Just Another Day In Paradise

St. Monica narration

 

By Joseph- age 10

St. Monica was born in Northern Africa. She married a pagan. He made her suffer because of his bad temper. Still, Monica never talked back to him, but spoke good of him. He died in the year 372. He was baptized on his death bed.

Monica had a son whose name was Augustine. He lived a sinful life. He went to Rome without Monica. St Monica followed him there. Later on he converted and he became a teacher. He also became a priest and a a bishop. St. Monica died in the year 387.

Novena to St. Monica

Dear St Monica, troubled wife and mother,
Many sorrows pierced your heart
During your lifetime.
Yet you never despaired or lost faith.
With confidence, persistence and profound faith,
You prayed daily for the conversion
Of your beloved husband, Patricius
And your beloved son, Augustine.

Grant me that same fortitude,
Patience and trust in the Lord.
Intercede for me, dear St. Monica,
That God may favorably hear my plea
For

(mention your petition here)

And grant me the grace
To accept his will in all things,
Through Jesus Christ, our Lord,
In the unity of the Holy Spirit,
One God forever and ever. Amen.

"Ocean Deep" inspired drawing

Last week while I was at Costco, I saw the Planet Earth - The Complete BBC Series DVD's on sale and I just couldn't resist buying them. We first saw these on t.v. last year when we had cable for a few months. It became one of our favorite weekly rituals with the kids. They really loved this show and learned a lot from them. So when I came across them, I knew I had to get them. I was a little hesitant about the cost, but I considered this part of our "educational budget."

Every Friday and Saturday night after prayers, we have a family movie night in our bedroom. Now that we have these DVD's, we'll be watching them instead of movies. The kids camp out in our room and we watch a full episode, usually about an hour long. So far, their favorite has been the "Caves" episode. Here is a review of this episode:

"Into the Abyss" showing the rigors of filming the planet's most spectacular caves, including the last filming ever officially permitted in the "Chandelier Ballroom," a crystal-encrusted cavern found over a mile deep in New Mexico's treacherous Lechuguilla, the deepest cave in the continental United States."

This weekend we watched the "Ocean Deep" episode. I like this one a lot better than the "caves" because it's not as gross. If you've seen it, you'll know what I mean ; ) Angela seems to have liked this one as well. Today, while on our way to a friend's house for brunch, she drew a picture of a Great White Shark and some sea creatures around it. Our kids usually take some paper and art supplies with them whenever we go out. It makes for a cluttered van, but I'm so glad Angela did. I was so impressed with the detail, especially since she's only 5 years old. That shark looks pretty angry. Here is her "Ocean Deep" drawing: