JOYfilledfamily BLOG

Mary, Mother of God ~ Cheerfulness

September 6, 2011 by Lena {JOYfilledfamily} Filed Under: 01 January Saints, Little Flowers, Marian, Mary's Birthday, Wreath III

We kicked off a new year of Little Flowers on the First Saturday. We now have 35 Little Flowers! Praise God!

We are on Wreath III and I decided to focus on Mary, Mother of God and Cheerfulness for the first meeting. We had a Marian Birthday Party.

The girls were delighted to come together for such a glorious celebration shared with Mass and friends.

Marian Birthday Menu: inspiration was found at Catholic Cuisine

Bake Blueberry French Toast
Cream cheese Lily Rolls
Marian Snack Mix
Fruit
Mary’s Prayer – Blue Chocolate Dipped Pretzels
Dried Blueberries
Mary Cookies
Cheer Sticks – Veggie Straws
Blue Drinks

I invited the girls to share what they knew about the Blessed Virgin. We honed in on her cheerfulness in all situations.

We spoke of times when the girls have been cheerful and times when their cheerfulness was lacking. Then we identified what a non-cheerful “Yes” sounds like vs. a cheerful “Yes.” The girls enjoyed proclaiming a “Yes” like Mary.

The girls also generated a list of words or phrases that could be said to cheer someone else up.

Cheer up!
Be happy!
I Love You!
Smile!
Be Joyful!
Jesus Loves You!

A friend gave Sparkles this cheer card.

The talk on cheerfulness led us to our crafts. The girls created Cheer Cards, cards that they could give to someone else in need of a smile.

The girls also created a Mary, Mother of God journal. I encouraged them to use their journal to record their cheerfulness, pray intentions, post their holy cards, and other spiritual practices.

We closed the meeting with the Rosary. Unfortunately, we were a bit short on time and could only pray an Our Father, Hail Mary and Glory Be. We prayed for an increase in cheerfulness and and the intentions of the Blessed Mother.

The girls brought up their flower for Mary and ate a Hail Mary cupcake.

May we be cheerful like Our Blessed Mother.

~~~

Mary, Mother of God

January 1

~~~

Handouts: (in order)

Cheerfulness Divider Sheet
Cheerfulness Activity Sheet
Mary, Mother of God Coloring Page – Waltzing Matilda
- Holy Name of Mary
- Sorrowful Mother – Sept. 15
- Our Lady of the Rosary – Oct. 7
Mary, Mother of God Bio for Kids – Holy Spirit Interactive
Cheerfulness Memory Verse
Mary Mother of God & Cheerfulness Info – Shower of Roses

Resources:

Mystery of the Mother of God – AudioSancto
Meditation on the Birthday of the Blessed Virgin Mary – Dayton
Marian Prayers – EWTN
Little Crown of the Blessed Virgin Mary – Fish Eaters
The Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary – WFF
Marian Meditations & Reflections – Dayton
Marian Dishes & Treats – Catholic Cuisine
Food for Marian Feast Days – Catholic Icing
Mary Art Project – Catholic Icing

Mater Dei, ora pro nobis.

Blessed Teresa of Calcutta

September 4, 2011 by Lena {JOYfilledfamily} Filed Under: 09 September, 09 September Saints, Blessed Mother Teresa, Mother Teresa of Calcutta 1 Comment

The liturgical celebration of Blessed Teresa on 5 September is observed by the Missionaries of Charity as a “feast”; for all others the celebration is observed as an “optional memorial”.

Simple Celebration for Bl. Mother Teresa
Novena to Blessed Mother Teresa
Missionaries of Charity – Charity Litany
Printable Prayer Card – Lord, Make Me a Channel of Your Peace
Coloring Page 1– Waltzing Matilda
Coloring Page 2 – Waltzing Matilda
Children’s Embroidery Pattern – Waltzing Matilda
Paper Doll – Paper dali
All Saints’ Day –Mother Teresa – Blossoming Joy
Food Ideas & Crafts – Family at the Foot of the Cross
Mother Teresa Tea – Catholic Cuisine
Mother Teresa You Tube
Mother Teresa’s Commencement Address and Press Conference, delivered at Thomas Aquinas College in June of 1982.
Centenary Reflections & More Mother Teresa Resources

Blessed Teresa of Calcutta, you showed us the beauty of a life lived in and for love and you never stop reminding us that we are all “created for greater things, to love and be loved." Help us to live, like you, a life of love that is worthy of our calling as children of God. Amen.

