Please Pray

I just got home from my doctors and turned my computer on to find this urgent prayer request from Mary.

Hello friends, a priest friend of ours have sent out an urgent email prayer request. Please please pray. Please sacrifice and pray. Lord Jesus, have mercy on us.

"Earlier this evening I had my last conversation with this young lady and her parents. Despite their apparent regret, they will be going through with the abortion tomorrow morning, January 12 at 8.00am (ET)--some of you may already have read this message after that time. It will be a chemical abortion so she will just take a pill at home that her “provider” already made already available to her. I was able to talk to Eduardo Verástegui this afternoon and he offered to talk to her. She wouldn’t talk to him nor anyone else about her decision. Let’s pray for her conversion in a very special way."

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.

Our Lady of Guadalupe, Patroness of the unborn, pray for us!

Inauguration Day Mass Intentions

A couple weeks ago, I was sent this prayer request, and since it is such an awesome idea, I wanted to pass it on to you all so that you can help out as well!!

WHO: A few faithful Catholic lay people and priests. (Anyone can do this: stay-at-home moms, singles, retired people, students–anyone–and we can have a huge impact on our country’s future.)

WHAT: Have a Mass said on Inauguration Day for our new President. It can be said for his conversion or, “That our new president will work to protect the dignity of each human life.” Consider that St. Leonard of Port Maurice said that one Mass offered before death may be more profitable than many after it, and St. Anslem affirmed this.

WHEN: Tuesday January 20, 2009 Inauguration Day

WHERE: Throughout our country in as many Catholic churches as possible.

WHY: Because offering the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass for an intention is very powerful.

HOW: Simply call your local parish and ask to reserve January 20th for your intention. Then send a check for $10 to the priest for your Mass intention. Next please choose three friends (or more) to pass this request on to.

I'll be calling my local parishes this week to request Masses for this intention. Here is the list of Masses being offered (as of a couple weeks ago -- I am sure there are many more!) Won't you help us get YOUR parish onto this list?

Updated 1/12/2009

ONGOING ROSTER:
222 Masses in 41 States, Washington DC; Rome, Italy; Fatima, Portugal; the Dominican Republic; Haiti; India; United Kingdom; Meru, Kenya: and Calgary, AB, Canada.

Alabama (AL)
Gulf Shores, AL: retired priest (private Mass)

Alaska (AK)
Anchorage, AK: Holy Family Cathedral
Anchorage, AK: St. Elizabeth Ann Seton’s (April 13)

Arizona (AZ)
Coolidge, AZ: St. James’

Arkansas (AR)
Cherokee Village, AR: St. Michael's Church, Fr. Demets, FSSP

California (CA)
El Cajon, CA: St. Ephrem’s
Hawaiian Gardens, CA: St. Peter Chanel Church, Fr. Fernando Cuenca, OMV
Newport, CA: Our Lady of Mt. Carmel
Rancho Santa Margarita, CA: San Francisco Solano’s
San Bernadino, CA: Our Lady of the Assumption
Santa Paula, CA: TAC (St. Thomas Aquinas College), Fr. Rafftery
Vina, CA: Abbey of New Clairvaux, Fr. Schwan, OCSO

Colorado (CO)
Denver, CO: Christ the King Seminary Chapel, Bishop Conley
Littleton, CO: Our Lady of Mt. Carmel
Littleton, CO: St. Frances Cabrini (Feb. 12)
Pueblo West, CO: St Pius X / St. Paul the Apostle by KC’s of Pueblo West

Connecticut (CT)
(2) West Hartford, CT: St. Thomas the Apostle’s (8 AM and Noon)

Delaware (DE)

Florida (FL)
Deltona, FL: Our Lady of the Lakes by Doris &
Jenson Beach, FL: St. Martin de Porres’, Fr. Molgano
Orlando, FL: University of Central Florida--Catholic Campus Ministry
St Petersburg, FL: St. Raphael’s
Sebastian, FL: St. Sebastian’s (Jan. 23)
FL: Fr. George Restrepo

Georgia (GA)
Canton, GA: Our Lady of Lasalette’s

Hawaii (HI)
Honolulu, HI: Father Damien’s on Aliamanu Military Reservation

Idaho (ID)

