Just for Giggles

CURLYTOP: Mom, you think we can have a pet one day, maybe a puppy?

MOM: Sure, T. When your baby sister turns 5.

CURLYTOP: You think we can have a cat, too?

WEBSTER: No, T. The cat might jump on our table on Fridays and eat all of our fish! (Are we ready for Lent or what? LOL)

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ROADRUNNER: Mom, I swallowed some green things! (referring of course to veggies)

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CURLYTOP(expressing her appreciation for a favour done by her brother): Kuya, you're the best brother I never had!!!

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BRIGHTEYES(requesting for some wet wipes for her hands): Yipes please, Mom!

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Facebook: the Good and the Bad

In response to several people's (family and friends) encouragements and invitations I finally signed up to an account in Facebook late last year. I couldn't understand what all the fuss was about, thinking that Facebook is just like any other social community / networking site. Besides, I was already in Friendster, so I wasn't too eager.. It was not until sometime in January (or a couple of months later) that I actually activated the account.

Imagine my pleasant surprise to find several people (or just about the whole world!) on Facebook. Came across familiar faces from the past (from as far back in time as my kindergarten and elementary school years!). It was wonderful reestablishing contact with them. I also found several of my current friends on it, and it was so much fun being able to catch up with those whom I have not been able to see on a more regular basis, or those I have not communicated with in a long time. Viewing people's photo albums is always an enjoyable exercise, getting a look at both old and new pictures of them and their own families. Facebook also features Live Feed which makes it a lot more interactive. And although I am not into Farmville and have no intention of ever getting into it (besides, I have NO time!), I suppose it offers a form of "entertainment" and/or recreation for people who are "into" these things. Since activating my account, I have also joined several groups of people who share the same interests, etc which have been excellent in forming new 'friendships' as well; and groups where I have been able to share things from others that I am learning a lot from. No doubt about it: I was enjoying Facebook.

Nevertheless, the Facebook experience has not been entirely 'good.' Like most things, I guess, it does have it's 'bad' side. For one, it allows you to read people's exchange of comments. Sometimes this is a good thing because people can be very encouraging of others, but there are also other times when it can be quite off-putting. Once, at my leisure, I browsed through my own homepage and I had read through this person's shoutout wherein she was obviously intentionally being nasty and belittling towards another person. Then a few people started commenting and the whole exchange eventuated into foul language, but all of them evidently directed to the same person referred to in the shoutout. It was quite full-on: a number of people ganging up on one person - the kind of thing you'd expect to only hear about in highschool. But what was tragic to note (though somewhat a little funny) was that these people were (brace yourself!) in their 40's!! Seriously, it was such an ugly thing to "witness," to say the least. Notwithstanding the shock, I was personally disgusted and disillusioned. Hopefully it did not scandalize too many people, but it definitely left a very bad taste in my mouth. Consequently, I felt I had no choice but to remove these people from my list. I thought: if being uncharitable and malicious towards others is what they choose to busy themselves with, then I don't want any part in it, and I refuse to even read about it.

Admittedly, I have only been [active] in Facebook for less than 2 months, but after this eye-opening incident, it is rather obvious that some people do choose to use Facebook as an avenue to air hostility, malice, distasteful language, bitterness and other negativities. However, the good news for the rest of us is that online communities like this can also be a very powerful tool to start and build new relationships, strengthen old ones, inspire people and generally spread good cheer.

It all comes down to personal choice, I guess.. A choice clearly based on the kind of person one is.

Never let evil talk pass your lips; say only the good things people need to hear, things that will really help them. Do nothing that will sadden the Holy Spirit with whom you were sealed against the day of redemption. Get rid of all bitterness, all passion and anger, harsh words, slander, and malice of every kind. In place of these, be kind to one another, compassionate, and mutually forgiving, just as God has forgiven you in Christ. (Ephesians 4:29-31)

Feastday of Our Lady of Lourdes

Today we commemorate the feastday of Our Lady of Lourdes.

