TeaBags And Gardenias Black Friday through Monday Sale:
FIRST and foremost..Catholic Peeps: Happy Feast of the Assumption of Our Lady!! Mary, mother of Mercy and Love, pray for us. Hail Beautiful Mother Mary, assumed into heaven, pray for us!
SECOND…We have a winner! I drew the name out of my Pink Braves hat this morning. Here are some pictures of the very technical and serious process. Jackson was standing guard to protect the drawing from any hanky panky or fixing!
Calling Sarah Blake!!! You won Girl! Please contact me with your shipping information! This is what she did: “added to etsy faves as oliveyou11″, “facebook fan”, “Following you with my google reader 
!”
Congratulations Sarah! Thank you to all who entered, shared my facebook page, tweeted, instagrammed, followed, etc! Means a lot to me!
Be on the lookout for my next giveaway! Details coming soon!
THIRD…I have some very exciting news! On a whim, I sent some pictures of my artwork to a wonderful lady named Frances who owns Splash Festivals. And low and behold…I have been invited to display and sell my artwork at the Johns Creek Art Festival October 27th and 28th! WOOOT! Yep, you read it correctly! I listened to that soft quiet voice and look what happened! My first Art Show! Happy 46th Birthday Weekend to me! I am just stunned and so grateful! PINCH ME! Is this a dream??? Wish me luck and if you are in the area, please stop by my booth!
My prayer for you today is that you listen to that soft, quiet voice and take a step out of your box. Do something crazy. Do something you have always wanted to do. Make it BIG. Make it scary, make it exhilarating! Make it something you are absolutely sure you will fail at, I BET YOU DON’T FAIL! I bet you win!
Blessings, Michelle
Here’s the press release:
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Frances Schube
Phone: 770-452-1727
Email: Rdemetrius72@aol.com
JOHNS CREEK ANNOUNCES NEW ARTS FESTIVAL THAT WILL CERTAINLY
WOW NEIGHBORS AND VISITORS
(Johns Creek, Georgia) June 27, 2012 – Ready, set and shop at the all-new Johns Creek Arts
Festival on the luscious and green Atlanta Athletic Club Fields directly across from the
prestigious club. The celebration of the arts will take place on October 27 and 28 on the
beautiful grounds that overlook Medlock Bridge Road. The City of Johns Creek is thrilled to
present this incredible event to their spirited citizens, neighbors and friends. The Johns Creek
Convention and Visitors Bureau is also a proud host of the new Festival, and they welcome
everyone to share in the fun festivities.
Splash Festivals, the producers of the award-winning Dunwoody Art Festival and Norcross Art
Fest, have been tapped to create the magical festival for the north-Fulton city. Splash is known
for its whimsical and colorful shows; and owners, Frances Schube and Cindy Flynn, look
forward to showcasing an incredible line-up of imaginative and creative artisans from around the
country. Shoppers can expect to find clay, folk art, glass, jewelry, fiber, metal, mixed media,
paintings, photography, woodwork and lots more. “We are so excited to be working with the
City of Johns Creek,” explains Flynn. “This wonderful area is the perfect venue for a great
festival, and the artisans that are invited can’t wait to show off their talents to the festival-goers.”
Arts on the Creek Inc. has agreed to co-host the event, and this non-profit group is happy to meet
and greet the artists, performers and community to this all-new festival.
In addition to the visual arts, Johns Creek Arts Festival will have continuous live entertainment
from local groups and organizations as well as a fantastic Saturday-night concert which will be
followed by fireworks that will light up the skies and make Johns Creek sparkle.
Of course, no great festival would be complete without an energizing Kidz Zone, yummy eats
and a few surprises. For Georgia/Florida fans, large screen televisions will be available at the
Food Pavilion for avid watchers to view the Big Game.
For more information on this exciting new festival, please visit
http://www.JohnsCreekArtsFestival.com. Also, stay tuned for more Arts Festival updates.
Because I’m super excited to announce that I’ve added some new prints to the shop, I’m having a 25% off sale! Either click on the picture of the teacup and gardenia under “My Shop” to the right or CLICK HERE!
