May
6
Calling all in Teen Encounter and Yahweh
May 6, 2008 | Leave a Comment
Here in Western Mass Teen Encounter was a huge motivator for apostolic action and our wonderful priest from way back then is about to reach a milestone. We only found out becauA note from Gabrielle:
When I heard it was Father Henry Dorsch’s 40th Anniversary this month I went down to Springfield and arranged a Congratulatory Ad from everyone who’s ever done Teen Encounter or Yahweh. The Observer is giving its best price and had a great picture of him in New York. If you would like to contribute to the ad, even just $5, contact Gabby.
email Mary B for the address
Please forward! Teen and Yahweh people have moved all over, many have now done Cursillo or Marriage encounter
Apr
30
Bored Box (Summer is Coming!)
April 30, 2008 | Leave a Comment
Every year I look forward to the end of teaching and giving the kids a little freedom, until the first, “I’m Bored!!” whines out of a little mouth. Here is a plan I adopted from one of my first Homeschool friends 12 years ago: The Bored BoxPrint the list below and cut apart after reading the choices and rules to your kids.
Here are the Rules:
#1 Announcing you are bored means you are being boring. We will save your siblings and parents from you by giving you a gift of making you do the item you pick from the bored box.
#1a You must do the activitiy for a full 30 mins, timed!
#1b You must clean up the activity. #2 Mom must allow you to do whatever the list says (unless it interferes with Mass.)
#2a Mom may not separate the list into Boy vs. Girl activities or fun vs. chores. Its up to God what you get to do!
#2b Mom may review this list or add to it before starting the game.1) ride bikes
2) roller skate
3) play basketball / shoot baskets
4) play board games
5) make a tent out of blankets
6) squirt with hoses
7) run through the sprinkler
jump rope
9) read books
10) blow bubbles
11) make homemade play dough
12) play with play dough
13) press flowers
14) do crafts with pressed flowers
15) write a letter to a relative, friend or pen pal
16) clean bedroom
17) vacuum living room
clean bathroom
19) make a craft
20) draw
21) color
22) paint
23) pull weeds
24) watch a movie
25) write stories
26) use binoculars
27) use magnifying glass
use microscope
29) bird watching
30) write a play
31) act out a play
32) invent circus acts
33) perform a circus
34) play card games
35) make art on the front walkway with sidewalk chalk
36) play catch
37) play baseball
collect rocks
39) collect leaves
40) collect feathers
41) play Frisbee
42) make Frisbee’s out of old plastic lids; decorate with markers
43) dust the house
44) brush the pet
45) write “thank you” cards
46) read a magazine
47) play dress-up
play Cowboys
49) pick vegetables
50) play outside with the pet
51) build a fort in your rooms
52) build a fort in the backyard
53) do a jigsaw puzzle
54) play on the Geosafari or other school game
55) play on the computer
56) listen to a story or book on tape
57) do extra schoolwork to get ahead
do brain teasers (i.e.: crosswords, word searches, hidden pictures,mazes,etc.)
59) cook
60) prepare lunch
61) surprise a neighbor with a good deed
62) play store
63) prepare a “restaurant” lunch with menus
64) hold a tea party
65) have a Teddy bear picnic
66) play with toy cars
67) play dolls
play house
69) chase butterflies
70) collect caterpillars and bugs
71) plant a garden patch or a pot of flowers
72) collect seeds
73) hunt for four-leaf clovers
74) learn magic tricks
75) put on a magic show
76) plant a container garden
77) sprout seeds or beans
make sock puppets
79) put on a puppet show
80) make Christmas presents
81) make homemade wrapping paper
82) make homemade gift cards
83) make picture frames from twigs glued onto sturdy cardboard
84) crochet or knit
85) make doll clothes
86) sew buttons in designs onto old shirts
87) run relay races
make bookmarks
89) take a quiet rest time
90) take a shower or bath
91) bathe a pet
92) feed the birds or squirrels
93) watch the clouds
94) organize a dresser drawer
95) clean under the bed
96) wash the dishes
97) vacuum under the couch cushions; keep any change found
write more ideas onto pieces of paper; pick out one or two to do
99) whittle
100) whittle bars of soap
101) practice musical instruments
102) perform a family concert
103) teach yourself to play a musical instrument (recorder, harmonica, guitar)
104) fold laundry
105) sweep kitchen or bathroom floors
106) sweep front walkway
107) sweep or spray back patio
1 sweep or spray driveway
109) wash car
110) vacuum car
111) vacuum or dust window blinds
112) clean bathroom mirrors
113) clean sliding glass doors
114) clean inside of car windows
115) wash bicycles
116) clean garage
117) play in the sandbox
1 build a sandcastle
119) work with clay
120) copy your favorite book illustration
121) design your own game
122) build with blocks or LEGOs
123) create a Design Box for craft supplies (copper wire, string,odds-and-ends of things destined for the garbage, pom-poms, thread, yarn, etc.)
