Saint Paul Message

Like St. Paul, we are all called by God.

Ananias went and entered the house; laying his hands on [the future St. Paul], he said, "Saul, my brother, the Lord has sent me that you may regain your sight and be filled with the Holy Spirit." Immediately things like scales fell from his eyes and he regained his sight. He was baptized, and after he had eaten, he recovered his strength. He stayed with the disciples in Damascus and immediately began to proclaim in the synagogues that Jesus is the Son of God.

~ Acts 9:17-20

Swine Flu

A good article from the National Register

http://www.ncregister.com/daily/swine_flu_and_catholic_worship/?utm_source=NCRegister.com&utm_campaign=90c8efc58e-RSS_DAILY_EMAIL&utm_medium=email

Awesome Podcast

Please Listen to Faith and Family's Podcast below:

http://www.faithandfamilylive.com/blog/flu_faith_and_fun_with_grandparents/

Message from Medjugorje

PRAY FOR PEACE AND WITNESS IT

"Dear children! Today I call you all to pray for peace and to witness it in your families so that peace may become the highest treasure on this peaceless earth. I am your Queen of Peace and your mother. I desire to lead you on the way of peace, which comes only from God. Therefore, pray, pray, pray. Thank you for having responded to my call." Message of April 25, 2009


In her message of 25 April 2009 Our Lady calls us to pray for peace and to witness it at the same time, first in our families and then in the whole world. It is a fact that our time is marked with peacelessness in its many various forms. Having that in mind, we must not remain indifferent, but must make every effort to create peace. The Church, which has been announcing the Joyful News since its very beginning, has been called to announce and always realize peace. In His message written in the occasion of the World Day for Peace Pope John Paul II, of blessed memory, says: «We do not claim to find in the Gospel text ready-made formulas for making today this or that advance towards peace. But on every page of the Gospel and of the history of the Church we find a spirit, that of brotherly love, powerfully teaching peace.» We Christians are called to announce and witness peace with our own lives. Establishing peace is not a question of choice, it is an obligation. Peace is never established once and for all, but needs to be created all the time because the deepest longing of man's heart is actually for peace. In his book Fast with the Heart the departed Fr. Slavko Barbaric writes about peace: «How often we lose peace because we are arrogant, selfish, envious, jealous, avariciuos and consumed by power and honour. Experience confirms that through fasting and prayer evil, arrogance and selfishness are overcome; the heart is opened and love and humility, generosity and goodness grow. Thus, true conditions for peace are realized. Whoever has peace because he loves and forgives also remains spiritually and physically healthy. He remains capable of shaping his own life in a manner worthy of man, who is the most exalted of God’s creatures. Through fasting and prayer, human needs are also diminished and brought to proportion. Also by this, conditions for peace along with a proper relationship with others and material things are being created. In everything we do, whether good or bad, we seek peace. When a person loves, looks for and experiences peace, or even when he stays sober or fights against addiction, he seeks peace. When he becomes drunk, he also seeks peace. When he fights for his life and the lives of those he loves, he realizes peace.»

The Queen of Peace wants to lead us to true peace, which is her Son and our Lord Jesus Christ, who is the true king of peace. Prayer is the safe path leading to Jesus and Heaven. In her last message she urges us three times to pray for peace as prayer is the only right way. Let us respond with all our heart and soul to the call of Our Mother Mary, the Queen of Peace, and she will lead us to the true peace, the love of God, closeness and joy.


