Preserve the Latin Mass Petition

From the Priestly Fraternity of St. Peter:

"We are happy to support an online petition in favor of the Traditional Latin Mass and Sacraments. This petition to the Holy Father is respectful and charitable in tone and will no doubt be seen by many bishops, priests, and laity from around the world. We encourage you to go the website to sign the petition. To do more, you can ask ten of your friends, family members, and fellow parishioners to do the same!"

Please click over to Preserve the Latin Mass 

to read and sign the Open Letter to Pope Francis!

Prayer for the Holy Father on the Feast of the Dedication of St. John Lateran Basilica

Pope and Swiss Guard Set • Vaulted Cathedral Cake

"For even now miracles are wrought in the name of Christ, whether by His sacraments or by the prayers or relics of His saints."

- St. Augustine

After attending the early morning mass at the Carmelite convent near our new home, I came back and found the box with all of our Naturally Catholic toys and dug out the Pope and Swiss Guard Set for the little ones to play with while I baked a Vaulted Cathedral Cake for today's feast of the Dedication of the Basilica of St. John Lateran!

(While the cake was baking we had our very first snowfall in our new home so I dusted the cake with powdered sugar too! The ground is now covered with snow. The kids are all thrilled and I'm trying to decide whether or not to still try and make the long drive back to Oregon tomorrow...)

The Lateran Basilica is the cathedral of Rome, the Pope’s church, and “Mother of all churches of urbe et orbe.” On this special feast, and each and every day, let us remember to pray for our Holy Father.

Lord, source of eternal life and truth, give to Your shepherd, the Pope, a spirit of courage and right judgment, a spirit of knowledge and love. By governing with fidelity those entrusted to his care may he, as successor to the apostle Peter and vicar of Christ, build Your church into a sacrament of unity, love, and peace for all the world. We ask this through our Lord Jesus Christ, Your Son, Who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, forever and ever. Amen.

Pope Francis Visits the Home

Knowing how Pope Francis likes to mingle with the crowds, the kids decided to insert another stop into his American visit. In his surprise fashion, Pope Francis made an impromptu detour to our home.

They readied the place for him by building a cathedral with their Nesting Blocks, Blessing Blocks, and Tiny Saints. The Popemobile led the assembly to the front doors of their little church.

Commemorating the Canonization of Junípero Serra

It's another historic day in the Catholic Church as our Holy Father visits the United States of America and Father Junípero Serra becomes the very first saint to be canonized on U.S. soil!

Junípero Serra was a Spanish Franciscan friar who founded a mission in Baja California and the first nine of 21 Spanish missions in California from San Diego to San Francisco, which at the time were in Alta California in the Province of Las Californias in New Spain. (source: stjunipero.org)

I wish I had pictures to go along with all of these suggestions and links, but I wanted to share the post now, rather than waiting until after the canonization... I decided to update the post with some additional pictures!

Here are seven ways to commemorate this special day with children:

1 – Picture Books

There are some great picture books available about the Papacy, Pope Francis and the soon-to-be canonized Saint Junipero Serra. Snuggles received a new book about our Holy Father ("his Pope") in his Easter basket last year. Many of these books are available from Sacred Heart Books and Gifts, Catholic Child, and through my affiliate links below. Here is the list of the books we'll be reading:

Jorge from Argentina: The Story of Pope Francis for Children by Marlyn Monge

Our Holy Father the Pope: The Papacy from Saint Peter to the Present - An excellent book for teaching children about the Papacy.  

"Only the Pope may declare men and women to be saints." - Our Holy Father the Pope

The Mission Bell (OOP) - The story of Father Junipero Serra's travels in the California wilderness, of his interest in the Indians and of his building of the missions.

The Mission Bell

Song of the Swallows - First published in 1948, was written and illustrated by Leo Politi about Mission San Juan Capistrano, the 7th of 9 missions established by Father Serra. 

