the world.
When he prepared the heavens, I was present: when with a certain law, and compass, he enclosed the depths: When he established the sky above, and poised the fountains of waters: When he compassed the sea with its bounds, and set a law to the waters that they should not pass their limits: when he balanced the foundations of the earth; I was with him forming all things: and was delighted every day, playing before him at all times; Playing in the world: and my delights were to be with the children of men.
Now, therefore, ye children, hear me: blessed are they that keep my ways. Hear instruction, and be wise, and refuse it not. Blessed is the man that heareth me, and that watcheth daily at my gates, and waiteth at the posts of my doors. He that shall find me, shall find life, and shall have salvation from the Lord.

GRADUAL Judith 13:23; 15:10
By the Lord the Most High God you are blessed, O Virgin Mary, above all women upon earth.
V. You are the glory of Jerusalem, you are the joy of Israel, you are the honor of our people.

Alleluia, alleluia! V. Cant. 4:7
You are all fair, O Mary, and there is in you no stain of original sin.
Alleluia!

GOSPEL Luke 1:26-28
At that time, the angel Gabriel was sent from God into a city of Galilee, called Nazareth, to a virgin espoused to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David: and the virgin’s name was Mary. And the angel being come in, said unto her: "Hail, full of grace, the Lord is with thee: blessed art thou among women."

OFFERTORY ANTIPHON Luke 1:28
Hail, Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with thee. Blessed art thou among women. Alleluia!

SECRET
Accept this saving host, O Lord, which we offer you on the feast of the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary. We firmly believe that she was shielded from all stain of sin by Your prevenient grace; may we be freed from all our faults through her holy intercession. Through Our Lord . . .

Commemoration of the preceding Sunday

COMMUNION ANTIPHON
Glorious things are said of you, O Mary, for He who is mighty has done great things for you.

POSTCOMMUNION
O Lord our God, may the Sacrament that we have received heal in us the wounds of that sin from which blessed Mary alone was preserved by her Immaculate Conception. Through Our Lord . . .

Commemoration of the preceding Sunday

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“We ask the Virgin Mary in whose womb the Son of the Most High dwelt, and who we celebrate (next) Wednesday, Dec. 8, in the Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception, to support us on this spiritual path, to welcome in faith and love the coming of the Savior.” ~ Pope Benedict XVI

Marian Ornament

December 7, 2010 by Lena {JOYfilledfamily} Filed Under: Christmas, Crafts, Humility, Little Flowers, Marian, Miraculous Medal, St. Catherine Laboure

This ornament was made for our last Little Flowers meeting. It is in honor of Mary, the Miraculous Medal, St. Catherine Laboure and humility.

Supplies:

Tacky Glue (it’s thick and will not run)
Ornament Ball (we used plastic balls found at the Dollar Spot at target)
Scissors
Glitter
Pencil
Miraculous Medal Transfer image
Tape
Sharpie (for free hand transfer)
Ornament hook
Ribbon

Directions:

Prep:

slightly cut the top of the glue tip. do not expose the hole.
stick a pin through the tip to create a small hole/opening for the glue.

this step will ensure that the glue will not come out too quickly or create blobs.

trim transfer image
tape transfer image, face down to ornament
rub pencil on back of transfer
trace over the transferred imaged to give you a more defined image

-OR-

freehand the image onto the ornament using a Sharpie

trace the transfer image with glue

generously cover the glue image with glitter (we used rolled painters tape to secure the ornament and prevent rolling while the girls glittered their ornament)

tap the ornament until all the excess glitter is removed

let dry. insert ornament hook. embellish the ornament with a coordinating ribbon.

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Back Side of the Miraculous Medal (Ornament)

The cross can symbolize Christ and our redemption, with the bar under the cross a sign of the earth. The “M” stands for Mary, and the interleaving of her initial and the cross shows Mary’s close involvement with Jesus and our world. In this we see Mary’s part in our salvation and her role as mother of the Church.

“Now it must be given to the whole world and to every person.” ~ Blessed Mother

Necklace for Charity

December 6, 2010 by Lena {JOYfilledfamily} Filed Under: Charity, Christmas, Glass Tile Necklaces, Water4Christmas

In preparation for Christ’s coming, Christmas, we are finding ways to give what we have been blessed with. However, at this time, we are unable to purchase goods for those in need. We are able to give from what we have. We were blessed to be able to purchase a nice stock of tile necklace supplies last year.

