Mardi Gras Fun:
My crazy family!; The man we went to see (on the Horse); The other man we went to see (Hugh Laurie as King of Bacchus), “Camp Roussel” – my maiden name – wonder if we are related??; King Kong – instead of catching beads from this float, you throw beads at it; something new this year – a “crawfish king cake” – interesting and rich; the bags and bags of throws we caught ( a record breaker); and my favorite float
If you haven’t already seen my photo gallery through Facebook, please check it out. If you like what you see and think others would too, please forward it to your friends. I’m trying to decide if I want to pay for a subscription and add more photos – or just stick with the (free) twenty five and leave it at that. Thanks!
One of my favorite childhood stories in the old testament is the story of Jonah and the whale. I think that I can relate to Jonah in how I sometimes (out of fear) resist God’s direction. Sometimes, I believe He has to take drastic action (with all of us) to bring us to where we need to be. For Jonah that meant being swallowed up and spat on the shores of Nineveh!
When Jonah finally obeyed God’s command and preached in the city of Nineveh, his preaching was amazingly effective. (Imagine that!) “When the news reached the king of Nineveh, he rose from his throne, laid aside his robe, covered himself with sackcloth, and sat in the ashes” Jonah 3:6. That’s a vivid picture, is it not?
So when did our Church start using ashes to signify the start of lent?
Historians believe that it was around the 11th century when Pope Urban II called for the general use of ashes on that day as a sign of repentance. It wasn’t until much later, however, that the term, “Ash Wednesday” was used.
In early ceremonies, men had ashes sprinkled on their heads. Women, however, had the sign of the cross made with ashes on their foreheads. Eventually, the signing with ashes in the form of a cross was used for both men and women.
Did You Know?
*In early ceremonies, men had ashes sprinkled on their heads. Women, however, had the sign of the cross made with ashes on their foreheads. Eventually, the signing with ashes in the form of a cross was used for both men and women.
*Ash Wednesday is not a holy day of obligation, however, churches seemed to be packed on Ash Wednesday just as they are for Christmas and Easter.
*This is one of two days in which Catholics fast AND abstain. We eat two small meals and one full meal. We eat no meat. The other day like this is Good Friday.
To take a fun Ash Wednesday Quiz, click this link.
Readings for Sunday, March 2, 2014
I am admitting that I am not writing this after deep reflection, rather an instant response to the readings today. Last night I fell asleep praying. Like millions of Americans, my family seems to live on a wing and a prayer – literally paycheck to paycheck. We have been unable to save anything. Things have been particularly difficult for us this past year for a lot of reasons. I went to bed with all of this on my mind.
When I awakened a few minutes before the rest of the family this morning to read the mass readings, I was ever so glad that I did! We plan to attend a Latin mass today because it is convenient to where we will be meeting family for a Mardi Gras parade. The readings at the Latin mass are different from the standard ones of the day – I would have missed the message!
#1 God could not forget us ever !
#2 God is our rock and stronghold. There is no need to be disturbed at all!
#3 I always remember that we will be judged by the Lord in the end, and that we should not judge others, but reading #2 ends with “everyone will receive praise from God.” What? Oh wow! I do so hope that I run the race in a manner worthy of praise in the end. Hmm.
#4 ‘What are we to eat?’
or ‘What are we to drink?’or ‘What are we to wear?’ (Matthew was reading my mind!)
All these things the pagans seek.
Your heavenly Father knows that you need them all.
But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness,
and all these things will be given you besides.
Do not worry about tomorrow; tomorrow will take care of itself.
I so needed to be reminded of this. Funny (hard headed I am) that I just had my students memorize this very verse last week. Hello!
Yesterday, in the Deep South, temperatures reached 70 degrees for the first time since Fall. All of the sparrows were out chirping and pecking at the grass looking for food. It reminded me of this beautiful gospel.
OK, test of faith time!
I will put all of my trust in our Great God and march on!
March on people! March on!
There are several new Christian movies coming out – two within the next few weeks – “Son of God” and “Noah.” I am very excited to see Hollywood producing more morally edifying films. Thank you to Roma Downey! (You’re an angel! ) If you are interested in these and other Christian films for your family’s entertainment please check out this link to the Christian Film Database.
With regard to choosing movies for your family, there is an excellent website, “Plugged In,” that gives reviews and ratings. What I find most useful is how the website’s contributors list everything morally positive as well as anything that could possibly be deemed as morally offensive. Now that G movies are really PG and PG are really PG13…specific information is very helpful in determining what is right for your family to view.
Please read my most recent post at NOLA CATHOLIC EXPERIENCE! Thanks!
Today was a beautiful, sunshiny day! It began with mass at my favorite church on the planet! Then, the whole extended family met at the “Bacchus Open House” – a preview of the floats for the upcoming Mardi Gras parade. There was a fantastic jazz band that made me want to wiggle (and I did!), gumbo, bread pudding with whiskey sauce, Lucky Dogs, King Cake and Zapps Chips. The children really enjoyed having their caricatures drawn, faces painted, balloon animals/toys made and more! Now, I’m hunkering down to end the day with Downton Abbey! Big Sigh! A nearly perfect day!