Fr. Danko Perutina
Medugorje 26/04/2009

100 days Speech

100 Days Of Change? Really? What type of change?

Apologia Elementary Series

I have used this Science Program for the last year. I highly recommend it. I have so far used the Astronomy and Botany Book. The experiments are user-friendly and relevant to the material learned in each chapter. My kids thoroughly enjoy the notebook they have developed through this series and the drawings they have done. Notebooking is the best way for a child to learn science facts. Jeannine Fulbright's approach to learning is a blessing from God. She is very knowledgeable about each subject she writes about. I look forward to the Anatomy Book coming out this Fall. I will continue to use her elementary series until my children reach High School. Here is her site:

http://www.jeanniefulbright.citymax.com/home.html


Her current listing of books:

Exploring Creation with Astronomy

Exploring Creation with Botany

Exploring Creation with Zoology 1 (Winged Animals)

Exploring Creation with Zoology 2 (Aquatic Animals)

Exploring Creation with Zoology 3 (Land Animals)

Exploring Creation with Anatomy (due out this summer!)

Exploring Creation with Physics and Chemistry (due out in 2010)

I Will Survive!

This is for all those homeschooling moms out there!!!

How Great is Our God!

Ants and a HUGE spider

This is totally off-topic, it is not exactly Catholic or homeschooling-ish. Now is that a word I just created, probably. I was making my nightly bathroom visit, I look down and there are ants every where. I am thinking okay--this is so not the time to scream the kids are all sleeping and Greg is on the computer. Think, Noelle, what do ants hate--vinegar. I am in the midst of spring cleaning--so I have my vinegar bottle handy and sprayed the military encampment in my bathroom. SO I think it is better and walk into the living room. I see them again as if they are waging war on my shoes. I am a girl after all--Men are supposed to do this. Then I think. No, I have had a child upchuck into my mouth; I had another child have diarrhea in the car as a toddler, been up late nights washing sheets from kids throwing up. I can handle this and I sprayed them and swept up the little dead bodies and threw them out. Then I go to go to bed and I see this thing scurry along my path. I am at this point going, Lord, I know you have a great sense of humor, but I am tired. At first thought it was a mouse, it wasn't-- it was a HUGE spider. I took the broom as my sword and shooed him out the door. All I am thinking is we are studying botany this year and God is just showing me true Botany. Really does one want it in their house? Of course not. So in the midst of daily frustrations, think of the humor that God sends us.

Praising Him Joyfully,
Noelle

Dr. Wicked

This is not an anti-Catholic thing, so don't email me and say that. It is a writing program to help people write. In fact a Nun recommended it for homeschoolers. This is my product for the day!

http://lab.drwicked.com/writeordie.html

Try it out--it might work.

God Bless!

Scheduling your Home School Day

This is a really good article about scheduling your homeschool day!

http://heartofthematteronline.com/scheduling-your-homeschool-day/

CHAPLET Conference

The CHAPLET Conference was awesome. God was so present, you feel like a blanket of love enveloped you as you walked in. Something I have needed for awhile. The chapel was so beautiful. The vendors were awesome. I met other homeschooling mothers which was great. There were so many nuns and priests there--which was great. I know our pastor preaches about vocations--praying for the vocations. The nuns from The Slaves of the Immaculate Heart were there and some priests. I found a good book on Mary of Guadalupe there. What an awesome presence with so many vocations. Hillside Education was there, and I found Lingua Mater, which is a 7th grade Language program. They are the publisher of Mater et Magistra Magazine, which Margo Davidson is the Editor. What a joy it was to finally met Maureen Wittmann! She even signed my book. I am in the official New Jersey fan club. After talking to her and Kolbe Academy I am so confident that I can home school through High School. I even got to meet Rachael Watkins who writes The Little Flowers Manuals. I missed Danielle Bean--maybe at another conference, the only sad part. Last not least I would like to thank all the volunteers who set up this conference at CHAPLET. What an awesome response to God's calling to us to homeschool and Go Forth and evangelize.

Praising Him Joyfully,
Noelle:)

Catholic Schools Textbook Project

These are the History Book we use and the kids love them. You can establish your own unit studies through them like we do. There will be 12 in the series when they are done! Now a good Catholic Science would be great too!

http://www.catholictextbookproject.com/purchase/purchase-main.html

Moving Beyond the Page

http://www.movingbeyondthepage.com/curriculum.asp

This look a pretty good unit study approach. I looked into it, before I decided I could do my own unit studies.

