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striving to radiate Him always

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Prayers for Employment

October 10, 2014 by Lena {JOYfilledfamily} Filed Under: 2014 Journey, Dad, Prayers, St. Joseph 2 Comments

st-joseph-the-worker-may-1

Please offer a prayer for my dear husband.  He has been without a job since May 2014.  You can read more about our journey here.   

He has an interview today (10.10.14) at 11AM PST for a job that would provide for our needs and keep him accessible to us.  We pray that he gets this position and can start this month if it be His holy will for us.

 

Prayer to St. Joseph for Employment

Dear Saint Joseph, you were yourself once faced with the responsibility of providing the necessities of life for Jesus and Mary. Look down with fatherly compassion upon me in my anxiety over my present inability to support my family. Please help me to find gainful employment very soon, so that this heavy burden of concern will be lifted from my heart and that I am soon able to provide for those whom God has entrusted to my care. Help us to guard against bitterness and discouragement, so that we may emerge from this trial spiritually enriched and with even greater blessings from God.  Amen.

 

 

Prayer According to St. Therese of the Child Jesus

October 1, 2014 by Lena {JOYfilledfamily} Filed Under: 10 October Saints, Prayers, Quotes, St. Therese Leave a Comment

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For me, prayer is a surge of the heart; it is a simple look turned toward heaven, it is a cry of recognition and of love, embracing both trial and joy. ~ Therese of Lisieux

October 3 ~ St. Theresa of the Child Jesus

feast day in the Traditional Roman Rite Calendar

October 1 is her feast day in the New Calendar

Part 2 of 2

Nine is Divine

September 30, 2014 by Lena {JOYfilledfamily} Filed Under: Birthday, GFG, Sweetie Leave a Comment

Sweetie turned nine this summer.  We opted for a simple celebration in keeping with tradition.

Here is a photo montage of our precious Sweetie over the last nine years.

Elexa's Baptism

Baptism – Days Old

Elexa 8.25.05

Weeks Old

Lexi

Months Old

Elexa's 1st bday

1 Year Old

10.27.2007 Lexi MBA

Toddler Years

Elexa at Little Flowers Ice Cream Social 5.2.07[4]

Early Little Flower Years

Elexa 2yr sept 2007 home from the hospital

Welcoming Baby Brother – 2 Years Old

Prolife baby

Standing for LIFE – 3 Years Old

Elexa 3yo 2008

Birthday Treasures – 4 Years Old

Elexa 5yrs

Birthday Buddies Celebration – 5 Years Old

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Ready for School – 6 Years Old

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Enjoying the Sweetness – 7 Years Old

Elexa 2012 7

7 Years Old

P8041241[18]

8 Years Old

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OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA

OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA

 

 

OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERAPraise God for Sweetie!

Flos Carmeli

July 16, 2014 by Lena {JOYfilledfamily} Filed Under: 07 July Saints, Marian, Our Lady of Mount Carmel 1 Comment

Flower of Carmel

Flos Carmeli was used by the Carmelites as the sequence for the Feast of St. Simon Stock, and, since 1663, for the Feast of Our Lady of Mt Carmel. It also appears in an ancient metrical office of Carmel as an antiphon and responsory. Its composition is ascribed to St. Simon Stock himself (ca 1165 – 1265).

FLOWER of Carmel,

Tall vine blossom laden;
Splendor of heaven,
Childbearing yet maiden.
None equals thee.

Mother so tender,
Who no man didst know,
On Carmel’s children
Thy favors bestow.
Star of the Sea.

Strong stem of Jesse,
Who bore one bright flower,
Be ever near us
And guard us each hour,
who serve thee here.

Purest of lilies,
That flowers among thorns,
Bring help to the true heart
That in weakness turns
and trusts in thee.

Strongest of armor,
We trust in thy might:
Under thy mantle,
Hard press’d in the fight,
we call to thee.

Our way uncertain,
Surrounded by foes,
Unfailing counsel
You give to those
who turn to thee.

O gentle Mother
Who in Carmel reigns,
Share with your servants
That gladness you gained
and now enjoy.

Hail, Gate of Heaven,
With glory now crowned,
Bring us to safety
Where thy Son is found,
true joy to see.

