Catholic Blog Directory

*JMJ* Yeah! I made it into the Hall of Fame!!! Well not exactly. But my blog did make it into the Catholic Blog Directory. If you'd like to see it, just go to this link and check it out. It's in alphabetical order. http://catholicblogs.blogspot.com/ And there as so many more good Catholic blogs to view in this directory. This woman I met (via e-mail) Andrea, compiles all these great Catholic blogs. And I just want to publicly thank her for her dedication to that. And I would would like to thank her again for adding my blog to the directory. In the directory, you will find blogs from priests, nuns and just laymen people like myself. I do hope you go and check it out! God bless you!

Happy Feast of the Holy Family

*JMJ* Today is the Feast of the Holy Family. As you know, my blog is dedicated to the Holy Family so I felt compelled to write in my blog today about this Feast day. I don't know if you have noticed, but I do begin each post with JMJ (Jesus, Mary, Joseph). Bishop Sheen use to begin his writings with that. I'm sure other holy people have done it but I haven't looked into that. I love Bishop Sheen by the way and I to hope for him to become a saint, soon. I've always had a strong devotion to the Holy Family since I became Catholic. Perhaps because I'm a Catholic mother and wife. I'm also a stay at home mom. I love my family and their happiness means everything to me. Our families are considered "little churches" in the Catholic faith. I have a Holy Family statue in my home where it is easily visible to me to see it everyday. My parents were also divorced and it completely destroyed my family. There is no good that comes from a divorce. And Satan will do his darnedest to destroy families, and especially Catholic families. I seen a bishop on EWTN. He said that he performed and exorcism once and that Satan spoke to him. Supposedly he said, "I am the Christ killer! And WHEREVER Christ is, I will try to kill Him!" When I heard that, I was like, "Come on! Bring it on! Show me what you got! If your going to try and destroy MY family, your going to have a fight!" I was a fairly new Catholic and very feisty and full of energy! And I felt like I had the strength to back it up, meaning the sacraments and but who else? Who would fight for us? Our heavenly mother, Mother Mary. I heard all you have to do is mention Mary on your lips and the enemy will flee because he can't stand the Blessed Virgin Mary. It hurts me to have to write that. All we need to do, is just ask for her help and protection and there she comes to aid us miserable sinners. Well folks, I try and make Christ the center of my family. Will the devil try to destroy my family? You bet he is doing everything in his power. Will he prevail? That is why I stay close to Jesus and Mary and Joseph and the sacraments. I pray that the Holy Family will watch over my family and ALL families! Like that saying goes. The family that prays together, stays together. So we all need to be diligent in watching and caring for our families because the devil is lurking to destroy ALL families. Because it reminds the devil of the Holy Family. The devil will look for the slightest weakness in an individual and just go for it. He will do whatever it takes to destroy that family. I have seen strong Catholic families destroyed and unravel in my lifetime. We all know, that 50% of marriages fail within three years of their marriage. It's so unusual for people to be married for 40 or 50 years anymore. Do I have an easy answer? No. But I think we can all agree that we need to guard our families and make our families our first priority. I seen this prayer on EWTN once. I love this prayer and I thought it was fitting for this post. Just a little note.Saint Anne is the Blessed Virgin Mother's, mother. Saint Anne, Bless My Family My family is the heart of my life. It is my little church. Saint Anne, guard the members of my family against all physical and spiritual danger. You lived in the presence of your husband Joachim and your little daughter Mary. Later, you welcomed your son-in-law, Saint Joseph, and above all your beloved grandson Jesus, our Savior. May your family inspire our families. May we remain united in a deep mutual love. If my family is broken by separation or divorce, remain for us the Saint of tenderness and lead us to God. Saint Anne, you were a spouse , a mother and a grandmother; bless all the members of my family. Keep us faithful to the Lord. May we remain attentive to the needs of other families. Protect all families. Amen *I'm not sure of the author to this prayer.

That Christmas Peace

*JMJ* That Christmas peace. How do you explain it? How do you describe it? Have you never felt it? Have you ever let a Christmas go by without searching for it? Have you ever gone to bed on Christmas Eve without trying to feel it? Can we make yourselves feel it? Or is it a gift to us from above? When you search for it...and then there it is. No matter where your at. It's that peace that envelopes you. That peace that surrounds you. That Christmas peace that comes upon you from above. And what joy it brings to ones heart searching for that Christmas peace. That quietness. That stillness. That enters your heart. The sweetness of it. The gentleness of it, like a little babe's tiny breath...yes it's that Christmas peace, that Jesus gives to those who seek. Thank you Jesus. And Happy Birthday Jesus. Thank you Blessed Virgin Mary and St. Joseph. May you all find that Christmas peace in your hearts this Christmas. Jesus, thank you for making it so easy for me to come to you, when you came into this world as a baby. Merry Christmas to you all.