Prayers Requested

August 31, 2011 by Lena {JOYfilledfamily} Filed Under: Prayers 2 Comments

The following prayer request was sent to me today. I pass it on to you in charity and trust that you will storm heaven for this dear family.

~~~

“Then were little children presented to Him, that he should impose hands upon them and pray. And the disciples rebuked them. But Jesus said to them:

Suffer the little children to come and forbid them not to come to me; for the kingdom of heaven is for such.” Matt. 19:13-14.

The Harder family has suffered a devastating loss in that two of John and Janice Harder’s six children died yesterday in a tragic boating accident in Montana. The boys, John Anthony and Joseph Thaddeus, aged 8 and 4 respectively, were their only boys and were unable to survive the frigid conditions of the water where they were capsized and remained for several hours. A third child, Cecilia Rose, was given CPR and a faint pulse was detected. She has been upgraded from intensive care and looks to be pulling through. Her patron, St. Rose of Lima, whose feast was yesterday, is most assuredly watching over her

…This tragedy has devastated the family and has left the boys’ parents disconsolate, even while they recover from their own injuries.

Our Faith tells us that these beautiful boys are in heaven as it was made “for such”. Of course, we should always pray for the repose of their souls, but given their young age and innocence, we can be assured of their salvation. However, those left behind are in great need of our prayers and support. Please pray for John and Janice and their four young girls who must face a home with an empty room and a lifetime of bittersweet memories. They cannot but be buoyed by your prayers and support.

An account is being opened in the family’s name to help defer the medical and funeral expenses. It is not clear whether the family had sufficient insurance to cover such a catastrophe which necessitated two or three life flights and hospital stays in two different hospitals in two different States. In addition, a young family does not expect funeral expenses and no contingency plans were made in that regard. Any amount you can afford will be most appreciated by the family.

If you are able please send what you can {email me at JOYfilledfamily*dot*com for the contact info to donate to the family}.

Thank you for your prayers and good wishes.

—Update—
Two children drown in Big Horn Lake

Storm claims two lives on Big Horn Lake

Prayer Request

August 31, 2011 by Lena {JOYfilledfamily} Filed Under: Prayers 11 Comments

I was hoping to make a wonderful announcement in the upcoming weeks. Instead, I am left to humbly ask for prayers. I pray for God’s will and His grace to joyfully accept it.

Also, I am desiring to unite my trial and suffering for others in need, in addition to the intentions of Our Blessed Mother. I invite you to leave your intention in the comments or email me privately (JOYfilledfamily{at}gmail{dot}com). You can be as detailed or vague as you desire.

May I completely surrender and allow Him to use me as He wills.

Ad Jesum per Mariam,

Lena

“Suffering is a gift of God. It’s a sign that we have come so close to Him that we can share His Passion, that we can share the joy of loving with Him in pain, in suffering.”

~ Blessed Teresa of Calcutta

{pretty, happy, funny, real}

August 19, 2011 by Lena {JOYfilledfamily} Filed Under: {phfr}, Picture Recap

{pretty, happy, funny, real}

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

~~~

{pretty}

8.15.11 – Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary. Christ is always present in a Catholic church.

Sparkles singing the recessional hymn, Salve Regina.

{happy}

8.13.11 – We celebrated Papa’s military service. The kids got a kick seeing their Papa so playful with his fellow veterans. They also enjoyed their cool off time.

Sancta Familia Academy 2011-2012

August 17, 2011 by Lena {JOYfilledfamily} Filed Under: Homeschooling, Not Back to School Blog Hop

School is in session.

Sancta Familia Academy 2011-2012

Rose – 11 * Sparkles – 3 * Sweetie – 1 * Papi – Pre-K Dragonfly – Teacher’s Pet

Dragonfly just woke up from a nap and was not at all interested in being out of my arms — typical day.

~~~

Here are some outtakes.

~~~

School pictures from previous years.

~~~

St. Elizabeth of Hungary, St. Christina, Our Lady of Fatima, St. Bernadette, Our Lady of Guadalupe, Out Lady of Mount Carmel, St. Clare, St. Alexandria, St. Alexandra, Our Lady of Lordes, St. John the Baptist, St. John, St. Paul, St. Matthew, St. George, St. Lawrence, St. Barbara, St. Maximillian Kolbe, St. Ignatius of Loyola, St. John Chrysostom ~ Orate pro nobis.

~~~

The Roman Breviary

August 15, 2011 by Lena {JOYfilledfamily} Filed Under: Catholic Products, Keeping it Catholic Monday, Roman Breviary

"Aperi, Domine, os meum … Open Thou, O Lord, my mouth to bless Thy holy name; cleanse my heart from vain, evil and wandering thoughts; enlighten my understanding, inflame my will, that so I may worthily, attentively and devoutly recite this Office and deserve to be heard in the presence of Thy Divine Majesty. Through Christ our Lord. Amen. O Lord, in union with that divine intention wherewith Thou whilst here on earth didst Thyself praise God, I offer these Hours to Thee."

~ Preparatory Prayer in the Breviary

Dad and I have made a resolution to pray the Officium Divinum (Divine Office). Rose will be joining us this school year.

We had been using this online Breviary and The Little Office of The Blessed Virgin Mary. Recently, we found a wonderful app for our phone, Breviarium Meum.

The Breviarium Meum is a free application, from the Franciscan Friars of the Immaculate. It’s available from iTunes here.

Breviarium Meum allows you to pray the traditional (1962) Latin breviary of the Catholic Church wherever you go. You can download the texts up to a week in advance, so you can pray even when you don’t have a network connection. A parallel English translation of the breviary and an collection of Latin prayers and blessings are also included. Pray the breviary you know in a new way, or get to know for the first time the Roman Liturgy in the Usus Antiquior, considered by Summorum Pontificum as a precious treasure to be preserved and made accessible to all the faithful.

