We’ve purchased a new (to us) Sedona, a year newer and for just over the insurance payout for this one. God provides.
All Saints
This was the only picture I
managed to get that day! Benedict was St. Thomas Aquinas, Margaret was St. Kateri, and Caecilia was Bl. Mother Teresa.
Karol’s Post First Holy Communion Picture
….from Papa’s phone, it’s not that great. I have another one from a friend and have requested it. I’ll share that one if it’s better.
Friday Night “Fun”
On Friday nights, our parish has a 5:30 Mass in the evening and we try to make it. Tonight we  were originally going to not go because there was a Cub Scout camp out, then Joshua talked about leaving after Mass for the camp out, then I decided to just take the little kids while Joshua and Karol went to camp.
Joshua woke up not feeling well this morning, and went to the office for a little bit. He realized he wasn’t going to make it the day and came home before lunch. He decided that he was not going to be able to do camp as well. (Something they were both looking forward to doing :() Â We all dozed away the afternoon and woke up around 415, and decided to get up and go to mass, for the Feast of All Souls.
We got out the door with time to spare and had a nice ride up 75, talking and discussing some items that were listed in the Williams-Sonoma catalogue that came in the mail. Karol also opened the gift he got from his godmother for his First Communion. It was uneventful, until we got off the freeway.
About a mile from the church, a woman pulled out from a side street, and though Joshua tried to avoid it, she hit the passenger side of the van, the passenger door taking most of the brunt of the hit. I am thankful for that, because though my arm hurts, I’m the only one who was hurt.
Blessed John Paul II – Autotuned
Quick Tidbits
Not enough for one post, but a few things for the day:
The first, and most important, Â prayers for those in the North East and Great Lakes areas.
I wish to assure you of my closeness and my recollection of those who have been affected by this natural disaster, while I invite everyone to prayer and solidarity, in order to alleviate the pain of the families of the victims and offer support to the thousands of people who have been hurt.- Pope Benedict XVI
We’ve heard from friends and family in the area and everyone seems to be doing well, most without power, but all spared the brunt of the storm. Margaret was scared because her Godmother lives outside of Philadelphia and was in right in the path. Little Margaret prayers were offered last night for all those in the storm.
Last night, I started the costumes for All Saints Day. Margaret will be St. Kateri and Caecilia will be Bl. Mother Teresa. Those were pretty easy to make, surprisingly (for me, as I can’t sew). Benedict will probably end up being St. Benedict of Norcia and Karol has requested St. Michael. I think I can manage, that.
We are having a few friends over for dinner and a bonfire that evening. Thankfully, the weather has turned cool, so we won’t be sweating through the bonfire. (It is 59 and windy right now, chilly chilly for us.) I am trying to prepare for that, but really, I think we can all say that cleaning house with kids around and expecting it to stay that way is just a pipe dream. So I’ve wiped things down and done as much deep cleaning I’ve been able to do.
Also, Karol will be making his First Holy Communion at the morning Mass on the Feast of All Saints. Please say a prayer for him. He is super excited and is very much looking forward to being able to receive our Eucharistic Lord for the first time. I don’t think he realized until this past Sunday that we will be able to receive every time we go to Mass from now on (provided he is prepared.)
First Confession
Today Karol makes his First Confession!! Please say a prayer for my not so little boy!
Living the Year of Faith
In this Year of Faith our Holy Father has given us, we are called to learn the teachings of our faith. 
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A great way to start: With this Flocknote link, you can subscribe to daily emails to help you study and reflect on the Catechism of the Catholic Church. Also, reading the Documents of Vatican II  is important for those of us striving to learn and live our faith in this Post-Conciliar world. Many things done/taught/believed in the Church today, in particular the Local Church and on the Parish level are are done out of a (sometimes willful) misunderstanding of what Vatican II was about.
For my woman readers, we are called to strive more deeply to live our faith as faithful women of the Gospel! We are the standard bearers of morality in society. We must stand up to that call and live our lives our in accordance to the Will of God. We must also set a joyful example for those around us and in living that joyful example, help bring them to the wonderful teachings of Christ.
We must all remember that though those around us who profess the Catholic faith may not live it fully, that is not an excuse for us to not live it and strive to be examples of it in the world. We must learn and accept fully the true teachings of our faith, and live them, even if it means we lose friends, or that we are ostracized by those around us (our neighbors, fellow parishioners in the pews, our pastors, or our families).
Be joyful! Be happy! Be faithful!
St. Teresa Benedicta of the Cross, Pray for us!
More Food for Thought on Party of Five
When it comes to elections, everyone talks about voting for the lesser of two evils. Why settle for evil at all?
The fact is, voting for the lesser of two evils, is still voting for evil. Why vote for evil when there is likely a 3rd party candidate, not heavily funded by corporate and banking interests, that likely fits your stances on the issues?
Check out the third party debate this upcoming Tuesday. You might just find someone you can FULLY support.
From the USCCB Faithful Citizenship #36:
“When all candidates hold a position in favor of an intrinsic evil, the conscientious voter faces a dilemma. The voter may decide to take the extraordinary step of not voting for any candidate or, after careful deliberation, may decide to vote for the candidate deemed less likely to advance such a morally flawed position and more likely to pursue other authentic human goods.”
So, yes, we are permitted to vote for the candidate who is less likely to advance an intrinsic evil, but what if that candidate isn’t Mitt Romney? What if there is a candidate who sees the value of all human life, regardless of how that life was conceived? What if there is a candidate who support the end of the unjust wars we are waging overseas (and in the process, killing innocent people)? What if there is a candidate who wants to work on the real economic issues of our country? Again, what if that candidate isn’t Mitt Romney?
“Always vote for principle, though you may vote alone, and you may cherish the sweetest reflection that your vote is never lost.”
–John Quincy Adams
Party of Five, not Party of Two
Did you know that this November, on your ballot, there will probably be more than two candidates for president? Did you know that you do not have to vote for one of of the two major party candidates? As voters, we owe it to ourselves, to our children, to the country to check out all the candidates on the ballot and vote for the one who will best lead our country and to protect the rights of all citizens. You might be surprised to find that it isn’t the one with an R or a D after his name.
Links to each candidates website: