2nd Sunday in Advent

“As the journey of Advent continues, as we prepare to celebrate the nativity of Christ, John the Baptist's call to conversion sounds out in our communities. It is a pressing invitation to open our hearts and to welcome the Son of God ... (read more... http://www.catholicculture.org/culture/liturgicalyear/calendar/day.cfm?date=2012-12-09

"...The 'voice' of the great prophet asks us to prepare the way for the coming Lord in the deserts of today, internal and external deserts, thirsting for the water of life which is Christ.” — Benedict XVI

Advent and the Advent Wreath

This coming Sunday is the start of Advent and I'd like to share with all my followers this special page that explains this tradition.  Read this page for lots of interesting information as well as prayers that can be said during this special time.  I suggest you print out this page and have it handy to read out from just before every evening meal. Towards the end of the page is a link for prayers for very young children.

http://www.cptryon.org/prayer/adx/adwreath.html

ENJOY!

Rejoice in Hope ~ Tag ~

Lately I seem to enjoy Computer graphics more than making my usual crafts, well it is still a kind of craft.

Today I made two new bookmarks which I have shared on my Whimsical Blog.

This evening I was going through some pictures I have taken in the past and found one I really liked and turned it into an Inspirational Tag/Tile.

Hope you like it! What do you think?

My Rosary Bracelets

You may be wondering 'What is a Rosary Bracelet?'
Well, when I heard of Beaded Rosary Bracelets, they were quite a novelty to me too. They have been around for some time and came into use as part of a person's jewellery to be worn with the intention of reminding oneself to pray. Many of us say we are always too busy but really, saying the Rosary takes up only around 10 to 15 minutes. We may say we don't even have so many minutes to spare...OK, how about 2 to 3 minutes, even waiting for a bus takes longer! So we can just pray one decade (one mystery) whenever we find those extra minutes. AND that is what these bracelets are for...as a reminder and to help us pray...besides don't you think they're pretty!

For anyone wishing to learn more about how the Rosary is prayed, click on the link at the bottom of this posting.

These bracelets are most often made with chain, but some are also made with cord, elastic, twine, flexwire or even memory wire. A rosary bracelet has a small crucifix and a small medal, which in my case I have left out but inserted a finding which allows you to add your own. Usually this is a miraculous medal and many already own one or more in gold or silver. There are ten Hail Mary beads and one Our Father bead. Most bracelets are about 7 1/2 inches in length, but they can be adjusted by adding or removing chain.

Since I have been teaching myself beading and beading techniques, I decided to try and make some. I used different coloured beads so that when anyone is praying the Rosary, one can think of different intentions with each Hail Mary while contemplating on a particular mystery of the Rosary.

By the way you don't have to be a Catholic to pray the Rosary and as a Catholic you do not need to pray the Rosary, but it certainly has many benefits and spiritual fruits.