Day 6

Today I'm thankful for the early morning sunlight that illuminates my walk to work.  It's such a great way to start my day--walking in the sunshine, listening to the sounds of the birds and insects that are just waking up.

Day 5

I'm thankful for my job as a 1st grade teacher's aide.  I absolutely love it--love being around the kids, love the teacher I work with, love the school.

Day 4

I am thankful for my husband, who continues to love me even when I fall far short of the example of a good wife in Proverbs 31!

Day 3

For the big pot of vegetable soup simmering on the stove right now, which will provide my family with nourishment of both mind and spirit during the coming week.

Day 2

This morning I am thankful for the beautiful star-filled sky that I see while on my way to my weekly Weight Watchers meeting!

He numbers the stars, and gives to all of them their names.  Ps. 147:4

Day 1

Today I am thankful for my parents, who are no longer with me, but who passed on the incredible gift of the Catholic faith to me.  I was raised in a home that was openly Catholic, by parents who were committed, faithful, and open about practicing their faith in all aspects of their lives.  What a wonderful example they set for me!

The prayer of the Church

I've been feeling more and more of a pull to begin praying--at least in part--the Liturgy of the Hours.  Over and over I would consider purchasing a copy of Christian Prayer, or even the 4-volume Liturgy of the Hours set (both from Catholic Book Company) but somehow it just never quite happened.

On Sunday I went to evening Mass at a neighboring parish--and what was the subject of the sermon?  Learning to pray the Liturgy of the Hours!  Fr. Gyan even offered to make an appointment with any of us who wanted to learn this important part of Catholic prayer life.

That's all it took.  I decided then and there that I was going to learn to pray this official prayer of the Church.  And I made plans to get myself over to the local Catholic book store this weekend to purchase either a copy of Christian Prayer, or the first volume of the 4-volume set.

But a funny thing happened....I started searching for information about reading the Breviary the other night and I discovered that the version of the Breviary that I really want--the one that's the easiest to use, and contains the most up-to-date translations, etc.,. isn't available here!

So I'm off to Kenya to order a copy!  OK, I'm not really going to Kenya, but I have contacted the Daughters of St. Paul to order a copy of their version of the single-volume Breviary "The Prayer of the Church."  I'm also ordering a copy of an abbreviated version of the LOTH from them--called "Christian Prayer" it contains the texts for morning, evening, and night prayer.

I'm hoping to have them in time for the first day of Advent.  What a wonderful way to start the new liturgical year!