Holy Family

Christmas prayer

A Christmas prayer

Loving Father, help us remember the birth of Jesus, that we may share in the song of the angels, the gladness of the shepherds, and worship of the wise men.
Close the door of hate and open the door of love all over the world. Let kindness come with every gift and good desires with every greeting.
Deliver us from evil by the blessing which Christ brings, and teach us to be merry with clear hearts.
May the Christmas morning make us happy to be thy children, and Christmas evening bring us to our beds with grateful thoughts, forgiving and forgiven, for Jesus' sake.
Amen.

Mary's Song

Mary's Song

Sleep, blessed Jesus
Baby Boy
The Son of God
and Heavens's Joy
The angels guard
Thee from above
Sleep now and know
Thy mother's love
I hold Thee closely to my breast
Than lay Thee in Thy crib to rest
My heart is filled with love for Thee
A Son....
a King of royalty !
I watch Thee sleeping peacefully
How can it be ? How can it be
That God entrusted Thee to me ?
How can this wonder really be ?
A star so bright shines up above
Then hovers over Thee, my Love
My Baby Boy, it is Thy star
To lead the travelers from afar
They know a Savior's born this night
To bring a waiting world true light
They come to worship and adore
The King of kings ferevermore !
All men will marvel at Thy birth
Through Thee salvation came to earth
God loves the world so much He gave
His only Son mankind to save
O Holy Night ! O Night Divine !
God's Son has come, yet also mine
My Savior !
Child !
I gaze at Thee
And ponder stil...
how can it be ?

Come to the Manger

Come to the Manger
Away in a manger
how precious the words
That tell us of Jesus
our Savior and Lord
Born in a stable
in Bethlehem's town
Thee wee Babe from Heaven
On Christmas came down
Away in a manger
it trills us to hear
Of Mary's sweet Babe
we'll ever hold dear
Asleep on a bed of
sweet smeling hey
The wee King from Heaven
In swaddling clothes lay
Oh, come to the manger
from out of life's cares
Come worship the Savior
with praise and prayers
Come every nation
the great and the small
Come worship
as brother
the Savior of all
Then truly we'll
honor our dear
Savior's birth
and the peace we dream of
will come to this earth.

A Christmas Blessing

A Christmas Blessing

May your Christmas be filled

With beautiful hours

And memories lovely to hold

To enhance and embellish

The days of your years

Like angel wings sprinkled with gold

May Christmas Spirit

In all of its joy

Touch the depths of your soul with delight

And may blessings in bushels

Aboundant and rich

Light every path of your life.

miracle

military xmas

4th Sunday of Advent

4th Sunday of Advent

A season of the Heart

A Season of the Heart

There is a season of the heart

When all is calm and bright

When peace on earth seems possible

In the silence of the night

This is a time for giving

A time for sacrifice...

A time to be forgiving

While trying to be nice

It's time for rejoicing

For singing songs of cheer

Which calm our fears and bright us

Hope for the new year

It's a season for sharing

A time to reminisce...

A time for friends and loved ones

To share a hug or kiss

There is a season of the heart

That's blessed by God above

When we decorate for Christmas

With ornaments of love.

>>>C.Harison<<<

His star still shines

His star still shines

The little town was crowded when

Mary and Joseph sought the inn

,,No room" the busy innkeeper said

But offered them the cattle shed

Above the stable close to the inn

A star blazed forth proclaiming Him

The little Savior born for all

Lay in a lowly manger stall

The shepherds and the Wise Men came

Led by the star's radiant flame

And humbly knelt and worshipped there

The Holy Christ, Child wondrous fair

The innkeeper so tired that night

Saw naught the star of wondrous light

Had he but known who's sought his door

He would have given his bed and more

We must keep the vigil bright

Lest we'd not see His star tonight

It shineth still with guiding ray

If only we but seek the way

O, weary one - heart gone afar

Look up !

Behold !

His Christmas star.

