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Save the Date ~ Outlet Sale

December 19, 2012 by Lena {JOYfilledfamily} Filed Under: thirty-one

Shop in your slippers and stock up on discontinued Thirty-One prints and styles at great prices.

thirty-one

Here are the details:
Shopping starts at 10 a.m. EST on Wednesday, December 26 (Feast of St. Stephen) and ends at noon EST on Friday, December 28 (Feast of the Holy Innocents).

It includes favorite discontinued prints and products from previous Catalogs, while supplies last! These products are perfect for any gift-giving occasion.

Shop early so you don’t miss out on the deals!

How to shop the Outlet Sale:

Online:

  • visit me at https://www.mythirtyone.com/joyfilledfamily/ 
    • select the Outlet Sale advertisement

    E-mail & Phone:

  • Contact me via email to place your order or request a phone call. 
  • gelfamily{at}att{dot}net

    Note:

  • Please be certain that Lena Flores (238738) is specified as your consultant before finalizing your purchase.  Thank you!
  • For this sale, all sales are final. No returns or exchanges will be accepted. All styles are only available while supplies last. Thirty-One Gifts reserves the right to cancel or hold an order based on the product quantity or product availability.

     

    ~ Sharing Thirty-One ~

    spring enrollment kit

    New consultants will receive the spring enrollment kit* (above) for $116 (includes tax and shipping).   In addition, all new consultants who host their first party in January will receive the exciting hostess benefits for the month of January (any party over $500 will double the Hostess credits).  So in actuality a new consultant has the possibility of receiving $180 in free product as the "Hostess" and a $125 commission which in turn will cover the enrollment costs.

    Contact me to find out how you can earn extra income, get great incentives, and more!

    *The Spring Enrollment Kit features:
    • Cinch Sac in Punch Bowl
    • Keep-It Caddy in Turquoise Cross Pop
    • Large Utility Tote in Party Punch
    • Lil’ Expressions Mini Zipper Pouch in Natural w/ Grey
    • Organizing Utility Tote in Island Damask
    • Pocket-A-Tote in Turquoise Cross Pop
    • Retro Metro Bag in Lotsa Dots
    • Scarf in Pink Punch Bowl
    • Small Rosette Clip in Turquoise
    • Thermal Tote in Punch Bowl
    • Thermal Zipper Pouch in Island Damask
    • Timeless Wristlet in Party Punch
    • Top-A-Tote in Grey
    • Start-up business supplies

    Solemn Rorate Mass

    December 19, 2012 by Lena {JOYfilledfamily} Filed Under: Advent, Marian, Rorate 2 Comments

     

    Solemn Rorate Mass from December 15th, 2012, at St. Stephen the First Martyr Parish. The Rorate Mass is a special votive mass for Our Lady during Advent, traditionally celebrated by candlelight in the early morning. St. Stephen’s is a parish run by the Priestly Fraternity of St. Peter.


    The piece is "Gabriel’s Message," a traditional Basque Advent carol, sung by the Choir and Choristers of St. Stephen the First Martyr Parish on the album "The Little Road to Bethlehem.”

    This video was created by a talented parishioner, Jennifer Rego.

    ~~~

    More on the Rorate Mass can be found here.

    EROCRAS

    December 18, 2012 by Lena {JOYfilledfamily} Filed Under: Advent, O Antiphons

    The seven “O Antiphons” (also called the “Greater Antiphons” or “Major Antiphons”) are prayers that come from the Breviary’s Vespers during the Octave before Christmas Eve, a time which is called the “Golden Nights.”
    Each Antiphon begins with “O” and addresses Jesus with a unique title which comes from the prophecies of Isaias and Micheas (Micah), and whose initials, when read backwards, form an acrostic for the Latin “Ero Cras” which means “Tomorrow I come.” 
    ~ FisheatersO-Antiphons_02

    17 Dec. O Sapientia – Wisdom

    O Sapientia, quae ex ore Altissimi prodidisti, attingens a fine usque ad finem, fortiter suaviter disponensque omnia: veni ad docendum nos viam prudentiae.

