Wednesday, November 3, 2010

State-by-State Scrapbook :: New Hampshire


"N is for Newspaper
The oldest newspaper in all the land:
the New Hampshire Gazette
is published here yet.
Pick it up free on a local newsstand!"





The boys had a lot of fun studying the state of New Hampshire!  

In addition to reading the book, we also did a few additional activities from the publisher, and then decided to make a fun treat as well.  I posted the recipe for these Edible Eagles over at Catholic Cuisine! 


Now we are moving on to study Virginia!  If only we could actually visit... 

Tuesday, November 2, 2010

St. Martha's Cake Walk


This year, for our Homeschool Group's All Saints Party, each family was asked to bring one game.  Deciding which one to bring was so hard (there are so many fun ideas!) but I finally settled on doing a "St. Martha's Cake Walk."


Basically I set it up like our past Musical Saints, but instead of the children winning a candy when their saint is called, they would get to choose one of the All Saints' Cupcakes!  (...or a lollipop for those that had already won a cupcake but wanted to keep playing.) 




The children all enjoyed choosing their cupcakes!


Even some of our awesome teens joined the fun! 


The game did get off to a rocky start (the cd player I borrowed refused to work so another friend ran home to get another one which ended up being broken as well, but then a talented dad was finally able to get the music going!  Whew!!), but in the end, it was the very last game being played!  (Thank you Hubby for keeping all the remaining children busy while the rest of us worked on cleaning up from the night!) 


Note:  Playing Gregorian Chant for Kids makes for a very mellow and slow paced saintly cake walk.  lol!  :-)

Saint Martha, patron of cooks, pray for us!

Mass on the Feast of All Souls

This was our 5th annual All Souls Mass at a local cemetery. (Here are pictures from the 2nd3rd, and 4th years!)   Unlike every other year, the weather was just gorgeous today and actually even WARM!  Unfortunately our friend Marc wasn't there to video and take pictures this year, so I only have a few to share from the Mass.

Altar in the Catholic section of a local historic cemetery

As always, it was such a beautiful Mass! We are so blessed to have such a wonderful "retired" priest in our area!  Thank you Father Carmelo!! 

My children were excited to see Uncle David!   
He is my youngest brother and oldest godson.  Isn't he cute! :-) 


We spent some time reading headstones and praying for the souls of those buried beneath.  

These headstones belonged to a mother and daughter.   The mother died in 1871 at the age of 35, just over 2 years after her daughter died at only 14 years of age.   How hard that must have been for the husband/father...

The headstones read:

Catherine E. 
Beloved daughter of S.J. & P. Fehely
Died Aug. 5, 1869 Age 14 yrs. 6 m. & 7 days
Her life was as edifying as it was brief.

Sarah Jane
wife of Patrick Fehely
Died Oct. 21, 1871 Aged 35 years
She was a good wife, a loving mother, a sincere 
friend, and a useful member of society. 

John  son of O.&N. Keegan
DIED Dec. 5, 1883
Aged 5yrs.3Ms.11Ds.
Our blessed angel has gone to rest
God has called him and He knows best




I'd love to go back some time and explore some more of this beautiful cemetery!

Eternal rest grant unto them, O Lord, and let perpetual light shine upon them. May the souls of the faithful departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace. Amen.

Monday, November 1, 2010

Please Pray...

...for Elizabeth and her family as they grieve the loss of a precious little soul.

O merciful Mother, watch over their family, comfort them in their grief, and help them to find peace and solace in trusting in the goodness and love of our merciful God, in whose care their dear baby rests. 

Our Cast of Saints ~ 2010


St. Isaac Jogues

St. John the Evangelist

Blessed Teresa of Calcutta

St. Therese of Lisieux

St. Pius X

Our Lady of Guadalupe


Happy All Saints' Day! 

Omnes Sancti et Sanctæ Dei, intercédite pro nobis.