Illinois (IL)
Alton, IL: St Mary's of the Immaculate Conception (6:30 am Mass)
DeKalb, IL: Christ the Teacher Parish, Northern Illinois University,
Streator, IL: St. Anthony's
Westmont, IL: Holy Trinity 

Indiana (IN)
Montgomery, IN: St. Peter’s (Jan. 21)
Notre Dame, IN: Basilica of the Sacred Heart (Date TBA)
(2) Washington, IN: Our Lady of Hope (Jan. 18 @ 11 AM and Jan 20)

Iowa (IA)
Iowa City, IA: St. Mary’s
Sioux City, IA: Carmelite Monastery

Kansas (KS)
Concordia, KS: Our Lady of Perpetual Help (Jan. 22 @ 7:15 AM)
Dodge City, KS: Cathedral of Our Lady of Guadalupe
Garden City, KS: St. Dominic’s

Kentucky (KY)
Morganfield, KY: St. Ann’s
Russellville, KY: Sacred Heart, Fr. Peter

Louisiana (LA)
(2) Baton Rouge, LA: St. Alphonsus of Liguori (Jan. 13 & 20)
New Orleans, LA: Old St. Patrick’s (Noon)

Maine (ME)

Maryland (MD)
Rockville, MD: St. Mary’s (7 AM)

Massachusetts (MA)

Michigan (MI)
Ann Arbor, MI: Sisters of Mary, Mother of the Eucharist
Dearborn, MI: Sacred Heart (Jan. 23 @ 9 AM)
Dearborn Heights, MI: St. Sebastian’s (Jan. 19 @ 6:30 PM)
Livonia, MI: St. Michael's
Michigan City, MI: St. Stanislaus Kostka’a (7 AM), Father Walter Ciesla
St. Clair, MI: St. Mary's
Troy MI: Elizabeth Ann Seton’s
Troy, MI: St Anastasias’ (7 AM)
Troy, MI: St Thomas Moore’s (9 AM)

Minnesota (MN)
Alexandria, MN: St. Mary’s
Bayport, MN: St. Charles
Crookston, MN: Diocese of Crookston Chancery
Crookston, MN: Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception
Crookston, MN: Villa St. Vincent
Greenbush, MN: Blessed Sacrament
Jordon, MN: St. Patrick’s (Fri. Jan. 16)
Rochester, MN: Pax Christi
St. Paul, MN: St. Agnes’ (Date TBA)
South St. Paul, MN: Holy Trinity (Jan. 22)

Mississippi (MS)
(3) TBA

Missouri (MO)
Chesterfield, MO: Ascension (Jan. 22 and 23) \
Excelsior Springs, MO: St. Ann’s\
Kansas City, MO: Our Lady of Good Counsel, Msgr Blacet
Palmyra, MO: St. Joseph Parish, Rev. Christopher Smith

Montana (MT)
Belt, MT- St. Marks
Columbus, MT - St. Mary's
Great Falls, MT - Our Lady of Lourdes
Great Falls, MT - Blessed Sacrament
White Sulphur Springs, MT: St. Bartholomew’s

Nebraska (NE)
McCook, NE: St. Patrick Church (8:00 A.M. Elementary School Mass)
Omaha, NE: St. Margaret Mary’s
Schuyler NE: Benedictine Mission House, Father Volker

Nevada (NV)

New Hampshire (NH)

New Jersey (NJ)
Buena Borough, NJ: Queen of Angels Parish by Christa
Medford, NJ: St. Mary of the Lake
Washington, NJ: National Blue Army Shrine of the Immaculate Heart of Mary