Cultivating My Garden

This is a great article from Heart of the Matter, about cultivating our souls as well as our gardens.

http://heartofthematteronline.com/cultivating-my-garden/

Time to speak up!

Elizabeth Foss wrote an excellent article on what it means to be Catholic in today's world. It is time for us to speak up!


http://catholicherald.com/opinions/detail.html?sub_id=9962

Heart of the Matter Article

This is a great article on living simply.

http://heartofthematteronline.com/simple-is-as-simple-does/

Forms of Government

This is an excellent clip on types of government.

http://www.wimp.com/thegovernment/

Paul in a Basket Review for Catholic Company

I just received The Paul in a Basket Audio CD with the production notes to put on a play by Rob Evans, the Donut Man. The songs have a great beat to them. The narration is very lively and keeps the kids on track of the story. It is an hour long CD and production if you choose to do it. This would be a really good play to put on for VBS or a home school group co-op setting, even for a Children's Ministry to put on in church. The staging directions are great , but I would make a few suggestions. In the song and staging of the New Creation , it talks about caterpillars and metamorphosis. I would suggest to read a book about a butterfly's life cycle. Some smaller children may not know about it yet. In the part when it talks about the Holy Spirit, I would also suggest a picture of a dove and talk about the gifts of the Holy Spirit. I would also like to see more pictures of Saint Paul staged during the play. The production notes are a bit confusing, because it does not follow along with the CD. For example, the CD goes 1-5 then skips to 8 and back to 6 in the production notes. Also, #9 "Do What is Good", is not on the CD at all but in the production notes. Overall, I think this an excellent product for PreK-4th grade. The CD is a great resource for the Life of Saint Paul, especially for The Year of Saint Paul. I strongly recommend this for Elementary children. God Bless!

Paul in a Basket CD: http://www.catholiccompany.com/catholic-books/5003025/Paul-Basket-Musical-Adventure-Kids-CD

Catholic Company: http://www.catholiccompany.com

Used Catholic curriculum

CATHSWAP is a great place for used Catholic curriculum for those who are looking for it.

http://cathswap.heavenforum.com/index.htm

Catholic Heritage Curricula

CHC is now offering E-books and have great supplemental stuff. My kids love their approach to learning.

http://www.chcweb.com/catalog/index.html

Sarah Palin's decison

This was a really good article about pro-life, which Danielle Bean posted on the Faith and Family blog:

http://www.faithandfamilylive.com/blog/sarah_palins_pro_life_hesitation/

A Divine Realization

Yesterday was Divine Mercy Sunday. I came out of out Novena quite a different person. Before Greg's lay off I was quite a different person. After his lay off, we have prioritized our money where it needed to be spent. Funny thing is that as a family we have become closer and bonded more as a family. He is enjoying the kids more. I have come out of my writer's block and started blogging about it. I have started my first article to hopefully freelance and get published, all of it God-inspired. This has been a God-given talent all my life, but I put it all on hold once we got married and the kids arrived, with our crazy schedule. God has always had his own way in showing me what direction my life needs to go in. This Lent and Easter, spring cleaning was not just the spring cleaning material things, but spring cleaning my soul and baggage not needed. Spiritually we are more connected, and homeschooling has been such an awesome family experience in our lives. Thank you God for the amazing you do in our lives everyday.

Praising Him Joyfully,
Noelle

Divine Mercy Sunday

Divine Mercy Sunday!

