Merry Christmas to all the Little Flowers

My posting has not been what I had hoped.  Another apology given, another forgiveness received.  This must be how God, the Father feels. We say we will do something - that first son of the vineyard - and then we don't.  Better if I were the second son who says I won't and then do??

No, best to be the child who only says what they can actually do and then do it.  

In that frame of mind, I offer you my family's best wishes for a holy and happy Christmas.  May the Baby Jesus send you and your family all you need to love Him better.  If that includes some new clothes and new toys, so be it, but if not don't fret because knowing and loving Him is truly the best gift of all, isn't it?

New Year, New Club!

I've noticed a trend over the last few years of Little Flowers and Blue Knights clubs starting in January rather than September. This has some definite advantages. January is typically a slow month without a whole lot going on. Since it is the start of a new year, a new beginning for a club falls right in line with a new resolution to learn and teach virtues in our families. Since the clubs are flexible, you can start wherever and whenever you want. You can still do one virtue a month, work through the summer and finish by September. Or, you can really dive into the material and make the study last longer. Whatever works for you will be fine for the children involved, I'm sure. 

So if you've been hesitating in starting a club, now's the time to start! Just to give you a little more incentive, EHP will offer a 10% discount on all orders placed from now until December 31, 2008. Just type in the discount code: CLUB09  Orders must be placed online at the website: www.eccehomopress.com 

Have a Holy Advent!

Take time to be a family

Silly to even type it isn't it?  Aren't we always a family, in our family, with our family?  Perhaps.  Perhaps not.

The holidays are fast approaching - Thanksgiving, Advent, Christmas and more -  and I just want to remind us that in the midst of all the work of the holidays let us please take some time to be a family.  

Sit and talk, enjoy the time, share expectations and excitement.  Don't rush so quickly from one event to another that you don't enjoy the family you have been given.

Today's is the 1st Little Flower's Birthday

Today is Maggie's 21st birthday (Amelia was 19 on the 9th of this month).  Those two girls are the first of the Little Flowers.  I am in awe of what God has done in my family through their lives.  They are both serving Christ and His Church as Consecrated members of Regnum Christi (as is Joan's daughter Elizabeth).

In spite of our flaws as parents, our mistakes in raising them, God called them and they answered yes!   I miss them greatly but send my love via letters, phone calls, e-mails but more importantly through the doors of the Tabernacle and through the arms of our Blessed Mother Mary.

Your prayers for their vocations - and the vocations of all the LF throughout the world - are appreciated on this day.

Calling Virtue Virtue and Vice a Vice

Just encouraging you to remember that one of the easiest ways to 'teach' virtues is to make them part of your family life.  In other words, remember to compliment your child when they are industrious, tell them that sharing their toys is the charitable thing to do.  Being good at Mass is the best way to show love of God.

But also let them know that they can tend towards grumpiness and should try for joy!  Using the big words may seem intimidating but they are smarter than we give them credit for.  

Can't remember them (neither can I!), so print out the list of virtues from the wreaths so you have the right word for the right moment.

May God and the Little Flower bless you and all of your little flowers.

Be assured of my prayers - Rachel

I've got a piece on Catholic Exchange

If you have the time, please check out my piece on "The Shack" on Catholic Exchange today.  This subject - Catholic books vs. non-Catholic books is one I have pondered and thought about for a long time.  

If you read the piece you will certainly know how I feel about the subject.  I have grave concerns about handing anyone a 'Christian' book without making sure it is not heretical in any form.  And that is not always easy to determine - at least for me.

I think we must be especially careful when it comes to our kids.  I know friends who let their kids read the "Left Behind" series because it was 'Christian' not willing to admit that it taught a really, troublesome heresy (and was anti-Catholic in some places).  

In the comment section of the piece on CE, someone asked about C.S. Lewis.  I feel his writings would pass muster in that while he was not a Catholic, none of his writings said anything that went against Catholic teachings.  

Something to think about.

NEW WEB ADDRESS

If you are trying to order Little Flowers items and have our old AOL address bookmarked, please change your bookmark to: www.eccehomopress.com

AOL has completely erased their member websites and there is no way to forward from the old website. Thanks!