The Saint Bridget Prayer

*JMJ* When I was visiting the adoration chapel the other day, I seen this old man who I see in there all the time. The priest of our parish shared with us that someone had told him that he sits with the Lord for nine hours a day in the adoration chapel. I suspect it's this holy man because he's in the adoration chapel all the time. He was passing these booklets out to everyone who entered the chapel. I quickly browsed through it and it was one of those prayers that if you teach and pass the prayer along then you will get some help from heaven. The prayer looked familiar. I thanked the old man. He made copies for everyone to keep. It was the 15 prayers of St. Bridget. The Lord visited St. Bridget for one year and taught St. Bridget these prayers and asked her to pass them along to everyone. These 15 prayers are to be said every day for one year. It's sort of lengthy so I kind of put it in the back of my mind for a few days. Just a few weeks ago, I had started praying the stations of the cross again. And that to is a lengthy prayer. So I was like, there is no way I can start up with the St. Bridget prayers. I like the stations of the cross. Especially with Lent coming. One day I picked up the booklet and read the promises that come along with the St. Bridget prayers. But I just set it down again. Then again the other day I picked up the booklet again. I opened it and like the second or third page it said that this prayer could be said in place of the stations of the cross! I thought ok. God just gave me his answer! So now I'm into my second day of saying the 15 prayers of St. Bridget. It takes me 15 minutes to recite it. So about the same time it takes me to recite my rosary. I've also been reading my bible on a daily basis again! Ugh. I just got so much praying to get in, lol. I need more time in a day. Well that's another post, which I will right about soon. But anyway, I just hope that I can keep up with this St. Bridget prayer for a year. I know this sounds silly, but pray that I can keep up with my prayers, lol! I would hate to have said the St. Bridget prayers for 10 or 11 months and then stop! Oh no I would not want that to happen. So pray for me would you please, lol. It's lengthy but check it out! The 15 promises of this prayer is at the bottom of the webpage. http://www.wjpbr.com/bridget.html Also I will put a link to this webpage on my sidebar.

My Oldest Son

*JMJ* I to believe that my oldest son was visited by someone from heaven when he was a child. When my oldest son was two, he was into all of his shows. He liked Barney and all of those toddler shows. One day I needed to get my shower in so I told him to stay put in front of the t.v. I told him that I was going to take a really fast shower and that I'd be right out. He was in the living room watching t.v. on the floor. If you look to the right you can see the glass sliding door from where he was sitting. I hurried with my shower so that I could check on him. When I came out of the shower, my son was standing in the kitchen where the glass sliding door is. As soon as he saw me, he asked, "Who was that lady?" I said "What lady? What was she wearing?" He said, "She was wearing pink and red and had yellow hair with Power Ranger buttons all over it." I said where was she standing?" I thought he was going to tell me that she was standing right outside the glass door. But he said, "She was standing on that garage." Right over our privacy fence, directly behind us in the backyard, our neighbors garage is butted up right against our fence almost. So all you see is the roof top of their garage. I told my son that I didn't know who that was. "He looked at me and said it was an angel." What was weird to me is that I never talked to him about angels. He was only two years old. Then years later, after I became Catholic, I read about Our Lady's apparition in Pontmain, France in 1871. I almost dropped the book as I was reading it because there were so many similarities to what my son said he seen. In this apparition, Our Lady was being seen only by children and not the adults. Our Lady was seen in the sky above a rooftop. The apparition began in the evening on January 17, 1871. A little boy looked into the sky and seen a woman first. The woman appeared above a house across the road. She was a tall beautiful young lady of 18 years old. She was wearing a blue robe seeded with small gold stars. She wore a golden crown. She looked at the boy and smiled. When the boy called his brother and father over, only his brother could see the lady but not the father. After dinner, the family went back along with all the others who lived in town as the word spread. Still only the children were able to see and no adults. The children now seen a small red cross on her chest. The adults were praying furiously. In the mean time candles were lighting around the lady and stars were moving out of the sky surrounding the lady. There was a scroll under her with gold letters appearing. Every time the adults changed prayers, something different would happen in the apparition. One time it read, "But pray my children." The next time it read, "God will hear you in a short time." Then the children yelled out, "She's laughing!" Then the scroll read, "My Son." And then all the adults knew that it was The Blessed Virgin Mary that the children were seeing in the sky. The children said she was laughing, smiling and that she looked beautiful. After awhile the whole vision disappeared the children said. I left some of the story out obviously because this is a post and not a book. But perhaps my son seen the Blessed Virgin Mary. I know he seen someone from heaven. Whether it be an angel or Mother Mary. My son is a teenager today and when I ask him about it he says that he made that up. But he didn't. A two year old can't make up something like that, and talk about angels when he never knew about angels until that day. If you are interested in reading about the whole apparition, the book I read was, 'Key Apparitions of Mother Mary." And one of the stories in that book was about the apparitions of Pontmain, France. Obviously I couldn't add all the details here in this post but what an amazing apparition that was. Happy Lord's Day!

