Tag Archives: church

Love

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What is love? As I asked this question to our class, there were so many beautiful answers. However, the most beautiful melody came from Charlotte, when she responded, “Love is a gift from God.” You could almost hear angels singing along with her as she spoke those words.

Valentine’s Day is a very special day of the year, when love seems to be celebrated in many countries around the world. With cards, flowers, romantic dinners and jewelry, we seek the most perfect way to say, “I love you.”

 I come from a family who showed me great love, honest love, and the finest love, yet that love could never compare to God’s love. The reason is that love comes from Him, through all of those whom I love. So could you even imagine how great the Giver of Love really is?

The greatest definition of love I have ever read is in 1 John 4:7-12, Dear friends, let us love one another, for love comes from God. Everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God.  Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love.  This is how God showed His love among us: He sent His one and only Son into the world that we might live through Him. This is love: not that we loved God, but that He loved us and sent His Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins. Dear friends, since God so loved us, we also ought to love one another. No one has ever seen God; but if we love one another, God lives in us and His love is made complete in us.

When I think of Jesus, I see and feel love; such an overabundance, that I want to share it with the world. If we could just take one moment out of our schedules and place it on God, silent whispers could change our lives. This is love that has always been there right from the start.

Elizabeth, Samantha, Emma, Charlotte, Jack, Ewan,  Aidan M, Patrick, Gianluca, Ally, Aidan S, Nikolaus, Paula, Mary, Salvatore, Dominique and Kristen, may the little stories of our 1st grade class, show the great love that God has for each and every one of us.

With love and blessings,

Have a wonderful Valentine’s Day!

Deanna

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One February morning after a winter blizzard, on our son’s birthday, there was a gift outside our window. These two hearts were in our driveway. They were the size of two cars, with no other tracks around, just a few tire marks on the street and a few foot steps on the ground.

Have you visited the treasuries of the snow? Have you seen where the hail is made and stored?… Job 38:22

God with us

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As we enter into the second half of the school year. I thought that it would be a good idea to start talking a little bit about First Holy Communion, which will be a big year for our class next year. So, I headed out to buy mini pita breads and some small cups to help in the visual and kinesthetic learning part of our lesson, which is the eating of bread and drinking of wine (we will use water).

I planned to use a felt board to reenact Jesus’ instruction at the Last Supper when He took bread, gave thanks and broke it, giving it to His disciples saying, “This is My body given for you; do this in remembrance of Me.” Then, giving them wine, saying: “This is My blood, this cup is the new covenant which is poured out for you.” Luke 22:19-20. Only, life had a different plan called No Time Left. All the day’s chores and taking my son shopping to get ready to go back to college. Left me with 20 minutes to put all the pieces for the felt board together and pack my bag with all the supplies. As you can guess, that’s not happening… However, I am very grateful for a plan B, which is God’s grace. I had just enough time to grab a video tape about the Last Supper.

The moment I entered the RE office to get my mail, I was told one of the other first grade teachers would not be coming in, and asked if I would teach her class as well. “ Why not?” After all, I have plan B, a movie, and most of all four great teacher’s assistants. Before merging the two classes, I had Dominique take attendance and do a chapter in their work book. As I would do in our class. All goes well, we got together, the movie starts, and the kids are happy. About 10 minutes into the movie, Paula walks over to me and whispers, “I have this tape at home, and it scares me. I don’t want to watch it.”

It took me back to years ago, when our family visited Disney World with another family of friends. Everyone wanted to go on the Tower of Terror. All the kids were excited as we waited on line. I had no clue, to what I was in for… Our youngest daughter Gabriella, was about the age of our class. To cut to the chase, I could not wait for the ride to be over, and neither could she. She was done. It ruined her day. Therefore, we waited at the exit of every ride all day. This opened my eyes to see how scary everything in Disney’s Hollywood Studios can be. Monsters pop up and out of everything and anything.