    O Wisdom, who came from the mouth of the Most High, reaching from end to end and ordering all things mightily and sweetly: come, and teach us the way of prudence.

    18 Dec. O Adonai – Lord

    O Adonai, et Dux domus Israel, qui Moysi in igne flammae rubi apparuisti, et ei in Sina legem dedisti: veni ad redimendum nos in brachio extento..

    O Lord and Ruler the house of Israel, who appeared to Moses in the flame of the burning bush and gave him the law on Sinai: come, and redeem us with outstretched arms.

    19 Dec. O Radix Jesse – Root o anitphons

    O Radix Jesse, qui stas in signum populorum, super quem continebunt reges os suum, quem gentes deprecabuntur: veni ad liberandum nos, iam noli tardare.

    O Root of Jesse, that stands for an ensign of the people, before whom the kings keep silence and unto whom the Gentiles shall make supplication: come, to deliver us, and tarry not.

    20 Dec. O Clavis David – Key

    O clavis David, et sceptrum domus Israel: qui aperis, et nemo claudit; claudis, et nemo aperit: veni, et educ vinctum de domo carceris, sedentem in tenebris.

    O Key of David, and scepter of the house of Israel, who opens and no man shuts, who shuts and no man opens: come, and lead forth the captive who sits in the shadows from his prison.

    21 Dec. O Oriens – Dawn

    O Oriens, splendor lucis aeternae, et sol iustitiae: veni, et illumina sedentes in tenebris et umbra mortis.

    O dawn of the east, brightness of light eternal, and sun of justice: come, and enlighten those who sit in darkness and in the shadow of death.

    22 Dec. O Rex Gentium – King

    O Rex gentium, et desideratus earum, lapisque angularis, qui facis utraque unum: veni, et salva hominem, quem de limo formasti.

    O King of the gentiles and their desired One, the cornerstone that makes both one: come, and deliver man, whom you formed out of the dust of the earth.

    23 Dec. O Emmanuel – Emmanuel

    O Emmanuel, Rex et legifer noster, exspectatio gentium, et Salvator earum: veni ad salvandum nos Domine Deus noster.

    O Emmanuel, God with us, our King and lawgiver, the expected of the nations and their Savior: come to save us, O Lord our God.

    Capture2

    Ero Cras

    Take the first letters of each of the titles, starting with the last and working back to the first. You spell: EROCRAS or “ero cras… I will be (there) tomorrow”.

    Capture2Capture2

    Resources:

    • O Antiphons – Fish Eaters
    • O Antiphons Prayer Companion – Family Feast and Feria
    • O Antiphon Coloring Pages & Prayer Printables – Michele Quigley
    • O Antiphon Printable Symbols – Sanctus Simplicitus
    • O Antiphon Coloring Pages – O Night Divine
    • O Anitphon Wreath – Under Her Starry Mantel
    • O Antiphon Craft – Waltzing Matilda
    • O Anitphon Craft Ideas – Catholic Icing

    Capture2

    O Antiphons Playlist

    • O Sapientia – Dec 17
    • O Adonai Dec 18
    • O Radix Jesse – Dec 19
    • O Clavis David – Dec 20
    • O Oriens – Dec 21
    • O Rex Gentium – Dec 22
    • O Emmanuel – Dec 23

    Rorate Mass

    December 15, 2012 by Lena {JOYfilledfamily} Filed Under: 12 December, Advent, Marian, Rorate

     

    The "Rorate Mass," so called because it begins with the words of Isaiah 45:8,  "Rorate caeli desuper, et nubes pluant iustum…" (Drop down dew, ye heavens, from above, and let the clouds rain the Just One…), is a votive Mass offered within the season of Advent in honor of the Blessed Virgin Mary. Celebrated by candlelight, and traditionally held before dawn.

    As the Mass ends the sky is just starting to glow with the new day and we journey from darkness to light and the coming of the Word Made Flesh in the womb of the Virgin Mother is upon us.

    mass for our lady in advent

    Will we be the darkness who receive Him not or will we be children of the light?