~ Franciscan Friars of the Immaculate

The Divine Office is a school of prayer, a meditative method for internalizing and understanding the Faith, and for conforming yourself to Christ. Using the books has always been somewhat difficult, and this application takes care of most of the rubrics, commons and propers for each Hour. The Friars ought to be commended for doing this work which brings the riches of the Hours to the laity in a straight-forward and simple manner.

Click here to download Breviarium Meum.

We are thankful for this Catholic tech resource but would eventually like to purchase a hard copy of Breviarium Romanum (The Roman Breviary).

~~~

"Dearly beloved priest, when you take the Breviary in your hand, imagine that an angel stands on one side to register your merits in the Book of Life if you say the Office with devotion, and on the other a devil who, if you recite it with distraction, writes your faults in the book of death. With this thought excite yourself to say the Office with the greatest possible devotion. Endeavour, then, not only at the beginning of the Office, but also at the beginning of each psalm, to renew your attention, that you may be able to excite in your heart all the sentiments that you shall read." ~St. Alphonsus

{pretty, happy, funny, real}

August 11, 2011 by Lena {JOYfilledfamily} Filed Under: {phfr}, Picture Recap

{pretty, happy, funny, real}

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

~~~

{pretty}

8.8.11 – It was hard for me to part with these custom creations. I’ve finally shipped them out, after several months of delay. It’s time that they bless someone else.

{happy}

8.10.11 – We celebrated Dad and Dragonfly’s namesake day with a yummy treat. It was a slight deviation from last year’s treat.

{funny}

8.9.11 – We loaded up the car on a hot afternoon. Everyone had a cool treat. Papi was too tired to finish his. He fell asleep within five minutes. The girls tried, on several occasions, to remove his popsicle but he put up a fight each time. He held his prized possession for the entire twenty min. car ride.

{real}

8.9.11 – Praise God! This was a nice consolation for me as I enter a new season of homeschooling. My children are ignited with a burning love of learning. Sparkles enjoys science. She orchestrated her own lab. Who would have thought that pond scum could be so interesting?

She Did It Again

August 11, 2011 by Lena {JOYfilledfamily} Filed Under: New Look, Rose

Dad and I set a precedent in our home in regards to the girl’s hair. This year we left the decision up to Rose. After all, she is sixteen and it’s about time that she starts standing for her own convictions.

I scheduled a long overdue hair cut for Rose and myself. I had a coupon, of course. Rose had expressed interest in going short but I never was able to discuss styles with her.

When we arrived at the salon, she insisted that I go first. I knew that I was not going to take off major inches. I’m not ready for short and gray hair. Long and gray, maybe, but not short and gray-at least not now.

Rose prayerfully scanned the very immodest magazines and couldn’t find a suitable haircut. I pulled some images on my phone and she immediately honed in to a simple style. (I’ve since discovered that it’s very similar to her last hair cut.)

She shared the style with the stylist and informed her that she needed to make a ponytail and take off at least 10 inches. She looked at me with a smile—ALL FOR!

Rose is officially a hair donor. She has been blessed with the ability to grow beautiful thick hair and is willing to endure it’s weight on hot summer days so that another young girl can be blessed. The ponytail will be shipped this week to Locks of Love.

God, in His infinite wisdom, endowed the maiden
with beauty and power to please. He desires to
teach her that, as she was externally adorned with
beauty, she ought to beware lest her soul should not correspond to her physical attractiveness, but be, on the contrary, a wild and desert place. Your
external charms should be a mirror in which the
beauty of your soul is reflected.

~ Father Lasance, Catholic Girl’s Guide

{Home} School Room

August 8, 2011 by Lena {JOYfilledfamily} Filed Under: Homeschooling, Not Back to School Blog Hop, Schoolroom 14 Comments

Here is my formal dining room turned school room. These pictures were taken last school session. The schoolroom hasn’t changed much since.

This picture was taken right after I added my new find. I found the Pottery Barn unit on Craigslist. I now have the shelves filled with school supplies stored in these fun containers. I found 7 of them at the thrift store for $2 ea.

The Little’s enjoy working on their own desk but I prefer the table.

I hang selected school work above the red armoire. I use fishing line and clothes pins. It’s my favorite system–easy, cute and cheap.

I love having everything school related in one room. I added the metal garage storage units (found at Costco). I put magnets on wall charts and hang them on the metal frame. It’s the prefect height for the Little’s and covers the storage.

Above the storage units is my week at glance system – cork boards and magnetic/dry-erase boards. The system never worked as I had intended but served as nice display for school work.

The black shelving unit is a recycled piece that my mom picked up from a local convent. I love that it is solid wood. It serves as a room divider from the hallway. I mounted a felt board, cork board, dry-erase board and chalk board to the back side of the unit. It keeps the boys busy.

The black desk is mine!

Here’s the high school room/office/craft room that Rose and I share.

~~~

I’m linking my post to the NOT Back-to-School Blog Hop. Join the school fun!

Subscribe to our Newsletter