Contributed by Jeanyne Slettom Copyright: This liturgy was written by Jeanyne Slettom, Ph.D. and is made available through Process & Faith, a program of the Center for Process Studies. Used by permission. This liturgy was written to reflect a process-relational theology. [Note: The correct number of candles will need to be…

Die 5. bundesweite Godly-Play-Vernetzungstagung fand 9.-11. März in Würzburg beim schönen Haus Klara statt. 70 Erzähler und Erzählerinnen reisten hin, um zusammen auszutauschen und sich weiterzubilden. The 5th biennial Godly Play Germany Conference took place March 9-11 at the lovely Haus Clara in Würzburg, Germany with 70 storytellers from all over the country. Haus Klara in Würzburg Unser Thema dieses Jahr war "Kreativ- und Freispiel fördern und begleiten. Bedeutung und Chancen der Freiarbeit in der Montessoripädagogik und bei Gott im Spiel". ("Gott im Spiel" ist die Weiterentwicklung von Godly Play im deutschsprachigen Raum.) Obwohl die Kreativphase ein sehr wichtiger Element in der Godly-Play-Struktur ist, verbringt man meistens weniger Zeit damit bei Kursen und Fortbildungen. Außerdem haben Erzähler und Begleiter selten die Möglichkeit bei einer Kreativphase mitzumachen, da wir fast immer die leitenden Erwachsenen im eigenen Umfeld sind. Deswegen haben wir uns darauf gefreut, zusammen zu spielen, selbst kreativ zu sein und neue Impulse für die eigene Praxis zu kriegen. Our theme this year was "Response Time: Support and Encouragement of the Godly Play Process in the Montessori Tradition". Although the Response Time is an important element in the Godly Play concept, it gets much less "air time" at trainings than the mechanics of telling a story. Furthermore, most GP practitioners don't have very many opportunities to participate in Response Time themselves, since they are usually leading the lessons. So we were all very excited to get a chance to play together, be creative and get some new ideas for our own practice. Unser Abend begann mit 4 "Material-Geschichten", die aus einer Mischung von GP-Geschichten und klassischen Montessoripräsentationen bestand. Our evening started with 4 "stories" about the response materials themselves, sort of a cross between a GP story and a classic Montessori presentation: - Filzen / felting - Drei-in-eins Woody Stifte / three-in-one crayons - Pastelkreide / chalk pastels - Wortwerkstatt / playing with words Ich besuchte das Workshop über Filz. Da erzählte Christiane eine Material-Geschichte über Wolle und Filzen. Sie zeigte uns eine Technik, um mit einem Nadel trocken zu filzen. In der Kreativphase danach haben wir alle die Technik ausprobiert. I attended the workshop on felting, where Christiane began with a story about felt, and showed us a technique for dry felting with needles. In the Response Time, we all joined in. Meine Kunstwerk: eine irische Dreieinigkeitsknote. My handiwork: a Celtic trinity knot. Zunächst gab es noch eine "Geschichte" über die neu veröffentlichten Bücher von Godly Play deutsch e.V. Afterwards, we came together again for another "story" about the new books that Godly Play Germany has published this year. Unten kann man Ulrike beim erzählen sehen. Han Jürgen malt einen Baum (ein bisschen wie beim Senfkorn!), um die Entwicklung von den Bücher darzustellen. Die Bibel liegt nahe den Wurzeln, dann "blühen" die Bücher von Jerome Berryman, und oben wachsen die neuen Bücher von Gott im Spiel, die Weiterentwicklung von Godly Play im deutschsprachigem Raum. (Mehr folgt über die Bücher in einer anderen Post!) Below you can see Ulrike telling the story of how the books came to be, and Hans Jürgen painting a tree (much like the Mustard Seed!), show the development of our GP literature in German. The base of the tree is the Bible, followed by Jerome Berryman's original works, and then the latest books that have developed out of the German-speaking expression of Godly Play called "Gott im Spiel". (More on these books in a separate post!)

I'm spreading cheer and sharing ideas ... follow my family through the seasons of the year.

Lent is a time of reflection and renewed faith as we focus on the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ. Use these Lent prayers as you take time to sacrifice in order to clear distractions and recommit your life to Jesus.

I'm spreading cheer and sharing ideas ... follow my family through the seasons of the year.