Amen.

Flos Carmeli perfromed by Rosa Mystica Girls’ Society, for Discalced Carmelite Nuns, after a traditional Latin Mass, at the Monastery.  Circa 2008

In His JOY,

We Continue to Strive to be TRUE Friends of the Cross ~ Thanksgiving & An Update

June 24, 2014 by Lena {JOYfilledfamily} Filed Under: 2014 Journey, Friends of the Cross 2014, Miscarriage, Prayers, Pregnancy, St. Louis De Monfort, Thanksgiving 8 Comments

My dear brothers and sisters, have faith in the word of God, for the Holy Spirit tells us that when we suffer cheerfully for God, the cross is the source of every kind of joy for all kinds of people. The joy that comes from the cross is greater than that of a poor man who suddenly comes into a fortune, or of a peasant who is raised to the throne; greater than the joy of a trader who becomes a millionaire; than of a military leader over the victories he has won; than of prisoners released from their chains. In short, imagine the greatest joy that can be experienced on earth, and then realise that the happiness of the one who bears his sufferings in the right way contains, and even surpasses, all of them.

  ~ St. Louis Marie de Montfort, Letter to the Friends of the Cross

~~~

My family has been showered with countless blessings during our recent trials.  The greatest blessing has been the life that continues to grow within – I am still pregnant. Deo gratias! I continue to rely on His grace.

JOYfilledbaby7weeks5daysduejan2015I have not miscarried as indicated with my earlier diagnosis. We were able to see our little blessing along with a heart beat at 7 weeks 5 days.

I’ve attempted, on several occasions, to give an update and share my family’s sincerest thanks for all the charity.  Here is my heart that I shared with my dear friend seeking to console me several weeks ago.

I have been so taken by everyone’s generosity.  I feel completely unworthy and not entirely in need.   I realize that my family’s needs are real but they seem so insignificant when I look around.  I’m left speechless but filled with emotions.  It is humility like I’ve never known.  I’m praying hard to remain joyful in the present moment, fighting seeds of resentment (scattered by the Evil One) for the wrongs done to us, and running from glimpses of despair as I begin to manifest what may lie ahead.   I’m left praying with every step and breath I take.  His love sustains me and his grace keeps me from becoming paralyzed.  I see clearly just how small I am.  Truly, I don’t want to leave this place.   There is peace that transcends all worldly understanding.

There has been much change in my spiritual progress but not much by way of the physical.  My attempts to extend a full update and offer words of thanksgiving continue to seem so inadequate.  So little in comparison to the generosity that has been extended to us – words are not enough at this time.  The only real thanks I can offer is to continue to pray for all our spiritual and physical benefactors.

My family will continue to pray for you in our daily rosary and family devotions. We will also be offering Masses for you.

MAY THE PERFECT LOVE OF GOD REIGN IN OUR HEARTS!

Storming Heaven

May 24, 2014 by Lena {JOYfilledfamily} Filed Under: 2014 Journey, Miscarriage, Prayers, Pregnancy 10 Comments


Thank you all for the continued prayers and generous offerings. Thank you to my dear friend, Melody, for sharing my story when I could not.  She respectfully left out a special detail…I am pregnant.  Gary and I found out this blessed news on Monday morning, the same day that my family was hit with the devastating blow.  My husband and I immediately said a prayer of thanksgiving and consecrated our precious new life to Jesus, through Mary.  

 

I was told yesterday that I have/will be miscarrying.  Please, if you could, spare another prayer for our precious gift and us.  My family is praying for a miracle and hoping that the diagnosis was wrong, only time will tell.  

 

Trust that you remain in our prayers. We will continue to unite our sufferings to His Most Holy Cross for your intentions.  

 

AD JESUM PER MARIAM

In His JOY,

Prayer Requests

May 21, 2014 by Lena {JOYfilledfamily} Filed Under: Prayers 26 Comments

I am humbly asking for prayers for my family.  We have suddenly experienced a stripping of basic material needs.  We trust that the Good Lord is leading us to complete abandonment.  May we cooperate with His grace and joyfully resign ourselves to His will.  May His peace fill us and may we give glory to Him, in all things, at all times.

I also ask for prayers for a special family.  May the Good Lord grant them healing and soften their hearts so that they can become untied — ALL FOR HIS GLORY!

My family will unite this trial to His Most Holy Cross for your intentions and the intentions of Our Blessed Mother.

AD JESUM PER MARIAM

In His JOY,

Easter Blessings

April 21, 2014 by Lena {JOYfilledfamily} Filed Under: Easter 1 Comment

 

Surrexit Dominus vere, Alleluia!

The Lord is risen indeed!  ~ Luke 24:34

image

JOY{filled}family Easter 2014