My Daughter's Baptism

*JMJ* I have three children. And I do believe that each have been visited from heaven by someone. I know this sounds kind of weird but let me explain. My daughter was baptized in the month of March when she was an infant. Every night after I put her to bed I would close her bedroom door because I use to smoke back then and I tried to keep the smoke away from her. On the night that she was baptized, I closed the door as usual. My daughter was baptized Lutheran. It was the only church that I could find at the time who would baptize her. I wasn't Catholic yet. Well the next morning I remember waking and her not waking me. She was just beginning to sleep through the night without having to be fed. So I hurried to check on her. When I opened her bedroom door, a rush and powering smell of flowers whiffed through my nose! It was like the windows were wide open but they haven't been. It was winter time. I never forgot that. I closed the door the next night. But the next morning the smell wasn't there. That over powering scent of flowers never returned. It only happened the night of my daughters baptism. Then later as I became Catholic I learned of St. Therese of the Little Flower. I even read the books and diary on her. Then my thought came back to what happened to my daughter the night when she was baptized. St. Therese could have been the one to visit her that night, maybe Saint Therese knew that one day my daughter would become Catholic. St. Therese is known for the rose flower. So is the Blessed Virgin Mary to. Or maybe it was my daughters guardian angel who was guarding, watching or visiting her that night. I don't know. But I know that I smelled a rush of flowers in the middle of winter in her closed bedroom for just that one time. My daughter picked St. Therese for her confirmation name when she made her confirmation. Either case, I don't know who it was visiting my daughter that night, but I do know for a fact, that it came from heaven and not of this world. And I have never forgotten that. I will never forget it. It never happened to my other children when they got baptized. I even checked the next morning after the first year anniversary of my daughters baptism. But that heavenly smell never returned. Who ever it was, I know that my daughter has that same special someone watching over her to this very day.

Doing Well

*JMJ* In my sidebar I have a prayer request list. I do believe in the power of prayer. I asked if you could pray for my father-in-law's continual recovery from his open heart surgery. Thanks to your prayers, he is doing well. So I will be removing him from my prayer request list. Also, my mother needed surgery. And she to is at home and recovering really well. And I'm sure she will be feeling herself real soon. My daughter on the other hand is still pregnant and having minor complications with her pregnancy so I ask that you would still pray for her. That she will be able to carry her pregnancy to full term with a good outcome with baby and mommy doing well. Thank you in advance. And thanks again to everyone who prayed for my father-in-law and my mother. God bless you all!

My 10th Anniversary

*JMJ* I just wanted to mention that my 10th anniversary of becoming a Catholic will be this 2009 Easter season. Actually during the Easter Vigil back in 1999 is when it took place. And what a gift the Lord will be blessing me this year as I celebrate my 10th year of becoming a Catholic. My 40th birthday will fall on Easter this year. But most importantly is that my son will also be making his First Holy Communion this spring. Another blessing that I will be having this spring is that my second grandson will be born within days apart of my son's First Holy Communion. I just feel like the Lord is really flooding me with such blessings as I celebrate my 10th year of being a Catholic this year. It does make me humble. There are a lot of great events that are going to take place this spring. But the way I look at it is this. It doesn't start with my birthday being on Easter or me celebrating my 10th year as being Catholic. It begins with the EUCHARIST. And then all the blessings trickle down from there. That's the way I see it. To me it's so easy to see that. I'm so happy that the Lord called me to Catholicism. And I'm so proud to be Catholic. I truly love my religion. And I pray that the Lord will keep me faithful to him, until I take my last breath. Blessings to you all. *Note- I just want to mention that I was baptized Catholic but finished my initiation as an adult. *Oh I almost forgot. It will also be ten years that my husband and I got married into the Catholic church. Shame on us, but my husband and I sometimes, ok well usually forget that date because we don't celebrate our anniversary on the date we got married into the church. We go by our original date. Which was ten years prior. That's probably why. I just had to come back to add this in. Have a blessed day!

Detroit's New Archbishop

*JMJ* This is Detroit's new Archbishop. Allen H. Vigneron. I got my Michigan Catholic Newspaper in the mail yesterday. It was the only piece of mail that I got. And this was the first page of the Michigan Catholic. I think this picture taken by Larry A. Peplin @ the Michigan Catholic Newspaper, says it all! How exciting! Just look at his face. You can click for a closer look. Have a blessed day!