>>>K.Hoffman<<<

In Poland

Christmas in Poland

December 24 - Wigilia - Christmas Eve

Wigilia (from the Latin term vigilare meaning "to await") is the Polish name for Christmas Eve. Much work must be done, including cooking, baking, and all the housework. This way, the two holidays that follow can be devoted to praying, caroling, eating, relaxing, and eventually visiting. This special day is
associated with several beliefs and customs.

When the first star appears in the sky, the Christmas tree is lit and the dinner begins. The Christmas Eve meal starts with a prayer, the sharing of the blessed oplatek (consecrated bread wafer which is similar to that used during Holy Communion in the Roman Catholic Church), and exchanging wishes. Usually, the male head of the household takes the wafer and turns to his wife, extending it toward her. He wishes her good health and success in the upcoming year, the fulfillment of her dreams, and, if there have been any misunderstandings, he asks her for forgiveness and for the new year to be a better one. The wife then thanks him and breaks off half of the wafer and eats a piece of it. Next, she offers the wafer to her husband, expressing similar wishes. He breaks the wafer and eats it. This ceremony is repeated with each person present, beginning with the oldest and ending with the youngest.

After the breaking of the wafer and an the exchanging of wishes, everyone sits down at the dinner table. The table is covered with a white tablecloth and there is one additional place set for an unexpected guest who, especially that night, should not be turned away. This is to remind us that St. Joseph and Mary were also looking for shelter. Until the first star appears, Wigilia is a day of fasting. Although there are plenty of dishes on the table, this is a traditionally meatless dinner. It consists of several soups (red beet with mushroom pockets, fermented rye, fish, dry mushroom), fish (fried, jellied, in sweet sauce, in beer-almond-ginger sauce, staffed), sauerkraut with beans, pierogi (dumplings) stuffed with mushrooms and cabbage, noodles with poppy seeds and honey, sweet strudel, and a compote made with dried fruit. It should be pointed out that today in Poland, no one imagines the Wigilia dinner without fish (carp in particular), just as nobody in the U.S. thinks of Thanksgiving dinner without a turkey.

Time after dinner is devoted to different activities. It is customary to feed the domestic animals with oplatek and dinner leftovers, especially cows to assure the production of plenty of milk. Girls listen to hear from which direction a dog barks because, as the saying goes, it is from that direction her prospective husband will come. Children and teenagers go to the orchard and beat fruit trees with small branches so there will be an abundance of fruit next year. Old stories are told and carols are sung. These activities continue until it is time to attend midnight Mass. In Polish it is called Pasterka, "the Mass of the Shepherds" to commemorate the shepherds who were the first to greet the newborn baby Jesus.

There is something magical experienced on the way to midnight Mass. Stars are shining and bells are ringing. The snow crunches and whitens the way. Sleighs are heard and one can almost detect the angels singing, "Silent Night, Holy Night."
After Mass, people return to their homes and have a glass of hot compote and a piece of cake.

Wigilia Table Check List
Here's a short list of foods typically found on the Polish Christmas Eve Wigilia table. Because practices vary from region to region within Poland, this guide is not a definitive list but rather a handy reminder for those of you who wish to keep this tradition alive in your family.
Mushroom soup with noodles, borsch with mushroom uszka (little pierogi), or fish soup.
Herring in oil, pickled herring, carp aspic (jellied carp), stuffed carp, and/or fried carp.
Hay under the white tablecloth.
Salt, pepper.
Sauerkraut with mushrooms, and/or red cabbage.
Dried-fruit compote.
Noodles with poppyseeds.
Kutia (a dish made from boiled wheat, poppy seeds and honey).
Pierogi, traditionally with cabbage and mushrooms.
Oplatek (Christmas wafer).
Bread
An extra setting for an unexpected wanderer.