“Hail Holy Queen”
Enter TWENTYFIVE in the coupon code field upon check out and receive 25% off your entire order! Many, many thanks! Have a wonderful weekend! P.S. Don’t forget about my giveaway! See last two previous posts.
-Michelle
“The deepest secret is that life is not a process of discoveries, but a process of creation. You are not discovering yourself, but creating yourself anew. Seek, therefore, not to find out Who You Are, seek to determine Who You Want to Be.” – Neale Donald Walsch
Have you ever have one of those days where you feel like you just might bust? I have been having several recently. That feeling of extreme gratitude and happiness? Where you can’t stop grinning and your adrenaline is making your heart leap with joy? Its been such a long, long time since I’ve had that amazing feeling. Long time. I have felt like I was just existing, getting by and sorta zombie-ish for almost a year now. Losing a parent can do that to you. Losing anyone you love can throw you into a pit that you don’t feel you’ll ever escape from. But, looking back, I can say it has been an journey that has been COVERED in God’s love and GRACE.
People have been asking me, “Have you always been an artist?” (ha ha…artist. Really? LOL) “How long have you been doing this?” Well the answers are NO, absolutely not! And…only 2 months. I have always been extremely jealous of anyone crafty and artsy. My brothers can draw really well, my uncle Dale is an artist, my uncle Paul is an excellent photographer, my Gram is one of the most creative and crafty people I know. My Aunt Mary Ann is crafty and does excellent needle work. As a matter of fact, I think all the males on the Saxon side have the artsy gift. I did not get those genes. I have tried to draw. I even took a class in High School. I think it was “Drawing on the Right side of the brain” or was it LEFT side? Anyhow…I sucked. Bad. I have always considered myself as a person with a “good eye” for things. (decorating, buying clothes) I read, I can write a bit and I can cook. Oh and I can put on makeup well! LOL! But other than those things, that’s about it. I don’t knit, crochet, draw, paint, make things out of nothing. I just don’t have the gift. As a matter of fact, I didn’t have the patience for any of it.
BUT what I do have is the ability to learn. To research. To dream and to listen to what I’m supposed to do. This journey began quite honestly on Pinterest. I saw a pin of a “SMASH*book.” I really loved the idea of not having to be precise, neat and artistic to do a SMASH*book. So, like all things, once I decided to try it, I went full force, diving into the world of SMASHING. I loved it! I started a remembrance book for my mom. It was healing. I started a book for myself, I started collecting postcards for another book. I decided to join a facebook group called “SMASH*aholics.” I learned so much! Then one day, a girl posted that video of an artist named Gabby teaching how to create a “She Art” canvas. I watched. I said OMG! I can do this. See my blog about it here! And the rest is history.
While I don’t really consider myself an “artist” (that sounds so strange and a title that is hard for me to accept. Also it is a tad bit presumptuous.) I am really having some wonderful things happen in that world. My work is consigned in our church’s bookstore and people have really given great response and support! I also have at least 10 commissioned pieces to create and I am on the verge of having some wonderful support and promotion by someone who’s pretty “big” in the Catholic World. Once it is a “done deal” I will fill you in!!
My friend Cheri recently “reinvented” herself. She went to school and now has a totally and completely new career that she worked hard for. I was jealous of her. I wanted to re-invent myself too. Not that I’m unhappy with my career. I am not. I love what I do. I just wanted to do something at 45 that was totally out of character for me, something that I have always wanted to do. This is it!
Some may think I’m being overly spiritual. But you know me. I could care less. I know my mom has made this happen for me up in heaven. I know she is my intercessor and has really looked out for me – God has made me a new person. The Holy Spirit is definitely involved and so is my Mother Mary and my Saints! Its too surreal to be anything less.
Remember my giveaway happening now. (previous post) Join in if you haven’t already! Someone’s gotta win! Why not you?
With Gratitude and Grace,
Michelle
They say that out of pain and heartache come growth and grace. I am living proof of that. I lost my precious mother on August 29, 2011. Out of that tremendous loss I have found an unmatched amount of grace and a brand new artistic me. The name “TeaBags And Gardenias” is in tribute to my precious mother Kathleen Saxon. My mom loved hot tea. She took sugar and milk. She also would say “tough teabags!” instead of a curse word! The gardenia is a special flower to us. We loved the smell and the perfection of it. I took a gardenia from one of our bushes to the hospital to try and “smell” her back to us. Needless to say, it didn’t work.
