Too Confident in My Child's Faith?

In Virginia the largest religious denomination is Baptist at 14% compared to the 7% of Catholics living in Virginia. We knew these number when we moved here and it really didn't weigh on our decision. Why should it?

With this difference in numbers it would be obvious that our children would and will be making friends with lots of children and families that aren't Catholic. Again, we are okay with that. Why wouldn't we be?

We are giving our children a completely Catholic education with them being completely enrolled in Seton Home Study School. Plus Mike and I work really hard to keep a devote Catholic home. We think they are getting the foundation of their Catholic faith and if when they grow up to make their own decisions on their faith they will stay firmly based in it. Time will tell I won't make any assumptions I'll just be confident I've done all I could.

Our Jacob has made a lot of friends who are active in a local Baptist church. He often goes with his friends on a Wednesday night to "hang" out and socialize at the church's youth social hall. The church provides snacks, drinks, a pool table, ping-pong table and other wholesome activities. In order to participate in the fun the kids are required to sit through a little bit of preaching. Jacob feels this is a small sacrifice for getting to "hang" with some good kids.

Mike and I have thought and talked this over several times and we still don't see a problem with it. So, this morning when Jacob called from a friends house to ask if he could go to services with a friend at the same church before coming home, I said okay if he really wanted to. His answer was, "I just want to see all my friends one last time before they start school tomorrow."

I'm still not seeing any problem with any of this. Am I being blind? Am I too confident in my child's faith in his own church? He went to mass with us at our church last night if he really wants to sit through some more preaching, does it really matter? Any thoughts or input is welcomed...

Good Friends

A Catholic homeschooling friend of mine lost her father-in-law completely unexpectedly last week. Her family (6 kids and husband) were in fact getting ready to spend a week with him on his farm in PA just this week. So instead of going there for vacation they are now in PA to plan and attend his funeral.

Having just lost my own father last year I easily feel their pain!

Two other Catholic homeschooling moms and myself are heading to their house this afternoon to clean the house and put food in their fridge/freezer for when they return this weekend. We can't be in PA to support them so we are feeling this will be a nice gesture here at home.

I am truly blessed to have a great network of friends. Although the 4 of us don't get to spend a lot of time together due to our separate busy schedules and the distance of where we live, it is reassuring to know we are always there for each other in the long run.

Queen of Heaven and Earth

One of my on line blogging friends asked an excellent question of yesterday's post. Why do we crown Mary and call her The Queen of Heaven and Earth? Such a good question that I couldn't resist taking the opportunity to explain my answer it today's blog post.

Why queen?

In the Old Testament there are several references to the mother of the king being referred to as the Queen Mother. Because kings could have many wives but would only have one mother.

2 Kings 24:12, "Then King Jehoiakim, along with his advisers, nobles, officials, and the qeen mother, surrendered to the Babylonians."

JESUS IS KING, and it is understood he only has one mother.

Why crowning? and why over heaven and earth?

Revelation 12:1-2; 5 , "A great sign appeared in the sky, a woman clothed with the sun, with the moon under her feet, and on her head a crown of twelve stars. She was with child and wailed aloud in pain as she labored to give birth. Then the dragon stood before the woman about to give birth, to devour her child when she gave birth. She gave birth to a son, a male child destined to rule all the nations with an iron rod. Her child was caught up to God and his throne."

Revelation 12: 7-9, "Then war broke out in heaven; Michael and his angels battled against the dragon. The dragon and its angels fought back, but they did not prevail and there was no longer any place for them in heaven. The huge dragon, the ancient serpent, who is called the Devil and Satan, who deceived the whole world, was thrown down to earth, and its angels were thrown down with it."

God makes it quite clear the woman in the first passage obviously gives birth to the savior, therefore it is understood to be Mary. She wears a crown. She is a key player in the battle against the devil (the dragon), and he now resides on earth. This power doesn't come to her on her own, but by the power given by Jesus, her son.

I am in no way a theologian or an apologetic. This is just my humble understanding from what I've read. Hope it helps anyone who has questions. Thank you for the opportunity to defend my faith, it only makes my understanding of it more clear for myself. God Bless!

