Traditional Catholic Moms Advent/Christmas chat - Page 4

[lavatea]

Originally Posted by Trigger 

Originally Posted by lavatea 

We only have two Masses early on Christmas Eve, no midnight Mass, and none on Christmas Day ... so I would have to assume that any Mass on Christmas Eve will fulfill the Christmas "obligation".

You have got to be kidding! Any idea why?? That would seriously upset me.

I don't see it as anything to get upset over ... the main reason is that we can only get a priest for the two Christmas Eve Masses, but also many of the smaller parishes (like mine) in the area simply can't afford to have the heat/lights on for extra Masses.  We have just one Mass/weekend, and no daily Masses, for that same reason.  A couple of smaller parishes in my area actually close for the winter months.

Before lack of priests was an issue, we used to do a Mass early on Christmas Eve, and one on Christmas morning ... but so few people showed up on Christmas morning, it was seriously a waste of what little $ we have to turn the heat on in both buildings (the chapel, and the parish center, for the bathrooms).  The Pastor decided to just have the two on Christmas Eve and it has worked out beautifully ... both Masses are well attended, and everyone is happy.  There are lots of options for those who wish to go on Christmas day, as well ... we're in a cluster of four local RC churches.
 

Ah, it was late when I posted, and I obviously wasn't thinking clearly. I forget there are parishes that want for priests/money/etc. My parish is the Cathedral parish (a small Cathedral, but still) and we have four priests, plus the Bishop, Vicar General, etc, to help serve our Masses.

I was just thinking along the lines of no Mass on Christmas. I wasn't thinking logistically.

[frugalmama]

Just ducking in quickly to ask for prayers - I've been battling a cold turned into bronchitis for 2 weeks now, and it's not improving. The meds I've been taking for the cold have flared my thyroid condition, and I'm not doing well. Praying I don't have to do another hospital stint on account of the thyroid and the lung issues clear.

[ambivamom]

Will pray for you!  It seems like there are some really nasty respiratory infections this year....we are battling them, too.

Feel better soon.

[CherryBomb]

Prayers for your health, frugalmom.

[CherryBomb]

lavatea, I had a short blog post last summer with a reflection on veiling- http://justanothercatholicmom.blogspot.com/2010/06/she-bathed-his-feet-with-her-tears-then.html  Explains a little more about why veil at Mass, and includes a fisheaters link on the history of it! 

[lavatea]

Originally Posted by CherryBomb 

lavatea, I had a short blog post last summer with a reflection on veiling- http://justanothercatholicmom.blogspot.com/2010/06/she-bathed-his-feet-with-her-tears-then.html  Explains a little more about why veil at Mass, and includes a fisheaters link on the history of it! 

Your link didn't work for me, so I'm testing to see if I can link it. I found it by scrolling through your blog. Does this work??

I'll read it after dinner. Thanks!

On another note, I've been meaning to post here. My grandfather died Christmas Eve, and your prayers for his soul and our family would be greatly appreciated.

[CherryBomb]

Yes, that link worked!

I'm so sorry to hear about your grandfather, prayers for his soul and your family.

[JMJ]

Merry Christmas, Catholic mamas.  I could use a whole lot of prayers right now.  My husband's grandmother passed away on Christmas Eve.  It is a sorrow and a blessing.  We pray that she was able to celebrate Christmas with Christ in person.  She had lived a long and faith filled life and it was her time.  The day after Christmas, I believe that I may have had an early miscarriage.  It was my first postpartum cycle, and we were TTC, but I only had an 8 day LP.  I felt pregnant, and we were able to do a blood test 3 days later.  HCG was 2, low enough that maybe I wasn't pregnant, but higher than average for non-pregnant, and obviously, I'm not pregnant now.  We're thankful if God did bless our love with a child, even if that child only lived for 8 days.  We are comforted by the fact that the evening before I started bleeding, we had talked about baptism, so while we obviously were not able to baptize our child, I believe that God would accept our baptism of intent.  The heaviest bleeding was during DH's grandmother's Catholic funeral.  I silently mourned my own (possible) loss as well.  We have decided to use NFP to postpone until my LP's are long enough.  It's hard to CTA when we want to TTC.  Then, yesterday, my father had an angiogram, and things were much worse than they thought.  He had 5 bypass surgery today and is doing well..  We thank God that they were able to catch it before he had a heart attack.

It all seems like so much right now, and I'm somehow barely holding things together.  My dad just woke up, so I'm going to go.

