JOYfilledfamily BLOG

Pure Joy

June 29, 2012 by Lena {JOYfilledfamily} Filed Under: Beach, GFG, Joy, Our Lady of Bethlehem, Pilgrimage, Pilgrimage to OLB 2012, Pilgrimage to Our Lady of Bethlehem, Summer

Our Lady of Bethlehem (Post) Pilgrimage

Day 3: Sunday, May 27, 2012 – Pebble Beach

Father gave a beautiful homily to the pilgrims on Pentecost Sunday. He spoke about how our recent pilgrimage served several purposes. He emphasized a pilgrimage’s primary purpose—to better equip us for our true pilgrimage, our journey to our heavenly home.

Our post pilgrimage gathering was a beautiful glimpse into the beauty that awaits if we are graced to make it home—pure JOY.

~~~

Therefore, brethren, since we have confidence to enter the sanctuary by the blood of Jesus, by the new and living way which he opened for us through the curtain, that is, through his flesh, and since we have a great priest over the house of God, let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, with our hearts sprinkled clean from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water. Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for he who promised is faithful; and let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near.

~Hebrews 10:19-25

~~~

{pretty, happy, funny, real}

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

In His JOY,

Love of Country Handprint Flag T-Shirt

June 26, 2012 by Lena {JOYfilledfamily} Filed Under: 07 July, Crafts, July 4th, Our Lady of Guadalupe, Patriotic

This shirt was another craft made in honor of Our Lady of Guadalupe, Patroness of the Americas. Twenty-three little girls made this craft at my last Little Flowers Retreat.

craft inspiration

Supplies:

red acrylic paint – $1-$3
blue acrylic paint – $1-$3
white metallic acrylic paint – $3
red glitter paint – $5
blue glitter paint – $3
white or silver glitter paint – $5
paint brushes (small foam brush used to paint hand and reg. brushes used for glitter) – $2/pack of 10
t-shirt – $1 at the dollar store
wax paper – $2.50

Instructions:

place wax paper inside t-shirt
paint flag on hand with a generous amount of paint

right hand – thumb will not be painted
left hand – thumb will be the the bottom stripe of the flag

reapply a coat of paint on hand to ensure that the paint as not dried
apply painted hand to t-shirt at the desired location. be certain that the blue area of the flag will be imprinted on the top left. keep the fingers together and do not roll the hand—press straight down on the hand to ensure a complete imprint. remove the hand straight up to avoid any smears.
paint colored glitter paint over the corresponding color on the t-shirt
let dry completely
heat set painted flag with an iron. place a lightweight pressing clothe over the flag. set iron to the highest setting for your fabric. press the iron over the painted area firmly for about 30 sec. keep the iron moving over the pressing cloth to avoid scorching or burning of the shirt.
let cool
remove wax paper
wash and wear

Our Lady of Guadalupe ~ ora pro nobis

God Bless America Windsock

June 26, 2012 by Lena {JOYfilledfamily} Filed Under: 07 July, Crafts, July 4th, Our Lady of Guadalupe, Patriotic

This windsock was a craft made in honor of Our Lady of Guadalupe, Patroness of the Americas. Twenty-three little girls made this craft at my last Little Flowers Retreat.

craft inspiration

Supplies:

tin can (coffee can) – recycled
blue spray paint – $3
white contact paper (a roll can be found in the kitchen dept. of the store) – $5
white plastic table cloth (you can get enough strips out of ea. table cloth to make 16 windsocks) – $1
red plastic table cloth – $1
nail and hammer
twine
star craft cutter (purchased at JoAnns with a 50% off coupon and teacher’s discount) – $6
scissors
ruler
hot glue gun or permanent adhesive tape (1 role of tape covered 16 cans) – $3.50

Instructions:

wash the inside of the tin can
strip the wrapping off the coffee can
punch two hole in the top of the coffee can with a nail and hammer
spray paint the coffee can blue
cut 4 strips* of white table cloth. keep the table cloth folded as it was in the package when cutting. use a standard ruler as your guide for the width. keep the cut strips folded once at the top. the strip should be 26 in long and about 1.25 in. wide. this long length looks nice blowing in the wind but also comes in handy if the children assemble their windsocks unevenly and a trimming is in order.
cut 4 strips of red table cloth. (follow the above details)
punch stars on the contact paper. be certain to rest the punch on a hard surface so that you get a clean cut star.
tie twine through the holes on the top of the can
adhere stars as desired
run the adhesive bond tape along the inside bottom of the can.
adhere the strips of white and red table cloth along the adhesive, alternating colors. be sure to put the folded part of the strip on the adhesive. this will allow the strips to open in the wind and give a fuller look to your windsock.
hang your windsock

*4 strips of ea. colored worked for my small coffee can. your number may vary.