    ~~~

    Resources:

    • Overview of Rorate Mass by a German priests who works out of Assumption Grotto –Te Deum laudamus!
    • Images of a Rorate Mass – New Liturgical Movement
    • A Reflection on Our Lady in Advent –Sermon was given during Rorate Mass by Rev. Mr. John Rickert, FSSP
    • Rorate Mass Text – Booklet – EWTN
    • Rorate Mass Text – Scrollable – EWTN
    • Video of a Solemn High Rorate Mass (Homily is 1/4 – 1/2 way into the Mass)

    ~~~

    Santa Lucia

    December 13, 2012 by Lena {JOYfilledfamily} Filed Under: 12 December, 12 December Saints, St. Lucia, St. Lucy Leave a Comment

    cau1e

    Saint Lucy
    Virgin and Martyr

    Feast – December 13

    Lucy, patron of Sicily, and one of the saints of the Canon of the Mass, was martyred at Syracuse in the persecution of Diocletian about the year 304. The legend of her martyrdom says that she was denounced as a Christian by a rejected suitor. Refusing to apostatize, she was condemned to a brothel, but a mysterious force prevented the persecutors from moving her from the tribunal. After an unsuccessful attempt had been made to burn her to death, her neck was pierced with a dagger.

     

     

     

    Prayer in Honor of St. Lucy

    O God, our Creator and Redeemer, Mercifully hear our prayers that a we venerate Thy servant, St. Lucy, for the light of faith Thou didst bestow upon her, Thou wouldst vouchsafe to increase and to preserve this same light in our souls, that we may be able to avoid evil, to do good and to abhor nothing so much as the blindness and the darkness of evil and of sin.

    Relying on Thy goodness, O God, we humbly ask Thee, by the intercession of Thy servant, St. Lucy that Thou wouldst give perfect vision to our eyes, that they may serve for Thy greater honor and glory, and for the salvation of our souls in this world, that we may come to the enjoyment of the unfailing light of the Lamb of God in paradise.

    St. Lucy, virgin and martyr, hear our prayer and obtain our petitions.

    ~~~

     santa lucia feast day treat

    This year’s St. Lucy’s treat is a far stretch from that of last year’s feast day.  It’s the result of parents feeling guilty that we have been “treatless” for many of he feast days this year.  It’s what results when we return home at 10:30 pm the previous night from Mass & celebrations for Our Lady of Guadalupe.  It’s us (as parents) making the best of our recent crosses and taking advantage of a good deal – Krispy Kreme offering free dozen donuts on 12.12.12.  ALL FOR!

    krispy kreme ~~~

    Resources:

    • St. Lucia Crowns – JOYfilledfamily
    • St. Lucy ~ Loyalty Little Flowers Meeting – JOYfilledfamily
    • St. Lucia & Star Boy Coloring – Waltzing Matilda
    • St. Lucy of Syracuse Coloring – Waltzing Matilda
    • St. Lucy Coloring Page – Sanctus Simplicitus (pg 18)
    • St. Lucia Paper Doll – Paper Dali
    • St. Lucy Paper Doll (colored)
    • St. Lucy Word Find – Sanctus Simplicitus
    • St. Lucy Maze – Sanctus Simplicitus
    • Printable St. Lucia, St. Nicholas, Immaculate Conception Holy Cards – Sanctus Simplicitus
    • Treats – Catholic Cuisine
    • Previous years’ celebrations – JOYfilledfamily

    ~~~

    IMG_5375

    Sparkles, the youngest girl in the family, served up the morning treat.

    ~~~

    2012 Santa Lucia Day Link-Up

    Christmas Masquerade Ball {pretty, happy, funny, real}

    December 13, 2012 by Lena {JOYfilledfamily} Filed Under: {phfr}, Christmas, Rose, Rose GFG

    pretty

    Elissa ready to go Christmas Ball

    Rose enjoyed a blessed time with friends at a Christmas Masquerade Ball. It was a beautiful, wholesome, and blessed evening hosted by fellow parishioners. ALL FOR!

    happy

    Christmas Ball

    funny

    lissa and siblings

    The girls wanted to take a picture with their sis.  Papi refused to get in on the group pic – he wanted a pic with rose, only.  Dragonfly was out cold, recuperating from his five day stay with Nana & Papa due to our recent Advent blessings.

    real

    dad and liss 5 days apart

    Rose had a blessed date night with Dad on 12.2. Two days later (on 12.4) he had a serious accident (fall off a ladder). By His grace Dad was able to see Rose off for her Christmas Masquerade Ball (12.7).