New Mexico (NM)
Roy, Mosquero, and Wagon Mound, NM: Fr. Imbarrato

New York (NY)
NYC, NY: Church of Notre Dame (Jan. 19) Fr. Andrew Fornal

North Carolina (NC)
Fayetteville, NC: Fr. Ovsak

North Dakota (ND)
Beach, ND: St. John’s, Fr. David Richter
Belfield/South Heart, ND: St. Mary’s/St. Bernards, Fr. Lucht
Bismarck, ND: Fr. Richter
Bismarck, ND: Ascension
(3) Bismarck, ND: Cathedral of the Holy Spirit (both 6:45 and 8 AM),
and (8 AM on Jan. 22)
Bismarck, ND: Annunciation Monastery
Bismarck, ND: St. Vincent's Care Center
Bismarck, ND: Marillac Manor Retirement Place
(5) Bowman, ND: St. Charles’ (Jan. 20)
and several more (which will be offered close to 1/20)
Carrington, ND: Sacred Heart, Fr. Syverson
Dickinson, ND: St. Patrick's, Fr. Kreitinger
Fargo, ND: Sts. Anne and Joachim (12:10 PM), Fr. Gunwall
Fargo, ND:
Fargo, ND: St. Mary’s Cathedral, Fr. Wilhelm
Flasher, ND: St. Lawrence’, Fr. Berg
Glenburn, ND: St. Philomena’s, Fr. Gardner
Grand Forks, ND: UND Newman Center, Fr. Courtright
(2) Grand Forks, ND: St. Mary’s
Hankinson, ND: St. Francis Convent, Fr. Bud Brooks
Hebron, ND: St. Ann’s by Diane Wanner
Jamestown, ND: St. James Basilica
Karlsruhe, ND: Sts. Peter & Paul, Fr. Gross
Lamoure, ND: Holy Rosary Church (8:30AM) Fr. Callery
Lidgerwood, ND: St. Boniface’s, Fr. Smith
Linton, ND: St. Anthony’s, Fr. Benz
Mandan, ND: Christ the King (8:00 AM), Fr. Waltz
Mandan, ND: (Jan. 19-private Mass) Fr. Joshua Waltz
Mantador, ND: Sts. Peter and Paul, Fr. Anderl
Minot, ND: (Jan. 19-private Mass) Fr. Justin Waltz
Minot, ND: Little Flower, Fr. Harvey
(2) Minot, ND: Our Lady of Grace , Fr. Krebs and another (Date TBA)
Minot, ND: St. Leo’s, Fr. Vetter
Napoleon, ND: St. Philip Neri's (Jan. 19), Fr. Leiphon
New England, ND: St. Mary’s, Fr. Basil, OSB
New Rockford, ND: St. John’s, Fr. Pfau
(2) Park River, ND: St. Mary’s, (Jan. 20 & TBA) Fr. Unger
Parshall, ND: St. Bridgett’s, Fr. Synek
(2) Richardton, ND: Assumption Abbey, Abbot Brian Wangler, OSB and Fr. Dietlein, OSB
Richardton, ND: Sacred Heart Monastery (Date TBA), Benedictine Sisters
Richardton, ND: St. Mary’s, Fr. Muggli, OSB
Rugby, ND: Little Flower’s, Fr. Graner
Valley City, ND: Maryvale-Sisters of the Presentation Convent, Fr. Seeberger
Valley City, ND: St. Catherine’s
Warsaw, ND: St. Gianna Maternity Home
Williston, ND: St. Joseph’s, Fr. Schafer

Ohio (OH)
Dayton, OH: listed as Special Intention
Columbus, OH: Our Lady of Perpetual Help

Oklahoma (OK)

Oregon (OR)
Beaverton, OR: St. John Vianney Retirement Center, Fr. Jacobson
Grants Pass, OR: St. Anne's (Jan 26th, 7:45am)
Hillsboro, OR: St. Matthew’s
Joseph, OR: St. Katherine's
Junction City, OR: St. Helen’s, Fr. Zach
La Grande, OR: Our Lady of the Valley
Portland, OR: (private Mass) Fr. Banfield
Portland, OR: Holy Rosary (Noon)
Sherwood, OR: St. Francis’
Tillamook, OR: Sacred Heart

Pennsylvania (PA)
Mars, PA: St. Kilian’s (Jan. 18)
Pittsburg, PA: Seraphic Mass Association

Rhode Island (RI)
North Kingstown, RI: St. Frances de Sales’

South Carolina (SC)
Rock Hill, SC: St. Anne's

South Dakota (SD)
(2) Aberdeen, SD
Redfield, SN: Sacred Heart
Sioux Falls, SD: Holy Spirit Parish

