The Gift of Giving ---Mission rosaries

Over the years as each Christmas comes and goes it has been a real joy to see my kids outlook on Christmas mature.  When they were very little, their thoughts were all about what gifts they would receive on Christmas morning.  But as they matured, it was great to see their outlook change to excitement in the joy of giving gifts to others.

Some rosaries for the Girls

This Christmas it was fun to take the opportunity to make rosaries to give to some under privileged kids in the Philippines.  We included a little note with each rosary to tell the child that the rosary was made with love...and to share the name and age of the child that made it for them.

Some rosaries for the Boys

We made girl rosaries, with Turquoise, Lapis Lazuli, Aventurine, and Lilac Stone.  We made boy rosaries with Fossil Agate, Mahogany Obsidian, African Turquoise, and Snowflake Jasper.  I do hope each child will enjoy their special rosary.
   A friend of mine is traveling to the Philippines in a week and will be able to personally deliver the rosaries for us.  It was exciting for my kids to be able to make a special hand made gift for a child in another country, and even more exciting to know it would be personally delivered for them!

The first of the O Antiphons....O Sapientia

 Today begins the First of the O Antiphons


O Sapientia: “O Wisdom, O holy Word of God, you govern all creation with your strong yet tender care. Come and show your people the way to salvation.” Isaiah had prophesied, “The spirit of the Lord shall rest upon him: a spirit of wisdom and of understanding, a spirit of counsel and of strength, a spirit of knowledge and fear of the Lord, and his delight shall be the fear of the Lord.” (11:2-3), and “Wonderful is His counsel and great is His wisdom.” (28:29).

The “O Antiphons” refer to the seven antiphons that are recited (or chanted) preceding the Magnificat during Vespers of the Liturgy of the Hours. They cover the special period of Advent preparation known as the Octave before Christmas, Dec. 17-23, with Dec. 24 being Christmas Eve and Vespers for that evening being for the Christmas Vigil. 

The above is taken from an article by Fr. William Saunders entitled What are the O Antiphons

Throughout this season of Advent, I have been attending Mass more often, and purchasing an online gift here and there.  But I have not been attending parties, listening to Christmas music, or doing anything particularly Christmasy just yet.  We did pick out our tree last weekend. But we are storing it in the garage until this weekend when we will put it up.

Picking out a tree is always a fun family event!

Today was a big day for me, because I began my serious efforts into preparing my home for Christmas Day.  I began making a note on my web shop that I am in vacation mode.  Then I cleared out my Rosary Workshop/ Dining Room and moved all my supplies to the basement storage room.  (Some day that room will be my permanent workshop...but I have to get better lighting first!)  I washed my kitchen floor, vacuumed, did a little baking and general tidying up.  We brought boxes of Christmas decorations out of storage and moved furniture to accommodate our Christmas tree.  

Throughout this week, our house will become transformed with the Decking of the Halls and the smells of Christmas cookies.  I am rolling up my sleeves and ready to go at it!  And I must say, its a lot of hard work, but I am excited!  

The Amazing and Miraculous Image of Our Lady of Guadalupe

Most of us know the miracle of Our Lady of Guadalupe.   But have you heard the miracle fully explained.  In the video link below, Brother Peter Diamond from VaticanCatholic.com explains all the miraculous occurrences surrounding the image of Our Lady of Guadalupe.  It is an educated and highly researched explanation.  It is very exciting and inspiring.  I highly recommend you view this remarkable video...
  The Amazing and Miraculous Image of Our Lady of Guadalupe.

....Amazing things happen when God is the artist!

Christmas Novena for Advent.

On the Eve of the Feast of St. Andrew, I would like to invite you all to pray the Novena of St. Andrew also called the Christmas Novena...

I would like to ask that you join me in praying for Matthew Wise who is age 24 and has been acutely suffering for over 40 days in the ICU.  He has ARDS (intensive respiratory distress sindroan ).  He needs healing in his body, and Peace and Consolation in his soul as he endures such a tremendous suffering through his illness.

UPDATE:  Jesus called Matthews soul to himself on Nov 30 at 8:27 pm.  My prayers on now with him for the repose of his soul, and the consolation of his family.  Requiescat in Pace.

Hail and blessed be the hour and the moment 

in which the Son of God

was born of the most pure Virgin Mary,

at midnight, in Bethlehem, in piercing cold. 

