Tuesday, July 7, 2020

Blue Unity - Dr. Who style!

I found this video I had sent to a level 2 catechist creating new materials for her atrium.

At the end my son mentions something about it being metal. LOL! He is of course referencing the experiences of the original Doctor's first companions.



Saturday, May 30, 2020

Pentecost

Among all the liturgical celebrations, Pentecost is yet another that holds rich meaning for us. My son and I celebrated aspects of Pentecost throughout the entire year.


Please see the other Holy Spirit tagged posts on this blog:
Posts tagged Holy Spirit on Seeking the Plan of God
Posts tagged Pentecost on Seeking the Plan of God


Gifts of the Holy Spirit Free Files: 


Years ago, a group of us sat down with the local diocesan requirements, our priest's requirements, the Catechism of the Catholic Church and the Bible. We had some issues with confusion among sources, and consistency for the children. Biblical lists versus what was provided in CGS training, versus other source all varied. But were they really that different? NO! They just used different terms.

We laid the following terms and definitions for the Gifts of the Holy Spirit at level 3, utilizing each previous term they experienced in level 2 and level 1:

Wisdom
This gift helps us to understand the purpose and plan of God and to live  in a way that helps to bring about this plan. 
It begins in awe and wonder at God’s greatness.
Understanding
This gift helps us make the right
choices in life and in our relationships with God and with others.
Knowledge
This gift helps us to know what God asks of us and how we should respond.
Counsel
(Right Judgment)
This gift helps us to make correct choices in life through reflection, discernment, consultation, and advisement.
Fortitude
(Strength)
(Courage)
This gift helps us to have the strength to choose to do the right thing even when that is difficult.
Delight in the Fear of the Lord
(Piety)
(Reverence)
This gift calls us to be faithful in our relationships both with God and with others. It helps us to love God and to behave responsibly and with generosity and affection toward others.
Fear of the Lord
(Awe & Wonder)
This gift leads us to a sense of wonder and awe in the presence of God because we recognize his greatness.


Which levels we do what:
Level 1: Wisdom, Understanding, Knowledge, Right Judgment, Courage, Reverence, Awe & Wonder

Level 2: Wisdom, Understanding, Knowledge, Counsel, Strength, Piety, Fear of the Lord

Level 3: Change Piety/Reverence to Delight in the Fear of the Lord and Strength to Fortitude

Each level includes the terms used in previous levels so they see what connects and flows.


The documents at this link are free and includes the 3-part and 4-part cards (with definitions) as well as name labels for each level.

Gifts of the Holy Spirit Downloadable Files





The Shepherd and the Vine is offering these sets pre-printed and ready to use!

Tuesday, March 24, 2020

All the Vestments!

+Joshua+'s Godfather demonstrates the order of the vestments on our doll-size stand.

This wonderful priest whom we have known since long before he was ordained (we met in college while I was pregnant with Joshua), is wearing the cassock given to me at Joshua's funeral. He commented, "I forgot Joshua was taller than me in the end," because Joshua's cassock is a wee bit too large for him.








Wednesday, February 19, 2020

Outside the door of heaven

Joshua Alexander Gideon Welsh

"He was taught and he was raised to live his life right outside the door of heaven
which is what atrium is."

~Fr. Jonathan Meyer, All Saints Parish, November 20, 2019


Pertinent clip from a 20-minute homily

Wednesday, January 15, 2020

Cenacle: The Last Supper



From the first Cenacle I ever made for my son through to all the Cenacles I have made for others, I have utilized my own design. It is not modeled after anything except the images from the two locations considered to be the possible locations of the original Cenacle.

See the Holy Land - website
     Please note the curved ceilings.

My basic Cenacle has a solid wall back. The Cenacle with the reversible back is to allow for a change through time. The Cenacle where the Last Supper took place (at either possible location) became the first church. An image of the Holy Spirit descending as tongues of fire seems appropriate, but any church background painting would do.


Description from the original Garden of Francis site:
Basic Cenacle - this is a basic cenacle of my own design
with a base, three walls, movable table and a reversible rear image. 

Sunday, December 15, 2019

My love

28 days since I held you in my arms and told you help was on the way. 90 minutes you suffered pain I can't even imagine.

You are my heart. My soul. My strength. My everything.

As I type this, 28 days 10 minutes ago I ran outside, hoping I was wrong. That you were just at the gym. I saw the box at the mailbox and the car with the trailer in front of it - and I knew. I just knew.

Just two more seconds. That's all the difference it would have been.

I love you. I miss you so much. You ARE love. The truest love.


Funeral Homily: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nV5ZPEsQej8
(this link will be updated in the near future)

Be encouraged homily: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FDZgQsCuCsA
13:40 is the key section
Pronouns are not Fr. Meyer's strength. ;)





Saturday, November 30, 2019

Jesse Tree ornaments by Joshua


My son, Joshua, helped design these ornaments. He hand-burned our first set. I have not been selling them the last few years, but recently pulled them out, touched them up and prepped a set for showcasing.

The day he left this earth, Joshua had pulled out our Christmas boxes to get out the green ornament hooks - and the day before he had pulled out our small tree on which to hang them.

I finally got them together and they are available for sale. They can be in your mailbox in 2-3 business days if it's the only thing you order. Or in your hands within 3 hours if you are local.

Our Christmas season, as well as Lent and Easter sets will be available soon. Then I will work on adding the variations.