Faith
Finnian’s First Holy Communion
Ready to leave for Mass During the weeks leading up to Finnian’s First Holy Communion, he was bubbling over with excitement. On Mother’s Day, he came to me and said, “Happy Mother’s Day to you, Mommy, and happy quizzing day to me.” Fr. S. and Fr. V. were going to be quizzing the First Commumion…
Read MoreHappy Easter
This is a rambling post of my tired memories and thoughts from this weekend. God is good! Holy Thursday My family and I are blessed to belong to an FSSP parish. Good Friday The Triduum Masses and Good Friday service are incredibly rich. Good Friday The Easter Vigil often brings tears to my eyes. Everything…
Read MoreLenten Daybook
Outside my window, the sky is blue. “The sun is shining. The tank is clean.” “The tank is clean!”” Theresa cleaned Brendan’s fish tank for him and I just couldn’t help quoting from Finding Nemo. The children want to be outside, especially Kieran. Mr. Mischief In the kitchen Theresa keeps asking me when we are going to…
Read MoreLearning through Osmosis
One of the things that I like about homeschooling is how the little ones take in what the older children are learning. A week or so ago, Kieran was sitting on my lap, as he usually does when I am teaching Elizabeth. I was working with Elizabeth on her religion lesson and asked her, “Who…
Read MoreSpiritual Motherhood for Priests
“A vocation comes from the heart of God, but goes through the heart of the mother.” ~ Pope St. Pius X ~ This past week, I stumbled upon this sermon on Audio Sancto and a challenge to become spiritual mothers. In his sermon, the priest shares three things that any girl (as young as age 7) or woman…
Read MoreSummer Camps
This summer, my four oldest children had the privilege of going to summer camps run by Fr. Dennis Gordon, FSSP. Each day, began with Mass, breakfast, and a spiritual talk given by Fr. Gordon. Each evening ended with the children sitting around a campfire, listening to Fr. Gordon share more about the Catholic faith. My…
Read MoreInvocation to Our Blessed Mother
O Mary who didst come into this world free from stain obtain of God for me that I may leave it without sin. His Holiness Pope Pius IX by a rescript from the of the Secretary of Briefs March 27 1863 granted to the faithful who with at least contrite heart and devotion shall say…
Read MorePrayer of St. Alphonsus Ligouri to the Blessed Virgin Mary
Most holy Virgin Immaculate, my Mother Mary, to thee who art the Mother of my Lord, the Queen of the universe, the advocate, the hope, the refuge of sinners, I who am the most miserable of all sinners, have recourse this day. I worship thee, great Queen, and I thank thee for the many graces…
Read MoreDevotions for the Month of May
The return of May, when nature, awakened from her winter sleep, is clad in all her vernal beauty, reminds us that all should be fair and bright within us also, that our hearts ought to be adorned with fair virtues, so as to be pleasing to Jesus and Mary. Devotion to the Blessed Virgin, frequent…
Read MoreLighting of the Easter Candle
Elizabeth fell asleep on our way to Mass on Holy Saturday, so we laid her down in the pew and I stayed inside with her while the rest of my family went outside for the lighting of the Easter fire and the Easter candle. As everyone processed back inside, the scent of beeswax filled the…
Read MoreOh Come and Mourn
Oh come and mourn with me awhile! See, Mary calls us to her side; Oh come and let us mourn with her; Jesus, our Love, is crucified! Have we no tears to shed for Him, While soldiers scoff and Jews deride? Ah! Look how patiently He hangs; Jesus, our Love, is crucified! How fast His…
Read MoreHabemus Papam
After praying our extra Rosary this morning for Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI, our future pope, the Church, and our world, we tuned into EWTN online to watch for the smoke. I had told the children that I thought we would have a Pope today. We were all very excited to see the white smoke. After…
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