St. Patrick’s on Camp Street
Nice use of the balloon sword:(
Readings for Sunday, February 16, 2014
“If you choose you can keep the commandments, they will save you;
if you trust in God, you too shall live;
he has set before you fire and water
to whichever you choose, stretch forth your hand.”
The Lord gives us His commandments not to cramp our style or to suck all the fun out of life, but because He knows us. He really knows us – to the core of our being. He knows what is best for us – eternally! He has shown us the blueprint to peace in this life and everlasting joy in the next. As Sirach says here, we can either trust that God really does know what is best for us and follow Him with abandon, or we can stretch forth our hands and choose the fire that scorches us. Because God loves us so much, He gives us the free will to choose the “fire or the water.” He will never force His Will upon us, as that is control, not love.
“Blessed are they who observe his decrees, who seek him with all their heart.”
In the gospel, Jesus truly challenges us. He makes it clear that those who follow Him are held to a higher standard than God’s people were in Old Testament times. The life of a disciple – follower of Christ – is surely not an easy one – It’s not for whimps to be sure! We are told to be pure in our actions. but also in our thoughts. That’s a toughie – especially in this day and age when we are fed some much smut through our senses. The way to become more pure in thought is to limit the smut coming in, and to increase the amount of time we spend each day in the presence of the Lord.
The Holy Spirit can also help us to do better in the realm of pure thoughts. Let’s not forget that we have received the Holy Spirit in His fullness at confirmation, and that God’s Spirit dwells within us. We should call upon Him frequently to help us avoid sin both in deed and in thought.
An excerpt from a new book I’m working on…
Are you tired of chaos in your home? Are you fretful over your children’s choices, their friendships, their relationships? Have you lost your motivation? Do your children treat each other disrespectfully or hurtfully? Do you wonder how you will pay this month’s bills? Do you feel angry or agitated toward your spouse? Do you feel depressed or despairing?
If you have reached your limit, and you’re thinking to yourself, “That’s it! I’m done,” I ask you to give the Sacred Heart of Jesus a try. What do you have to lose? Your sadness? Your anger? Your frustration? I cannot promise you that making Jesus King of Your Home will take away all of your troubles. Jesus’ life was marked with trials, struggles and suffering. When we follow Him, we take up our own personal crosses. The great news, however, is that you are not alone. Jesus wants to help you to shoulder your burdens and lighten the load. He is true to His promise from the gospel of John, ““Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give it to you. Do not let your hearts be troubled or afraid.” This peace is life changing, and pervades all aspects of home and family. He alone can transform your family’s brokenness into wholeness, doubt into faith, anxiety into calm, sadness into joy, suffering into healing – darkness into light. Sound hopeful?
In the following chapters, I will specifically tell you how to prepare your family and home to welcome the Sacred Heart. “Jesus is already welcomed in my home,” you say. Yes, but this is special. The enthronement of the Sacred Heart is a way of taking back your household from the strangling hold that our secular society had placed on it. It is a way to breathe new, refreshing life into the lungs of all who dwell there. It is a way to shelter your family in the safety of Jesus’ merciful, loving heart. Can you think of anyplace where you would be more safe? More loved?
Are you reluctant because you think your family members will think that you have finally lost it when you suggest this to them? I experienced the same lack of enthusiasm when I announced this idea to my loved ones. Remarkably, the Lord melted their hearts like butter. By the time that the enthronement ceremony was to take place, all were willingly present and participated (almost) joyfully! I couldn’t have asked for more.
Not Catholic? This isn’t a devotion reserved for Catholics, but for all who seek to know, love and serve the Lord more fully, and to experience Christ’s all encompassing peace. The main thrust of this spiritual practice is in formally making Jesus the King of your household and in daily honoring His beautiful, merciful Sacred Heart. Traditionally, a picture of Jesus bearing His Sacred Heart is used. I pray that all who read this will come away from the experience with renewed hope – and a plan to allow God to sanctify his/her family…
Jesus wants to make our families whole again. He wants to restore us.He has restored my joy following years of depression. He has helped my husband find work when unemployed. He has helped my youngest son temper his anger, and become deeply caring and spiritual. He has given me the strength to teach all day and come home to home-school my middle child. He got me through three pregnancies with preterm labor, and months of bed rest. He has helped me to forgive those who have hurt me deeply in the past. He has brought the whole Doyle family closer to Him and to each other. The list goes on and on.
Jesus truly has our best interests at heart – our ETERNAL interests. He wants to be involved in every aspect of our lives. We can trust Him fully, for He is all-good and all Truth. His Sacred Heart is a refuge and font of grace for families! Trust in Him.
I found an old statue of Our Lady of Lourdes (Mary) in the religion office at school. She looked rather yellow, faded and was missing her nose. I took her home, fashioned a nose for her out of spackling putty and repainted her in preparation for her feast day tomorrow, February 11. I had fun doing it, and hope that Mother Mary is somehow pleased. I will bring her back to school after I enjoy her at home for one more day!!
Our Lady of Lourdes, pray for us! St. Bernadette, pray for us!