Tennessee (TN)
Antioch, TN: St. Ignatius of Antioch (Feb. 28 @ 5:30 PM)
Nashville, TN: Dominican Sisters of St. Cecilia’s
Texas (TX)
El Paso, TX:
Houston, TX: St Bernadette's
Houston, TX: St Clare's
(2) Houston, TX: St Paul's (2 on 1/20)
Houston, TX: Holy Rosary
Houston, TX: Holy Family
Houston, TX: St. Francis of Assisi (2 masses)
(2) Houston, TX: 2 more parishes
Rio Grande City: The Benedictine Monastery of the Good Shepherd

Utah (UT)
Salt Lake City, UT: The Carmel of the Immaculate Heart of Mary

Vermont (VT)
Westfield, VT: Immaculate Heart of Mary, Benedictine Monastery

Virginia (VA)

Washington (WA)
Bremerton, WA: Our Lady, Star of the Sea, Fr. Lappe
Camas, WA: St. Thomas Aquinas’
Federal Way, WA: Pasisades Retreat House, Fr. Horan
(2) Seattle, WA: Sacred Heart, Fr. Konen
Vancouver, WA: Holy Redeemer
Vancouver, WA: St. James’

West Virginia (WV)

Wisconsin (WI)
Altoona, WI: Augustine-St. Mary’s (8 AM)
Appleton, WI: St. Pius X’s (1/8/09)
Eau Claire, WI: Regis High School Chapel (7:25 AM)
Green Bay, WI: St. Joseph Oratory, Extraordinary Rite (8:45 AM)
Kaukauna, WI: Holy Cross (Jan. 21 @ 7 AM) Church
Mt. Horeb, WI: St. Ignatius’ (5:30 PM), Fr. Richard Heilman
Seymour, WI: St. John the Baptist’s, Fr. Kabat

Wyoming (WY)
Cody, WY: St. Anthony of Padua
Evanston, WY: St. Mary Magdalen’s
Kemmerer, WY: St. Patrick’s
Thermopolis, WY: St. Francis’, Father Blotsky, OSB

Washington D.C.
Basilica of the Immaculate Conception (Date TBA)
(Private Mass) Fr. Jim Steffes, STL, Secretariat of Clergy, Consecrated Life and Vocations @ USCCB

Dominican Republic
Calgary, AB, Canada; St. James’ (7 PM)
Haiti; Missionaries of Charity, Fr. Wayne Sattler
Bangalore, India (3) Holy Ghost Church, Redemptorist Father's chapel, Catholic Center Church, Frs. Vailatt and Edayodil,
(2) Rome, Italy
Fatima, Portugal: Parish Church of the Seers of Fatima (7 PM)
Franciscan Mission Associates (5) (TBA)
United Kingdom
Meru, Kenya
10 Masses (Jan. 29)
1 Mass

This grassroots Inauguration Day Mass Intention project is being promoted . . .
on AM 1370 in Grand Forks.
in Fargo Diocese paper, New Earth, December issue
by the Sisters of the Monastery of the Good Shepherd in Rio Grande City
by Human Life PAC of WA State
by USCCB Respect Life Committee
by Lighthouse Catholic Media
by History Links—Integrated Learning for Catholic Families
by Crookston Diocese’s Office of Christian Service
by Fr. John Hampsch & the Claretian Teaching Ministry
by Mary’s Touch radio show
on National Catholic Register blog, Mark Shea’s blog, and a multitude of others

If you are able to schedule a Mass, please either leave me a comment or email me, and I will forward it on so that it can be added to the list. THANKS!!

May God bless you all and your families, and may He hear our prayers for the sake of the unborn and the most vulnerable among us in this new year.

Plans for the Feast of the Baptism of the Lord

This coming Sunday the Christmas season will come to a close as we celebrate the feast of the Baptism of The Lord. In addition to attending Mass, I've been thinking about, and searching for, some ideas of things that we could do, here at home, to honor this feast.


Food: (I posted both of the following recipes over at Catholic Cuisine.)

In her cookbook A Continual Feast, author Evelyn Birge Vitz shares a recipe for making a special treat called Christ's Diapers (Diples). She tells us that, "Diples are "folds" in Greek. These cookies are sometimes shaped in bowknots or other fancy shapes, but for Christmas they are made in a shape suggestive of the swaddling clothes—or actually the diapers!—of the infant Jesus." Even though our Lord was grown when he was baptized by St. John the Baptist, the sacrament of baptism reminds us of infancy. In addition, this feast closes the Christmas season, making these a perfect treat to serve on this special feast.