In anticipation of this beautiful Marian feastday, we watched Song of Bernadette last weekend, an excellent movie about this apparition of Our Lady to St Bernadette (Soubirous) in 1858. I am ashamed to say I could only keep awake for about 3/4 of the movie (it went for 2 1/2 hours!! Yes, I promised myself and the kids that I'd watch the end of it, maybe even tonight.), but I received reports from hubby the next day that the kiddos remained absorbed until the very end of the story!

Today the children enjoyed drawing and colouring in beautiful pictures of Our Lady of Lourdes and her humble French visionary, St Bernadette, because they are reminded of the story, as manifested by bits of conversation overheard during their colouring session. :)

A nice and simple craft project we worked on was a little grotto (see above feature photo) that we made out of a shoe box, laminated printed pictures, and some foam cups. Using some scrunched up scrap paper stuck to the box, we created the "rocky" effect for the niche - inside and out, painting it with rich hues of greys, browns and olives which our little artists thoroughly enjoyed.

I am still kicking myself, however, for not being better prepared at school this afternoon that made us miss out on Mass. For some reason, I simply lost track of time! Chad and I were finishing off our last session for the day when I looked at the clock to see that it was 5:15 pm!! And we were hoping to get to the 5:30 Mass. Not to disappoint the kiddies, and of course to anchor our celebration on a more substantial devotion (i.e. Eucharistic), we decided to go to our Lord exposed at the Perpetual Adoration Chapel instead. Yes, that was the next best thing (to attending Mass)..

So this is basically how Our Lady's special feastday panned out for us.

Drawing and colouring session:

Raw materials for "Our Lady of Lourdes" craft project:

Painting the niche:

Finished product:

Cleaning up afterwards:

"Our Lady of Lourdes, pray for us!"

Preparing for Lent

It's Week 2 of the first term, and it did not start very well for us. The old printer had played up and consequently, I could not print any worksheets for the kids. And because I also had an acute attack of lower back pain, I thought I'd just declare it a Free Day. I felt a little guilty, but the kids didn't exactly protest violently over this declaration, either!

Today, Tuesday, is therefore the actual start of our week. Looking at the calendar to discover that Quinquagesima Sunday is on February 14, shakes one into the realization that Ash Wednesday, the start of Lent, is actually just around the corner. Gee, didn't we just celebrate Christmas yesterday?

This week I am hoping to be able to get a headstart in organizing our timetable for Lenten activities that we can do with the kids - both in and out of school times. I will be looking for those that would be easily "digestible" for the kiddies, something that will make Lent "tangible" and of course something that will really allow them to get as much meaning as they can out of this very important period in our lives as spiritual children of our Holy Mother Church.

This Lenten season, we can either choose to be passive about it and just let it all slip by, or we can choose to actively seek opportunities for learning and letting it make sense to us, engaging in works that will allow us to merit graces, letting it sanctify us, and help us advance spiritually. Like most Catholic families, the latter is a lot more desireable to us and is therefore what we will be aspiring for. After all, liturgical seasons like this is always a great way to develop and form family traditions that will help us grow closer together, and strengthen our bonds as a domestic church as we practice them in years to come.

Credo in unam, sanctam, Catholicam et apostolicam Ecclesiam!

Remembering St Paul Miki and the Japanese Martyrs

Yesterday was the 1st Saturday of the month of February. Went to Mass in honour of the Immaculate Heart of Mary, and also in commemoration of the lives of St Paul Miki and the martyrs of Nagasaki.

Saint Paul Miki was the son of a wealthy family in Tounucumada, Japan. He was educated by the Jesuits (with Christianity having been introduced to Japan by the legendary Jesuit missionary - St Francis Xavier, himself) and later joined the congregation in 1580. He was a gifted preacher, noted to have given a brilliant homily to the onlookers minutes before his execution. During the Christian persecution under Hideyoshi, a ruthless government official, St Paul Miki - together with 25 other Catholics (including children) were tied with chains around their necks, crucified, and killed with spears. They died almost instantly in 1597. They were all beatified in 1627 and finally canonized as the Martyrs of Japan in the year 1862.

