PUMPKINS

We did have a long day today. Mom almost went nuts. She stayed just this side of sanity. HOWEVER, we finally did get pumpkins today.

We got one pumpkin for each of us. Tonight we made a glorious mess of the dining room. We covered everything with newspaper and started to cut and scoop away. Once the messy part was done the fun part could begin. I carved a wonderful arched back cat in the side of my very large pumpkin. I tried it out with a candle and I was pretty proud of myself. Then, my second son drew out his design but wanted me to carve it because he was scared of cutting himself. So, I carved his frowning, angry-faced pumpkin. My oldest came back from his Junior High youth group party then. He cleaned out the inside of his pumpkin. While I was bathing my daughter and the 'baby', he proceeded to draw out an extremely intricate "berserker" design. I took one look and went "WOW!" hoping he was not going to ask me to do the carving. Guess what. He asked if I could 'help' him carve it. He carved the nose...It looks wonderful but it took a while. My third son will have to paint his tomorrow. He and his sister got in a fight so he was sent to bed. Oh well, it really was a fun time of creativity and activity as a family. Sorry dad missed out.

Happy Halloween everyone.

One of those Days

Do you ever have one of those days?

I forgot to turn on my alarm clock last night. I awoke at 7:15; too late to get five kids up and to Mass by 8:15 by myself. I got everyone up, fixed breakfast, and tried to get everyone dressed. I pride myself in not yelling at my kids as much as their father does---But when it is 9:20, CCD starts at 9:30, and two of the kids still do not have shoes on, the voice starts to get loud. We only live two blocks from church but it can be an awfully loooooong walk sometimes. I had to teach a CCD class I absolutely do not enjoy. (I don't think personal "health and safety" belongs in CCD class). At least, I got to spent a few precious minutes introducing the kids to All Saints' Day coming up on Thursday. I tried to emphasize to the 4 students that did show up that November 1st is a Holy Day of obligation. After class, the other two teachers and I were trying to organize a planning day when I had 3 students running around tearing up the school room, 2 kids with the "come-on-mom-let's-go" syndrome, and 2 kids who disappeared on me. Mass was extra crowded and extra long today because of a ceremony for the confirmation class. After Mass, the kids scatter in different directions again. I try to have a conversation with one adult but the nasy "come-on-mom-let's go" sets in again. I must retrieve my 2 year old from the nursery where the lady already has all the hall lights and gate locked. I guess she had other plans. My 2-year old takes off in the opposite direction from the car. I have to drag him kicking and screaming to the car while carrying everyone elses 'crap' too. My two younger kids race, pushing and shoving, of course, to see who can make it to the car first; everybody calling 'dibs' on the seat next to the 'baby'. I have to wrestle the baby into his seat, kicking and screaming because I wouldn't let him tear across the parking lot like his brothers and sister. Then my daughter starts bawling at the top of her 6 year old lungs because of some perceived injustice (I did not answer a question I didn't hear). My 13 year old is yelling at the 8 year old to behave. Then the two in the back start yelling at each other. Well, guess what? Moms head just popped right off, right there in the front seat. I am sure if people could see me in that van, they saw actual steam coming out of my neck cavity. There are days when life with kids is soooooo overwhelming, it is all you can do to stay sane.

I love it when people say "You're the one who decided to have ALL THOSE KIDS". Ever feeling like socking someone in the mouth?

The Apostles' Creed

For anyone who would like to know what the Catholic Church teaches. The Apostles' Creed is a great summary of all of our Faith.

The Apostles' Creed

"We believe in one God, the Father, the Almighty, maker of Heaven and Earth, of all that is seen and unseen.

"We believe in one Lord, Jesus Christ, the only Son of God, eternally begotten of the Father, God from God, Light from Light, True God from True God, begotten, not made, one in Being with the Father. Through Him all things were made. For us men and for our salvation He came down from Heaven: by the power of the Holy Spirit He was born of the Virgin Mary, and became man.

"For our sake He was crucified under Pontius Pilate; He suffered, died, and was buried. On the third day He rose again in fulfillment of the Scriptures; He ascended into Heaven and is seated at the right hand of the Father. He will come again to judge the living and the dead, and his kingdom will have no end.

"We believe in the Holy Spirit, the Lord, the giver of life, who proceeds from the Father and the Son, with the Father and the Son He is worshiped and glorified. He has spoken through the prophets.

"We believ in one holy catholic and apostolic Church. We acknowledge one baptism for the forgiveness of sins. We look for the resurrection of the dead, and the life of the world to come. Amen"

Questions or comments are welcome. See Catholic Answers or EWTN websites for more on Catholic Apologetics.

Halloween and Walpurgisnacht

To My Readers,

If you are interested in more information on a Catholic view of Halloween, please go to: http://www.fisheaters.com/customstimeafterpentecost12aa.html

For more on Walpurgisnact go to: http://www.fisheaters.com/walpurgisnacht.html

Fish Eaters is a website for Catholics and non-Catholics to learn something about Catholic Apologetics. There are many places on the site to explain Catholic Teaching, Customs and Traditions. It is a good starting place for those who don't understand the Catholic view on things. After that, one should seek out a Church in their area to find out about classes on the Faith. Look on the papal website, EWTN website, read the Catechism of the Catholic Church, and, along with that, the Bible. There are many resources out there that are not biased against the Church if someone would like to know more about it.

