Yesterday

Yesterday the Conclave began after Pope Emeritus Benedict resigned to elect our new Pope and...

A Final Blessing

The last 2 days we have watched (via EWTN online) the final moments of the Papacy of Pope Benedict XVI. Yesterday the last Wednesday General Audience and today the Pope leaving the Vatican by helicopter, giving a final blessing from a window in Castel Gandolfo and then the closing of the door and Swiss Guard being relieved of their duties as guardian of the Pope. I especially like  how the last picture is the reflection of Thomas watching the Swiss Guard close the doors. I hope someday he will remember watching history in the making at the age of 13!

February 2013

 

 

February is almost over so I decided on a Sunday afternoon to capture some of the moments of this past month. Mass for  my dad at St Joan of Arc and dinner at the Scoreboard, snowy days,  St Valentine Day flowers from my sweetie, and a heart shaped Chocolate Beet cake, a moment pause while cleaning to think about Gary and my beginnnings , a completed Lenten project of Stations of the Cross candles, chicken and dumplings cooking on the stove, Fr Leo Patalinghug at the Catholic Women Conference, Maddie's basketball fun in Columbus, and surprising Michelle at the Winking Lizard! 

Out My Window

 

 

January 2013

The month of January has come and gone. I remember when we thought of January as a slow month...not so anymore. We started of January with a flu bug for John and I but then things improved and we enjoyed a fair amount of snow, fun for Thomas and his friend Gabe in the snow and playing with LEGOs and their 3ds's, beautiful skies, inexpensive flowers purchased at Krogers to brighten our home, a LEGO robotic competition with our LEGO club in Columbus and a little impromtu hike that involved climbing a small tower, and using sticks to test the depth of ice and water of a small pond,  the challenge of science fair and the feeling of accomplishment it brings when the day of judging is done, and  a special treat to celebrate...this year oreo milkshakes.

12-12-12

So I couldn't let this once in a lifetime date get by me without posting.

I had such wonderful plans for a daily post or at least regular posts as I journeyed through the year of faith reading and trying to understand the spirit of Vatican II. Apparently God had other plans for these days that involves children, husband, laundry, meal preparation, cleaning, doctor appointments, family activites, and commitments at Resurrection. I have peace with that as I begin to trust God as my daily guide. He must increase I must decrease!

 

Advent has begun with the nightly lighting of the candles and the countdown prayer chain. We also continue with our nightly scripture readings following the Church using The Word Among Us. I am so grateful for the seasons of the Catholic Church and the richness it brings to our lives. Today we celebrated the feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe with chicken enchiladas and cinnamon crispas. One of the biggest blessings to our family has been that we have been able to enjoy dinner as a family on a daily basis. When I look back on these years I know that will rank up at the top of fond memories for all of us.  I have tried to make a conscious effort to keep our lives as slow paced as possible so we can enter into the spirit of preparing for Christ's coming during Advent. 

Prayer after an election

God of all nations,
Father of the human family,
we give you thanks for the freedom we exercise
and the many blessings of democracy we enjoy in these United States of America.
We ask for your protection and guidance
for all who devote themselves to the common good, working for justice and peace at home and around the world.
We lift up all our duly elected leaders and public servants,
those who will serve us as president, as legislators and judges, those in the military and law enforcement.
Heal us from our differences and unite us, O Lord,
with a common purpose, dedication, and commitment to achieve liberty and justice
in the years ahead for all people, and especially those who are most vulnerable in our midst.
Amen.
Catholic Household Blessings and Prayers, revised edition (Washington, DC: United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, 2007). The "Prayer After an Election" by Cardinal Adam Maida, Archbishop of Detroit, is used with permission.