Lighting of The Advent Wreath

*JMJ* Well as I mentioned in a previous post, my family was invited to light the fourth candle for the fourth Sunday of Advent at my parish this morning. As honored as I felt for the parish to think of my family for lighting the candle, that was a little uncomfortable for me. I was definitely out of my element and comfort zone. Yikes! There goes my new found confidence that I had mentioned in my previous post. It went straight out the window. I'm so shy. So it was really hard for me. My family walked up the center of the isle along with the procession. First the crucifix, then us, then the priest with the other two deacons followed. I was just so nervous. Then we had to be seated in the front pew where it was reserved for my family. Then the priest announced my family's name and invited us up to light the candles. I was grabbing onto that long match as hard as I could without it breaking so that no one would see my hand shaking. Then when we sat down I was so upset for the rest of the mass because when I looked over at the candles, I think one of the candles weren't lit. Oh well, I thought. To late to worry about it now. It was really uncomfortable to sit in the front pew to. I like to blend in with the crowd. I just felt so uptight throughout the whole mass. I can talk the talk, but can I walk the walk, lol. I have to also learn to loosen up and learn not to take things so seriously. I need to laugh at myself. Even while I'm at church to some extent. I mean you still have to act a certain way when your in the house of God. But I think you know what I'm trying to say. I shouldn't be so hard on myself when it comes to church. Don't get me wrong, I'm also not talking about not following the Catholic rules. I'd always try my best to obey them. But I mean to lighten up in the way that I don't have to be so perfect in church. I don't want to become...shall I say...stuffy. That candle not being lit really bothered me through out the whole mass and I had a hard time focusing on the mass but tried my best. As we left, I thanked the priest for the invitation of lighting the advent candles. As honored as I felt, I will be glad to sit amongst the other parishioners somewhere in the parish on Christmas, where I can just blend in with the others. That was really hard. I was really kind of surprised that I had such a difficult time doing that. It's just God Himself showing me, I still need to grow. Enjoy the Lord's day.

The True Meaning of Christmas

*JMJ* Linus says it best... http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pn10FF-FQfs

Bah, Humbug!

*JMJ* I'm sure that we all have encountered this behaviour from people who work with the public or that are just out and about in some way. Let me just start off by saying, I'm not being judgemental. But I do feel like this needs to be addressed. As I thought about this post, I could tell that my thoughts were being pulled in different directions, but I want to try and stay on the topic of people being rude. What are the patron saints for dogs? Because my little pooch is going to need some intervention today. Pray that she still has her ears and tail intact when I go to pick her up from the dog groomer. Oh dear. I took her back to this new groomer who clipped her ear a tiny bit last time. I figured it was an accident and took her back to the same groomer. But what I really want to talk about is people's bad attitudes, bad manners and unhappiness in life in general. I'm not talking about people who lost loved ones or someone whom they are close to is ill or are ill themselves. I'm talking about people who have no good reason for their bad behavior. Like today when I walked into the doggy parlor. There were two people working there who did not greet me, I greeted them! Then I asked for my dog's groomer. She came around the corner and I got no greeting from her either. She kept walking back and forth a few times before she even spoke to me. She looked like she didn't want to be there. Her shoulders were slouched down, looking sad and depressed. Didn't her mama teach her any manners? When she came around that corner, she should have stood up straight, greeted me with a smile and said happy holidays, it's nice to see you and thank you for letting me be your dog's groomer today. I'm just tired of seeing people's grumpiness for no darn good reason. It's so rude! Myself, I'm very shy. And I have to combat that because I don't ever want anyone to think that I'm a rude person. For example, when my youngest son started school a couple of years ago. It had been several years since I had to deal with an elementary school with rude moms who were very snobby. This time, I tried to combat my shyness to make it a point to talk to as many moms as I could. Even when clearly they did not want to talk to me, I would continue to talk to them. I think they finally gave in to speak to me because they probably seen that I wasn't going to go away. It's not that my shyness went away, that will never go away because that is apart of who I am. But my shyness was not showing in public. So I started to talk to these moms almost on a daily basis. I didn't think we were friends, we were just acquaintances. We were all moms with our kids in school. I was on a mission. I was going to become friends with all of the woman in our group of moms. Not so much for me, but so that no one would feel left out. If I seen a mom by herself for a few days at the beginning of a new school year, I would make it an effort to talk to her for the next few days. Then, she would join with the group of moms. I felt bad for the woman by herself. She must of thought I was so snobby and rude. But I combated that by talking to her. Then like I said, a few days later she joined in with the group of moms. I felt better because no one was being left out. And no one could say that I was being rude or snobby. One day there was this lady who usually talked to us but she was standing on the side, away from us. When I turned around and seen her standing there by herself, I motioned for her to come stand by the group of mothers and she did. Yeah maybe I did take it upon myself that day to presume that she wanted to be with us. Maybe she was having a horrible day and just wanted to be by herself. But I gave her the option of standing by us or standing by herself. I guess I'm just trying to point out how I will go out of my way for another human being so that they don't think that I am being rude or snobby in anyway. A couple of years ago when this all started, someone even asked me if I was in the PTO. I said no. In the group of woman, we are all different. Different nationalities, different ages, etc. But I have to say we are all speaking. Like I said, I am shy and I don't know why God chose me for the job. But I can clearly see God working through me. I feel comfortable enough to possibly have these woman over for a tea party. Two years have passed. Their all moms like me and they to work very hard. Some work out of the house and some are a stay at home mom like me. Some even have babies. But like I said, we're all talking. And one reason why I'm still iffy about asking them over for a tea party is because there so many moms now who are talking! I'd have to invite all of them! I could not be rude and leave anybody out. :-) I remember two years ago when my son entered Kindergarten that there were like 12 moms just standing there and not even speaking to each other! I thought how horrible. How rude. And what terrible manners! My hubby knows how shy I am. I tell him, boy you wouldn't know I was your wife up at the school with all the talking I do now. And I have to watch that balance. Because you don't want to be dominating or stalking anyone. Yet I've noticed that with my new found confidence, I may be shy but I can still be in a group. I've built confidence within myself, thanks be to Jesus. I've noticed it taking place at my church as well. Maybe it comes with maturity to. I wouldn't say it's low-self esteem with me. I've always felt like a worthy person. Some people don't like it when you have confidence. They wonder what your so happy about. And then they will be rude to me. They will turn their backs on me. But what they don't realize, is that your not turning your back on me, your turning your back on Christ who dwells in me. I have respect for all human beings. Because I know that the Lord loves them just as much as he loves me. God created them. So I have a general love for all people. And you wonder what brings that confidence and happiness within myself? Jesus. The King of Peace. I always feel at peace with my Lord. And if I start to feel uneasy, I know what I must do. I know when I'm not close with the Lord because that uneasy feeling creeps in. That is when I run back to the Lord where I know that I will find that peace that I think all humans long for really. Then there are times when your confidence feeds off of other people and they are drawn to you. But what their really looking at, is Christ working through little ole me, in my situation. So how should I end this post...Just know that God loves all people. He created them. Your important to him like no other person on this earth. You need to put your priorities first. When I'm closest to God, I find myself being happy about my life. Yes I am not exempt from going through difficult times. For one because I'm still breathing. But that confidence I feel when I'm close to the Lord can never be taken away from me by anyone. I guess through mortal sin, but thanks be to God, I haven't fallen into mortal sin and I hope I never do. I guess I'll close by saying, if your close with Jesus, how could you ever be rude to anyone again? Like my priest told me. You live close to the Lord, you die close to the Lord. Thanks be to God! Jesus I LOVE you! P.S. By the way, my doggy looked fabulous. And the the dog groomer loved her Christmas tip. :-)

