We had lovely Thanksgiving celebrations with both sides of the family last Thursday and Friday. Great food, great fun, but even more importantly, a great family to celebrate with and thank God for!! Have I shared how blessed we are to have both sets of parents, all siblings, and all our nieces and nephews within 15 minutes from us?? Then on Saturday, our sweet Melody was able to attend a Handmaiden Retreat with the Apostolic Sisters of St. John! Wow - again, how blessed we are to have such a beautiful community of Religious so close! Then, to end the weekend on the best possible note, Ariel was able to receive Jesus for the very first time. And to double the fun and blessing, her cousin was able to celebrate and receive her First Holy Communion at the same time!
Our two oldest boys, Fone and Mario, served at Mass, with their cousin and it was the first time their cousin served at our church and the first (of many!) that all 3 boys served together. I was one proud momma, although I was a tad nervous that those boys would be a bit comfortable up on the altar and goof off. They were perfect though!! :)
Here are some more pictures after the First Holy Communion and the party we had...
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| I remembered that we had to make a banner less than a week before her FHC. A quick trip to Hobby Lobby and using some patterns and ideas online - viola!! It turned out lovely - Ariel did a great job!!! (we will no longer be buying the banner kits, as this was easy peasy and allowed for more freedom) |
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| the whole crew |
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| Ariel and Father Paul |
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| Ariel and her Godmother |
"What
has passed our lips as food, O Lord, may we possess in purity of heart, that
what is given to us in time, be our healing for eternity. May Your Body, O
Lord, which I have eaten, and Your Blood which I have drunk, cleave to my very
soul, and grant that no trace of sin
be found in me, whom these pure and holy mysteries have renewed. Who live and
reign, world without end. Amen. We humbly beseech You, almighty god, to grant
that those whom You refresh with Your sacraments, may serve you worthily by a life
well pleasing to You. Through our Lord
Jesus Christ, Your Son,
Who lives and reigns, world without end. Amen."
(found here)