Can't steal my Christmas

No one can steal my Christmas from me ! ! !
YOU CAN'T STEAL MY CHRISTMAS

Poem by Sharon Steege

I don't know who they are
Saying
I can't greet the crowd
The way that I want to
Can't say CHRISTMAS out loud.
I walk into a business place
See things that I'd rather not see
But dare I not say CHRISTMAS
And ask for a "holiday" tree?
What happened to freedom of speech
And living in the land of the free
How can they take my CHRISTMAS money
But can't say MERRY CHRISTMAS to me?
Men and women have given their lives
So we could still go free
I wonder how they would feel
At saying "HOLIDAY" TREE.
Come on AMERICA let's wake up
Don't let our freedom escape
If they get by with doing this
What else will they take ?
This is starting to get out of hand,
And I've begun to keep track
Well, I've just about had enough
I'M TAKING CHRISTMAS BACK!
So MERRY CHRISTMAS AMERICA
I hope this gets all over the net
If we all stand united and take freedom back'
Twill be our best CHRISTMAS YET!

3rd Sunday of Advent

3 rd Sunday of Advent

Christmas story

Christmas story:
I welcome you to read it and cry with me....


Always believe in MIRACLES!! Three years ago, a little boy and his grandmother came to see Santa at Mayfair Mall in Wisconsin. The child climbed up on his lap, holding a picture of a little girl.

"Who is this?" asked Santa, smiling. "Your friend? Your sister?"



"Yes, Santa," he replied. "My sister, Sarah, who is very sick," he said sadly.



Santa glanced over at the grandmother who was waiting nearby, and saw her dabbing her eyes with a tissue.


"She wanted to come with me to see you, oh, so very much, Santa!" the child exclaimed. "She misses you," he added softly.



Santa tried to be cheerful and encouraged a smile to the boy's face, asking him what he wanted Santa to bring him for Christmas.

When they finished their visit, the Grandmother came over to help the child off his lap, and started to say something to Santa, but halted.



"What is it?" Santa asked warmly.


"Well, I know it's really too much to ask you, Santa, but .." the old woman began, shooing her grandson over to one of Santa's elves to collect the little gift which Santa gave all his young visitors. "The girl in the photograph... my granddaughter well, you see ... she has leukemia and isn't expected to make it even through the holidays," she said through tear-filled eyes. "Is there any way, Santa any possible way that you could come see Sarah? That's all she's asked for, for Christmas, is to see Santa."



Santa blinked and swallowed hard and told the woman to leave information with his elves as to where Sarah was, and he would see what he could do. Santa thought of little else the rest of that afternoon. He knew what he had to do. "What if it were MY child lying in that hospital bed, dying," he thought with a sinking heart, "this is the least I can do."


When Santa finished visiting with all the boys and girls that evening, he retrieved from his helper the name of the hospital where Sarah was staying. He asked the assistant location manager how to get to Children's Hospital.



"Why?" Rick asked, with a puzzled look on his face.



Santa relayed to him the conversation with Sarah's grandmother earlier that day. "C'mon.... I'll take you there," Rick said softly.



Rick drove them to the hospital and came inside with Santa. They found out which room Sarah was in. A pale Rick said he would wait out in the hall.

Santa quietly peeked into the room through the half-closed door and saw little Sarah on the bed. The room was full of what appeared to be her family; there was the Grandmother and the girl's brother he had met earlier that day. A woman whom he guessed was Sarah's mother stood by the bed, gently pushing Sarah's thin hair off her forehead. And another woman who he discovered later was Sarah's aunt, sat in a chair near the bed with weary, sad look on her face. They were talking quietly, and Santa could sense the warmth and closeness of the family, and their love and concern for Sarah. Taking a deep breath, and forcing a smile on his face, Santa entered the room, bellowing a hearty, "Ho, ho, ho!"

"Santa!" shrieked little Sarah weakly, as she tried to escape her bed to run to him, IVtubes in tact. Santa rushed to her side and gave her a warm hug. A child the tender age of his own son -- 9 years old -- gazed up at him with wonder and excitement. Her skin was pale and her short tresses bore telltale bald patches from the effects of chemotherapy. But all he saw when he looked at her was a pair of huge, blue eyes. His heart melted, and he had to force himself to choke back tears. Though his eyes were riveted upon Sarah's face, he could hear the gasps and quiet sobbing of the women in the room.