Now, back to our class. We just passed the part of the video where Judas was receiving thirty pieces of silver for betraying Jesus. They were now in the upper room where our Lord instituted the Most Holy Eucharist at the Last Supper. I decided to stop the movie there, and use the pita breads to continue. To my surprise, some of the class was very upset. They wanted to see the video. I thank God for giving me two classrooms. After they had the pita bread and water, I gave them a choice to stay and finish watching the movie or come with me to the other class. It was an even split. All the girls and Gianluca came with me, and all the boys and Charlotte, stayed.

For those who came back with me, I had the privilege to share with them the joy of God’s Word. How God can take the things in this world that are scary to us, and give us His peace, by showing us the awesome love He has for all of us. When I ask them, “What do you see when you see the Cross?” With a joyful melody, they all yell out a HUG!

“Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and they shall call His Name Immanuel” (which means, God with us). Matthew 1:23

The Lord is my shepherd: ‘Even though I walk through the darkest valley, I fear no evil; for You are with me…Psalm 23:4

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Baptism

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Our first day back to class, after being off for three weeks, was a great adventure. A first grade teacher’s absence brought our class size up to 27 sweet little faces. I thank God for blessing me with wonderful teacher’s assistants. They are Dominique, Kristen, Hope & Juliana, I could not have done it without their dedicated support! Thank you, girls…

Baby dolls dressed in white, water, bucket, sea shell, oil, candles, and some cute lil’ couples, we are ready to roll. Our first couple up was Gianluca and Samantha. They chose the godparents, and they named the baby Jackson.  (For me, it is very important to bring the children as close to the moment as possible when teaching them, because we all do not learn the same way. Auditory learners learn best by hearing. Visual learners learn best by seeing, and the kinesthetic learner commonly known as “do-ers” need to touch it.)

 We started off with a blessing, the feeling they received when they first entered the church. Everyone had a partner and they placed the Sign of our Lord’s Cross on each other’s forehead. Aidan and Jack reenacted when our Lord Jesus Christ instituted the Sacrament of Baptism, by being baptized by John the Baptist in the River Jordan, and the Holy Spirit descended on Him in bodily form like a dove. And a Voice came from heaven: “You are my Son, whom I love; with You I am well pleased.” Luke 3:22. We talked about people getting baptized into the Christian faith and the promise to live in a Christian way, and how a baby obviously can’t make any promises, so the parents and godparents make the promises for the baby. I showed them oil, and shared how holy oils are used for anointing. Then they all lined up, excited to have that feeling of when water was poured on their head. They must all do well washing their hair, because their heads went straight back while the small sea shell dripped a little water on their foreheads. And last, but not least, holding a candle, we talked about how they are a light in this world. And when the Lord Jesus said, “Is a candle brought to be put under a bushel, or a basket, or under a bed? and not to be set on a candlestick?” Mark 4:21. As I asked them to close their eyes, then open them, I shared how they are all a light in this world that has its eyes shut. The smiles on their faces, let me know that they knew that they are all very special.

Baptism is the foundation of the whole of Christian life. It is the gateway to life in the      Holy Spirit. Through Baptism a person is reborn as a daughter or son of God. It is through Baptism that an individual begins his or her relationship with Jesus Christ and the Church.

Of course, they were all to young too remember the day they were baptized, except through pictures and stories that are shared with them. So, going through auditory, visual and a kinesthetic steps. It is my prayer, that they will always remember and embrace the beauty of being baptized.

“Therefore, go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the Name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.” Matthew 28:19

Wishing you all a very blessed New Year!

Deanna

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Improvisation

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Improvisation can be thought of as an “on the spot” spontaneous activity. It is reacting in the moment and in response to the stimulus of one’s present environment and inner feelings. It’s the practice of acting, dancing, singing, playing a musical instrument, talking, creating artworks, or problem solving. It’s the act or art of improvising.

This past week I was all set for Monday’s class. The lesson was planned. I brought in one of my girl’s dolls from when they were younger, with a lil’ white knitted blanket for our story time. Part of my plan was to have the kids dress up as Mary, Joseph, the Shepherds,Three Kings, and Angels, as I read them the Christmas story. I wanted them to feel a little closer to the true meaning of this special time of the year. Nonetheless, as I walked into the office to borrow the dress up attire, I found out it was in use for the dress rehearsal for the Christmas pageant.