It's Coming...

*JMJ* My favorite time in the church is coming. Lent. I just love Lent. I'm getting so excited about it. I just love, love, love it. I'm not really sure why I like this particular time in the liturgical year. Maybe it because I feel like I can really participate along with the church. I love all of the little rituals they do during the Lenten season. I'm even going to have my first Mardi Gras party this year. I'm really excited about that to! So let's see. I'm trying to point out just one thing that I love about Lent but there is so many things that I like. Lent last for I believe 42 days so it's a whole season in the church and they do so many different things that it's just to hard to pick out just one thing that I love about the Lenten season. But if I did have to pick out one thing...oh gosh this is going to be tough. I think it would be the part where we have to be repentant during the whole season of Lent. I just absolutely love that. The fact that we are being asked to draw closer and closer and closer yet to our Lord at that time. Through prayer, reading the bible, saying our rosaries, sitting in front of the Blessed Sacrament, just closing your eyes and being with the Lord in quiet. The Lord who died on the cross for us. Oh going to confession, how could I forget that. I just love going to confession. Because we're being asked to repent for all of our sins. I will be touching on this Lenten season a lot here on my blog because of the love that I have for the season. The Easter season is more important then the Christmas season. Christmas we're celebrating Jesus' birthday. But Easter we get to celebrate the Lord's resurrection. But I'm not talking about that yet. I want to talk more about the Lenten season that leads up to the Easter season. I'm hoping that there are a more people out there who share my enthusiasm about Lent the way I do. I would love to talk to you. I got to go to bed. Tomorrow is Sunday, the Lord's day! I have to go to mass. I just love going to Mass. I don't understand how people could possibly find it boring. I just love Mass. ♥ Good night!

+... Not Just Another Rosary ...+

*JMJ* I just LOVE, LOVE, absolutely LOVE to go to the Catholic store. I am fortunate that I have a few around my area. If I get some extra money, I just love to go into the Catholic store, then any other store, and I am serious. I could spend all day just looking at everything. I would love to own my own Catholic store. I don't think I'd mind one bit having to spend the day working in a Catholic store! You might see it as a problem. But every time I walk into a Catholic store, hows a Catholic lady suppose to walk out without a new rosary. I just LOVE, LOVE absolutely love rosaries. And every time I go into a Catholic store, I try real hard to stay away from the rosaries but there I am, every time, looking at the rosaries. And there all so pretty. And then I think I just have to have one. Oh what's just one more rosary. So there I am. Before I can walk away, I already have a rosary in my hand to purchase. So as I'm walking out with my brand new rosary in my bag, I just can't wait to go home and recite my rosary on my new rosary beads. The priest told us to pray for our new Archbishop. See, now I'm glad that I've picked me up another rosary. Now I can pray for our new Archbishop on my new rosary beads. See how that worked out in my favor? =) This Catholic lady can never have enough rosary beads! I've taken a picture to show you my new rosary? Isn't it pretty? Now you can see how I just couldn't resist them. =)

New Beginnings

*JMJ* So we can all get into ruts where we're not doing the spiritual things that we should be doing. We've become lax or in a rut like they say. But what a great time to try and change that with just days into this brand new year. I don't know about you, but when my life is going awry, I get this feeling. My soul feels unsettled. It's not at peace. Then I know it's time to pull my self out of that rut with the help of the Lord and get back into the swing of things. And that means many different things. And what I mostly mean by that is pulling back toward the Lord. To think more of him because we love Him. Here are just some of the things that draw me closer to the Lord and feeds my soul so that it's back on fire with love for Him. I go to mass every Sunday but I will go a couple of times during the week. I'll go back and sit with the Lord in front of the Blessed Sacrament if I've been neglecting to go. I'll try and recite my rosary every day again like I use to. I'll make time to pray for frequently. I'll just pick up my bible and go to my bookmark where I left off and start to read from that point on. It's as if God has been there waiting for me to pick up my bible again. Like my priest said in his homily the other weekend. You can't find good new in the news. But you can in the bible. I just love reading the bible so much. Or I will pick of a spiritual catholic book or a book on one of the saints. These are all ways that bring my closer to the Lord. And then my soul feels at peace and rested again. I feel more focused of what's important and why I'm alive and what I'm suppose to do. Because the world can put your mind in a whirl wind in so many directions. I can't live my life like that. I need peace. Even through difficult times. And I know that I can only get that by becoming closer to the Lord. But it's really not me. It's the Lord that's moving me to become closer to Him. So that is how I'm starting out this brand new year. To become closer to the Lord. He asks for perfection in all of us because he is perfect himself. We are all called to be Holy people. We all get off track sometimes. I know I do. I've mentioned this to my family before. When I was going through R.C.I.A. to become Catholic, and even to this day, I'll shake my head in prayer and say, "Lord, why did you call me to the Catholic religion. I make such a horrible Catholic!" I use to say, "Lord, don't use me for an example!" I have to laugh at myself and I do. I have to keep things light. So may we all grow closer to the Lord this year. What are some of the ways you get closer to the Lord? I'd love to hear your comments. God Bless!

