St Lucia

It was the week with Feast of St Lucy during advent..on 13th December.  Lot of traditions of St Lucy revolves around swedish tradition.

     St Lucy was a virgin and martyr ,who often portrayed with eyes carried in a tray. She was tortured as being a Christian, torn out her eyes. However the biggest mirace was she was able to see .

    She used to visit imprisoned, brought blankets and food to them. Both arms were kept free to carry as many supplies as possible. So she wore a wreath around head with candles, like head lights of now a days to walk through dark underground prisons. That is the tradition to carry candle on feast.

    So many beautiful traditions esp. Swedish...are there. Eldest girls bake or give breakfast of saffron buns( called lussekatter) and boys dressed up as star boys.... Like St Lucy may we be  light to many others. 

        St Lucy buns

               Our Star boy

     Happy Feast of St Lucy

A few other activities this week was visiting a home with do many residents and sung Carol sings for them as part of St Mary's warrington.

        Net day , as a family we decorated  our parish little bit. ...putting up little banners.

Feast of Christ the king

 I remember the story of a Mexican saint in recent times, who martyred on feast of Christ king. It is a joy that Christ is proclaimed as king of universe and king of hearts. As we listen to kingship of Christ last Sunday of Liturgical year, we made little crown with cookie dough. Some of the little doodle at home.

On this day, we pray for every hearts to be touched by the Lord , a day to consecrate our homes to Sacred Heart.

 Cookie dough getting ready. Both Therese and geo into full swing of baking.

          

   Viva Christo Rey- Long live Christ the king   

      

Month of May with Mary

Children had an opportunity this year in our parish to do May crowning. Now our garden getting cleared from clutters, chopping a tree and getting ready to plant some Mary flowers- Marigold and so on. 

 Every year on May , I hope to have a Mary  for our garden * although mini statue is in our garden, or to finish off writing an article probably a book published about Month of May and Mary in near future.. Perhaps I give to Lord for the right time. Trying my best at this covid time..  I am always reminded of home at this time around, used to attend chapel for devotionals during the month.  Always some prayer favors received this month of Mary our heavenly mother through her intercession. 

     Lots of flowers are on Marian names - marigold, rosemary herb, thistle, rosesand so on. Getting our Mary garden ready .

  

  Decluttering and planting marigold.

Feast of St George

Last week was the Feast of our Geo, St George's Feast was on 23rd April. Patron of England. Feast days of each kids are celebrated as best we can to keep up the joy of having name saint and preserve in their fond memories.

          It was his desire for a new bike sometime as other one broke nearly. With his gift, he rode to church , went to Chorlton water park , enjoyed ride especially on their newly discovered trail with big dip and having fun riding steep up, down path.

         

     Jobychaya the man behind all the lovely memories of my life

On the way back home in our nearby field with plenty of dandelion flowers, Thrresu and Geo into exploring flowers these days with so many pretty blossoms around.

     They had some mini printable of maize to do with little picnic outside these days as weather was getting hotter out. Baguettes ready and lovely weather outside.

    Doing St George's Feast day crossword

Big kiddos are having GCSE fever, having so many exams happening at Covenant School exam centre  next two weeks. Bit busy dropping, picking , bit nudging and assistance with exams.Thank God as they are coping well with preps, mock and so on.

Divine Mercy

Last Sunday was second week of Easter and the feast of Divine Mercy. Every year as a family, we try to prepare for the feast at least do a confession and some fun foods at home.

   This year some of the little kids gathered on feast day in zoom, planned activity: craft , story telling and recited DM chaplet at 3pm. That was so cool.

  The beautiful image give  us lot of meanings,  Image itself is Risen Lord, with wounds, blood and water from the pierced heart reflecting His mercy and reminder of Eucharist. Lord is stretching His feet forward reminding His extending mercy to each one of us. Lord asked St Faustina to add the signature print in the image( one of the early selfies)...Jesus I Trust in You.

It was spring snowing in North , April showers and snowflakes rolled up in the car.

Little fun activity on feast day, hand activity filled with acts of mercy written inside to practise these days.

          Jesus I Trust in You

    

On the Feast of Annunciation

Today on the Feast of Anunciation, 25th March.

The day in the church calendar in honor of annhnciation- Let it be done unto your will. Reminded of Mary's Yes ...fiat, became the great Yes to God's divine plan of salvation.

        Interestingly  in Sweden, everyone have waffles on this day and known as Waffles day. It is known as Our Lady's day.

        On the day, as an honour to Mary, we have prepared chocolate waffles in waffle iron , toppled the waffle with cream and strawberries. 

St Patrick's Day

Great sunny day today and it is St Patrick's day- March 17th, visited St John's church and was packed with so any Irish people. So lovely to be there and to receive  the blessings of the day.

    It is always amazing to relive in the story of great saint. The young saint who had a deep traumatic experience in childhood, God turned trauma into a grace of conversion . Each bit of his story is enchanting...The great man who lived in the hearts of all Irish. He too was brave, single- minded and absolutely certain that he will be united with his true love..I wish and hope  to strive this journey too.

      Who has not heard of St Patrick's day? Day of wearing green. 

Along with the read aloud, kids favourite cross words and maze was done. The great teaching of Holy trinity through the shamrock leaf..made craft of Holy trinity.

       Irish dance is so beautiful and love to hear and watch the steps. Cant forget watching Irish dance year before when we visited Ireland for Workd family meet. Unforgettable memories of travelling on cruise, visiting some of ttd Orish friend's, going to the meet and on last day was the day Holy father visited the crowd. 

Jochayz with kids trying to learn some steps.

It was a beautiful sunny day and played tennis and other games in playing field.  

Theresu for the first time baked some cupcakes and cakes all alone, hoping to share for our parishioner's anniversary. 

  Green coloured table  ready with roast lunch, rainbow  fruit cocktail, lemon water ..

Just repeatedly listened and learnt St Patrick's breastplate. "Christ at my right hand...

Speaking of his conversion he ssid- ' I was like a young stone  lying in deep mud, but He that is mightly lifted me up and placed me on top of the  wall' 

       ST PATRICK ORA PRO NOBIS