Catholic School Week 2016

Celebrating Catholic Schools Week 2016

This year we took the slow approach with less focusing on celebrating with others but focusing on our regular activities.  We spent time with friends, donating items, and visiting family.  Some may say this is not celebrating "Catholic School Week"  I would disagree.  You see when your whole day is spent enriching and engaging in the Catholic faith.  You do not need a "special week" to celebrate that with crazy hat day, pj day, out of uniform day, volleyball games any other forms of "celebration" that also do not reflect the Catholic Faith.  

On Monday, we had our weekly Coop.  We spent time eating lunch with our friends and spending some time outside enjoying the sun. This is something we don't always do.  We tend to spend the lunch off campus or by ourselves.  It was nice to be able to visit with others.

On Tuesday, we had horseback riding lesson. Being able to reflect on goodness of God through his creation of creature big and small.  This day it was the BIG creatures of  horses. be able to feed, groom and ride.  Then we donated a Peg Doll Mass set for the silent Auction at church.  The girls liked this so much that we had to make them one.  

On Wednesday, We went to visit Grandma Mom in Louisville.  We went to lunch, help your clean your house, did some crafts and just spent time in conversation.  It was very nice visit.  

On Thursday, the girls got invited to take a ballet class at a "big" studio.  They currently take at their coop in a small classroom.  So the girls are super excited to go.  

On Friday, We are closing our Catholic School Week by going to Mass then a night at Great Wolf Lodge.  The girls are ready to back their bags!

Having Faith...WEDNESDAY, APRIL 23, 2008

Flashback Reflection to start the Lent journey...

I always felt I had great faith. I grew up in the church. Spent many nights, days, weekends, even weeks on retreat. I prayed continuously for everything. From food, clothing to a great boyfriend (which became my wonderful husband). Most of my life was centered around church and church activities. How could I have come so far from trusting, believing, and having faith in Jesus? I think as I grew into adulthood, I got a job, money, cars, houses, even a boat, etc.. There comes this moment that I realize that I do not have to pray for the needs anymore. I am able to go and get them myself. There comes less a dependency on "needing" God to supply those for us. My prayers than turn to Thanksgiving and Praise for the blessings that he has given us. I realize without the education and job opportunities that he provided for us we would not be where we are today. However, I get out of the pray routine of "asking" God for our needs. I turn My conversations with him into thanking him and not really listening to him anymore, because I have other ways for our needs to be met. The Holy Spirit has come to me and I so grateful for the time that I have gotten to spend reflecting on the healing I received in October. Many people still ask how am I? How do you know it was Jesus that healed you? How do you know you even had Parkinson? (that is my favorite comment! :) ) 

Here are my thoughts on that:
To answer the question: How do you know it was Jesus?
I have to say that I have been blessed with gift to be able to hear Jesus speak to me. I have heard his voice ever since I little. I know that voice like I know my friends voice on the phone from a simple "Hello." I honestly thought everyone could here is voice. I just learned recently that is not so. I just come to realize what a gift that is. Just like my kids do not always hear or listen to me. I struggle with that same problem when talking with the Lord. When I am able to get that quiet moment and go in to the silence I can still talk with him and here and see him. It is truly a great place to be.
Anyway here are my reflective thoughts on my healing from Oct.2007
Years have passed since I went to the healing. I have come to realize that Loriane provides the opportunity for your mind, body and soul to be open for Jesus to heal.
It is truly Jesus that does the healing. You have to have faith and believe in the impossible before the impossible can take place. For Jesus spent many years of his life healing the sick, what makes us think that he would stop there. He is still with us today healing and guiding us. He comes to us now in the silence. Waiting for us to ask him for help. It is then that you can hear him, it is then that you can feel him and it then when the healing takes place. Whether it is physical, mental or spiritual. He is there just waiting for us to ask.

It took me a year and half (and 4 doctors) to find the faith, trust, courage, strength and wisdom to know that I needed him to heal this. I could not do it alone and the doctors could not heal it. The healing would have to come from him. If it is his will for me to serve others than I knew that he would heal this disease that had taken away some of my ability to serve others in his name. I continue to serve others the best I can and I am always looking for ways to serve him better. For it is his will to be done!

