Every year, in lieu of a Halloween celebration at the school, our kids have a saint's day celebration. All the kids in the school research a saint and then give a short presentation about that saint's life dressed as the saint they've chosen.
The quality of the video is not that good, but I posted them fast, so no complaints.
This year, we had the following saints:
Olivia, as St. Clare of Assisi
Joseph, as St. Jude Thaddeus
Sophia, as St. Colette
For good measure, we also have Max as St. Luke (Skywalker)
Wednesday, October 31, 2007
Tuesday, October 23, 2007
A Song That Chokes Me Up
Last night at Monday School we were discussing Jesus' parables of the Hidden Treasure and the Pearl of Great Price. I mentioned a song called "How Much Do You Think You Are Worth?" that always makes me verklempt.
Below are the lyrics to the song and a link to where you can hear it performed by the original artist (I prefer the version of my friend who introduced me to the song, but she's not on the Internet...)
You'll need Real Audio Player to listen.
How Much Do You Think You Are Worth?
Is a rich man worth more than a poor man?
A stranger worth less than a friend?
Is a baby worth more than an old man?
Your beginning worth more than your end?
Is a president worth more than his assassin?
Does your value decrease with your crime?
Like when Christ took the place of Barabbas
Would you say he was wasting his time?
Well, how much do you think you are worth, boy?
Will anyone stand up and say?
Would you say that a man is worth nothing
Until someone is willing to pay?
I suppose that you think you matter
Well, how much do you matter to whom?
It’s much easier at night when with friends and bright lights
Than much later alone in your room
Do you think they’ll miss one in a billion
When you finish this old human race?
Does it really make much of a difference
When your friends have forgotten your face?
If you heard that your life had been valued
That a price had been paid on the nail
Would you ask what was traded,
How much and who paid it
Who was He and what was His name?
If you heard that His name was called Jesus
Would you say that the price was too dear?
Held to the cross not by nails but by love
It was you broke His heart, not the spear!
Would you say you are worth what it cost Him?
You say ‘no’, but the price stays the same.
If it don’t make you cry, laugh it off, pass Him by,
But just remember the day when you throw it away
That He paid what He thought you were worth.
How much do you think He is worth, boy?
Will anyone stand up and say?
Tell me, what are you willing to give Him
In return for the price that He paid?
Graham Kendrick
Copyright © 1974 Make Way Music
Hear it.
Below are the lyrics to the song and a link to where you can hear it performed by the original artist (I prefer the version of my friend who introduced me to the song, but she's not on the Internet...)
You'll need Real Audio Player to listen.
How Much Do You Think You Are Worth?
Is a rich man worth more than a poor man?
A stranger worth less than a friend?
Is a baby worth more than an old man?
Your beginning worth more than your end?
Is a president worth more than his assassin?
Does your value decrease with your crime?
Like when Christ took the place of Barabbas
Would you say he was wasting his time?
Well, how much do you think you are worth, boy?
Will anyone stand up and say?
Would you say that a man is worth nothing
Until someone is willing to pay?
I suppose that you think you matter
Well, how much do you matter to whom?
It’s much easier at night when with friends and bright lights
Than much later alone in your room
Do you think they’ll miss one in a billion
When you finish this old human race?
Does it really make much of a difference
When your friends have forgotten your face?
If you heard that your life had been valued
That a price had been paid on the nail
Would you ask what was traded,
How much and who paid it
Who was He and what was His name?
If you heard that His name was called Jesus
Would you say that the price was too dear?
Held to the cross not by nails but by love
It was you broke His heart, not the spear!
Would you say you are worth what it cost Him?
You say ‘no’, but the price stays the same.
If it don’t make you cry, laugh it off, pass Him by,
But just remember the day when you throw it away
That He paid what He thought you were worth.
How much do you think He is worth, boy?
Will anyone stand up and say?
Tell me, what are you willing to give Him
In return for the price that He paid?
Graham Kendrick
Copyright © 1974 Make Way Music
Hear it.
Today's Message from Opus Dei
In Opus Dei, they speak of the "heroic moment"--that first moment of
the day when you awake and must choose whether to hit the snooze
button or start the day. They consider it a heroic act to mortify
oneself ("die to self") by getting up immediately and offering your
day to the Lord.
If this is indeed a measure of heroism, I am a villain whose perfidy
may never be fully plumbed.
All kidding aside, I did manage somehow to get out of bed at an
early-esque hour today and I found this in my inbox. Once again, I
think it's good advice.
the day when you awake and must choose whether to hit the snooze
button or start the day. They consider it a heroic act to mortify
oneself ("die to self") by getting up immediately and offering your
day to the Lord.
If this is indeed a measure of heroism, I am a villain whose perfidy
may never be fully plumbed.
All kidding aside, I did manage somehow to get out of bed at an
early-esque hour today and I found this in my inbox. Once again, I
think it's good advice.
MESSAGE
October 23, 2007
"Practice meditation for a fixed period and at a fixed time"
Practice meditation for a fixed period and at a fixed time. Otherwise
we would be putting our own convenience first; that would be a lack of
mortification. And prayer without mortification is not at all
effective. (Furrow, 446)
Overcome any sluggishness you may feel, and the false excuse that
prayer can wait for later. Let us never put off this vital source of
grace until tomorrow. Now is the right time. God, who is a loving
spectator of everything we do, watches over our most intimate needs.
