Homeschool Goodies

Rosalie Rendu: patron saint bookmarks

evann — Thu, 09 Sep 2010 14:07:12 +0000

This year, as a back-to-school favor for my students, I made simple bookmarks featuring our patron saint Blessed Rosalie Rendu. Sometimes our patrons are somewhat obscure and holy cards and medals are hard to find. I included the year, and a prayer to Our Lady of Good Studies that I found in the Blessed Be God prayerbook.

For all those Blessed Rosalie fans out there: here is the pdf. There are 6 bookmarks on the sheet. For durability, I printed ours on photo paper. It’s a simple idea with many applications.

Enjoy!

Vatican Splendors: see it while you can

evann — Thu, 09 Sep 2010 00:40:47 +0000

We just got back from our St. Louis Catholic Homeschool Association field trip to the Vatican Splendors exhibit at the Missouri History Museum. If you haven’t gone yet, do so quickly as the St. Louis exhibit closes Sunday, September 12.

We thoroughly enjoyed it. There were so many beautiful pieces of art by masters including Bernini, Giotto, and Michelangelo. There were relics of St. Peter and St. Paul, and many architectural items from Rome.

Many of the items on exhibit have never before left the Vatican. A handful of the items, such as a gold plaque from the Tomb of Saint Peter, and the Pieta, are exact replicas. My favorite part of the exhibit was the scaffolding reproduction of the Sistine Chapel as it might have looked while being painted. No photography is allowed within the exhibit, so all I have to share is this lovely photo of the outdoor banner!

Although Vatican Splendors is leaving St. Louis, you can still see it in Pittsburgh, October 10, 2010 – January 2, 2011, and it opens in Fort Lauderdale, January 29, 2011.

Maria Bambina nativity

evann — Wed, 08 Sep 2010 13:12:42 +0000

Reposting from 2009

Many years ago, a very good friend whose name is Mary, gave me a pocket-size novena booklet with this image of Maria Bambina. It also contains a small piece of cotton that has been touched to the miraculous Infant Mary’s image in Milan. I carry it with me always.

Prayer to Maria Bambina

Hail, Infant Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with thee, blessed art thou forever, and blessed are thy holy parents Joachim and Anne, of whom thou wast miraculously born. Mother of God, intercede for us.

We fly to thy patronage, holy and amiable Child Mary, despise not our prayers in our necessities, but deliver us from all dangers, glorious and blessed Virgin.

V. Pray for us, holy Child Mary.

R. That we may be made worthy of the promises of Christ.

Let us Pray: O almighty and merciful God, Who through the cooperation of the Holy Ghost, didst prepare the body and soul of the Immaculate Infant Mary that she might be the worthy Mother of Thy Son, and didst preserve her from all stain, grant that we who venerate with all our hearts her most holy childhood, may be freed, through her merits and intercession, from all uncleanness of mind and body, and be able to imitate her perfect humility, obedience and charity. Through Christ Our Lord. Amen.

Shameless self promotion

evann — Tue, 07 Sep 2010 23:38:43 +0000

Anyone out there looking for a graphic designer?

If so, check out my online portfolio.

If not, then never mind!

Reminder: Worldwide Guadalupan Rosary, 9.8.2010

evann — Tue, 07 Sep 2010 19:41:46 +0000

To celebrate the Bicentennial of Mexico’s National Independence, the Knights of Columbus are holding a worldwide Rosary of Guadalupan Love, which will be prayed on September 8, the birthday of Our Lady.

Let Mother Teresa deliver your mail

evann — Tue, 07 Sep 2010 17:19:34 +0000

Who need lights on the Empire State building when you’ve got a U.S. postage stamp? That’s right, the Mother Teresa commemorative stamp is official. The stamp was unveiled, Sunday, September 5 at the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception and are available now for purchase!

Get all the details, and get your stamps!

We’re back to school!

evann — Tue, 07 Sep 2010 13:00:05 +0000

Today’s the day! I’ve got a 5th grader, an 8th grader, and a junior in high school. Please join us in this prayer before study taken from Blessed be God, Catholic prayerbook.

Grant me grace,
O merciful God,
to desire ardently all that is pleasing to Thee,
to examine it prudently,
to acknowledge it truthfully,
and to accomplish it perfectly,
for the praise and glory of Thy name.
Amen.

Our Lady of good studies, pray for us.

Blessed Rosalie Rendu, pray for us.

Novena for the unemployed – day 9

evann — Tue, 07 Sep 2010 12:58:09 +0000

Join Easter’s Novena to Mary for Employment for the Feast of the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary on September 8. This novena began August 30 and ends today, September 7.

Recite each day:

V. O God, come to my assistance
R. O Lord, make haste to help me
V. Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit
R. As it was in the beginning, is now and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.