Since the christian symbol for Baptism is the shell, we can easily tie this into our dinner plans by making a meal with pasta shells. One of my favorite recipes, using jumbo shells, is Nacho Stuffed Shells.

I also plan to pull out some sea shells and our children's Baptismal candles, like Mary suggested last year, and light them during dinner. What a perfect time this will be to tell the children about the Baptism of Our Lord and their own special Baptismal days as well!

Update: These Scallop Shell Baptism Favors would also make a yummy treat for the feast of the Baptism of the Lord.

Reading:

I chose a few books from our shelves about either the Baptism of our Lord, the Sacrament of Baptism, or our beliefs as Catholics.

• The Fish in the Fountain: A Story of Baptism
• The Seven Sacraments by Fr. Lovasik
• The Feasts of Jesus by Fr. Lovasik Pgs 12-13
• I Believe: The Nicene Creed
• I Believe - The Creed, Confession & Ten Commandments

Craft/Activity:

• A Little Craft for the Baptism of the Lord from By Sun and Candlelight
• This Candle Craft could also be adapted for the Baptism of the Lord.
• Various "Jesus is Baptized" Activities
• Sacrament of Baptism Coloring Page from Waltzing Matilda
• Baptism of Our Lord Coloring Page from Saint John the Baptism Religious Education
• Baptism of the Lord Coloring Page from Catholic Playground
• Seven Sacraments Stained Glass Window
• Baptismal Set for Children

Almighty, eternal God, when the Spirit descended upon Jesus at his baptism in the Jordan, you revealed him as your own beloved Son. Keep us, your children born of water and the Spirit, faithful to our calling. We ask this through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

Cheap Toys

And no (Paula) I am not going to tell you all about another great deal! ;)

Snuggles was doing this for about 10 minutes straight before I grabbed the camera. It distracted him for a second and then he continued doing it for at least another 10 minutes. It was so funny! He had found these containers in a box of school "stuff" that needed to be put away. I'll have to keep these out!

Amazing Deals on Father Lovasik Books and Coloring Books for Children

I know I posted about this last month, but as my orders arrive I am just amazed at how great a deal this really is, so I thought I would post it one more time for any of you that were too busy to read blogs over Christmas.

Amazon has been offering a whole bunch of ten-packs of the St. Joseph Picture Books and Coloring Books for only $1.50 (for all ten), plus most of them qualify for Amazon's 4 for 3 promotion where if you buy 4, you are only charged for 3! They also qualify for Amazon's Super Saver Shipping with a $25.00 purchase.

With the promotion this brings each book down to only .11cents each. At this price they can be used for so many different things including:

• Birthday gifts for my children and their cousins/friends
• Baptismal Anniversary gifts for my children and Godchildren
• Nameday Gifts
  
• Perfect for in Easter Baskets
• Christmas Gifts
  
• Favors for Feast Day Celebrations
• Prizes for Little Flowers and Blue Knights
• Prizes for All Saints Party
• Fundraisers!
  

My favorites are the old original Father Lovasik books that I remember reading as a child. (I prefer the old more traditional illustrations that they have--for example I love this book about the Apostles of Jesus, in this new one the pictures of the apostles remind me of cheezy movie stars -- not at all how I picture these much loved Saints.)

Here are some links to the Father Lovasik books I ordered:

• Saint Paul the Apostle (10 pack)
• Saint Peter the Apostle (Pack of 10)
• My First Catechism, (Pack of 10)
• The Our Father and Hail Mary (10 pack)
• Pray Always (10pk)
• The Works of Mercy (10-pack)
• The Eight Beatitudes
• The Parables of Jesus (Pack of 10)
• The Seven Sacraments (St. Joseph Picture Books)(pack of 10)
• My first Catholic Picture Dictionary (10 pack)
• Saint Patrick
• Saint Anthony of Padua
• Mary My Mother (St. Joseph Picture Books) pk of 10
• Our Lady of Guadalupe (Pack of 10)
• My first Catholic Picture Dictionary (10 pack)
• The Promises of the Sacred Heart
• Blessed Kateri Tekakwitha
• Apostles of Jesus
• Following Jesus
• The Sacramentals of the Church (10 pack