Organizing and holiding a candlelight vigil is a great memorial idea to honor a loved one. Here are some candlelight vigil ideas to consider.

Explore dolceluxury's 12060 photos on Flickr!

Mailbag Question! Q: I’ve heard people talk about Advent and Lent both being seasons of penance during the liturgical year. Can you help me understand how to explain the differences in the seasons to my family, and how to observe them in the home? A: Ooh, good question! As I was first starting out on […]

How do you define French Country decorating? Personally, it is one of my absolute favorite styles. It embodies grace, charm, and simple elegance. The French Country style is warm and welcoming and is inspired by the ambiance of the amazing Provence landscape. This style brings the colors, textures and freshness of the French countryside into your home. The look is romantic and charming, using old and worn elements combined with an air of down to-earth comfort for a look of casual elegance. It is simple and fun to mix antiques and flea market finds and new items to create a decidedly country French aesthetic. French decorating is possible at any budget. The warm, inviting space of your French country home is just right for relaxed, comfortable times with friends and family. And when you close your eyes, you may even imagine a sunny French vineyard stretching out just beyond your window. google.com Simple, graceful lines are a prominent feature of French country furniture. These furniture choices will give your living room an old world French country charm. trouver.files.wor.. . French Country decorating truly has no set rules...just a few guidelines. It is all about textured walls, informal wood tones, weathered patinas, and distressed painted furniture. A great craft idea that will add some bling to your French Country home. This style can be accessorized with a subtle amount of crystal, (especially chandeliers) and tidbits of glam. Just be very careful, this must be handled with finesse. Remember, French Country interior design is pastoral in nature! Aren't these babies adorable? google.com For a genuine French country atmosphere, choose living room floors with an old, rustic and informal look. See the different textures here. Very important. You just can't paint everything white and expect a true French Country look for you home. The French village where Joan of Arc met with the Dauphin. ana-rosa.tumblr.com Beautiful textures from marble to fabric. Look at how there are 7 elements of texture in the one picture in the middle. This is how you have to THINK when decorating in all white to keep your interiors from becoming too FLAT! Texture from floor to ceiling. Fabulous! A bicycle with lace decorated wheels....why not!! Just remember with French Country lace has to be used sparingly. Fru Fru and country don't mix. The best lace to use is a heavier tatted lace. Nothing TOO delicate! Beautiful cream exteriors. Notice how they are not all the same color. Remember to not paint your interiors all one color white. It is the mix of whites that give interest to French Country! The mix of colors give the kind of texture that is needed in a monochromatic color scheme. Flowers and metal, always gets a thumbs up! Don't forget to accessorize....it makes the home! axel-vervoordt.com The French embrace the “hearth and home” lifestyle, and it reflects their love of life. If this is the style you wish to achieve, you will have to be a treasure hunter. You will have to be willing to go to flea markets, antique shops, and garage sales. But I promise, the hunt is half the fun! French Country decor must haves! Pretty linens! lovefrenchbulldogs.tumblr.com Baskets of flowers! lovefrenchbulldogs.tumblr.com French milled soaps! eclecticrevisited.c... As with French country fabrics, mixing and matching furniture is the norm for this decorating style. miresparis.com Distressed wood is a must for a French Provence style decor. oncedailychic.blogspot.com google.com Do you find white boring? Think again!

Advent by Candlelight and Lent by Candlelight

Resources for planning and leading worship

Any wedding that involves wine and cheesecake is alright by me. Wine, cheese, love and beautiful photographs by Carmen Santorelli is NOT a bad day at work. And this beauty is a shining example of ...

