Wednesday, December 24, 2008

Please say a prayer for me

I really could use a prayer or two for myself and a special intention for myself. I know it's kinda greedy to ask but I really need the help.


“Most holy apostle, St. Jude, faithful servant and friend of Jesus, the Church honors and invokes you universally, as the patron of hopeless cases, of things almost despaired of. Pray for me, I am so hopeless and alone. Make use I implore you, of that particular privilege given to you, to bring visible and speedy help where help is almost despaired of. Come to my assistance in this great need that I may receive the consolation and help of heaven in all my necessities, tribulations, and sufferings, particularly – (here make your request) and that I may praise God with you and all the elect forever. I promise, O blessed St. Jude, to be ever mindful of this great favor, to always honor you as my special and powerful patron, and to gratefully encourage devotion to you. Amen”

Saint Joseph A prayer for Hopeless cases. O Glorious St. Joseph, advocate of hopeless cases, what's impossible to me is not imposible to Thee. Thou knowest my special intentions. I implore Thee, please come to my aid in my present trouble and distress before Christmas. O dear St. Joseph, all my confidence in Thee. Let it not be said that I would invoke Thee in vain. St. Joseph, friend of the Sacred Heart, pray for us.


Holy Patroness of those in need, Saint Rita, you were humble, pure and patient. Your pleadings with your divine Son are irresistible, so please obtain for me from our risen Jesus the request I make of you: {mention your petition here}. Be kind to me for the greater glory of God, and I shall honor you and sing your praises forever. Glorious Saint Rita, you miraculously participated in the sorrowful passion of our Lord Jesus Christ. Obtain for me now the grace to suffer with resignation the troubles of life, and protect me in all my needs. Amen.

Sunday, December 21, 2008

7 random Christmas things

Found this on Barb's blog. Thought I'd play around.



1. I do have my shopping done, I just need to wrap them. That's going to be hard since the kids are done school.

2. I just started my Christmas baking today. It took me all morning to do my sugar cookies. I am protecting them from my family until Christmas.

3. We didn't hang lights up outside. It's too late now, there is a foot of snow and ice on top of my roof.

4. We make a gingerbread house every year. This year I put it together and the 2 younger dk's decorated it.

5. My favourite Christmas cartoon is the grinch and my favourite movie is A Christmas Carol with Alstair Sims.

6. My favourite Christmas song is The First Noel and Feliz Navidad.

7. I bought Christmas dinner yesterday. I forgot to buy the stuff to make Christmas breakfast...so I'll have to go back to the grocery store.



I'm on a roll...so I'll post more!

8. My favourite part of the biblical writing is when Gabriel appears to Mary.

9. My favourite ornament is an angel ornament my oldest dd gave me the first Christmas she was born.

10. My Christmas lights are red.

11. I usually decorate the tree with red lights, red ribbons, red beaded garland and gold balls but this year the kids made a bunch of ornaments so my tree is all homemade ornaments.

12. My favourite cookie is shortcake.

13. My favourite chocolate are cherry chocolates.

14. Every year I read the kids the nativity story straight from the bible.

15. I love my nativity scene. I bought it when I was in college...it's a precious moments set. I wish I had straw and a wooden stall for it.

16. I have an angel on the top of my tree. It was made before I even had my own tree out of plastic canvas. I made a lot of ornaments out of plastic canvas and cross-stitch.

17. I love snuggling up on the couch with cocoa and watching Christmas movies.

Thursday, December 18, 2008

The Christmas Concert


Last night was my children's Christmas Concert. They do go to a Catholic school and it was held in a church.

I guess the first thing you need to know is that I can't stand these events. The noise, the loudness, the disruption all bother me. It is stimulation overload for me and my fragile psyche. The concert is for my children so every year I go. I realized next year I am taking some Ativan before I head out.

Last night was no different...in fact I think it was louder than usual but I survived. And my youngest dd's (I call her the queen) class did a wonderful job. It honestly was the best song in the whole program. And at the end of the program the whole school got up and sang a song. It was great. They did it in a chorus and I was suprised at how well it sounded.

What really bothers this traditional girl is the fact that for 12 years they have never done the nativity story. They loosely refer to it with bits and peices. I remember back to when I was a child and we acted out the nativity story each Christmas. I remember the thrill when my doll was baby Jesus. I miss that. Now at my children's concerts they don't even sing hymns. The closest in 12 years was away in a manager. All the hymns have been replaced with what I call secular Christian Christmas songs.