My Saturday Night

*JMJ* A few weeks ago, out priest announced that our parish would be holding a Spaghetti dinner for a fundraiser for St. Vincent de Paul. They are in desperate need for food for the poor. Our priest told us that at least a couple of people would come to the parish to ask for some food probably twice a month. Now our priest told us that people are coming in daily to the parish and asking for food. Our priest asked the whole church, if every family could go to this spaghetti dinner to help St. Vincent de Paul feed the poor. He said that this was an important fundraiser. The Men's Club who was hosting the fundraising dinner was also asking for donations for the food that they had to buy for the dinner. So I was getting my family all geared up for weeks now telling them that we will be going to Mass on Saturday instead of Sunday. My family was like, "Ugh, why Saturday?" I told them because of the Spaghetti dinner fundraiser was following mass. We were going to the dinner anyway so why not go to mass before hand. Well hubby got a bad cold so he didn't go. So it was just me and my two sons going. After mass our priest told us that the church was more filled this evening and he was hoping it was because everyone was planning on going to the spaghetti dinner fundraiser after mass. And boy did they! Let me tell you! The line was going out the doors! I repeat OUT THE DOORS!!! I mean, my parish, was the place TO BE on a Saturday night! The place was just hopping. There was a buzz in the air and everyone was in wonderful spirits. You could just feel the excitement in the air. It was spectacular! I was taken aback. The dinner cost $6 for adults and $3 for children. They gave you raffle tickets upon arrival as you entered into the social hall of the parish where the dinner took place in the church. There was also a bake sale going on. Once you got into the social hall then there was another long line to get your food. Once you got up there they gave you a plate of spaghetti and asked you if that was enough. Then they asked you if you wanted marinara sauce with that or meat sauce. They gave you a huge piece of garlic bread. You could also get a bowl of salad with any salad dressing you could imagine to chose from. They gave you those nice heavy duty paper plates with real silverware and those thick napkins. Then you could go over and get any drink you wanted. They had all kinds of pop, coffee or ice water. Then you had to try and find your family a place to even sit down. The tables all had table clothes on them. And each table had a Christmas center piece on it. One table would have a sleigh. One had bells, a snowman, etc. Our table had a white candle with artificial snow sprinkled in the center. So pretty. Then there was Christmas music playing in the background. It was so nice. People were chatting and talking and having such a wonder time. I heard a lady walking by say that they ran out of spaghetti and had to cook some more. The lines were still going out the doors at this time. But when I looked up I soon seen that they were already serving the people with more spaghetti so it didn't take them long to get the line going again. I have to say, that the dinner was delicious! The garlic bread was crispy with baked pesto and cheese on it. I'll have to try and bake pesto on my garlic bread next time. I never thought to bake it like that. They also had chopped up garlic in their spaghetti. I love garlic. Our priest was going around through the social hall talking to everyone. You could just see how happy he was with the turn out of people showing up. And I am not kidding! When my family was done eating, I cleaned up the table as much as I could for the next people to sit down who was still in line. I am not kidding. When my family was getting up to leave, there was still people lined up OUT THE DOOR to get in to eat!!! I just couldn't believe it! As my family walked out of the church doors, into the snowy night, I was just so touched of what I had just experienced by the whole church. As I was walking to my car with my children on this wintry night, I just felt so good. The thing that came to my mind, was the team effort of all of the volunteers as they hustled and bustled to do their job...together. And also the parishioners...who came for the support of the poor...together. What a nice feeling. What a nice feeling to be apart of that. And what a nice feeling, that my children witnessed that. And I could just feel the Lord's presence hovering over our parish tonight. And what a nice Saturday night it was.