The First Californian: The Story of Fray Junípero Serra (OOP) - Chapter book by Donald DeMarest and originally published in 1963.

The First Californian

I'm still waiting for our copies of the following two books to arrive:

Serra: American Founding Father

Junípero Serra: Founder of the California Missions (Pre-Order! I'll probably save this for one of the children's Stacks of Books on Christmas Morning or for next year's Easter Baskets since it hasn't been released yet.)

2 – Coloring Pages & Worksheets

Free Online Resources:

Pope Francis printables from Tiny Saints

Pope Francis in the United States from Paper Dali

Blessed Junipero Serra's Canonization Day from Paper Dali

Pope Francis coloring pages from St. John the Baptist Religious Education

Blessed Junipero Serra from Catholic Playground

From Catholic Playground, Saints of the Americas, and Paper Dali

Coloring Books to Purchase:

Bl. Junipero Serra from Saints of the Americas Coloring & Activity Book

Pope Francis Coloring & Activity Book

Popes Coloring Book (Dover)

California Missions Coloring Book (Dover)

3 – Lap Book

If you never downloaded the Papal Lap Book and Unit Study I created during the Election of Pope Francis, now is another great time for a Unit Study on the Papacy. Here is a list of my published posts on the Lap Book. (I never did get back to completing the posts for the last couple units.)

The Primacy of Peter :: A Papal Unit Study and Lap Book

Papal Lap Book Unit One: St. Peter, The First Pope

Papal Lap Book Unit Two: The Holy Fathers, Past and Present

Papal Lap Book Unit Three: The Hierarchy of the Catholic Church

7 Quick Takes :: Habemus Papam!

Scroll through all my Papal Unit Study posts here

(Note: A number of my posts include suggestions for reading from My Catholic Faith. This was a childhood favorite of my husband's and we have been using it with our children ever since our teenagers were toddlers. This beautiful book has just been released in Audio format!!! Today we will be listening to the following sections: 74. One Body in Christ: Communion of Saints, 93. The Veneration of Saints, and 94. Relics and Images.) 

4 – Crafts

California Missions to Cut Out (Book 1) and California Mission to Cut Out (Book 2)

Pope Francis Craft

Summer with the Saints: Blessed Junipero Serra (homemade holy cards)

Mission Drawings on Brown Paper and Drawing Guides

5 – Catholic Cuisine

Celebrating Bl. Junipero Serra with California Mission Foods over at Catholic Cuisine

Mexican Chocolate Bread Pudding over at Catholic Cuisine

Flan -- A Spanish Delight over at Catholic Cuisine

Italian Cream Cupcakes with Vatican Flag and Pope Francis' Papal Coat of Arms Cupcake Toppers

Keys of Heaven Candies for my children using this Key Mold and Yellow Candy Melts

Chicken Paella from CatholicMom.com

More ideas can be found over at Catholic Culture

Fig Newtons - The Black Mission Fig was named after the mission fathers who planted the fruit as they made their way north along the California coast!

6 – Gift Ideas

Hand-painted Bl. Junipero Serra Doll from {JOY}filled Family

St. Junipero Serra from Naturally Catholic

Pope Francis and Saint Junipero Serra from Tiny Saints

Blessed Junipero Serra print form Portraits of Saints

Monk Rag Doll from Jacob's Toy Box

7 – Watch the Live Coverage

Pope Francis Visit 2015

The Official Schedule for Pope Francis' Visit to the U.S.

Watch the Canonization Live stream right here at 1 p.m. PDT (4:00 EST) on Wednesday, September 23rd, 2015!

Live Streaming and Archived Videos from the Vatican YouTube Channel (English)

Yesterday we pulled out the iPad and started watching the World Meeting of Families using the EWTN app and AirPlay! Our older boys set their alarms to wake up extra early this morning to watch the welcoming ceremony at the White House before meeting with their math tutor! EWTN will also be streaming the canonization. You can view their schedule here.