My youngest is in gr 1. I pray that by the time she is finished the school will just once act out the nativity story with appropriate hymns.

I guess I should just be thankful for what it is. It could be worse...it could be a holiday concert not a Christmas one.

Wednesday, December 17, 2008

Today....

Is my birthday. I really don't like my birthday...or holidays. I find myself sitting here thinking of what I don't have. What I didn't do, etc. You know...the whole cycle of self pity.


Then the thought occurred to me: I am where I am suppose to be. God wants me right here, right now for some purpose.

After I realized that my whole self pity cycle disappeared and the day got a whole lot brighter. I need to stop and realize all God has in plan for me and embrace what he has given me.

Sunday, December 14, 2008

Favourite Rosary Meme

I jumped in on this one. Adrienne had it posted over at her website.

Your suppose to post a pic...well I'll too lazy so I'll just give a vivid description of it.
Your suppose to do your 3 favourite ones so I'll describe a couple of them. I can't promise it will stay as 3.

Then you are suppose to tag people...so if your reading this, I'm tagging you!


My very favourite rosary is a light pink glass bead one. It has gold clasps holding each bead in place. When I approached the Priest after Mass one morning and expressed my desire to become Catholic he gave it to me. I treasured it. I had always wanted a rosary and now I had one of my very own...and it was PINK! Unfortunately one day I found it in pieces and some of them were missing. My favourite rosary was gone forever.

Until... someone at work had the exact same rosary. She gave it to me. And now I treasure it twice as much because it is associated with both my favourite Priest and this person.

The next rosary is very large. It has brilliant bright blue beads on it. Almost a royal blue colour. It has the miraculous medal on it. I have a very close relationship with that medal and St. Catherine. It was given to me by my Aunt Jacky. Her daughter lives in the States and got it in the mail when Jacky was visiting once. Aunt Jacky took it home and gave it to me. I often take this rosary to Mass.

The other one is a toss up. I'm not sure which one to talk about. I have a glow in the dark plastic one. I believe my son has it in his room. Of course it glows in the dark so it is cool. I had a sterling silver rose one. I really liked it but lost it once when I was in hospital. The other rosary I treasure is a white plastic one my youngest gave me. They pray the rosary at school and she often brings home a white plastic rosary. This was her first one and she wanted to give it to her Mommy. It was such a sweet gesture and I'll always remember how happy she was to give her new found treasure to her Mommy.

Gaudette Sunday




The Third Sunday of Advent is traditionally called "GAUDETTE SUNDAY" from the Latin word meaning to "rejoice". We rejoice because our salvation is closer, the time of Advent waiting is nearly over as the birth of Christ draws near. The Church emphasizes the joy which is in our heart over the Lord's upcoming birth.

The purple color of penance is lightened to a rose color. The rose candle is lite on the advent wreath and the priest wears rose coloured vestements.

Tuesday, December 09, 2008

It was a sign

I have not been to Mass for a while.
At first I couldn't go because my back was too sore. It really was physically impossible.
And then I just didn't bother.
And then it was hard to go back. I felt everyone was going to tell me to leave, that I was a terrible person for not going.

Well I went tonight.
And when I heard the gospel reading I had a few tears fall down my face.
The parable of the Lost Sheep.

Monday, December 08, 2008

Feast of the Immaculate Conception



My parish is named after this feast so I have always been drawn towards it. Unfortunately I have to work when the only Mass for it is today (It is not a Holy Day of Obligation in Canada) otherwise I would have went to Mass.



LITANY OF THE IMMACULATE CONCEPTION

Lord, have mercy on us
Christ, have mercy on us
Lord, have mercy on us
Christ, hear us
Christ, graciously hear us

God the Father of heaven,
have mercy on us.

God the Son, Redeemer of the World,
have mercy on us.

God the Holy Spirit,
have mercy on us.

Holy Trinity, one God,
have mercy on us.

Holy Mary,
pray for us.

Holy Mother of God,
pray for us.

Holy Virgin of virgins,
pray for us.

Mother of Christ,
pray for us.

Mother of Divine Grace,
pray for us.

Mother most pure,
pray for us.

Mother most chaste,
pray for us.

Mother inviolate,
pray for us.