~~~

Christ is Risen, and you, O death, are annihilated!
Christ is Risen, and the evil ones are cast down!
Christ is Risen, and the angels rejoice!
Christ is Risen, and life is liberated!
Christ is Risen, and the tomb is emptied of its dead; for Christ having risen from the dead, is become the first-fruits of those who have fallen asleep.
To Him be Glory and Power forever and ever. Amen!

~ Taken from Easter Sermon By St. John Chrysostom

2014 Lenten Calendar

March 4, 2014 by Lena {JOYfilledfamily} Filed Under: Lent, Lent 2014, Lenten Calendar 9 Comments

+Ad Jesum Per Mariam+

We seek to be fully immersed in a life a prayer within our current state of life so that we can grow an intimate union with Christ, foster the virtues of humility and charity, and properly purge ourselves of things of this world that have been hindering our union with Him.  We hope to model the Holy Family of Nazareth with the purpose of transforming our own family into a "true sanctuary of Love".

~~~

Here is a FREE printable Lenten Calendar. 

This calendar follows both forms of the Roman Rite.  The EO saints and feast days are noted in bold.  We do not celebrate many of the feast days listed during Lent.*  They are included for private devotion and will be called upon for intercessory prayers. 

2014 Lenten Calendar - EO white2014 Lenten Calendar - EO lpurple2014 Lenten Calendar - EO purple

*In order to keep up the character of mournfulness and austerity which is so well suited to Lent, the Church, for many centuries, admitted very few feasts into this portion of her year, inasmuch as there is always joy where there is even a spiritual feast…During the last few centuries, she has admitted several other feasts into that portion of her general calendar which coincides with Lent; still, she observes a certain restriction, out of respect for the ancient practice. ~“The Mystery of Lent” – Extraordinary Form (Tridentine) from Dom Gueranger’s “The Liturgical Year”

~~~

*The calendar can be printed with a purple, light purple, or white background. The links to the calendar downloads are listed at the bottom of this post.

I print my calendar at Costco Photo in 16×20 ($5.99) for the family down stairs and 8×10 ($1.49) for bedrooms upstairs.  It can also be printed at home.

~~~

The following prayers are also included on the calendar.

O Lord Jesus! who spent forty days in the desert without food or drink, and didst permit Thy self to be tempted by the evil spirit, give me, I beseech Thee by that holy fast, the grace to combat, during this holy season of Lent, under Thy protection, against intemperance, and to resist the suggestions of Satan that I may win the crown of eternal life. Amen. ~Rev. Fr. Leonard Goffine’s The Church’s Year

~~~

Prayer Before A Crucifix ~ En ego, O bone et dulcissime Iesu
Behold, O good and most sweet Jesus, I fall upon my knees before Thee, and with most fervent desire beg and beseech Thee that Thou wouldst impress upon my heart a lively sense of faith, hope and charity, true repentance for my sins, and a firm resolve to make amends. And with deep affection and grief, I reflect upon Thy five wounds, having before my eyes that which Thy prophet David spoke about Thee, o good Jesus: "They have pierced my hands and feet, they have counted all my bones." Amen.

This prayer calls to mind Psalm 21, in particular verses 17 and 18, which concern our Lord’s Passion. A plenary indulgence is granted to the faithful on any Friday of Lent or Passiontide who after Communion piously recite this prayer before an image of Christ crucified. On other days of the year the indulgence is partial.

~~~

You may download and print the calendar for your personal use.

  • White – 2014 Lenten Calendar

  • Light Purple Print – 2014 Lenten Calendar

  • Purple – 2014 Lenten Calendar

  • Lenten Program Printable

Email me at JOYfilledfamily{at}gmail{dot}com if you prefer to have a JPEG file and/or PDF sent directly to you.  I will gladly send out the 2014 Lenten Calendar – JPEG file at any time in the Lenten Season.

