Knit and Pray

Catholic woman talks about knitting, sewing, crocheting, cross-stitching, crafting and Catholic Faith and family.

Friday, April 29, 2005

SMALL PROJECTS

This week has been about small projects like the tie my model husband is showing, a ruffled scarf that my not-so-girlie boy is modeling and the cute little red sweaters for the redsweater art project. Still working on and off on the multicolored afghan. Will begin tieing on Daniel's quilt this weekend. Eric is doing very well with his cello and looks very handsome.
It's so hard to believe that tomorrow is the last day of April! Spring is here and though we are feeling a little chilly the next few days they will warm up soon. I'd like to leave this post with St. Gertrude's Prayer to release 1,000 souls from Purgatory
"Oh my God, I offer Thee the most precious Blood of Thy Divine Son, Jesus, in union with all the Masses being offered throughout the world today, for the souls in Purgatory, for sinners everywhere, those in the Universal Church, and those in my own family. Amen."

Redsweater art project.

Daniel models little girl scarf.

Norm models knitted tie.

Ah, sweet music.

The young cello virtuoso before his concert.

Sunday, April 24, 2005

IT'S OFFICIAL

Pope Benedict XVI was officially installed early this morning. What a lovely and loving homily! (for those fiber fanatics notice his pallium was made of pure WOOL). I love that he spoke about the litany of the saints which has been a favorite of mine (perhaps typed here at another post) and about what our dearly beloved Pope John Paul II had said in his first homily as pope. In my heart I feel he will be a faithful shephard. And as an aside, he is said to love cats, but even more importantly they love him too. Any dog will lick your face but cats are selective!
So much of the media like to emphasize the unhappy people who would like to change the way the church views certain issues such as women priests, same sex marriage, and not giving communion to polititians who support abortion legislation. Well folks, Jesus did NOT condone such things and as a FOLLOWER of JESUS CHRIST we CANNOT either! The plain and simple TRUTH and it hurts their feelings so they complain. Many people left Jesus when He gave us the EUCARIST. It was a hard saying. So they left. If you don't like what the Catholic church teaches, then leave. We are ALL welcome but we all have to follow Jesus and His teachings and not make the church into something that WE want. Somehow that would be akin to building a golden calf and we who have read the Old Testament know how well that was received. NOT GOOD! So many of the blogs I've read belong to Catholics who are no longer practicing their faith for one petty reason or another. How sad. We can be such willfull children and throw such tantrums when the Church clearly will not condone certain behaviours. Personally I am glad the Church is so strict. I do believe in everything that it teaches as an act of faith. It is a journey in faith and in the end it will be for my benefit.
In pictures this week notice the two beautiful bottom teeth of Michael; Daniel my sweetheart; Eric makes a funny pose as he reads the bookbookbook; Eric's first paintball wound (as you may notice left of his nipple is a scar from when he was in the neonatal unit and had to have a main line put in-basically his battle wound for his life); then dear hubby Norm doing a model job for the bright afghan. I tell you folks he's a keeper!!
Well, got the Dulaan Project box sent off and a few small boxes to some soldiers in care of Any Soldier. My good deeds for awhile. I'm thinking of doing some little red sweaters for the redsweaters.org project. Also I have some other yarn that looks like it wants to be a tie. The last week of April ahead. Time and tide waits for no one and the projects do beckon!! Have a blessed week!!

Did someone say "cookie"?

What a great kid!

Everything looks fuzzy?

"I've been shot!" Eric's first paintball wound.

These colors are making me dizzy!

Tuesday, April 19, 2005

WE HAVE A NEW POPE!!!

Praise be to God Almighty for giving us POPE BENEDICT XVI!!! We here are singing and dancing for joy because we know that Jesus will not abandon us and we feel sure that this Pope will do a very good job. Glory be to the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit!!!

Sunday, April 17, 2005


This is too much fun!

Daniel beside himself with joy that Mom sewed the top of his quilt. "Is it done yet?"

Material for back of Daniel's quilt.

My first knitted (in wool) purse.

Big Bubba and Big Baby

#1 and #2 show off hats.