"I’m participating in the Keeping LOVE in LENT Blog Link-Up 2013, hosted by Raising (& Teaching) Little Saints, Truly Rich Mom and Arma Dei: Equipping Catholic Families. We'll be sharing different ways, tips, stories and real-life experiences that will help us focus on Lenten sacrifices, prayer and good deeds, and how to carry them out with LOVE instead of a GRUMBLE. Please scroll down to the end of the post to see the list of link-up entries.” ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ How beautiful it is to give up this life for the life! ~ St. JoseMaria Escriva Let's just go ahead and admit it - nobody likes Lent. Just say the word Lent out loud and you'll find that it is almost always followed by a sigh of discomfort. Kind of like the word exercise to those who hate to sweat or babysit to those who find children annoying. For me, Lent always conjures up flashbacks of my childhood. No sweets, no TV, no anything fun. Just church, lots of church, ashes on the forehead, and weird fish dishes, and quiet and gloom. All my siblings and I could do is countdown to Easter Sunday. (My parents were great teachers and always set a very pious example for me. I was, most likely, focused on other, less important things as a child.) Despite all of the negativity attached to Lent, it really does have a deep and beautiful purpose. It's not just a season in the church's liturgical calendar that you have to "get through" in order to have chocolate again. The Christian isn't forced to do any of these things - giving up meat, fasting, mortifications, ashes on the forehead. The church doesn't hold a hammer over our head and say, "Do it, or else." Participating in the sacrificial preparations for Easter are intended to be freeing, not binding. I am deeply humbled by the truth that Christ willingly died for us, for our sins. He gave himself up to be crucified. The power of perfect sacrifice is ever stronger than that which He could have exuded if he had chosen to wield His power over everyone and every situation. In the same way, God doesn't control us, he has given each of us a free will, and it is through our willingness to unite our sacrifices to Christ, no matter how big or small, that we participate in His life, death and resurrection. In my mind, there is but one purposes to the Lenten season: Unity with Christ. This season of contemplation, examination and preparation wakes up the soul, and invigorates our fervor as Christians to walk with Christ and to desire Heaven more deeply. Experiencing Lent as a family can be challenging. We are all busy with activities, school, sports, meetings and appointments. But, coming together for any amount of time each day can bear beautiful fruit in your family. Need a few ideas? Here is our list of favorites: 1. A couple of years ago, I found this idea for a crown of thorns made out of salt dough. Toothpicks are placed in the dough to represent the thorns. When the children do an act of sacrifice or a good deed, they can take out one toothpick and place it in the "thorn" jar that is kept in the center of the crown. 2. The crown of thorns is a painful and sometimes difficult image (especially for little ones) to grasp. Here is an extended lesson to the crown of thorns project that will help children see that Christ's crown of suffering was bore out of a deep love that led Him to an eternal crown, a glorified crown, a heavenly crown: For every toothpick they remove from the thorny crown, allow them to place a jewel into the "jewel" jar. Then, on Easter, the children can use the jewels to decorate a beautiful crown for Jesus. You can find a king's crown printable template here. Print it out on quality card stock and cut them out ahead of time so that they are ready for the children to decorate on Easter. 3. Choose a story to read aloud together. This doesn't necessarily have to be a Catholic/Christian book. Perhaps it could be one where the characters demonstrate heroic virtue by way of sacrifice. Our older kids (3rd grade and up) have really enjoyed Redwall by Brian Jacques. There are also many short stories in the Children's Book of Virtues. We like to keep a book basket in our living area during special seasons in the church. This is very handy if you are giving up television/video games during Lent. 4. Consider adopting a child that you can support as a family with financial resources, prayers and letters. Sometimes being mindful of the needs and sufferings of others can put our own struggles into perspective. We have adopted two boys, Patrick and Juan Diego, through CFCA. You can find more information here. 5. Pray together. I know it seems so simple, but often the greatest sacrifice that we can make on a weekly basis is the sacrifice of our time. Praying with your children, even for a short amount of time each day, is unifying for the family. Maybe you will learn a new prayer, or perhaps choose a bible verse that you would like to memorize together. 6. Pick a service project to do together. Consider shoveling snow for a neighbor, volunteering at the local food bank or soup kitchen, visiting the elderly, or delivering a meal to someone home-bound. Let the kids help decide what you will do. If you are giving up Saturday morning cartoons or a day of shopping at the mall for Lent, it helps to put something sacrificial in it's place, or else you might find yourself looking for another source of comfort or entertainment to replace whatever it is that you gave up. 7. To build upon the idea of growing in the virtue of generosity, now is a great time to introduce your children to the beauty of almsgiving, an act of religious virtue where one offers help in some way to the poor, above and beyond their weekly tithe. 8. Get to know Christ through the Word. For families on the go, an easy way to do this is to listen to an audio version of the daily readings. You can find them here (just click on audio version and select the corresponding date). 9. The Stations of the Cross is a traditional form of prayer that Catholics often pray together on Fridays at their local parish. If you find it difficult to make the trip to church, you can still pray this beautiful prayer as a family at home. I found this amazing idea from Joyfilled Family. They use candles with a printable picture to mark each station. Our family truly looks forward to lighting the candles and praying these beautiful prayers during Lent. {Photo/Project Credit} 10. If you have little ones in the home, crafts can sometimes be a perfect way to make something as difficult as the mystery of Christ's suffering, death and resurrection simpler for them to take part in. I love the website Catholic Icing. There are oodles of great ideas there! 