124) plan a neighborhood or family Olympics
125) have a marble tournament
126) paint a picture with lemon juice on white paper and hang it in a sunny window and see what happens in a few days
127) finger paint with pudding
1 make dessert
129) make dinner
130) give your pet a party
131) paint the sidewalk with water
132) start a journal of summer fun
133) start a nature diary
134) have a read-a-thon with a friend or sibling
135) have a neighborhood bike wash
136) play flashlight tag
137) play Kick the Can
1 check out a science book and try some experiments
139) make up a story
140) arrange photo albums
141) find bugs and start a collection
142) do some stargazing
143) decorate bikes or wagons and have a neighborhood parade
144) catch butterflies and then let them go
145) play hide-and-seek
146) create a symphony with bottles and pans and rubber bands
147) listen to the birds sing
1 try to imitate bird calls
149) read a story to a younger child
150) find shapes in the clouds
151) string dry noodles or O-shaped cereals into a necklace
152) glue noodles into a design on paper
153) play hopscotch
154) play jacks
155) make up a song
156) make a teepee out of blankets
157) write in your journal
1 find an ant colony and spill some food and watch what happens
159) play charades
160) make up a story by drawing pictures
161) draw a cartoon strip
162) make a map of your bedroom, house or neighborhood
163) call a friend164) cut pictures from old magazines and write a story
165) make a collage using pictures cut from old magazines
166) do a secret service for a neighbor
167) plan a treasure hunt
1 make a treasure map
169) make up a “Bored List” of things to do
170) plan a special activity for your family
171) search your house for items made in other countries and then learn about those countries from the encyclopedia or online
172) plan an imaginary trip to the moon
173) plan an imaginary trip around the world; decide where you would want to go
174) write a science-fiction story
175) find a new pen pal
176) make up a play using old clothes as costumes
177) make up a game for practicing math facts
1 have a Spelling Bee
179) make up a game for practicing spelling
180) surprise an elderly neighbor or relative by weeding his/her garden
181) fingerpaint with shaving cream
182) collect sticks and mud and build a bird’s nest
183) write newspaper articles for a pretend newspaper
184) put together a family newsletter
185) write reviews of movies, plays, TV shows or concerts you see during the summer
186) bake a cake
187) bake a batch of cookies
1 decorate a shoe box to hold your summer treasures
189) make a hideout or clubhouse
190) make paper airplanes
191) have paper airplane races
192) learn origami
193) make an obstacle course in your backyard
194) make friendship bracelets for your friends
195) make a wind chime out of things headed for the garbage
196) paint your face
197) braid hair
1 play tag
199) make a sundial
200) make food sculptures (from pretzels, gumdrops, string licorice, raisins,cream cheese, peanuts, peanut butter, etc.) and then eat it
201) make a terrarium
202) start a club
203) take a nap outside on your lawn
204) produce a talent show
205) memorize a poem
206) recite a memorized poem for your family
207) read the newspaper
2 write a Letter to the Editor about an article or issue in the newspaper
and my add-on:
209) brainstorm and decide on your Science Fair, History Fair topic
All Saint’s Costume or country for International Fair!Then dig in!!
