Holy Week & Easter Reflections
We started the Holy week with Mass as a family, assisting the elderly, removal of all outside activity (aside from Church) and limiting socialization. My DH and I were called to this practice of elimination and reflection a few years back. It was not an easy call to answer as we had to detach from those activities that were of interest to us but ultimately in the way of us honoring Christ. We continue to pray about this call every year before and during the Lenten season. At times, when we have begun to waiver but remain patient in prayer, His blessings are bestowed upon us. This Lenten season was no different. Our family has been brought closer to Our Lord as we attempt to put him first in all things no matter how inconvenient or radical. We want to live as though we’re in the 11th hour and be ready for Him at any moment.
You too must stand ready, because the Son of man is coming at an hour you do not expect. – Lk 12:24
Sparkles reminded us of our Resurrection Eggs we created years ago. I was nervous that I wouldn’t be able to find them in all the boxes (from our last move). Rose came to the rescue and knew exactly where to find them. She is such a help to us all. At Sparkles request, we mediated on the resurrection eggs and scripture every day. Sweetie can now tell the story of Christ from heart and Papi knows where all the items go, in order.
Scripture was read daily as a family. This is always a goal of ours but we often allow life’s calls to pull us away. I’m renewed do my part to make our daily scripture reading as a family a top priory, after hearing Sparkles recite the Passion of Christ according to John, verbatim. We not only desire them to know scripture but to be nourished in His word as well as the bread of eternal life.
Therefore, everyone who listens to these words of mine and acts on them will be like a sensible man who built his house on rock. – Mt 7:24
We attended Mass on Holy Thursday. The girls presented their Lenten collection for the Bishop’s Pregnancy Resource Center. Rose presented the family’s flower offering for the Altar of Repose. It was a long evening for the children. Mass started at 6pm and ended at 9:30. Unfortunately, we were unable to stay for Adoration.
On Good Friday we attended Church and restricted our eating to one meal. The children removed snacks, treats, juice and other extras from their menu. Sweetie and I prepared our Good Friday soup that friends have made for us for the past 5 years, tomato bisque. As we made the soup Sweetie asked, “is this Jesus’ blood?!?!?” Although we never correlated the two, the soup and Christ’s blood he shed for us, it was a great connection. The soup was delicious and may be questionable for a sacrifice as we all anticipated it and savored every spoonful. We were sure to offer up its yumminess for His sufferings. We then watched our annual Good Friday film, Mel Gibson’s Passion of Christ. Papi slept and Sparkles & Sweetie watched other Holy movies and colored Easter pictures.
Holy Spirit, take me in prayer to the foot of Jesus’ cross. Reveal to me how I shared in crucifying Jesus through my sins. Crucify me to the ways of the world and the world to me (Gal 6:14). Crucify my flesh with its passions and desires (Gal 5:24). (- OBOB, This prayer is based on Pope John Paul II’s encyclical on the Holy Spirit.)
Lastly, on Easter Sunday Sparkles did her rounds. She is always the first to rise and is so pleasant. This morning, was no different. She greeted everyone with a Happy Easter. By now the children know that all treats must wait till after Mass. They know that they must first give to the Lord before they receive. It also helps them grow in the virtue of patience. The children chose their breakfast, cereal. Yes, this is a treat and their favorite, “smarshmellow “cereal. We don’t mind, it’s a time saver to our already busy morning. The children rise at 7am, Mass starts at 10:30, Rose need to be there 45 min early to sing and the drive takes us an hour (or more). Don’t forget, they still have to put on their Easter attire, brush teeth, style hair, pack snacks, and find the missing shoes. Rose helped me prepare the night before so everything ran smoothly. Praise be to God!
We arrived home after 1:30pm and were ready to eat! First the children reminded us of their Easter baskets. Sweetie even JOYously went to her timeout from a previous indiscretion. Shortly after, they went to town with their baskets.
Sweetie and Sparkles received Irish dance lessons and dance shoes. Rose also received dance lessons but her shoes are on order. I decided to make her a special personalized treat, a clipboard. I even included her motto: Ad Maiorem Dei Gloriam (AMDG). Papi was happy with his bubbles and two new sippie cups for his yogurt juice.