Happy Hallowe'en

To all my friends, don't be surprised if I say "Happy Halloween!" I know and you know that we are just having a bit of fun on the day before All Saints' Day on November 1st. The 'holiday' (from the term holy day) may have been a night used by those with evil intentions but has become a day of camp, fun, and parties. No one of my circle goes to Tarot readings, seances, celebrations of witches or evil spirits of any kind. If any Catholic participates in anything of the like they are endangering their souls. Having said that, I enjoy letting my kids dress up and fantasize about being an Egyptian prince, an archangel, a princess, even Batman or Spiderman for a day. It is healthy imagination at work and it is all in fun. They are not crossing any line into any darkside. My children have been taught and understand the difference between fantasy and reality. If no one kept bring up the so-called origins of Halloween, they would be lost to history and no one would be the wiser.

I am doing my best to teach my children about their Catholic faith heritage. St. Walburga understands this. One of her feast days is May 1st, the day her remains were translated to a Cathedral named in her honor. April 30th was taken over as Walpurgisnacht in parts of Germany. It is now a celebration day for neo-witches and occultists who can celebrate their rituals until the dawn of the saint's day when they are banished. It is similar to our Halloween for neo-pagans and wiccans here. And, it is just as bogus a 'holiday' for them. However, there is no trick or treating or kids having fun on that day.

Saint Walburga's primary feast day is February 25th, the day she was born into the communion of saints in about 779. I will continue to honor this holy woman as I honor all the saints on All Saints Day.

So, Happy Hallowe'en. Have a fun day with your kids and don't stress about the evil One. Remember God promised Satan would never prevail. Bring up your kids right. Help them understand the difference between good and evil. Help them to have a healthy fantasy life while they are young. It will be all too soon when the cares of the world will be put on their shoulders.

Feeling Sorry

Since this is MY blog, I am allowed to whine if I want to. "It's my party. I can cry if I want to...." I have been feeling down lately. I had been feeling, spiritually dry for quite sometime. I went to confession 2 weeks ago and was as high and as free as a bird. But, the ordinary pressures of life with 5 kids and my husband out of town has me depressed all of a sudden. I seem to be getting nothing accomplished, my house is a mess, I have had no time with friends in quite awhile. I feel that I am now being ignored by family, friends, those on my debate forum, I don't know any neighbors. Almost as if I've disappeared. Do you ever feel that way?

I hope that lots of prayers and Scripture reading and confession this weekend will help. I do love my family. Every day is precious with them. It will be all too soon before they are all gone. I want to give them the gift of a sane, loving, Godly mom. I am doing my best Lord. I plan to say a prayer to the Divine Mercy. When I get a chance I will post it on my site.

I Can Only Imagine - Catholic Version

St. Walburga loves Christian music. She found a Catholic version of 'I Can Only Imagine' by Mercy Me. The song combined with the images is so beautiful St. Walburga and I had a good cry together. It was tears of joy at the beauty of the song and images and tears of sorrow for those who don't know and don't understand the beauty of Our Lord and Savior's Church. The video is attached at the bottom. Click the picture of the monstrance for the Catholic version--Simply beautiful. Blessings

Eric Clapton sings to Our Lady

Eric Clapton sings a tribute to the Blessed Virgin. It is sweet. This lovely song comes right out of my favorite era of popular music. He is one of my favorite musicians. The link is at the bottom of the page--enjoy.

Why St. Walburga

When I converted to Catholicism almost a decade ago, I took St. Walburga as my patron saint. We were living in Germany at the time. I had seen a triptych (Webster's 2 a: a picture (as an altarpiece) or carving in three panels side by side ) with a woman holding a bishop's crook in her hand. I was fascinated by who she could be. 1) She lived in the 8th century. 2) Born in England. 3) Became a nun then an abbess in Heidenheim in what is now Germany. 4) Abbots were equal to Bishops in the Church hierarcy and often depicted in paintings with bishop's crooks. St. Walburga became the Abbess of a dual (monks and nuns) upon the death of her brother, St. Wunibald, the Abbott. 5) She is also depicted with a book and a bottle of medicine. She was very learned and was the 8th century equivalent of a doctor of medicine. 6) She was known for gentleness, humility and charity. I fell in love with her and took her as my patroness. Prayer to St. Walburga St. Walburga, by your blessed life of love, God blessed you with the power to heal, to make whole the soul as well as the body. Beg for us what we cannot obtain for ourselves, and heal our world of sickness and sorrow. May God hear you, who lived so graciously for His glory, and send us the healing grace we need, through your powerful intercession. Amen I will be forming more of my blog and my thoughts as soon as time is available for me. Construction will be complete soon, I hope.