Children

Children
"God is love, and he who abides in love abides in God, and God abides in him."
(1 Jn 4:16)

Friday, April 27, 2012

Baptism

"-Receive the sacraments soon and frequently. This cannot be emphasized enough. Baptize babies immediately. If Aunt Martha can’t make it for two months to see the baby, go ahead and throw the baptismal party when it’s convenient for her, but don’t postpone the sacrament to fit her or anyone’s schedule. It is most important that the child receive his baptism as soon as possible after birth. It is less important that mom is up for visitors, and more important that the baby enter the Church."

When my husband and I were married, we agreed that our children should be baptized as soon after birth as possible. A couple of months after the birth and baptism of our first child, I started tutoring for a homeschooling family. One day, my baby and I arrived at this family's house and found the mother still in her pajamas with no makeup on her face and slightly puffy eyes. I asked her if she was okay. She answered in the affirmative and told me that it was the third anniversary of her second son's death. We spoke for awhile before I headed downstairs to teach her four eldest daughters. Her healthy young baby had unexpectedly died during his sleep one night. This mother of eight (now nine) children shared with me that her baby had been baptized shortly after he was born by their friend, Fr. John Hardon, S.J.. She went on to tell me that because her little baby boy had been baptized, she could take comfort in knowing that he was a saint in Heaven. This caring mother ended the conversation by saying, "My hope for all my children has always been that they become saints, that we all meet in Heaven one day. I keep reminding myself that I now have one less soul to worry about."

Since that time, my husband and I have always tried to have our babies baptized on the Saturday or Sunday following our child's birth regardless of whether or not relatives can be present. This has not always been possible due to circumstances beyond our control. However, all of our children have been baptized within the first month of their birth, as Holy Mother Church encourages.

Despite knowing that I am doing what the Church encourages in regards to Baptism, I still need to learn to simply trust completely in God's will. I cannot help but worry about the souls of my children during the days before they are baptized. I cannot help but constantly pray to Our Blessed Mother to protect and care for my newborn baby until such time as he/she is baptized. I wish that each of my children could be baptized immediately after birth.

Remember, O most gracious Virgin Mary, that never was it known that anyone who fled to thy protection, implored thy help, or sought thine intercession was left unaided.
Inspired by this confidence, I fly unto thee, O Virgin of virgins, my mother; to thee do I come, before thee I stand, sinful and sorrowful. O Mother of the Word Incarnate, despise not my petitions, but in thy mercy hear and answer me.
Amen.

Tuesday, April 24, 2012

Hope

Brendan: "Mommy, two people have won $10,000 in the Top Foods Monopoly game and one person has won $35,000. You haven't been to Top Foods in a long time. We can't win if you don't go shopping there. We still need to pick up the free tickets that we won."

Me: "It's only been about two weeks since I last went there. I have decided that we just aren't winners."

Theresa: "Oh, Mommy, it is a sin to despair!"

Monday, April 23, 2012

Eastertide Daybook

I am listening to...
Bernadette is playing music from the Lord of the Rings on her violin. She spends about an hour each morning playing her violin. First, she practices and then she has fun, playing and picking out pieces that she has heard at Mass, on a CD, the radio or in a movie. Listening to her play makes for a relaxing morning. She has a very good ear. Last week, I listened to her violin lesson. She and her teacher played a duet of Bernadette's recital piece, "Two Guitars", and it was so moving that I almost started to cry.

Outside my window...
The sun is peeking through some clouds and birds are chirping. I am looking foward to another beautiful day.

I am thankful for...
My ultrasound went well last Wednesday. The baby is looking good.  He/she is big, but so were two of my other children. My doctor didn't mention anything about inducing me and it is comforting to think that this baby might be born during Mary's month. I have about two more weeks until my due date, plus or minus a few days. :) I can't wait to hold this baby in my arms. My husband and children are excited to do the same.

Thanks to a beautiful weekend, we spent some much needed time gardening together on Saturday. It made for a very relaxing day.

I am thinking about and praying for...
My son who will be making his First Confession on May 5 and receiving his First Holy Communion on May 6.

From the kitchen...
I am smelling eggs and sausage.

In the learning rooms...
We are working hard trying to finish as many lessons as we can before this baby is born.

I am wearing...
I am wearing a black maternity skirt and a red shirt.

I am reading...
When I can find a quiet moment (usually during my non-stress tests at the doctor's office), I am reading This Tremendous Lover. Each morning, I am reading First Communion Days to Patrick and anyone else who wants to listen. At bedtime, Elizabeth keeps requesting that I read Miss Rumphius and Hedgie's Surprise. I think that I have these two stories memorized.  Patrick and Finnian request various stories before bed, but they usually ask me to read at least one of these.

I am praying for...
Our Archbishop has been given the challenging task of overhauling the LCWR. He has also been receiving public flack from some of the priests in our Archdiocese for supporting R-74 (a bill that would repeal unnatural unions) and requesting that signatures be collected after Masses to help get this referendum on the ballot. I am praying for Archbishop Sartain that he may continue to follow the will of God. I am also praying for our Archdiocese, our priests and the faithful. We all need the prayers.

A few plans for the rest of the week...
We are looking forward to our Fine Arts Friday. I had planned to implement this at the beginning of the year, but I was unable to do so, save for choir. What may you ask is Fine Arts Friday? I found that some of my children do not take the time to draw or paint unless I set aside time for them to do so. Therefore on Fridays, we have set aside a time for the children to not only sing, but also to draw, study artwork and sometimes listen to music.  They are thoroughly enjoying this time together and so am I. I would like to add poetry recitation to the mix, but it might have to wait until next year.

Although I am not an artist by any means, art is a subject that I have enjoyed since high school. It is also a subject that all of my children seem to find rewarding.

Bunnies and hare drawn by my four eldest children


Saturday, April 14, 2012

Easter Vigil Slideshow



One of my favorite Masses is the Easter Vigil at our parish. The singing of the "Sicut Cervus" takes my breath away and draws me in helping me to focus on Christ's Resurrection. This Mass truly seems to me like the closest thing to Heaven on earth.

I hope that everyone is having a joyous Eastertide.

Tuesday, April 10, 2012

Christus Resurrexit!


This year, we participated in the Triduum Masses and Good Friday liturgy at our parish again. Brendan felt privileged to be able to serve at the Easter Vigil. He has been wanting to serve at this Mass for a long time.


He was happy to tell my dad that he would be doing so and to tell my brother that he had done so.


We arrived home just before 4:00 a.m. on Easter morning and had a relaxed Easter Sunday.


Finnian was delighted with our "funny looking Easter lamb cake" and kept insisting that we take a photo of it.


The three youngest thoroughly enjoyed hunting for Easter eggs.

Happy Eastertide!

Christ is risen! Alleluia!

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