Day 9:

Mediatrix between God and mankind, admirable Mary, by your birth you perfected the joy of all the children of Adam, who, through you, have received the Author of Grace, for He has made you the treasurer of all the graces which are imparted to us. May your birth be a special cause of joy to my soul by obtaining for me from God, eternal salvation and all the graces necessary to obtain it.

Hail Mary . . .

End each day with:

Antiphon: Your Nativity, O Virgin Mother of God, was the herald of joy to the whole world; since from you arose the Sun of Justice, Christ our God, who, destroying the curse, bestowed the blessing, and confounding death, rewarded us with life everlasting.
V. Let us celebrate with joy the birth of the Blessed Virgin Mary.
R. That she may intercede for us with Our Lord Jesus Christ.
Let us pray
Grant to us your servants, we beseech you, O Lord, the gift of Your heavenly grace, that as our salvation was begun in the child-bearing of the Blessed Virgin, so from this solemn festival of her Nativity may we obtain an increase of peace. Through Our Lord Jesus Christ. Amen.

Novena for the unemployed – day 8

evann — Mon, 06 Sep 2010 20:04:30 +0000

Join Easter’s Novena to Mary for Employment for the Feast of the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary on September 8. This novena began August 30 and ends on September 7.

Recite each day:

Day 8:

Brilliant Aurora of Heaven, lovable Mary, your birth brought great consolation to the souls of the saints detained in limbo, for it announced the approach of the Sun of Justice, Jesus Christ, who would enlighten their darkness and then conduct them to paradise. May your birth give joy to my soul also, and obtain for me from God, patience in all adversities, a perfect and constant conformity to His most holy will.

Hail Mary . . .

End each day with:

Twenty-Third Sunday in Ordinary Time

evann — Sun, 05 Sep 2010 14:20:26 +0000

First Reading: Wisdom 9:13-18
Psalm: Psalm 90:3-6, 12-13, 14-17
Second Reading: Philemon 1:9-10, 12-17
Gospel: Luke 14:25-33

Novena for the unemployed – day 7

evann — Sun, 05 Sep 2010 14:15:45 +0000

Join Easter’s Novena to Mary for Employment for the Feast of the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary on September 8. This novena began August 30 and ends on September 7.

Recite each day:

Day 7:

Resplendent Morning Star, lovable Mary, your birth was the cause of great joy to the angels, for they beheld in you the Mother of the Redeemer of the world, who by His Death would repair the loss sustained by the fall of rebellions angels in paradise. May your birth give joy to my soul also, by obtaining for me from God, victory over the infernal enemy, deliverance from all his snares, and the grace to be associated in glory with the angels in heaven.

Hail Mary . . .

End each day with:

Novena for the unemployed – day 6

evann — Sat, 04 Sep 2010 13:18:49 +0000

Join Easter’s Novena to Mary for Employment for the Feast of the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary on September 8. This novena began August 30 and ends on September 7.

Recite each day:

Day 6:

Most Beautiful Branch of the tree of David, most admirable Mary, whose birth was such a consolation to St. Joachim and St. Anne who were delighted to be the parents of so holy a child, may your birth be the consolation of my soul, by obtaining for me from God, victory over the world and detachment from all the things of this earth.

Hail Mary . . .

End each day with:

Novena for the unemployed – day 5

evann — Fri, 03 Sep 2010 12:09:53 +0000

Join Easter’s Novena to Mary for Employment for the Feast of the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary on September 8. This novena began August 30 and ends on September 7.

Recite each day:

Day 5:

Resplendent Lily of Paradise, lovable Mary, the Holy Spirit takes delight in your birth for He sees in you the soul never stained by sin, which would forever be His worthy Temple. May your birth give joy to my soul also, by obtaining for me from the Holy Spirit His divine love and final perseverance.
Hail Mary . . .

End each day with:

September is Missouri Archaeology Month

evann — Thu, 02 Sep 2010 13:52:38 +0000

The 2010 theme for Missouri Archaeology Month is Major Sites: 75 Years of Missouri Archaeology. Since Max is studying Missouri archaeology this year, I’ve listed some events in the St. Louis area to help us celebrate Missouri Archaeology Month:

Online event at Facebook.com — month of September
See photos of surface finds from Boone County, Missouri. Participants are encouraged to leave comments and feedback.

Missouri History Museum — Tuesday, September 7, 5 p.m. and 7 p.m.
First Annual Mound City Archaeology Film Festival
At 5 p.m., 4th Gr. documentaries of Rockwood School District’s Center for Creative Learning will be presented. At 7 p.m., the festival begins. Student film crews have worked with archaeologists on various documentaries. Topics include Lonard Blake, rock art, Paleoindian research, and ongoing work at Cahokia.