    We have much to be thankful this Advent.

    ~~~

    {pretty, happy, funny, real}

    ~ Capturing the context of contentment in everyday life ~
    Every Thursday, here at Like Mother, Like Daughter!

    Making a List…

    December 7, 2012 by Lena {JOYfilledfamily} Filed Under: Advent, St. Nicholas

    Many of the legends concerning St. Nicholas had to do with his abounding charity and extraordinary miracles, and particularly his Christ-like love for children, so that in Catholic countries he is said to make an annual visit on his feast day to bring presents to little ones.

    ~~~

    Once again, my Advent is not according to plan.  This includes this lovely feast day of St. Nicholas. 

    No gifts for the kids but we did manage to give a special something in thanksgiving for my husband’s well-being & His grace, united with the intercession of St. Nicolas & Our Blessed Mother.

    All praise and thanksgiving to the good Lord who leads me and my family and provides us the necessary grace to persevere. Advent Checklist - JOYfiledfamily

    Lastly, in honor of this blessed feast day I’m sharing our Advent list.  This list mimics that from our Lenten program. 

    Our days are not perfect but we seek to persevere in daily prayers, spiritual readings, and almsgiving – all in joyful waiting and desire to prepare our hearts for JESUS CHRIST.

    Below are links to versions of our Advent list.  It’s a simple list that helps keep us accountable.  ALL FOR!

    • Advent checklist – JOYfilledfamily
    • Advent checklist – blank  

     

    ~~~

    “Let us pray that we shall be able to welcome Jesus at Christmas not in the cold manger of a selfish heart, but in a heart full of love, compassion, joy and peace, a heart warm with love for one another.”

    ~Bl. Teresa of Calcutta

    Answered Advent Prayers

    December 6, 2012 by Lena {JOYfilledfamily} Filed Under: Dad

    It’s been a record breaking advent for us so far. Sure, we had planned for a grand family advent journey that reigned with simplicity, prayer, pilgrimage, and service. In addition, I entered Advent with several prayer intentions.

    In regards to my marriage: “Lord give me time with Dad before the baby comes; Lord give me the grace to serve Dad joyfully, Lord, please free up Dad to be more assessable during my time of need (last trimester and labor); Lord, give me the grace to joyfully accept your will…” God listened and answered my prayers in the most unexpected and undesirable of ways, as He always does. For my plans are not His plans.

    I now sit bedside in a hospital watching over Dad while he lays in the Neurosurgical Intensive Care Unit (NSICU).

    Dad fell off a ladder on Tuesday while doing his normal rounds of yard work at our parish. He fell from 8-10 feet high onto the concrete, face first. Father B was there to assist him. He went straight to the ER for assessment. Rose waited with him while I dropped off the littles with Nana and Papa. The drive was a bit longer than normal due to a storm, 1.5 hrs.

    I arrived at the ER to be greeted by a bloody but blessed site, dad wounded in bed while he smiled and joked with Fr. B. Praise God!! Fr. B gave him a blessing before departing, four hours later.

    Several tests were run while Dad was in the ER. At about 12am stitches were administered for his face wound. This time Fr. M watched eager to try to offer a hand. It was concluded that Dad did not suffer a spinal cord injury. He was admitted to the Neurosurgical ICU at 2am for further observation for some ligament damage in his neck.

    I took Rose home in the morning to help with the littles and get some rest. I returned to the NSICU. More tests, more discomfort, more waiting – more opportunities for us to spend together and for me to serve him JOYFULLY.

    We teased that our date weekends always seem to end up in a hospital. We gave thanks for the time together, even if it was kept in silence.

    Dad remains in the NSICU for the time being as his bed is prepped in the main hospital. He desires to go home but is suffering from his concussion. He continues to vomit and is too nauseous to stand/walk. His discharge is uncertain at this time.