From Instagram: "Very excited to see the #PopeInUS and be able to watch the #canonization of #stjuniperoserra live on #EWTN... My kids are also super excited to see Monsignor Cihak standing next to Pope Francis! Just last week I showed our 8 year old pictures of this holy priest holding him right after his birth! Sure miss having him out here in our diocese..."

God most High, your servant Junipero Serra brought the gospel of Christ to the peoples of Mexico and California and firmly established the Church among them. By his intercession, and through the example of his apostolic zeal, inspire us to be faithful witnesses of Jesus Christ, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, forever and ever. Amen.

St. Junípero Serra, Ora Pro Nobis!

Commemorating the Canonization of Two Popes

Today is a historic day in the Catholic Church as two popes are canonized. Here are seven ways to commemorate this day with children:

1 - Picture Books

There are many excellent picture books available about the Papacy and Pope John Paul II.  Our three oldest children, who were born during Pope John Paul II's life each received a new book about this new saint in their Easter baskets this year. Many of these books are available from Sacred Heart Books and Gifts, Catholic Child, and through my affiliate links below. Here is the list of the books in our book basket:

Our Holy Father the Pope: The Papacy from Saint Peter to the Present - An excellent book for teaching children about the Papacy.  Includes two pages on Pope John Paul II

Lolek – The Boy Who Became Pope John Paul II - My husband's parents gave our children this book for Christmas one year.  It is an excellent book for children on the life of this new saint!

Karol from Poland: The Life of Pope John Paul II for Children

Blessed John Paul II: Be Not Afraid - Short Chapter Book for children ages 8 and up from the Encounter the Saints series.

A Boy Who Became Pope: The Story of Saint John Paul II - This is a new favorite.  I especially love the illustrations!

Pope John Paul II Comic Book - Not one of my favorites, but the children all have enjoyed the comic book format of this book.

I'm still waiting for our new copies of the following two books to arrive:

John Paul II: The Journey of a Saint

Karol: The Boy Who Became Pope: A Story of Saint John Paul II - This book will be released soon from Neumann Press and can also be pre-ordered directly from TAN/Neumann Press.

2 – Coloring Pages

I printed out copies of this John Paul II coloring page from St. John the Baptist Religious Education.

Herald Entertainment is currently offering a Free Download of this Pope John Paul II Coloring Page.

Holy Heroes has a Downloadable Coloring Book available here.

Catholic Playground has a 40 page Pope John Paul II Coloring and Activity Book available for $12.

3 - Lap Books

If you never downloaded the Papal Lap Book and Unit Study I created during the Election of Pope Francis, now is another great time for a Unit Study on the Papacy.

Holy Learning, formerly Faith Folders for Catholics, also has a brand new download available: The Canonization of Two Popes Double Faith Folder!


4 – Audio

Pope Saint John Paul II “Be Not Afraid” Glory Stories is available from Holy Heroes
Tells the dramatic story of Pope Saint John Paul II, from his childhood life in a free Poland to his dramatic and even miraculous experiences under Nazi occupation in WWII and during Soviet Communist oppression thereafter. You and your children will learn things about his life growing up that developed into his simple spiritual practices that even busy families can imitate. You'll appreciate better how to cooperate with Divine Providence and how to explain it to your children. Funny, exciting, and fast-moving, this story will reveal memorably some of the secrets of one of the greatest and most beloved Popes of all time.

5- Catholic Cuisine

You can find a few ideas over at Catholic Cuisine including Papal Polenta, Kremówka Papieska (Papal Cream Cake), and John Paul II Sugar Cookies.

I'm planning on serving Polenta with dinner and made Keys of Heaven Candies for my children using this Key Mold and Yellow Candy Melts.