Goodbye To Detroit's Archbishop

*JMJ* Soon us Detroiter's will be saying goodbye to our Archbishop Cardinal Adam Maida. He's retiring after being the Archbishop here in Detroit, Michigan for the past 18 years. He was one of the Archbishops to take place in voting for a new Pope, when Pope John Paul ll died. I was hoping that he would be elected to be the new Pope. Our Pope now, Pope Benedict xvi announced that our new Archbishop, Allen H. Vigneron is a native from Michigan. And his parents reside here also.

I have a funny little story I'd like to share with you about Archbishop Cardinal Maida. Well it's more about myself though. When I was going through the R.C.I.A. process to become Catholic, you have to go to what's called the Rite of Election at the head of your Archdiocese, toward the end of the program. The head of your Archdiocese is called the Mother church that looks after the little parishes in your area. The name of Detroit's Mother church is Cathedral of the Most Blessed Sacrament. So during the Rite of Election, it wasn't just my R.C.I.A. group from my parish there at the cathedral. There were many R.C.I.A. groups from all over my archdiocese there. During the Rite of Election, all the R.C.I.A. teachers will come forward and say the names of the people who are in their R.C.I.A. program. So it took awhile because there were so many names to be announced. But how exciting it was when I heard my name being said through the Mother church. Our names were being enrolled for the Easter Vigil Rite. Just thinking back on that time brings back such exciting memories.

So anyway I was sitting pretty close to the isle inside a pew. There were probably two people on my side. Before I go on any further, just keep in mind that I didn't know to much about the Catholic religion yet. I was still learning.

Well when I seen this priest (Archbishop Cardinal Maida) coming down the isle, I was just so excited! I mean he had on that hat (not sure of the name) and was holding that staff (sorry not sure what that's called either). He was shaking some peoples hands as he was walking down the isle. As he came closer to my pew, I leaned out and stuck my hand out for him to shake it. The two people next to me were probably like, "What's this ladies problem?" I was just so excited when Archbishop Cardinal Maida shook my hand. He looked very impressive decked out with everything. Meaning that fancy hat, the vestments, and the staff and all of that. I just got so caught up in the moment to say the least! Archbishop Cardinal Maida could see the enthusiasm on my face! What he was probably thinking was, "Lady, I'm not the Pope!" I'm laughing right now I write this. It was just so funny. I rushed home to tell my mother and father-in-law that I got to shake Archbishop Cardinal Maida's hand.

I will miss Archbishop Cardinal Maida though. They no longer will mention his name during mass. When I think of Michigan Catholic Newspaper, I will miss his editorials. I'll just miss seeing him around.

I'm praying that the Lord will continue to watch over Archbishop Cardinal Maida during this next segment of his life, as I'm sure the Lord will. We must also pray for our new Archbishop, Allen H. Vigneron as he carries out his new duties in being an Archbishop for Detroit, Michigan.

Detroit's New Archbishop

*JMJ* This is Bishop Allen Vigneron. He is 60 years old and he will be are next Archbishop for the Detroit's Archdiocese. I am just so excited about it. It's always nice to see what a new member of the community will bring to the community. He was serving as Bishop in Oakland, California. Bishop Allen Vigneron is from the Detroit area. He was born in Mt. Clemens, Michigan. His parents, now in their 90's live in St. Clair County. They still live in the same farmhouse the bishop was raised in. He was a former associate priest at Our Lady Queen of Peace parish in Harper Woods, Michigan. Bishop Allen Vigneron will be installed as Detroit's Archbishop on Wednesday, January 28, @ 2 0'clock p.m. It will be held at the Cathedral of The Most Blessed Sacrament. Bishop Allen Vigneron will be Detroit's 10th Bishop and Detroit's 5th Archbishop. Here is a short clip if you would like to watch it. Just click on the link below. http://gannett.a.mms.mavenapps.net/mms/rt/1/site/gannett-detroit-freep-008-pub01-live/current/launch.html?maven_playerId=articleplayer&maven_referralPlaylistId=playlist&maven_referralObject=985517052

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.