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by Jessica | Dec 29, 2022

Veteran’s Day Wreaths Across America Fundraiser

Nov 11, 2019 | Cousins | 0 Comments

Two of our nieces are American Heritage Girls and they are currently raising funds for their troop and Wreaths Across America! Please consider sponsoring a wreath.

From my sister-in-law:

“On December 14, 2019, Christmas wreaths will be laid on the gravestones of fallen U.S. veterans across the nation.

By sponsoring one (or more!) of these wreaths for $15, you can support our Troop MD0134, which will receive $5 for every wreath sponsored. When joined to prayer for the deceased veterans in Purgatory, you are fulfilling the spiritual work of mercy, ‘to pray for the living and dead,’ and the corporal work of mercy, ‘to bury the dead.’

November is the month of the Poor Souls, so it is a perfect time to pray for these deceased American heroes, who put their lives in harm’s way, to liberate the oppressed and to defend the freedoms – especially religious freedom – that we enjoy in abundance here in America.

See our troop’s Wreaths Across America fundraising webpage here. Please forward to family and friends to raise even more donations for our troop and to honor veterans!”

Happy Veteran’s Day!

Where’s Waldo?

Nov 9, 2019 | Christendom College | 5 Comments

The boys sent me some pictures from Christendom’s Halloween Dance and said that I could share them with you all! They ended up dressing up (with a couple friends) as “Waldo and Wenda” from Where’s Waldo? and “Westley and Buttercup” from The Princess Bride. We had so much fun coming up with costumes while they were home over fall break. Just six more weeks and they’ll be home again for Christmas!

I love that I can spot Waldo (and Wenda!) so easily in the crowd!

I heard that Westley and Buttercup ended up with Honorable Mention (or was it 3rd place?) for their costumes in the costume competition.

And from Christendom Today…. “Where’s Waldo?”

Where’s Waldo? Costume • Westley Boots and Mask

All Saints Guessing Jars {Printable Guess Pages}

Nov 9, 2019 | All Saints Guessing Jars | 2 Comments

On October 31st, just before this year’s party, I quickly created some last minute printables to go along with each of this year’s All Saints Guessing Jars… In the past I’ve always used guessing slips, keeping each participants guess a secret, but with so many people expected at our parish party (we ended up having over 400 people!) it would have taken forever to figure out the winners.

I have had some requests to share these so I’m adding them to the blog now. These guessing jars don’t need to be exclusively for All Hallows’ Eve/All Saints Parties! They are also great for feasts and seasons throughout the liturgical year, as well as sacramental (confirmation and baptism) parties.

Download my All Saints Guessing Jars Guess Pages here

(If I can eventually get around to making the rest I will be sure to share them as well.)

All Hallows’ Eve Party at St. Joan of Arc Parish

Nov 6, 2019 | All Hallows Eve, All Saints Day | 15 Comments

Some of our children’s favorite childhood memories are the All Hallows’ Eve Parties we had at our old parish (up through 2010) and hosted at our old home (from 2011-2017). When we moved last October they were so disappointed that we wouldn’t be hosting our annual All Hallows’ Eve party… and I was relieved since, with our last baby (and now another!), I just haven’t had the energy to host it anyway!

One of my dear friends was asked by Father Gordon to put together the parish’s All Hallows’ Eve/All Saints Party this year and she did an AMAZING job! We had a little planning meeting (just three of us!) at my house, but other than putting together some posters to advertise the party (above) and taking on the All Saints Guessing Jars game, I did very little. She did an incredible job and put in a lot of time and hard work into coordinating, preparing and pulling it all together. On our way to the party I told my kids, “I’m so glad this parish has a Geneva!”

It was a lovely evening beginning with outdoor games before it got too cold and dark. After that we moved inside for the Litany of the Saints and then Dinner. After Dinner there was more indoor games, including the All Saints Guessing Jars and a Pumpkin Carving Competition.

There ended up being OVER 400 people in attendance!

I didn’t get as many pictures as I would have liked while holding my little two month old (plus all I have is my iPhone camera now after a recent accident with my camera…sob… so some of the pictures are pretty blurry), but here are some that I did take to share.

Giving some instructions to the Maiden’s of St. Joan who were helping for the evening!

.: Costumes :.

St. Lucia, St. Cecilia, St. Pio, St. Zelie, The Little Flower, St. Louis and St. Philomena – All Saints in Heaven, Pray for us!

