St Thomas Feast

It was a beautiful day and blessed day for all who celebrates the feast of Apostle to India, St Thomas. Usually these are the  days Syro Malabar mass , novena, procession, festivities. Everything virtual this year.

Still at home, children had read aloud of St Thomas story , his journey in Kerala, meeting kings, ordinary people, preaching good news, establishing churches and his death. At home Annu made some waffles in our waffle pan and decorated with cream. 

Virtue of Hope

This Saturday we are holding another online preteen faith and fun session on theme of Hope. This is the theme followed up when we prayed about it. At the current situation of epidemic, it makes a lot of sense for both childRen and grown ups.

Some of the resources  using up are like making an optical toy( THAUMATOPE )thoroughing up word of god, learns 'My hope is in you song 'of VBS, sharing the story of George Muller and story of Moses.

Thaumatope is a very popular Victorian toy. Children used two matching pairs of picture on two circular discs. Then glued each other, one upside down. Eventually, after tie  the rope, they can spin and both images combine together to produce animation pictures. Pictures like bird and cage, tiger and cage, tree and leaves, can be used. These are all the beginning of motion pictures.

       Thaumatope made for the pre teens session.

 One of the theological virtue too. Hope is the anchor of my soul, sustains, connects, keep up spirit to looking forward. So probably depends upon time, we will be making an anchor craft too and learn a small prayer of act of Hope.

A Happy 14th Birthday

Children are growing up faster. I always love to celebrate their birthdays as best 

as I can. Since it is quarantine and growing into teens, they tend to move into a stage with less party. Desire of Mich was to be with his family.

In the morning everyone showered him with Birthday cards of their own.Geo was very

 keen to wrap birthday gift for the last few days and hid under bed.

Some of the birthday boy's wishes were very ordinary items like bathtowel & watch.

                                       Some of the cards

It so fun to see Theresu made a card for her brother with his spots on.

Below is the birthday gallery made by me for Mich of all his last 14 years of memory.

                                     Acrostic poem about Mich

                   

                          Annu's card

Since lockdown,Today is the first time we are out as family together,went to 

attend H.Mass. Gave all the instructions to be quiet and not touch all the surfaces, glad even Geo responded to it very well.

Asa teenager boy, he is a getting into quite health freak, reducing sugar, trying to be healthy, eating healthy food, more exercises, trying to get rid of pimples. Good signs, but chocolates are left for others to eat. Jobychaya made biriyani and my special was Mich's favourite carrot cake with cream cheesing. I couldn't imagine how years passed by. Thank God for Mich, an obedient, helping and a bit science geek too.

We cut cake very late towards the end of the day after watching a movie and spent sometime before the Lord.

       
                                 Happy 14TH Birthday !!!

Solemnity of Sacred Heart

Sacred Heart Feast is celebrated  19 days after Pentecost.The whole month of June is dedicated to Sacred Heart.

Christ himself revealed to St Margaret Mary Alacoque the love of Sacred Heart.Though the devotion to Sacred Heart is much older. We are all reminded of boundless love of Christ for humanity.

Let us focus on the exposed heart of Lord, we see in the paintings,with crown of thorns, the cross, the wound, rays around and the flames with cross on it. Flames represents His burning love for us,the rays of light shows Christ the light of the world. The cross and the crown of thorns remind us the passion of Lord and all His sufferings for our sins.

You can do a few things at on the feast day, some heart shaped cup cakes, fruit salad with berries decorated in the shape of heart .

Children can be encouraged to repeat ejaculatory prayers to Sacred Heart from below.
Then along with Holy Mass, consecrate our families to Sacred Heart.

                                      Sweet Heart of Jesus be my Love.

                       Sacred Heart of Jesus I place my trust in You.

                    Jesus meek and humble of heart make my heart like yours.
                                                

Crazy Cricket Fan- A 5th birthday Party

Today is Geo's 5th Birthday. Since it is  unique and different birthday this year , with no much friends to be invited and have a party.

However  the thought of his birthday make me to do a party with just our family .His favourite passion is to play cricket now a days , which is another strange thing from other siblings, whom loves a little bit football only.

Cake cutting

Thus theme was around cricket and he is so delighted with cricket bat, football cards, chess book for beginner which is one of his another favourite game . I am also in enforcement camp and trying to learn as much I can, to be his playmate . He is my guru too.

At home, we all dumbstruck by the sad demise of one of our good friend in Australia. Eternal rest grant upon her and comfort the sorrowful husband and children

Nevertheless, Annu prepared a cricket themed cake : base,crumb coating, ganache and final embellishments by early morning. It looks stunning.

As part of my effort , prepared jelly,  cricket ball Pinata , which took a few days to layer it up and fill in sweets. 

Munnu prepared his signature birthday cards with cricket ball in pitch, along with that Geo's portrait was made and imprinted it with mini cut straw pieces. It looks great. Theresu also learning to make pop up cards and she tried her very best too. 

Jobychaya helped with table decors.

Geo got surprise gift from his closest friend by post.  That was beautiful and I was wishing some gift which he asked me for. I truly believe Lord hear all your needs. Children put their hearts in to make this day beautiful.

Geo was glad with cricket set, chess book, dinosaur s , putty and sweets.

Thank you Lord for the gift of Geo in our life and for the wonderful years.