Today we will begin our Novena to Our Lady of Lourdes. (9 Days of petitioning prayer) Mom and I have great devotion to her and to St. Bernadette. My friend Lynn sent me some holy water from Lourdes that we use every night to bless ourselves with. The intentions for this novena are for continued healing and good health for my mom, dad, brothers and some special friends I’ve met online at The Road Back message boards. I invite you to join us!
Our Lady of Lourdes is the name used to refer to the Marian apparition that appeared before various individuals in separate occasions around Lourdes, France. The apparitions of Our Lady of Lourdes began on 11 February 1858, when Saint Bernadette Soubirous, a 14-year-old peasant girl from Lourdes admitted, when questioned by her mother, that she had seen a “lady” in the cave of Massabielle, about a mile from the town, while she was gathering firewood with her sister and a friend. Similar appearances of the “lady” took place on seventeen further occasions that year. Bernadette Soubirous was canonized as a saint, and many Christians believe her apparitions to have been of the Blessed Virgin Mary. Pope Pius IX authorized the local bishop to permit the veneration of the Virgin Mary in Lourdes in 1862.
Here is some information on Lourdes, St. Bernadette and Our Lady.
Our Lady of Lourdes
Novena Dates February 2-10, Feast Day February 11
O ever Immaculate Virgin, Mother of Mercy, Health of the Sick, Refuge of Sinners, Comfort to the Afflicted, you know my wants, my troubles, my sufferings. Deign to cast upon me a look of mercy. By appearing in the Grotto of Lourdes, you were pleased to make it a privileged sanctuary, whence you dispense your favors; and already many sufferers have obtained the cure of their infirmities, both spiritual and corporal.
I come, therefore, with the most unbounded confidence to implore your maternal intercession. Obtain, O loving Mother, the granting of my requests.
Through gratitude for favors, I will endeavor to imitate your virtues that I may one day share your glory.
Our Lady of Lourdes, pray for us. Amen.
(Our Father, Hail Mary, Glory Be.)
It seems as if everywhere I go, people always compliment me on my necklace. Some know what it is and others don’t. Its always a topic of conversation at the grocery store checkout, at a restaurant, at the hair salon, anywhere I am face to face with someone, they always notice my Medals and either say they are pretty or ask what they are. Maybe its because they’re big (I don’t do dainty! LOL!) and maybe because people are just drawn to them. I wear a 4-Way medal and then a separate Saint Michael Medal on the same chain. Saint Michael is my patron saint. I can’t tell you how long I’ve worn them, but it’s been many, many years. Anytime you see a picture of me, I have them on. I do not take them off. Do I think they are lucky charms? NO. Do I think that if I take them off something bad will happen? NO. You know me better than that by now.
The Four Way Medal is also known as a Cruciform, and also a Scapular Medal. It takes the latter name from the medal at the top. Traditionally, the Scapular Medal features the Sacred Heart of Jesus on one side and Our Lady of Mt. Carmel on the other side.
A 4-Way Medal is a combination of 4 popular Catholic medals – it includes The Scared Heart medal (top), Saint Joseph medal (right), a Miraculous Medal (bottom) and a Saint Christopher medal (left). Mine also includes a dove in the middle signifying the Holy Spirit.
SACRED HEART MEDAL: Also known as “Sacred Heart of Jesus” this medal signifies one of the most popular Catholic devotions to Jesus’ physical heart. His undying love for you and for me, and the suffering heart of Christ. Many people have a devotion to the Sacred Heart. You see a lot of artwork depicting Jesus’ Sacred Heart. You can read more about it here.
Below is a picture of the Sacred Heart of Jesus that I have hanging in my home. “Sacred Heart of Jesus, I place all my trust in YOU!”