Samuel C. Sachs Branch of St. Louis County Library — Wednesday, September 15 at 7:00 p.m.
Joe Harl from the Archaeological Research Center of St Louis will discuss how the Dampier Site was uncovered during the construction of a new levee. The remains of a buried Mississippian community were exposed five to six feet below the Missouri River floodplain.

Bridgeton Trails Branch of St. Louis County Library — Wednesday, September 15, 7 pm
This Greater St. Louis Archaeological Society meeting presentation will be “2010 Season Excavations and Remote Sensing at the Gehring Site by the SIUE Archaeology Field School” by Dr. Greg Vogel. This site has occupations dating to the Woodland, Mississippian and Historic periods.

Samuel C. Sachs Branch of St. Louis County Library — Wednesday, September 22, at 7:00 p.m.
Alice Fugate presents “Talking Turkey: Archaeological Treasures of Asia Minor.” Ms. Fugate chairs the Landmarks Preservation Commission for the city of Chesterfield and is vice president of Mound City Archaeological Society. She holds a Master of Arts degree from the University of Missouri-Columbia Department of Art History and Archaeology. The program will examine the rich history of archeology in Turkey, including discoveries in Troy, Ephesus, Constantinople and Cappadocia.

Mastodon State Historic Site — September 25-26, 2010, 9:30 a.m. – 3:30 p.m.
Free admission to the museum. On Saturday, artisans demonstrate skills of prehistoric American Indians, including flint knapping, fire starting and spear throwing. In the museum annex, children are invited to paint rocks, crush corns, crack walnuts and participate in other hands-on activities. Local artifacts are displayed and archaeologists identify artifacts. Tours to the former excavation site are offered hourly. Attend the unveiling of a new museum showcaseing the Clovis Culture.

St. Charles County Heritage Museum — Wednesday, September 29, 6:30–7:30 p.m.
Grave Information: Archaeological Investigations of Historical Burial Grounds, presented by Archaeologist Joe Harl. Archaeological investigations of historic burial grounds generally concentrate on forensic information that can be obtained from human remains. While this information is of value, important cultural information is also available from material remains associated with these burials. While graveyards were used to bury the dead, they also reflected values and beliefs of the living members of society.

Unless otherwise indicated, all events are free and open to the public.

Novena for the unemployed – day 4

evann — Thu, 02 Sep 2010 12:43:53 +0000

Join Easter’s Novena to Mary for Employment for the Feast of the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary on September 8. This novena began August 30 and ends on September 7.

Recite each day:

Day 4:

O Chosen One among the daughters of Adam, admirable Mary, the Redeemer, promised to mankind from the beginning of the world, takes delight in your birth, for He sees the one who is destined to become the Co-redemptress of souls by uniting her tears to the Blood shed on the Cross to save mankind.
Hail Mary . . .

End each day with:

2010 St. Louis Joffrey Nutcracker auditions

evann — Thu, 02 Sep 2010 01:01:00 +0000

Audition info is now out for the 2010 Joffrey Nutcracker. Dance St. Louis will hold auditions for children’s roles on Sunday, September 19.

In 2008, Maxine was double cast as a mouse and as a polichinelle. The polichinelles are Mother Ginger’s children. The polis, as they are called by the Joffrey, are the best and most advanced of the children dancers. This year Audrey will audition!

This is an incredible experience for young dancers. Download this pdf from Dance St. Louis for all the details.

September Links of the Month — get crafty!

evann — Wed, 01 Sep 2010 13:49:33 +0000

Links of the month is back! Don’t ask me where it’s back from, but here it is. Everyone is back to school and academics are top of mind where they should be, but don’t forget the crafts! There’s always a need for a quick craft project to keep little, and big, hands busy. Here are a few of my recent favorites, most of which won’t need any prep work and can be done with things hanging around your house.

• Break out the scissors ’cause Fantastic Toys Blog has just what you need — Gnome paper toys. The free set includes: Gnome bowling; a Gnome paper doll with three outfits; and a Gnome hanging mobile. Love ‘em!

• While you’ve still got those scissors out, head over to Paper Dali, my all-time favorite place for fun paper crafts. At Paper Dali you’ll find an ever-growing collection of saints, blesseds, and historical figures to cut and color. Plan ahead for Feast Days and get your paper dolls, and coloring pages ready. My 5th grader will be using Vee’s Egyptian, Greek, and Roman historical figures this year in history class.

• Another great rainy day, keep ‘em busy project is the Craft Projects’ puppet theatre. This fun craft includes directions and printables for a curtained stage and three puppet characters. Let your children’s imagination run wild and then let the show begin!

