The Nativity of the Lord

Let the just rejoice,
for their Justifier is born.

Let the sick and infirm rejoice,
for their Savior is born.

Let the captives rejoice,
for their Redeemer is born.

Let slaves rejoice,
for their Master is born.

Let free men rejoice,
for their Liberator is born.

Let all Christians rejoice,
for Jesus Christ is born.
[St Augustine]

Image: El Greco, The Nativity. 1603

Collect for December 24

Come quickly, we pray, Lord Jesus, and do not delay, that those who trust in your compassion may find solace and relief in your coming.

Who live and reign with God the Father in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever.

Collect for December 23

Almighty ever-living God, as we see how the Nativity of your Son according to the flesh draws near, we pray that to us, your unworthy servants, mercy may flow from your Word, who chose to become flesh of the Virgin Mary and establish among us his dwelling, Jesus Christ our Lord.

Who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever.

Collect for December 22

O God, who, seeing the human race fallen into death, willed to redeem it by the coming of your Only Begotten Son, grant, we pray, that those who confess his Incarnation with humble fervor may merit his company as their Redeemer.

Who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever.

Collect for December 21

Hear in kindness, O Lord, the prayers of your people, that those who rejoice at the coming of your Only Begotten Son in our flesh may, when at last he comes in glory, gain the reward of eternal life.

Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever.

Collect for December 20

O God, eternal majesty, whose ineffable Word the immaculate Virgin received through the message of an Angel and so became the dwelling-place of divinity, filled with the light of the Holy Spirit, grant, we pray, that by her example we may in humility hold fast to your will.

Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever.

Today's Collect

O God, who through the child-bearing of the holy Virgin graciously revealed the radiance of your glory to the world, grant, we pray, that we may venerate with integrity of faith the mystery of so wondrous an Incarnation and always celebrate it with due reverence.

Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever.

Collect for the Fourth Sunday of Advent

Pour forth, we beseech you, O Lord, your grace into our hearts, that we, to whom the Incarnation of Christ your Son was made known by the message of an Angel, may by his Passion and Cross be brought to the glory of his Resurrection.

Who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever.

CL Tip of the Day

Today I am packing tins of Christmas cookies and hit upon an easy, inexpensive solution for separating layers of cookies- the humble and coffee filter. Best of all, no cutting is needed, as you would have to for waxed paper! I found the 8-12 cup size to be the best fit for my tins.

Image source

Collect from the Third Saturday of Advent

O God, Creator and Redeemer of human nature, who willed that your Word should take flesh in an ever-virgin womb, look with favor on our prayers, that your Only Begotten Son, having taken to himself our humanity, may be pleased to grant us a share in his divinity.

Who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever.

Christmas Cookie Recipe - New Translation!

Fr. Z. just posted an ineffable cookie recipe!

I hope that all the Pious Church Ladies will enjoy:

A reader shared this new, corrected translation of an old cookie recipe. I believe it was developed by some seminarians.

By using this new version, your cookies will be more enjoyable and more fattening than ever:

Christmas Cookie Recipe
(New, Corrected Translation)

Serves: you and many.

Cream these ingredients, that by their comingling you may begin to make the dough:
1 chalice butter, 2/3 chalice sugar

In a similar way, when the butter is consubstantial with the sugar, beat in:
1 egg

Gather these dry ingredients to yourself and combine them, so that you may add them to the dough which you have already begun to make:
2 1/2 chalices sifted all-purpose flour, 1/2 teaspoon salt, 1 teaspoon vanilla

Mix the precious dough with your venerable hands.

Into the refrigerator graciously place the dough so that it may be chilled, for the duration of 3 or 4 hours, before the rolling and cutting of the cookies.

When, in the fullness of time, you are ready to bake these spotless cookies, these delicious cookies, these Christmas cookies, preheat the oven to 350 degrees.

Roll out the dough and, taking up a cookie cutter or stencil of your choosing, fashion the cookies into pleasing forms.

Sprinkle colorful adornments over cookies like the dewfall.

Bake for 8 to 10 minutes, or until the cookies have just begun to manifest the brownness that is vouchsafed to them by the oven’s heat.

May these cookies be found acceptable in your sight, and be borne to a place of refreshment at your table, there to be served with milk or hot chocolate, or with your spirits.

Merry Christmas!

Christmas Cookie Recipe (New, Corrected Translation)

Today's Collect

May your grace, almighty God, always go before us and follow after, so that we, who await with heartfelt desire the coming of your Only Begotten Son, may receive your help both now and in the life to come.

Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever.

Collect for the Third Thursday of Advent

Unworthy servants that we are, O lord, grieved by the guilt of our deeds, we pray that you may gladden us by the saving advent of your Only Begotten Son.

Who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever.

Collect for the Feast of Saint John of the Cross

O God, who gave the Priest Saint John an outstanding dedication to perfect self-denial and love of the Cross, grant that, by imitating him closely at all times, we may come to contemplate eternally your glory.

Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever.

Collect for the Feast of Saint Lucy

May the glorious intercession of the Virgin and Martyr Saint Lucy give us new heart, we pray, O Lord, so that we may celebrate her heavenly birthday in this present age and so behold things eternal.

Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever.

Collect for the Feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe

O God, Father of mercies, who placed your people under the singular protection of your Son's most holy Mother, grant that all who invoke the Blessed Virgin of Guadalupe, may seek with ever more lively faith the progress of peoples in the ways of justice and peace.

Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever.

Collect for the Third Sunday of Advent

O God, who see how your people faithfully await the feast of the Lord's Nativity, enable us, we pray, to attain the joys of so great a salvation and to celebrate them always with solemn worship and glad rejoicing.

Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever.

Today's Collect

May the splendor of your glory dawn in our hearts, we pray, almighty God, that all shadows of the night may be scattered and we may be shown to be children of light by the advent of your Only Begotten Son.

Who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever.

Collect for the Second Friday of Advent

Grant that your people, we pray, almighty God, may be ever watchful for the coming of your Only Begotten Son, that, as the author of our salvation himself has taught us, we may hasten, alert and with lighted lamps, to meet him when he comes.

Who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever.

Feastday dinner for Immaculate Conception?

White Chili.

Yeah, it's a groaner, but it still doesn't beat Annunciation waffles.

Collect for the Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception

O God, who by the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin prepared a worthy dwelling for your Son, grant, we pray, that as you preserved her from every stain by virtue of the Death of your Son, which you foresaw, so, through her intercession, we, too, may be cleansed and admitted to your presence.

Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever.

Collect for the feast of Saint Ambrose

O God, who made the Bishop Saint Ambrose a teacher of the Catholic faith and a model of apostolic courage, raise up in your Church men after your own heart to govern her with courage and wisdom.

Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever.

Christmas baking

This will be my first year contributing my husband's family's Christmas cookie bonanza, and I am really looking forward to it.

Apartment Therapy and Epicurious have some great tips for holiday baking, including tips for cutting out, freezing, and decorating cookies.

To compliment my mother and sister in law's offerings, I am planning to make gingerbread and sugar cookies. What are your family's Christmas favorites?

Image source

Collects for Advent

O God, who have shown forth your salvation to all the ends of the earth, grant, we pray, that we may look forward in joy to the glorious Nativity of Christ.

Who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever.

Public Service Announcement

Don't forget to put out your shoes for St Nicholas!

Image source

Today's Collect

May our prayer of petition rise before you, we pray, O Lord, that, with purity unblemished, we, your servants, may come, as we desire, to celebrate the great mystery of the Incarnation of your Only Begotten Son.

Who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever.

Collect for the Second Sunday of Advent

Almighty and merciful God, may no earthly undertaking hinder those who set out in haste to meet your Son, but may our learning of heavenly wisdom gain us admittance to his company.

Who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, forever and ever.

Collect for Saturday

O God, who through the preaching of Saint Francis Xavier won may peoples to yourself, grant that the hearts of the faithful may burn with the same zeal for the faith and that Holy Church may everywhere rejoice in an abundance of offspring.

Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever.

Chestnuts roasting...

Source: flickr user GimmeFood :)

It's a classic almost to the point of cliché, but one of my favorite winter activites is to sit by the fire with family and a nutcracker. The extra effort turns snacking into a truly social activity, and it's a wonderful opportunity to catch up at the end of a blustery day.

Nuts take center stage in baking this time of year as well, and with that in mind, Epicurious has put together a visual guide to different nut varieties. Have a look you might find something new to try.

Friday's Collect

Stir up your power, we pray, O Lord, and come, that with you to protect us, we may find rescue from the pressing dangers of our sins, and with you to set us free, we may be found worthy of salvation.

Who live and reign with God the Father in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever.

Advent Collects

Stir up your power, O Lord, and come to our help with mighty strength, that what our sins impede the grace of your mercy may hasten.

Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever.

The Holy Father's Prayer Intentions for December, 2011

General Intention: That the nations of the earth, through knowledge and mutual respect, may grow in harmony and peace.

