February 2009 Archives

I've been thinking a lot about my extended family lately, especially those who are far from God. God has been tugging at my heart to pray for them more fervently. This morning I came across the following prayer and I think Lent would be a perfect time to start praying it. Although I don't have all the hurts mentioned in this prayer, I pray for those in my family who are hurting and struggling, that they will find peace and healing in God's love and mercy.

Prayer for Healing the Family Tree

By Rev. John H. Hampsch, CMF

Heavenly Father, I come before you as your child, in great need of your help; I have physical health needs, emotional needs, spiritual needs, and interpersonal needs. Many of my problems have been caused by my own failures, neglect and sinfulness, for which I humbly beg your forgiveness, Lord. But I also ask you to forgive the sins of my ancestors whose failures have left their effects on me in the form of unwanted tendencies, behavior patterns and defects in body, mind and spirit. Heal me, Lord, of all these disorders.

With your help I sincerely forgive everyone, especially living or dead members of my family tree, who have directly offended me or my loved ones in any way, or those whose sins have resulted in our present sufferings and disorders. In the name of your divine Son, Jesus, and in the power of his Holy Spirit, I ask you, Father, to deliver me and my entire family tree from the influence of the evil one. Free all living and dead members of my family tree, including those in adoptive relationships, and those in extended family relationships, from every contaminating form of bondage. By your loving concern for us, heavenly Father, and by the shed blood of your precious Son, Jesus, I beg you to extend your blessing to me and to all my living and deceased relatives. Heal every negative effect transmitted through all past generations, and prevent such negative effects in future generations of my family tree.

I symbolically place the cross of Jesus over the head of each person in my family tree, and between each generation; I ask you to let the cleansing blood of Jesus purify the bloodlines in my family lineage. Set your protective angels to encamp around us, and permit Archangel Raphael, the patron of healing, to administer your divine healing power to all of us, even in areas of genetic disability. Give special power to our family members' guardian angels to heal, protect, guide and encourage each of us in all our needs. Let your healing power be released at this very moment, and let it continue as long as your sovereignty permits.

In our family tree, Lord, replace all bondage with a holy bonding in family love. And let there be an ever-deeper bonding with you, Lord, by the Holy Spirit, to your Son, Jesus. Let the family of the Holy Trinity pervade our family with its tender, warm, loving presence, so that our family may recognize and manifest that love in all our relationships. All of our unknown needs we include with this petition that we pray in Jesus' precious Name. Amen.

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St. Joseph, Patron of family life, pray for us.

I hope you are having a blessed Ash Wednesday and beginning of Lent! I friend sent me a link to Catholicmom's Lenten Calendar for kids. I thought it was a great idea and printed it out so we can use it as a family. (Plus, Bella likes the excitement of finding out what activity we'll do that day.)

For other ideas to do with your kids, visit Faith and Family Mag's Top 10 Lenten Observances for Kids.

I remember first watching Toy Story with my siblings and now my own kids love it. (I think we actually favor Toy Story 2 over the original.) We are so excited that there is now a release date for Toy Story 3 - June 18, 2010.

In part 3, Woody, Buzz, and the rest of their toy-box friends are dumped in a day-care center after their owner, Andy, departs for college. Meanwhile, Hamm, Rex and Mr. Potato Head begin a quest to find their long lost twin brothers. We can't wait!

One of Andrew's favorite pastimes is to dump out his snack bag of cheerios. The other day he did it again so I handed him the vacuum to clean up the mess himself. He did a good job but all the work made him hungry. He decided to just eat the last ones left on the floor. Now if I could get him to do the laundry, I'd be set.

Although I have seen many people (Catholic and non) treat Obama like a saintly savior, this is taking it a little too far. What's next? A Pelosi holy card? (Pic from NRO.)

Catholic Priest Wants Saintly Obama Candle Removed from Gag Gift Shop

Here is a good article from InsideCatholic.com.

Six Tips for a Healthy and Happy Marriage

Have a blessed feast day of Our Lady of Lourdes!

(Painting done by artist Maria Rangel - my future sister -in-law! :-)

Here is the latest news on the upcoming movie.

Camilla Belle (Push, 10,000 BC), Jonathan Rhys Meyers and Peter O'Toole will star in Aloe Entertainment's faith-based film Mary, Mother of Christ.

Belle has been cast as Mary. Jonathan Rhys Meyers will take on the double role of Gabriel and Lucifer, while Peter O'Toole is set as Symeon, who meets Mary and her family in the temple shortly after Jesus' birth.

The filmmakers are also seeking Al Pacino and Jessica Lange for the respective roles of Herod and Anna the Prophetess. Earlier this week Pacino signed on to star in a new adaptation of Shakespeare's King Lear.

Argentinean director Alejandro Agresti (The Lake House) will direct the film, scheduled to begin shooting in May in Morocco with production partner Dune Films. Benedict Fitzgerald, who co-wrote Mel Gibson's The Passion of the Christ, wrote the screenplay with Barbara Nicolosi.

The film will follow Mary's youth, young love, her life as a new mother and the triumph through the absolute terror of Herod the Great's reign.

The film will open April 2, 2010, which coincides with Good Friday.

I remember when Brian and I were engaged and we were doing our wedding registry, I added a crockpot to the list. I envisioned all the meals I'd prep before going to work and the ease I'd have serving dinner later in the evening. Well, years later I found my crockpot hidden in the back of the cupboard with the price tag still attached. I decided to dust it off and give it a try and I've been having fun doing it!

I came across this link on a friend's facebook page (thanks, Christina) and have already found a few recipes I want to try. Check it out at http://crockpot365.blogspot.com/ .

I had plenty to think about when I read this during my prayer time.

"Just as love begins at home, so also peace and the women being the heart of the family - let us pray that we women realize the reason of existence is to love and be loved and through this love become an instrument of peace." - Blessed Mother Teresa of Calcutta, October 26, 1991