Personal and homemade

We've sent our wedding invitations out and I am happy that they are personal and homemade. They were inspired by a hallmark card sent from someone very special in the States and they have our hands on the front. 

Here it is in a "prayer corner" at our (marriage) godparents' house...

The inspirational Hallmark card...

Footprint party

I baked a footprint brownie last Friday for my first grade students. It was part of a good behavior reward thing we had going on, and they finally won all the footprints they had to win and we had a "footprint party". It was actually really fun. I accidentally burned the bottom of the entire brownie, but they didn't mind at all. They said, "It didn't taste burned at all, Julie! Can you make it again tomorrow?" 

This was in line with a piece of advice I received recently to pour out more love into different relationships in my life, including my students. So far, it's been feeling great. 

Pope Francis

From http://www.likableart.com/habemus-papam/

Last Wednesday the 13th (by the way, the 13th is a very important date for Portugal), I was writing in my journal about how ridiculous and unremarkable my life is. And how disappointed I was with it. 

Then, I got home and watched (and cried along with) Pope Francis make his first speech as Pope. I felt I had an answer to my prayer: life is ridiculous and unremarkable, unless you're plugged into Christ, his Church, his amazing plan for humanity. I had a sudden vision of what really matters and felt a little silly. 

I'm excited... St. Francis of Assisi is my confirmation saint. I haven't been listening to any of the commentaries. As a priest said yesterday in mass, "The Pope doesn't need commentary. And he doesn't need to be measured by the tiny stick of my own sensibility." I'm glad to know the Church is really guided by the Holy Spirit and really throws some curve-balls and we really can't predict, plan or even comment them sometimes. 

Article on CatholicStand

A BETTER CONNECTED WORLD

Julie Rodrigues | March 14, 2013 | [2]

I’ve heard several priests talk about the phenomenon of going to mass at different parishes each Sunday, depending on which mass times are more convenient. This is possible here in Portugal, because there are many parishes, a short geographical location from one another (especially when traveling by car). These priests complain about how this reflects modern day society, in which the parish is “used” for a service and people have difficulty in committing to a community and to serve when it is asked to them.

Click here to keep reading: 

http://catholicstand.com/a-better-connected-world/

Spring, where art thou?

Spring is coming... I'm sure it really is. Signs of it are beginning to appear. It's just taking it's sweeeeeet tiiiiiime... 

Lots of rain in these parts....

Spring (almost) showers and flowers...

 Basilica dos Martires in downtown Lisbon...

View from coffee on Sunday...

"It concerns precisely the temptation to believe that, in the situation which is ours (personal, family, etc.), we lack something essential and that because of this, our progress, and the possibility of blossoming spiritually, is denied us...

...Or, again, I don't have the qualities, the strength, the virtue, the gifts that I believe necessary in order to accomplish something beautiful for God, according to the plan of a Christian life....

...It is not the exterior circumstances that must change; it is above all our hearts that must change. They must be purified of their withdrawal into themselves, of their sadness, of their lack of hope."

- Searching for and Maintaining Peace by Father Jacques Philippe, p. 42-43

Article on IgnitumToday...

Europe’s Hopes for the Next Pope

[ 0 ] March 6, 2013 AD | Julie Rodrigues

Europe, along with the rest of the world, is awaiting the conclave’s decision with great hope and prayer. With 62 out of 117 voting cardinals being European, considering the role of European culture in the Church and considering the Vatican’s location, it is safe to say Europe has a special influence in this decision. However, with the decline of Catholics in Europe and a changing culture that excludes the role of the Church in society, Europeans also have pressing needs to be answered by St. Peter’s future successor.

Click here to keep reading: 
http://www.ignitumtoday.com/2013/03/06/europes-hopes-for-the-next-pope/

A walk in the park

This weekend there were some pretty adverse conditions... weather and otherwise. We were able to stick together and make it out okay, and that's what counts...

Papal lapbook

Perhaps the most meaningful thing I did this week was make my very own Papal Lapbook and start making it with my CCD students. I got the idea and resources (which I used a few of and translated them to Portuguese) from the most awesome website EVER: 

http://showerofroses.blogspot.pt/2013/02/papal-unit-study.html

I really poured my heart and time into this little project, but I feel it was worth it. I was really proud of all my effort at the end and I hope they will enjoy it as much as I did. 

Front...

Back...

Inside...