Traditional Catholic Mamas -Winter 2010

[xekomaya]

Welcome Mamas!

Advent is upon us. Here is a new thread for our new liturgical year.

Link to the old thread:
http://www.mothering.com/discussions....php?t=1132080

To start us off - Last week, our priest challenged us to make resolutions for Advent that would lead us to purity. Are you making any resolutions? Any you want to share?

[xekomaya]

From the previous thread:

Originally Posted by purplemamaturtle5

I have been having a lot of tooth trouble during this pregnancy and with no funds to see a dentist, I have started to pray to St. Apollonia for help (patron saint of dentistry and other tooth ailments). The only thing is...I can not find a single specific prayer dedicated to her. I have looked and looked. Does anyone know of one or where I can find one? It would be really helpful. Thank you!! And Happy Thanksgiving to all.

I found one online -- "Oh Glorious Appolonia patron saint of dentistry and all those suffering from diseases of the teeth, I consecrate myself to thee, beseaching thee to number me among thy clients. Assist me by your intercession with God in my daily work and intercede with him to obtain for me a happy death. Pray that my heart like thine may be inflamed with the love of Jesus and Mary, through Christ our Lord. Amen O My God, bring me safe through temptation and strengthen me as thou didst our own patron, Appolonia, through Christ our Lord. Amen"

[BMG580]

Is anyone else using The Magnificat Advent Companion this year? I just started using Magnificat last month and I loved having the daily Mass readings and prayers for both morning and evening. I'm hoping the Companion will help keep me focused this Advent!

[jlpumkin]

subbing nto the new thread...

The Magnificat Advent Companion - never heard of this and am off to look at it now =)

[frugalmama]

Originally Posted by Charbeau

Is anyone else using The Magnificat Advent Companion this year? I just started using Magnificat last month and I loved having the daily Mass readings and prayers for both morning and evening. I'm hoping the Companion will help keep me focused this Advent!

I've got it - my first time trying to use it.

[frugalmama]

Originally Posted by xekomaya

To start us off - Last week, our priest challenged us to make resolutions for Advent that would lead us to purity. Are you making any resolutions? Any you want to share?

purity. This is something I really struggle with on a daily - make that hourly basis. As a single mom, and them I work online answering questions that mostly deal with impure issues {I work for ChaCha}, it makes it even harder.

I really need to work on this. It's a big stumbling block for me as far as living life as a good Catholic - if I'm impure I need confession, which isn't the easiest to do as a single mom. So I end up just not going, and not going to Mass since I can't take communion because I haven't been to confession.

[xekomaya]

frugalmama - That's really tough! Just remember the need to fulfill your Sunday obligation has nothing to do with your ability to receive Communion. Think there is a teenage girl in your parish you could have watch your kids on Saturdays during Confession? Or maybe there is another mom you could plan to meet up with every other week to give each other a hand?

P&L - Good idea - I totally should have bought the Magnificat last week! I have to see if our bookstore is open this weekend. I've never used it before but my Christian Prayer is too toxic for me to use (I'm chemically sensitive) so I've kind of given up praying the hours.

I'm giving up facebook games for Advent. I'm embarrassed to admit I even play them lol but I took them up as a distraction while nursing. I'm going to replace that time with spiritual activities, including but not limited to reading the Gospel of Matthew and then I'll start Luke at Christmas.

I don't know if anyone has an iphone or ipod touch, but there is a great app, iPieta. It has the DR bible in Latin & English, traditional & N.O liturgical calendar a huge directory of traditional prayers & novenas, Gospel readings for the day, audible Stations & Rosary, and lots of full books including the Summa, works of St. Teresa, St. John of the Cross, St. Louis Marie de Montfort, the Baltimore Catechism, etc etc.. Its just packed with good stuff. I'm going to rely on it heavily to keep me focused since I always have my phone with me.

[CherryBomb]

[PatienceAndLove]

I'm here!

[purplemamaturtle5]

Originally Posted by xekomaya

From the previous thread:




I found one online -- "Oh Glorious Appolonia patron saint of dentistry and all those suffering from diseases of the teeth, I consecrate myself to thee, beseaching thee to number me among thy clients. Assist me by your intercession with God in my daily work and intercede with him to obtain for me a happy death. Pray that my heart like thine may be inflamed with the love of Jesus and Mary, through Christ our Lord. Amen O My God, bring me safe through temptation and strengthen me as thou didst our own patron, Appolonia, through Christ our Lord. Amen"

Thank you so so much!!

[purplemamaturtle5]

This morning at Mass our priest said that because this is a time for preparation for the coming of Christ we should maybe do a little extra on the side (for example: extra praying, attending a weekday mass, etc...) I thought that was a good idea. I am really excited because this is the first year in a long while that my family and I have done the Advent Wreath. We made ours a couple of days ago and its all ready to be lit tonight. I have some history on the Advent Wreath, what it represents and so on to read to the family tonight. All of the prayers as well. I have def. been becoming more into my faith lately. My husband is going through RCIA classes and we are working on getting our marriage blessed in the church. Also, my son was just baptized this past September. I am really liking all the support from this thread! Lets keep it up

[xekomaya]

Just a reminder: the Novena to the Immaculate Conception starts tonight

[Rosehip]

subbing!

