Wednesday, May 25, 2016


Pope Francis is seen here greeting his Wednesday audience in sign language! The is a first according to Vatican Radio for the pope. 

Sunday, May 8, 2016

May Crowning of the Blessed Virgin Mary


We had a lovely and very simple May Crowning at our home today. Our granddaughter crowned the family statue of Mary that my husband's parents had brought to the United States from Ireland in the 1950ties. After crowning the statue of the Blessed Virgin she placed flowers in a vase in front of her.

In the background we had the song, "Bring Flowers of the Rarest," playing. I like this one from You Tube, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VTeWWa4J700

As you can see our granddaughter was very happy to have crowned Mary. My husband looks on in the back.
A little help in placing the flowers in the vase was required from her Dad. Her uncle Mike is pictured in the background.

These are the wired flowers I used to make the crown. I purchased them from Michaels Arts & Crafts.


 Here is the crown with the roses attached. Below is the crown with the ribbons added.

These are some of my favorite colors. 
This gives you a little idea of how the crown looks from the back. Below I have listed some sites which offer background information and/or planning activities with prayers for your own May Crowning. May is the month of Mary and it is the perfect time to honor her with a simple or elaborate May Crowning Ceremony. Happy Mother's Day to all mothers


http://www.catholicculture.org/c…/liturgicalyear/activities/   Type in May Crowning in the top right corner where the search icon is located.










Thursday, May 5, 2016

Take Your Children or Grandchildren through the Jubilee Door of Mercy

Jubilee Year of Mercy, December 8, 2015 - November 20, 2016
The Jubilee Year of Mercy, December 8, 2015 to November 20, 2016 is a grace-filled opportunity to take your children or grandchildren through the designated Jubilee Door in your diocese and receive the abundant graces offered to those who do so. I recently had the opportunity to enter the Jubilee Door at the Shrine of the Most Blessed Sacrament in Hanceville, AL, pictured here. Mother Angelica's tomb is in the crypt of this church. What is the significance of a Jubilee Door and why take our children? The Jubilee Door signifies a year of mercy and reconciliation within the Catholic Church. It has been proclaimed once every 25 years since 1475. The last one was proclaimed by Pope John Paul II in the year 2000. This Jubilee Year (Holy Year) is an Extraordinary One. An Extraordinary Jubilee Year is called on special occasions such as Pope Francis's call for a Year of Mercy. The previous one was Pope John Paul II's Extraordinary Jubilee,1983, to honor 1,950 years of redemption after Christ's death and resurrection. Jubilee years are ones of abundant graces both for ourselves and for others. They offer us an opportunity to receive a plenary indulgence and to help the Poor Souls in Purgatory through our prayers and obtaining indulgences for them. The second picture here is of Pope John Paul II going through the Jubilee Door in 1983. I have listed a series of websites which you may find helpful. One website list the designated Jubilee Doors in each state. Other websites provide background information and activities for children. Don't miss out on this grace-filled opportunity with your children! Be sure to get ice cream or some yummy treat at the end of your special visit to the Jubilee and say a prayer for Pope Francis!

John Paul II, 1983, Extraordinary Jubilee Year

Holy Door Websites