6 - Gift Ideas

Prayer Pillowcases has recently come out with a new Pope John Paul II Pillowcase

St. John Paul II hand-painted wooden doll from St. Luke’s Brush

John Paul II Saints n’ Stitches Pillow Doll from Waltzing Matilda Makes

Saint John XXIII of Rome Felt Saint Softie from Saintly Silver

Catholic Child also has a great selection of gifts commemorating St. John Paul II including Prayer Pillowcases, Books, DVDs and more.

Portraits of Saints has some beautiful Holy Cards of St. John XXIII and St. John Paul II


7- Watch the Canonization

You can find live coverage on EWTN: From Blessed to Saint! Join Pope Francis as he prepares to celebrate Holy Mass in honor of his predecessors, John XXIII and John Paul II, before canonizing them as official Saints of the Catholic Church. EWTN’s LIVE coverage of this event begins at 10 p.m. ET, Saturday, April 26 on #EWTN, with encores at 7 p.m. ET, Sunday, April 27 & at 11 p.m. ET, Monday, April 28. Visit www.ewtn.com/canonization/2popes/index.asp for a complete schedule of events and programming.

You can also watch the whole canonization on YouTube:

St. John XXIII and St. John Paul II, Ora Pro Nobis!

My Daybook :: January 20, 2014

Outside my window...
the fog has cleared and the sun is shining!  I'm hoping to get outside this afternoon and go for a walk... perhaps down by the river!

I am thinking...
about our current curriculum as the second quarter of our school year comes to an end this week... For the most part it is going well, but there are a few things I haven't been able to fit into our schedule and I plan to make a few little changes for the second half of our year.

I am thankful... 
that the Carson 5 Shelf Espresso Bookcases at Target are finally on sale!  The current sale price + $5 off $50 coupon code + 5% Target card discount + 2.5% Ebates Rebate = YAY!!!! I am finally going to have somewhere to put all those books that are currently stacked in my closet!

Learning all the time...

I'm so excited about this new book recently published by Magnificat/Ignatius!  I love it!!!  I have been considering saving it to put in someone's Easter basket this year, but I don't know if I can wait that long before sharing it with the children.  It is a perfect addition to our Papal Unit Study - which we ended way too quickly following the election of Pope Francis and the arrival of Easter last spring.  With the upcoming canonizations of Pope John XXIII and Pope John Paul II on April 27th, I think I'm going to pick up where we left off and continue our Papal Unit Study with this great book!  (It's also perfect for the upcoming feast of The Chair of St. Peter on February 22nd!) 

From the Archives:

• The Primacy of Peter :: A Papal Unit Study and Lap Book
• Papal Lap Book Unit One: St. Peter, The First Pope
• Papal Lap Book Unit Two: The Holy Fathers, Past and Present
• Papal Lap Book Unit Three: The Hierarchy of the Catholic Church
• 7 Quick Takes :: Habemus Papam!

And speaking of new books about the pope, has anyone seen Jorge from Argentina: The Story of Pope Francis for Children or Pope Francis: I Believe in Mercy by Regina Doman?  I'd love to include one about in Snuggles' Easter basket this year about "his Pope" but after reading the reviews these seem like they are written for older children. Maybe I should just save this copy of Our Holy Father, the Pope: The Papacy from Saint Peter to the Present to give him after all... 

Celebrating the liturgical year...
tomorrow is the feast of St. Agnes and Our Lady of Altagracia!  After lunch I will read a story about her life while the children color a picture (or illustrate their own to add to their timelines) and then enjoy a little snack.  Charlotte has a lovely coloring page for St. Agnes and Catholic Playground has a couple beautiful options.

From the kitchen... 
Over the weekend we enjoyed homemade BBQ Chicken Pizza!  Olive Oil Pizza Dough (made with the recipe in my copy of The New Artisan Bread in Five Minutes a Day) topped BBQ Sauce, BBQ Chicken (I cooked Chicken Thighs in the crock pot with BBQ sauce), bacon, red onion, and mozzarella, transferred to the baking stone in the 500 degree oven with my super peel and baked in just 5 minutes.  Yummmmmmmm!

