First Communion Candles

The month of May is filled with so many beautiful Marian Devotions and it is typically the month when the Sacraments are celebrated.

Just popping in quickly to post a picture of this beautiful First Holy Communion Candle that was definitely Hand-Made With LOVE.

Thank you to my dear friend that is so incredibly talented and giving...from the kindness of her heart, the First Communion Children will process with these gorgeous keepsake candles.

May the Light of Christ shine brightly on this day and always.

"Then Jesus again spoke to them, saying, I am the Light of the world; he who follows Me will not walk in the darkness but will have the Light of life." 

 ~ John 8:12

phfr: ~ Confirmation Celebrations ~

Gifts of the Holy Spirit

Wisdom

Knowledge

Counsel

Fortitude

Understanding

Piety

Fear of the Lord

I found these beautiful wooden 'Come Holy Spirit' signs and then printed out each Confirmand's name to designate their seat & to reserve a pew for their family.

 

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{pretty}

 

The sanctuary was so beautiful in red...

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Butterfly's cake was from our favorite cake shop (downtown)...and similiar to Conductor's cake.

So beautiful, so delicious.

 

 

{happy}

 

This is the moment that has been anticipated...

Come Holy Spirit!

I wasn't able to capture "The Slap"

 

 

I love the picture above (lower left) where big brother (and MC) is assisting his sister.  Butterfly read the Prayer of the Faithful (above, right). 

She is pictured with her sponsor (lower right)

 

 

{funny}

 

 

We had a full house...ten of the Confirmandi came together and continued  the joyous celebration at our home.  We were surrounded by families and friends - it was an absolutely wonderful day!!! 

There was singing and laughter and a good time was had by all...

 

 

Did I mention Singing!?!  They were singing beautiful music, playing the piano and singing songs like Ave Verum Corpus!!!!  No prompting, no planning.  It was simply spontaneous and from the heart (and soul)...us adults heard this glorious sound (coming from the inside of the house)...

as we file into the house,  we found this scene (above).

 

I had to hold back tears...I was so struck and overwhelmed.

These are our teens!!!  Needless to say, us mothers (and fathers) were beyond pleased.

And yet ANOTHER reason why I/we home-school.

 

 

One of the young men even broke out an accordion...it was a wild party, I tell ya!

 Butterfly chose two different cakes, chocolate and rasberry in fondant and lemon with light lemon creme in whipped cream...we made the toppers on the whipped cream cake, while my baker made the topper on the fondant cake.  Two cakes were perfect...last year we had cake coming out of our ears more than enough!

 

 {real}

 

~ The Catechists ~

 

Husband is wearing his RED tie...

going over the particulars.

 

~ The MC (Master of Ceremonies) ~

 

My son making sure things run flawlessly, (and they did).

 

 

Our good friends (who's daughter also made her Confirmation) put out this spread!!!
Aren't those 'Tongues of Fire' in the middle of the meat tray great!?! 
So creative and festive!

Everyone pitched in to make an amazing feast for all....
 

I wasn't able to take a picture of our traditional 'First Communion Punch', now called 'Confirmation Punch' - it was a big hit! 

And below is our beloved pastor leading us all in song...

 it was a remarkable day!

 

~ + ~

Confirmation Prayer

O Holy Spirit of God; take me as Thy disciple.

Guide me, illuminate me, sanctify me. Bind my hands that they may do no evil.

Cover my eyes that they may see it no more. Sanctify my heart that evil may not dwell within me.

Be Thou my God. Be Thou my guide.

Whatsoever Thou forbiddest me I will renounce.

And whatsoever Thou commandest me, in Thy strength I will do.

Lead me then unto the fullness of Thy truth.

Amen.

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~ Pretty, Happy, Funny, Real ~ First Holy Communion May 2013

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How can a First Communion Day not be pretty, happy, funny (children always tend to lighten things up) and real (as in the Real Presence)...

{pretty}

Definitely Hand-Made with LOVE...

Pretty Beautiful...yes?  This lovely First Communion Cake was made by one of the First Communicant's sisters.  I just asked that she include the toppers we have used over the past years.  It tasted as heavenly as it looks...