    Dad’s recent consolation arrived in the form of Fr. L. Dad adores Fr. L, his spiritual director. They shared stories and Father wrapped up his short but intimate visit with a blessing. This blessing was much needed. The blessing covered all aspects of spiritual warfare – a powerful blessing for a vulnerable time.

    I will be staying another night with Dad – more time together and more time to serve.

    Please continue to keep our beloved Dad in your prayers. Please pray that I may JOYFULLY serve him, with my 29 week belly, swollen feet, and tired self. I rely on your prayers and His grace!

    ~~~

    We shout in praise and thanksgiving for…

    • Dad’s injury – a reminder of what is important and that we should not presume that tomorrow will come.
    • Dad’s wellbeing – Yes, dad has taken a beating but we are fully aware of just how bad it could have been.
    • Faithful Priests – bringing His peace, sacramental, and offering consolation at our time of need.
    • Time together – in whatever form it may be, we cherish it.
    • Family – selflessly giving their time to take care of all my children on a whim.
    • Friends and prayer warriors – offering their prayers and acts of charity.
    • Stripping of self and plans – leading us one step closer to becoming His true servants.
    • Intercession of Our Blessed Virgin Mother & all the saints – leading to His peace, healing, and a spiritual protection.
    • His grace!

    DEO GRATIAS!!!

    ***update***

    12.6.12 – Dad is home. He has a follow up in four weeks with the neurosurgical team. Thank you for your prayers. We will continue to pray and offer sacrifices in return for your charity at our time of need.

    Jesse Tree Ornaments from Swap

    December 3, 2012 by Lena {JOYfilledfamily} Filed Under: Advent, Jesse Tree 2 Comments

     

    My Jesse Tree ornaments from Jessica’s swap just arrived!

    Jesse Tree ornaments - swap

    They are all so darling.  The boys put the first two ornaments on the tree right away.  We will try to patiently wait for the girls to return before we hang day three.

    Thank you to all the crafters/participants.  Advent prayers from my family will be offered for each of you.

    ~~~

    Jesse Tree Resources and a Link-Up!

    Christkindl ~ Prayer & Gift Exchange for a Friend

    December 3, 2012 by Lena {JOYfilledfamily} Filed Under: Advent, Christkindl, Christmas, RMGS 2012-13 1 Comment

    “Christ- Child”

    Fr. B initiated a Christkindl for Rosa Mystica Girls’ Society.  My co-Christkindl Info Handout with Prayer Chartleader and I coordinated our version of the Christkindl, using the Trapp Family model. 

    Our Chirstkindl will take the form of a prayer exchange with a small gift exchange after Christ’s Birth.  You can take a look at our handout, here.  Our handout included a prayer for friends, to be used in the case that the girls needed some guidance.

    The beautiful thing about this particular custom is that the relationship is a reciprocal one.

    The person whose name I have drawn and who is under my care becomes for me the helpless little Christ Child in the manger; and as I am performing these many little acts of love and consideration

    for someone in the family I am really doing them for the Infant of Bethlehem, according to the word, "And he that shall receive one such little child in my name, receiveth me." That is why this particular person turns into "my Christkindl." At the same time I am the "Christkindl" also for the one I am caring for because I want to imitate the Holy Child and render all those little services in the same spirit as He did in that small house of Nazareth, when as a child He served His Mother and His foster father with a similar love and devotion.

    ~ Around the Year with the TRAPP FAMILY

    ~~~

    Each girl was given a name of a fellow RMGS member, in secrecy.  

    The person whose name one has drawn is now in one’s special care. From this day until Christmas, one has to pray for her as often as one can. One has to provide at least one prayer every single day–without ever being found out.

    Each girl will track her prayers with a Prayer Chart. image

    The prayer chart can be used in the home for your own version of the Christkindl. It’s merely a tool to help us keep on track – offering a daily gift for Christ among those who are before us.

    The girls will reveal their Christkindl at our next meeting, Jan. 5 – Vigil of the Epiphany. They will also present their Christkindl with a wrapped gift, not to exceed a $5 value.  The gift is meant to be something from the heart that reflects their prayers during Advent.

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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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