No Greater Work of Charity....

The following is taken from The Church's Year by Fr. Goffine.  

Instruction on care of the sick

“Come down before my son die.” (John 4:49)

All who have the charge of sick persons, should be like this father, that is, they should first of all endeavor to call upon Jesus to come in the Most Holy Sacrament, before the sick person is unable to receive Him. The devil seeks to hinder nothing more than this. He excites the imagination of the sick person, making him believe that he can live longer, that he will certainly get well again, in order to ruin him easier afterwards, because he defers his conversion.

Those contribute to this end who through fear of frightening the sick person or of annoying him, fail to call the priest at the right time. This is cruel love, which deprives the sick person of the salvation of his soul and eternal happiness, and brings with it a terrible responsibility. Where there is question of eternity, no carefulness can be too great.

We should, therefore, choose the safest side, because the suffering may easily increase and finally make the sick person unable to attend to the affairs of his soul. We should, therefore, not conceal from him the danger in which he is, and if he has still the use of his reason, should call in the priest that he may receive the Last Sacraments. He will not die sooner on that account, but rather derive the greatest benefit therefrom, since his conscience will be cleansed from sin, which may be the cause of his sickness, and perhaps, he may regain his health, or at least be strengthened by the newly received grace of God, to bear his pains with greater patience and to die far easier, securer, and more consoled.

We should also endeavor to encourage the sick person to resignation, and a childlike confidence in God, should pray with him to strengthen him against desponding thoughts, and the temptations of the devil; we should present him a crucifix to kiss; repeat the holy names of Jesus, Mary and Joseph, and other consolatory ejaculations, such as are found in prayer-books; should sign him with the sign of the cross; sprinkle him with holy water, and above all pray for a happy death.

We should not weep and lament, by which death is only made harder for him, nor should we hold useless, idle and worldly conversations with him which will prevent him from thinking of God arid the salvation of his soul, and from preparing himself for the last dangerous struggle. Finally, we should by no means suffer in his presence persons who have given him occasions of committing sin, because they would be obstacles to his sincere conversion.

There is truly no greater work of charity than to assist our neighbor to a happy death.

Magdalene's First Day of Catechism Class

This little girl has been very eager to join Grandma' catechism class for some time.  

The time has finally arrived!  

St. Philomena Mission Parish Picnic

Daddy Takes Tobias to Work!

Tobias caused quite a stir at Zoetis Friday morning.  He worked hard coloring and spend an hour or so with Daddy at work.  We celebrated his hard day of work by taking him to the park and eating some pancakes.  Thank you Daddy for taking Tobias to work!

First Day of School!

"The night before school and all through the house

not a creature was stirring

not even a mouse.

A letter was written to express our love

and prayers to  Jesus and Mary above."

 Magdalene was very excited to wear her school uniform, and I think Tobias  preferred to keep his Thomas shirt on.

 Magdalene was very eager to help Philomena start the day.

 Tobias endured Mommy's vision of a school uniform.

Poor Philomena does not like school so far.  We tied her sushie to the door.

 Magdalene was very excited to meet two (2) special people that will be helping with school this year - Principal Daddy and Dr. English the Assistant Principal / Time Keeper (His office is the brown recliner).
We introduced ourselves to start off and each of the children stated what they wanted to learn at school this year.  Magdalene - Count Numbers, Tobias - Play with Cheetah,  Philomena - Learn Mommy and Theodore - Statistics / Algebra (Everyone Aspires High)

 Dr. English is very astute and always watching.

 Dr. English led the "Alphabet Song" and then proceeded to have a Letter A Hunt.

 For "A Week" each child colored a BIG A Alligator.

 Philomena liked playing with the singing blocks.

 Theodore focused intently on handwriting  / coloring class.

 A "New" school friend to help with letters this year - Ziggy Zebra!!!

 Ziggy taught the children about rhyming today.  Tobias loves him, but Philomena doesn't trust him.  He gives her a Yoda vibe.

 Picture time by the Hydrangea.  Wow, what a BIG GIRL you are Magdalene!

 She looks so much like Mommy at that age - Written by Jordan

 Check out those Portuguese Shoes from Tias....  Snazzy!!!!

 As you can see Dr. English doesn't let children out of his sight  for long.

 Our BIG MAN with Ziggy.  I like the European School Boy Look...very put together.

 Thank you Magdalene for taking our picture.  Notice Philomena is missing her dress.  She couldn't wait to get into play clothes.

 Handwriting 101 with Teacher Mommy (A Teacher beyond compare!!!) We Love You Mommy!

Math Class 102 - Counting (Again, Mommy is a fish in water when it comes to teaching / homemaking!)



P.S.


You are too kind, Daddy.  Thank you for being a great principal and for Percy being our time keeper today.  You are too funny with your ideas!  I think we will include Percy as part of our school day.

Magdalene spent some time reviewing material from last year, but with some new concepts as well.  Tobias will have formal school twice a week, and he is more than welcome to join us with other school activities.  Philomena was wearing Magdalene's extra uniform so she wouldn't feel left out.
I think handwriting is something she doesn't enjoy doing so far, but math is by far her favorite.  Magdalene also loved her focused Religion class as well.

Please pray for our little saints.....and for us.  Thank you!

Lord, Teach Me to Be Patient....

I looked at Jessica's instagram  from showerofroses.blogspot.com tonight and read this:

"Lord, teach me to be patient-

with life, with people, and with myself.

I sometimes try too hard to hurry things

along too much, and I push for answers

before the time is right.  Teach me to trust

Your sense of timing rather than my own

and to surrender my will to Your greater 

and wiser plan.  Help me to let life unfold

slowly, like the small rosebud whose petals

unravel bit by bit, and remind me that in 

hurrying the bloom along, I destroy the 

bud and the beauty therein."

I needed that reminder.  Thank you, Lord.

Old photo of us on our trip to Cali when I was pregnant with Theodore.

Memories

Daddy was told to take a day off of work.  We were so excited to hear the news.  Since Friday was raining, we decided it would be the perfect time to show Daddy the fun museum we like to go to when we get a chance.  

"I do it all by myself."  

Philomena is taking the wheel!

Theodore loved the baby area.  

He also liked milking the cow.  True Azorean like Vavo.  

I know...Kindergarten is starting next week!  She dislikes writing the letter K.  Don't worry we will practice it more.  

Daddy's girl for sure

Daddy went up the kid way.  

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Daddy got to meet China.  

And the tradition continues with Philomena enjoying China as well.  

I think she made a new friend with Mexico.  

"Bias, here's your taco."  

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The fun continued the next morning.  Fishing with Uncle Josh!

We had a fun weekend.  We all went to bed early on Sunday....even me!