A Die Hard Catholic

*JMJ* Today is the feast day for the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary. It is a Holy Day of Obligation! Yes, obligation! That means it is our duty as Catholics to go to Mass today. I had a choice to go either this morning or this evening with my family. I am going this evening. Sorry that I haven't written for a few days in my new blog here, My Catholic Oasis. I was contemplating where I wanted to go with this new blog. And I was waiting to see where the Holy Spirit would guide me in writing in my new blog. I'm not much into politics and I'm by no means a theologian. I try to write factual on the Catholic religion but, I'm only human and I could be wrong in the things I write. But I do write things with caution because I do want to be accurate. I'm still not sure where this blog is going but something did touch me to write about. Today I seen two people from separate families who go to my parish and they have their children enrolled also in the Chatacism program. I asked them if they were staying after Chatacism to go to mass. They both said, "For what?" I said in reply, "For the Holy Day of Obligation." They both said, "Oh no that's to late. It's a school night. We're not doing that." Well this evening would make for a long evening. The children have to go to Chatacism from 5:30-7:00 p.m. During that time parents were to go to this meeting for an explanation on the Family First work books that they use and showed us how their web page is set up and how to use that in addition to the workbook. Well I noticed that not all parents went to that. Anyway mass would follow at 7:00 p.m. for the Feast of the Immaculate Conception and run to 8:00 p.m. Let's just start off by saying that I am not trying to be judgemental here. But my son is going to second grade Chatacism along with those other children who are also in the second grade. People, they will be receiving there First Holy Communion in the spring! And they are not going to take their children to mass?!? Oh my gosh! I don't want to hear of excuses, "Well it's to late. I need to get my children to bed early, it's a school night." I just couldn't believe what I was hearing. To me there is absolutely no excuse why those parents did not take their children to mass. I'm not going to go on and on about my day and tell you how busy I was detail for detail. But my day started at 4:00 a.m. Yes, I am a stay at home mom, but I tell you, my feet aren't up on the footstool eating bon-bons, watching soaps operas. My children and I were tired to. My second grader goes to bed at 8:00 p.m. also. In fact, I made my teenage son tag along with me last night because I wouldn't have time to run home to pick him back up for mass. So we were in church for three hours last night! When I lay my tired head down at night, exhausted or not, I know I did what God wanted me to do that day. I don't care if I had to stay at the church all day with meetings or whatever else, I would not ever let my children miss mass. To me there is absolutely no excuse for it. Especially lets not forget that it's a mortal sin to miss mass. Yes a mortal sin. That means you must go to confession before you can receive the Eucharist again. I am not a cradle Catholic. It will be ten years in the spring that I have been initiated into the Catholic church through the R.C.I.A. program. I'm I a die hard Catholic? I don't know. All I know for sure is that when I became Catholic, I didn't just do it for something to do. I didn't take it lightly. It wasn't just something to do at the time. I try my best to follow the Catholic faith to the best of my ability. I know that I will be judged on that one day. I just know it. I can feel it. I know that my life is no dress rehearsal. That this is it, playing out before my eyes. Well, now that I got that off of my chest! I didn't mean to be harsh if it came across like such. It's just that I'm so passionate about my faith and do take it very seriously. I guess I am a die hard Catholic! And proud of it!

My Nativity Set

*JMJ* I set up my nativity set today and put it under my Christmas tree. I hate to put in under there because you can't see it very good. But I really lack table room in my living room so this is the best place for it if I want to bring it out. I wish I could remember the year I got it. My husband got it for me at Frank's Nursery & Crafts several years ago. I think I might have gotten it the first year I was initiated into the Catholic church in 1999 when I completed the R.C.I.A. program, but I'm not sure.

I thought I'd take a picture and share it with you all. So have any of you put up your nativity sets yet? Oh I would love to see yours! Have a blessed Advent season. Jesus is the reason for the season! I just love that little saying.

I also added the pics of some of the little trinkets of what my son got in his Advent calender so far.

2...chap stick, he wanted. 3...Hershey's Kiss.

4...tub squirter's. I know I'm going to regret getting him these, come bath time!

Advent Calender

*JMJ* As all of us Catholics know, it is the First Sunday of Advent. But maybe there is someone visiting my blog who isn't Catholic and is just curious about Advent. Advent begins in the Catholic Church, the fourth Sunday before Christmas. We are waiting for the arrival of baby Jesus to be born as we remember his birth. Since Catholics know that the Lord has already been born, we usually talk about the Lord's second coming and how we are to continually wait for him. And our priest talked about that in his homily today.

"Watch, therefore; you do not know when the Lord of the house is coming, whether in the evening, or at midnight, or at cockcrow, or in the morning. May he not come suddenly and find you sleeping."

-Mk 13:35-36

There a four candles in the Advent wreath. They have one in all parishes and Catholic families like to have one in their homes. The first and the second week, you light a purple candle. On the third week of Advent you light the pink one. I always heard that the pink candle is a short little break you can take if you choose from the Advent season. But you should still say or prayers and go to Mass. And the last week of Advent you light another purple candle. So at this time all four candles will be burning.

We are doing something new this year in my household. Last year after Christmas when everything went on sale, I seen this Advent Calender that I purchased. My son is still young enough to enjoy something like that. So the whole family gathered around and he opened up the first door to see what was inside. Every day he will open up the next door until they are all opened. Pst...I only have the calendar half full. I have to get another 14 trinkets, so I have to go hunting around for stuff for the Advent calender tomorrow. Does anyone have any ideas?