210) Read Scout book
211) Work on a Scout badge
212) Call a friend
213) Call a Grandparent
214) Call a cousin
215) Set up tent in the yard
216) Camp in back yard
217) Write a letter
2 Go to Mass
219) Go to confession
220) Say a prayer
221) Put on Christian music
222) Put on Classical Music
223) Read from Bible
224) Read about a saint
225) sort pictures
226) Jump Rope
227) clean pool
2 walk dog
229) make grocery list
Apr
28
Lasting thoughts about The Pope’s visit.
April 28, 2008 | Leave a Comment
Celebrating Mass with pope left a lasting impression
By MONSIGNOR MICHAEL MULLEN Special to The Star http://www.kansasci ty.com/273/ story/593466. html
I was privileged to concelebrate Mass with Pope Benedict twice in New York, at St. Patrick’s Cathedral on Saturday, April 19, and at Yankee Stadium on Sunday, April 20.This was my first visit to Yankee Stadium.
I grew up knowing it as “the house that Ruth built.” I will remember it as “the house of Hope that Pope Benedict built.”
I would like to share seven lasting impressions that will stay with me. Pope Benedict XVI is:
•A person of prayer. Whether in private prayer or leading smaller or larger groups, the Pope has a beautiful spirit of prayer.He sets the example that prayer always precedes the good we do.
•A person of compassion. Pope Benedict consoled 24 people at Ground Zero. He ministered to 50 disabled and handicapped youth. He brought concern and healing to abuse victims.I was a few feet away when the Pope stepped aside to greet a boy with muscular dystrophy at St. Patrick’s Cathedral. The boy and his mother will never forget the moment.
•A person of God’s wisdom. At the United Nations, St. Patrick’s and Yankee Stadium and on every occasion Pope Benedict said God’s Word teaches us truth about ourselves, our neighbors, the world, and about God Himself.
•A person appreciative of the United States. The Pope praised religious freedom and our generosity.He quoted the words on the Statue of Liberty. He called on us to be our best selves, in service to life here and abroad.
•A person close to all races, nationalities and creeds. I will remember the ecumenical prayer and meetings.Pope Benedict greeted persons of every race. Prayers at Mass were offered in English, Latin, Greek, Spanish, Portuguese, Italian, German, French, Polish, Croatian, Tagalog, Igbo, Akan, Korean and Chinese.
•A person of inspiration. The Pope is 81 years of age. He devotes all his energy to his mission.That spirit of service radiated to me and, I felt, to everyone.
•A person for Christ. The theme of the pastoral visit of the Holy Father was “Christ Our Hope.”Pope Benedict urged us to live in hope. What a blessing!
Monsignor Michael Mullen is pastor of St. Patrick Catholic Church in Kansas City, Kan.
HT to Kathy of A-Catholic-HS-Moms a Yahoo group.
Apr
24
Next Issue
April 24, 2008 | Leave a Comment
Our site will be changing because our hope for a Conference in o8 did not work out. Partly because of family things but also because our Diocese ran a wonderful Women’s Conference. We really did not want to do anything to diminish such a great opportunity. The Catholic Cantor May 08
I have included the entire address of Pope Benedict XVI to educators in hopes we can discuss how it applies to those of us who homeschool.
Apr
15
Pope Benedict XVI
April 15, 2008 | Leave a Comment
He arrives today and we intend to make his presence part of our homeschool. At Mass on Sunday our choir director who is of German descent arrange the prelude music for the occasion: Long Live the Pope, German national anthem, Vatican Anthem, Eidelweiss, and Happy Birthday (he turns 81 today.)
You might look at the German map, cook German food or do take out, read about his life: there is ever a new children’s book about him. You might go to Mass for him, offer your Rosary or perhaps put on EW
Apr
12
Harvard Classics Book List
April 12, 2008 | Leave a Comment
In looking for books to read I came across this:
Harvard Classics book list from when people continued to self educate themselves.