SAINT JOSEPH MEDAL: Of course, everyone knows who Saint Joseph is…he was Our Lady’s husband. He was Jesus’ “foster” father or His “earthly” father. Saint Joseph is the patron saint of workers. Many in my family have been named after Saint Joseph and we have great devotion to him. My paternal Grandfather, Father and one of my brothers were all named after Saint Joseph. I have cousins named after him and also many have Joseph as their middle names in my family. My Grandmother started to paint, cast and teach ceramics after my 50 year old Grandpa died. One of my memories was always seeing a ceramic caroler figurine that she brought out at Christmas time. She painted this figurine. In the little bitty songbook that the woman was holding, my Gram wrote “Oh Joseph Dear, Oh Joseph Mine” – at that time she was mourning her Joseph, just as Mary mourned for her Joseph way back when. “Joseph Dear, Oh Joseph Mine” is also called “Song of the Crib” by Josef Lieber. Mannheim Steamroller has popularized this song. Saint Joseph is very special to our family.
You can read more about Saint Joseph here.
THE MIRACULOUS MEDAL: The Miraculous medal is also known as the “Medal of the Immaculate Conception.” It was designed by Our Lady herself.
TAKEN FROM: The Association of the Miraculous Medal
The Meaning of the Front Side of the Miraculous Medal:
Mary is standing upon a globe, crushing the head of a serpent beneath her foot. She stands upon the globe, as the Queen of Heaven and Earth. Her feet crush the serpent to proclaim Satan and all his followers are helpless before her (Gn 3:15). The year of 1830 on the Miraculous Medal is the year the Blessed Mother gave the design of the Miraculous Medal to Saint Catherine Labouré. The reference to Mary conceived without sin supports the dogma of the Immaculate Conception of Mary—not to be confused with the virgin birth of Jesus, and referring to Mary’s sinlessness, “full of grace” and “blessed among women” (Luke 1:28)—that was proclaimed 24 years later in 1854.
The Meaning of the Back Side of the Miraculous Medal
The twelve stars can refer to the Apostles, who represent the entire Church as it surrounds Mary. They also recall the vision of Saint John, writer of the Book of Revelation (12:1), in which “a great sign appeared in heaven, a woman clothed with the sun, and the moon under her feet, and on her head a crown of 12 stars.” The cross can symbolize Christ and our redemption, with the bar under the cross a sign of the earth. The “M” stands for Mary, and the interleaving of her initial and the cross shows Mary’s close involvement with Jesus and our world. In this we see Mary’s part in our salvation and her role as mother of the Church. The two hearts represent the love of Jesus and Mary for us. (See also Lk 2:35).
SAINT CHRISTOPHER MEDAL: St. Christopher is the patron saint of travelers. Not much is known about him. Christopher means “Christ-bearer” – his original name was Offero. He was martyred in c251.
More on St. Christopher can be found here.
One day he carried a small child across the stream; the child’s weight nearly crushed him. When they arrived on the other side, the child revealed himself as Christ, and he was so heavy because he bore the weight of the world on himself. He then baptized Offero with water from the stream. Christopher’s service at the stream led to his patronage of things related to travel and travelers, people who carry things, etc. One of the Fourteen Holy Helpers.
What is on the back of the 4-Way medal?
The back top has the rest of the Sacred Heart Medal which is Our Lady of Mount Carmel – Creating the Scapular part of the medal. Our Lady of Mount Carmel also has huge significance in our family. That was our family’s parish…the parish my father and his brothers and sister were raised in. My Grandpa sang the “Ave Maria” in that church. He was buried from that church. Our Lady of Mount Carmel in Niles, Ohio is also where I was baptized. We have fond memories of the Feast of Our Lady of Mount Carmel – The “festival” at that church was a weekend of rides, games, sausage and pepper sandwiches, smelts, cheese puffs and french fries with vinegar. It was something we looked forward to every summer. The feast day is the 16th of July. I have an “Infant of Prague” statue in my bedroom that my maternal Grandmother won at that festival. I took that Infant when she passed away. It is one of my most cherished possessions. Look for a blog on “The Infant of Prague” coming soon!
Also on the back of the 4-Way is the back of the Miraculous Medal which I explained above.
