Back to the Ordinary - Not so Ordinary Time ~

We are back to living and growing in the Ordinary Time of the Church now.  After celebrating the Easter season for 50 days, the Church tells us it's time to settle back into living, learning, and growing with God. 

What a beautiful faith we have!  To live the liturgical year is to live a FULL LIFE.  God is so good to those who love him.

I am so thankful to be at home with my children living and learning.  I ask God to bless my dear husband who works so hard to provide for our family so that I can stay home and shelter my little chicks from the world until they are ready to fly the nest to do His holy will!

I pray for families whose crosses are heavy.  Especially for Noah and his family.  My heart truly goes out to them. After watching my daddy suffer and die from cancer, I ache for them.  Please pray for them and all of their family to be showered with His grace.

I continue to feel called to let my children learn naturally.  Therefore, we will not be finishing school for the summer or starting back to school in the fall.  After all to quote Charlotte Mason, "Homeschooling is a lifestyle, not school lessons at home."

Pentecost Sunday ~ Come Holy Spirit

from Pray More Novenas

Happy Pentecost!

Let us pray...

Dear Lord Jesus, I have specific requests that may only partially fill the infinite needs and desires that are in my heart. I ask that You answer me not only for those requests but also for a greater reliance on You to satisfy the needs and desires that You have given me.

Please grant the prayers of all those who prayed this novena with me. Bless them with Your love and make them holy!

May I seek You with a sincere heart knowing that it will profit me nothing if I gain the whole world yet lose my soul.

So, help me to see Your good and gracious purpose in all my trials. Help me to see Your blessings in every day and help me to love You more.

Thank You for everything, Lord Jesus!

Amen.

Novena to the Holy Spirit ~ Day 9

from Pray More Novenas

Goodness

Let us bow down in humility at the power and grandeur of the Holy Spirit. Let us worship the Holy Trinity and give glory today to the Paraclete, our Advocate.

Oh Holy Spirit, by Your power, Christ was raised from the dead to save us all. By Your grace, miracles are performed in Jesus' name. By Your love, we are protected from evil. And so, we ask with humility and a beggar's heart for Goodness within us.

We want to be like your Saints in heaven. Holy Spirit, renew us by your power with your Goodness that we may bring the Good News to the world.

Amen.

Come Holy Spirit, fill the hearts of your faithful and kindle in them the fire of your love. Send forth your Spirit and they shall be created. And You shall renew the face of the earth.

O, God, who by the light of the Holy Spirit, did instruct the hearts of the faithful, grant that by the same Holy Spirit we may be truly wise and ever enjoy His consolations, through Christ Our Lord,

Amen.

Novena to the Holy Spirit ~ Day 8

from Pray More Novenas

Self-Control

Let us bow down in humility at the power and grandeur of the Holy Spirit. Let us worship the Holy Trinity and give glory today to the Paraclete, our Advocate.

Oh Holy Spirit, by Your power, Christ was raised from the dead to save us all. By Your grace, miracles are performed in Jesus' name. By Your love, we are protected from evil. And so, we ask with humility and a beggar's heart for Your gift of Self-Control within us.

Your Martyrs had the overwhelming self-control to go joyfully to a painful death without shrinking from the opportunity to join You in heaven. Give us this self-control to have command over our emotions and desires that we may serve You more fully.

Amen.

Come Holy Spirit, fill the hearts of your faithful and kindle in them the fire of your love. Send forth your Spirit and they shall be created. And You shall renew the face of the earth.

O, God, who by the light of the Holy Spirit, did instruct the hearts of the faithful, grant that by the same Holy Spirit we may be truly wise and ever enjoy His consolations, through Christ Our Lord,

Amen.

Novena to the Holy Spirit ~ Day 7

from Pray More Novenas

Gentleness

Let us bow down in humility at the power and grandeur of the Holy Spirit. Let us worship the Holy Trinity and give glory today to the Paraclete, our Advocate.

