On Good Friday

I wanted to post a few pictures of the Living Stations of the Cross that Emily and Zachary participated in last Friday. They were very moving. We are lucky to have a wonderful woman as part of our homeschool group who directs these stations each year. She is fantastic in her ability to work with the kids and she is an excellent director. The children who participated were from the Our Lady of Perpetual Help homeschool group and St. John Neumann school.

 

Each station began with a scripture reading. This was followed by instrumental music while the participants prayerfully acted out the scene. When the music stopped, the actors froze while a prayer was read by the congregation and another by the narrator.

 

The kids met every week for 5 weeks to prepare. Emily was St. Batholomew and one of the women of Jerusalem. Zachary was very privileged to be chosen to portray Jesus.

 

Jesus falls the first time

Jesus meets his mother

Jesus is nailed to the cross

 

We adore you, O Christ, and we bless you,

because by your holy cross you have redeemed the world.

For Dexter

Dex, just so you know...

 

 

 

coffee cake just isn't the same without you.

Missing in Action

And I do mean action! Sorry I've been gone for awhile, but hey, life has been B.U.S.Y.

I've had a new pope to meet and greet (virtually, of course), children to teach the conclave process to, a homeschool conference to attend in Nashville, a brother to visit with, and family from North Carolina to catch up with. Those are just the extras people:)

The whole conclave process had me captivated. Beth and I decided to have pope week and did a unit study on the Primacy of Peter, and the Papal election process with our kids. It was lots of fun, very informative, and the kids were all so excited to see white smoke and know what that meant.

 

Working on lapbooks

 

 

 

 

 

 

We made Blessed John Paul II puppets. I had no idea what a hit they would be!

 

Reading a story about Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI

(note the JPII puppets)

 

Baking "keys to the kingdom" bread

 

 

 

When I saw the white smoke, I almost broke my neck running upstairs to announce the news. I don't have a picture of that:)

 

Watching and waiting...such excitement!

 

 

We were at Beth's house over the weekend and I overheard Danny telling one of his new friends, "We have a new pope! Did you know that? His name is Pope Francis." Just another conversation in the life of a three year old.

 

 

Last weekend my brother, Casey, came up from Florida for a visit. We all loved seeing him and will get to see him again in May for his birthday.

While Case was here my Uncle John, Aunt Barb, and cousin Julie came over from North Carolina. Julie was the flower girl in our wedding. I have not seen her since 2000, when our grandma died. Well, she's all growed up now;) She brought her two darling little boys with her and we had such a fantastic visit. I must admit, it is really wonderful being so close to family. I have missed out for the past 20 years.

 

 

 In other earth shattering news, The Hobbit became available on DVD Tuesday. We spent the past two evenings being absorbed in Middle Earth. I can't stand waiting until the next movie to see what happens...oh, wait, I could read the book...(I will - it's on my nightstand) Speaking of books, if you haven't you should read Bilbo's Journey by Professor Joseph Pierce. In it he discusses the Christian/Catholic themes that Tolkien wove into the story, really great!

 

I could have written a separate post for each event, but I knew I never would, so, you are getting the "quick takes" version.

 

 

 

Salve et Deo Gratias - Francis!

Hello Holy Father! It's so wonderful to meet you!

 

We love you already, you will always be in our prayers!

Our Father...

Hail Mary...

Glory Be...

Good Bye

Just tears, no words

That's my man!

So, just have to say that Scott did a great job with his interview at the airport yesterday.
What do you think?

http://www.wate.com/story/21360537/knoxvilles-cardinal-rigali-heads-to-rome-to-select-next-pope#.US1IU09f8Dk.email?autoStart=true&topVideoCatNo=default&clipId=8499855

Sorry I can't put the video in the post. I don't know how to do that yet. (I'm open to tutoring)
I think it might add to the anticipation though.

"Live" blogging the Cardinal's send-off

11:05 We are leaving home headed for the airport. All of us are excited.

11:20 Arrive and park. You just can't believe how awesomely small this airport is.

11:25 Arrive in terminal, meet up with Jeff,  and unroll our poster. A very nice gentleman gives us the rundown on what will be happening and directs us over near the ticket counter.

11:27 Realize that I left the memory card for the camera in the computer at home because I just HAD to put previous picture up before we left. Frowny-face.

11:30 Get ourselves in a prime spot to cheer and wave. Excitement builds as more people are arriving and more news crews and reporters (!).

11:35 Beth and kids arrive to join the celebration. Waiting and watching continues.

11:45 Cardinal Rigali's car pulls in front of the terminal. Lots of excitement and cheering.
He enters the building and greets the crowd warmly. Stops to talk with Knox Catholic HS students.
Greets others, then comes to talk to us. He was sure to talk with and bless each one of the children. So wonderful!

11:50 While the Cardinal is checking in at the ticket counter, we move down the terminal to join the others already lining the walkway.

12:00 Here he comes. Everyone is clapping. He greets, speaks with, shakes hands with those who have come to send him off and comments on how great it is to have all these prayers going with him.
He stops to talk to the kids again.

12:15 Cardinal gets to the security line and gives a farewell wave. Crowd cheers and claps again.
The news crews are busy filming, interviewing, taking pictures. Scott gets pulled aside by Channel 6 news and interviewed. He rocked it. (Plus he looked great:) We will have to wait and see what they put on the news.

12:25 Mom calls Dad. He tells her he saw us on the noon news.

1:15 It's over. I can't believe it. He is on his way and we feel like we are part of it all! We just got home and I am still shaking with excitement.

I guess I'll have to post pictures later. I am hoping that I can get some emailed to me.

In the meantime see if you  recognize any of these people:)  (click on blue words)

UPDATE: pictures coming in, but this is from the news...check out pictures in article...