Our Lady of Guadalupe ~ ora pro nobis

~~~

Stash Bash

I’ve never met a crafter without a stash of some kind. This year my goal is to use up all the craft supplies I have spent money on that are taking up mental and physical space in my life.

Little Flowers Retreat ~ America for Mary, Our Blessed Mother

June 25, 2012 by Lena {JOYfilledfamily} Filed Under: Little Flowers, Our Lady of Guadalupe, Patriotic, Retreat, Wreath III

This was the final meeting and retreat of my Little Flower leadership. The theme of the retreat was our country – America for Mary, Our Blessed Mother.

It was a blessed day spent with twenty-three Little Flowers, several moms, some sibling helpers, and a couple of Priests.

The day started at 9am with our regular LF format. Then we celebrated Mass, had lunch, and transitioned into our retreat. Below is a brief overview of our schedule for the day that I loosely followed.

9:00 – Arrival

9:10 – Attendance Roll, Prayer

9:15 – Recap Saints & Virtues for the Year

9:25 – Saint & Virtue Lesson – St. Anne & Responsibility

9:45 – Review Take-home Packet and update Binder

9:55 – Craft – Spiritual Bouquet

10:30 – Snack

10:45 – Outdoor Play – jump rope, parachute, tag, races, hula-hoop, and more.

11:45 – Clean-up and restroom break

12:00 – Depart for prayer time in Church

12:15 – Mass

1:00 – Lunch

1:30 – Craft Rotation – God Bless America windsock and Love of Country Handprint Flag T-Shirt

2:15 – Clean-up

2:20 – Out Door Activities – St. Joan of Arc Water Wars, Crown of Mary Relay, and Gracefilled bubbles

3:00 – Snack

3:15 – Free play

4:10 – Clean-up

4:15 – Cool Snack

4:25 – Rosary

4:40 – Pack-up

4:45 – Quiet Craft – Patriotic Jewelry with pipe cleaners and pony beads

4:55 – Snack

5:00 Depart

~~~

Little Flowers Retreat 2012

America for Mary, Our Blessed Mother

CRAFTS:

God Bless America Windsocks

windsock displayed at the Rectory

Love of Country Handprint Flag T-Shirt

OUTDOOR PLAY:

Crown of Mary Relay

St. Joan of Arc Water Wars

Gracefilled Bubbles & Free Play

Patriotic Popsicles, Rosary, Friends & Fellowship

CRAFT:

America for Mary Jewelry

~~~

Our Lady of Guadalupe, Mystical Rose, make intercession for the Holy Church, protect the Sovereign Pontiff, help all those who invoke thee in their necessities, and since thou art the ever Virgin Mary, and Mother of the True God, obtain for us from thy most holy Son the grace of keeping our faith, of sweet hope in the midst of the bitterness of life, of burning charity, and the precious gift of final perseverance. Amen.

Missionary Family

June 14, 2012 by Lena {JOYfilledfamily} Filed Under: Our Lady of Bethlehem, Pilgrimage, Pilgrimage to OLB 2012, Pilgrimage to Our Lady of Bethlehem, St. Joan of Arc

You have before you the witness of so many families who point out the paths for growing in love: by maintaining a constant relationship with God and participating in the life of the Church, by cultivating dialogue, respecting the other’s point of view, by being ready for service and patient with the failings of others, by being able to forgive and to seek forgiveness, by overcoming with intelligence and humility any conflicts that may arise, by agreeing on principles of upbringing, and by being open to other families, attentive towards the poor, and responsible within civil society. These are all elements that build up the family. Live them with courage, and be sure that, insofar as you live your love for each other and for all with the help of God’s grace, you become a living Gospel, a true domestic Church (cf. Familiaris Consortio, 49).

~Pope Benedict XVI, 7th World Meeting of Families

~~~

Our Lady of Bethlehem Pilgrimage

Day 3: Sunday, May 27, 2012 – Marina to Carmel

St. Joan of Arc was our patron for Sunday, in keeping with the theme of Chartes. It was only fitting since St. Joan of Arc is Dad’s patron saint for the 2012 year.