Oh Holy Spirit, by Your power, Christ was raised from the dead to save us all. By Your grace, miracles are performed in Jesus' name. By Your love, we are protected from evil. And so, we ask with humility and a beggar's heart for Your gift of Gentleness within us.

Despite the gravity of our sins, oh Lord you treat us with Gentleness. Dear Holy Spirit, give us your power to treat all in our lives with the Gentleness of the Saints.

Amen.

Come Holy Spirit, fill the hearts of your faithful and kindle in them the fire of your love. Send forth your Spirit and they shall be created. And You shall renew the face of the earth.

O, God, who by the light of the Holy Spirit, did instruct the hearts of the faithful, grant that by the same Holy Spirit we may be truly wise and ever enjoy His consolations, through Christ Our Lord,

Amen.

Novena to the Holy Spirit ~ Day 6

(from Pray More Novenas)

Faithfulness

Let us bow down in humility at the power and grandeur of the Holy Spirit. Let us worship the Holy Trinity and give glory today to the Paraclete, our Advocate.

Oh Holy Spirit, by Your power, Christ was raised from the dead to save us all. By Your grace, miracles are performed in Jesus' name. By Your love, we are protected from evil. And so, we ask with humility and a beggar's heart for Your gift of Faithfulness within us.

You, oh Lord, are ever faithful. You are faithful until the end. Though we are weak and distracted, please give us the grace to be faithful to You as you are to us!

Amen.

Come Holy Spirit, fill the hearts of your faithful and kindle in them the fire of your love. Send forth your Spirit and they shall be created. And You shall renew the face of the earth.

O, God, who by the light of the Holy Spirit, did instruct the hearts of the faithful, grant that by the same Holy Spirit we may be truly wise and ever enjoy His consolations, through Christ Our Lord,

Amen.

Novena to the Holy Spirit ~ Day 5

Holy Spirit Novena Prayer - Day 5

(from Pray More Novenas)

Kindness

Let us bow down in humility at the power and grandeur of the Holy Spirit. Let us worship the Holy Trinity and give glory today to the Paraclete, our Advocate.

 Oh Holy Spirit, by Your power, Christ was raised from the dead to save us all. By Your grace, miracles are performed in Jesus' name. By Your love, we are protected from evil. And so, we ask with humility and a beggar's heart for Your gift of Kindness within us.

Jesus approached sinners with immense kindness. Holy Paraclete, please treat us humble sinners with the same kindness and give us the ability to treat all others with that kindness as well.

Amen.

Come Holy Spirit, fill the hearts of your faithful and kindle in them the fire of your love. Send forth your Spirit and they shall be created. And You shall renew the face of the earth.

O, God, who by the light of the Holy Spirit, did instruct the hearts of the faithful, grant that by the same Holy Spirit we may be truly wise and ever enjoy His consolations, through Christ Our Lord,

Amen.

Novena to the Holy Spirit ~ Day 4

Holy Spirit Novena Prayers - Day 4

 (from Pray More Novenas)

Patience

Let us bow down in humility at the power and grandeur of the Holy Spirit. Let us worship the Holy Trinity and give glory today to the Paraclete, our Advocate.

Oh Holy Spirit, by Your power, Christ was raised from the dead to save us all. By Your grace, miracles are performed in Jesus' name. By Your love, we are protected from evil. And so, we ask with humility and a beggar's heart for Your gift of Patience within us.

Oh Holy Spirit, you give lavishly to those who ask. Please give us the patience of the Saints who are now with you in heaven. Help us to endure everything with an eternal patience that is only possible with your help.

Amen.

Come Holy Spirit, fill the hearts of your faithful and kindle in them the fire of your love. Send forth your Spirit and they shall be created. And You shall renew the face of the earth.

O, God, who by the light of the Holy Spirit, did instruct the hearts of the faithful, grant that by the same Holy Spirit we may be truly wise and ever enjoy His consolations, through Christ Our Lord,

Amen.

Novena to the Holy Spirit ~ Day 3

Holy Spirit Novena Prayers - Day 3

from Pray More Novenas

Peace

Let us bow down in humility at the power and grandeur of the Holy Spirit. Let us worship the Holy Trinity and give glory today to the Paraclete, our Advocate.

