Spiritual reflections, family, home educating typical and special needs children ~ Dedicated to: Our Lady of Guadalupe, Patroness of the Unborn. "Rejoice in hope, persevere in tribulations, be constant in prayer." Romans 12:12 Certe bonum certanem! Fight the good fight!
St Gabriel Windows
Friday, December 03, 2010
For Everything There is A Season
Friday, November 19, 2010
Gratefulness
Dear Sisters,
Sunday, November 07, 2010
I think I can!
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
Nov 11, 2010
Dear Sisters,
Your Sister in Christ,
Denise Laubacher
Thursday, November 04, 2010
A New Commandment I give to you
Nov. 4, 2010
Dear Sisters,
Your Sister in Christ,
((HUGS))
Denise Laubacher
Monday, October 25, 2010
Beginning Again
Welcome to a new home schooling year, a new season of a learning lifestyle, a new start, truly a new beginning….
“I am about to do something new; now it springs forth, do you not perceive it?
I will make a way in the wilderness and rivers in the desert.” Is 43:19
And finally...
May God bless you abundantly with all you need to enjoy a beautiful and productive year with your children.
“Ask and you shall receive, seek and you shall find, knock and it shall be opened unto you”Matt 7:7
Your Sister in Christ,
Denise Laubacher
(Written as a word of reflection and encouragement for our local home school support group)
Tuesday, October 19, 2010
Feeding the Poor
Friday, September 03, 2010
Happy Wedding Day!
Singing the WRTR song....again...and liking it!
If you've seen it before, and said "ack! WRTR..." bah-humbug!....Take time to look at it again. Seriously, I have discovered the ugliness of this program is really beauty in disguise! The Writing Road to Reading covers a multitude of reading, writing and spelling sins! After a lovely thorough consultation on this resource from my Mother of Divine Grace teacher reviewer, I have come away ready to tackle this course this year with my two younger students. I have done WRTR in the past, in a scattered and unguided manner...aimlessly really...and should have stuck it out. I'm just fortunate that my children so far have been excellent readers and average to above-average spellers and two of them have proven to be far above average writers. When Modg has been criticized for not being "big on writing", I find this far from the truth. Our oldest is a wonderful writer - his college professors greatly impressed with his written expression. So, I feel confident Modg "knows what they are doing" in regard to college preparatory.
Home study programs are wise in recommending the WRTR as it helps alleviate reading and spelling problems right for the get-go, especially for those with processing disabilities or dyslexics -- but go to the Spalding site yourself and read about it. It's as simple as having the WRTR book, flashcards, composition book w/pencil to start the program with your child(ren).
(My personal use: I use the Fourth Edition of WRTR and the Wanda Sanseri "Teaching Reading at Home" guide, which could probably be found used at used book sources)
Thursday, September 02, 2010
Just Sayin'!
Boy Wanted by Frank Crane....a real keeper!
Boy Wanted
by Frank Crane
A boy who stands straight, sits straight, acts straight, and talks straight.
A boy who listens carefully when spoken to, who asks questions when he does not understand, and does not ask questions about things that are none of his business.
A boy whose fingernails are not in mourning, whose ears are clean, whose shoes are polished, whose clothes are brushed, whose hair is combed, and whose teeth are well cared for.
A boy who moves quickly and makes as little noise about it as possible.
A boy who whistles in the street but not where he ought to keep still.
A boy who looks cheerful, has a ready smile for everybody, and never sulks.
A boy who is polite to every man and respectful to every woman and girl.
A boy who does not smoke and has no desire to learn how.
A boy who never bullies other boys or allows boys to bully him.
A boy who, when he does not know a thing, says, “I do not know”; and when he has made a mistake says, “I’m sorry”; and, when requested to do anything, immediately says, “I’ll try.”
A boy who looks you right in the eye and tells the truth every time.
A boy who would rather lose his job or be expelled from school than tell a lie or be a cad.
A boy who is more eager to know how to speak good English than to talk slang.
A boy who does not want to be “smart” nor in anywise attract attention.
A boy who is eager to read good, wholesome books.
A boy whom other boys like.
A boy who is perfectly at ease in the company of respectable girls.
A boy who is not a goody-goody, a prig, or a little Pharisee, but just healthy, happy, and full of life.
A boy who is not sorry for himself and not forever thinking and talking about himself.
A boy who is friendly with his mother and more intimate with her than with anyone else.
A boy who makes you feel good when he is around.
This boy is wanted everywhere. The family wants him, the school wants him, the office wants him, the boys and girls want him, and all creation wants him.
Tuesday, August 31, 2010
Happy New Year...yes...today!