On this particular occasion we remember and draw inspiration from the lives of the Christians who were persecuted in times gone by. But we also especially remember those that continue to be persecuted for their faith in present times - in many different parts of the world. And even in our own lives, many of us (not excluding myself) experience ridicule and hostility in many different forms because we choose to proclaim and live the Truth and witness to our Faith.

We pray for more strength. And as St Paul Miki himself concluded his pre-execution homily: May the blood of the Martyrs "fall on us like fruitful rain." May it obtain for us the grace to keep on.

St Paul Miki and companions, please pray for us!

In keeping with the day's celebration, lunch for us consisted of Japanese-style dish - SUSHI - which was actually our first attempt at making the dish. We used tinned tuna (not brave enough to try raw fish), avocado and cucumber with our normal rice sprinkled with rice wine vinegar and sushi su (bottled) wrapped in roasted seaweed sheets (sushi nori). Both hubby and I quite liked it, Christopher liked the filling, Theresa tried it, but dry retched as soon as she tasted the seaweed, and Joseph and Marcellina opted for something else altogether. (I guess we won't be making sushi again in a hurry! :D)

AVE MARIA by Beyonce!!!

A great find via YouTube: beautiful song featuring Ave Maria by contemporary pop singer Beyonce Knowles. Wonderful montage, as well.

Enjoy it!

Visual Reminders of Our Heavenly Friends

Still in rearranging mode, I have continued to change things around in an effort to keep improving our learning centre towards making it more of an "atrium" where, according to Cathechesis of the Good Shepherd principle, the centre is more directed towards the spiritual formation of the child.

Another change that has been warmly received by the children is the addition of our little "gallery of saints."

The top shelf of our puzzle cabinet just below our big Eucharist poster was virtually a blank canvas waiting to be made into a real feature in the study. As it turns out, it was the perfect spot to showcase our collection of (3.5 inch, Roman Inc.) beautifully detailed saint figurines, which has grown from the original 52-piece stocking fillers that the kids "received" from Saint Nicholas last December. Meanwhile, the "faith-filled friends" or soft saint dolls which previously rested here are now neatly stuffed on a shelf inside the cabinet which means it can still be easily accessed if desired, and packed away nicely, whilst being protected from the dust and other damaging elements.



The top of the drab TV monitor (which is only used for educational movies and audiovisual materials) has also been somewhat softened by the placement of figurines of the 7 Archangels: St Michael, St Raphael, St Gabriel, St Uriel, St Barachiel, St Jhudiel and St Sealtiel.



Although these changes have undoubtedly enhanced the appearance of certain areas of the room, its real value lies in the fact that because children are visual learners, these will be such important instruments for them to learn more about our heavenly friends: God's angels and saints, a very important aid in their journey to our True Home.

Candlemas

February 2 is the feastday of the Purification of Our Lady, a grace-filled celebration for the faithful. And yesterday was a lovely day for learning about this important feastday, not only for the kids but for the whole family.

Meditating on this event one is taken to the scenario of the Fourth Joyful Mystery, the Presentation of the Child Jesus in the Temple which, in actual fact, reveals a threefold occurence: the Purification, the Presentation and the Meeting.

According to Jewish law, a woman who has just given birth is considered "unclean." And in order for her to be washed clean of this legal impurity and for her privileges to be restored, she has to go to the Temple and offer sacrifices to God - one in thanksgiving for the happy delivery of her child and another as an offering for the expiation of her sins. The Blessed Mother, being a woman of great faith and obedience to the laws of the religion, always did what was pleasing to God. And some time after the birth of her Son, the Holy Family goes to the Temple and brings 2 turtledoves as their oblation for the "purification" of Mary.