~~~

The following chart serves as checklists/reminder for my family throughout the Lenten season. 

I print two copies of the complete chart.  One copy goes into my Lenten Binder and the other copy is laminated for durability and use with a white-board pen.  The laminated chart is displayed in a prominent spot so that we can better manage our Lenten program.

Personal Lenten Program Chart - Blank - JOYfilledfamily

~~~

Lenten Activities & Resources for Kids:

  • FREE Printable Lenten Calendar – JOYfilledfamily
  • Lenten Calendar for Kids – Pondered In My Heart
  • 2013 Lenten Program Chart – JOYfilledfamily
  • Stations of the Cross for Children – Family, Feast, and Feria
  • Empty Tomb Garden – JOYfilledfamily
  • Lenten Family Joy Journal – craft
  • Stations of the Cross Candles – craft
  • Resurrection Eggs

Candlemas

February 19, 2014 by Lena {JOYfilledfamily} Filed Under: 02 February, 02 February Saints, Candlemas, Purification of the Blessed Virgin Mary 1 Comment

Tis the festival on which the Church venerates the humility and obedience of Mary who, though not subject to the law of Moses, which required purification and presentation in the temple, yet subjected herself to it. From this comes the name Purification of the Blessed Virgin Mary, or the Presentation of Jesus in the temple. It is also called Candlemas, because before Mass on this day the candles used in divine service are blessed and carried in procession. ~Rev. Fr. Leonard Goffine’s, The Church’s Year, INSTRUCTION ON THE FEAST OP THE PURIFICATION OF THE BLESSED VIRGIN MARY, COMMONLY CALLED CANDLEMAS-DAY.

~~~

Purification of the Blessed Virgin Mary (Candlemas) – February 2 

THE BLESSING OF THE CANDLES ~ Before the Procession, the Priest, vested in a violet cope, blesses the candles, which are placed near the altar.

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THE PROCESSION ~ The procession takes place, all bearing lighted candles.

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THE MASS

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GOSPEL (Luke II. 22-32.) At that time, After the days of Mary’s purification, according to the law of Moses, were accomplished, they carried Jesus to Jerusalem, to present him to the Lord, as it is written in the law of the Lord: Every male opening the womb shall be called holy to the Lord. And to offer a sacrifice, according as it is written in the law of the Lord, a pair of turtle doves, or two young pigeons. And behold, there was a man in Jerusalem named Simeon, and this man was just and devout, waiting for the consolation of Israel, and the Holy Ghost was in him. And he had received an answer from the Holy Ghost, that he should not see death, before he had seen the Christ of the Lord. And he came by the Spirit into the temple. And when his parents brought in the child Jesus, to do for him according to the custom of the law: he also took him into his arms, and blessed God, and said: Now thou dost dismiss thy servant, O Lord, according to thy word, in peace: Because my eyes have seen thy salvation: which thou hast prepared before the face of all peoples: a light to the revelation of the Gentiles, and the glory of thy people Israel.

~~~

PRAYER Heavenly Father! look down from Thy throne of mercy upon the face of Thy Anointed in whom Thou art well pleased. Behold, He is this day offered to Thee in the temple for the sins of His brethren. Let this offering please Thee, and move Thee to have compassion on us sinners. In consideration of His humility and obedience, forgive us our pride and disobedience, and grant us, that purified by His blood, we may one day, having like Simeon departed this life in peace, behold Thee as the eternal Light which shall never be extinguished in the temple of Thy glory, be presented to Thee by Mary, our beloved Mother, and love and praise Thee forever. Amen.

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Hi! I'm Lena, mama of JOYfilledfamily.
We are a traditional Catholic family striving to live for Jesus Christ in everything we do. We pray to completely surrender our will to His and to become His servants. Our mission of this blog is to share our JOY.

This blog serves as a journal of us making good memories, living the liturgical year, and our spiritual journey.

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