Feast of Chair of St Peter

It was the feast of St Peter the Chair on Feb22nd. This is celebrated in commemoration of St Peter, the first pope and the primacy of the pope today. This feast has started celebrating since 4th Century. The chair is the symbol of authority.

Do you know that there is a real chair that stands in the back of Basilica. However the Chair not means just a piece of wood, it is the mission and ministry entrusted to St Peter.

 'You are  Peter,a rock and I will build my church upon this rock'  Mt. 16;18

Kids did some crafts and reading on St Peter, St Peter's Basilica.

Since it was a very special day to remember the Holy Mother church and thought to know more about it,

I was excited to do Basilica pop up picture with them, borrowed ideas from 'Shower of Roses'

Munnu's Lab

Munnu is making volcano by mixing vinegar and soda bicarb.

M

               He poured both into a small model.

Ballet dance for 'A Night at the Movies'

It was the first time our family was going out for a show by the children in a playhouse. It was such an incredible time. Annu was learning ballet for nearly 6 months and it was a great opportunity for her to perform in the Garrick Playhouse, Altrincham, for the 5th Annual show of Miss Clare Tanner school. Annu and her other home ed friends did ballet  on musical   '' My Favorite Things''.

                                 Annu and her friends. It was  very busy days for us and Annu did three shows on Saturday and Sunday together.  Miss Clare put lot of hard work and children all had whole week rehearsals.

It was such a fun day and a great experience to Annu.

Season of Lent

It is almost Lent. Our family has  established some Lenten traditions with our children. Last year we made a Mardi Gras cake and bury Alleluia letters. The basic idea is to hide the letters 'ALLELUIA' in some form which reminds catholics don't sing Alleluia or  Gloria during Lenten season. In medieval times in order to signify that no Alleluia is sung, people developed the idea of burying the word Alleluia and hide it and will be retrieved on Easter.

 We just printed  out some letters which is easy and cheap, or you can get wooden letters and spray it and use.

Shrove tuesday is a day of preparation of lent. Shrove comes from the word' strive' or to confess. Last few years we have been making pancakes .In Britain, Shrove Tuesday is 'Pancake Day'. Both refer to the days when the lenten fast was more strictly done, all the meat, cream and butter are eaten up before the Lenten season . In fact, eastern churches lenten season begins on the eve of Pethurtha (1st sunday of lent )

                                   Have a Blessed season of Lent.

Year Of Mercy Jar

I was thinking to do a some sort of charity during the Year of Mercy. Then I came across the Divine Mercy for Moms blog and the book which sounds so great.I thought to pull a jar and leave it in the table,' Year of Mercy jar' to celebrate extraordinary Year of Mercy declared by Pope Francis and stuck a Mary Meal label on it. This Mary Meals organisation provides meals for places in Africa, Haiti etc. This amazing organisation was named after Mary, Mother of God, who brought up her own child in poverty.
       In papal bull of Indiction 'Misericordiae Vultus, he asked us to open our eyes to suffering lives and extend our helping hands.

It is easy to sometimes  feel that motherhood isn't compatable  with true christian works of mercy. I was pondering more into coorporal works of mercy. Then it happened to read the Apostleship of the sea and seafarers. Feeding the hungry is the coorporal act of mercy as christians called to do. Many at times seafarers do not have food.

We asked you to please visit ' Mary Meals' website and watch video ' child 31' or read Magnus Farlands book ; The Shed that Fed  A million children. You can even do a 'Year of Mercy Jar' project and either support the 'Apostleship of the sea'.

Candlemas

Blogging after a long holiday and a break. Candlemas, the feast of Presentation of Our Lord and Purification of Our Lady falls on Feb 2nd ,celebrates the day on which infant Jesus was taken up to the temple. Simeon took the child in his arms and declared that child would be light to whole world.

Luke 2;32 '' A light to enlighten the gentiles and glory of your people, Israel''.

As we often do with feasts children and me did plan to do tea along with a special centerpiece and a craft .This is hastily planned but it was a great time for us.

Children enacted Luke 2;..Mary and Joseph presenting infant Jesus in the temple.

 The candles are blessed in many churches and can be used again for the family candlelight supper.There is an old saying- ''After Candlemas-candleless'' means after Candlemas the days get longer, spring is on its way.'Who will be the first in the family to see the first snowdrop and first shoots of crocus?

                         Have a blessed day

Baptism on 6th Jan 2016

Geo had his baptism on 6th Jan, on the feast of Epiphany and it was a blessed time for the whole family.

                                    With Godparents

                                      With cousins