JoAnne's Family Traditions

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Location: Western, New York, United States

I spend most of my free time gardening, reading garden magazines, photographing the garden or baking (mostly sweets, which list chocolate as the main ingredient). I play the guitar and sing in a contemporary choir of which I have been a member for 26 years.

Wednesday, December 17, 2008

Five Minutes with the Word

Five Minutes with the Word

Advent 2008

""Lift up your hearts." "We lift them up to the Lord." "Let us give thanks to the Lord, our God." It is right to give him thanks and praise." So goes the dialogue that begins every liturgy of the Eucharist. Day after day, week after week, we are called to affirm how "right" it is to honor and worship the Lord our God. Especially as we are preparing for Christmas, it is a good idea to do a little self-examination to test the depth of our own worship of the one whom we are called to adore.

When is the last time you worshipped the Lord like this? Not just by attending Mass or studying Scripture. These are good things to do, but worship involves being moved in our heart to demonstrate your reverence and gratitude for who Jesus is and for all that he has done for you through his birth, death, and resurrection. Savor those times you have experienced his love, compassion, and grace. Try to recall these moments of grace every day until Christmas, and take note of what God does in you in response. you will be amazed at all the blessings that flow from a humble, worshipping heart."

Reading from Wednesday December 17, 2008.
Joe Difato, Publisher

Saturday, December 13, 2008

What is Christmas?

What is
Christmas?


More than the tree
or the decking of halls,

More than the music and mobs at the mall,
More than the feasts
that are planned and prepared,

the family stories remembered and shared...
More than the lights
that will soon disappear,

The manger and star
that get stored till next year,

More than these things which all play a small part,
Christmas is love
that lives on in each heart!

From: C. Carter

Thursday, December 04, 2008

Thought for the Day

"The happiest of people don't necessarily have the best of everything;
they just make the most of everything."

Author unknown


Monday, December 01, 2008

In the Spirit of Christmas

Do you remember the phrase
"Silence is golden"?
There must have been a reason for it.
Have you ever tried it?
Seriously, take a few minutes to view the site below,
enjoy the tranquil and peaceful presence it brings and think about its meaning.

May God's peace be with you during this Christmas season
and follow you through the New Year!