~ Blue Mass & Angels ~

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On the Feast of the Holy Guardian Angels, we attended the Blue Mass at our Cathedral.  It was a historic occasion, as it was the First Blue Mass celebration in our Cathedral.

 

Our Bishop and many other priests, deacons, and clergy came together to thank, pray and bless our men and women of the Police, Firemen and First Response Teams
within our two counties.

  

The first Blue Mass, celebrated in 1934, took place at St. Patrick's Catholic Church in Washington, D.C.  The Mass is now celebrated in cities from coast to coast to honor the many law enforcement officers, firefighters, and emergency medical personnel who gave their lives so that others might live.

Our Bishop specifically chose the Feast of the Holy Guardian Angels, October 2nd, as the day to celebrate The Blue Mass; and appropriately so!

Saint Michael the Archangel is the Patron Saint of Police Officers. 
St. Florian is the Patron Saint of Firefighters.

 

 

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Special roses from the garden to celebrate a special day...

We seem to use our Guardian Angel Candle regularly for special occasions, including Baptismal, First Communion & Confirmation Anniversaries. 
Butterfly & Conductor celebrate their Baptismal Anniversaries this month, while Butterfly celebrates her First Holy Communion anniversary as well as her Feast Day...October is full of special celebrations.
Heavenly Anniversaries is what I call them...dates that we have celebrated since their baptisms and dates that I have always taught my First Communion Students to cherish.
How do you celebrate?  Please share!

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I was SO HAPPY that my brother accepted our invitation to attend the Blue Mass.  He was asked by several people to participate in the procession...he humbly agreed and then branched off to sit with his sister (that's me!) and his nieces.  His nephew (Conductor) was proudly serving the Holy Mass.  It was both a very solemn and happy occasion.

 

{funny}

 

 I quickly snapped this shot, but missed what all the fun was about...
clearly something funny occurred...
 

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GOD BLESS AND PROTECT OUR POLICE AND FIREFIGHTERS!!!

 

 AND GOD BLESS THOSE THAT HAVE GIVEN THEIR LIVES SERVING, PROTECTING AND DEFENDING US!!!


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.

St. Michael & St. Florian, Pray for us!
Holy Guardian Angels, intercede for us...

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~ Angel of God ~

I love my guardian angel.
And I am thankful for my guardian angel.

"From infancy to death human life is surrounded by their watchful care and intercessions.  'Beside each believer stands an angel as protector and shepherd leading him to life.'  Already here on earth the Christian life shares by faith in the blessed company of angels and men united in God."  (Catechism of the Catholic Church 336)."

Brethren, we will love God's angels with a most affectionate love; for they will be our heavenly co-heirs some day, these spirits who now are sent by the Father to be our protectors and our guides. With such bodyguards, what are we to fear? They can neither be subdued nor deceived; nor is there any possibility at all that they should go astray who are to guard us in all our ways. They are trustworthy, they are intelligent, they are strong — why, then, do we tremble? We need only to follow them, remain close to them, and we will dwell in the protection of the Most High God. So as often as you sense the approach of any grave temptation or some crushing sorrow hangs over you, invoke your protector, your leader, your helper in every situation. Call out to him and say: Lord, save us, we are perishing. —St. Bernard

Vatican Gardens - Rome, Italy 2013

"May the angels lead you into paradise;
may the martyrs come to welcome you
and take you to the holy city,
the new and eternal Jerusalem." (Rite for Christian Burial)

Altar Boy Pilgrimage 2013, Vatican Gardens

We will be bringing out the Guardian Angel Candle holder and baking some Angel food cake or maybe even some Angel Kisses...aka Meringues...

Altar boy Pilgrimage to Rome, Italy 2013

~ A Blessed Memorial of the

Holy Guardian Angels to All ~

{pretty, happy, funny, real} ~ Sixteen is Sweet ~

~ Capturing the context of contentment in everyday life ~

Every Thursday at Like Mother, Like Daughter

 

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Not too long ago...someone turned fifteen.

 

{happy}

 

 

You can find the chocolate ganache icing recipe here.

His favorite cake, with his favorite dinner, with his favorite family...

 

Can you "figure out" the Driver's License number...???

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Universal Studios

 

{funny}

 

 

I created a faux-driver's license and then had it placed on his birthday cake for the friends party...

 

 

We baked a second *hand-maid* cake, with our delicious chocolate ganache, for the BIG PARTY.

 

{real}

 

 

The only picture I took before all the guests arrived was of the party punch...taking pictures during the party was not feasible.  Thirty hungry teens...enough said.

 

 

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~ A Thousand Words ~

While cleaning my kitchen...I thought I might spruce up my chalk board sign.  The last "note" said, "Habemus Papam, Francis!" 

I hope my children are inspired by my little love notes...
:oD

Clarification:  The "me" is referring to the pig.

 

 

~ Life ~

~ Capturing the context of contentment in everyday life ~

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This crucifix qualifies as {pretty} special.  I hand held this all the way back from Assisi, Italy during our Altar Boy Pilgrimage to Rome.  It was hand-made from olive wood from local artisans. 

 

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{happy} Birthday Dinner & Dessert for my Father-in-law 

 

 

 

{funny}

 

Our friends asked if we would take care of their birds while they were on vacation...sure (I say).  In my mind, I envisioned this cute little bird cage...HA! 

 

Boy was I surprised when they pulled up with this...

 

It took up half my dining room.  :oD 
(just kidding, L ~  Love ya! xo)

 

My girls were ecstatic that they had these sweet birds to care for, and I have to admit...they were really sweet. 

Messy, but sweet.  {funny}, too!

 

 

{real}

In August, I took a group of teens, from our church Youth Group, to the First Ever Pro-Life Youth Conference Nor-Cal 2013...held at the Cathedral in San Francisco.

It was organized by P.L.M.R.  Pro-Lifers of the Mystical Rose which is a Pro-Life Youth-Led Organization.

The two day event was packed full of nine amazing  and compelling speakers, including the wonderful Sisters of Life,

The Sisters of Life is a contemplative / active religious community of women founded in 1991 by John Cardinal O’Connor for the protection and enhancement of the sacredness of every human life. Like all religious communities, we take the three traditional vows of poverty, chastity and obedience. We also are consecrated under a special, fourth vow to protect and enhance the sacredness of human life.
~ Sisters of Life

...the event also included live music, as well as an Info-Faire, books & media tables.

We experienced our first "Die-In Rally" and participated in a Peaceful Walk to the Civic Center Plaza led by the loyal and worthy Knights of Columbus.  Surprisingly, we had a great amount of positive reactions & support...and only one (maybe two) jeers. 

Several priests were available throughout the event to offer the sacrament of Confession & Spiritual Direction.

 The event was very well organized and the food (important when you have teens), which was included in the registration package, was superb!

Advocating the Pro-Life Cause and working towards the end of abortion is what the Pro-Life Youth Conference event is hoping to accomplish. 

We are looking forward to the 2nd Annual Pro-Life Youth Conference 2014!

 

 

 

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