I started cooking while they rummaged through the rest of their goodies.
Our Easter was planned to be a simple dinner for us only. My parents were out of town and my sister’s family took the opportunity to have their Easter dinner at their new home. We looked forward to a simple day with family. We decided to have a traditional Thanksgiving dinner for Easter. We though it fitting since we give thanksgiving for His dying and rising, and it’s the children’s favorite. Papi definitely broke his Lenten fast and had three servings. The rest of the children had a trouble slowing down. For desert we had a simple chocolate cake and jelly beans, at the children’s request. Rose’s pumpkin pie had to wait for Monday since we didn’t plan for its two hour set time. It was a Holy day celebrated with simplicity and the children’s requests.
Later we went outside for some fresh air. We had an exciting water gun demo for all the neighbors. My DH, as usual was the instigator. The children had such a JOYous time and reluctantly went in to warm up in the bath. Meanwhile, Rose locked her dad out of the side door where he went to ambush us from behind the
fence with the water hose. I left him there for a while. I thought it was a punishment fit for his crime, soaking his wife. I managed to get one picture of him in between Rose taunting him with the dessert he was missing out on. He then heckled back, “take a picture of you putting the kids to bed by yourself.” Yes, that’s my DH always a wise guy. I let him in shortly after and gave him the privilege of bathing the little ones. Praise be to God for our delicious food, family time, beautiful day, DH’s sense of humor, children’s smiles and Your Son, Our Lord Jesus Christ!!
We will continue to JOYously celebrate Eater for 50 days until Pentecost.
Easter JOY to you!
The JOY of the Risen Jesus
The JOY of Jesus is
the sunshine of His Father’s love
The JOY of Jesus is
the hope of eternal happiness
The JOY of Jesus is
the flame of burning love
Easter is this JOY and
I wish you, His JOY.
You cannot have JOY without
sacrifice – that is why Good Friday
comes before Easter.
Love for one another –is this JOY – they will know you are Mine – by the love you have for one another (Jn 13:35)
(More Lenten & Easter reflections to come!)
Shower of Photos 2009
It will be raining pictures this month!
I was pondering what my theme should be as I scrolled through my picture gallery but I couldn’t come up with anything. Then I came across some pictures that my girls had taken. They have most recently showed an interest in photography. Actually, Sparkles has always had an interest. I think it’s time that I foster their interest and surrender the camera. They are going to be filled with JOY when I share the news with them. Here’s a sprinkle!
Rose’s 14th Birthday
Heavenly Father,
We praise You for all Your gifts to us.
In a special way,
We thank You for Rose.
Bless her always in Your love.
Bless us too, Holy Father.
Help us all to praise You and give You glory
Through Our Lord Jesus Christ.
Amen.
Rose turned 14 today!!! She has brought us so much JOY and thanksgiving. She is truly a gift. Thank you GOD for Rose and the graces to say YES!!!! May you bless her with many FAITHfilled years and keep her in Your Light.
Her birthday was rather low key since we went to our 2nd Annual Mother-Daughter Birthday Weekend in January. We started this tradition when she turned 13. I hope to continue this tradition with all my girls. We attended a Marian conference and Rose was able to hear solid Catholic teaching from Fr. Mitch Pacwa, SJ., Fr. Andrew Apostoli CFR, Fr. Christopher Crotty CPM, Fr. Wade L. J. Menezes CPM, and Mother Regina Marie Gorman, OCD. My DH said it was the best birthday gift we could have given her. I would have to agree. She was sent home on fire for our Faith. PBTG!
We went to my sister’s (Rose’s Godmother) for dinner. Papa & Nana bought the cupcake. They also surprised her with another gem. Rose is pretty simple but she loves her rings. Papa & Nana bought her a diamond ring for her 13th birthday. She has dedicated it has her chastity ring. This year’s ring is her birthstone. Her sisters admired it all evening.