I also ordered a few written by Rev. Jude Winkler:

• The Gifts of the Holy Spirit (10 pack)
• Celebrating Lent (pack of 10)
• The Immaculate Conception

And here are some links to 10 packs of Coloring Books (The Coloring Books are an even better deal at only $1.25 for 10 -- after the 4-for-3, they are only .09cents each for THE WHOLE COLORING BOOK!!):

• Coloring Book About Easter (10 pack)
• About Rosary Coloring Book [10 Pack]
• Catholic ABC Coloring Book (St. Joseph Coloring Books, 10 Pack)
• Coloring Book About the Commandments
• Coloring Book about the Sacraments/10 copy set
• Coloring Book About Lent (10 pack)
• Catholic 1-2-3 Coloring Book (St. Joseph Coloring Books)

Before I go, I just want to warn you... If you end up ordering a bunch of these books be prepared for strange looks from your mailman when he starts delivering packages every day and questions from your husband on "just how much did you spend on all those books!" ;)

Some Exciting News

I am so excited for Jamie!!!

Hop on over, tell her congratulations, and then please keep her and her new little one in your prayers!

Congratulations Jamie, to you and your whole family!

Weight on Wednesday

It's back! Regina finally decided to start Weight on Wednesday once again. WoW sure helped me lose some weight last year when I was participating, but after being pregnant, and all the sweets I somehow justified during Thanksgiving and Christmas I gained it all back. So, I will be joining you Regina, and have my weight jotted down, all ready for next week... Anyone else what to join the torture fun?

Celebrating the Feast of the Epiphany

Today was the 12th day of Christmas and the Traditional Feast of the Epiphany, also known as Little Christmas!!

Today the Church celebrates the Solemnity of the Epiphany. "The Lord and ruler is coming; kingship is his, and government and power." With these words the Church proclaims that today's feast brings to a perfect fulfillment all the purposes of Advent. Epiphany, therefore, marks the liturgical zenith of the Advent-Christmas season. — Pius Parsch From Catholic Culture

This morning, in honor of the Epiphany, I had the hutch set up with books, coloring pages, treats, and some Christmas Morning Bread. (I loved how the Little People Wise Men were added right away by one of my little people!!)

OH! I also refilled our "Three Wise Men Candy Tin" from last year with Almond Roca. Doesn't it look like golden nuggets?!

This year our children received another new book that I had purchased a few months ago, We Three Kings illustrated by Gennady Spirin. The author has done a beautiful job of illustrating the text to the hymn of "We Three Kings." My children have been pouring over the pages all day, and we read, or rather sang, it tonight!

We also blessed our home and read The Story of the Three Wise Kings by Tomie dePaola. (This one is out-of-print, but I was so excited when I was able to find an inexpensive used copy on Amazon last year, since it is one of our favorites!)

We didn't have a chance to read The Last Straw by Fredrick H. Thury, but we will tomorrow and then we will go over the discussion questions provided in Catholic Mosaic.


After everyone's school work was done, we baked cookies. I had given them the option of making either a crown cake or cookies, but they choose star shaped cookies, since that is what we made last year. (It amazes me how they can remember these things... but then again, I am glad they DO!!)

The girls had so much fun rolling out the dough and cutting out the cookies by themselves! They are growing up TOO fast!

We had leftover lemon frosting in the fridge from the Feast of St. John, so we frosted the cookies and then added yellow sprinkles to finish them off.

When they were all done Twinkle Toes asked:

"Momma, are we going to all share the big star?"

I replied, "We could give it to Daddy!"

Twinkle Toes replied, "Or we can all share it!"

Since I have been putting off grocery shopping, we ended up having breakfast for dinner. Since I had our big star cutter out already -- which happens to be a pancake mold -- we made star shaped pancakes!!

It turned out to be a very starry day!!

I hope you all had a very Merry Little Christmas!! God bless!

Flapper Hat Girls

Aren't these just the cutest little hats ever?

"Thank you Miss Charlotte!"

Love, Twinkle Toes and Chiquita ♥