KNITTING, SEWING AND PRAYING

Well, here we are again and as you can see I've been a little busy. Finished a couple of has for Dulaan Project, sewed the top of Daniel's quilt, (he picked out the material for the back so that he could play with his Hot Wheels on it), finished a purse from the perty green wool I purchased at Simply Fibers Ltd and trying hard to say daily prayers and also began reading "Crossing the Threshold of Hope" by His Holiness John Paul II. I love that he wrote "Be not afraid." These are pretty frightening times, but all times have there drawbacks. Christ gives us His peace, but not as the world can give.
Another quote, from Romans 8:26 "The Spirit too comes to the aid of our weakness; for we do not know how to pray as we ought, but the Spirit himself intercedes with inexpressible groanings". How often in the past I had wondered if God was listening to me, someone who didn't feel that she knew how to pray as she ought, the frustration and anxiety about what was happening around me while growing up being raised by my Grandparents after my Mother was shot and killed when I was 4 years old. I could go on into a very misserable true story, but out of respect for my Grandparents, let's just say, I had a lot of turmoil within and without myself. It is only by the grace of God that I am here today. I thank God that He did hear my prayers and am so gratefull for my husband and three blessed boys. I'm so grateful that God took what was meant for my harm and made it for my ultimate good.
Now it's time to pray for the Holy Spirit to guide the members of the Conclave as they vote for the new Pope. We must also pray for more holy and pious priests and religious to help us get through this time in history. I want my children and their children etc. to live in a world that is so much better than the one we have today. The journey to achieve this goal will always begin on our knees. Please pray with me: "
LITANY FOR PRIESTS
God the Father,
Son,
And Holy Spirit,
We beseech Thee, hear us.

Jesus, our High Priest,
Sacrifice,
And Teacher,
We beseech Thee, hear us.

Bless our Holy Father,
Our bishops,
And priests,
We beseech Thee, hear us.

Give them the strength of Thy grace,
And the love of Thy Heart,
And the spirit of sacrifice of Thine own divine life,
We beseech Thee, hear us.

Make them firm in faith,
Holy in conduct,
And faithful in Thy service,
We beseech Thee, hear us.

Fill them with the zeal of the Apostles,
With the courage of the martyrs,
With the spirit of the confessors,
We beseech Thee, hear us.

Grant that they may convert the sinners,
Correct the erring,
Teach the ignorant,
We beseech Thee, hear us.

Strengthen them with joy in their labors,
With patience in their sufferings,
With endurance in their struggles,
We beseech Thee, hear us.

Preserve them in love for the little ones,
In zeal for the education of youth,
In loyalty to people and country,
We beseech Thee, hear us.

Bless their words in the pulpit,
Their instructions in school,
Their admonitions in the confessional and at the sickbed,
We beseech Thee, hear us.

Preserve them from the temptations of the wicked enemy,
From the hostile plots of unscrupulous men,
From all occasions of sin
We beseech Thee, hear us.

Make us one with them in faith,
Loyal in divine service,
And holy in life,
We beseech Thee, hear us.

Give us holy bishops,
Holy priests,
Holy missionaries,
We beseech Thee, hear us.
AMEN!

Sunday, April 10, 2005


Beginning our nine days of mourning.

Hail Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with thee. Blessed art thou among women and blessed is the fruit of thy womb Jesus. Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us sinners, now and at the hour of our death, Amen.

Farewell dear Papa til we meet in Heaven by the Grace of God.

Sweet dreamin'

Polarspun #1 Son chose and will be a hat shortly.

Wednesday, April 06, 2005

HAPPY DAY

Thanks to Norm for indulging me by being a model for two finished scarves and hats. The brightly colored afghan is a WIP. After going to CiCi's for supper (who's b-day is it anyway?), he curled up with book as children were indulged in the Spongebob Squarepants movie. Eric drew Dad a humorous picture to take to work and Daniel was inspired to do a six page picture story about he, Eric and Dad going fishing. What a special present from both boys! I intend to purchase a movie called "The Quiet Man" starring John Wayne. It's one of my Norm's favorites. I prayed a rosary just for him too. Nothing elaborate just plain LOVE the guy!
God bless you too!!

Tuesday, April 05, 2005


Multi-tasking Birthday Hubby

Monday, April 04, 2005

SHARING PHOTOS

Just wanted to share some pics with everyone. My baby is getting so big! He is working hard to get his second tooth in already. We spent Easter visiting my Mother-in-law Ruth and Norm's sister Mary and her husband Steve who takes good care of Mom. Eric and Daniel sure enjoyed the train ride into St. Louis.
The sunset on Easter Sunday was so beautiful. I hope to post pics of what I have been working on very soon. Tomorrow is Norm's birthday, so stay tuned for further updates!

Happy Baby

Easter Sunset

Grandma"s baby's baby.

Daniel and Eric enjoy a train ride.

Sitting up is hard to do.