In the middle are the words: “I am a Catholic, in case of an accident, please call a priest.” Obviously in case of emergency or accident a Catholic would want their priest. They would administer the Sacrament of the Sick or in case of possible death, Last Rites.
Now on to Saint Michael…Saint Michael is an Archangel. In Hebrew the name Michael means “He who is like God.” Michael is described as the prince of light, leading forces of God against the darkness of evil. He is described as the “viceroy of heaven”.
Prayer of St. Michael: St. Michael, the Archangel, defend us in battle. Be our protection against the wickedness and snares of the Devil. My God rebuke him we humbly pray; and do Thou O Prince of the Heavenly Hosts, by the power of GOD cast into hell Satan and all the evil spirits that prowl about the world seeking the ruin of souls. AMEN!
Until next time, as always…”Go Fish!”
After I hit the “publish” button last Friday on my “Go Fish” Friday article, I had an additional few points that I wished I had made.
…I believe that the misconceptions and misinformation out there about Catholicism comes from Catholics too. Yep, us Catholics. We are not as knowledgeable about our faith as we should be. We do not defend the church or give good answers when people ask us about why we do what we do. Example: “Are you a Christian?” Answer: “NO, I’m Catholic.” WHAT??? Come on!! Some of us have no clue. Bad Catechesis throughout the years has contributed to this. Our teachers, whether they be our parents (who should be the main educators about our faith), Catholic school teachers, priests, nuns, lay people who are teaching the faith have not done the best of jobs. But, the good news is I think that it’s getting better and better.
I did not truly know why I did what I did or believed what I believed until I was in my early 30′s. If someone would have asked me a question regarding Catholicism before that time, I would not have been able to answer them intelligently on most topics. Not that I am a “know it all” now. I am definitely not. Believe me. The beautiful thing about Catholicism is that you can learn something new every single day. This awesome Church of ours has such beautiful mystery, history, and such an amazing story (the Holy Scriptures) that we will never ever know it all. But, we need to know the basics. You need to know that yes, Catholics are Christians, we were the first Christians. That is documented history. We believe in the true presence of Jesus in the Eucharist. Know what the true presence is. You get the picture. The basics of the faith must be known and understood. Not just “done.” Know why we do what we do and believe what we believe.
I had a “re-awakening” or some would say a conversion experience in my early 30′s. I know it was the Holy Spirit…a baptism with fire…fire that made me absolutely fall in love with my faith. From that point on, I made it my mission to research and learn everything I could about Catholicism. It took 30+ years for me to be ready to open my heart and mind and figure out why I believed what I believed. I learned it on my own. I sought the information that wasn’t given to me. I listened to podcasts (Catholic Answers Live, Mother Angelica Live, The Journey Home…just to name a few.) I read great books, I asked a lot of questions. I prayed for wisdom and understanding. I prayed the Rosary. I sat in front of the Blessed Sacrament a lot. My love for my church grew and grew. I still have that unquenchable thirst for knowledge and for the Mass. I love the Mass.
Another thing I wanted to add was by no means do I think I’m going to change anyone’s thinking or beliefs about Catholicism in these blogs. If you are against the church, you’ll probably always be against the church. If you are open, then maybe you will read what I write and let it marinate a bit. I simply want to shed light on things. This is not about arguing a point or shoving things down people’s throats.
So, lets talk about today’s topic…
One of my favorite quotes is: “No Mary, No Jesus. Know Mary, Know Jesus.” I just love that because its so true. Think about it. Marian faith always points to Christ. Mary cannot overshadow or be separated from her son.
The topic of the Blessed Virgin Mary is very vast. I’m not going to go into a whole lot here, but I will talk about a few key points and also give you some good solid Catholic resources so that you can do your own reading and research. I know that Marian doctrines are some of the most bothersome of the Catholic Church’s teachings for a lot of people. I am not going to delve into heavy duty church doctrine. It would take forever and one topic leads into another and you can’t discuss one without discussing the other…you get the picture. Plus, I’m not a heavy duty church doctrine kinda gal. If you are curious about Mary (our Mother), definitely get in front of some good solid Catholic resources. Orthodox Catholic resources. Don’t go to a non-Catholic source, because chances are, they are filled with untruths and we are right back where we started. Maybe…if you are game, ask Mary if she could give you a little help with this! Ask her if its all a bunch of sinful, pagan idolatry to ask her to intercede for you. She’ll answer you. She never fails us.