11. We are all, by our natures, comfort seeking creatures. That part of our nature is in some cases necessary for survival. So, encouraging children to embrace the idea of sacrificial giving isn't easy. I decided this year to offer the boys a way of seeing their sacrifices "bloom" into something beautiful. Because, as Christians, we believe that each person's personal sacrifices have merit, and when offered to Christ, He will give our sacrifices life. To begin the activity, I created this quote: These tiny seeds lie deep asleep. But, when planted in the soil of sacrifice, they will awake and bloom as resurrected flowers of love! Below the quote, I scattered a few illustrated seeds that the boys can cut out. Each time during the week that a child offers some small sacrifice, he/she can cut out a seed and put it in their specific pot. About half-way through Lent, have the child count his/her seeds and replace them with real seeds. Those seeds will then be planted in their pot and cared for throughout the remainder of Lent. By Easter, the plants should be sprouted and can then be enjoyed indoors or transplanted outside when the weather warms up. We chose Morning Glories, because they are symbolic of the Resurrection. To encourage the little ones with this project, it might be helpful to create a list of sacrifices that they can choose from. They can even help you make the list. Some of ours include: - Picking up toys for a sibling. - Making bed without being asked. - Give up playing with a toy or game so that another may use it. - Clean up room without being asked. - Serve another family member at supper time. - Pray for a family member. {Photo Link} 12. Have each child select a quiet space that he/she can go to every day for twenty minutes in the home to have quiet time with Our Lord. Older ones may read the bible, recite their favorite prayers, journal or simply be still and listen. For little ones (3-6 years old) they might just read or look at story books about Jesus or their Children's Bible, or color pictures for Jesus. Need some story ideas? Check out this list. Another resource is Holy Heroes. These are fantastic audio stories of saints. A coloring book can be purchased to accompany the stories. Our kids love these, and often listen to them in the afternoon during my personal prayer time. 13. If your kids are giving up something such as toys and video games for Lent, make a sacrifice box. Also, help them to think beyond just giving something up. Sometimes adding a task or offering to their daily routine can also be sacrificial. For example, picking up their room without being asked, saying a prayer each day for someone in the family, doing a chore for someone else, etc. Also, giving up something, doesn't just have to mean something physical. How about giving up a bad habit such a whining, complaining, name calling, a negative attitude, not responding promptly to parents etc.? 14. We all love to countdown to exciting and joyful events. Make a calendar for your children and hang it on the fridge. I like this one from Catholic Icing: The pretzel is symbolic of fasting during Lent 15. Finally, since I haven't yet mentioned anything about giving up candy, pop, or other special treats for Lent, I will say that these types of fasting are always a good idea. May I suggest doing it together as a family (our family gives up sweets)? And, if the children want to partake in more of their own "giving up" sacrifices, do not discourage them! To help the kids get through those long 40 days of no sweets or treats, remind them that the church does not discourage celebrating feasts of distinction during Lent, such as St. Joseph's feast day (March 19), or St. Patrick's feast day (March 17). It is appropriate to enjoy special foods on these days, and your kiddos will enjoy having those feasts to look forward to, and perhaps even help plan and prepare for! How does your family celebrate Lent? Do you have any special traditions or memories from your childhood? Please share in the comments!! Check out the Lent reflections participating in the Keep LOVE in LENT Blog Link-Up 2013! We'll be sharing different ways, tips, stories and real-life experiences that will help us focus on Lenten sacrifices, prayer and good deeds, and how to carry them out with LOVE instead of a GRUMBLE. Discover new Catholic blogs to follow! Equipping CatholicFamilies: Keep LOVE in LENT Call Her Happy:40 Simple Lenten Activities for Kids Lenten Love: Little Acts of Love Building Rocks Grow the Roses: Keep Love in Lent Family At The Foot Of The Cross: Loving Service Catholic Homeschooling Joy: A Lenten Activity JOY:Keep the Love in Lent Twenty Tuesday Afternoons: Tuesday # 11: Pancake Tuesday / Keeping Love in Lent Campfires and Cleats: Why a Failing Lent Really Isn't Harrington Harmonies: Make a Lenten Holy Hour A Mommy of Three:Good Deeds for Lent Loving the Semi Country Life: Lent:special time to reflect and keep the love in lent Written By the Finger of God: A 7 Step Lenten Plan Mommy Bares All: Giving Up and Making Space for Love this Lent The Irish Lassie Shop: Seek God Everywhere Hand-Maid with Love: Living Lent, Loving Lent Words On Heaven: IN THE DESERT FOR 40 DAYS On The Way Home: Keeping LOVE in Lent Homeschooling with Joy: Keep Love in Lent Mountain Grace: Keep Love in Lent Eyes On Heaven: I am Choosing to Live Joy Alive in Our Hearts:"God's Love at Work" Life of Fortunate Chances: Love is Fun: Keeping Love in Lent Fifth of Five: Keep the LOVE in Lent I Blog Jesus: for Praying our Loud! Overflow: Loving Lent with Little Ones This Cross I Embrace: Keep LOVE In Lent Sole Searching Mamma: 15 Ways to Experience a More Meaningful Lent Catholic All Year: My Biggest Lent Fails and How I Learned Mortification... Four Little Ones: Keeping Love in Lent Gaels Crafty Treasures Keeping Love in Lent Bear Wrongs Patiently: Lent for the Scrupulous Rosary Mom: Keeping Love in Lent LoveLetters 7.10: Teacups {Keeping the Love in Lent} Little Saints in the Making: Keep Love in Lent Blessed with Full Hands: Keeping love in Lent- Praise Him Normal Chaos: Our Own Personalized Lenten Journey These Little Blessings: Gifting Love this Lent The Cajun Catholic: The our Father; a lenten reflection Truly Rich Mom: Keeping Love in Lent... Even When It Is Difficult GATHERING GRACES:Keeping LOVE in LENT SaIsa Pang Sulyap - Fullness Of His Love LiturgicalTime: Keeping Love in Lent - Finding Balance Grace Loves Iggy: love in lent Sacred Oysters: Empty (Keeping LOVE in LENT) Tercets:Make Heart Rosary Decades to Pray for Others The Diary of a Sower: Our Lenten Prayer Tree A Living Garden -- Giving for Others with Love: Keeping LOVE in LENT Homegrown Catholics: Motivated by my childrens' activities {Lent} MyBroken Fiat: Keeping Love in Lent... Barely Journey to Wisdom: Keeping Love in Lent: Bands of Love Softening My Heart: An Anniversary Lesson duringLent