What are they thinking?

Growing up as a Catholic, especially one that lived where it was common to be a Catholic, there are certain things that I always just took for granted. Having a statue of Mary in the garden, saying the rosary, and religious photos around the house.

Living in Virginia as a Catholic we are definitely in the minority. I never feel questioned about my religion or really called to defend it, but I would if I had to. Instead I silently wonder what the non-Catholic people who come to my house think when they see Mary in the garden or the large photo of Padre Pio on my kitchen wall. Or when Jacob tells his friends who call at 3:30 we didn't answer the phone because we were in the middle of saying the rosary.

At mass this past weekend we honored the Blessed Mother with a May crowning celebration. It passed through my thoughts, as I sat in the pew, "What would those non-Catholics be thinking of this ritual?" From an outsiders perspective I can see why they may say things like, "Those Catholics worship idols." or "They worship a cookie." But, I know the true reasons behind what we do, so in some respects I wish they would ask me. So I could be given the opportunity to defend my faith, and maybe help them understand a little better.

Maybe I will just be thankful I don't have to defend my faith or religion in this country. Or, at least for now...

Honoring Mary Part II

Took a photo after mass of the group of kids that participated in our May crowning. It was simple, but very nice! You can't quite see Mary's pretty jeweled crown, but it is there.

Happy Mother's day to all my blogging friends! May God bless you all!

Celebrating Divine Mercy Sunday

To celebrate Divine Mercy Sunday, Catholic Cuisine had an awesome suggestion.

Here is Faith working on mixing the cake. Notice the t-shirt? When we started the project she ran and put it on in honor of Divine Mercy. For her it represented it and that is what counts.

Our finished results. (The cool whip was blue, just not in the photo.)

Faith was very proud and couldn't wait to serve it up

We all enjoyed a piece.

5mart Martha Monday

Was a little more productive with my list from last week. Didn't make it to Goodwill with dad's clothes and the ironing "pile" still didn't get tackled. The good news is the "pile" only has one shirt and a lot of cloth napkins so this could be why I'm not feeling pressured to get it done. Would like to have it gone from the floor of my closet is the real reason it will be on the list again this week.

Thanks to my on line blogger friends and their words of encouragement last week! The list can't rule my life only give me a starting point. I'm learning this, thanks to you!

This week's list:

1. Bring the last bag of dad's clothes to Goodwill. (continued prayers please)
2. Tackle the ironing "pile".
3. Clean the shelf in the laundry room.
4. Make daily house keeping trips into the kid's bathroom. So, when the weekly cleaning comes I don't feel like passing out from the sight of it.
5. Write that pesky business letter I've been putting off.

I Can Feel My Blood Boil!

I know we are told not to judge. Let me say that this is definitely something I struggle with and it is part of my daily prayers to correct this flaw in myself. However, this morning I can't help myself. To my defense if you're going to put yourself out in the public eye and take a political view on something you need to be subject to a little judgement and criticism. So allow me this indulgence because I just have to voice my opinion and frustration on a particular Catholic woman.

I'm so sorry! Just the sight of her sets me off! She claims to be a faithful Catholic, but her words, actions, and votes just don't portray it and I'm so frustrated! Am I alone out there on this view? Please come to my rescue and tell me how you feel. Tell me if I'm wrong, I can take it.

5mart Martha Monday

One of my online, knitting, homeschooling, Catholic friends, whose blog I read periodically, does something called 5mart Martha Monday. It is a list of 5 temporal/practical work goals. Each week you make a list of 5 things you want to accomplish. Making you more like Martha from the bible.

Although she has taken it a step further and has made herself an additional list of 5 spiritual goals, making her more like Mary, I thought I would at least start with a Martha List.

5mart Martha Monday temporal/practical work goals:

1. Empty at least one more box from the move. Yes, the move a year ago.
2. Clean and better organize the hall closet.
3. Finish the felted bag I'm knitting.
4. Finish reading Lillies of the Field. So, I can discuss this with my son.
5. Hang at least the dark loads of laundry out on the line. (Hope the weather cooperates.)

Lord give me strength, I'm not good at lists!