Saturday, April 02, 2005

FIRST FRIDAY AND SATURDAY

After going to 8:30 mass at Immaculate Conception Church, Daniel and I went downstairs to the Apostolate of Holy Motherhood meeting. What a wonderful thing it is to meet with other Catholic mothers and pray. A simple but profound experience. After the meeting I took Daniel home and went to do grocery shopping, but first went to a "new" shop that had opened last August called SIMPLY FIBERS LTD. at 2744 S. Campbell (phone 417-881-YARN). OOOOh, did I finally get a chance to feel some of the posh yummy yarns I've only read about!!! And some of you know what I'm talkin' about! Lushious and beautiful! I picked up some different kinds of green yarn to create a purse of my own design. While I was waiting for the owner to wind my yarns, it just so happened that I noticed someone with beautiful white hair who looked a lot like my elementary music teacher and it was!! Mrs. Bills!!!! She and her sister were looking for yarn to make a scarf. They have shows twice a year selling jewelry, beaded necklaces, glass beads, neckwires, and sterling slides. Their next show will be at the Texas Room at the University Plaza Hotel on Thursday, April 7. They were wearing some of the mercandise and it is GORGEOUS!! They are called the Glitz Girls and I may have to go look see and buy something.
Last night we stayed up late to hear news about our beloved Pope. Today when the news finally came it was with sadness that we said goodbye, but we know that Our Lady and Our Saviour was with him at the end. What an inspiration his life and passing is to the world to those who have eyes to see and ears to hear. We look for mighty things to begin happening on this earth so fasten your seatbelt it's going to be a bumpy ride!!
Whenever I get too upset by all the danger and waves that suround me I have to keep my gaze on my Saviour who will help me to walk on water even though the storm is all around.
And now I'd like to close with the lyrics to IMMACULAT MARY whose immaculate heart we make reparation to as well as the Sacred Heart of Jesus.
1. Immaculate Mary, thy praises we sing,
Who reignest in splendor with Jesus, our King,

Refrain:
Ave, ave, ave, Maria! Ave, ave, Maria!

2. In heaven, the blessed thy glory proclaim,
On earth, we thy children invode thy fair name.
__Refrain

3. Thy name is our power, thy virtues our light,
Thy love is our comfort, thy pleading our might.
__Refrain

4. We pray for our mother, the Church upon earth,
And bless, dearest Lady, the land of our birth.
__Refrain.

Ya'll have a blessed day!

Friday, April 01, 2005

LITANY OF RESIGNATION TO THE WILL OF GOD

Lord, have mercy on us.
Christ, have mercy on us.
Lord, have mercy on us. Jesus, hear us.
Jesus, graciously hear us.
God the Father, Who hath created me,
Hallowed be Thy will.
God the Son, Who hath redeemed me,
Not my will but Thine be done.
God the Holy Ghost, Who hath offered sanctification,
Blessed be the Most Sweet Will of God.

Thou Who dost know and foresee all things,
Have mercy on us.
Thou Who dost govern and rule all things,
Have mercy on us.
Thou Who, according to Thy inscrutable designs,
dost effect all things in a wonderful manner,
Have mercy on us.
Thou Who dost permit evil in order thence to derive
good for the salvatiojn of the elect,
Have mercy on us.

In all things and in all possible events,
Thy Holy Will be done, O my God.
In all circumstances and disgraces,
Thy Holy Will be done, O my God.
In my state and employment, etc.
In my affairs and occupations,
In all my actions,
In my health and strength,
In my body and soul,
In my life and death,
In myself and in those who belong to me,
In all men and angels,
In all creatures,
In all parts of the earth,
At all times,
For all eternity,
Although weak nature complains,
Although it costs much to self-love and sensuality,
Solely and only through love for Thee and Thy good pleasure,
Because Thou art my Creator,
Because Thou art the Supreme Lord of all things,
Because Thou art infinite perfection, therefore do I
say, with all the saints in Heaven,

With the Blessed Virgin Mary,
Thy Holy Will be done, O my God.
With Jesus in the Garden of Olives,
Thy Holy Will be done, O my God.

Our Father (silently).

V. May the just, most amiable will of God be done in all things.
R. May it be praised and magnified forever! Amen.

Let Us Pray
Grant me Thy grace, O Father, that perfect resignation to Thy Holy Will may be with me, and labor with me, and continue with me to the end. Grant me always to desire and will that which is most acceptable to Thee and which pleaseth Thee best. Let Thy will be mine, and let my will always follow Thine and agree perfectly with it. Let me always will and not will the same with Thee; Let me not be able to will or not will anything except what Thou willlest or willest not. R. Amen.


May we all give ourselves over to God's perfect and holy will!