This month I'd like to share with you three different thoughts that are somewhat connected in that they all share the  theme of Love as they all show sharing and caring.

*   Building a Happy Family

*  Thanksgiving

*  Thinking of our Dear Departed Ones

Here is a story from :

101 INSPIRATIONAL STORIES OF THE PRIESTHOOD - Sr. Patricia Proctor, O.S.C.

It is truly inspirational...

>Building a Happy Family

Father Gilbert was a Franciscan priest from a nearby monastery who helped at our parish on weekends. One Sunday (I believe it was the Feast of the Holy Family), he preached an inspiring sermon about bringing families closer together. He encouraged us to build happy, holy families by loving and forgiving those with whom we live, and to do delightful little things for them. Then, as he ended, Father Gilbert said, "To make a home, always remember- Happiness of Others before ME!" The words of this holy priest made a lasting impression on me as a teenager.

Elizabeth G. O'Connell in Catonsville, Maryland

>Throughout history mankind has celebrated the bountiful harvest with THANKSGIVING ceremonies.

Find out how different people have Thanksgiving ceremonies throughout the ages and throughout the world.  Here are a few links you can check out to get to know more about this holiday feast.  Enjoy the read, have fun with games and crafts and make sure you check out the recipe site:

http://www.holidays.net/thanksgiving/

http://www.kidsdomain.com/holiday/thanks/

http://thanksgiving.allrecipes.com/

A Thanksgiving Prayer

T	hank you Father for the blessings you've given this day.
H	elp us to remember, Thou has shown us the way.
A	nd give us strength to help those in need.
N	ever letting us forget, Thy merciful deeds.
K	eep us in Thy tender loving care.
S	ave us, O Lord, when we are in despair!
G	ive us grace as we walk through life.
I	nspire us to seek our brothers amid the strife.
V	ictory in Thee will be our guiding star.
I	n courage we march not caring how far.
N	ow we ask for the most important thing.
G	rant us salvation to escape death's sting.
Copyright by Jim Smith

 

 

 

Our Dear Departed Ones

November is the month when families fondly remember our dear departed ones.  All Soul's Day (sometimes called the "Day of the Dead") is always November 2 (November 3rd if the 2nd falls on a Sunday).

All Soul's Day is a Roman Catholic day of remembrance for friends and loved ones who have passed away. This comes from the ancient Pagan Festival of the Dead, which celebrated the Pagan belief that the souls of the dead would return for a meal with the family. Candles in the window would guide the souls back home, and another place was set at the table. Children would come through the village, asking for food to be offered symbolically to the dead, then donated to feed the hungry.

 

I have just had Alma, one of my cyber friends share this poem her husband wrote for his Dad...thought I'd share it with you here.

I WISH I COULD BE THERE

I wish I could be there when the Lord calls Dad from this world
And leads him through those Heavenly Gates of purest pearl,
I wish I could be there to hear the savior say "Well Done"
You fought the good fight and kept the faith my good and faithful son.

I wish I could be there when he sees his dad
And is embraced by the mother he lost when but a lad,
I wish I could be there to see the gleam in his eye
When the Lord shows him his mansion in the sky.

I wish I could be there when he walks those streets of gold
And is presented all his treasures, the measure is untold.
I wish I could be there when the angels gather round
To see all the stars placed in my daddy's crown.

I wish I could be there to hear him sing songs of praise
Just the way I remember him singing in my younger days
Worshipping the Lord with a voice strong and clear
Never again to break with the passing of the years.

Jerry H. Smith © 1995
 

There are many traditions and ways in which people all around the world celebrate and honour this feast, among them are customs that are very old and have been passed on from generation to generation.

In Italy, the sine qua non of All Souls' celebrations is a cookie called "Ossi di Morto," or "Bones of the Dead":    Here is the recipe...they are delicious!

Ossi di Morto

1 1/4 cups flour
10 oz almonds
1/2 cup sugar
1 oz pine nuts
1 TBSP butter
A shot glass full of brandy or grappa
The grated zest of half a lemon
Cinnamon
One egg and one egg white, lightly beaten

Blanch the almonds, peel them, and chop them finely (you can do this in a blender, but be careful not to over-chop and liquefy).

Combine all the ingredients except the egg in a bowl, mixing them with a spoon until you have a firm dough. Dust your hands and work surface with flour, and roll the dough out between your palms to make a "snake" about a half inch thick. Cut it into two-inch long pieces on the diagonal. Put on greased and floured cookie sheet, brush with the beaten egg, and bake them in a 330-350 oven for about 20 minutes. Serve them cold. Because they are a dry, hard cookie, it is good to serve these with something to drink.

This must have been the longest THOUGHTS page of the year on my website.  Well at least it makes up for my not writing one last month.  God bless you all.

 

THANKS FOR VISITING MY WEBSITE

Come back soon!