St. Joseph (Feast Day March 19)

The Gospels of Matthew, Luke, and John tell us everything we know about Joseph, the husband of Mary, the Mother of God. Because Jesus was conceived through the power of the Holy Spirit, God the Father is Jesus’ “real” father. But God called Joseph to be his foster father and care for him during his earthly life. The importance of Joseph’s part in God’s plan is found in the Book of Isaiah in the Old Testament. Through the prophet Isaiah, God promises to send a Messiah to save all people. The Savior will come from the “house of David,” which means that he will be an ancestor of King David. Both the Gospel of Luke and the Gospel of Matthew tell us that Joseph was from the family of David. Today, St. Joseph serves as a model for husbands and fathers.

·      In today’s Gospel, blindness symbolizes lack of faith. Why do you think that some people did not believe that he was the Son of God and long-awaited Messiah even though they witnessed his miracles?

·      In what way do you see Jesus working in your life?

·      Why do you think some people today don’t believe in Jesus? What can be done to help people believe in him?

·      St. Joseph was Jesus’ foster father. What do you think it was like to be St. Joseph?

Think Spring!

·      Make bird feeders and hang them outside.

·      Make cookies shaped like spring flowers.

·      Decorate indoor containers and plant seeds in them (i.e., flowers, vegetables, etc.).

Green Eggs and Ham

Want to improve your vision? Food rich in antioxidants, vitamins, and minerals found in dark leafy greens all help to protect our eyes against disease. Your kids will get a kick out of eating green eggs and ham, a dish that is at once familiar and mysterious! This frittata is a perfect recipe for Sunday brunch.

Ingredients:

8 large eggs

1½ tsp dried dill

¼ tsp salt

¼ tsp freshly ground pepper

2 Tbsp extra-virgin olive oil

2 leeks, white and light green parts only, diced

One 5-ounce bag baby spinach, chopped

½ cup diced ham

½ cup shredded Havarti or Muenster cheese

Position rack in upper third of oven; preheat to 450 F. Whisk eggs, dill, salt, and pepper in a medium bowl. Heat oil in a large ovenproof nonstick skillet over medium heat. Add leeks; cook, stirring, until softened, about 4 minutes. Add spinach and ham; cook, stirring, until the spinach is wilted, about 1 minute. Pour the egg mixture over the vegetables and cook, lifting the edges of the frittata so uncooked egg can flow underneath, until the bottom is light golden, 2 to 3 minutes. Sprinkle cheese on top, transfer the pan to the oven and bake until the eggs are set, 6 to 8 minutes. Let rest for about 3 minutes before serving. Serve hot or cold.

From:  http://www.eatingwell.com/recipes/22131/health-condition/better-vision/slideshow/recipes-for-better-vision/?recipeId=252336

The Angelus

The Angelus is a way for lay people to sanctify the hours of the day. Historically, the practice has been associated with ringing a bell at 6 a.m., 12 p.m., and 6 p.m., where whole villages and towns would stop to pray. Laborers in the fields, workers in shops, and families at home set aside what they were doing and prayed the Angelus together. Today, many churches and monasteries and several radio and television stations ring the Angelus bell at these same times, inviting the faithful to pause what they are doing and pray. Today, pray the Angelus at the noon or 6 p.m. hour.

The Angel of the Lord declared to Mary: And she conceived of the Holy Spirit. 
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.

Behold the handmaid of the Lord: Be it done unto me according to Thy word.
Hail Mary . . .

And the Word was made Flesh: And dwelt among us.
Hail Mary . . .

Pray for us, O Holy Mother of God, that we may be made worthy of the promises of Christ.

Let us pray: Pour forth, we beseech Thee, O Lord, Thy grace into our hearts; that we, to whom the incarnation of Christ, Thy Son, was made known by the message of an angel, may by His Passion and Cross be brought to the glory of His Resurrection, through the same Christ Our Lord. Amen.

How many images of Jesus do you see in the church?

Research an organization that helps the blind or visually impaired. Find a way to donate your time, talent, or treasure to this organization.

March 25 is the feast of the Annunciation. This feast commemorates the visit of the archangel Gabriel to the Virgin Mary, during which he informed her that she would be the mother of Jesus Christ, the Son of God. This feast is celebrated exactly nine months before Christmas.