{happy}

The parents were SUPER happy...Fifteen precious souls.  I hold the First Communion Retreat and Rehearsal the day before; where the day is 'active'.   But I know, from experience, that the day before is always somewhat chaotic.  (Or, it may seem that way).  But on the DAY OF, everyone is "game on"!
It helps to send them all to Confession on the day of the rehearsal.  :oD

{funny}

We combined the May Crowning with the First Holy Communion Day...I was just a teeny-tiny bit stressed; the logistics were a challenge.  Funny, although we have FIVE Marian statues (and two ladders), everything worked.  It helps to have a son that is meticulous, a pastor that is patient, and a husband that works behind the scenes...

{real}
 

Although, I am currently preparing for Butterfly's Confirmation...

I hope to do a full post on First Holy Communion...because it's just too wonderful not to!

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~ Catholic Family Journal ~

~ Charity ~

I would love to write an entire post on LOVE.  However, since I have absolutely no time...I will leave just a few words and a picture or two.

So, as I get ready for this beautiful weekend (my First Holy Communion class will receive Our Lord in the Eucharist), I leave a quick picture of one of the many events that have been taking place in our very blessed lives...

One of my First Communion students was recently diagnosed with a malignant brain tumor, that is inoperable.  He is a sweet, sweet boy.  His family generates love by their very presence...
I am not just saying that.  It is the absolute TRUTH.

So many lives have been touched by this little boy's suffering...Christ suffered and touched many lives as well...

Our pastor arranged to have him receive his First Holy Communion early...I arranged a reception to celebrate the glorious union.  Many families helped decorate, make flower arrangements, prepare the food...

His classmates were all present to kneel with him; his family, siblings, grandparents, uncles & aunts, and his church family were there as well.

 

Additionally, many of us families came together to put on a Family Dinner to raise funds for his medical expenses...it SOLD OUT.  Here is a tiny peek...

I placed Our Lady of Lourdes prayer on the program

Right now, he and his parents are in Lourdes, France. 

 

Please, I ask you, pray for a miracle. 

God's will be done.

~ Preparing for the Easter Triduum ~

Palm Sunday is THIS Sunday...

At our parish, all the statues, art, and crucifixes are covered in purple cloth.  It's a sobering atmosphere.


At our home, we have slowed down on all the extra outings and have tried to take in what is about to happen during the Easter Triduum.  It's been an exciting and joyful week with the election of our new pope...Pope Francis, and then the feast days of St. Patrick & St. Joseph.

My First Communion Class/children have received their Sacrament of Confession...Reminding me that it's a good time to do a deeper Examination of Conscience.

Candles waiting to be lit...

Candles lit from flame of last years Paschal Candle,
after each child makes their First Confession

I love all the traditions within the days of Holy Thursday and Good Friday - the somberness is taken to a new level as the 40 days of Lent comes to its climax.  Easter Sunday can be celebrated with so much more Faith, Hope and Love. 

Which reminds me of this picture from CatholicVote

 

The Light of Christ...go forth!

~ Miracles do Happen ~

St. Catherine Laboure and the
Miraculous Medal

...even tiny miracles...

Every year, usually during the month of November or December, my First Communion Class will recieve a Miraculous Medal.  This year, since it was closer to the Feast of the Immaculate Conception (Dec. 8), we recognized this Feastday.

Tiny Miraculous Medal all the way from...
the Chapel of Our Lady of the Miraculous Medal, in Rue du Bac, Paris, France. 

It is another step towards their preparation of the Sacraments:
First Confession (also known as Reconciliation or Penance)

and

First Holy Communion.


Waiting for their blessing...

Each month, the children will go up to the Communion rails and our pastor will bless them and present them with *blessed* devotional articles, or sacramentals.

"Sacramentals are liturgical ceremonies instituted by the Catholic Church that bear some resem­­blance to the seven sac­ra­ments and dispose the Christian to receive and cooperate with grace. Each includes a prayer of blessing accompanied by a sacred sign representing bene­fits obtained through the intercession of the Church."

The blessing of the medals...

For example:
In October, the children recieved a rosary and in Feburary, they will recieve their First Communion Candle - for the occasion of Candlemas.

This card holds the information about St. Catherine Laboure
and the Miraculous Medal...
and the journey of this tiny medal.

Often, the intentions of Holy Mass will be said for them and their preparation to recieve their sacraments.

The children are so wonderful...so full of love for Him.

As you prepare for your First Holy Communion,

remember to ask Our Blessed Mother to keep and guard you

and ask her to prepare your heart to receive her Son, Jesus, in Holy Communion.

 

St. Catherine Laboure...Pray for us.
Mother Mary...Pray for us.