As he and Sarah began talking, the family crept quietly to the bedside one by one, squeezing Santa's shoulder or his hand gratefully, whispering "thank you" as they gazed sincerely at him with shining eyes. Santa and Sarah talked and talked, and she told him excitedly all the toys she wanted for Christmas, assuring him she'd been a very good girl that year. As their time together dwindled, Santa felt led in his spirit to pray for Sarah, and asked for permission from the girl's mother. She nodded in agreement and the entire family circled around Sarah's bed, holding hands. Santa looked intensely at Sarah and asked her if she believed in angels.



"Oh, yes, Santa... I do!" she exclaimed.


"Well, I'm going to ask that angels watch over you, "he said. Laying one hand on the child's head, Santa closed his eyes and prayed. He asked that God touch little Sarah, and heal her body from this disease. He asked that angels minister to her, watch and keep her. And when he finished praying, still with eyes closed, he started singing softly, "Silent Night, Holy Night.... all is calm, all is bright." The family joined in, still holding hands, smiling at Sarah, and crying tears of hope, tears of joy for this moment, as Sarah beamed at them all. When the song ended, Santa sat on the side of the bed again and held Sarah's frail, small hands in his own.


"Now, Sarah, "he said authoritatively, "you have a job to do, and that is to concentrate on getting well. I want you to have fun playing with your friends this summer, and I expect to see you at my house at Mayfair Mall this time next year!" He knew it was risky proclaiming that, to this little girl who had terminal cancer, but he "had" to. He had to give her the greatest gift he could -- not dolls or games or toys -- but the gift of HOPE.



"Yes, Santa! "Sarah exclaimed, her eyes bright.


He leaned down and kissed her on the forehead and left the room. Out in the hall, the minute Santa's eyes met Rick's, a look passed between them and they wept unashamed. Sarah's mother and grandmother slipped out of the room quicklyand rushed to Santa's side to thank him.



"My only child is the same age as Sarah," he explained quietly. "This is the least I could do." They nodded with understanding and hugged him.



One year later, Santa Mark was again back on the set in Milwaukee for his six-week, seasonal job which he so loves to do. Several weeks went by and then one day a child came up to sit on his lap. "Hi, Santa! Remember me?!"


"Of course, I do," Santa proclaimed (as he always does), smiling down at her.



After all, the secret to being a "good" Santa is to always make each child feel as if they are the "only" child in the world at that moment.



"You came to see me in the hospital last year!" Santa's jaw dropped.



Tears immediately sprang in his eyes, and he grabbed this little miracle and held her to his chest. "Sarah!" he exclaimed. He scarcely recognized her,for her hair was long and silky and her cheeks were rosy -- much different from the little girl he had visited just a year before. He looked over and saw Sarah's mother and grandmother in the sidelines smiling and waving and wiping their eyes.


That was the best Christmas ever for Santa Claus. He had witnessed --and been blessed to be instrumental in bringing about -- this miracle of hope.



This precious little child was healed. Cancer-free. Alive and well. He silently looked up to Heaven and humbly whispered, "Thank you, Father. 'Tis a very, Merry Christmas!

Saint Lucy

Prayer to St. Lucy

(Patron of deseases of the eye)

Relying on Your goodness, O God, we humbly ask you, by the intercession of your servant, Saint Lucy, to give perfect vision to our eyes, that hey mat serve you for your greater honor and glory. And we pray for the salvation of our souls in this world, that we may come to the enjoyment of the unfailing light of the Lamb of God in Heaven.

Saint Lucy, virgin and martyr, hear our prayers and answer our petitions.

Amen.

For Dec. 12th

Our Lady of Guadalupe
Dearest Lady of Guadalupe, friutful Mother of Holiness, teach us ways of gentleness and strengh.
Hear my prayer, offered with deep-felt confidence to beg this favor:...

O Mary, conceived without sin, I come to your throne of grace to share the fervent devotion of your faithful Mexican children who call to thee under the glorious Aztec title of ,,Guadalupe" - the Virgin who crushed the serpent.