Missionary Intention: That children and young people may be messengers of the Gospel and that their dignity may always be respected and preserved from all violence and exploitation.

O Jesus, through the Immaculate Heart of Mary,

I offer You all my prayers, works, joys and sufferings of this day

for all the intentions of Your Sacred Heart,

in union with the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass

throughout the world,

in reparation for my sins,

for the intentions of all our associates,

and in particular for the intentions

of the Holy Father for this month.

Amen.

Collect for the Feast of Saint Andrew

We humbly implore your majesty, O Lord, that, just as the blessed Apostle Andrew was for your Church a preacher and pastor, so he may be for us a constant intercessor before you.

Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever.

Today's Collect

Look with favor, Lord God, on our petitions, and in our trials grant us your compassionate help, that, consoled by the presence of your Son, whose coming we now await, we may be tainted no longer by the corruption of former ways.

Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever.

Today's Collect

Keep us alert, we pray, O Lord our God, as we await the advent of Christ your Son, so that, when he comes and knocks, he may find us watchful in prayer and exultant in his praise.

Who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever.

While on the theme ...

One of my favorite Church Ladies found this craft while searching for a way to make an Advent Wreath. Aren't they pretty? (and simple too!)

Secrets of the Habit

Msgr. Charles Pope posted an interesting article this week about the basics of a nun's religious habit: it's purpose and meaning, why there are so many different versions, and why we so seldom see them anymore. Of special interest is a link to photos from many different orders and a short video of someone explaining all the different pieces and their meanings.

Advent Prayers From the New Roman Missal

From today's collect:

Grant your faithful, we pray, almighty God, the resolve to run forth to meet your Christ with righteous deeds at his coming, so that, gathered at his right hand, they may be worthy to possess the heavenly kingdom.

Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever.

Collect (KAH-lehkt)

Also known (in the English-language liturgical books) as the "Opening Prayer," a formal prayer, usually addressed to the Father, through the Son, in the Holy Spirit, by which the introductory rites are brought to a close and the assembly is prepared for the Liturgy of the Word.

-Catholic Dictionary, Stravinskas

This Sunday we'll all likely be so busy concentrating on "and with your spirit," and not embarrassing ourselves during the Creed, that it may be easy to miss the beautifully reworded prayers. The Collects are wonderful examples, and to help you prepare for Mass we'll be posting the Collect for each day of Advent.

Without giving too much away here, just listen on Sunday as your priest asks God that we "run forth" to meet Christ. (What a great image!) We hope you enjoy these posts and we are praying that all our readers have a very blessed Advent season.

And please remember to pray for your priest! We have a few changes, but he has quite a few more.

The Liturgy derives its greatness from what it is, not from what we make of it. Our participation is, of course, necessary, but as a means of asserting ourselves humbly into the spirit of the Liturgy and of serving him who is the true subject of the Liturgy: Jesus Christ.

-Joseph Cardinal Ratzinger, July 2001

I would maintain that thanks are the highest form of thought;

and that gratitude is happiness doubled by wonder.

-G. K. Chesterton

Happy Thanksgiving, everyone!

Thrifty Gifts: In a Jar

I've been smitten with mason jars lately. I think it started with this, and then continued on through the summer when cherries were a good price and then my garden produce started ripening. Now it's gift making time, and I'm still finding all sorts of inspiration based on the simple and inexpensive canning jar.

They come in different shapes and sizes from a tiny 4 ounces up to a quart. (And if you ever see a 2 quart size, grab it - they're a rare find in this age of smaller families.) They're simple and classic and reusable. They're practical and have an air of elegance at the same time. A shelf of canning jars reminds me of the wife of noble character in Proverbs 31.

The jar in the photo is a sewing kit from Anthropologie, not thrifty by my definition, but inspirational, don't you agree? (Going in their stores is like spending time in an art gallery!) I think you'll find the links below may better earn the "thrifty" label. Also, be sure to do some design review with Lucy's post on making your jars more beautiful.

• Journal prompts in a jar for children and adults. (Free printable)
• Sugar scrub
• Bath salts
• Lots of food gifts in a jar
• Suggestions from Martha Stewart
• And a little visual inspiration here.

The Value of Handmade

This week, TechKnitter blogs about overcoming our throwaway mentality when it comes to clothing. Our era of mass production has made it seem almost ridiculous, but it wasn't that long ago that people would specifically mention items of clothing in their wills.

When asked why she kept old clothes which no longer fit, my grandmother (born in Austria in 1902) used to reply with a German proverb that "clothes outlive their people."

