Elizabeth has Shared her Thoughts Again

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Pope Benedict XVI's Message to the U.S.

He is looking forward to his visit. I wish that my family could be in New York or Washington. I would so like to see Pope Benedict XVI.

Priests are Always Watching

On Sunday, the visiting priest asked my eldest son how old he was and then proceeded to congratulate him on his knowledge of the Nicene Creed.

Don't miss this article

Elizabeth has shared her wisdom. I wish that I had read it a couple of years ago, but it may not have made a difference at the time. I am ready for this message now.

John Paul II was “a sign and witness of the Resurrection of Christ,” says Pope

Vatican City, Apr 2, 2008 / 10:41 am (CNA).- Recalling with emotion the passing of Pope John Paul II three years ago today, Pope Benedict said April 2 will remain imprinted on the mind of the Church as the day when the Servant of God departed from this world.

Thousands of pilgrims gathered in St. Peter’s Square for a memorial Mass in honor of the beloved pope, whose abiding memory continues to draw thousands of visitors every day to his tomb inside St. Peter's Basilica.

Pope Benedict said that the life and pontificate, was as a whole and in many specific moments, "a sign and witness of the Resurrection of Christ."

John Paul II died on the eve of the second Sunday of Easter, the fulfillment of the "day that the Lord has made."

The Holy Father said, "Like three years ago, today we are not far from Easter. The heart of the Church is still deeply immersed in the mystery of the Resurrection of the Lord. Indeed, we can read the entire life of my beloved predecessor, in particular his Petrine ministry, as a sign of the Risen Christ.”

Recalling how today is the day John Paul II died, Benedict XVI said, "His agony was beheld by all this "day," in this space-time that is the new ' "eighth day," desired by the Holy Trinity through the work of the Incarnate Word, dead and risen.

"In this spiritual dimension,” the Holy Father said that “Pope John Paul II repeatedly demonstrated that he was some way immersed in this mystery during his life, especially in carrying out the mission of the Supreme Pontiff."

Since childhood, Karol Wojtyla experienced the truth of St. Paul's words, 'if we die with him, we shall also live with him. If we persevere with him, we also reign with him" (2 Tim 2,11-12), the Pope said.

Please visit the Catholic News Agency to read more about what Pope Benedict XVI had to say about John Paul II.

Library Books Arrived

My husband checked out some of the books from my reading list yesterday. After skimming through them, I realized that Better Homes and Gardens: Stretching Living Space was not what I had hoped for. The photos were reminiscent of the 70s and did not inspire me. I will be removing this book from my list and substituting it for Don Aslett's Clutter's Last Stand: It's Time To De-junk Your Life! and Is There Life After Housework. A friend gave me these books a couple of years ago and I devoured them.

The latter book had some wonderful cleaning tips. Mr. Aslett gave instructions on how to clean a microwave's fan. He gave advice on how to let your spray cleaner do the work for you, what types of doormats to use, and numerous other time-saving tips.

I did not agree with his dismissal of vinegar as a cleaner. While I do not like using vinegar on windows or mirrors, I often use it to clean counter tops. Since I like having my children clean with me, I lean towards safer or more natural cleaning products. Baking soda and peppermint-scented castille liquid soap work really well when cleaning a bath tub. My eldest son thoroughly enjoys sprinkling the big bag of Costco Baking Soda into the bath and helping me scrub away the soap scum.

Oops, I am rambling again. Happy cleaning!

Rambling Answer to Jessica's Chore Question

Brendan is seven. Theresa is five. Theresa decided to start doing the dishes on her own a couple of months ago. This made me aware that her brother was more than capable of this job.

Friends refer to Theresa as my independent child. She really enjoys cleaning. However, the thought of using the big vacuum had, understandably, overwhelmed her.

The yellow vacuum is one that we purchased at Costco eight years ago at the recommendation of my mom. She told me that it was perfect for little children to use. The Amazon picture does not show it, but the handle actually goes down, making the vacuum the perfect height for a 5 year old. Actually, my three year old (average height of a four or five year old) enjoys using this vacuum, too. He also likes using the hose and carpet attachment on our regular vacuum to do the stairs. He is very upset that I have not assigned him any chores, so I am trying to figure out what I can have him do. I have had him help me make cupcakes and bread in lieu of chores, recently.

I am somewhat lax about broken plates and glasses (other than making sure children do not get cut). I see broken dishes as part of learning to use them. That said, we have never had any dishes broken when they are being washed. You might ask your son to start by washing his plate and utensils plus a younger siblings plate and utensils. If he wants to do more, let him.

Thanks to my mom, I tend to lean towards a Montessori type philosophy when teaching my children to do things around the house. When the child shows an interest, I teach them how to do it.

The Honeymoon is Over

Reality has set in. We are serious about having the children do their chores.

Theresa posed the first challenge, asking a little incredulously, "I have to vacuum the living room?" I remembered that Charity begins in the living room (Splendor in the Ordinary) and I answered, "Yes. You did a beautiful job cleaning it. You can use the yellow vacuum if you want." She happily finished her "Before Dinner" chore.

On Thursday afternoon, Bernadette guffawed and said, "I am too scared to vacuum both sets of stairs." I responded, "You don't have to be scared. I will be downstairs cleaning up." She vacuumed the stairs very nicely.

Brendan is a little bit more difficult, but we are trying to meet his challenges. His first challenge came with the dinner dishes (no pots and pans, just plates, glasses, and utensils). He whined, "I'm not doing all of these dishes." His father answered, "You can do all of the dishes without complaining or you can do the dishes plus another chore." Knowing that love and charity can be cultivated in the kitchen (Splendor in the Ordinary), my husband remained in the kitchen keeping our son company. Needless to say, another chore was not needed.

Next, Brendan stated, "What do you mean I have to do the laundry? That's a girl's job." I gently told him that it was not a girl's job. I went on to say, "Laundry is something that you will need to know how to do when you are older. Before Mommy and Daddy were married, Daddy had to do his own laundry." This morning, I heard Brendan ask Theresa, "Can I start the laundry and you clear and wipe down the table?" Theresa responded, "No, I need to learn how to do it."

Brendan's final challenge was, "I don't know how to wipe down the table." It looked like he did not know how to clear it either. He has done both previously. I met his challenge, saying, "I will show you how." This guaranteed that he not only cleared the table, but that he also wiped down most of it.

I love my children and I know that part of loving them is teaching them the skills necessary to not only contribute to our family, but to one day live on their own.

If You Care About Human Life...

Please read Joel Connelly's article I-1000 campaign seeks to sell voters on death, visit the Coalition Against Assisted Suicide and make a donation to this organization to help them to defeat I-1000. As Rita Marker recently shared, "Everyone who opposes assisted suicide is a Washingtonian for the next year." (Celebrate Life, March-April 2008, p. 32) Show the people of Washington and our nation that we value human life and that killing people (via assisted suicide) simply because they are sick or disabled is never acceptable.

More links to information on assisted suicide are available via the Gospel of Life Institute's Spotlight page.