Oh Holy Spirit, by Your power, Christ was raised from the dead to save us all. By Your grace, miracles are performed in Jesus' name. By Your love, we are protected from evil. And so, we ask with humility and a beggar's heart for Your gift of Peace within us.

The Saints were tempted, attacked and accused by the devil who is the destroyer of peace. When we are accused by the devil, come to our aid as our Advocate and give us Peace that lasts through all trials!

Amen.

Come Holy Spirit, fill the hearts of your faithful and kindle in them the fire of your love. Send forth your Spirit and they shall be created. And You shall renew the face of the earth.

O, God, who by the light of the Holy Spirit, did instruct the hearts of the faithful, grant that by the same Holy Spirit we may be truly wise and ever enjoy His consolations, through Christ Our Lord,

Amen.

Novena to The Holy Spirit - Day 2

Day 2 - Saturday after the Ascension

Pray

Come, Holy Spirit, fill the hearts of Your faithful, and enkindle in them the fire of Your love.

V. Send forth Your Spirit, and they shall be created,

R. And You shall renew the face of the earth.

Let us pray

O God, Who by the light of the Holy Spirit, did instruct the hearts of Your faithful, grant that by that same Holy Spirit, we may be truly wise and ever rejoice in His consolation, through Christ our Lord. Amen.

Read:
Acts 18:23-28

John 16:23-28

Be silent

Pray: Father, make me docile to the Holy Spirit as Apollos, Cornelius (Acts 10), and Mary were (Luke 1:38). As in the home of Priscilla and Aquila, may several people be filled with the Holy Spirit in my home. I pray in Jesus' name. Amen.

Prayer: Father, as I begin the Holy Spirit novena, may I thirst (Jn 7:37) for all to be saved (1 Tm 2:4). Make me thirsty for the Spirit.

Promise: "Ask and you shall receive, that your joy may be full." —Jn 16:24

Praise: Thank you Lord for the Holy people in my life.

Novena to the Holy Spirit ~ Day 1

Here's another beautiful option you can use to pray the Pentecost Novena 

 from Pray More Novenas.  This site is so cool!  You can sign up to have an email reminder sent to you each day. 

Holy Spirit Novena Prayers - Day 1

 Charity

Let us bow down in humility at the power and grandeur of the Holy Spirit. Let us worship the Holy Trinity and give glory today to the Paraclete, our Advocate.

Oh Holy Spirit, by Your power, Christ was raised from the dead to save us all. By Your grace, miracles are performed in Jesus' name. By Your love, we are protected from evil. And so, we ask with humility and a beggar's heart for Your gift of Charity within us.

The great charity of all the the host of Saints is only made possible by your power, Oh Divine Spirit. Increase in me, the virtue of charity that I may love as God loves with the selflessness of the Saints.

Amen.

Come Holy Spirit, fill the hearts of your faithful and kindle in them the fire of your love. Send forth your Spirit and they shall be created. And You shall renew the face of the earth.

O, God, who by the light of the Holy Spirit, did instruct the hearts of the faithful, grant that by the same Holy Spirit we may be truly wise and ever enjoy His consolations, through Christ Our Lord,

Amen.



Novena to The Holy Spirit - Day One

Day 1 - Friday after the Ascension

Pray

Come, Holy Spirit, fill the hearts of Your faithful, and enkindle in them the fire of Your love.

V. Send forth Your Spirit, and they shall be created,

R. And You shall renew the face of the earth.

Let us pray
O God, Who by the light of the Holy Spirit, did instruct the hearts of Your faithful, grant that by that same Holy Spirit, we may be truly wise and ever rejoice in His consolation, through Christ our Lord. Amen.

Read: The daily eucharistic readings:
Acts 18:9-18 John 16:20-23
(for a teaching on the daily eucharistic readings see: One Bread, One Body)

Be silent

Pray: Father, as a mother carries her child in her womb nine months, so I choose to suffer for love of You during these nine days of the novena. Through my redemptive sufferings, may the Church receive the fullness of life in the Spirit. I pray in Jesus' name. Amen.