Today, clothes don't have that resonance. Clothes are not really considered valuable. That, too, is something I think about when knitting: after all, it takes a certain thickness of skin to be a confirmed hand-knitter in the day of cheap ready-made sweaters and expensive yarn. However difficult life was for the old-time knitters, the usefulness of their craft was never at issue. So, while we think about knitting's value while we knit, that's one thing the old-time knitters did never concern themselves with: they and everyone around them knew it was valuable.

Read the rest, including the story of two old sweaters staging a jail break. It's a cozy reflection in these chilly days.

As further proof that a well-made item can long outlast its wearer, I submit this news story, about a 150-year-old Fair Isle cap that was just recovered.

Fr. Barron on the New Translation

In case you still have questions about the "how and why" of the new translation of the Roman Missal, take a look at this short video by Fr. Barron. Among other things, he gives some great side-by-side examples of the old and new versions of some of the prayers, that will help you see the beautiful poetry we'll be hearing beginning this Advent!

Sins and Housework

It's true, in general our sins are always the same, but we clean our house, our room, at least every week, although the dirt is always the same. Confession is necessary only in the case of grave sin. But it is very useful to go to confession regularly to cultivate cleanliness and beauty of soul, and to mature little by little in life.

Pope Benedict XVI

Cloche tip to Julie, the Happy Catholic

(Recipe) Hint of the Day: Stable Whipped Cream

Pie season is upon us, and the last thing you want to do is resort to the spray can, but if you're like me, no amount of chilling or coaxing seems to yield whipped cream that will hold peaks long enough to actually get it to the dessert table. That is, until now.

Last night I tried Nancy Silverton's recipe (atop Miette's Hot Milk Cake), and it still looks as perky as can be this afternoon. The secret? Just add 1 part crème fraîche or sour cream for every 4 parts cream, just before it gets to the stage where it can hold soft peaks. Not only does the secret ingredient do wonders for the texture, it adds a lovely, very subtle flavor note, especially if, like me, you leave your cream unsweetened.

Note: I skipped the hand-whisking and did it all in my stand mixer, which is ancient enough as to not even have a whisk attachment. It was still perfect, in my estimation.

The Church Bazaar

This morning marked the opening of the holiday bazaar at The Parish. While The Parish can't be accused of being in the 60s theologically or liturgically, the prices at the bazaar certainly are of that era.

For $16, I came home with:

- 2 vintage Pyrex mixing bowls

-vintage shelf paper, for use in my jar project

-some pretty napkins, for use in my new project, a rag rug (more about that in a few days)

-this door knocker

-an icon of the Resurrection

-a German glass ornament of Noah's Ark

-a pair of handknit child's mittens

-a handknit child's sweater

Not bad! Here are some things about the bazaar I think my parish does well:

-Organize items (tables include: Christmas, New Gifts & Gift Baskets, Silent Auction, Raffle, Religious, Hand Knits, Books, Kids, Grandma's Attic, Canned/Baked Goods)

-One pays by table, rather than a centralized checkout.

-Putting the most high traffic areas in the most logical spot

-Have a kids' craft table.

-Have good food options available

-Have an area with tables and chairs for taking a break

-Update inventory, so people come on Saturday morning and stop by again after Sunday Mass

Some improvements could be:

-Not stacking items, especially those that require a lot of browsing) directly in front of tables (I was almost impaled by a brass chandelier!)

-Displaying items in one layer, rather than precarious stacks

-Taking items out of boxes

Does your parish have a bazaar? What does it do well?

Mass during Wartime

While we're taking some time today to remember the sacrifices of all our veterans, let's also remember the priests who bring comfort, counsel, and especially the Sacraments during wartime. New Liturgical Movement is featuring a moving group of photos with this theme.

Manly Lace, Indeed.

We Church Ladies have seen many examples of exquisite lace on vestments, but to my recollection, this is the first time I have encountered lace that was actually made by the priest who would be wearing it!

You can read more over on Needle 'n' Thread about the priest who decided two years before ordination that he wanted to make the lace for his alb, and then taught himself the necessary skills and finished the (rather massive) project on time.

An Ode to the Apron

Related to Lucy's post of yesterday, I've been thinking of adding another apron or two to my collection. My current ones fall a few inches shorter than most of my skirts, leaving an exposed edge at exactly the height of a young toddler's face. I'm thinking of something color-blocked like the adorable Anthropologie apron above. I may widen or ruffle the straps a bit, too, to give me some coverage there, though I like an adjustable length there, so I'm still working out the details.

