Last Wednesday, instead of our normal school day at Children of the Holy House, we enjoyed Mass, an Advent program and a luncheon. It was our first time attending Mass at Our Lady of Walsingham and was quite the experience for all of us. For example, it was first time attending a Mass where the priest faced away from the congregation. It was my first time using a communion rail. The sign of peace happened before the presentation of the gifts rather than right before communion. In fact, everyone knelt from the presentation of the gifts until communion. It was definitely a different experience for us. The girls were enthusiastic and want to go every week before classes--a true feat for us as we would have to leave the house before 7 AM. For me, the Mass gave me an appreciation of the gift of the rituals involved in the Mass. I felt a bit cheated that I had not experienced it that way before. After all, those choices were made by others not by me.
After Mass, we assembled outside for "Las posadas". I had been asked to sing a verse because I know Spanish and had practiced it over and over on the forty five minute drive to HH that morning. My verse was, "Ya se pueden ir y no molestar porque si me enfado, os voy a apalear" which means, "you (Mary and Joseph) can leave now and not be a bother because if I get mad, I'm going to beat you with a stick". I got the worst verse. But did a great job--probably all of that last minute practicing. I loved the song. I want to do our own version of "Las posadas" in the back yard. Maybe not this year.....
Mary and Joseph at one of the posadas
That's Grace under the brown blanket being a shepherd
Wee Saints
The boy behind Sophie is her friend John
John's mom is their teacher. When I dropped Sophie off with her before the program I checked, "okay, so you have Sophie?" She said, "And Sophie has John" :)
Mia and buddy Carolyn spectate
Madeleine led a Christmas pantomime
Mia's Latin class recited a prayer and sang "Adeste Fidelis"
Her teacher, Mrs. Roy made their song booklets which gave them quite the air of professionals.
Ella's first time at Holy House
Grandma and Grandpa Doyle's too
Back at home: we've been making lots and lots of candy cane cookies--and
squashed piles of red dough
Sophie-ism: At bath time tonight, I was talking to Sophie about swim team. She said, "I wish they had a stroke called "Mermaid", I'd be really fast at that one. :)
Does it feel strange to you to have Christmas on a Sunday? It's throwing me off......
One week to go!!