Queen of Martyrs, whose Immaculate Heart was pierced by seven swords of grief, help me to walk valiantly amid the sharp thorns strewn across my pathway.
Invoke the Holy Spirit of Wisdom to fortify my will to frequent the Sacraments so that thus enlightened and strengthened, I may prefer God to all creatures and shun every occasion of sin.

Help me, as a living branch of the Vine that is Jesus Christ, to exemplify His divine charity always seeking the good of others.
Queen of Apostoles, aid me to win souls for the Sacred Heart of my Savior.
Keep my apostolate fearless, dynamic and articulate, to proclaim the loving solicitude of Our Father in Heaven so that the wayward may heed His pleading and obtain pardon, through the merits of your merciful Son, our Lord Jesus Christ.
Amen.

2nd week

2 nd week of Advent

Last year

Dec 8th - last year.
We had a snow storm. I was at the Church, across the Midway airport. At 7:00 PM it was a Mass for my mom. It happened at 7:10 PM. We, in the Church did not know anything about the plane. We heard the syrens, so we knew, something happens.
We got out of the Church, and we seen this (see the picture)
A 6 years old boy died in there.

Dec 8th

Dec, 8th
December 8th 2000, - my mom died.
She did not died, she just fall in sleep here, and woke up on the other side - to new life.

That's how Jesus is coming in the most unexpected time.

RosaMystica

Apparitions of Our Lady
Rosa Mystica -
at Montichiari-
Fontanelle


Seventh Apparition on 8th December, 1947.

I am the Immaculate Conception.
I am Mary, full of grace, Mother of My Divine Son Jesus Christ.

Through my coming to Montichiari, I which to be known as the

ROSA MYSTICA

It is my wish that every year, on 8th December, at noon, the

HOUR OF GRACE FOR THE WORLD

be celebrated .
Many divine and bodily graces will be received through this devotion.

Our Lord, my Divine Son Jesus, will send His overflowing mercy if good people will pray continuously for their sinful brother
.
If anyone is unable to visit his church, yet will pray at noon at home, he will also receive graces through me. Whoever prays on these tiles and weeps tears of penance, will find a secure heavenly ladder and receive protection and grace through my motherly heart.

Then Our Lady showed Pierina her heart and said:

Look at this heart which loves mankind so very much, but most people only shower offenses upon it.

If the good and the bad unite in prayer they will obtain mercy and peace through this heart. The Lord is still protection the good and is holding back a great punishment because of my intercession.

Our Lady smiled again and went on: Soon one will recognize the greatness of this Hour of Grace.

Full story on the following link:

http://www.mgr.org/rosamystica.html

Prayer for our nation

Prayer for our nation
God our Father
Giver of life
we entrust the United States of America to
Your loving care.

You are the rock on which this nation was founded.
You alone are the true source of our cherished rights to life, liberty and the pursuit of happyness.

Reclaim this land for Your glory and dwell among Your people.

Send Your Spirit to touch the hearts of our nation leaders.
Open their minds to the great worth of human life and the responsibilities that accompany human freedom.
Remind Your people that true happiness is rooted in seeking and doing Your will.

Through the intercession of Mary Immaculate,
Patroness of our land
grant us the courage to reject
the ,,culture of death".
Lead us into a new life
we ask this through Christ our Lord.

AMEN.

Barborka

Barborka, Miner's Day
St. Barbara Day
December 4 th
One of the most celebrated day associated with workers group is St. Barbara's Day on December 4 th.
Barbara is a patron of coal miners.

Miners professions was always considered dangerous but prestigious therefore this day called Barb or Barburka was celebrated for centuries in a spectacular way. The name of the feast originate of course from St. Barbara as a patron.

Miners are dressed in the special uniforms during Barborka. The uniform consists of black suit and hat with a feather. The color of the feather ( white, red or black) depends on the rank of the miner. Miners wear their decorative uniforms not only during Barborka but also for weddings, fineral and other important politocal or social ceremonies.