In that hour, vouchsafe, O my God! 

to hear my prayer and grant my desires,
(hear mention your request)

through the merits of Our Saviour Jesus Christ, 

and of His Blessed Mother. 

Amen.

(It is piously believed that whoever recites the above prayer fifteen times a day from the feast of St. Andrew (30th November) until Christmas will obtain what is asked.)

Imprimatur
+MICHAEL AUGUSTINE, Archbishop of New York
New York, February 6, 1897

Click here to print a copy of the prayer for your convenience.

Below is a picture of a St. Andrew Chaplet with such a sweet little baby Jesus medal!  A beautiful piece for meditation of this prayer.  It is has SOLD out....but I may get another one in stock before Advent is through.

This sweet baby Jesus medal is precious on this St. Andrew Chaplet

Support Handmade during Advent

       Many of you may be thinking of decking your homes for the holidays.  I hope that begins with decking your homes for Advent.  And what better way to do that then by supporting home business during the Advent Season.  I have decided to post some lovely Advent finds here....

       First up is this Jesse Tree Project.  My sister, Teresa Zepeda coauthored a series of books with Laurie Navar Gill.  The series is entitled, Celebrating the Faith in the Home.  The book for Advent is called, Advent and Christmas for the Christian Family.  This book is a wonderful resource of prayers and projects.  I have always enjoyed the Jesse Tree project since it includes templates for ornaments, and the Biblical texts that go with it.  I have had mine for about 18 years!

DIY Advent Calendar Kit

But since Advent has begun,  you may want to rush to get going.  You could make your ornament every day with this similar Advent Calendar Kit .  This Etsy artist has used her own inspiration for these handmade ornaments.   I think it turns out very pretty.  (my own Jesse tree is 18 yrs old...and not so nice!)  If you need the assistance in collecting the materials for a Jesse Tree this is another option for you.  She also has a PDF Ornament Tutorial kit if you want it today.

             And now is a great time to get your Nativity Set in order.  Wouldn't it be great fun to get a set for your kids to paint!   Or if you are artist at heart, you may want to paint it yourself:)



White Porcelain Nativity Set -- unpainted  $35.99

This is an unpainted Nativity Set that you can purchase from an Etsy.  
          

I also have a particular fondness for the softness of a felted wool set.  Here is one that caught my eye...

Needle Felted Nativity Set ..$68.00


There are many Etsy artists who make wool felted pieces...so you could add to the set each year.  

    But of course, this post would not be complete without Advent wreath ideas.  There are many projects out there for making candles and paper wreathes for kids.   But like me, you may want a basic quality wreath.  And if you missed the Holiday Bazaar at your Parish, it is pretty difficult to find Advent candles and wreaths around town.  Here are some American home made online options....

Advent Beeswax Candles $8.50

Below is a very sturdy wreath.  I wish it included the greenery and ribbons.  I like ribbons:)

Quality Handmade Advent Wreath  $32.95

     So this is my plug for supporting Hand made as you celebrate Advent with your family.  Have a Holy Advent! 

     Remember....Jesus is the Reason for the Season!!

----Mary

Marys Shelter Fundraiser a huge success!

Here I am with my Graceful Rosaries pieces.

Last Saturday I had the pleasure of attending a Craft Fair to raise money for Marys Shelter, homes for unwed mothers and their children.

The Craft Fair  was a lovely warm inviting event.  The set up and feel was more like a boutique, and there was tea and cookies, and lots of friendly faces!

Best of all, it was a huge success too, raising $2,800.00 And this money all goes to REAL life saving babies!

Marys Shelter gives women in crisis pregnancies a place to live, and the support they need to get back on their feet so they can make better life choices for themselves and their babies.
 www.MarysShelterVA.org

I got photos of all the rosary shop pieces.  But I apologize for not getting good photos of the other lovely donations.  There were beautiful paper crafts and greeting cards, table linens, beautifully knitted scarves and cowls, baby items and more!  A special thanks to Adele from FiberFads who organized the event. 

Look how pretty Sarah's Clay Rosaries and Jewelry look here.  Donated by Clay Rosaries.
The beautiful stars were made by Lolli...I need some for my window below!!!

I need to get some better display options for next year!

Bridget had a huge selection of Rosaries and necklaces from her Beads for Mary shop.