Catholics are constantly accused of worshiping Mary. Let me just say right off the bat, we do not worship her. We love her, we ask for her intercession, we honor her. She is the Mother of our Savior. She’s our Mother. She bore the Word in her womb and the Word became flesh. Don’t you agree that is a big deal? To Catholics, it is.
Question #1 – Why do you pray to Mary? I think the first thing to discuss here is that when the word PRAY is used, people automatically think that it means worship. It does not. Another word for prayer is “supplication.” Asking humbly…an earnest petition. We believe that Mary and the Saints in heaven can hear us. They have God’s ear. Scripture states that those in heaven are aware of the prayers of those on earth. Mary intercedes for us. Read Revelation 5:8. Asking someone to pray for you in no way violates the truth that Christ is the one mediator. You ask me to pray for you and I ask people to pray for me all the time. Catholics take it one step further, we ask the Saints in Heaven to pray for us too. Mary is a Saint in Heaven. Some will throw out 1 Timothy 2:5 as a retaliation. This scripture states that Christ is the only mediator. However, they do not include the beginning of chapter 2 – they leave out verses 1-4. Paul says that Christians should intercede: “First of all, then, I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for all men, for kings and all who are in high positions, that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life, godly and respectful in every way. This is good, and pleasing to God our Savior, who desires all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth” (1 Tim. 2:1–4). Clearly, then, intercessory prayers offered by Christians on behalf of others is something “good and pleasing to God,” not something infringing on Christ’s role as mediator.
Take a look at this tract from Catholic Answers: http://www.catholic.com/library/Praying_to_the_Saints.asp
and
http://www.catholic.com/thisrock/2007/0701clas.asp
#2 Why do you have pictures of her and statues of her? Why do you kneel in front of them? Isn’t that worship? – Again, No, it isn’t worship. Why do you have pictures of your deceased family and friends in your home? It’s simply to remember and honor them.
The act of kneeling does not always mean that the person kneeling is performing an act of worship. Catholics kneel in front of a statue of the Virgin Mary to show her respect and honor and to pray for her intercession; they are not kneeling to worship her.
http://www.catholic.com/library/Do_Catholics_Worship_Statues.asp
There are many, many other questions about Mary. The truth is out there. Go fish!
I am going to start to blog on Fridays about a Catholic Fact…a misconception, a misunderstanding, an untruth that people out there might have about Catholicism…The following is a little background about why I’ve decided to do this – hopefully it will serve Catholics and non-Catholics alike. It will start next Friday.
For about 6 years I worked for a non-denominational Christian company here in Georgia. It was a “leadership” company founded by Dr. John C. Maxwell. At the time I was a Mary Kay consultant and very into leadership, going to conferences, listening to all sorts of leadership training on CD and tape. Dr. John Maxwell was a huge influence on my life and my business. It was a dream come true to actually work for the man. I absolutely loved my job, my co-workers, and what the company stood for. I was blessed in every way by my time there. While there, this Catholic girl learned many things…how to pray out loud, not by heart memorized prayers, I already had that down! But, real from the heart impromptu prayer, I learned about the gift of tongues (absolutely freaked me out the first time I heard it), the laying on of hands for healing and the phrase, “praise the Lord” rolled out of my mouth many times a day. Not being a native Southerner, I was not used to people being so vocal about their faith and talking about Jesus. I wasn’t really exposed to other faiths other than Catholicism or Judaism in my youth. Moving to the South was definitely an eye opener for me. At this job, I was surrounded by a group of amazing Christians, men and women alike. The special women who, to this day are my “Ya-Ya’s “ taught me the most. And, I also think I may have taught some of my colleagues some things too. I believe that the passion I feel about defending the Catholic Church was born out of my experiences at this company.
