Today's Observation and Thought

The other day I was saying to our Pastor that it makes me crazy that parents bring the kids to church and give them toys and snacks in an attempt to keep them quiet. When I was a child, even a very small child, I was expected to pay attention to Mass. I expected my children to pay attention to Mass. I never came with toys and snacks.

Today at Easter Mass there was a man who came with 4 children who I'd never seen before. There were no snacks and no toys and he expected them to pay attention, kneel, stand and sit at the appropriate times. It was refreshing to see. The little boy had to be talked to several times. He must be ADD or something. When going up to Communion he would walk intentionally into people going the other way. I gently put my hands on his shoulders and guided him back into line. He looked up at me surprised but he was better after that. I thought to myself, that's exactly the way it was when I was a child with adults in our congregation. I think when another adult says something, it makes more of an impact. Like they say it takes a village to raise a child.

They were really a lovely family and the Dad was doing a good job alone without a Mom to help. The children were very reverent when they went to Communion (2 were too young for communion & received blessings).  On the way to Communion one of the older girls said to me, ' you have a pretty singing voice.'  I always say, if you sing at church you will get a good singing voice too. LOL Happy Easter

My Heart Was Touched

Last night went with our High School Church Youth Group to the Archdiocese of Baltimore Chrism Mass at the Cathedral of Mary Our Queen The Chrism Mass serves 2 purposes;

 1) to bless the 3 oils:

The Oil of Catechumens used in Baptism along with water, in the consecration of churches, in the blessing of Altars, in the ordination of priests, and, sometimes, in the crowning of Catholic kings and queens.

The Holy Chrism used in Confirmation, Baptism, in the consecration of a Bishop, the consecration of a various things such as churches, chalices, patens, and bells.

The Oil of the Sick which is used in anointing the sick & in last rights.

2) for the Priest to reaffirm their commitment to God and the church.

The church is always packed the faithful representing a good part of the 153 parishes in the Archdiocese. Part of the Mass is the procession in with all the Priests from the Archdiocese, the Bishops, the Archbishop, the Deacons and Seminarians. It is quite impressive and it's cute how the Priests look around the pews to look for their "sheep". And also how the "sheep" look for their "shepherd" waving, smiling and sometimes reaching out to shake their hand or to hug them. I always look forward to seeing Priests who have served our Parish over the years and have moved on to other assignments. 

This was an especially joyful year. We have a new Pope (Francis) and a new Archbishop (Lori). And last night was the first Chrism Mass for each of them. 

The Mass was beautiful. The Bible readings were in English and Spanish. Many parts of the Mass were sung in Latin.  As I was singing the Pater Noster (Our Father in Latin), I was taken back to when I was in Rome at the Vatican where we also sang it...all the people from many countries..The Universal Church.

And the sentimental fool that I am, my heart was touched thinking about how many many generations of my family did the same and how this Mass follows the traditions of the early church. I could almost see one of my ancestors in the catacombs participating in the Mass. It makes me feel so connected to Jesus and the Apostles and so thankful for my Church and the men who heard their calling from God and said yes to the Priesthood. 

On the back of our program was a quote from Blessed John Paul II, "The priestly vocation is essentially a call to holiness, in the form that derives from the Sacrament of Holy Orders. Holiness is intimacy with God, it is the imitation of Christ, poor, chase and humble. It is unserved love for souls an self-giving to their true good. It is love for the Church which is holy and wants us to be holy, because such is the mission that Christ has entrusted to it. Each of you must be holy also in order to help your brothers and sisters pursue their vocation to holiness."

                            Have a Blessed Holy Week!

Yummy Apple Chips!

So my grandson's doctor said he was overweight and he should stay away from fattening food and sugar and be more  active.  We have a Family Game Night once a month at my house and both my kids and their families come. Tonight is one of those nights. My grandson remarked last night that he looks forward to the game night because of all the snack food I have.

I told him I'd have health things for him to eat and he said he would really miss the chips and dip. So it got me thinking. I had bought 2 microwave chip makers some time ago but hadn't really used them so I decided to make some apple chips. Of course, I forgot how to do it so I found a video online to refresh my memory.

First I used my pampered chef slicer. to slice up some thin slices. I set it to number 1.

Then I put them on paper towels and pressed out the extra moisture.

Next I microwaved them for 8 minutes and 15 seconds (sometimes a little longer if they were thicker slices.

They turned out pretty good and tasty I might add.



I only had one disaster.

 Now to get some low fat greek yogurt for dip!

Ramblings of Spring & Strange Dreams

Hand Painted Porcelain Tray

Spring is on it's way and so is Easter. Things that come to mind resurrection and new life, flowers, green, warm rays of the sun.

I was thinking the other day we had a mild winter and I was hoping for that early Spring that the Groundhog said we'd get but wait, the weather man says we are having a snow storm tomorrow....well that puts a crimp in things

Speaking of new life and resurrection  I had this dream the other night. I was at some painting seminar and was going to bed. We had bunks (for some strange reason) in the hotel. I climbed in the bottom bunk and I saw my Mom's face (she passed away on Dec 28, 2012).

She was saying that she could see her Mother (my Grandmother) and she was surrounded by colorful radiant light. That doesn't surprise me because Busha was faithful to the Lord. Well anyway, I remember saying to Mom, "Mom, I REALLY don't want to see dead people." and I up and left the bunk bed...strange dream. Hope if she was coming to me in the dream that I didn't hurt her feelings. I wonder if you get hurt feelings in the afterlife?
___________________________________________________________________-

The piece of porcelain above is available in my Etsy shop. Here is the link: http://www.etsy.com/listing/102662783/china-painted-dogwood-and-cross-dresser?