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~ Come, Holy Spirit ~

Just a tiny peek into a very BIG day: Conductor's CONFIRMATION

Cake toppers ~ Hand-made with love

The entire day was energized and filled with all the wonderful emotions.  Joy.  Happiness.  (some happy tears)
Almost surreal, but most certainly ALIVE.  Powerful.  Euphoric.  Beautifully Amazing!!!!!

There are so many lovely elements to the Confirmation Mass. 
These young souls are indelibly sealed to the Holy Spirit ~ also know as the Sacrament of the Seal.  Receiving sanctifying grace...infused with sanctifying grace!

They become true soldiers of Christ!

Confirmation imparts the Seven Gifts of the Holy Spirit on them (us) ~ where Christ lives within us:
Wisdom
Understanding
Counsel
Fortitude
Knowledge
Piety
Fear of the Lord

Helping them (us) to live a Christian life, becoming the Church Militant - strengthening them (us) spiritually, so that they (we) may defend the Holy Church.

The Confirmand

The Confirmand and his sponsor!  (tears of joy & happiness here)

" (Confirmand's name) I sign thee with the sign + of the Cross, and I confirm thee with the chrism of salvation; in the Name of the Father + and of the Son + and of the Holy + Spirit."

The Mass was said in Latin, so it went like this:

 "(Confirmand's name) signo te signo crucis + et confirmo te chrismate salutis, in nomine Patris + et Filii + et Spiritus + Sancti"

 

The "slap"

The Confirmation Slap:  Reminding them of the persecution they will have to suffer for Christ.









We celebrated with not one, but two receptions...why not!?  It was a pretty SPECIAL day!





Then why not make that two cakes...?

Cake #2

Can I hear three...?

 BTW, those are not ants on top of this beautiful round cake -

It was my sorry attempt to try and cover Conductor's name (LOL).

 I'm not too paint shop saavy (obviously). I couldn't figure out the "blurry" tool.



Amazingly delicious and expensive cake #3

The cake was beautiful, and tasted heavenly.  The cake toppers were created by Little Lamb and I...I found the creative idea here.    Caution:  scroll down to the bottom, the cake is named: "Crisma".  And beware to view some of the most beautiful designs, ever.  There were so many beautiful cake ideas it was really hard to choose - not to worry, because next year Butterfly will be Confirmed.  Except, I think I'll have just the one cake at home (lol).  The simplicity of this cake just struck me.  So sweet and simple.  It reminded me of the First Holy Communion cake at Little Lamb's reception.  Beyond Beautiful.

Cake #4

  OK. Four cakes and that's final!

I did mention that we had two receptions that I planned, remember?I will say that it was worth every ounce of energy and planning....and I would do it all over again!! (but maybe with one less cake - lol). The baker of this cake made a mistake and used blue icing, instead of red...so I place three fresh RED roses to rectify the error.  Three for the Holy Trinity.  (and I just love fresh flowers on cakes).

Dessert Table (like we needed one) :o)

"Veni, Creator Spiritus,
mentes tuorum visita,
imple superna gratia
quae tu creasti pectora..."

Amen.

~ Communions... ~

Speaking of First Holy Communion Anniversaries...Little Lamb celebrates her 1 yr. Anniversary .   And, our parish will be celebrating the new Communicants, 2012, this Sunday...

Today we held the Rehearsal & Confessions for the children in my First Communion Class…

Before Confessions Father led them in prayer in front of the Blessed Virgin Mary Shrine – where, traditionally, pictures of the First Communicants are placed, at her feet, for her intercession:

To Jesus; Through Mary!

Consecration to Our Blessed Mother -

O my Queen, O my Mother,

I give myself to you.

And to show you that I love you,

I offer to you this day

My eyes,  my ears,  my mouth,  my heart.

Therefore, dear Mother,

Since I am your own,

Keep me and guard me.

Help me to love your Son, Jesus, more each day.

I ask her to prepare my heart to receive her Son Jesus in Holy Communion for the first time…

Conductor made these pure white Holy Communion lollipops

10 Boys, 2 girls...or twelve little faithful disciples...

This year I have 12 little dear children in my class.  They have such pure souls; so anxious to receive Him with such FAITH. 
May God bless them all the days of their lives.

I made, or rather, Conductor made these wonderful white chocolate Holy Communion lollipops for them. 

They will also receive a basil (also known as Holy Communion Plant) grow kit…accompanied by an explanation of the aromatic herb and a Blessing prayer.

Ocimum basilicum...has long been associated with the Holy Cross...

Yet another blessed day!