Feast of Exaltation of Cross

On 14th September we celebrated the great Feast of Exaltation of the Cross. Reminded of the great victory of cross and redeemed upon the cross.

This is the wonderful way of teaching kids about the mission of discovering cross by St Helen of Constantinople. Helen went on a mission to find the true cross of Christ. Once they discovered, they found out the true cross from the miraculous healing 

But most of all, children can be reminded of the great sacrifice Christ made for each of us. Today we looked at tones and shading the still life pictures and decorated a paper cross. Also repeated the beautiful stanzas- We adore you O Christ, we bless you because by your Holy Cross you have redeemed  the world.

On our stroll, there were lots of asteracea ( purple daisies) sign of upcoming St Martin feast.

The next day is Our Lady of Sorrow- being a disciple , taking up the cross and follow Him at every moments.

After reciting rosary , , rosary bracelet was made and looked at scriptures on the 7 sorrows of Mary

Today was a sunny day and the time outdoor was fun with our little faith lessons.

   

       Our Lady of Sorrows pray for us

St Antony of Padua

Junec13th is the feast of St Antony Padua. One of my favourite saint especially in my life struggles. At times the prayer fulfilled on the exact timings.

 His story is fabulous. After reading story with children, I had a revival and a thirst to go back to my routine of reading scripture. As a patron of Lost items and soul, we had a scavenger hunt activity for kiddos. It was fun.

Food for the feast

There are so many varities of bread you can make on this day. There are bunch of Portuguese recipes we can prepare for the day. However we had another variation- French toast .

So many crafts, coloring pages in this blog St Antony of Padua Pray for us

Celebrating Pentecost

Since Pentecost is the birthday of church, its a special time to cut a birthday cake and also known as Whitsunday in Britain. Reminder of the power of Holy Spirit in our lives.It ranks the great feasts of Christianity.

“It commemorates not only the descent of the Holy Spirit upon the Apostles and Disciples, but also the fruits and effects of that event: the completion of the work of redemption, the fullness of grace for the Church and its children, and the gift of faith for all nations.”

Whitsun was on 28th May this year 2023 The day after , Whit Monday was a bank holiday up until 1972 and replaced later with Spring Bank Holiday.

This year something very special happened, there was a Whitwalk on Spring bank holiday in Manchester. That was an amazing experience. To walk with different churches in Mcr through heart of city after a beautiful time of worship. Northwest walk was accompanied by brass bands, choirs, church clergies, parades of different churches with their massive banner stretched by ribbons in different ankles. Anglo saxon word Whit means understanding and people wear white  garment reminding baptism. So encouraging to be part of parade. Me, Jobychaya, Theresu and Geo did the walk, others ar home prepping for exams.

Some of the activities done on this day. Reminding of the gifts of the Holy spirit we made Dove craft, can also  make windsock or make some birthday headband. Cupcakes instead of birthday cake to celebrate birthday.

Also got an opportunity to minister to children on this very special feast.

    Dovecraft, ideas from catholic icing.

There is a beautiful and ancient custom of  dropping rose petals through the opening at the top of  the dome in some places. The petals fall to the crowds below, reminiscent of the coming  of the Holy Spirit like tongues of flame.

The vigil of pentecost is the conclusion of Eastertide in a profound way. Also its a time to say Holy spirit prayer...'Come Holy Spirit enkindle in us the fire of your love...' 

Blogpost from past years. Beautiful craft ideas here.

     I hope you had a blessed day.

Waterman- St David

On 1st March ,Feast of St David is celebrated also patron saint of Wales.

St David was an young  man born into royal family around 520 AD. He had a deep passion to the Lord. Devoted his life to God. Along with his companions he helped people understanding more about Christian faith. Númerous miracles were performed in his life. A man of disciplines and spent long hours standing up to his back on icy water recitings bible aloud. 

St Davids Monastery became a place of pilgrims . Our visit a few years back.

Peeped into the country of Wales. March 1st is national festival in Wales. The national emblems Daffodils and leeks are worned pinned to clothing. We made daffodils with tissue paper. Below is the tutorial. Legend has it that St David advised  welsh soldiers to wear leeks in their hats during battle to distinguish themselves from enemies. Read the book Saint David and made a booklet of Wales.

Wales has lot of farmlands and sheep industry was a major industry in the country. Infact more sheep in Wales than people. Sounds interesting. Welsh is the celtic language spoken in Wales 

Many school children wear national  dress. Wales is known as land of song and there are song festivals on Saint Davids day.

There  are special Welsh foods- but we modified to our version on baguels with chesse.

David ate only vegetables and drank water. So he was known as waterman.Really inspired by St Davids words-Be faithful, Keep the Faith... David led the people wisely, but he refused to lord it over them.

From our visit to St David Cathedral 

        St David Pray for us.

    

Celebrating candlemas-

Happy Candlemas!. Today is Candlemas day. Candlemas which occurs 40 days after Christmas on February 2nd, also known as Presentation of Lord in the temple. The day Joseph and Mary brought baby Jesus to temple for the first time And what Holy Simeon says is the reason why the name Candlemas comes I hope.. For my eyes have seen salvation prepared for people, a LIGHT for revelation to gentiles and t Israel...

The day families can bring candles for the year to bless . Also another fun way for children and adults  to use candles instead of electric lights today, making some crepes could be an interesting thing . The candle can be also be used for next day Feast of St Blaise to bless throats especially this is the season for colds and coughs due to weather changes.

It was a miracle for me that our Parish priest Fr Tierney invited us for a candle blessing and a procession to church. That was amazing. I expected  this as something impossible for today which Lord made it possible.

The day that all the remnants of Christmas can be taken down.

Making candles, telling stories, having dinner by candlelight all can be simple formulas for celebrating the day. Candlemas , or Feb 2nd is the halfway point between Winter Solstice and Spring Equinox. The light is coming back! Probably Candleless days ahead. The days we can look ahead with more hope and be cheerful

   A wax lantern made out of melted wax pellets poured into old glass jar , Vick and strings attatched.

Crepes made in the eve with some lit candles.

The story of St Bridgit is also ideal for February.

Our family is also very excited to celebrate the feast.You can download some artwork designs created by a folk artist to decorate homemade candles from below.. Another coloring page here

     English proverb on Candlemas is so nice 'If Candlemas be fair and bright come winter, Have another flight. If Candlemas bring clouds and rain Go winter, and come not again'

 Resound this words on this day...to be a Light for many. Happy Feast of Presentation

Feast of St Dominic Savio

We celebrate feast of Saint Dominic Savio on 31st of January.  A beautiful saint for young boys and girls to take as a role model. A saint who was ardent in prayers, sacraments and virtues from very young age. He meditated on the sorrowful passion of our Lord even he was a child.

The story and the decisions he took on his first Holy communion is an encouragement for many children in their journey to receive  First Holy communion. Story was read out for Geo who will be receiving communion this year.

    Colouring pages from Geo and Theresu

      Quote of St Dominic which I found so catchy and easy going for any.

  The beautiful book Vishudar illustrates the story very beautifully. 

Little Savio's promises during First Holy communion.

   St Dominic Savio pray for all today's children and protect them from all snares of the world. Remind them the need to practise virtues especially in times of trials.