Okay, time to pray and improv. I looked around our classroom for something to dress the kids in. To my eye’s delight, a box with pink tissues, and by the sink, a roll of paper towels. In my bag was some yellow yarn. ‘We are back in business!’ All I can say is what a joy it was to hear the little giggles of our 1st grade class, as I put the pink tissue on Paula’s head and the paper-towels on Jack’s. They looked sooo cute, as they embraced baby Jesus as Mary and Joseph, while Kristen read them the Christmas story. Thanking God for His provision, this made me think about the blessed Mother. How many times did she have to improv?

God said, “I choose you.” Mary was a young girl who one day was visited by an angel who sang the most beautiful, awe-inspiring song. “Greetings, favored woman, the Lord is with you.” ” Unto you. he said; a child will be born.”  Mary was engaged to be married to Joseph, a Jewish carpenter, so she was confused and disturbed as she tried to think of what the angel could mean.  “Don’t be frightened, Mary,” the angel told her.  “For God has decided to bless you.  You will become pregnant and have a son, and you are to name him Jesus.  He will be very great and will be called the Son of the Most High.  And the Lord God will give Him the throne of His ancestor, David, and He will reign over Israel forever.  His kingdom will never end. Mary asked the angel, “But how can I have a baby, I am a virgin?”  The angel replied, “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the Power of the Most High will overshadow you.  So the baby born to you will be Holy and He will be called the Son of God. “For nothing is impossible with God,” Mary responded.   I am the Lord’s servant, and I am willing to accept whatever He wants.  May everything you have said come true.  And the angel left.

Now, Mary’s left with much to think about. The angel’s gone, when will this happen?  Exactly how will it happen?  Does Joseph know, and how will I tell him? My family? Did she wonder what she just agreed too? All I know is, most importantly, she trusted God to provide all she needed, and He did! While she was in the later months of her pregnancy, she had to travel to Bethlehem for the census. There was no limo, so she rode on a donkey. There were no rooms in the inn, so she stayed in a stable. There was no bed for her new-born baby, so she wrapped Him in cloths and placed Him in a manger. I realized, things may not always go as we plan, but improvisation is a way of life. So on those days when it seems as though nothing is going our way, we should look at the Christmas story and be encouraged. For God has a better plan. After all, what would Christmas be like without the manger? Could you imagine a deluxe building with a golden crib and limo outside to take the place of the stable. Could you imagine a first grade class without sweet giggles. How boring would that be!

So, my dear brothers and sisters, be strong and immovable. Always work enthusiastically for the Lord, for you know that nothing you do for the Lord is ever useless. ~ 1 Corinthians 15:58

Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding.                   In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make your paths straight.                            ~ Proverbs 3:5-6

May our loving Lord bless you this Christmas and always!

Deanna

Jack & Paula playing Mary and Joseph loving Jesus

Jack & Paula playing Mary and Joseph loving Jesus

Story time

Story time

Thanksgiving Prayer

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Well it’s been a few weeks since we had class, and so much has happened since then. For one, I had the privilege to visit my son in Florence Italy with my mom and younger daughter Gabriella. Good food, great shopping, a climb to the top of the bell tower, a tour to San Gimignano, Siena, and Chianti, a beautiful walk through the palace garden, a delightful, (and much needed) Italian massage and above all things, awesome company. A blessing indeed!

On our trip, I read a story about Tom Brown’s School Days, a famous British novel. Tom Brown was a popular boy who attended a boarding school in England. He lived with a group of boys in one of the dormitories. Everything that Tom did had a great impact on the other kids at school. One day a new boy came to the school. That night, before bed the new boy knelt down to say his prayers. A few boys began to make fun of him, one even through a shoe at him. That night Tom could not fall asleep. He kept thinking about what happened to the new kid. He also began to think about his mom and the prayers she had taught him to say before he went to bed. Prayers he had not said, since he came to this school. The next night, as the boys were getting ready to pick on the new boy for saying his prayers. Something beautiful happened, Tom knelt down also. There was silence in the dormitory. His example, changed the thoughts of many boys that night.