What an exemplar of humility and faith! Mary knew her Son was the Son of God, but in humble obedience to God, she fulfils all the laws faithfully.

Another important happening is, of course, the Presentation of Jesus in the Temple - which the couple observed in fulfilment of Jewish law stating that all first-born sons will be consecrated to God. Again, we reflect on the pure humility and utter obedience that the Holy Family demonstrates in doing what is according to the law, in order to please God.

The third event taking place is the Meeting of Simeon with the Infant Saviour. Simeon was a "man of desires" and God had told him he would not die until he sees the One his heart longs for - the Messiah. During this meeting Simeon prophesies that a sword will pierce the heart of Mary, and that Jesus will be the Light to enlighten the Gentiles.

As a mother, how is one supposed to feel after hearing these prophesies? Wouldn't it be incredibly disheartening, even frightening? However, our Blessed Mother - being full of God's grace - keeps all these things in her heart and finds joy in the midst of sadness. Her everlasting Fiat finds comfort in abandoning herself to whatever it is that God's providence has in store for her and her family.

The word Candlemas (candle-mass) originates from the candlelit processions with which the church traditionally celebrated this great feastday, to commemorate Jesus being the Light of the world, the "Light to enlighten the Gentiles" as prophesied by the old man Simeon. On this day (February 2nd) the faithful would bring candles to Church to be blessed by the priest and taken home for use as important sacramentals throughout the year.

For our family, this feastday was mainly celebrated by attending traditional "Purification of Our Lady" ceremonies last evening. After Fr Hartley blessed all the boxes of candles brought by the people, we went on a candlelit procession and the whole affair culminated in the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass - a beautiful celebration, indeed.

Back home, as a conclusion to the day, I quickly put together a simple apple and raisin oven pancake turnover, to be shared as a nightcap (of sorts). To tie in with the special occasion, I dusted the top with icing sugar using a homemade stencil to reveal 2 turtledoves, symbolic of the offering that St Joseph and Mamma Mary brought to the temple for her purification. (Although I thought afterwards that I probably should have used the negative image for the stencil, it didn't turn out too badly. If you look closely, you can just make out the 2 turtledove silhouettes..)

Yes, we all enjoyed it (even the turtledove apple/raisin turnover)!

Setting the Scene

When you have a small area to work with, you would want to maximize the use of each square inch of your space and make the most of it. I guess this is the 'rule of thumb' when planning small rooms. Usefulness and functionality would be foremost in the consideration of the lay-out. Our study/learning centre was no exception.

Although I have been wanting to rearrange the furniture since the middle of last year, we could only work on it gradually and it was not until recently that we had actually finished doing it. I am so happy that we have now completed the task in time for the start of school this year - yes, quite literally, just now.

Catechesis of the Good Shepherd

Homeschooling, for us, has always been Catholic based. And the motivation for deciding to homeschool has been - largely - in order to impart to the children our beautiful and rich Faith without the unnecessary watering down, the half-truths and untruths which are evidently rampant even in Catholic schools these days. (And of course a great advantage of homeschooling is being able to eliminate peer and societal pressures on precious kids, which are otherwise responsible for killing the souls of our youth!)

The focal point in our Learning Centre, eversince, has always been our altar. At one stage we found a nice antique oak carved low altar which was perfect for the boys to play Mass (see some of the before photos). However, since redesigning the room, we have had to relocate that altar into our chapel sacristy, and instead use a shelf top as our altar so that it can double as storage for other materials.

Since reading about the Catechesis of the Good Shepherd, which is a Montessori-based method for teaching Religious Education, we have adopted some principles and applied them to the reinvention of our new Centre. With CGS, staying true to the Montessori way, using manipulatives such as small versions of liturgical items are valuable tools in teaching children about the hows and whys of certain aspects of our faith, thereby enhancing their relationship with God and the larger worshipping community.