Mother undefiled,
pray for us.

Mother most amiable,
pray for us.

Mother most admirable,
pray for us.

Mother of good counsel,
pray for us.

Mother of our Creator,
pray for us.

Mother of our Saviour,
pray for us.

Virgin most prudent,
pray for us.

Virgin most venerable,
pray for us.

Virgin most renowned,
pray for us.

Virgin most powerful,
pray for us.

Virgin most merciful,
pray for us.

Virgin most faithful,
pray for us.

Mirror of justice,
pray for us.

Seat of wisdom,
pray for us.

Cause of our joy,
pray for us.

Spiritual vessel,
pray for us.

Vessel of honour,
pray for us.

Singular vessel of devotion,
pray for us.

Mystical rose,
pray for us.

Tower of David,
pray for us.

Tower of ivory,
pray for us.

House of gold,
pray for us.

Ark of the covenant,
pray for us.

Gate of heaven,
pray for us.

Morning star,
pray for us.

Health of the sick,
pray for us.

Refuge of sinners,
pray for us.

Comforter of the afflicted,
pray for us.

Help of Christians,
pray for us.

Queen of Angels,
pray for us.

Queen of Patriarchs,
pray for us.

Queen of Prophets,
pray for us.

Queen of Apostles,
pray for us.

Queen of Martyrs,
pray for us.

Queen of Confessors,
pray for us.

Queen of Virgins,
pray for us.

Queen of all Saints,
pray for us.

Queen conceived without original sin,
pray for us.

Queen assumed into heaven,
pray for us.

Queen of the most holy Rosary,
pray for us.

Queen of Peace,
pray for us.

Lamb of God, who takes away the sins of the world,
spare us, O Lord.

Lamb of God, who takes away the sins of the world,
graciously hear us, O Lord.

Lamb of God, who takes away the sins of the world,
have mercy on us.

Grant we beseech Thee, O Lord God,
that we, Thy servants,
may enjoy perpetual health of mind and body:
and, by the glorious intercession of the blessed Mary, ever Virgin,
be delivered from present sorrow and enjoy eternal gladness.
Through Christ, our Lord.

Amen.


Mary, conceived without sin,
pray for us who have recourse to you

Sunday, December 07, 2008

Francis



Years ago I took my youngest daughter to the pet store and we bought a Siamese fighting fish. She named it Francis after St. Francis. She said "he's the saint of pets you know Mommy". She was almost 3 at the time.

Well Francis has gone to the big fish bowl somewhere. He got sucked up in the filter in the aquarium. (Thing fell apart and nobody noticed). I'm going to miss the red guy. He was my favourite fish. He would always hang out at the bottom near the plants and come up during feeding. It just isn't the same without him.

Wednesday, December 03, 2008

For Tom



I'm dreaming of a white Christmas :)

Tuesday, December 02, 2008

Different religions

This morning I was looking up Bugs Bunny cartoons on youtube. In the related search part I saw a video on mormons. I clicked on it and was watching videos on Mormons. One of the things I hate about internet searches is the fact I am not sure if the things I am learning are real or not. I know a lot of the stuff is people's opinions and not fact. I also know that a lot of the religious beliefs will not be advertised because they are "way out there". Kinda like an exorcism in the Roman Catholic faith.

Today I read that the mormons have many gods and goddesses. That humans can become gods by being perfect. That I am not sure if it's true or not, but it made for an interesting day of thinking.

I also read that their priesthood can be traced back to Jesus. Another thing I'm not too sure of and I'll probably ponder that one at work tonight.

I do like to spend a lot of time looking up other religions. I think it strengthens the beliefs I have in my religion. I think it brings me closer to God.

I grew up Lutheran. I never totally agreed. I remember the first thing I disagreed with was the communion beliefs. It said in the Bible this IS My blood. Not it changes into, not it represents. Funny how that main difference in the religions is what I questioned even before I realized their were different religions. That truly was the main reason I pondered leaving the lutheran church. It is the main reason I became Catholic. The more I researched it I found I agreed with the teachings of the Catholic church.

I honestly think one of the drawing points for me is the fact that it can be traced back to St. Peter. Name by name for over 2000 years. Also I don't think God made a mistake with Christianity and the Roman Catholic church. It was not a mistake that stayed that way until Martin Luther changed it. I don't believe God makes mistakes.