Prayer: Father, on this first day of the Holy Spirit novena, I pray to thirst for the Spirit more than for anything else (Jn 7:37).

Promise: "You are sad for a time, but I shall see you again; then your hearts will rejoice with a joy no one can take from you." —Jn 16:22

Praise: St. Rita's constant prayer for her abusive husband bore fruit as he repented of his sins on his deathbed.

A Novena for Pentecost

Come Holy Spirit ~



The novena for pentecost begins tomorrow.

You can sign up to receive emails at Pray More Novenas

 -or-

You can come here each day.

This is a Powerful Novena so be thinking today of your intention!

Snuggle Bug's Confirmed and Buck and Honeybee receive Jesus in First Holy Communion ~

Our sweet Snuggle Bug was Confirmed as a Catholic Christian Adult last Friday night.

She and I made a wonderful lapbook from Faith Folders for Catholics as part of her preparation.

After watching Therese and reading A Story of a Soul, among other things, she chose St. Therese as her Patron Saint.

Her grandparents came in town and spent the weekend with us. It was so nice to have them here to share in our weekend.  

On Saturday Granny helped Buck and Honeybee make their First Communion banners for Sunday's Mass.

Granny was a huge help as we cooked and decorated for Sunday's party!
Our Pentecost decorations were just perfect for this!

Sunday was such a special day with Buck and Honeybee receiving Jesus for the 1st time! 

Here their banners hang on the ends of pews. 

The First Communion Cake ~

Baked by The House Cat and decorated by Granny.

We also had the privilege of celebrating our Goddaughter's Birthday this same day.

The House Cat baked and decorated this cake for her :)

Yes, we had three cakes in the house!!  Not an easy place to be for someone trying to avoid sugar ;)  The House Cat was a huge help baking all of them for me.  Thanks HC!

SB had the great idea of having a 7 Layer Salad for The Seven Gifts of the Holy Spirit as part of our meal.

We also had Pork Tenderloin, Buffalo Chicken, Chips and Salsa, and Pimento and Cheese on Celery.  Got too busy and forgot to take the picture :/

It was such a blessed weekend overflowing with the Gifts of The Sacraments.

Thank you Lord for Your Holy Church!

Versatile Blogger Award ~

I've just received my 1st blogging award!

Thanks so much to The Academy of the Good Shepherd for passing this award onto me!

Now I'm supposed to list 7 things about myself ~

1. I LOVE the Good Shepherd!  I've been drawn to Him since I was a little girl. My grandmother would read the 23rd Psalm to me when I'd visit her.  Later in life I was blessed to receive instruction for The Catechesis of the Good Shepherd.

2.  I never dreamed of homeschooling my kids.  It was a calling from God when our oldest had just begun kindergarten.

3.  I am an only child waiting to meet 3 siblings in heaven.

4.  I LOVE MUSIC!  As long as the message is pleasing to God. 

5.  We enjoy watching Jane Austen movies and quote lines from them.

6.  My favorite band is Switchfoot and we just got to see them in concert.  My honey and I had more fun than the kids ;)

7.  My sweet husband and I will celebrate our 19th wedding anniversary this month two days before our 21st dating anniversary.

Next I'm to give this award to 15 bloggers (some new/some favs) ~

1.  Hold on to your Catholic Kids

2.  Take up and Read

3.  Leaping from the Box

4.  Living Without School

5.  Karen Edmisten

6.  Here in the Bonny Glen - Tidal Homeschooling

7.  Strewing

8.  Unschooling Catholics

9.  Wildfowers and Marbles 
10.  In the Heart of My Home
11.  Cherished Hearts at Home
12.  Shower of Roses
13.  Waltzing Matilda
14.  Paper Dali
15.  That Resource Site

Now it's time to contact these bloggers and let them know how much I enjoy their blogs!

Thanks again to The Academy of the Good Shepherd for the award :)