You and I, I tell you once again, we need to confide in him as we
might confide in a brother, a friend, a father. Tell him, as I am
telling him now, that he is all greatness, all goodness, all mercy.
Tell him also, 'This is why I want to fall in love with you, despite
my rough manner and poor hands, soiled and ill‑treated by the dust and
grime of this earth'...
Each day without fail we should devote some time specially to God,
raising our minds to him, without any need for the words to come to
our lips, for they are being sung in our heart. Let us give enough
time to this devout practice; at a fixed hour, if possible. Before the
Tabernacle, close to him who has remained there out of Love. If this
is not possible, we can pray anywhere because our God is ineffably
present in the heart of every soul in grace. (Friends of God, 246.249)
Sunday, October 21, 2007
New Pics of Kids
Our friend Alishia took some pictures of our family this weekend. I like this one of the two brothers. If you follow the link below you should be able to get to the others.
by alishialinn
© All rights reserved
Just follow this link to see the photos:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/alishiahanson/sets/72157602590972643/
(If the link doesn't work, try copying and pasting it from this email into your browser's address bar.)
“God does not lose battles”
I get a daily email from that nefarious organization known as Opus Dei. Below I've copied the email reflection I got yesterday in the mail.
I don't think it's especially profound, but I do think it is indicative of the manly nature of St. Josemaria's advice. For a guy like me who tends to beat himself up when he falls, this stuff is really encouraging.
For a while I was getting a daily reflection from another religious order and it was good, but Escriva's words seem to always have more depth, wisdom, and virility than the other group's.
When I went to my first Opus Dei meeting 5 or 6 years ago, I told the friend who invited me that I had never experienced anything like it. "That was the drumstick of faith," I quipped. "There wasn't an ounce of fat on it. No red punch, no 'hi-how-are-ya's--just strong meat and Grace. Wow." I still feel like that.
The image that's not displaying is the Opus Dei logo.
I don't think it's especially profound, but I do think it is indicative of the manly nature of St. Josemaria's advice. For a guy like me who tends to beat himself up when he falls, this stuff is really encouraging.
For a while I was getting a daily reflection from another religious order and it was good, but Escriva's words seem to always have more depth, wisdom, and virility than the other group's.
When I went to my first Opus Dei meeting 5 or 6 years ago, I told the friend who invited me that I had never experienced anything like it. "That was the drumstick of faith," I quipped. "There wasn't an ounce of fat on it. No red punch, no 'hi-how-are-ya's--just strong meat and Grace. Wow." I still feel like that.
The image that's not displaying is the Opus Dei logo.
Tuesday, October 2, 2007
14 Minutes, 40 Seconds Remaining...
My fifteen minutes of fame is slowly getting eaten up.
Today I got an email from Dappled Things informing me that I'm officially published.
Dappled Things is an online (now print as well) literary magazine for young Catholic writers/artists. As of my next birthday, I am no longer a young Catholic (I turn 36 this year). So, this was my last chance to get in.
My poem is called "Bread from Heaven". I hope you enjoy it.
Today I got an email from Dappled Things informing me that I'm officially published.
Dappled Things is an online (now print as well) literary magazine for young Catholic writers/artists. As of my next birthday, I am no longer a young Catholic (I turn 36 this year). So, this was my last chance to get in.
My poem is called "Bread from Heaven". I hope you enjoy it.
Monday, October 1, 2007
The Pitter Patter of Tiny Feasts
One of the best things about being a Catholic is that there's always a reason to celebrate. This week alone our family will be celebrating 3 special feast days. Today is the feast of St. Therese of Lisieux. This day is special to our Olivia Therese and she's loving living it up. Tomorrow is the feast of guardian angels, which we all have (Sophia claims she has two) and Thursday is the feast of St. Francis of Assisi--one of Annamaria Francesca's patron saints.
There are a million ways we can honor our saints and reflect on their good examples. Today we let Olivia eat off of our "You Are Special" plate and Amy made a crumb cake; tomorrow we might have angel food cake; Thursday we're eating Italian and the kids are stripping of all their clothes in public like St. Francis.
Another good thing is that we have the kids' saints to back us up on discipline/family issues. For example:
At the moment, Max (named after Maximilan Kolbe) is perfect and, like his patron, dotes on his mother. Eventually though he'll need to be punished and then we'll let him know that his patron was martyred in prison so "Time Out" is really an opportunity to emulate his role model.
Anyway, find out who your saints are and then make a big deal about it. We do it and we love it.
There are a million ways we can honor our saints and reflect on their good examples. Today we let Olivia eat off of our "You Are Special" plate and Amy made a crumb cake; tomorrow we might have angel food cake; Thursday we're eating Italian and the kids are stripping of all their clothes in public like St. Francis.
Another good thing is that we have the kids' saints to back us up on discipline/family issues. For example:
"Olivia! Do you think St. Therese ate with her fingers??"
"Sophia, why can't you be more like St. Clare and embrace poverty and fashion-backwardness?"
"Joseph! There's no way the foster father of our Lord would condone hitting girls."
"Annamaria! Seriously, kid, there's no way Mamma Mary was this stubborn."
At the moment, Max (named after Maximilan Kolbe) is perfect and, like his patron, dotes on his mother. Eventually though he'll need to be punished and then we'll let him know that his patron was martyred in prison so "Time Out" is really an opportunity to emulate his role model.
Anyway, find out who your saints are and then make a big deal about it. We do it and we love it.
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