I am working on... 
renewing ads and scheduling some giveaways for the next quarter - February through April.  I'm so grateful for the support of my new sponsors and all my wonderful visitors here at Shower of Roses!

I am creating...
a meal plan for this week.   I haven't grocery shopped (other than having my husband pick up some milk and fresh produce) since before Christmas!  At first it was out of necessity, since I was so sick the first two weeks of January, but now I'm wondering how long I can continue to come up with meals with what has been hiding in the back of the pantry and freezer. ;)  I just used up the last of our ground beef and still have a number of packages of steak and roasts to use up before the next 1/2 of grass-fed beef (which I ordered during the summer) arrives at the end of this month.  I wonder if Sean would be willing to grill them on Wednesday or Thursday...

I've been loving my Mama's Notebook for jotting down meal plans and the books we've been reading aloud each week.

I am going...
to be staying home as much as possible this month!  There are just way too many viruses going around in our area at the moment and I'd love to avoid a repeat of the beginning of this month. I'm actually really enjoying the quite days at home, afternoon read-alouds with the kids, and the return to our weekly routine.

I am hoping...
to add the finishing touches to my Catholic Digest submission for April. It's due today. You can subscribe to the Quiet Moments here if you don't already subscribe to the magazine.  As inspiring as it is reading through the bible, prayer books, and saint quotes, choosing a quote for every day of the year on an ongoing basis is getting to be quite the challenge.  I sure enjoy it though!

I am praying...
for Charlotte's sister-in-law, Kari, and for my college friend Shalon who delivered baby #7 three weeks ago and is currently recovering from a heart attack she suffered a couple days ago, most likely from post-partum complications.  Will you please offer a prayer for these young women too?

I am reading...
The Catholic Girls Guide by Father Lasance! I have been wanting a copy ever since I started the Little Flowers group for my girls.  I was so excited when a dear woman from church stopped by last week with some Catholic art, dvd's and more for our family which included the 1946 edition of this book! 

The Catholic Girls Guide by Father Lasance and St. Therese rosary from Gail Giron Designs

Pondering these words...
and remembering all priests in our prayers.

The Priest Our Lord doth send

To teach to us His love;

To be our kind and trusted friend, 

Our guide to heaven above.

I am listening... 
to Bud singing "ALLL-lu-YAHHHHHH!" (like he did in this video) and he ended it with a quick version of his "giggle, giggle."  Love this little boy so much!

Around the house...
the boys and I turned on Christmas music and spent some time taking down the tree on Saturday afternoon and packing up all the ornaments until next December!  It was surprisingly light (aka: way too dry!) and it was nice to be able to take care of this "chore" so my husband wouldn't have to do it after work. He has been working the last two Saturdays - long days with lots of overtime!

 

From Instagram: Our family ornaments from Christmas 2002 & 2004

One of my favorite things...  
The Aroma Cordless Water Kettle, one of the gifts my husband gave me for my birthday, immediately became a new favorite of mine!  LOVE LOVE LOVE!!! Now I won't burn our house down (or ruin any more pots) after forgetting that I turned water on to boil. . .  and it is so FAST!

I'm also loving my recent TAZO tea purchases...  calm chamomile, wild sweet orange, rest at nighttime, and focus in the morning.  They are all so good! 

This week's plans...

• Math Tutors (at home) on Tuesday and Thursday
• Orthodontist Appointment on Wednesday

A little peek at my day...
If you follow me on Instagram you might have already seen most of these pictures from last night. Snuggles fell asleep on the couch just before dinner:

 
 

Photos 1 and 2: Someone told him to come eat dinner and he made it from one end of the couch to the other!  Photos 3 and 4: That "someone" keeps trying to wake him up but finally gave up and started mimicking him instead!

After all that sleep, Snuggles and I enjoyed some special one-on-one time late last night!