Divine Mercy Sunday

The New Plenary Indulgence During the course of Jesus' revelations to Saint Faustina on the Divine Mercy He asked on numerous occasions that a feast day be dedicated to the Divine Mercy and that this feast be celebrated on the Sunday after Easter. The liturgical texts of that day, the 2nd Sunday of Easter, concern the institution of the Sacrament of Penance, the Tribunal of the Divine Mercy, and are thus already suited to the request of Our Lord. This Feast, which had already been granted to the nation of Poland and been celebrated within Vatican City, was granted to the Universal Church by Pope John Paul II on the occasion of the canonization of Sr. Faustina on 30 April 2000. In a decree dated 23 May 2000, the Congregation for Divine Worship and the Discipline of the Sacraments stated that "throughout the world the Second Sunday of Easter will receive the name Divine Mercy Sunday, a perennial invitation to the Christian world to face, with confidence in divine benevolence, the difficulties and trials that mankind will experience in the years to come." These papal acts represent the highest endorsement that the Church can give to a private revelation, an act of papal infallibility proclaiming the certain sanctity of the mystic, and the granting of a universal feast, as requested by Our Lord to St. Faustina. Concerning the Feast of Mercy Jesus said: Whoever approaches the Fountain of Life on this day will be granted complete forgiveness of sins and punishment. (Diary 300) I want the image solemnly blessed on the first Sunday after Easter, and I want it to be venerated publicly so that every soul may know about it. (Diary 341) This Feast emerged from the very depths of My mercy, and it is confirmed in the vast depths of my tender mercies. (Diary 420) On one occasion, I heard these words: My daughter, tell the whole world about My Inconceivable mercy. I desire that the Feast of Mercy be a refuge and shelter for all souls, and especially for poor sinners. On that day the very depths of My tender mercy are open. I pour out a whole ocean of graces upon those souls who approach the fount of My mercy. The soul that will go to Confession and receive Holy Communion shall obtain complete forgiveness of sins and punishment.* [our emphasis] On that day all the divine floodgates through which grace flow are opened. Let no soul fear to draw near to Me, even though its sins be as scarlet. My mercy is so great that no mind, be it of man or of angel, will be able to fathom it throughout all eternity. Everything that exists has come forth from the very depths of My most tender mercy. Every soul in its relation to Me will I contemplate My love and mercy throughout eternity. The Feast of Mercy emerged from My very depths of tenderness. It is My desire that it be solemnly celebrated on the first Sunday after Easter. Mankind will not have peace until it turns to the Fount of My Mercy. (Diary 699) Yes, the first Sunday after Easter is the Feast of Mercy, but there must also be deeds of mercy, which are to arise out of love for Me. You are to show mercy to our neighbors always and everywhere. You must not shrink from this or try to absolve yourself from it. (Diary 742) I want to grant complete pardon to the souls that will go to Confession and receive Holy Communion on the Feast of My mercy. (Diary 1109) As you can see the Lord's desire for the Feast includes the solemn, public veneration of the Image of Divine Mercy by the Church, as well as personal acts of veneration and mercy. The great promise for the individual soul is that a devotional act of sacramental penance and Communion will obtain for that soul the plenitude of the divine mercy on the Feast. *The Cardinal of Krakow, Cardinal Macharski, whose diocese is the center of the spread of the devotion and the sponsor of the Cause of Sr. Faustina, has written that we should use Lent as preparation for the Feast and confess even before Holy Week! So, it is clear that the confessional requirement does not have to be met on the Feast itself. That would be an impossible burden for the clergy if it did. The Communion requirement is easily met that day, however, since it is a day of obligation, being Sunday. We would only need confession again, if received earlier in Lenten or Easter Season, if we were in the state of mortal sin on the Feast.

Lapbooks for Catholics

I love Lap books, especially for Catechism. It makes it is just more meaningful to understand. This is a wonderful link that makes all the essentials of lapbooking. I recommend it highly. I just ordered two of them. I am awaiting with anticipation now. This is when homeschooling is more of a hands on learning experience.

http://www.lapbooksforcatholics.com/index.html

Pope Benedict's 82nd Birthday!

Types of Government

This is a really good clip on types of government.

http://www.wimp.com/thegovernment/

Adoremus Books

This only happens once a year—It’s time for Adoremus Books‘ annual Easter Sale!

Between now and April 22, get 20% off your entire order. Just use the code EASTER9 at checkout.