The walk started on the busy city streets.

It was a bit nippy.

Papi was always finding treasure on the pilgrimage.

We walked along the beach.

And let me add a word to the children here: be sure that you always maintain a relationship of deep affection and attentive care for your parents, and see that your relationships with your brothers and sisters are opportunities to grow in love.

~Pope Benedict XVI, 7th World Meeting of Families

Beach break.

Arrived at the Mission around 4:00 PM.

We entered the mission grounds singing traditional hymns.

Veneration of Our Lady of Bethlehem.

E

We took a brief moment to explore the mission grounds…

have photo opps, and work on the pilgrimage workbooks before having to depart for Mass.

We were blessed to have Fr. L travel to celebrate Mass for us at a private residence in Pebble Beach.

Dear married couples, by means of a special gift of the Holy Spirit, Christ gives you a share in his spousal love, making you a sign of his faithful and all-embracing love for the Church. If you can receive this gift, renewing your “yes” each day by faith, with the strength that comes from the grace of the sacrament, then your family will grow in God’s love according to the model of the Holy Family of Nazareth. Dear families, pray often for the help of the Virgin Mary and Saint Joseph, that they may teach you to receive God’s love as they did. Your vocation is not easy to live, especially today, but the vocation to love is a wonderful thing, it is the only force that can truly transform the cosmos, the world.

~Pope Benedict XVI, 7th World Meeting of Families

~~~

{pretty, happy, funny, real}

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

Sweet Pickins

June 12, 2012 by Lena {JOYfilledfamily} Filed Under: GFG, Sparkles, Summer

6.8.12 – Sparkles arranged a day of cherry picking at her Nino & Nina’s ranch.

Go Ducks!

June 12, 2012 by Lena {JOYfilledfamily} Filed Under: GFG, Summer, Swim

The 2012 swim season is officially here. The girls had their first swim meet on June 7. They will continue to swim daily for the remainder of June.

A Way of Holiness

June 8, 2012 by Lena {JOYfilledfamily} Filed Under: Bl. Luigi and Maria Beltrami Quattrocchi, Pilgrimage, Pilgrimage to OLB 2012, Pilgrimage to Our Lady of Bethlehem

They made their family an authentic domestic Church, open to life, prayer, witness of the Gospel, the social apostolate, solidarity with the poor, and friendship. ~ Cardinal Jose Martins

~~~

Our Lady of Bethlehem Pilgrimage

Day 2: Saturday, May 26, 2012

Bl. Luigi & Maria are among the few examples of beatification of a married couple in the history of the Church.

Blessed Luigi and Maria Beltrami Quattrocchi were our patrons for Saturday, in keeping with the theme of Chartes.

Day two started with an early rise. The weather was overcast and sprinkling. Papi was bundled up in the stroller and Dragonfly was packed nicely on Dad’s back.

Papi didn’t opted to walk once he spotted a nice walking stick.

Dad, Sparkles, and Dragonfly

Rose carried the pilgrimage banner for the first stretch of Day 2.

Sparkles needed to get warm more than she needed to rest her feet. It was a blessing to have such charitable youth on our journey.

The pilgrims making it to their first break point. Day 2 consisted mostly of back roads, surrounded by agriculture.

“Fulfilling their conjugal and family role by virtue of this sacrament, spouses are penetrated with the spirit of Christ and their whole life is permeated by faith, hope, and charity; thus they increasingly further their own perfection and their mutual sanctification, and together they render glory to God”

~Gaudium et spes, n. 48

Dad and Papi enjoying some down time.

Mom and Dragonfly staying warm in the pilgrim van. I was put on driving duty for the day.

The pilgrims continued their journey, after lunch. I took back 2 of my littles and others who needed to reprieve from the terrain.

