ADVENT

Happy first Sunday in Advent, the beginning of the Catholic Church's litergical year. We anticipate the coming of our Lord. It's a time of reflection and good works.
During the time that #2 son has PSR (Parrish School of Religion) I and some other adults get together and we are reading about I Corinthians. Today we discussed the many different gifts of the Holy Spirit and that not everyone can be an eye, an ear, a mouth, but all of us are a part of one body. EVERY PART is important to the whole body. What the Holy Spirit gives us we should use for the greater good of the body.
I also recieved a flier in the mail that the hospital that my boys were born in take care of approximately 4,ooo babies a year. WOW!!! The hospital in Iowa that I donate to takes care of about 800 babies a year. I'm thinking I should do more for the hospital here this coming year. I plan on sending white booties to Iowa since they run short, but the majority of my preemie knitting will be focused here at home. I will be working on some hats and sweaters for the Dulaan Project until my wool is used up. I have several cotton cloths done and will be searching for a local place to give along with a bar of soap in each bag.
I have completed four scarves for the Red Scarf Project to be mailed in January. I have tried to download a picture, but have run into technical difficulties, so that picture along with my X and Y entries will have to wait until Blogger gets things in order.
I plan on doing less blogging and being on the computer less in general. My baby is in such a cute and active place in his development that it's simply more fun to play with him and watch what he comes up with.
I pray that everyone find what gifts they have been given and use them for the greater good of all! I leave you today with the:
LITANY FOR SUNDAY
(for private use only)

Lord, have mercy on us.
Christ, have mercy on us.
Christ, hear us.
Christ, graciously hear us.
God the Father of Heaven,
Have mercy on us.
God the Son, Redeemer of the world,
Have mercy on us.
God the Holy Ghost,
Have mercy on us.
Holy Trinity, One God,
Have mercy on us.

V. This is the day which the Lord hath made.
R. Let us rejoice, and be glad therein.

Jesus, Who on this day of the week didst arise from the dead, have mercy on us.
Jesus, Who on the same day didst put on a life immortal, have mercy on us.
Jesus, Who on the same day didst appear to Mary Magdalen and to the Apostles, etc.
Jesus, Who on the same day didst open the eyes of the two disciples going to Emmaus,
Jesus, Who on the same day didst comfort Thine Apostles, and give them peace,
Jesus, Who on the same day didst confirm Thine Apostles in the faith of the Resurrection by showing them Thy hands and Thy feet,
Jesus, Who on the same day didst breathe on the Apostles and give them the Holy Ghost,
Jesus, Who on the same day didst open their understanding to know the Scriptures,
Jesus, Who on the same day didst give them power to remit sins,
Jesus, Who on the same day didst send the Apostles on their mission, and didst command them to go and teach all nations,
Jesus, Who on a Sunday didst condescend to the weakness of St. Thomas, and by the evidence of Thy sacred Wounds didst heal his unbelief,
Jesus, Who on a Sunday didst send down the Holy Ghost upon the Apostles, and thus prepare them for laying the foundation of Thy Church,
Jesus, Who on the same day didst move Thy Apostle Peter to preach the first Christian sermon to the Jews, to the conversion of three thousand,

Be merciful, O Jesus, and spare us.
Be merciful, O Jesus, and hear us.

From the abuse of this day which we are commanded to keep holy, preserve us, O Lord.
From sloth and indevotion, preserve us, O Lord.
From neglect of prayer, and of Thy Sacred Word, etc.
From all occasions of misspending this day,
From whatever is an offense to God, or a scandal to the weak,

We sinners
Beseech Thee to hear us.

That we may have Thy grace to sanctify this day as Thou hast commanded,
We beseech Thee, hear us.
That we may this day labor to arise to a new life,
We beseech Thee, hear us.
That we may this day examine into the state of our souls, and resolve to amend whatever is displeasing to Thee, etc.
That we may this day be so strengthened in our faith as to bend our whole endeavors upon seeking those eternal goods which faith has taught us to obtain,
That Thy Holy Spirit would this day take possession of our hearts, and so confirm us in every duty that no earthly considerations may be able to prevail against us to the transgression of Thy law,
That we may this day join with the Church Triumphant in praising, adoring and praying to Thee, and preparing our souls to celebrate with them an eternal Sabbath,
That we may not give this day to earth or to self-love, but may offer it to Thee, Who art our only everlasting Good,
Son of God, Who hast forever hallowed this day,

Lamb of God, Who takest away the sins of the world,
Spare us, O Lord.
Lamb of God, Who takest away the sins of the world,
Hear us, O Lord.
Lamb of God, Who takest away the sins of the world,
Have mercy on us.

Christ, hear us.
Christ, graciously hear us.

Let Us Pray
O God, the Protector of all who hope in Thee and without Whom nothing can have either strength or holiness, multiply Thy mercy, we beseech Thee, upon us, that Thou being our Ruler and our Guide, we may so pass through the goods of this life as not to lose those which are eternal. Through Jesus Christ Our Lord. R. Amen.