1 Benjamin Franklin, John Woolman, William Penn
2 Plato, Epictecus, Marcus Aurelius
3 Bacon, Milton’s Prose, Thomas Browne
4 Milton’s Complete Poems in English
5 Emerson. Essays and English Traits
6 Burns. Poems and Songs
7 Saint Augustine, The Confessions. Thomas A Kempis, Imitation of Christ
8 Nine Greek Dramas
9 Letters and Treatises of Cicero and Pliny
10 Adam Smith. The Wealth of Nations
11 Darwin. The Origin of Species
12 Plutarch’s Lives of the Noble Greeks and Romans
13 Virgil’s Aeneid
14 Cervantes. Don Quixote, Part I
15 Bunyan. The Pilgrim’s Progress. Donne and Herbert. Isaak Walton
16 The Thousand and One Nights
17 Folk-Lore and Fable, Aesop, Grimm, Anderson
18 Modern English Drama
19 Goethe: Faust, Egmont, etc. Marlowe: Doctor Faustus
20 Dante. The Divine Comedy
21 Manzoni. I Promessi Sposi
22 Homer. The Odyssey
23 Dana. Two Years Before the Mast
24 Burke. On the Sublime; Reflections on the Revolution in France, etc.
25 J. S. Mill and Thomas Carlyle
26 Continental Drama
27 English Essays, Sidney to Macaulay
28 English and American Essays
29 Darwin. Voyage of the Beagle
30 Faraday, Helmholtz, Kelvin, Newcomb, etc.
31 Cellini. Autobiography
32 Montaigne, Sainte-Beuve, Renan, etc.
33 Voyages and Travels
34 Descartes, Voltaire, Rousseau, Hobbes
35 Froissart, Malory, Holinshed
36 Machiavelli, More, Luther
37 Locke, Berkeley, Hume
38 Harvey, Jenner, Lister, Pasteur
39 Famous Prefaces
40 English Poetry, 1
41 English Poetry, 2
42 English Poetry, 3
43 American Historical Documents
44 Sacred Writings, 1
45 Sacred Writings, 2
46 Elizabethan Drama, 1
47 Elizabethan Drama, 2
48 Pascal. Thoughts and Minor Works
49 Epic and Saga
50 Introduction, Reader’s Guide and Indexes
51 Lectures on The Harvard Classics
Published by P F Collier & Sons in 1917. The particular works were selected by Charles W Eliot. Each volume has an illustrated frontispiece and illustrated inside covers. other titles included in this complete set are:
- Vol 1 “The History of Tom Jones” by Henry Fielding
- Vol 2 “The History of Tom Jones” by Henry Fielding
- Vol 3 “Sentimental Journey Through France and Italy” by Sterne and “Pride and Prejudice” by Jane Austin
- Vol 4 “Guy Mannering” by Sir Walter Scott
- Vol 5 “Vanity Fair” by Thackeray
- Vol 6 “”Vanity Fair” by Thackeray
- Vol 7 “David Copperfield” by Charles Dickens
- Vol 8 “David Copperfield” by Dickens
- Vol 9 “The Mill on the Floss” by George Eliot
- Vol 10 American Fiction by Poe, Irving, Hales, Harte, Hawthorne, Twain
- Vol 11 “The Portrait of a Lady” by Henry James
- Vol 12 “Notre Dame De Paris” by Victor Hugo
- Vol 13 French Fiction by Balzac, De Musset, Sand, Daudet, De Maupassant
- Vol 14 “Wilhelm Meister’s Apprenticeship” by Goethe
- Vol 15 German Fiction by Goethe, Keller, Fontane, Storm
- Vol 16 “Anna Karenina” by Tolstoy
- Vol 17 “Anna Karenina” and “Ivan The Fool” by Tolstoy
- Vol 18 “Crime and Punishment” by Dostoevsky
- Vol 19 “A House of Gentlefolk” and “Fathers and Children” by Turgenev
- Vol 20 “Pepita Jimenez” by Valera; “A Happy Boy” by Bjornson; “Skipper Worse” by Kielland
I hope to add otehr book lists but some would be the Newberry Award winners, Pulitzer Prize winners, and those suggested in Honey for a Child’s Heart.
Apr
9
Mary’s Top Ten
April 9, 2008 | Leave a Comment
A 10th Anniversary list of Great Ideas from Great friends!!