Please check out the book Small Steps for Catholic Moms at his link:
http://thinkprayact.wordpress.com/
Wednesday, August 18, 2010
A home schooling line-up of courses.....
College Prep Math: Introductory Algebra
Exploring Creation through Chemistry
Catholic Doctrine (a Seton Press course)
Health (Mother of Divine Grace syllabus)
a Language arts review with Basic Language Principles through Latin Background (this is wonderful book we used in 7th grade, and I like to use again for review at a higher level)
Advanced American Government & Economics
wonderful course that includes original sources and literature
Piano courses continue, choir at church and karate, along with activities & gym with the local home schooling group.
Make Way for School
Wednesday, August 04, 2010
Schooling Thoughts...
Okay, more later on some of the great classic children's literature involved in the FIAR program.
In the meantime, Happy Schooling Thoughts to all my home schooling friends out there! Tell me what you're doing this year..
Saturday, May 29, 2010
A Blessing to Read ~ new blogspot focuses on Eucharist
Tuesday, May 11, 2010
O Rainy Day!
Saturday, May 08, 2010
A Beautiful Day for Mary in May
Hail Queen of Mercy and of Love, O Maria!
Triumph all ye cherubim, sing with us ye seraphim,
heaven and earth resound the hymn!
Salve, salve, salve Regina!
__________________
"In former times, it was the custom in many countries of Europe and America for Catholics to walk in procession through town on feast days of Mary. They carried flowers, banners, candles and a statue of the Mother of God, decorated and crowned with ribbons and flowers. The children wore the white clothes used for their first communion, confirmation or graduations, sometimes with satin capes. The youngest child often scattered flower petals along the street in front of the statue of the Virgin Mary.
In the United States, the processions were often limited to the parish property or inside the church, and only the students of the parochial school did the marching. In recent years the celebrations have become simpler, so that their purpose to honor the Mother of God during the season of resurrection and life, can be clear.
And so it is, that we at St. Gabriel’s parish, continue this tradition by way of our First Communion class; we welcome everyone here today to pray and sing hymns of praise in honor of the Most Blessed Mother of God, Our Mother, Mary."
Wednesday, March 17, 2010
Happy St. Patrick's Day
Lorica of Saint Patrick
I arise today
Through a mighty strength, the invocation of the Trinity,
Through a belief in the Threeness,
Through confession of the Oneness
Of the Creator of creation.
I arise today
Through the strength of Christ's birth and His baptism,
Through the strength of His crucifixion and His burial,
Through the strength of His resurrection and His ascension,
Through the strength of His descent for the judgment of doom.
I arise today
Through the strength of the love of cherubim,
In obedience of angels,
In service of archangels,
In the hope of resurrection to meet with reward,
In the prayers of patriarchs,
In preachings of the apostles,
In faiths of confessors,
In innocence of virgins,
In deeds of righteous men.
I arise today
Through the strength of heaven;
Light of the sun,
Splendor of fire,
Speed of lightning,
Swiftness of the wind,
Depth of the sea,
Stability of the earth,
Firmness of the rock.
I arise today
Through God's strength to pilot me;
God's might to uphold me,
God's wisdom to guide me,
God's eye to look before me,
God's ear to hear me,
God's word to speak for me,
God's hand to guard me,
God's way to lie before me,
God's shield to protect me,
God's hosts to save me
From snares of the devil,
From temptations of vices,
From every one who desires me ill,
Afar and anear,
Alone or in a mulitude.
MESSAGE FOR TWENTY-FIFTH WORLD YOUTH DAY VATICAN CITY, 4 MAR 2009 (VIS) - The Message of the Holy Father for twenty-fifth World Youth Day has just been published. The Day, which is due to be celebrated in all the dioceses of the world on Palm Sunday 28 March, has as its theme this year: "Good Teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life?"
"The present 25th Youth Day represents a stage on the journey towards the next World Youth Day, which will take place in August 2011 in Madrid, Spain, where I hope many of you will come to experience that event of grace. "To prepare ourselves for this celebration, I would like to suggest some reflections on this year's theme: "Good Teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life?", taken from the Gospel account of Jesus' meeting with the rich young man, a topic already considered in 1985 by Pope John Paul II in a most beautiful Letter, addressed to young people for the first time".
1. Jesus Meets a Young Man. "The Gospel narrative effectively expresses Jesus' great concern for young people. ... His desire is to meet with you personally and establish a dialogue with each one of you".