Anyway I took some pictures for you all to see.

A little ornament of the nativity that my son had to hang on our Christmas tree. I thought that that would be a nice thing to put inside the first box. We're starting out the Advent season with the Holy Family. I just thought that that would be fitting. Plus, as you know, I love the Holy Family and I dedicated my blog to them.

I love this little saying around this time of year. I don't know who started it but I'm sure some of you have heard it before. 'Jesus is the reason for the season!' Let's not forget that. Or if you weren't aware of that, ponder that. Because it's so true.

P.S. Don't forget to light your Advent wreath tonight.

Our Thanksgiving

*JMJ* My father-in-law was released for the third time today from the hospital. He has only had his heart surgery a month ago. So he is still in need of many prayers. We were planning to have Thanksgiving dinner at my house this year to relieve my in-laws of having to cook for the family. This was the first time in 18 years since I've been married that we did not spend Thanksgiving with my mother and father-in-law. He was released from the hospital today and my Mom had to care for my Dad so they weren't able to attend the dinner. My hubby and I talked about maybe sending food over to them with some pie perhaps. Well after dinner as I was starting to clean up, I just started to make a couple of plates up with everything that I could possibly fit onto them. I forgot the butter pickles though. Wrapped them up and then got out the pumpkin pie. I cut out two slices and wrapped them as well. So what did my family do? What else. We were going to send Mom and Dad Thanksgiving dinner to their door. So this is how we managed it. My hubby got into his car and was going to be the driver.The first plate I gave to my adult daughter and told her to get into Dad's backseat. Then I gave the second plate to my teenage son and told him also to get into the backseat. Now we needed someone to hold the pie and there was only one person left. My daughters hubby. I gave him the plate with the pie slices. Then he tucked the whip cream canister in his coat pocket. Then I asked him if he had room to carry one more thing. He said yes. I gave him a cup with gravy in it. You have to have gravy with mashed potatoes on Thanksgiving. And I stayed home to watch the little ones while they transported the food over to there grandparents house. See, it all worked out. We worked as a team, like family should. It was sad that they weren't with us and I even got all teary-eyed at prayer time. But I said during our prayer that I was just glad that Dad (Grandpa to my kids) was still with us. I was so proud of us as a family and especially of my children. This is the stuff that I want them to remember. I want them to remember that they brought over Thanksgiving dinner to there grandparents who are going through a difficult time. I can't take credit for the idea of sending dinner over to my parents. It was my hubby's idea. I'm not looking to get credit for it either. I'm just saying, my kids were shown to take this opportunity to help others in need. That it doesn't have to be a stranger, although that would be great to. But it's good to help out in your own family as well. Wherever the opportunity lies to take care of someone, reach out to them and just show them some love. I'm proud of my family for that. That we worked as a team to help two people whom we dearly love. I want my children to say in the years to come, "Remember when..." That is the stuff that I want them to remember. I hope you all had a wonderful Thanksgiving.

Lighting of the Advent Wreath

*JMJ* The other day I got a phone call from my parish asking if my family would be interested in lighting the fourth candle on the Advent Wreath at the beginning of Mass. I said yes! I was so honored that they would think of my family. I'm a little nervous because I am so shy but what the heck. I just felt so touched that my family was thought of.

First Holy Communion

*JMJ* I went to a meeting last Saturday night at my church for my son who will be making his First Holy Communion in the spring of 2009. And the date will be Sunday, May 17, 2009 @ 10:30 Mass. I am so excited and so happy that my little boy will be able to receive the Eucharist soon instead of just walking up with me. This is what I've always wanted for him since he was born. And it's a lot of work and dedication to get your child to this point. I've always told my husband that if I ever died, to make sure that our son gets his First Eucharist and gets confirmed! He promised he would. That is so important to me that all of my children get their sacraments through the church. I know that the Lord wants me to do that. That is my job as a Catholic parent to make sure that they receive there Catholic sacraments. I'm already looking ahead to my son's confirmation. It's like my heart can't rest until he gets confirmed. I don't know what the strong feelings are about, but have always been like that since I became Catholic nine years ago. I've always had this strong feeling that I need to pass along my religion down to my children. Partly because I can just tell and feel that I'm going to be judged for that one day. I know it sounds weird, but I can sense that this is what I have to do for my children. And when it comes to the Lord asking me for something, I'm not taking any chances. :-) I also found out that the boys have to wear dark colored slacks, a white button down shirt with a white tie. Oh I'm getting so excited just thinking about it! I want to get his pictures taken like I did for my other children with him holding a rosary and his little communion book in his little hands. Oh how sweet. He's going to look so cute. I love him so much. God Bless!

Prayer Request

*JMJ* I would like to make two prayer requests. I would like to ask my readers if they could pray for my Father-in-law. He had open heart surgery a few weeks ago and is still in need a prayers. I'll put a icon for my Father-in-law on my sidebar of my blog as he continues to recover. The next prayer request that I'm asking from my readers is to pray for my daughter and her unborn child. Her pregnancy is being threatened by a miscarriage. I will also put a little icon on the side of my blog for her and her unborn child. She has the ultra sound pictures and video up on her blog if you'd like to see it. http://aaydensmommy.blogspot.com/ Thank you.