Dad, Rose, and Dragonfly continued for eight miles. Dragonfly took his nap on CD’s head shoulders and had to be transferred back to his bed stroller.

The pilgrims returned to camp where moms were tending to little ones and prepping dinner.

We took an impromptu visit to the beach.

Papi had a wonderful time playing dodge the wave. He became so drenched and cold that he began to turn blue. I had to strip his clothes and cover him in my jacket.

The family is the first and the most important.

~Letter to Families, n. 2

Dad was back at camp. Rose, dripping wet and all, helped him set up our tent.

Help was enlisted.

Papi pleaded for a hot bath but settled for a warm shower.

Prayer, song, warmth, snacks, and fellowship.

Good night!

The boys had our tent to themselves before we managed to squeeze seven bodies in a four person tent. The physical closeness that we experienced was a beautiful reminder of our desire to remain spiritually close with one another and Our Lord.

~~~

{pretty, happy, funny, real}

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

St. Anne ~ Responsibility ~ Mum

June 4, 2012 by Lena {JOYfilledfamily} Filed Under: 07 July Saints, Little Flowers, Spiritual Bouquet, St. Anne, Wreath III

SAINT ANNE
Mother of the Blessed Virgin Mary

Old ~ Feast Day – July 26

Anne and Joachim, her husband, were both of the royal house of David. They served God continually in prayer and good works, but were looked down upon by the Jews because they were childless. At length God gave them a daughter, who was to become the mother of His own divine son. Because St. Anne devoted herself ceaselessly to educating her child in innocence and sanctity, she is patron of all Christian mothers. St. Paul says that it is by a holy exercise of their parenthood that parents are to be saved (Col. 3:18-21).

~~~

I will meet on June 20 for the last Little Flowers meeting of the year. It has become a tradition to hold a day retreat for the last meeting of the year. We start the day with our normal meeting agenda. Then we break for Mass. We have lunch and then move onto the “retreat.” The retreat is time for faithfilled crafts, activities, and social time. Last year we were blessed to be joined by Father and two seminarians (who were ordained on 5.19).

This year’s retreat will start with a meeting on St. Anne & Responsibility. The second half of the day will be the official retreat — America for Mary, our Blessed Mother.

~~~

Handouts:

St. Anne – Responsibility Divider Sheet
Responsibility Activity Sheet
St. Anne & Joachim Bio for Kids ~ Holy Spirit Interactive
Responsibility Memory Verse ~ select landscape from printer options
St. Anne Coloring Page ~ Waltzing Matilda
Mum Coloring Page

Resources:

St. Anne Bio ~ EWTN
Prayer to St. Anne ~ EWTN
Titles of St. Anne ~ Catholic Tradition
St. Anne’s Family Album ~ Waltzing Matilda
St. Anne & Responsibility Memory Page ~ Shower of Roses
Mum Cupcakes ~ Catholic Cuisine
Little Flowers Link Up ~ Shower of Roses

~~~

***UPDATE***

The Little Flowers completed a Spiritual Bouquet for Father L, in thanksgiving for his devoted care to the LF over the years.

click here for a printable spiritual bouquet sheet that can be used for children to draw a picture on and complete the sentence, I will offer for you and your intentions…

~~~

You, my dear child, have a very difficult and 
responsible task — you have to preserve your inno- 
cence; therefore go to your mother, to Mary, 
the sweet Mother of God. Dangers threaten, and 
hellish foes pursue you ; therefore fly to your Mother 
and cling fast to her protecting hand.

~ Fr. Lasance Catholic Girls Guide

Viva Cristo Rey!

June 2, 2012 by Lena {JOYfilledfamily} Filed Under: Bl. Jose Sanchez del Rio, Bl. Miguel Pro, Catholic Movies, Cristeros

¡Viva Cristo Rey! ¡Viva la Virgen de Guadalupe!

"Long live Christ the King! Long live the Virgin of Guadalupe!"

