Doodle Acres » Feast Days

Jumping into Advent… a bit late

Heather — Fri, 04 Dec 2009 01:18:30 +0000

I’ll admit it. I tend to have an “all or nothing” personality. So when Advent started on Sunday and I hadn’t gotten my rear in gear, I figured, “Ah well, there’s always next year!!!” Well a well-timed email from a blessed friend and mentor encouraged me to jump into Advent. She, of course, didn’t know about my delay, but her words roused me to start.

Another friend instigated me to “do” Advent for the sake of the little ones (Lily, 9 and Peter, almost 5). Because as she pointed out, the older ones have all these wonderful memories of Advents past (when I was enthusiastic), but really the little ones don’t. She told me of an Advent tradition in her home where she wraps up all their Advent/Christmas books. One child per day (starting with the youngest) gets to unwrap a book and it is read to all. This creates excitement and suspense AND pushes to make sure at least one book gets read aloud per day, which is challenging during this busy season. So our newly wrapped books in a basket are my first Advent activity and the littles did enjoy our first book together this evening. I hope that this will be the first of many memorable Advent activities…

So I say, jump into Advent. And no matter how little or much you do, enjoy the season!!!

All Hallow’s Eve 2009

Heather — Mon, 02 Nov 2009 02:55:37 +0000

We participated in a WONDERFUL All Hallow’s Eve party with our Immaculate Heart of Mary homeschooling group on Saturday. It was truly a terrific afternoon celebrating the origins of the true Halloween. Our family had not celebrated this holiday for about 10 years. However, last year we were introduced to the Catholic origins of this meaningful holiday. I reluctantly participated trusting in the goodness of the party’s organizers. It was a real treat (no pun intended ) and this year’s festivities were even better!!!

Peter (4) in a costume made by his sister Hope (17)

Patricia Bissex, Tracey Bellucci, and yours truly

Lily (9, on right) with one of her best friends Annie Collorafi

Me and Annie’s mother, Julie

Lenny (13, in black) as a priest in the skit

The adorable Trevor and Anna Barton

The Girls Schola with Theresa Bissex, Sarah Goodman, Hope, Theresa Santos,Nora Goodman, Mary Collorafi, and Megan Kierstans

St. Longinus, aka “the Centurion”

Heather — Sat, 11 Apr 2009 00:58:51 +0000

This afternoon, we attended a beautiful Good Friday service. Our wonderful pastor, Father McCartney, preached a sermon on St. Longinus, the centurion who pierced Jesus’ side at the crucifixion. He punctured Jesus’ heart in order to confirm His death before removing Him from the cross. Scripture tells us that out of it flowed blood and water. According to tradition, St. Longinus went on to convert to Christianity and was eventually martyred for his faith.

Father McCartney explained that there are sorrows in our lives that break our hearts, like Jesus’ was on the cross. This can be very difficult. But as our hearts are broken and emptied, there is room for the graces of God to flow in.

For our family, the death of our Mary would fall into this category. It’s not something that we would have chosen for ourselves, but we have experienced so many graces as a result of it. He encouraged us to view our sufferings in this way and challenged us to empty our hearts of those things that hinder us from letting the graces of God to flow in.

I told you Father McCartney is wonderful!!!