Happy Birthday Pope Benedict!

H

Happy Birthday Papa!

The Feast of Divine Mercy

"I desire that the Feast of Mercy be a refuge and shelter for all souls... On that day the very depths of My tender mercy are open. I pour out a whole ocean of graces upon those souls who approach the fount of My mercy. The soul that will go to Confession and receive Holy Communion shall obtain complete forgiveness of sins and punishment." - the Words of Jesus in Saint Faustina's Diary

Today is the Feast of Divine Mercy, proclaimed by Pope John Paul II on the date of Saint Faustina's canonization.  It truly is a wonderful feast and I encourage you all to take advantage of it!  Here's a good site you can check out for more information.  : http://divinemercysunday.com/

Pretty in Pink

The other day during a thrift store expedition, my mother happened upon this pink jumper...

It was too small for her and too big for me, besides the fact that I think the top part was hideous (HUGE armholes and a rather unflattering neckline and bodice) but the skirt was adorable.  So swishy and fun!  Luckily it happened that the jumper was not all one piece, so I brought it home, ripped the pieces a part and ended up with...

A beautiful new skirt!!!!  I just love it.  It's a wonderful pink color, a nice, light weight cotton and it's perfect for spinning and dancing in!  The headband I'm wearing with it is actually the sash that went with the dress.  I didn't feel like wearing it as a belt at the time, but it works fabulously as a headband. Fun, fun fun!
  And then I got new wedge shoes or whatever they are technically called from Payless that are just adorable and go great with the outfit.  =)

Thus ends the tale of my second outfit remodeling!

A Blessed Easter!

Christ is Risen!  Alleluia!

Ye watchers and ye holy ones,
Bright seraphs, cherubim, and thrones,
Raise the glad strain, Alleluia!
Cry out, dominions, princedoms, powers,
Virtues, archangels, angels' choirs,
Alleluia! Alleluia!

O higher than the cherubim,
More glorious than the seraphim,
Lead their praises, Alleluia!
Thou Bearer of the eternal Word,
Most gracious, magnify the Lord,
Alleluia! Alleluia!

Respond, ye souls in endless rest,
Ye patriarchs and prophets blest,
Alleluia! Alleluia!
Ye holy Twelve, ye martyrs strong,
All saints triumphant, raise the song,
Alleluia! Alleluia!

O friend, in gladness let us sing,
Supernal anthems echoing,
Alleluia! Alleluia!
To God the Father, God the Son,
And God the Spirit, Three in One,
Alleluia! Alleluia!

What are You Wearing for Easter?

Today my sisters and I made a trip to the store to find Easter outfits for my mom and Yaviel, who as of then did not have anything to wear.  Our shop was successful and we returned home with very nice outfits for both of them.  Later on, while ironing the boy's shirts and our dresses, my mom made the comment "Well, I guess it's time for my annual depression on how hardly anyone seems to get dressed up for Easter."
She went on to say that someone we knew had asked her why we were getting new outfits, after all "it's not a fashion show."

I want to say that, they are right.  It's not a fashion show.  And if you buy a new outfit or get dressed up on Easter just to make a fashion statement, then you sure have your priorities mixed up.

But what is wrong about putting in a little extra effort to get dressed up for Easter?  Easter is the holiest day of the year; it is the day that Our Lord rose after having sacrificed everything to save us, the day He conquered over death once and for all, the day He gave us the promise and the hope of Heaven with Him for eternity after we die.  And yet people show up to Mass in their blue jeans and t-shirts or outfits that they would wear just every day.  Somehow, those same people would get dressed up for a wedding and spend money without hesitating for a new outfit.  Christ did so much for us, how is it we can't even muster up the effort to dress up for Him?

To me that is just flat out ungrateful.  Now I understand that everyone can't go and buy a new outfit for Easter, due to limited funds and all that.  Not everyone in my family was able to get a new outfit this year, and we even bought a few from the thrift store.  But we are making the effort to get dressed up more than we usually do.  We aren't just wearing our everyday clothes.

I am not trying to make my family sound all high and mighty or holier than thou, but quite frankly I don't care who you are, or what your situation in life is, everyone has the means to get a little fancier than their normal fare.  So you don't have enough money to buy a new outfit.  Pick out the nicest outfit you have and dress it up with a cute hairstyle and beautiful jewelry, maybe even a little make-up.  Guy, take the time to iron your shirts.  If you do have the money for a new outfit - you can find great things at thrift stores for only a few dollars - than make the effort to get one.

Isn't dressing up a whole lot easier than suffering through the Crucifixion and rising from the dead?  Isn't God worth it?  Doesn't He deserve it?

So what are you wearing for Easter?