Jesus, Mary, Joseph Statue

*JMJ* This is my statue I have of the Holy Family. I wanted to have a Holy Family prayer to go along with it but I couldn't find one at the time of this posting.

Yesterday when I was working on my new blog, this little rainbow light was shining onto my keyboard from the window. It was reflecting off of something so I took it as a little sign that God is watching over my little blogging efforts. God bless you!

My First Post!

*JMJ* Welcome all of you to my new blog. This is my second blog. I am also the author of Peek-A-Boo Street. http://peekaboostreet.blogspot.com/ I am so excited about my new blog. I have a devotion to the Holy Family. So I want to dedicate this blog to the Holy Family, JMJ (Jesus, Mary, Joseph.) I even have a statue of the Holy Family in my living room where I can view it easily every day and not tucked into a cabinet somewhere. I am a housewife. So my whole life is dedicated to my family. Plus on a sad note, my parents were divorced when I was a child. So those are the two reasons why I have such a devotion to the Holy Family. I just absolutely love the Holy Family and that is why I want to dedicate my new blog to the Holy Family. So bare with me as I start up my new blog here. But please come back and visit. I would love to hear from you. So please leave comments as I continue on with my new blog. Also that way, I can check out your blog as well. I would love to see them.

The Month of the Rosary

*NOTE I transferred this post from my other blog. That's why it came before my first post.* Sunday, October 12, 2008 The Month of the Rosary *JMJ* Hello you all. Today is Sunday...it's...the Lord's day! If you are a follower of my blog you know that I say that often. Also you know that I do write about my Catholic religion once in awhile.Today I would like to share with you that October is the month of the rosary.I do love to recite the Rosary. It is my favorite prayer of all, in the Catholic religion. A lot of people don't like to recite it because of it's length of prayer and you do have to meditate on the mysteries. It is a very powerful prayer. I do try to recite it daily, like the Blessed Virgin Mary wants us to.The rosary in this picture was a gift to my family from my husbands aunt. She and her husband visited Italy and the Vatican and all that. It is one of my favorite rosary's that I have. It's very special because it was blessed by Pope John Paul ll. The rosary is made of rose wood and has the scent of roses. Every time you open up the little box it comes in, it smells like roses to.

I was thinking about typing up how to recite the rosary but decided not to because you can find that pretty much anywhere. In books and on the Internet. So I thought that I would type up for you the 15 promises of the rosary from Our Lady. I like to read over these often because I just like to be reminded of it.The 15 Promises from our Lady who recite the rosary : 1. Whoever shall faithfully serve me by the recitation of the Rosary, shall receive signal graces. 2. I promise my special protection and the greatest graces to all those who shall recite the Rosary. 3. The Rosary shall be a powerful armor against hell, it will destroy vice, decrease sin, and defeat heresies. 4. It will cause virtue and good works to flourish; it will obtain for souls the abundant mercy of God; it will withdraw the hearts of people from the love of the world and its vanities, and will lift them to the desire of eternal things. Oh that souls would sanctify themselves by this means. 5. The soul which recommends itself to me by the recitation of the Rosary, shall not perish. 6. Whoever shall recite the Rosary devoutly, applying himself to the consideration of its Sacred Mysteries shall never be conquered by misfortune. God will not chastise him in His justice, he shall not perish by an unprovided death; if he be just, he shall remain in the grace of God, and become worthy of eternal life. 7. Whoever shall have a true devotion for the Rosary shall not die without the Sacraments of the Church. 8. Those who are faithful to recite the Rosary shall have during their life and at their death the light of God and the plenitude of His graces; at the moment of death they shall participate in the merits of the Saints in Paradise. 9. I shall deliver from purgatory those who have been devoted to the Rosary. 10. The faithful children of the Rosary shall merit a high degree of glory in Heaven. 11. You shall obtain all you ask of me by the recitation of the Rosary. 12. All those who propagate the Holy Rosary shall be aided by me in their necessities. 13. I have obtained from my Divine Son that all the advocates of the Rosary shall have for intercessors the entire celestial court during their life and at the hour of death. 14. All who recite the Rosary are my children, and brothers and sister of my only Son, Jesus Christ. 15. Devotion of my Rosary is a great sign of predestination.I hope this brings you peace as it does for me over and over and over again. Posted Anne at 10/12/2008 06:00:00 AM 3 comments