I really want to go to confession this Advent (the priest suggested that today). My challenge is...I'm terrified. I haven't been since my confirmation (umm, a million years ago). I *want* to do it, but one, I'm nervous/embarrassed just because it's been so long, and two, I do get that sneaking feeling that it's a bit voyeuristic on the part of the priest.

[nascarbebe]

Originally Posted by Rosehip

subbing!

I really want to go to confession this Advent (the priest suggested that today). My challenge is...I'm terrified. I haven't been since my confirmation (umm, a million years ago). I *want* to do it, but one, I'm nervous/embarrassed just because it's been so long, and two, I do get that sneaking feeling that it's a bit voyeuristic on the part of the priest.

You should go. It's so hard for me to go because it's either really early before the 8 am daily mass or on Saturdays when DH is busy and I can't leave the kids with him because he has to work.

Don't be embarrased. I'm sure priests hear things we'd never even imagine. And if it makes you feel better, they tend to forget what you tell them anyway. I think that's why God chose men to be priests not women. I'm always telling my priest stuff (not during confession) and I swear he never remembers anything I say to him. I hope this doesn't offend anyone. It's meant to be lighthearted.

Tonight DS and I are lighting our first Advent candle and doing the Our Father since that's about how long he'll stand still for. DH is not Catholic and does not go to church with us or anything but he's totally ok with me doing my thing. THe kids are baptised so I'm taking them to church every week this month. Sometimes I leave them with DH while I go to church.

[Ofwait]

Originally Posted by Rosehip

subbing!

I really want to go to confession this Advent (the priest suggested that today). My challenge is...I'm terrified. I haven't been since my confirmation (umm, a million years ago). I *want* to do it, but one, I'm nervous/embarrassed just because it's been so long, and two, I do get that sneaking feeling that it's a bit voyeuristic on the part of the priest.

Definately go! Priests have heard it all, DH's Uncle is a priest... he said once you've been doing it 3-4 months you've heard everything, and they *can't* tell anyone. They are there to help you, most of the time they have booklets with the prayers in the confessional to help... tell him "I haven't been for ** years". They will help you out.



Our priest also asked us to give up something for Advent this year.... I am trying to decide what, or if I should add something. I was intending to pray a novena starting last night... but I only made it 4 decades before I fell asleep, guess I need to do it earlier, perhaps I will even get the kiddos in on it.

[Hebaume39]

Hello all,
We were also asked to make an extra effort...however since we're moving this month and staying with my folks for two weeks (they're not catholic) we may just use up our extra effort in doing our every day. Moving during Christmas is not the smartest thing we've ever done. the Magnificat is lovely. Our church gives it to those who want it. Happy Advent.
Addie

[Michigan Mama]

I still need to dig out our advent wreath from the basement and dedicate more time to prayer and reflection this advent. I try to stay in a spirit of prayer during the day - with my little ones, sometimes it's hard to sit down and have time alone, but I feel it's really important for me and I plan to work on that this advent.

Prepare the way of the Lord!

[BMG580]

Originally Posted by Rosehip

subbing!

I really want to go to confession this Advent (the priest suggested that today). My challenge is...I'm terrified. I haven't been since my confirmation (umm, a million years ago). I *want* to do it, but one, I'm nervous/embarrassed just because it's been so long, and two, I do get that sneaking feeling that it's a bit voyeuristic on the part of the priest.

I felt this way at first too, but honestly, it is SO RELIEVING! You cannot possibly say anything to the priest that he hasn't heard before and for me, knowing that I will be going to confession really helps me NOT make bad choices of things that I will have to confess. It holds me accountable.

My priest gives good, yet firm advice and direction in the confessional. It isn't just a pat on your shoulder, it's OK, kind of experience. I can tell he genuinely wants me to lead a holier life and I truly believe he is just a conduit from God. Focus on wanting to achieve sainthood, wanting to gain grace and holiness and let go of the worry of feeling exposed. It is an enriching experience, not a frightening one! It is the breaking down of self-love and pride that is the point of it all for me. Telling someone else just exactly the kind of person that I truly am brings about real change in my life - I cannot stress enough how important it is and how liberating it is to go to confession!

[Rosehip]

Thanks for all the encouraging words on confession - I feel like I'm getting my courage up!

I've also resolved to really focus on increasing my patience with my family during Advent. My kids & I live with my parents. I've got quite a few stresses right now, and they tend to manifest as impatience with family.

[PatienceAndLove]

I picked up a copy of December's Magnificat and the Magnificat Advent supplement while I was Franciscan Univ the other day.
My oh My, but do I LOVE it! I like that I have something to do with set aside prayer time. And I LOVE having the readings for both the daily and Sunday Masses right there!

I do hope a year subscription is my stocking stuffer!