Hand-Maid With Love: May 2011

Tuesday, May 31, 2011

Memorial Day 2011

~ Remembering those who gave their All! ~

Arlington National Cemetery

Eternal Rest, Catholic Prayer:
Eternal rest grant unto them, O Lord, and let perpetual light shine upon them. May the souls of the faithful departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace. Amen.

"Greater love than this no man hath, that a man lay down his life for his friends."
~ John 15:13

Thursday, May 26, 2011

~ Priestly Ordination ~

"With praise and thanksgiving to Almighty God..."
       "Ordination to the Sacred Order of Presbyters
              Through the laying on of hands
                     And the invocation of the Holy Spirit..."

On Saturday, May 14th, 2011 at 10:00 in the morning, our friend was ordained. LAUS DEO!!!

Deacon...soon to be priest

Our new Priest...

It was a glorious day...

Time to CELEBRATE...

His First Holy Mass...the Mass of Thanksgiving

was said at our parish, the following day (thanks to our most wonderful pastor, and mentor to our new priest)....our family was honored, when asked by Fr. R. to bring up the gifts, along with his sister who traveled all the way from Poland to be with her brother - the Father. It was a very beautiful and reverend Holy Mass - the MC (Master of Ceremonies) was a seminarian and friend of our new priest. Seminarian L, did an amazing and flawless job - what a Mass, what a Celebration!

Rev. R.D.

After the Holy Mass, and the special blessing*, we held a reception for Fr. R.
In gratitude, we gifted Rev. R.D. with priestly vestments.
We were honored and grateful to have Fr. R. celebrate his First Holy Mass
at our parish...and we look forward to the blessings and fruitfulness this new priest will bring to us through the sacraments, especially through the Holy Eucharist.

The table is set...let us Celebrate!
*A Plenary Indulgence is granted to those who venerate the hands of a newly ordained priest and receive this special blessing. Under the usual conditions.

Wednesday, May 25, 2011

~ Mother's Day ~

M is for May, Mother, Marnier & Mimosa...Mmmmm!

Mother's Day 2011

Upon awakening, my eyes were delighted to find the following surprises awaiting me on my Mother's Day...
A lovely Brunch...

~ Orange Star ~
A gift from my First Communion children

~ Mother's Day Brunch Menu ~

Shrimp with spicy cocktail sauce
Lox, lightly toasted bagel with capers & cream cheese

Blossoms everywhere!

Chocolate covered eclairs
(Classic) Bon-bons
Refreshing Mimosas
Fresh strawberries & blueberries over pound cake, topped with whipped cream and a splash of Grand Marnier

Hanging basket

place to sip tea, read & pray...

Every Day is a Mother's Day...Feeling very Blessed!

May Crowning 2011

Tuesday, May 24, 2011

May ~ Mary's Month

~ May Crowning ~

I teach the First Communion CCD class at our parish. The First Communion children lead the procession and crown all the statues of Mary at our church - starting in the courtyard with Our Lady of Lourdes...then Our Lady of Fatima....and Our Lady of Grace. This is a wonderful and lovely Catholic tradition. We invite all to bring flowers from their gardens. "O Mary! We crown thee with blossoms today, Queen of the Angels, Queen of the May."

Fresh roses at the feet of Mary, Our Mother,
as she holds the child Jesus

Fifty Days of Easter Joy...

Well, we have really been celebrating the Easter Season and all the joys and blessings that spring forth from the Month of May: Mary Devotions and May Crownings, Mother's Day, Priestly Ordinations and First Holy Communion!

Welcoming Hydrangeas on the porch

~ This Year's Menu ~ (looks a lot like last year's menu, and year's before, and ...)

~*~ Appetizers ~*~

Sliced deli salami with fresh crisp cucumbers

Smoked salmon with flatbread (croccantini) crackers

Calamata & green olives with feta

Roasted shrimp cocktail

Stuffed mushrooms

Easter Decor

~*~ Entrees ~*~
Green Salad (SIL)
Fresh Bread (SIL)
Ham
~~Lamb~~ (couldn't find non-halal lamb early enough)
Deviled eggs (sis & mom)

more Easter decor...

~*~ Desserts ~*~
Fresh strawberries with whipped cream
Lamb cake
Home baked cookies, cookies & cookies
Heavenly chocolates

I borrowed the (above) Hanging Easter Egg decoration idea from Dawn at By Sun and Candlelight (great blog for resources on organization & fun, lovely & creative ideas).