[lavatea]

Originally Posted by JMJ 

Merry Christmas, Catholic mamas.  I could use a whole lot of prayers right now.  My husband's grandmother passed away on Christmas Eve.  It is a sorrow and a blessing.  We pray that she was able to celebrate Christmas with Christ in person.  She had lived a long and faith filled life and it was her time.  The day after Christmas, I believe that I may have had an early miscarriage.  It was my first postpartum cycle, and we were TTC, but I only had an 8 day LP.  I felt pregnant, and we were able to do a blood test 3 days later.  HCG was 2, low enough that maybe I wasn't pregnant, but higher than average for non-pregnant, and obviously, I'm not pregnant now.  We're thankful if God did bless our love with a child, even if that child only lived for 8 days.  We are comforted by the fact that the evening before I started bleeding, we had talked about baptism, so while we obviously were not able to baptize our child, I believe that God would accept our baptism of intent.  The heaviest bleeding was during DH's grandmother's Catholic funeral.  I silently mourned my own (possible) loss as well.  We have decided to use NFP to postpone until my LP's are long enough.  It's hard to CTA when we want to TTC.  Then, yesterday, my father had an angiogram, and things were much worse than they thought.  He had 5 bypass surgery today and is doing well..  We thank God that they were able to catch it before he had a heart attack.

It all seems like so much right now, and I'm somehow barely holding things together.  My dad just woke up, so I'm going to go.

Many prayers for you and yours.

[CherryBomb]

I'm sorry JMJ, praying for you.

[frugalmama]

Just wondering - do any of you home school? What do you use for religion if you do?

We're in our first year, dd is in K. We're using CHC but I really don't like their K religion books, and am thinking of just working through Leading Little Ones to Mary since I already have a copy of it. Has anyone else used this book?

[lavatea]

Originally Posted by frugalmama 

Just wondering - do any of you home school? What do you use for religion if you do?

We're in our first year, dd is in K. We're using CHC but I really don't like their K religion books, and am thinking of just working through Leading Little Ones to Mary since I already have a copy of it. Has anyone else used this book?

I used the CHC religion for K, too, and I didn't enjoy it much, either. I'm using their first grade stuff now (the Faith&Life series) and like it much better. Sorry, I don't have any experience with the other book.

[CherryBomb]

We use Faith and Life, we did Kindergarten at Catholic school, so I'm no help there, sorry!!

[Ethelpea]

Using Our Lady of Victory (love it!) for 3rd and 4th grade.  I am using a bits and pieces for Kindy - mostly just "Teach Your Child to Read in 100 Easy Lessons", math handouts and writing practice.

I haven't been thrilled with any curriculum's science lessons (have used Seton's and Our Lady of Victory) and supplement with an occasional experiment here and there (like the lame water, food color/celery experiment).  I'm not a "science person" though, so I have kind of let science slide. :)

[Ethelpea]

I forgot to add that I have used Leading Little Ones to Mary.  I used it for my first 5 years ago.  I found it "ok" but completely forgot about it until now.  Maybe I'll dig it up for my kindergartner. 

I really really like Our Lady of Victory religion book for kindergartners, "Chats with God's Little Ones".  You can buy it directly from them at www.olvs.org . 

Very good.  Very traditional.  Nice, simple little coloring pages and easy crafts in there too.

Edited by Ethelpea - 1/12/11 at 1:34pm

[mum4boys]

Originally Posted by frugalmama 

Just wondering - do any of you home school? What do you use for religion if you do?

We're in our first year, dd is in K. We're using CHC but I really don't like their K religion books, and am thinking of just working through Leading Little Ones to Mary since I already have a copy of it. Has anyone else used this book?

We use Classical Liberal Arts Academy

[PatienceAndLove]

Long story short, my custody modification for relocation out to Indiana was denied.

So... I have been contemplating going back to school and getting my BSN.  I already have a BA, but there are programs for those who already have a bachelor's and are looking to get into nursing.

There are some local programs, and I am looking into those.  There is also a BSN/MSN program out in Philly that has Nurse-Midwifery as a MSN option.  I would LOVE to be a CNM. 

And, apparently, since I would still be in state, I don't have to file for relocation, just notify her father (take that!).

Anyway- prayers during this discernment process, please!

[JMJ]

Originally Posted by mum4boys 

We use Classical Liberal Arts Academy

I have some serious philosophical concerns about CLAA and Mr. Michael's discipline philosophy required for enrollment.  Not trying to start a debate.  Just saying look into it yourself before you commit to this one.

[lavatea]

Originally Posted by PatienceAndLove 

Long story short, my custody modification for relocation out to Indiana was denied.

So... I have been contemplating going back to school and getting my BSN.  I already have a BA, but there are programs for those who already have a bachelor's and are looking to get into nursing.

There are some local programs, and I am looking into those.  There is also a BSN/MSN program out in Philly that has Nurse-Midwifery as a MSN option.  I would LOVE to be a CNM. 

And, apparently, since I would still be in state, I don't have to file for relocation, just notify her father (take that!).

Anyway- prayers during this discernment process, please!

I just finished my BSN and intend to become a CNM in the future. If you are in a position to start the process, I say GO FOR IT!! It's a long road, so the sooner you begin, the better. I will definitely pray for you as you decide what's best for you and your family.

[happyblessedmama]

is this thread still open? Just wondering :)