Meanwhile, have a look at Jennifer Fulwiler's article on the positive effect, both practical and symbolic, that an apron can have, especially for mothers of young children.

Donning an apron is a simple act that sends a surprisingly powerful message, especially if you’re a mother. It’s a symbolic gesture that indicates that you’re seeking to thrive now, here in the midst of the toil that comes with nurturing new souls; that you see the work of serving others not as a temporary phase, but as a key aspect of a well lived life. Taking the time to fasten the strings of an apron around your waist sends a message (to yourself, as much as to anyone else) that it’s worth the effort to protect your clothes so that you can look nice at the end of the day—that self-care has not been shoved to the backburner just because you have children.

(Read it all.)

Warm, Washable, Winter Skirts

As my first winter with a small child approaches, I have been on the lookout for that ever elusive item: a washable, lined skirt for winter. As much as I love my wool skirts, they have been restricted to office wear as they simply can't stand up to little hands who love to rub bananas on everything.

If you're willing to be flexible about lining, jean or corduroy skirts are fairly easy to find at thrift stores. I've also found the washable suit separates that some department stores sell to be perfect- they come in prints and solids and are sold separately, so I can only purchase the skirts. What are your favorite places to look for winter skirts?

Image source

The Holy Father's Prayer Intentions for November, 2011

General Intention: For the eastern Churches, that their venerable tradition may be known and appreciated as a spiritual treasure for the entire Church.

Missionary Intention: That the African continent may find in Christ the strength to fulfill the path of reconciliation and justice, indicated in the second Synod of Bishops for Africa.

O Jesus, through the Immaculate Heart of Mary,

I offer You all my prayers, works, joys and sufferings of this day

for all the intentions of Your Sacred Heart,

in union with the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass

throughout the world,

in reparation for my sins,

for the intentions of all our associates,

and in particular for the intentions

of the Holy Father for this month.

Amen.

Of soup and love...

This fall, I've been adapting the recipes from Twelve Months of Monastery Soup to the slow cooker- it's been so nice to come in from a cold walk home from the train station to a pot of steaming soup. Paired with a green salad and bread rolls (and an omlette, if you are serving hearty eaters) this makes for a quick, nutritious, and economic meal- all pluses in my book. This endeavor has also boosted my confidence about cooking with dried beans/lentils.

Apartment Therapy has some really helpful ideas for improving slow cooker soups. I've been surprised to learn how little liquid I need- the perfect amount of liquid for 6 servings of soup in my 5.5 quart oval slow cooker is 7 cups. If soup isn't your style, check out their list of top ten slow cooker winter dinners.

Sunday suppers

Celebrating Sundays has slowed down a lot in the last year and I'm sorry- 9 months of not cooking plus summer will do that. Here in New England we've had our first snowfall of the season, and my crockpot has been busy on Sunday evenings.

The latest issue of Better Homes and Gardens featured an article about a beautiful website, Sunday Suppers, "class-cooking-dining experiences, pairing friends and food." Check out the recipes here.

Reflection
One of the silent promises I made myself on having children was to provide a home that mad a reassuring, all-comers-welcome tradition of Sunday lunch... I love the solidity of it all: I don't mean by that the robust nature of food alone so much as the weighty texture of hospitality, of plain food warmly given. (Nigella Lawson, How to Eat)

Recipe
Octoberfest Pork Stew
1 onion, minced
1 t caraway seeds
1 t vegetable oil
1 1/2 lb pork shoulder, cubed
1/4 c flour
1 t kosher salt
1 t pepper
1 bottle beer
4 cups chicken broth
1 turnip, peeled and diced
2 apples, peeled and diced

Sautee onion and caraway seeds in oil in a large frying pan. Dredge pork in flour, salt, and pepper. Add to onion mixture and brown, adding more oil if needed. Transfer meat to crock and deglaze pan with beer; pour into crock. Stir in all remaining ingredients. Cook on low 6 hours. Serves 6.

About Celebrating Sunday

In Pictures: Dried Herbs in a flash

All Saints' Day Theme party

Hop over to kindred spirit Lacy's site to get the quickest, easiest, already-made-for-you plan for an All Saints' Day party EVER! She has tons of kid-friendly food suggestions and printable downloads for all the Saint tie-ins; everything but the shopping list.

If the menu weren't already set for my parish's All Saints' party, I'd definitely be using some of these ideas in our version of Saint Martha's kitchen.

Thanks again to Catholic Icing for their great ideas for making passing on the Faith memorable and tasty!