99.9% of the people who worked there were Protestants and my clients were practically 100% Protestant. I tried very hard to sell our conferences and simulcasts to Catholic Churches; it was kind of a mission for me as I believed that what we had to offer would tremendously help the Catholic Church. I was pretty much the “token” Catholic of the company for the first few years of my employment. It became a friendly joke around the office. There were times when a sweet girl I worked with would ask me to “pray in Catholic.” Through the years some others were hired and at one time there were maybe 4 or 5 of us. There were however, many Ex-Catholics that worked there and for one reason or another had left the church. That was very disturbing to me. It hurt me to my core.
Many times people would ask me questions like, “Are Catholics Christians?” “Why do you worship Mary?” “Why do Catholics….” You get the picture. I found that there were so many misconceptions are out there about Catholicism that I never knew of. There was a time when our employees would have the chance to give their “testimony” in front of everyone in our Monday morning meetings. Time and time again I heard negative things about Catholics and Catholicism. It broke my heart. I’d hear “I was on a mission trip in such and such country and we were trying to save Catholics.” Or “I used to be Catholic and then I finally got saved.” Gut wrenching statements that affected me very deeply. Knowing that people were out there targeting Catholics and wanting to rip them from the church was just unreal to me. So, it kind of became my mission to spread the truth about Catholicism from that point on.
My theory is this: People believe what they hear from their teachers. They do what they are taught. Whether it is the TRUTH or “truth” according to someone they believe, follow and admire, most people believe what they are taught and told. Why would Protestant pastors lie to their congregations? Why would parents raise their kids to believe untruths? Why do women cut the ham before putting it in the roasting pan? …Because my mom always did it that way. Well, why did your mom always cut the ham before putting it in the roasting pan? Well, because her mom always did it that way. Well, why did grandma always cut the ham before putting it in the roasting pan? Grandma??? “Because my pan was too small!” People believe and do things based on what they are taught. It’s quite simply lack of knowledge.
So, that said, maybe this little “Go Fish Friday” article can blast some misconceptions out there, open people’s hearts and educate all of us on the truth about Catholicism. We are all God’s people. He loves us ALL. You should know the truth. I hope this article will make you stop cutting the ham just “because mom always did it that way.”
Today my mom and I will start an Immaculate Conception Novena. What is a novena? A novena is a nine-day period of private or public prayer to obtain special graces, to implore special favors, or to make special petitions. (Novena is derived from the Latin “novem”, meaning nine.) According to Scripture, after Jesus’ Ascension into heaven, he told his disciples to pray together in the upper room and devote themselves to constant prayer (Acts 1:14). Doctrine proposes that the Apostles, Blessed Virgin Mary, and other followers of Jesus prayed together for nine consecutive days, concluding in the descent of the Holy Spirit on Pentecost.
The Novena we are saying can be found here:
http://www.ewtn.com/Devotionals/novena/immaculate.htm
What exactly is the Immaculate Conception? It’s not what you think it is…most think it’s the conception of Jesus in the womb of our Lady. In actuality, the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary is HER conception in the womb of her mother St. Anne. Church Doctrine states that from the moment of her existence, her conception, Mary was conceived without the stain of original sin. (“macula” in Latin.)
The Immaculate Conception is church dogma. In Luke 1:28, the Angel Gabriel greets her by saying, “Hail, Full of Grace!” This “exchange” was from the Annunciation…when Gabriel told her she would become the mother of Jesus. In order to become the mother of our Lord, she was given the gifts appropriate for such a role. And one of these gifts was being born without original sin. Take a peek at “New Advent” for more information on the Immaculate Conception.
http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/07674d.htm
The Feast of the Immaculate Conception is Wednesday, December 8 and it is a Holy Day of Obligation. What is a Holy Day of Obligation?
On Sundays and other holy days of obligation, the faithful are obliged to participate in the Mass. Moreover they are to abstain from those works and affairs which hinder the worship to be rendered to God, the joy proper to the Lord’s day, or the suitable relaxation of mind and body. ( I love my church! )
We invite you to join us in this Novena! Even if you aren’t Catholic…give it a whirl! I dare you! The Blessed Virgin Mary has never been known to fail anyone who calls upon her for her intercession.
Our Lady of Guadalupe - click image to read the story!
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