Adoration Chapel

*NOTE that this post was transferred from my other blog. That is why it was written before my first post on this blog.* Sunday, September 7, 2008 Adoration Chapel First and foremost...It's...the Lord's day! So I hope you all are having a very blessed day.Today I will be talking about my religion. About the Adoration Chapel. I know that this subject may deter bloggers away from my blog but, my religion is so much apart of me, and if I'm going to keep it real than I need to be honest with you about who I am. And no I'm not some religious nut. I have been a Catholic for nine years now. I'm not a cradle Catholic which means a person has grown up Catholic. So I am still learning about my religion. And no I don't have all the answers. I fumble all the time! And God let's me know almost daily that I am not perfect in any means.But anyway I want to focus on the Adoration Chapel. My parish is so fortunate to have an Perpetual Adoration Chapel right on our parish campus. Not all parishes have an Adoration Chapel. We have a Perpetual Adoration Chapel which means it stays open around the clock. The only time it is not open is during Triduum. The three days before Easter. Holy Thursday, Good Friday, Holy Saturday and I believe Easter Sunday it's closed also. Our parish is over 30 years old and our chapel has just celebrated it's 12th year from when it opened.I love to sit in front the the Blessed Sacrament inside the chapel. You come in with all your problems, worries, or whatever is weighing on your mind. As soon as you sit down and your eyes gaze upon the Blessed Sacrament, you just feel such peace. This bible verse: Mathew 11:28-30..."Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest." I just love that verse. That verse also comes to mind when I am sitting in front of the Blessed Sacrament. Not only do I feel peace but I'm also in awe of the mystery of the Blessed Sacrament. That Jesus is really present in the Host. My heart just believes that it's true. That's faith. A gift from God. Fr.Martin Lucia said in this Pamphlet that I have, "Jesus will spend all eternity thanking you and loving you in heaven for your faithful commitment on earth of spending one hour each week with Him in the Blessed Sacrament." I find that comforting. I just love this brochure and I reread it from time to time. And I would like to share it with you. It's a little lengthy, so today I will list the twelve BIBLICAL reasons to visit the Blessed Sacrament for an hour a week. Tomorrow I will list the twelve reasons the CHURCH suggests to sit before the Sacrament once a week for an hour.I will type exactly how the pamphlet is typed out. Again this was written by Fr. Martin Lucia. Here are the twelve BIBLICAL reasons to sit in front of the Blessed Sacrament for and hour every week: 1. HE IS REALLY THERE! "I Myself Am the Living Bread come down from heaven." (Jn 6:35) 2. Day and night Jesus dwells in the Blessed Sacrament BECAUSE OF HIS INFINITE LOVE FOR YOU! "Behold I will be with you always even to the end of the world," because "I have loved you with an everlasting love, and constant is my affection for you." (Mt 28:20; Jer 31:3) 3. the specific way that Jesus asks you to love Him in return is to spend ONE QUIET HOUR WITH HIM EACH WEEK in the Blessed Sacrament. "Where your treasure is, there is your heart..." "Could you not watch one hour with me? (Mt 6:21;26:40) 4. When you look upon the Sacred Host, YOU LOOK UPON JESUS,the Son of God. "Indeed, this is the will My Father, that everyone who looks upon the Son and believes in Him shall have eternal life. Him I will raise up on the last day." (Jn 6:40) 5. Each moment that you spend in His Eucharistic Presence will INCREASE HIS DIVINE LIFE WITHIN YOU and deepen your personal relationship and friendship with Him. "I have come that you may have life, and have it more abundantly." "I am the Vine and you are the branches. Whoever remains in union with Me shall bear much fruit for without Me, you can do nothing." (Jn 10:10;15:5) 6. Each hour you spend with Jesus will DEEPEN HIS DIVINE PEACE within your heart. "Come to Me all of you who are weary and find life burdensome and I will refresh you..." "Cast all of your anxieties upon the Lord, who cares for you." (Mt 11:28; 1Pt 5:7; Jn 14:17) 7. Jesus will give you ALL THE GRACES YOU NEED to be happy in life. "The Lamb on the Throne will shepherd them. He will lead them to springs of life-giving water." (Rev 7:17) 8. Jesus is infinitely DESERVING OF OUR UNCEASING THANKSGIVING and adoration for all He has done for our salvation. "Worthy is the Lamb that was slain to receive honor , glory and praise." (Rev 5:12) 9. For PEACE in our country! "When My people humble themselves and seek My Presence, I will revive their land." (2Ch 7:14) 10. Each hour you spend with Jesus on earth will leave your soul EVERLASTINGLY MORE BEAUTIFUL AND GLORIOUS in heaven. "They who humble themselves shall be exalted..." "All of us, gazing on the Lord's glory with unveiled faces, are being transformed from glory to glory into His very image." (Lk 18:14; 2 Cor 3"18) 11. JESUS WILL BLESS YOU, your family and the whole world for this hour of faith you spend with Him in the Blessed Sacrament. "Blessed are they who do not see and yet believe..." "Faith can move mountains..." "What is needed is trust..." "Behold I come to make all things new." (Jn 20:29; Mk 11:23; Mk 5:36; Rev. 21:5) 12. Each moment you spend with Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament BRINGS JOY, PLEASURE AND DELIGHT TO HIS SACRED HEART! "My joy, My pleasure, My delight is to be with you." (Prov 8:31) Posted Anne at 9/07/2008 12:02:00 PM 1 comments

Adoration Chapel Cont.