• Need some color in your homeschool life? Catholic Icing’s priest peg dolls are a great back-to-school project and a hands-on way to teach the colors of the liturgical seasons. Have your kids each make their own peg priest and then make the various colored vestments. Change the vestments to the appropriate color as we roll through the new Church year.

As always, enjoy!

Holy Father’s Prayer Intentions – September 2010

evann — Wed, 01 Sep 2010 13:47:55 +0000

The Word of God as Sign of Social Development
General: That in less developed parts of the world the proclamation of the Word of God may renew people’s hearts, encouraging them to work actively toward authentic social progress.

The End of War
Missionary: That by opening our hearts to love we may put an end to the numerous wars and conflicts which continue to bloody our world.

Novena for the unemployed – day 3

evann — Wed, 01 Sep 2010 13:43:53 +0000

Join Easter’s Novena to Mary for Employment for the Feast of the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary on September 8. This novena began August 30 and ends on September 7.

Recite each day:

Day 3:

O Chosen One among the daughters of Adam, lovable Mary, the Eternal Word takes delight in your birth, for He sees the source of His Immaculate Blood. May your birth give joy to my soul also, by obtaining for me from the Word made Flesh, the grace to find in this Divine Blood the eternal happiness of my soul.
Hail Mary . . .

End each day with:

Novena for the unemployed – day 2

evann — Tue, 31 Aug 2010 13:00:06 +0000

Join Easter’s Novena to Mary for Employment for the Feast of the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary on September 8. This novena began August 30 and ends on September 7.

Recite each day:

Day 2:

O Chosen One among the daughters of Adam, admirable Mary, the Son of God delights in your birth, for He beholds the one chosen to be His Mother, and oh! such a beloved Mother. May your birth give joy to my soul also, by obtaining from your divine Son the grace to be born again spiritually to a holy life, perfectly conformed to yours, so that I may merit to obtain eternal glory.
Hail Mary . . .

End each day with:

Novena for the unemployed – day 1

evann — Mon, 30 Aug 2010 14:04:34 +0000

Join Easter’s Novena to Mary for Employment for the Feast of the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary on September 8. This novena starts today, August 30 and ends on September 7.

Recite each day:

Day 1:

Heavenly Child, lovable Mary, the Eternal Father delights in your birth, for He beholds in your coming into this world one of His creatures who is so perfect that she will become the worthy Mother of His divine Son. May your birth give joy to my soul also, by obtaining for me from the heavenly Father, the pardon of my sins, and an abiding sorrow for them.
Hail Mary . . .

End each day with:

Twenty-Second Sunday in Ordinary Time

evann — Sun, 29 Aug 2010 05:03:29 +0000

First Reading: Sirach 3:17-18, 20, 28-29
Psalm: Psalm 68:4-7, 10-11
Second Reading: Hebrews 12:18-19, 22-24
Gospel: Luke 14:1, 7-14

Rosary giveaway at Catholic Icing

evann — Sun, 29 Aug 2010 05:01:30 +0000

Lacy, over at Catholic Icing, is hosting a rosary giveaway. This isn’t just any rosary giveaway. These rosaries are one-of-a-kind creations by Sarah the Clay Rosary Girl.

This is my favorite, the multi-clay rosary.

Thanks, Lacy, for hosting the giveaway, and thanks to Sarah for these beautiful rosaries!

Happy Centenary, Mother Teresa

evann — Thu, 26 Aug 2010 23:03:26 +0000

Prayer for the Canonization of Mother Teresa

Jesus, you made Blessed Teresa an inspiring example of firm faith and burning charity, an extraordinary witness to the way of spiritual childhood, and a great and esteemed teacher of the value and dignity of every human life. Grant that she may be venerated and imitated as one of the Church’s canonized saints.

Hear the requests of all those who seek her intercession, especially the petition I now implore… (mention here the favour you wish to pray for).

May we follow her example in heeding Your cry of thirst from the Cross and joyfully loving You in the distressing disguise of the poorest of the poor, especially those most unloved and unwanted.

We ask this in Your name and through the intercession of Mary, Your Mother and the Mother of us all.
Amen.

Project 2,996 — remembering the victims of 9-11

evann — Tue, 24 Aug 2010 17:42:44 +0000

Official Arms of Project 2,996

This year will mark the 9th anniversary of the 9/11 terrorist attacks. Project 2,996 is a tribute to the victims of 9/11.

This year, the project has changed slightly in that the focus is now on making sure that each name on the list has at least one active tribute still on the web. Those names without tributes will be assigned to new volunteers.

Homeschool Goodies has two active tributes:

This is a great back-to-school project for students and parents alike. For details on how you can participate, visit Project 2,996 and spread the word.

We will never forget!