1. Pray! AM and PM with the kids or alone or with your husband.
2. Celebrate name days and Baptismal Days
3. Teachers never finish the book!
4. Big kids strengthen skills by helping little ones.
5. Planning a week of meals makes life easier.
6. School schedule should accommodate Dad’s work 1st.
7. Homeschool conventions really are worth the $, time and effort.
8. Libraries buy good books if that is what patrons request. Visit often.
9. Stay healthy through healthy food, regular rest and exercise.
10. Carschooling works!Lord, We pray that our children find good friends filled with Your Wisdom. We pray they will be discerning. Mostly we pray for the strength to fight the good fight. Amen
What advice have you been given that really passed the test of time?
Apr
8
Pro Life Corner
April 8, 2008 | Leave a Comment
ProLife Corner by Karen
March 15, 2008
The issue of the fate of children who die without the benefit of baptism is one which evokes much emotion (understandably – how many of us have lost children to miscarriage, and were unable to baptize them, through no one’s fault?) And, of course, the issue of abortion, and the fate of these children already cruelly murdered, tends to evoke even stronger feelings over their fate, from a simple sense of justice! Could God refuse these little ones, who already suffered so much in their innocence, to also suffer the loss of the happiness of heaven? It hardly seems so.
Yet, as obedient children of God, we have a duty to understand as clearly and correctly as we can: Just what does God – through His church - say?
I would refer all to the Catechism of the Catholic Church to explore this question. I ask the reader to do two things, however:
1.) Recognize that the truth cannot be changed or denied in any way because we have certain, strong feelings about it, and
2.) Be willing to share the truth as it is, of course with the undeniable knowledge that God is merciful.A very brief summary of what the Church has always taught, and continues to teach, is that children who die without the benefit of baptism are, “left to the mercy of God.” Please note that this teaching does NOT add, ‘therefore they are in heaven.’ So, we have every reason to HOPE they may be, especially as we implore this grace from God on their behalf.
This leads to the reason I chose to focus on this subject at all for this, my first issue:
There is a prayer which, by the grace of God, we became aware of and have been praying daily for about 10 years now, which is a “Spiritual Baptism of the Unborn.” Though written in response to the tragedy of abortion, the actual spiritual baptism asks that “all who are born this day dead may reach everlasting life…” – so I lay that claim for all miscarried babies as well (including two of my own, and three of my grandchildren.) Now, this is purely personal belief on my part, but I see this prayer (and God knows – maybe there have always been prayers like this offered to God for the un-baptised babies) as “the mercy of God!”, that He would accept this humble effort to follow His words concerning the necessity of baptism for salvation as best we can, under these circumstances.
God Bless, Karen
Prayer for Aborted Infants from Radio Rosary PO Box 9608 Pittsburg, PA 15226 USA
Dear little infant Jesus,
in honor of thy Holy Birth, and through thy Holy Mother, I pray that the innocents who will this day be murdered may find refuge and eternal glory before the throne of our Heavenly Father.Spiritual Baptism of the Unborn First recite the Apostles Creed and continue with “That all who were born this day dead may reach everlasting life through Jesus Christ, Mary, Joseph, John and today’s patron St. __________, if it be acceptable to Almighty God, I Baptize you, “ (Sprinkle Holy Water to the North, South East and West of your home or church), “In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.”
Amen.
End with Our Father, Hail Mary, and Glory Be.
As I typed up Karen’s first Pro Life corner article I noticed the date. That was the 20th Anniversary of Jeff and I losing our first child to miscarriage. I had been Blessed to have a Mother who gave me a little book from the Open Window called The Mother’s Manual which included a prayer for a Conditional Baptism. Since my miscarriage happened at a Catholic hospital I was assured that a Conditional Baptism would be said even before the confirming examination of tissue. A conditional Baptism states that ‘if it is possible to receive the graces of baptism then I Baptize you in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.’ (I highly recommend the book as it contains every imaginable prayer a woman could even need from discernment over marriage, birth, death, widowhood, wayward children etc.)Therefore I ask my Veronica to pray for each of you this month and my Matthias as well. I, like Karen, have prayed for and trusted in God’s mercy toward these innocents and am assured through that HOPE that they enjoy the presence of God.