We long to help those in real need. So when we heard of Water 4 Christmas from Meg, we knew it was an answer to our prayers. Water for Christmas is a grass roots movement bringing both awareness and real "on the ground" change to Africa’s water crisis.

We are people…Moms, Dads, Sons, Daughters. United by the desire to keep our eyes and hearts open. To increasingly live for things bigger than ourselves. So, we’re going to give up something. Big somethings. Little somethings. Going without so the people in Liberian villages can have access to clean water…the Moms, Dads, Sons, Daughters.

All money donated there goes directly to charity: water who in turn uses 100% of their donations to drill for fresh water.

Unsafe water and lack of basic sanitation cause 80% of all sickness and disease and kill more people every year than all forms of violence, including war. charity: water is a non profit organization bringing clean, safe drinking water to people in developing nations. 100% of the money goes to direct project costs. With the help of exemplary organizations on the ground and individuals here, we can drill wells and provide people with this basic, essential need.

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Water 4 Christmas opened an etsy shop. Our donation is listed here. Many other items are also listed. Go check it out and make a purchase. All profits go directly to building wells for safe water in West Africa.

All orders made this week are guaranteed to be delivered by Christmas.

Give a gift for Jesus!

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Necklaces for Charity

(click on the pictures to be taken to the etsy shop to see details and make a purchase)

Marian Tile Necklace – Our Lady of Perpetual Help ICON – $7.00 +shipping

Marian Tile Necklace – Our Lady of Perpetual Help GOLD $7.00 +shipping

Thanksgiving Fun

November 29, 2010 by Lena {JOYfilledfamily} Filed Under: Thanksgiving 2 Comments

Stuffed Mushroom Prep

Sweet Apple Pie (Sparkles request)

Turkey Surprise

Surprise!

Marian Consecration

November 23, 2010 by Lena {JOYfilledfamily} Filed Under: Baptism, Consecration, Marian

I decided to repost the consecration formula that we use for our children at the time of their baptism. It is renewed every year at the anniversary of their baptismal vows. We also use the St. Louis de Montfort’s formula for Total Consecration.

Father SO re-created this consecration booklet with colored pictures.

ACT OF CONSECRATION OF A CHILD TO THE IMMACULATE HEART OF MARY

this is the formula used by our FSSP Priests

Blessed Virgin Mary, * Queen of Heaven and Earth, * to your Immaculate Heart,* the channel of all graces, * we consecrate this child * whom we have received from God’s goodness.

We offer him [her] to you * that you may present him [her] to Your Divine Son, * that you may take him [her] under your loving, maternal protection,* that you may preserve him [her] from dangers, * that you may keep him [her] from all sin, * that you may make him [her] grow in piety * and in all virtue * so that he [she] may always be worthy * to call himself [herself] your child.

May he [she] grow daily in wisdom and in grace, * may he [she] go through life having you always as his [her] refuge and mother. * May all virtues shine in him [her] * and may he [she] never offend your maternal Heart.

May the Eternal Father always look upon him [her] with delight * and see in him [her] * a ray and reflection of your Immaculate Beauty.

And as today he [she] gladdens our home, * so may he [she] one day gladden the Eternal Home * which we pray will be his [hers]. Amen.

Below is the original booklet for consecration. I’m unable to locate where the booklet can be purchased.

This Consecration booklet has been given a Nihl obstat, Imprimi potest, and an Imprimatur.

How to Consecrate a Child to Our Lady

This is printed on the back cover of the booklet.

Parents who wish to consecrate their child to the Blessed Mother of God should carry the infant to her altar or shrine. They may authorize the Godparents to this immediately after Baptism, or do i themselves soon after Baptism, for instance, on the First Saturday or on some Feast of our Blessed Lady. There they should dedicate and offer the child to Mary Immaculate, begging her to accept the child as her own property, so that the child may ever enjoy Mary’s special maternal protection throughout life and at the hour of death.

The parents should promise Our Lady to raise the child in truly Christian manner and to instill in it from the earliest infancy a tender love for Jesus and Mary. If possible the family Rosary should be recited daily in the home.