Encountering God

On Easter Sunday, our Pastor talked about encountering God. Our encounters with Him reveal who is a little at a time. We need to encounter God to be full present with Him. Mother Nadine talks about encountering God through the Rain and how he strengthens us through it. Some many things have occurred this week that our family is truly present with Jesus. He has strengthened us through this tough time we are going through. It has made us stronger and showed me how simplicity is the way of the Lord. We are trying to simplify our lives. In this very materialistic world, it is hard. Their are so many things that can lead us astray. If we truly focus on Him and not the storm swirling around the Joy and peace is so immense. Think of how to encounter God today.

Praising Him Joyfully,
Noelle

Sound Of Music

This is hysterical--from Faith and Family blog

He is Risen!

“Why do you seek the living among the dead? He is not here, but he has been raised.”

Luke 24:4

Natural Easter Egg Dye

Danielle Bean suggested on Faith and Family Blog. I personally am saving it for next year.

Have a Blessed Holy Saturday! Those who are coming into the Church tonight--Welcome!

http://whatscookingamerica.net/Eggs/EasterEggDye.htm

Good Friday

“So they took Jesus, and he went out, bearing his own cross, to the place called the place of a skull, which is called in Hebrew Golgotha. There they crucified him, and with him two others, one on either side, and Jesus between them.”
– John 19:17-18

Be with Christ today. Stand beside the cross and unite your sufferings with His. Compare your wounds with His and see that they are small, but give them to Him anyway. Compare your strength to His and see that you are weak, but give yourself to Him anyway. Walk with Him, bleed with Him, die with Him today.

Reflections on Lent

For those of you who know me personally, you know this has been a tough Lent for me. I am very thankful for the rocky roads through it, because it brought so much closer to God. I am thankfully for the awesome friends and family I have, but especially for my husband who has been my rock. I realize now how much Satan came work through other people to detract us from God. I am a stronger person for it. I feel this was a really great lesson. God is my rock no matter how much I falter, He is there to pick us up and show us to try again. I know tomorrow going to church on Good Friday I will be showing this year a deeper appreciation of what He suffered for me. God Bless you all! Have a Great and Blessed Easter!

Praising Him Joyfully,
Noelle:)

Holy Thursday

“Simon Peter said to him, ‘Lord, not my feet only but also my hands and my head!’”
– John 13:9

Call on Christ today — the same Christ who broke bread, passed the cup, and washed the feet of His disciples. Feel his healing hands. Open your heart and let Him in. Let Him feed you. Let Him quench your thirst. Let Him wash you clean.

Mary did you know?

CHAPLET CONFERENCE

The time is fast approaching for this year’s 2009 CHAPLET Homeschool Conference.

Maureen Wittmann and Danielle Bean will be there as speakers this year--YAHOO!!

Rumor has it that even Susie Lloyd will be there, signing copies of her awesome new book, Bless Me, Father, For I Have Kids.

The conference will be Saturday, April 25 2009. Come on! It’ll be fun!

See here for registration and other details.

Lent Day 37

Fast: Go to bed early. Give your body the rest it needs to give all to your family in the morning.

Pray: Ask Mary to give you her heart today. Even as you go about your daily duties, keep close to Christ.

Give: Ask your kids what they like most to do with you. Do that today.

Catholic Bloggers

Calling All Catholic Bloggers from Danielle Bean's website:

Calling all Catholic bloggers, podcasters, vidcasters, and webmasters!

Are you interested in receiving free Catholic books, DVDs, and gifts to review on your site?

Well then, The Catholic Company’s Reviewer Program is just the ticket! As a member of our Reviewer Program, you’ll have a chance to pick a free review product from a list of items currently available. We usually have 10 to 15 items to choose from, and they are always recent releases or relevant to current events. All we ask from you is to post an honest review of the product sent to you!

Get all the details.