I thought it would be great to share this story with our class. So in the garden of our Blessed Mother, Aidan played Tom and Gianluca played the new boy. As we reenacted this scene. I shared with them, how they too can make a difference in the lives of many with their love for God. I was able to turn them towards The Blessed Mother and show them how one life can have such an impact on so many people. Just take a look at Mary’s ‘Yes’ to God. God sent the angel Gabriel to Nazareth, a town in Galilee, to a virgin pledged to be married to a man named Joseph, a descendant of David. The virgin’s name was Mary. The angel went to her and said, “Greetings, you who are highly favored! The Lord is with you.” Mary was greatly troubled at his words and wondered what kind of greeting this might be. But the angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary; you have found favor with God. You will conceive and give birth to a son, and you are to call Him Jesus. He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. The Lord God will give Him the throne of His father David, and He will reign over Jacob’s descendants forever; His kingdom will never end.” “How will this be,” Mary asked the angel, “since I am a virgin?” The angel answered, “The Holy Spirit will come on you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. So the Holy One to be born will be called the Son of God… For no word from God will ever fail.” “I am the Lord’s servant,” Mary answered. “May your word to me be fulfilled.” Then the angel left her.

There is so much to be grateful for… I asked the class; “What are you thankful for?” Aidan, Elizabeth, Jack, Samantha, Nickolaus, and Paula said. “My family.” “Mom and Dad. Grandma and Grandpa, Friends, The whole wide world!” was the responses of Emma, Charlotte, Ewan, Aidan M, Ally, and Gianluca. Come, let us sing to the Lord! Let us shout joyfully to the Rock of our salvation. Let us come to Him with thanksgiving.~ Psalm 95:1-2 As our class colored in their Thanksgiving pictures, I played this song by The Katinas called Thank You, for them. Their responce, “Play it again” So, here it is!   http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z6i5rLv8xbc

My Thanksgiving prayer; May God give you more and more grace and peace as you grow in your knowledge of God and Jesus our Lord. 2 Peter 1:2

Have a very blessed Thanksgiving!!!

 Deanna

Unconditional Love

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Getting to know you!  Speed meeting, a mix of musical chairs and Speed dating. Just a few minuets to get the kids to know each other better. Hi, my name is… Where do you go to school?… What’s your favorite game?… How many Brothers or sisters do you have?… The bell rings, they quickly switch and meet a new friend. Hi I’m… Who is your teacher?… and the game goes on. It’s spending time with each other, that we can better know and care for one another. As God has given us this special gift of friendship, He also calls us to know Him better, and there is no better way the to spend time together!

 All you have to do is spend a little time with these little ones, to see that their love is pure and it is unconditional!  I remember when our oldest son, was just a bit younger then our class. I did not feel very well one day. As I laid on the couch, with no energy, to do much of anything. I felt his lil’ hands lift my head. Only to put a pillow underneath it. As I thought, how sweet is he. The next thing I knew, was that, he’d also brought me a blanket. Placing it on me, and tucking in all the ends underneath me. I thought to myself, he has nothing on his mind, but me. Do I love like that? All I can say is, that very day, he taught me how to love. How to give your all to someone, with nothing else on your mind.

Today in class my daughter said to me, “Mommy, look how cute, I’m going to cry” as she smiled, Gianluca drew a picture of his fish and himself. He had a few words coming out of the fishes mouth, saying; “I love you too.” All the kids did great drawing of their families and to see how much effort they put in to their work. It’s these precious moments that no money can buy.

As we get to know each other, and the love that God has for each and every one of us is beyond words! It’s an awesome privilege to spend time with children. No-wonder Jesus said, “Let the little children come to Me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these.” Matthew 19:14

Have a blessed day!

Deanna http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mEO1op4wTPE

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