On the day of the consecration it would be fitting for the mother, in token of her surrender of her little one to the Queen of Heaven, to have offered, as her two turtle doves, a Mass and an alms in Our Lady’s honor for the child’s temporal and eternal welfare. She should pray like Queen Blanche of Castile for her son, St. Louis of France – that the child may ever preserve its Baptismal innocence. Let her likewise ask that if this grace is ever lost through mortal sin, it may be regained through the immediate, or at least through final repentance.

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Melody at Blossoming Joy has listed another formula for Consecration.

Consecration of a Child to Mary

Holy Mary, Mother of God and Mother of all faithful, I place my little child under your mothering protection. To you I completely consecrate him – body and soul. Take him under your care and keep him always. Protect him in his infancy and keep him sound in body and mind. Guard over his youth and keep his heart pure, his thoughts ever holy and directed to God and spiritual things. Protect him always throughout life – in his joys and sorrows, in his dealings with others. Always and in all things be a true mother to him, Mary, and preserve him. I commend him entirely to you. Remember Mother Mary, that through this act of consecration he is by a special claim your child as well as mine; guard him and keep him as your property and possession. Amen.

— From a Catholic Mother’s Manual prayer book (1941) by A. Francis Coomes, S.J.

Rainbow Cupcakes

November 23, 2010 by Lena {JOYfilledfamily} Filed Under: Piety, Rainbow, Recipe

these are a wonderful reminder of st. cecilia and the colors of piety.

the rainbow cake is a family favorite. we decided to make these JOYfilled cupcakes instead. the inspiration can be found here.

cupcakes:

yellow or white cake mix
icing colors

prep the cake as specified on the box. we used 3 boxes since we had plan to bake these for a parish girls bake sale.

divide the cake into 6 bowls. we used a little over one cup per bowl. add icing coloring to the bowls. one color per bowl. a little goes a long way.

fill the cupcake liners with the different colors. we used a table spoon to layer the colors.

we filled the liners to the brim. next time we’ll try filling them with less batter.

frosting:

i always use meg’s recipe for frosting, a family fav. it’s super easy and always tasty.

2 sticks of butter at room temp
1 bag of powdered sugar
1 tsp vanilla extract (to taste)
1 tbs milk (to desired consistency)

soften the butter with a mixer to remove all lumps
add 3/4 of the the bag of powdered sugar
add tsp of vanilla
mix
add milk until it is thick enough to stand on your spatula but thin enough to spread nicely. we like ours creamy, cool whip-like.

ice the cupcakes and decorate. we use rainbow nerds and skittles. they look cute and add some sweet and fruity flavor. i think they help make the rainbow come to life.

they turned out so yummy that we decided to eat some and share some with our guests. good thing we made 3 boxes. there were 24 kids between the 3 families.

St. Cecilia ~ Piety

November 22, 2010 by Lena {JOYfilledfamily} Filed Under: Little Flowers, Piety, St. Cecilia

As music played, Cecilia sang to God, ‘make my heart immaculate that I might not be put to shame.’ (Cantantibus Organis)

November 22nd ~ Memorial of St. Cecilia, virgin and martyr

There were 20 girls in attendance at our Nov. 6 meeting. Majority of the girls attended First Saturday Mass together. The meeting was a bit different than previous meetings. We divided the girls into groups of 5-6. Each group rotated between 4 stations.

coloring page – the girls were able to get a jump start on their St. Cecilia coloring page and get a little social time.
The Colors of Piety frame – Mrs. A and Mrs. R helped the girls create a colorful piety frame.
piety pin – Mrs. Aranas was head designer at the pin station.
memory verse skip-it. – Mrs. P and Rose led physical exercise outside. The girls jumped/skipped to their memory verse. Father S attempted to join the girls but his boots were too big for the skip-it ring

The girls learned about St. Cecilia and why she was chosen for the virtue of Piety.

We used Father Lasance’s Colors of Piety to better explain the virtue. Each craft was based on The Colors of Piety.

