Passion Pita Pizzas ~

Our Good Friday Meal ~

First we took a pita and discussed how the stripes remind us of Our Lord's scourged body and that by His stripes we are healed.
We are also thankful that He gives His body to us in the Holy Eucharist to streghten us along our journey.

We brushed the pita bread with olive oil for He was arrested in the Garden of Olives.
(I bake these at 425 for about 5-8 min to get them crispy)

Next we spread the pizza sauce to represent the blood He shed for us and for all so that sins may be forgiven.

The white cheese and mushrooms were added to represent purity from sin.

We added green bellpepper in the shape of a cross to represent life. 

Black Olives were added for His 5 Wounds.

Onions were added last to represent tears shed.

I sprinkled a little more cheese on the top and baked them for about 10 min., keeping an eye on them so they didn't burn.

They are very symbolic and yummy!

Lord by Your Cross and Resurrection You have set us free, You are The Savior of the World!

Preparing for Holy Week 2012 ~

As Holy Week approaches I find myself listening for His guidance.  I haven't felt the need to shop for Easter Basket items...not yet anyway :)  or to plan activities or crafts.  Maybe it's because Buck has a broken arm and Honeybee has a cold/fever virus.  I'm just letting each day unfold and praying for His grace to lead me - strengthen me.

I was blessed to have quiet time with Our Lord last night while HC & SB attended choir practice.  It was wonderful to kneel in the dark chapel with only the sanctuary lamp aglow.  It took a while to clear my mind of all of the noise and just be.  Be in His Presence.  I quietly prayed the rosary focusing on the sorrowful mysteries.  On what He suffered for me, and asked for strength in my minor sufferings and for those whose sufferings are great. 

The big girls are excited about singing with the choir for The Triduum.  HC will even cantor on Holy Thursday!  What a blessing! 

I've added links for Holy Week to my sidebar including music we love by Danielle Rose.  You can visit her site to read about her.  She is such a gifted artist who is a wonderful example of a faithful servant! 

You can also check out some of the activities we have done in years past if you like.

May He bless you with His peace as you prepare to travel through this Holy Week .

The Holy Triduum 2011

What a blessing this Holy Triduum was!  We were able to take part in the entire three part celebration.  Father Adams explained the Mass on Holy Thursday begins with the Sign of the Cross and we do not make the Sign of the Cross again until the end of the Easter Vigil.  We were so thankful to be able to make it to The Mass of the Lord's Supper and celebrate the institution of the Holy Eucharist and the Priesthood.  Once we were home and had the little ones in bed, The House Cat, Snuggle Bug, Dad and I watched The Passion of the Christ.  We all agreed watching this beforehand helped us to focus on all Our Lord endured for us on Good Friday.

Good Friday was a day spent in prayer, fasting and thanksgiving.  I'm so glad we were able to spend the day together as a family.  This is one day my honey tries to take off work.  We did our best to keep things as quiet as possible around here.  Dad rang the bell at noon and called us to pray the Sorrowful Mysteries of the Rosary together.  We drove over to the monastery and prayed the outdoor Stations of the Cross.  We made it home just before three which was the perfect time to pray The Divine Mercy Chaplet  and begin our novena. 

In the evening we went back to church for The Lord's Passion and Veneration of the Cross.  The priests began by laying prostrate before the stripped altar.  It was moving and powerful. 

We tried to carry on silence into Holy Saturday.  We all realized this was an area we needed to improve on from years past.  After all, our Lord is still in the tomb!  The kids watched some of Jesus of Nazareth again and then we all took a nap to get ready for a late night.

It was our first Easter Vigil as family and the little ones were soooo excited!  I mean what's better than going to Mass at night in a dark church and then getting to hold your own lit candle?  Thankfully Buck didn't catch Honeybee's hair on fire :)
No really, it was incredible and I just feel so blessed that we were able to be a part of the WHOLE celebration!  There were 3 adults baptized!!!  Thanks be to God!!!
We also have 44 new Catholics who became members of Christ's Church!!

God is SO GOOD!!!!

Christ is Risen!

The Fourth Sorrowful Mystery

Our Lord Carries His Cross

The Third Sorrowful Mystery

Our Lord is Crowned With Thorns

The Second Sorrowful Mystery

Our Lord's Scourging at the Pillar

The First Sorrowful Mystery

Good Friday ~ 2010

Our morning began with the Sacrament of Confession and the Rosary.  Once we were home, we all worked together to make Hot Cross Buns for lunch.

Then we set to work on a little art project my friend, Mary, had told me about from this book.

Honeybee colored, cut out and hung the cross.

At noon, Snuggle Bug hung Jesus on the cross.

Then we all took a little rest.

Next we headed out to Stations of the Cross.

After we were home, we finished constructing the tomb.  Buck had colored the front earlier today so all I had to do was tape the sides together.  Once the tomb was finished, Buck laid Jesus in the tomb.

And Snuggle Bug taped rolled the stone in front of the tomb's entance.

Now we wait to celebrate His Resurrection.

Thank You Jesus!