Understanding the Year of Faith

The following is an excerpt from the UCCSB (United States Conference of Catholic Bishops) website.
The upcoming Year of Faith is a “summons to an authentic and renewed conversion to the Lord, the One Savior of the world” (Porta Fidei 6). In other words, the Year of Faith is an opportunity for Catholics to experience a conversion – to turn back to Jesus and enter into a deeper relationship with him. The “door of faith” is opened at one’s baptism, but during this year Catholics are called to open it again, walk through it and rediscover and renew their relationship with Christ and his Church. 




Here are some wonderful links about the Year of Faith, which the Catholic church which extends from October 11, 2012 to November 24, 2013.

Links to further understanding the Year of Faith.
USCCB (United States Conference of Catholic Bishops website) 

Catholic Diocese of Salt Lake City Year of Faith message from the Bishop 

What is the Year of Faith and how do we observe it?

Facing the day with Mary

Today, when I awoke, I asked Mary to help me through this day. I didn't want to be crabby and well, just no fun to be around. I wanted to be the best I could be for my family. After being up the majority of the night with one of my little guys, I wasn't sure how I was going to make it through the day. It might sound a bit dramatic but sometimes, in motherhood, you are so exhausted and you think to yourself, "how will I do this?" It's amazing how just my little prayer to the Blessed Mother very early this morning has made it so this day has turned out well. It's through God's grace and Mary's example that we can stay on the path of joyful motherhood. Try asking Mary for help today. We all have our struggles in motherhood. It's nice to know that she is there comforting us.

The feast of the Epiphany

January 6th marks the feast of the Epiphany. Have you ever seen the following posted above the door frame in someone's house? 20+C+M+B+12. The following document written by Father Richard Lonsdale and found on silk.net, explains what these numbers mean and how you can incorporate this tradition into your own home. Run to the store and grab some chalk to help your kids further understand the feast of the Epiphany.

EPIPHANY HOME BLESSING

The Holy Family welcomed the Magi on Epiphany. There is a beautiful tradition that has been inspired by this event. Take some chalk and either have it blessed by your pastor or say your own blessing over it with your family. Ask God to welcome strangers to your home during the coming year. Finally write these numbers and letters over the front door of your home:
20 + C + M + B + the last digits of the current year.
The letters represent the traditional names of the Wise Men--Caspar, Melchior and Balthasar.

MYRRH AND FRANKINCENSE

The gifts brought by the Magi were both appropriate and expensive. The value of gold is obvious but what of the other presents? Myrrh is an aromatic substance made from the sap of Myrtle balsam trees found in India, Africa and Saudi Arabia. It is a natural antiseptic and useful as a medicine. Egyptians used myrrh for embalming mummies. It is now used for toothpaste and mouthwash.
Incense is a hardened gum that also comes from trees found in the same areas. The word "Frank" comes from an old French word that means "marked." It is a stamp that the incense is "free" from contaminants or "pure". (Franking is still used for free mail rights given to members of Congress.) Incense was used primarily to cover up the smells caused by animal sacrifices. Hence it was connected with worship.

Related: Resources on Sunday Readings - Clipart, homelies, articles, coloring pages, music: Matthew, Mark, Luke, John

© 2000 by Father Richard Lonsdale.

Free Thanksgiving Printables

Celebrate Thanksgiving with these free printables. They are for personal use only. Thanks!


1. Lots of labels, favors and tags from this site:
http://catchmyparty.com/blog/free-thanksgiving-printables-from-with-envy-parties

2. Put together a kit from Paperglitter.com

Cute kit from paperglitter.com

3. Check out the following printable from Lollychops.com:

From lollychops.com

Thinking ahead to Advent

I always remember how exciting it was to start the countdown to Christmas. I loved the pink candle in the Advent wreath the best and longed for the week we could light it. Keeping with the spirit of Christ of course, my brother and I would battle for the chocolate in the Advent calendar. Growing up though, I had never heard of another Advent tradition called the Jesse Tree. Did I perhaps miss that in grade school? I don't think so. It wasn't until I became a teacher in a Catholic school that I learned about the Jesse tree. Eventually, I incorporated it into my classroom curriculum for the season of Advent. Here is some information on the Jesse Tree. Perhaps you will want to incorporate one into your home and make it a family tradition.

The following excerpt is from Loyolapress.com
What is a Jesse Tree?
The Jesse Tree helps us connect the custom of decorating Christmas trees to the events leading to Jesus' birth. The Jesse Tree is named from Isaiah 11:1: “A shoot shall come out of the stock of Jesse, and a branch shall grow out of his roots.” Jesse was the father of King David. We adorn a Jesse Tree with illustrated ornaments that represent the people, prophesies, and events leading up to the birth of Jesus. The ornaments of the Jesse Tree tell the story of God in the Old Testament, connecting the Advent season with the faithfulness of God across four thousand years of history. 

Here are a few resources for Jesse Tree ornaments:
http://www.etsy.com/listing/86865983/jesse-tree-ornaments-heirloom-wooden 
http://tiredneedsleep.blogspot.com/2011/11/free-printable-jesse-tree-ornaments-and.html
http://www.eriercd.org/jessetree.htm
 

The Feast of St. Francis

There are so many things to love about St. Francis of Assisi. As a child, I marveled at the idea that there was a patron saint for animals. All of our dogs wore St. Francis medals on their collars. I understood how St. Francis could be so attracted to God's beautiful creations. I have always been drawn to this saint, so much that I took the name Francis for my confirmation name. I am hoping that we can all strive to follow the beautiful words of the Prayer of Peace, inspired by the works of St. Francis.

Lord, make me an instrument of your peace.
Where there is hatred, let me sow love;
where there is injury, pardon;
where there is doubt, faith;
where there is despair, hope;
where there is darkness, light;
and where there is sadness, joy.

O Divine Master, grant that I may not so much seek
to be consoled as to console;
to be understood as to understand;
to be loved as to love.
For it is in giving that we receive;
it is in pardoning that we are pardoned;
and it is in dying that we are born to eternal life. Amen

The feast day for St. Francis of Assisi is October 4th. He is the patron saint of ecology, Italy, animals and merchants. Many parishes around the valley have pet blessing on his feast day. 

For St. Francis coloring pages check out this link:http://printablecolouringpages.co.uk/?s=francis%20of%20assisi

For more about St. Francis visit:http://www.americancatholic.org/Features/default.aspx?id=16

Learning for Little Ones

Alison, from the site Oopsey Daisy,  has made some adorable school packets to give your child a leg up on learning. Check out the great printables on her site. I can't wait to start using these with my little guys. The felt board activities will be a plus for the hot summer days. I have already printed them out. Now if I could just get them all laminated and ready to use.