Peace, Mary
Apr
5
April is the Month of the Holy Eucharist
April 5, 2008 | Leave a Comment
April is the month of The Holy Eucharist by our new contributor Lynda:
I am overjoyed and privileged to start this spiritual formation corner for our home school news letter! I hope to serve all of you hard working home school families with encouragement, spiritual exercises, and information about upcoming events. I hope to share information that will be helpful in the raising of our beautiful, talented and gifted children. ( I hope we can assist each other in our journey towards heaven.)
We are all called to be great saints. Imagine we’ve been given the responsibility to raise saints too? This task should not be taken lightly. It is the most important work we will do in our vocation and it is all for the honor and glory of Almighty God.
I want each and everyone of you to know that not only do I dedicate myself to this service, I extend my help to anyone who may need one on one
Support in any way. You may email me or call as you see fit and I will do my best to encourage you as God so allows.
One of my favorite scripture verses I keep in mind everyday is when Jesus says “ I have not come to be served but to serve” ( Matthew 20:28). When moms have worked all day in attending to all the obligations in front of them, and finally after preparing supper, sits down with the family, how many times do we get up to either get more milk or applesauce or heed to another request? The demands during the day can become overwhelming but some how the words of Christ serve us as a perfect reminder that we can imitate Jesus by being attentive to all the needs of our family no matter how exhausting it is. We can look at each and every family member as the face of Christ believing in the words again that Jesus spoke “ Truly ,I say to you, as you did it to one of the least of my brethren, you did it to me“. ( Matthew 25:40)
We live in a culture that influences the mind, body and soul today to except all modern conveniences and to indulge in ourselves. I am sure you have all heard such things as “ be good to yourself” , “you come first”, “you deserve it”, “enjoy life, eat, drink and be merry” Now of course we have the duty to take care of the temple of The Holy Spirit this falls under the fifth commandment, but how do we live as the world says is ok in according to Christ teaching when he says “ Deny yourself, pick up your cross and follow me”? (Matthew 16:24) We achieve that in the loving service we give our spouse and our children. We offer each day to the infinite merits of Jesus Christ all of our good works, sorrows and sufferings, everything we do becomes a prayer. With that in mind let us not offer any part of our day in evil and sin . We must offer our best, our will, our complete love and surrender to the one who loved us first and shed every drop of HIS precious blood for us all.
Can we serve and not seek to be served? Can this be possible? With Christ all things are possible because he strengthens us, sustains us, and most of all because he loves us
May Almighty God the Father bless you as you serve your loved ones for the love of God. May all the angels and saints watch over you, guide you, lead you and protect you today and always. And may our Blessed mother place her holy mantle of love over you all as you serve Jesus. Amen.
Sincerely in Jesus through Mary,
Lynda
Upcoming event For the Entire Family
Late Have I Loved Thee
A FREE family vocation day
on Saturday April 12, 2008
Saint Catherine of Siena Church in Springfield
Please register by April 9, 2008
More information and Registration go to:
www.familyvocations.org
Apr
4
Mary’s Top Ten: Rule of Six
April 4, 2008 | Leave a Comment
Last year I found this:
Rule of Six to use for planning school.
1. Prayer and Catholic Culture
2. Imaginative Play
3. Good Books
4. Beauty (art, music, nature)
5. Ideas to Ponder and Discuss
6. Meaningful Work
I added these to make my Top Ten Article:
For my other 4: Be sure to do so with Faith, Hope, Love and Patience.
This is the sample school plan I came up with:
1. Prayer and Catholic Culture— Religion Chapter a week, read about a saint a week, daily prayer to start day, meals and bedtime.
2. Imaginative Play—free time 1 hour
3. Good Books—read 1 hour a day, support for reading ½ hour of Spelling, Grammar, Phonics
4. Beauty (art, music, nature)—Listen at lunch. 1 hour of art on Monday, Nature sketch book daily, look up what you see and Journal.
5. Ideas to Ponder and Discuss—Read from Biographies, History, or Bible
6. Meaningful Work—Come up with a list of chores that really help the house.
For my other 4: Be sure to do so with Faith, Hope, Love and Patience.
As you can see coming up with a homeschool plan can be simple and joyful!
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