Nonnie's Observations

peaceful rural view from the country club, site of a luncheon gath'ring   linking to Shadow Shot Sunday 2 hosted this week  by Magical Mystical Teacher

Mother of Perpetual Help,  you have been blessed and favored by God.  You became not only the Mother of the Redeemer,  but Mother of the redeemed as well.  We come to you today as your loving children.  Watch over us and take care of us.  As you held the child  Jesus  in your loving arms,  so take us in your arms.  Be a mother ready at every moment to help us.  For  God  who is mighty has done great things for you,  and God's mercy is from age to age  on those who love God.  Intercede for us, dear Mother,  in obtaining pardon for our sins,  love for Jesus,  final perseverance,  and the  grace  always to call upon you,  Mother of Perpetual Help.  linking to  devotees of Mary, at Rebecca's A Virgin A Day

wreath, multi-green'ry, highlights my crimson front door, with cheery greetings linking to James and his fabulous Weekend Reflections

My Haiku Dedication to Joe Spado: Dear God, welcome Joe, with Your loving open arms and the kiss of peace.  Receive, Lord, in tranquility and peace,  the soul of your servant, Joe Spado ,  who has departed out of this present life to be with you.   Give him the life that knows no age,  the good things that do not pass away;  through Jesus Christ our Lord. ~ Adapted from Saint Ignatius Loyola~ I knew Joe only from his blog Round Circle:  The Truth Is Spoken Here. However, what I learned from reading  his posts was that he was a deeply caring man  who endured physical pain,  with more than a modicum of humor, as one can tell from his own profile: Spadoman I'm a Renaisance Man. I've been a lot of places and done a lot of things. I tell stories, sometimes, when I'm in the mood or especially when someone asks me. I don't want to believe I have an ego problem, but I admit I have an ego. All I really desire is when you hear that I have passed, I hope you can say, "Too b

holding a street sign cute snowman garbed in top hat guiding visitors linking to Lesley's Signs, Signs for a bit of fun

O Virgin Mother of God, Mary Immaculate, We dedicate and consecrate ourselves to you  under the title of Our Lady of the Miraculous Medal May this Medal be for each one of us a sure sign  of your affection for us  and a constant reminder of our duties toward you. Ever while wearing it,  may we be blessed by your loving protections  and preserved in the grace of your son.   O Most Powerful Virgin,  Mother of our Savior, keep us close to you every moment of our lives.   Obtain for us, your children,  the grace of a happy death;  so that in union with you,  we may enjoy the bliss of Heaven forever.  Amen  It is important to note as well that,  as with all sacramentals,  the Miraculous Medal is not some “lucky charm”.  Keep in mind also that in expressing devotion to Mary,  we do not  worship  her,  as many Christians in other denominations,  especially some Evangelicals, believe,  but rather  honor  her in  her  devotion to our Lord!  As the popular saying goes “to Jesus through Mary.” 

"Creation's New Eve reveals 'a people in darkness' not forsaken but waiting, for the blackness is contained within a warm and spotless womb dotted only with the Speck of a Savior." ~ Rita A. Simmonds ~ note: This is the first time  I've heard of Rita A. Simmonds.  With this poem, I know that I shall read more of her poetry. linking to the incomparable Rebecca and her A Virgin A Day

The Magnificat's Meditation of the Day for Tuesday was "Huron Carol".  It was the first North American Christmas carol.  The song was written by Jesuit father and North American martyr Saint Jean de Brebeuf pencil drawing by Helen Hull Hitchcock in Quebec, Canada, where he was a missionary to the Huron people.  The words are not exactly the same as in the devotional, but I think they both express the love Brebeuf felt for Jesus and the Huron people. Below are the lyrics that I found here . Twas in the moon of wintertime When all the birds had fled, That mighty Gitchi Manitou Sent angel choirs instead; Before their light the stars grew dim, And wond'ring hunters heard the hymn: Jesus, your King is born, Jesus is born, In excelsis gloria . O, harken to the angels' word, Do not decline To heed the message which you heard: The Child Divine, As they proclaim, has come this morn Of Mary pure. Let us adore. Jesus is born, In excelsis gloria . Within a lodge of broken ba

o blessed Mother, through these days of Advent, when mothers are taking on even more with shopping- whether online or in stores- planning menus for family and guests, driving children hither and yon, helping at the local food bank, buying extra food and gifts for families in need, remembering prayers for their Advent partners, reading the latest chapter for their Bible Studies, and taking the time to pray for themselves in order to have patience and love for their families and neighbors. o please, Mary, open your heart to cover over all these beautiful mothers with your divinity. amen a note about the collage: I borrowed the image of Mary from http://ww.123rf.com/stock-photo/ The other items are from my From Teddi with Love kit. linking with love to Rebecca's A Virgin A Day Rest in Peace, dear Joe Spado, of Round Circle

afternoon visit provides a meal for my sight feeding with shadows more Shadow Shot Sunday 2 hosted by the delightful Gemma Wiseman

Earlier today I happened upon a most delightful Etsy shop called Elegant Whispers. For just $4 I acquired "From Teddi with Love Kit." This is my first attempt doing a digital collage. I uploaded different elements  to my Creative Memories Storybook Creations program. I had fun trying different images on the page. If you like doing art work in a digital form, I encourage you to visit Elegant Whispers . I intend to shop there and acquire more of  Patti Koosed's products.

Luke 1:39-56 At that time Mary got ready and hurried to a town in the hill country of Judea,   40  where she entered Zechariah’s home and greeted Elizabeth.   41  When Elizabeth heard Mary’s greeting, the baby leaped in her womb, and Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit.   42  In a loud voice she exclaimed: “Blessed are you among women,  and blessed is the child you will bear!   43  But why am I so favored, that the mother of my Lord  should come to me?   44  As soon as the sound of your greeting reached my ears, the baby in my womb leaped for joy.   45  Blessed is she who has believed that the Lord would fulfill his promises to her!” Mary’s Song 46  And Mary said: “My soul glorifies the Lord 47       and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior, 48  for he has been mindful      of the humble state of his servant. From now on all generations will call me blessed, 49       for the Mighty One has done great things  for me—      holy is his name. 50  His mercy extends to those who fear hi