Happy Holy Week!

Yesterday began one of the, if not the Holiest weeks in Catholic church. Here in northern Illinois is was a cold rainy day when I went to Palm Sunday mass at 8 am. When mass was over, the sun was shining and it was still raining. I looked to the western sky, low and behold there was a large and vibrant rainbow. I snapped a few photo's with my camera phone. What an awesome sign as Holy Week begins.

The 12 Days of Christmas; begins tomorrow

With Christmas tomorrow I thought I would share with you what each of the 12 days of Christmas symbols mean. Many may know that each symbol has a religious meaning. For instance the "first day of Christmas my true love gave to me a partridge in a pear tree" this means Jesus on the cross. To read more on each of days and its religious meaning check out Apple Seeds website. The song was written as a way for young Catholics to learn the basics of their faith, a cool way to do it. This was written in a time when Catholics were being persecuted for their beliefs. I cannot image having to hide my faith. Thank God we live in a country where we are free to practice our faith, what ever it maybe.

Tonight we will be placing our baby Jesus in our doll size wooden manger under the Christmas tree after Christmas Eve mass. After all Jesus is the reason for the season! Merry Christmas!

Second Sunday of Advent; Who was St. Nick?

On this the second Sunday of Advent I wanted to write about Saint Nicholas. Yesterday Saturday December 6Th was his feast day. Who was St. Nick, St. Nicholas was the Bishop of Myra in the 4Th century. He is the patron saint of sailors, children, pawnbrokers, accused, prostitutes, and repentant thieves. He is credited to saving sailors who where in danger by appearing to them and showing their ship to safety, this is a legend. It also legend that he gave his inheritance away in works of charity.

One story is of how he saved three daughters of a man from being sold into slavery. The man was unable to marry off his daughters due to his poverty after his business failed. St. Nicholas tossed a bag of gold into the window of the man's house one night, this dowry allowed the eldest daughter to be married. This occurred two more times for the other daughters, the gold allowed the girls to be married saving them from slavery. In one version of the story the third bag of gold is dropped down the chimney. These type of stories lend themselves to modern stories of Santa Claus.

The First Sunday of Advent; Brief History of The Advent Wreath

On this first Sunday of Advent I thought I would share a brief history of the the Advent wreath. Its believed that the Advent wreath comes from folk practices of the pagan Germanic people. People would gather evergreen wreaths and lighted fires, during the cold darkness of December, a sign for the coming spring and renewed light. Christians continued to keep this tradition alive. German Catholics and Protestants used this symbol to celebrate the Advent hope, Christ who is the everlasting light. This practice spread from Germany to other areas of the Christan world.

It is tradition that the wreath have 4 candles in a circle of evergreens. In Germany the candles are usually red. Here is the United States, 3 purple candles and 1 rose candle. The purple represents penitence and humility, the rose represents hope in the coming of Christ.

The first week of Advent we light one purple candle and do so everyday and say a prayer. Each week of Advent a candle will be added.

*The information provided was published in The Observer; Advent and Christmas Guide.

Today Ends The Liturgical Year, Happy New Year!

It is hard to beleive that the liturgical year ends today, it is Christ the King Sunday. That means next Sunday starts the new liturgical year and Advent begins. I enjoy the season of Advent, it is a time of waiting. Waiting for the celebration of the birth of Jesus (The Reason for the Season). I plan to use "The Little Blue Book Advent and Christmas Seasons 2008-2009". This book contains 6 minute reflections on the first readings for daily mass during this Advent and Christmas season. There is also a variety of information surrounding Advent and Christmas; including feast days, customs, and traditions. This book is so help for me as a prepare for Christmas. This book is published by the Diocese of Saginaw Michagin. Many Parishes around the US purchase them for the parishioners to use. For more information go to www.littlebooks.org. I plan to share some histories I discover about some of the holiday traditions my family and I take part of each year! So Happy New Liturgical Year!

Advent Clip Art

Food Banks...The Season of Giving

This morning on the news there was a report on how food banks are facing shortages this holiday season. That got me to thinking, I have some coupons for food items that I will not be purchasing before the coupon expired, so why not take advantage of some of the great sales at Walgreen's this week. So today I went to my local Walgreen's and purchased Progresso soups using the weekly ad coupon 4/$5 and used my $2 off 4 cans, if my math is right that makes each can $.75 each not a bad price. I also purchased some evaporated milk on sale 3/$.99, baking soda and baking powder 2/$1, a total savings on my receipt $9.79. I would have loved to get the canned Libby's pumpkin puree, they were out of stock, I did get a rain check for it at the sale price. Score! I am a firm beleiver that the people who use the food banks, will want a tradional meal for Thanksgiving, they may even want to do some holiday baking as well.

I raided my pantry this morning, it was fully stocked, and managed to find some canned veggies, tuna, manderin oranges, and extra baby food veggie purees to take to my church this coming Sunday for the monthly food drive. I pray that more people will feel the way I do and share the "wealth of food"!