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Lent is a penitential season that lasts for 40 days! In all my experience with kids, they love counting down the days to a special time, and today, I wanted to share with you some

A step-by-step guide for creating your own Pascha or Easter candle. The Pascha candle symbolizes Christ’s triumph over death and His Divine light going out into the world.

Ideas for how to decorate your family's feast table during Lent. Also great lists of other Lent planning resources: booklists, sacrificing, and activities.

​ ...revised and updated from last year ! 10 Questions to Ask Yourself: 1. When I wake up on Resurrection Sunday morning, how will I be different ? 2. Is there a habit or sin in my life that repeatedly gets in the way of loving God with my whole heart or loving my neighbor

​No holiday in Greece can surpass Easter. The greatest religious celebration of the year offers a nice opportunity to experience its long-established

I love having a home altar in our house and switching it up for the liturgical seasons. Lent is one of my favorite seasons to observe in the home, and I love putting together a

Simple ways to decorate and observe Lent in the Catholic home including ways to encourage your family to sacrifice, pray, and give alms!

Guest blogger Maggie, of She Pens Truth, shares 2 faith focused Easter traditions that you and your family will love!

Beautiful Eximious Lilium Easter candle offered by McKay Church Goods. These are all made to order with the finest beeswax.

This Lenten calendar is an amazing way to count down the days of Lent with even the smallest children! They can see the 40 days pass by and see Easter approaching! The whole thing fits

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