Sparkles gave Rose a toddler’s mite from her piggy bank. Sweetie offered to take her place for her birthday spankings. (That’s why we call her Sweetie…..that and she sneaks candy!) Rose also received the Come What May DVD. It’s a Fireproof type film for young teens-adults. She watched it last year during election time and fell in love with it. The movie is a PRO-LIFE film and provides a great courtship witness. She can’t wait to watch it over an over again.
Consecrated to Jesus, Through Mary, so that we might live for the Glory of God alone.
Mary’s Days are always a JOYous time for us. The Solemnity of the Annunciation is most special to our family. It is our renewal day of our Total Consecration. We attended Mass in the morning and renewed our consecration. Later, Sparkles and Sweetie acted out the Annunciation for their Nana & Papa. Rose made Angel food cupcakes topped with heaven’s clouds (whip cream) and strawberries. (YUMMY!) We also had goodies given to us from Father D. He is so generous with his gifts. May God Bless him and all our priests.
Later, we started our new Mary’s garden. For Sparkle’s 4th birthday we had a Mary party and all guests helped us plant a flower in our Mary garden. It was a sad farewell when we moved. Now at our new home, we’ve decided to add one flower for each Marian feast day. For the Annunciation we planted Marigolds (Mary’s bud) in a container. Yes, sadly the Mary’s garden will be in planters due to our lovely miniature yard that is not landscaped. We couldn’t wait another year! WE LOVE MARY!!!
An Evening of Blessings
We initially planned to attend at a discounted rate (that would fit into our budget) but we were running late and thought we would miss the rush ticket sales. We arrived and hurried through the rain to the ticket sales office. We waited and waited and……waited in line. I became a little anxious (patience is one of my many crosses). As I continued to wait, I was tapped on the shoulder and before I could turn around I heard, “Have you already purchased your tickets?” As I turned and began to inform this lady that I had not purchased my tickets, she handed me an envelope with two tickets. I couldn’t thank her enough. God is good!
We headed for our seats. I opened the envelope to see where we needed to enter. The tickets read, level 1 row 3 and had a $30 ticket price. God is very good!
Once we were seated Rose and I took a moment of silence to give praise and thanksgiving to Our Lord.
The ballet was splendid and enchanted Rose. After the ballet we visited with Rose’s sponsor/friend and family. We were glowing with JOY! Praise be to God for giving us this opportunity to be together for a JOYfilled evening.
On our 45min drive home Rose shared her most memorable event of the evening and began to analyze the story of Romeo and Juliet. After about 10 min on the highway we were interrupted by a beeping and flashing red light coming from the dashboard. It indicated that the car was overheating. We pulled over to the shoulder and gave a call home. Rose was a tad nervous since we were out so late with car troubles and no dad. This was my first time handling car troubles on my own without my DH or father available. Not to worry, God was with us. After all, he had given us a clear indication earlier in the evening that proved to offer us enough graces to sustain us through this minimal but real trial. After 1.5 hours, several failed attempts to open the car hood, and 3 different stops, we purchased the correct anti-freeze. The car became stable and we made it safely home. God is most graciously gooooooood!
Shrove Tuesday
I know, it’s a little late. I thought I would post anyways. Our family, along with other homeschool families went to Mass, had donuts, visited the elderly at a convalescent home, and feasted in the park.
We brought the elderly Mardi Gras necklaces, wore crazy hats, performed our talents and listened to great Cajun music by L’Angelus.
Crown of Thorns
My GFG attended Mass and our parish’s monthly homeschool day. They always look forward to this date. It’s a great motivation tool for school work!
Sparkles and Sweetie made a salt dough crown of thorns. They embellished the crown with blood (red food coloring). Each thorn (toothpick) was inserted in anticipation of their sacrifices that they will make for our Lord throughout the Lenten season. Their goal is to remove all the thorns by Easter Sunday. They will then decorate the crown so it is fit for our King, Lord Jesus Christ.
Rose started a new art project. She is creating an Icon. She completed the 1st step (sketching) and is working on step 2 (painting). Her art skills have flourished with the wonderful direction of her instructor.
Papi was the supervisor and he dabbled in all projects.
Finally, Father M gave Lenten talks to all the children. Praise the Lord for our priests!