New Year ... new mottoes ...

So, we have put our family under the patronage of the Holy Family for 2011 (yes, we need all the help we can get).  The cool thing?  We rec'd a gorgeous Holy Family picture from dear friend and graphic artist, Maura Harrison, and our Pastor gave us a copy of the following Prayer for Family ...

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The family word for the year is:

Charity

and not in the contemporary sense of the word where we give stuff to the poor, or serve in a soup kitchen, or visit the home-bound (altho those may all be things we'll do this year).

Here's the definition of Charity that we'll be working on in 2011:

Charity is the theological virtue by which we love God above all things for His own sake, and our neighbor as ourselves for the love of God.

(CCC #1822)

Yes, that WILL BE our first copywork assignment once we start school back up!

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My word for 2011 is

OBEDIENCE

or rather DOCILITY to the Will of God

and it's funny that today (Jan 4th) is the feast of St. Elizabeth Ann Seton as she has a great quote about obedience (and one that I might just have to memorize ... or tattoo on my arm ... or post on my laptop!):

The first end I propose in our daily work is to do the will of God;
secondly, to do it in the manner he wills it;
and thirdly to do it because it is his will.

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Today at Mass, Father gave a great sermon about St. Elizabeth and used this quote. I loved his explanation: not only do we need to decide that DOING God's will is a good thing, but we also need to joyously and willingly DO God's will, and, further, we need to not worry about why God wants us to be in a certain place at a certain time, but to accept that it's God's will and, in the words of Nike ... JUST DO IT! 

Since I'm one of those people who likes to over-analyze and second guess WHY, this third point is particularly important for me to remember.

Thank you, St. Elizabeth Ann Seton!

Prayers for a healthy, holy and happy 2011 for one and all ... and by the way, we'll be making Colonial Brown Bread in honor of St. Elizabeth Ann for dinner tonight ... 
UPDATED:  this brown bread recipe was deemed the BEST bread I've ever made ... and since it's yeast-less and dummy-proof, looks like I'm going to have to start stocking buttermilk!

Review: The Virtues by Pope Benedict XVI

First, let me just say that I love Pope Benedict's writings.   They seem so much more accessible than the amazing writings of JPtheGreat (of whom I am an ENORMOUS fan and actually met one day in Rome!).  Pope Benedict, who is a career academician really knows how to write to his audience.  I was thrilled when Catholic Company had The Virtues as a reviewable item -- I quickly requested that one and here's my review:

The Virtues is an edited compilation of Pope Benedict's writings that mention the seven virtues of faith, hope, charity (love), prudence, justice, fortitude, temperance.  This is a great meditation book ... a book I'd pull out daily to read a snippet, spending almost a month (there is an average of 20 quotes per virtue) on each virtue. 

The quote include excerpts from Pope Benedict's encyclicals, homilies, specific-themed talks, and other chances he has had to teach the faithful about these virtues.

The first section of the book covers the theological virtues of faith, hope and charity:  first with a definition (from the Catholic Catechism) of each and then with their own quotes from Benedict's writings.  The theological virtues are those that are enfused from God -- the virtues that you will not see in the animal kingdom but only within the human species.  Then, the book moves on to the cardinal virtues (those that are "natural" virtues whether or not you believe in God): prudence, justice, fortitude, temperance -- again with an overview definition from the Catechism, but then moving on to specifics as mentioned in Pope Benedict's writings/talks.

This is a treasure trove of teachable moments for all who are trying to teach the Catholic Faith -- whether you're a mom/dad, a homeschooler or a Catholic school teacher, this book is for you!  We chose the virtue of charity/love as our theme for 2011 and this book fits perfectly into my need to teach/explain this theological virtue to my own kids!  This really is a wonderful meditative book, not heavy, but very attainable, that discusses these seven virtues ... definitely a book that will be well-used, well-read in our house!

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Disclaimer:  This review was written as part of the Catholic book reviewer program from The Catholic Company. Visit The Catholic Company to find more information on The Virtues . They are also a great source for serenity prayer and baptism gifts.
 

Motto: our new mottos for 2010

This will be our motto for 2010 ... the kids will be using this motto for copywork and memory work.  They'll be learning this quote from Philippians that sums up both our reason for prayers and all about which we should be thinking and learning.  The "sign" in the graphic above is a Christmas decoration which we will keep hanging in our dining room all year ... to remind us of the joy and love of the Christmas season throughout the darkness of Lent and the Passion! 

This is my personal motto for 2010 ... from St. Therese's "little way" as described in Story of a Soul.  I know that if all I choose is what God wills, than all will be well and I will be at peace ... even in the midst of controversy and turmoil!

Blessings to you all and prayers for a holy, healthy and happy 2010 .... from all of us here at Hillside Farm!

Motto: our new motto for 2010

This is our motto for 2010 ... taken from the readings on the 3rd Sunday of Advent (Gaudete Sunday ... or Rose Sunday).... here's the full scripture quote that the kids will be learning and, God-willing, taking to heart this year of 2010:

Rejoice in the Lord always. I shall say it again: rejoice! Your kindness should be known to all. The Lord is near. Have no anxiety at all, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, make your requests known to God. Then the peace of God that surpasses all understanding will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus. Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is gracious, if there is any excellence and if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things. Keep on doing what you have learned and received and heard and seen in me. Then the God of peace will be with you.


Philippians4:4-9

Each line of this particular scripture reading tells so much about our Catholic faith!  You'll be reading more about this as 2010 blossoms ....

Homeschool: motto for 2009-10 year

Many of my IRL and online home-educating friends choose an annual motto that will shape their school year, something pithy that helps frame what they will accomplish beyond the texts, field trips and projects.

I was going to use a the motto John XXIII used throughout his life, using it as his episcopal motto: "obedience and peace".

But then I came across this quote from St. Josemaria Escriva (founder of Opus Dei):

Don't say: 'That person gets on my nerves.' Think: 'That person sanctifies me.'

-- St. Josemaria Escriva, The Way, #174

The motto that I'm having tattooed on my arm (so I NEVER forget this one) is:

Encourage and teach with patience. (2Tim 4:2)

This quote is one that Bishop Loverde (Diocese of Arlington, VA) has used for many years ... and he lives by it everytime I see him.

Aren't those quotes both just perfect for mulling over throughout this next school year?

I will be creating ways to make the first quote really resonate with the kiddoes over the next few weeks, particularly as we get into outside activities that bring them into contact with others who may not think or act the way we want them to act. But, I think this quote is applicable within our home too ... if not more so ... and the second one is something that I always need to remember.

I'll keep you posted as to what we do with these!