*NOTE that this post was transferred from my other blog. That is why it's written before my first post of this blog.* Monday, September 8, 2008 Adoration Chapel Cont. Today I will continue on from my previous post. With this second list, the author of the quotes come from different popes. So I will include that. But the list comes from the same pamphlet that I spoke of earlier. So here goes the list. These are twelve reasons why the Church suggests we sit before the Blessed Sacrament for an hour a week. 1. You are greatly needed! "The Church and the world have great need for Eucharistic adoration." (Pope John Paul ll) 2. This is a personal invitation from Jesus to you! "Jesus waits for us in this Sacrament of Love." (Pope John Paul ll) 3. Jesus is counting on you! "Every member of the Church must be vigilant in seeing that this Sacrament shall be given back 'love for love'." (Pope John Paul ll) 4. Because your hour with Jesus will repair for the evils of the world, and bring about peace on earth, the Church says; "Let us be generous with our time in going to meet Him...May our adoration never cease." (Pope John Paul ll) 5. Jesus wants you to do more than go to Mass on Sunday! "Our communal worship at Mass must go together with our personal worship of Jesus in Eucharistic adoration in order that our love may be complete." (Pope John Paul ll) 6. Day and night Jesus dwells in the Blessed Sacrament because you are the most important person in the world to Him! "Beneath the Sacred Host, Christ is contained, the Redeemer of the world." (Pope John Paul ll)7. You grow spiritually with each moment you spend with Jesus! "Our essential commitment in life is to grow spiritually in the climate of the Holy Eucharist." (Pope John Paul ll) 8. The best time you spend on earth is with your Best Friend, Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament!" "How great is the value of converse with Christ in the Blessed Sacrament, for there is nothing more consoling on earth, nothing more efficacious for advancing along the road to holiness! (Pope Paul Vl) 9. Just as you can't be exposed t the sun without receiving its rays neither can you come to Jesus exposed in the Blessed Sacrament without receiving the divine rays of His grace, His love, His peace. "Christ is truly the Emmanuel, that is, 'God with us' day and night, He is in our midst. He dwells with us full of grace." (Pope Paul Vl) 10. If Jesus were actually visible in the Church, everyone would run to welcome Him. But He remains hidden in the Sacred Host, under the appearance of Bread, because He is calling us to faith. "The Blessed Sacrament is the 'Living Heart" of each of our churches, and it is our very sweet duty to honor and adore in the Blessed Host which our eyes see, the Incarnate Word, Whom they cannot see." ( Pope Paul Vl) 11. With transforming mercy, Jesus makes our heart one with His. "Jesus teaches those who come to Him to be like Himself, gentle and humble of heart, and to seek not their own will, but the will of God." (Pope Paul Vl)12. If the Pope himself would give a special invitation to visit him in the Vatican, this honor would be nothing in comparison to the honor and dignity that Jesus Himself bestows upon you with the invitation of spending one hour a week with Him in the Blessed Sacrament. "The Divine Eucharist bestows upon the Christian people an incomparable dignity." (Pope Paul Vl) I love to go to the Chapel. It brings me peace. It makes me feel renewed. The only way I can explain it is that whenever I'm in the chapel I feel so giddy inside. I feel like I have found a treasure. I have found gold or something. When I first became Catholic, I was like "Wow! Does anyone else know about this place?" I still feel like that today. Sitting in front of the Blessed Sacrament I know that right before me is a little piece of heaven right here on earth. What moves me to tears sometimes is when I'm alone in front of the Blessed Sacrament in the chapel. Just me and Jesus. What if I didn't go that day. Who would be there? I always think it's a gift from the Lord when I find myself alone with Him at the chapel. During those times I'll pray most fervently or I'll be still, to just feel the peace, of being in the Lord's presence. Posted Anne at 9/08/2008 04:00:00 PM 2 comments

911

*NOTE that this post was transferred from my other blog. That is why it's date is before the beginning of this blog.* Tuesday, August 19, 2008 911 Has anyone had the experience of continuing to see the numbers 911 since what had happened to our country on Sept. 11, 2001? I do and I have heard that it has occurred to others as well. It doesn't happen to me as often as it has in the past. Between the years of 2005 to 2006 is when it occurred the most and I'm speaking almost on a daily basis! I would walk into another room to speak to my husband, look up, and the clock would read...

It still happens when I look at a clock sometimes. A clock is where I would mostly see 911.If I needed help with crocheting I would go on the Internet and come across a web page that said something like 'Crocheting & Knitting 911.'http://www.knit911.com/home.htmlOne time I had stopped behind a car and their licence plate would have 911 on it. One time (family was with me, otherwise no one would believe me), we were driving down the road and I said to my family to look at the car ahead....it not only 911 on it.... it had my son's name on the plate as well!!! No kidding!!! Thank goodness my family was there because they would have never of believed me!One time my husband and I went out to eat early and the restaurant wasn't open yet so we decided to drive around for awhile. This is what I saw (went back and got picture for today's post though)....

Yeah...weird. And thank gosh my husband was with me at the time I seen this. Because no one would have believed it!! We were making a U turn and I happened to look straight ahead and I was like, "Oh my gosh!! Look! Look!" I know that the picture of the bible page I have posted is hard to see but if you click on the picture it should show up larger to help you see it better. This bible, American Bible was given to me from my parish when I was going through the R.C.I.A. to become a Catholic in the spring of 1999. When I kept seeing the numbers 911 all the time I was like okay what is God trying to tell me here. Obviously I thought, I'm just not getting it. This number 911 was showing up everywhere in my life. Well of course I was thinking that something bad was going to happen to me or my family. Then I thought maybe it's in a bible verse. I opened my bible to some of my favorite books inside the bible. I looked in to the Proverbs chapter 9, verse 11. Are you ready for this? Chapter 9 was there. I was going down to verse 8, 9, 10...12! Verse 11 was gone! I read the whole chapter 9 and found verse11 between 6 and verse 7. How weird! The verse reads this; For by me your days will be multiplied and the years of your life increased. So if you can click on the bible page and see for yourself that verse 11 isn't between 10 and 12.

People who text my cell phone or send me e-mails is where I'll also notice 911 for the time the person had sent it to me. When you get done reading this. Scroll down and see the time on my very first post the other day. It was actually a mistake. There is no post to read. I was going to try and erase it but I thought I'd just leave it. Signing off from, Peek-A-Boo Street Posted Anne at 8/19/2008 02:40:00 PM 2 comments