May Christ Peace be with you all

God is Love! October 7, 2007

As some of you may know, I was diagnosed with Early Onset Parkinson Disease in May of 2005. My tremor in my right hand/arm began January 2005. After the past few years the tremors have moved to my lower jaw. My low back and right side have become increasingly stiffer making it more difficult to walk with an even step, especially at night. I was given medication to take that was suppose to slow the progress of the disease. However, I was told that it was highly recommended that I go on birth control and not to get pregnant. Well, that was not a choice or an option. God comes first, I told the doctor. He gave me the medication anyway, which I took for several months before coming pregnant. Which we miscarriage in May 2007. Again the doctors highly recommended not getting pregnant. I told them again I choose God and will not be taking the medication. I decided to take my mustard seed of faith and continue to live the best I could each day with the disease God had given me until I heard of a healing service. I tell you the rest of story not to be boastful or prideful, but to offer it up as a witness to our faith and how much God does love and care for each one of us. We need to take our mustard seeds and plant them on top of the sunflower seeds of doubt. After reading my story I would ask that you offer a pray of Thanksgiving to God.

I have heard of the miracles that were being performed at the Lifesong Healing Services.

I spent hours in prayer Sunday before I went to the service. I spent time mediating on the rosary and the miracles that Jesus performed through his ministry here on earth. 

Before the service began, I sat watching Loraine of Jesus, that is the name she calls herself, pray over children and their parents. It was amazing to watch. As I sat with my friend in the heat of the church sweating, I continued to pray that Jesus would heal my tremors and stiffness caused by Parkinson Disease. 

As Loraine began the mediation and prayer, I could feel the room become cooler and a calm came over the church. I have never heard the church filled to capacity with men, women, and children be in complete silence! (Exposition took place at this time)

As the service began my hand/arm was in full tremor like I have not felt in weeks, and to be honest I was quite afraid that it may become worse not better. My lower jaw seem to appear that I was shivering in the cold it was chattering away. 

Loraine asked us to sing the Our Father with her. I closed my eyes and began to sing (off key as usual) I just kept asking for God’s healing. I could feel Jesus touch my shoulder than run his hand down my arm. His touch was warm tingly and soothing. I could feel him embrace both my arms with same warm, tingly sensation, like he was embracing me. I could hear him whisper to me open your eyes and see. I looked at my hand/arm and the tremor had stopped. I was afraid to move. My hand laid in my lap as light, calm and at rest. I left my hand rested in my lap, as if expecting the tremor to return. I touched my friend and pointed to my hand/arm. She smiled "It stopped!" We quickly grasp hands and cried. I went back into prayer of Thanksgiving and Praise. As the prayers and songs continued, I continued to keep my eyes closed in prayer. I could feel Jesus touch my jaw and move it from side to side than up and down as if it was floating on air. His hands felt warm, gentle and such a comfort to a lowly servant of God. As the evening went on, I could feel my arm want to tremor, but it was quickly soothed by Jesus touch. My friend and I continued to pray and mediate, as Loraine sang, read, and talked. As Loraine concluded the prayer portion of the service, I spent sometime in prayer. (Benediction took place at this time)

She calls people forward (by number) to be prayed over. My friend and I watch in amazement, and awe with each person and miracle we pray and offer praise to Jesus. 

As my turn came closure to get touched by Jesus, I became more afraid. (Partly if he takes this cross from me tonight, what cross will he send tomorrow) I remember thinking and saying out aloud that Jesus tells us many times "Be not Afraid, I am with you!"

At last my time came, to go forward. By this point Loraine had announced to speak to Jesus directly and she would just be laying hands. As my turn came I felt a sense of calm., (Like when you go to receive the Eucharist) As Jesus hand was laid on me, It felt just like his earlier touches, a warm gentle touch of healing. After my healing touch, I spent sometime showing friends that the tremor was gone. I went back to my pew and knelt, I could not stop the tears of gratitude, joy and appreciation to Christ for lifting this cross from me so that I may do the work of the Father.

I have no idea how long I knelt in prayer (The lady next to me tapped me on the shoulder and said that she could not wait any longer and apologized for getting me out of prayer.), although I know for certain that it was not long enough for the blessing, grace, and gifts I had just received.
My friend and I hugged, cried and knelt in prayer. As my friend left, I was still unsure of the gift I had just received. I got up enough courage to go to my former doctor who was there assisting Loraine and ask him about it. He was quick to reassure me that it was gone and I had been healed. It was so overwhelming , I went again and knelt in prayer. I than felt the urge to get up and walk the church as if I was looking for someone. The more I walked around church I could feel my right leg to become smoother with each step. After several minutes, I could tell the drag of my right leg had gone. I could for the first time in years walk with an even smooth step. My right hand motions seem as quick as my left.