2. Jesus Looked at Him and Loved Him. "In the evangelical narrative, St. Mark stresses how 'Jesus looking at him, loved him'. The Lord's gaze was at the core of that very special encounter, and of all Christian experience. In fact, Christianity is not primarily an ethic, but an experience of Jesus Christ Who loves us personally, young and old, poor and rich; He loves us even when we turn our backs on Him".
"The awareness that ... Christ loves everyone and always ... enables us to overcome any trial: ... sins, suffering or discouragement. In this love lies the source of all Christian life and the fundamental reason for evangelisation; for if we have truly found Jesus, we cannot but bear witness to Him to those people who have not yet encountered His gaze".
3. Discovering a Plan for Life. "The rich young man asks Jesus: 'What must I do?' The stage of life you are currently experiencing is a time of discovery: discovery of the gifts that God has lavished on you, and of your responsibilities. It is, moreover, a time of fundamental choices to create a plan for your lives. It is a moment, therefore, to question yourselves about the authentic meaning of existence and to ask: 'Am I satisfied with my life? Is there something lacking?'"
"Do not be afraid to address these questions! ... They await answers, answers that are not superficial but able to satisfy your authentic expectations of life and happiness. To discover the life plan that can make you fully happy, listen to God, Who has a plan of love for each one of you.
4. Come and follow me! "The Christian vocation springs from a proposal of love from the Lord, and can only be fulfilled through a response of love. ... Dear friends, following the example of so many disciples of Christ, joyfully accept His invitation to follow, in order to live intensely and fruitfully in this world.
"The sadness of the rich young man of the Gospel is that which arises in the heart when a person does not have the courage to follow Christ, to make the right choice. However, it is never too late to respond to Him!
"In this Year for Priests, I would like to exhort boys and young men to be attentive as to whether the Lord is inviting them to a greater gift ... in ordained ministry, and generously and enthusiastically to make themselves ready to accept this sign of special predilection, undertaking with a priest or spiritual director the necessary path of discernment. Do not be afraid, dear young people, if the Lord calls you to the religious, monastic or missionary life, or to a life of special consecration: He is able to give profound joy to those who respond with courage.
"Moreover, I invite all those who feel the vocation to marriage to accept it with faith, committing themselves to laying solid foundations for a love that is great, faithful and open to the gift of life, which is a source of richness and grace for society and the Church".
5. Oriented to Eternal Life. "To ask ourselves about the definitive future awaiting each of us gives full meaning to existence, because it orients our life plan toward horizons that are not limited or fleeting, but broad and profound; horizons which lead us to love the world so loved by God himself, to dedicate ourselves to its development, but always with the freedom and joy born of faith and hope. These horizons help us not to make absolute values of earthly realities, aware that God is opening greater prospects for us. ... Dear young people, I exhort you not to forget this perspective in your own lives: We are called to eternity".
6. The Commandments, the Way of Authentic Love. "Jesus also asks you if you know the commandments, if you are concerned to form your conscience according to divine law and if you will put it into practice. These are certainly questions that go against the tide of the present-day mentality, which presents freedom as disconnected from values, rules and objective norms, and invites us to reject any limitation to momentary desires".
"God gave us the commandments because He wants to educate us to true freedom, because He wants to build with us a Kingdom of love, justice and peace. To listen to them and to put them into practice does not mean to be alienated, but to find the path of authentic freedom and love, because the commandments do not limit happiness, but show how to find it".
7. We Have Need of You. "Young people today find themselves facing many problems arising from unemployment, and from the lack of solid ideals, and of concrete prospects for the future. ... Despite the difficulties, do not let yourselves be discouraged and do not give up your dreams! Rather, cultivate great desires of fraternity, justice and peace in your hearts. The future is in the hands of people who know how to seek and discover powerful reasons for life and hope"
"In my recent Encyclical 'Caritas in Veritate' on integral human development, I listed some of the great modern challenges, which are urgent and essential for the life of this world: the use of the resources of the earth, respect for ecology, the just division of wealth, the control of financial mechanisms, solidarity with poor countries, ... the struggle against hunger in the world, the promotion of the dignity of human work, service to the culture of life, the building of peace between peoples, inter-religious dialogue, and the correct use of the social communications media.
"These are challenges to which you are called to respond in order to build a more just and fraternal world; challenges that call for an exacting and passionate life plan, into which to pour all your richness according to the design that God has for each one of you".
"In this Year for Priests, I invite you to study the lives of the saints, especially those of saintly priests. You will see that God guided them and that they found their path day after day, in faith, hope and love. Christ calls each of you to commit yourselves, with Him, and to assume your responsibilities to build a civilisation of love".
MESS/WORLD YOUTH DAY/... VIS 100316 (1270)