Paying attention at Mass

Jesus sent out these Twelve after instructing them thus,
“Go to the lost sheep of the house of Israel.
As you go, make this proclamation: ‘The Kingdom of heaven is at hand.’
Cure the sick, raise the dead,
cleanse lepers, drive out demons.
Without cost you have received; without cost you are to give.” Mt. 10:5-8

Yesterday at Mass the Gospel was from Mathew 9 & 10. As the Gospel was read, immediately after hearing "lepers" GMAC said to me( with her eyes really big)" I like leopards, I like real leopards, not pretend one!"
-Mallu

Really cool nuns

Some may think the term "Cool Nuns" seems like an oxymoron because when people think of nuns they they unfortunately think of this
The stereotypical scary old lady with a permanent scowl and lightning quick with the ruler.

Well let me introduce you to the Servants of the Lord and the Virgin of Matara

The sisters singing a song before mass

These ladies are young (or young at heart) vibrant, full of love for the Lord and seem to always be smiling!

One of the things the sisters do is run an weekly oratory for young girls. Oratory is like a day camp and Mystical Rose has been going for the past year. This past Saturday the sisters held a family day so we all went. Family Day is something we look forward to; with games, singing, food and fellowship it is always fun.

GMAC playing one of the games run by the nuns

The novitiate house is next to a farm

this is where we had mass

"U" was even able to serve at mass

Proud of Inch

Inch was the Lector at the Mass last night. Four years ago I couldn't imagine that he would volunteer to do this,since he used to be so nervous to go in front of people, to do anything. Yes he was a bit nervous, but he did really well. I am really glad he's had this opportunity, hopefully he will continue to serve the Church, in this ministry. He's really growing up.

--Mallu Mom

Koratty Muthy

Today is the feast of Koratty Muthy. The church in India where Mallu grew up is a sight of many miracle and every year people from all over the world make a pilgrimage there

-- Crucian Dad

Humility

At Mass this morning the priest shared something he was meditating on from FURROW by Josemaria Escriva.
I was asking him about the book and he said I can borrow it since he has an extra copy. It was a wonderful lesson in humility, so I thought of sharing.


"Allow me to remind you that among other evident signs of a lack of humility are:

—Thinking that what you do or say is better than what others do or say;

—Always wanting to get your own way;

—Arguing when you are not right or — when you are — insisting stubbornly or with bad manners;

—Giving your opinion without being asked for it, when charity does not demand you to do so;

—Despising the point of view of others;

—Not being aware that all the gifts and qualities you have are on loan;

—Not acknowledging that you are unworthy of all honour or esteem, even the ground you are treading on or the things you own;

—Mentioning yourself as an example in conversation;

—Speaking badly about yourself, so that they may form a good opinion of you, or contradict you;

—Making excuses when rebuked;

—Hiding some humiliating faults from your director, so that he may not lose the good opinion he has of you;

—Hearing praise with satisfaction, or being glad that others have spoken well of you;

—Being hurt that others are held in greater esteem than you;

—Refusing to carry out menial tasks;

—Seeking or wanting to be singled out;

—Letting drop words of self-praise in conversation, or words that might show your honesty, your wit or skill, your professional prestige...;

—Being ashamed of not having certain possessions..."


I think I will print this out and put it on my fridge as a reminder.... it's so easy forget. It's so difficult to live it out.
--Mallu Mom

Joyfully serving the Lord

Back in the spring Rose was invited by a friend to go to Oratory with the Sister Servants of the Lord and the Virgin of Matara. Oratory is (In Roses own words) " a place to have fun and hang out with sisters and learn awesome stuff about God!! the sisters play lots of games with us too"

My first time there I recognized one of the sisters from our parish, she was part of what our family called "the pajama crew" We would see her and some of her friends at Mass every Saturday morning, sometimes in their PJs! We thought that it was amazing that a group of teen girls would choose to be at Mass early Saturday morning. Sister Porte Caeli as she is now known professed her first vows yesterday along with 7 other young women. The sisters faces were so filled with radiant joy that it was beautiful to witness. We felt blessed be a part of the celebration.

Rose really liked the fact that the sister received a crown of flowers, along with their new blue veils.


-- Mallu Mom & Mystical Rose

PS another one of the "the pajama crew" recently joined a cloistered Dominican order.
Please keep them in your prayers

Mystical Rose and Sister Porte Caeli after mass

Eternal rest grant unto him

Today we buried a friend of ours.
We knew him and his wife through World Wide Marriage Encounter
Charles lived by the words "Love Never Fails" He suffered greatly with ALS for the last two years, but he never stopped smiling.
He died a beautiful Christian death, surrounded by family, right after mass was celebrated in his home.
We will miss him a great deal.

8 am didn't work out as well

So, we tried to see how our school day would work after going to 8 am Mass. Overall we had a good day at school but it looks like we will be sticking with 6:30 Mass. The kids weren't as eager to wake up and do their chores, there was a whole lot more traffic, and we didn't start school until almost 9. Yesterday, we got up and out the door in 25 minutes, came home ate breakfast, did chores and started school by 8.... so we will stick to 6:30. Now the only dilemma is to be disciplined enough to go to bed on time so we aren't so darn tired in the morning ;-)

Mallu Mom