Still feeling overwhelmed by what has happen to me I went looking for Father Andrew. After spending a few minutes with him, he reassures me that Jesus gave me this gift for all the missionary ministries our family has done in God’s name. 

I came home and opened my spiritual journal to write about this evening. And read this scripture verse that was printed on the page:

Tell the righteous it will be well with them, for they will enjoy the fruit of their deeds.

-Isiah 3:10

I am truly going to enjoy the fruits that I was given tonight and only pray that I will use them to the service of our Father.

Christ Peace be with you all 

Sarah

The Easter Bunny Stole Jesus

Each day for Holy Week the girls read the Gospel for the day and did a craft to go with it.  We had such a wonderful Holy Week,  The girls enjoyed making something each day and learned about Jesus while doing them. It was nice for them to see the journey that Christ took from Palm Sunday to Easter.  Their always seem to be lots about Palm Sunday then the Triduum and Easter.  However, what did Jesus do on Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday.  It was nice to teach the girls that Jesus visited with friends and spent time teaching them of what was to come although they did not understand.  Throughout the week the girls watched a kid version of the Passion.  I think this helps them understand the scripture as we read it. or they here it in church.

  On Monday, we did hand prints that I adapted from Catholic Icing's   Holy Week Craft.  We put ours on 5x7 canvas, instead of the girls making it a book.  It tooks sometime and patience and the girls part but they did great!  We used acrylic paints to cover their hands then pushed them onto the canvas.  After they dried, I add words and details.  Elisha had fun doing them by herself after I showed her how to paint her hand.  We did one foot print for Washing of the feet.

On Tuesday, we also made the peg doll sets from Catholic Icing  These were super easy.  I just printed out, cut and the girls did all the gluing.  The pegs are male 3 9/16 from Craftparts.com. I had already ordered some to have for a peg change.  For the printables from Catholic Icing you need the male parts.  The female ones will not work without a lot of extra effort.  Next step, I mixed glue and water together. The girls each had their own plate and brush.  They were given one at a time.  The girls brushed glue onto the peg and put the print out on the peg.  They did handed it to me to straighten and put down the neck pieces.   We let them dry overnight. I then painted faces, hair, and veils on the dolls.  We let them dry.  the last step I sealed the whole doll with mod podge.  The girls have really enjoyed playing with them.  

On Wednesday, the girls painted a boat for the disciples.  We found the perfect boat at Hobby Lobby.  It was open and large enough to hold several peg dolls.  You may ask what does the boat have to do with Holy Week.  Well I am not really sure except, Jesus spent so much time on a boat with the disciples.  He found them fishing and made them Fisher of Men (which what we named our boat).  

On Wednesday he was visiting with friends and his disciples, maybe not on a boat but was something they seem to do.

For Holy Thursday, we did not have time for a craft.  Since the boys were off school, they had dentist and doctor appointments.  Grandma surprised us by coming for a visit. It was great having her come.  We did go to 7 pm Mass of Last Supper as a family.  The girls were amazed to see Father washing the feet of people.  

On Good Friday, we go to Church at 3pm.  For those that have not been to confession they go then. We spend the rest of the dying Easter Eggs and hanging out as a family.  We made a tomb for Jesus and laid a "wrapped up" Jesus inside.

On Saturday, we get the house ready for Easter.  We the Easter baskets out. Set up some other spring like decorations and of course did some crafting.  We made Easter Candle. Out of Light up Candle form the dollar store and a paper print off from the internet.  

On Sunday morning, the girls came down stairs to see that Jesus was missing from the tomb and that the Risen Jesus was on top of the tomb.  All Sophia could say was " the Easter bunny stole Jesus"  She was not happy that the Easter bunny had stolen her Jesus.  After several attempts to console her, we finally had to show her that "wrapped up" Jesus was not stolen but just put with other peg dolls and that the Risen Jesus was there now.  The day was spent with family celebrating the Risen Lord.