~~~

This post was inspiried by my family’s recent viewing of the film, For Greater Glory.

~~~

The Cristero War is a chapter in Mexico’s history in the 1920s, when thousands of Catholics answered this crucial question [of religious freedom] at the cost of their very lives. President Plutarco Calles launched a direct attack on the Catholic Church using articles from Mexico’s Constitution, which created this uprising and counter-revolution against the Mexican government during that time. The original rebellion was set off by the persecution of Roman Catholics and a ban on their public religious practices.

~Ruben Quezada

~~~

My Jesus Mercy! My sins are more numerous than the drops of blood that Thou did shed for me. I do not deserve to belong to the army that defends the rights of Thy Church and that fights for her. I desire never to sin again so that my life might be an offering pleasing to Thy eyes. Wash away my iniquities and cleanse me of my sins. By Thy Holy Cross, by my Holy Mother of Guadalupe, pardon me.
Since I do not know how to make penance for my sins, I desire to receive death as a chastisement merited by them. I do not wish to fight, live or die except for Thee and for Thy Church. Blessed Mother of Guadalupe, be at my side in the agony of this poor sinner. Grant that my last shout on earth and my first canticle in Heaven should be Viva Cristo Rey! Amen

~ Prayer said by the Cristeros of Jalisco at the end of the Rosary

~~~

~~~

A list of priests and laymen who have been beatified and canonized from this persecution in Mexico.

St. Agustín Caloca-St. Atilano Cruz Alvarado-St. Cristobal Magallanes-St. David Galván Bermudes-St. David Roldán Lara-St. David Uribe Velasco-St. Jenaro Sánchez Delgadillo-St. Jesús Méndez Montoya-St. José Isabel Flores Varela-St. José Maria Robles Hurtado (Priest)*-St. Jóven Salvador Lara Puente-St. Julio Álvarez Mendoza-St. Justino Orona Madrigal-St. Luis Batiz Sáinz (Priest)*-St. Manuel Morales-St. Margarito Flores García-St. Mateo Correa Magallanes (Priest)*-St. Miguel De La Mora (Priest)*-St. Pedro de Jesús Maldonado Lucero (Priest)*-St. Pedro Esqueda Ramírez-St. Rodrigo Aguilar Alemán (Priest)*-St. Román Adame Rosales-St. Sabas Reyes Salazar-St. Tranquilino Ubiarco-St. Toribio Romo González-Blessed Anacleto González Flores-Blessed Andrés Solá Molist (Priest)*-Blessed Ángel Darío Acosta Zurita (Priest)-Blessed Ezequiel Huerta Gutiérrez-Blessed Jorge Vargas González-Blessed José Sánchez del Río-Blessed José Trinidad Rangel Montaño (Priest) *-Blessed Leonardo Pérez Larios*-Blessed Luis Magaña Servín-Blessed Luis Padilla Gómez-Blessed Miguel Gómez Loza-Blessed Mateo Elías del Socorro Nieves (Priest)-Blessed Miguel Agustin Pro Juárez (Priest)-Blessed Ramón Vargas González-Blessed Salvador Huerta Gutiérrez-* Indicates member of Knights of Columbus

~~~

Resources

For Greater Glory: The True Story of Cristeros – EWTN 30 min video
A Prayer of the Cristeros of Jalisco
Cristeros – Soliders of Christ – 15 min video with subtitles
1927-1929 La Cristiada – 12 min video excerpted from 1910-1929: Revolution and its Culture
The Cristeros – Part I – The Spaniards Land in Mexico
The Cristeros – Part II – Long Live the Virgin of Guadalupe!
The Cristeros – Part III – Hildalgo Raises the Standard of Revolt
Viva Cristo Rey! The Cristeros Versus the Mexican Revolution
Encyclicals of Pope Pius XI
- Iniquis Afflictisque – On the Persecution in Mexico
- Acerba Animi – On the Persecution in Mexico
Cristero War – general info page from gen. sources
The Cristero War: the Story Behind the Cover Up – Article with insight from historian
Bl. Jose Sanchez del Rio Site – this site is in Spanish but there are many great visuals

Activities for Kids

Bl. Miguel Pro Paper Doll – Paper Dali
Blessed Miguel Pro Linky Fiesta – Paper Dali share links, printables, and activities
Bl. Miguel Pro Saint Folder – My Little Flower

~~~

Be watchful, stand firm in your faith, be courageous, be strong. ~ 1 Corinthians 16:13

E

We were blessed to have Fr. L travel to celebrate Mass for us at a private residence in Pebble Beach.

~~~

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