Lent Day 36

Fast: Do you have talent? Remember to give God the glory. “The sole thing in myself in which I glory is that I see in myself nothing in which I can glory.” – St. Catherine of Genoa

Pray: Repeat a short prayer while you do the dishes today: “O Jesus, meek and humble of heart, make my heart like yours!”

Give: Invite a friend for lunch. Don’t worry about making the house look perfect or cooking fancy food. Be truly present to her.

Catholic Mom

Catholic mom has great Lenten activities including Stations of the Cross. Here is the link:

http://new.catholicmom.com/kids/lenten-activities-for-children/

Lent Day 35

Fast: Give Christ your voice today. Say what He would say.

Pray: Give Christ your heart today. Love without limit.

Give: Give Christ your hands today. Do what He would do.

Lent Day 34

Fast: Be little. “For it is part of a truly great man not merely to be equal to great things, but also to make little things great by his power.” – St. Basil

Pray: Pray an Act of Spiritual Communion

Give: What household job have you been avoiding? No more excuses. Tackle it today.

Pope John Paul II

Be not afraid. Open wide the gates to Christ. Open up to his saving power the confines of the state, open up economic and political systems, the vast empires of culture, civilization and development. . . . Be not afraid!-Pope John Paul II. Four years ago he died, and he was my pope since I was 8 years old. I saw him at Saint Patrick's Cathedral in 8th grade. The best experience of my life. I wonder what he would think of the world four years later. My son has loved him. When he died it devastated him just like it did the rest of the world. Now Pope Benedict has such an awesome task before him in this world fascinated with death that doesn't cherish life. Jesus had an awesome task before him too as we are about to enter Holy Week, we should remember those in our lives we cherish the most. God Bless you all!

Home School Bowling

We went bowling yesterday and my son was so excited. He saw his friends from drama. He had such a good time bowling with them and me. In the car on the way home, he said to me--He loves homeschooling because he has so many good friends. He is so right. When he was in school before we pulled him out, I would check on him during recess from afar and it was awful. He didn't make friends or play with anyone. Homeschooling has given him the confidence he never had to make lasting friendships, along with God's Divine Intervention. Thank you Lord, for allowing me to watch him grow up to be an awesome kid!


Praising Him Joyfully,
Noelle:)

Lent day 33

Fast: What is standing between you and greater holiness today? Rip it out. Throw it away.

Pray: Kiss your crosses. Find something small that annoys you. Embrace it; give it to God.

Give: Make your husband’s favorite dinner tonight. Serve it with candles and a tablecloth.

Small Successes

1. I finally went through all the curriculum this week and made a list of what we need for next year. After realizing that Living books needs to be a part of our curriculum, the kids love reading books about all the different things we are studying.

2. I finally started writing again, no more writer's block. Someday I am hoping to see my name on articles as a freelancer.

3. God has made me aware that small successes in our home and homeschooling are far more important than the bigger ones. We are learning about Butterflies and the kids remembered the stages from the egg to the butterfly.

4. Sometimes in walking away from things, you give God the greater Glory. It allows his Divine Intervention to take place.

Lent Day 32

Fast: After you complete any essential morning tasks at the computer for the first time today, turn it off.

Pray: “The silence is so great that I look and do not see, listen and do not hear. The tongue moves in prayer but does not speak.” — Mother Teresa

Give: “It is not how much we do, but how much love we put in the doing. It is not how much we give, but how much love we put in the giving.” — Mother Teresa.
With every “gift” of service that you give today, give a smile too.

April Fools Day

My son thought it would be funny to switch the cereal bags this morning. He is such joker and very cute. He makes my morning a little brighter each day. He is a great gift from God. Thank you, Jesus!

Praising Him Joyfully,
Noelle

Lent Day 31

Fast: Call someone you have been avoiding. Offer her encouragement.

Pray: Pray in silence. “When we pray, the voice of the heart must be heard more than the proceedings of the mouth.” – St. Bonaventure

Give: Make toast with tea this afternoon. Invite your kids to sit at the table with you.