Barborka is celebrated not only in Poland but also in other countries of the region with strong moning tradition like in Germany and Czech Republic. In Germany the celebration is called Barbarafeier.

To prevent accidents miners used to build chapels devoted to their patron.
St. Barbara is also a very celebrated namely in Poland because is a popular feminine name.

Happy Barbara's day to my sister Barbara.

Mary's Dream

Priest story:

Mary's Dream :

...,,Joseph, I had a funny dream last night. I don't understand it, but I think it was about a birthday celebration for our Son. I think that was what it was all about. The people had been preparing for it about six weeks. They'd gone shopping many times and bought elaborate gifts. It was peculiar though, because the presents weren't for our Son.

They wrapped them in beautiful paper and tied them with lovely bows and stacked them under the tree.

Yes, a tree, Joseph, right in their house. They'd decorate the tree alco. Yhe branches were full of glowing balls and sparkling ornaments. All kinds of lights and goodies all around. Then on the top of the tree was a figure. It looked like an angel might look.

Oh, it was beautiful.

Everyone was laughing and happy. They were all excited about the gifts. They gave the gifts to each other, Joseph, and not to our Son. I don't think they even knew Him. They never mentioned His name.

Doesn't it seem odd for people to go to all that trouble to celebrate someone birthday if they don't even know Him?

I had the strangest feeling that if our Son had gone to this celebration He would have been a complete stranger.

Everything was so beautiful, Joseph, and everyone was so gay, but it made me want to cry.

How sad for Jesus - not to be wanted at His own birthday party.....

I'm glad, though it was only a drem....

only a dream....

How terrible, Joseph, if it had been real ?..."

***Author unknown***

MARANA THA ! ! !

Advent in Poland

Advent in Poland
The richest in traditional observances is the Christmas season. It begins with Advent and ends with the feast of the Three Kings. The Advent starts four Sundays before Christmas. This is a time for the spiritual preparation for the birth of Christ. For that reason, the early morning Mass, the Roraty, is celebrated. The name roraty comes from the first words that begin the service, Rorate coeli, meaning "heaven, dew drop" in Latin. In no other country is this Mass celebrated as solemnly as in Poland.
The Mass begins in the church in almost complete darkness just before sunrise (usually 6:00 -7:00 am) to show readiness, vigilance and alertness for Christ's coming. People who participate in the service also bring torches with them, which are lit during a certain part of the Mass. This celebration has a special atmosphere since it starts in almost complete darkness; gradually, the candles are lit on the altar and by the participants, giving more light. Finally, when the service is approaching the end, sunrise increases the amount of light even more. So, this ceremony revolves around the earth's natural clock.
Today in Poland, many people still attend the Roraty Mass, especially in villages. There, the attachment to tradition is much greater than in towns and cities. According to Church law, Advent is a period of fasting and mourning.

Advent wreath

Advent
Wreath

The Advent wreath is on of our most popular Advent traditions. Its origin is in pre-Christian Germany and Scandinavia where the people gathered to celebrate the return of the sun after the winter solstice.
The circular wreath made of evergreens with four candles interspersed represented the circle of the year and life that andures through the winter.
As the days grew longer, people lit candles to offer thaks to the ,,sun god" for the light.
For us, the lighting of the Advent candles represents the promise of the coming of Jesus, the light of the world.

Advent

A D V E N T
Advent, which comes from Latin word for ,,arrival" or ,,coming" is a period of preparation for the birth of our Lord.
Advent begins four Sundays before Christmas and is the start of the Christmas season, which last through the Baptism of Our Lord.
The first Sunday of Advent also marks the beginning of the liturgical year, the Church ,,New Year Day" at which time we change the cycle of readings we are using at Mass.
Advent is a time of joyous anticipation, but also of penance and praparation for the great Christmas feast.
The liturgical color of the season is purple, a sign of penance, which is also used during Lent.
The Church discourages exessive ornamentation, boisterous music and even weddings during Advent, in order to foster a sense of quite hope.

:) and :(

I add Sunny blog to my list, but with some reason, I can't leave any comments an her blog.