Atop our school altar is housed a miniature brass tabernacle, a pair of brass altar vases, a pair of brass candlesticks, an antique St Anne with the Virgin Mary as a girl statue (which originally comes from Ireland) and a St Joseph statue, miniature Latin Mass altar cards and a mini brass missal stand. The boys have a great time playing Mass on it, especially because we also have other miniature church vessels just perfect to be handled by little hands, such as: ciborium, chalice, paten, monstrance, cruets, sanctuary lamp, thurible, sanctus bells, candle snuffer, etc. They especially enjoy vesting in the child-size set of priest's vestments which I sewed for them a couple of years ago. And to complete the sacerdotal garb, we also added a small size but real biretta.

Walls That Teach

Although I often wish we had a bigger space for schooling, I still feel blessed and grateful that we at least have an area set apart for the purpose, one that is separate from the rest of the house. (I have certainly read about homeschooling families that have to use their dining table, not to say at all that this is bad. I believe some actually choose this set up because it is more effective in their particular situation.)

Using the walls to hang up instructional posters is a great solution to the space issue and has always been a method I have employed eversince; but the overall idea was to maximize the wall space and strategically place the posters to facilitate and enhance the kids' learning.

A beautiful recent addition to our wall panorama is a mural-type oversized poster of Raphael's "Triumph of the Eucharist," a Renaissance masterpiece found in the Vatican - a wonderful sight for little eyes to behold, to start them out young at developing an appreciation for sacred art. And with the size of it spanning most of a single wall, one cannot help but be drawn to this magnificent picture.

Also, apart from math, science and geography posters, we have added a few saints' quotations on laminated A4 paper for added inspiration!

The Montessori Touch

Adopting the Montessori system for teaching the pre-schoolers last year was what prompted me to rethink the set up of our learning centre. And since gradually acquiring Montessori learning equipment, we have had to change the shelving in order to make it easy for our little learners to access different materials and to put them back after use. The big geography puzzles were a problem at first, but thanks to hubby who constructed a spiffy little puzzle cabinet, they now sit happily in their own individual slots, inviting little hands to slide them out and explore them.

Our Catholic Library

Building up a Catholic Library has been painstaking but enjoyable at the same time. We have consciously slowly acquired different children's titles over the years and our collection now includes very rare books such as traditional Catholic reprints of those from the 1920's and even a few original classics.

We have also expanded to include a video library which is composed mainly of movies about the lives of the saints, bible stories, catechetical aids, etc. including several animated versions. And this is such a hit with the whole family!

Last year was definitely a great year in terms of our stronger Aussie dollar compared to the US buck, which allowed us to purchase a large bulk of our new addition books and DVD's from America, which are otherwise unavailable locally. Our small library continues to grow, but it is now proving to be even more of a success just by the interest generated among the kiddies!

The Reading Nook

Although we started with a reading area smack against the middle of a wall, we are now happier with our current one which is tucked in a corner, adjacent to the only window in the room, giving the reader lots of natural light and fresh air. (And of course we had to add a reading lamp for the overzealous reader at other times!) For 20 bucks we acquired ourselves a great find: a virtually unused colourful little tubchair (from a 2nd hand office furniture shop) which has been surprisingly comfortable and great to cradle little bodies during their reading adventures into different eras and periods in different parts of the world!

On the wall behind the tubchair we have an old picture of St Anthony of Padua with the Child Jesus (glass-mounted), a quotation from St Therese, and some inspiring words from St John Bosco about what books one should and should not read.

We are certainly all very happy with the outcome of the changes in our new and improved Learning Centre, but the real sense of fulfillment comes from seeing the kids come alive in their new learning space. Apparently, they find the room very inviting, stimulating and nurturing - judging by several instances so far when, some mornings, they each wake up and go straight there to do their own explorations. And this, we don't mind at all. Such sweet fruits of labour, indeed!

At this particular point, I am posting some pictures to do the rest of the talking. :D

BEFORE

AFTER