The Colors Of Piety

Rosy Red: Zeal in hearing Mass

Scarlet Orange: Works of Charity

Bright Gold: Practice of Frequently Raising the Heart to God

Verdant Green: Sanctification of Sunday

Celestial Blue: Fervor in Prayer (daily prayers)

Violet: Self-Denial (make sacrifices and learn to be obedient)

White: Pious actions (the Rosary, the Scapular, and Eucharistic Adoration)

Father L visited the girls. He spoke about All Souls Day and our role in praying for those in purgatory.

Once again, you are welcome to place the current Wreath Badge onto your Little Flowers sash, once you determine that your LF has mastered the virtue and knowledge of the saint.

AR used Boy Scout double sided tape to adhere the badge to H’s sash.

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HANDOUTS:

Divider Page
Activity Sheet
Piety Memory Verse
Coloring Page – St. Cecilia

RESOURCES:

Piety Overview Page – inspiration found here by Shower of Roses.
Colors of Piety Cards
Novena to St. Cecilia
Prayer to St. Cecilia
The Golden Legend – A story for children by Jacob Voragine about the life and death of St. Cecilia.
St. Cecilia Bio for Kids
St. Cecilia Bio – EWTN
St. Cecilia Bio v2 – EWTN
St. Cecilia – Audio

CRAFTS:

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Patron: Albi, France; composers; martyrs; music; musicians; musical instrument makers; archdiocese of Omaha, Nebraska; poets; singers.

Symbols: Holding a lute; playing the organ; holding roses.

Piety Pin

November 22, 2010 by Lena {JOYfilledfamily} Filed Under: Crafts, Little Flowers, Piety, Rainbow, St. Cecilia

Piety Pins were the main craft for my last Little Flowers meeting. The girls loved the pins and were excited to share them. Many of the girls gave their pin to a loved one.

Supplies:

multi-colored beads – ($3.99/bag) divide beads by color
silver beads – ($2.99/bag) used as spacers
jewelry/butterfly/french pins - found at JoAnn’s in the bead dept. ($1.99/pack)
saint medal – ($.32 – $.60/medal)

Directions:

straighten the safety pin
thread the beads directly onto the safety pin. be sure that all the beads are pushed to the back side of the needle so that the side with the sharp end is without beads, free to be threaded into clothing.
open the top ring of the medal and place the the medal onto the beaded pin.
bend back the pin to its original form.

This craft coordinates with Father Lasance’s Colors of Piety.

the possibilities are endless!

The Colors Of Piety

Rosy Red: Zeal in hearing Mass

Scarlet Orange: Works of Charity

Bright Gold: Practice of Frequently Raising the Heart to God

Verdant Green: Sanctification of Sunday

Celestial Blue: Fervor in Prayer (daily prayers)

Violet: Self-Denial (make sacrifices and learn to be obedient)

White: Pious actions (the Rosary, the Scapular, and Eucharistic Adoration)

Colors of Piety Frame

November 22, 2010 by Lena {JOYfilledfamily} Filed Under: Crafts, Little Flowers, Piety, St. Cecilia

Here’s the latest Little Flowers creation, a Colors of Piety Frame. It was created to help the girls remember their lesson on the virtue of piety and St. Cecilia. It was fairly simple but required adult supervision due to the use of hot-glue guns. The girls plan to use their piety frames for their home/bedroom altars.

Supplies:

colored popsicle sticks – one of each color/frame (Dollar Tree Store) $1/pack (16/color)
reg. popsicle sticks – 1 and 1/2 per frame (Dollar Tree Store) $1/pack
scissors
hot-glue gun
colors of piety cards (can be printed from here)

Directions:
Prep:

print colors of piety cards
laminate cards
trim cards

glue one colored popsicle stick on left and right side of card, directly onto the laminated card
glue one colored popsicle stick on top and bottom of card, directly onto the attached popsicle sticks from step #1
glue two colored popsicle sticks onto the back side of the laminated card. glue each adjoining area.
glue the reg. popsicle stick onto the back/bottom of the laminated card and exposed colored popsicle stick. slightly angle the popsicles stick upward. this will serve as the bottom stopper for a picture and stand for the frame.
glue the half reg. popsicle stick onto the reg. popsicle stick that was glued in step #4.

you can keep the frame as is or place a picture into the frame.

The color of piety card was inspired from here, Jessica at Shower of Roses.