I blogged about this year’s costumes here.

Cassock or Costume?

My favorite costume of the evening? … Father Gordon!

It took a little convincing to get my husband to show up at the parish party dressed as his brother, but he did it and it was so much fun to see the reactions! #yetanotherfathergordon #fssp

I don’t think they look that much alike, but even in regular church clothes (slacks/white shirt/tie) Sean is often mistaken as his brother (who is always in his cassock). Last Sunday he held the door for someone and they responded “Thank you, Father!” and he’s even been thanked for “his” sermons.

I missed seeing Father’s original reaction, I wish I would have been able to get it on video, but according to my 14 year old, “It was SO great!! Father said “WHAAATTT!” while pointing at Dad and then doubled over laughing!” She also said all evening she would notice some of teens *almost* say something to Sean and then realize he wasn’t Father Gordon! So funny!

.: Outdoor Games :.

The Slay Goliath game was AWESOME! This is a larger version of the David & Goliath game we came up with back in 2007. The couple from our parish who put this one together did an incredible job. Definitely one of the highlights of the outdoor games, especially for all the teens!

Geneva came over and picked up some of our leftover moving boxes to put together this game.

Our little “St. Cecilia” spent a lot of time in there with her little friend but eventually emerged.

Saint Michael’s Stomp was another hit at the other end of the parking lot!

.: Litany of the Saints and Dinner :.

I didn’t get any pictures from the Saintly Procession, Litany of Saints, or Dinner, but you can find some over on the parish’s Facebook page!

.: Ora Pro Nobis :.

The children were provided everything they needed (including 30 pieces of candy!) to put together their own Ora Pro Nobis Candy Bags for the month of November.

.: Indoor Games :.

All Saints Guessing Jars

All the kids loved “Feed My Sheep” … Though it might have to do with how much candy St. Philomena was handing out to each of them after playing! 😉

.: Pumpkin Carving Contest :.

There were so many entries for the pumpkin carving competition! Every table had a couple pumpkins on the center and there was a whole other table for all the overflow. Next year we need to line them up outside so you can better view them lit up with candles.

Geneva’s carving of the Immaculate Heart which was outside and not included in the competition – So beautiful!

The three parish priests choose the three winners from all the anonymously carved pumpkins. Second and Third place went to carvings of the Sacred Heart and Nativity.

I only carved one pumpkin this year, helping my frustrated twelve year old finish carving the design he had chosen for St. George Patron of Knights, and we surprisingly won first place!

You can see the rest of our families carvings for this year here.

We ended up with St. Joan of Arc, a Cathedral, Carmel,

St. Elizabeth of Hungary and St. George Patron of Knights.

.: All Hallows’ Eve Bonfire :.

The evening ended with some music around a bonfire!

“The saints have not all started well but they have all finished well.”
– St. John Vianney

All Saints in Heaven, Ora Pro Nobis!

Saint-O-Lanterns

Nov 2, 2019 | Saint-O-Lanterns | 6 Comments

.: Our 2019 Saint-O-Lanterns :.

St. Elizabeth of Hungary

by Twinkle Toes

+ + + + + + +

Country Church

by Chiquita

+ + + + + + +

St. George

Patron of Knights

by Snuggles (and Mom)

+ + + + + + +

St. Therese at Carmel

by Rose

+ + + + + + +

St. Joan of Arc

by Bud (and Dad)

You can see the kids carving this year’s Saint-O-Lanterns here,

or scroll through all our past Saint-O-Lanterns in the archives.

Carving Our 2019 Saint-O-Lanterns

Nov 2, 2019 | Saint-O-Lanterns | 1 Comment

You can see this year’s Saint-O-Lanterns all lit up here,

or scroll through all our past Saint-O-Lanterns in the archives.

The Catholic Child and the Souls in Purgatory

Nov 2, 2019 | All Souls Day | 5 Comments

My dear Child: The Holy Souls in Purgatory need your help. You can do so much for them; they can do nothing for themselves.

Their time of merit is past; they have saved their souls; they are the friends of God; but they must suffer until they are fit to be admitted to the presence of God.

Grandma Gordon, who recently passed away in August, was the first to be added to this year’s calendar for November ♥

Perhaps your own relatives are waiting there, hoping that they will soon be released.

How you should pity them! How fervently you should pray for them. When they reach heaven, they will not forget you.

A Prayer for the Holy Souls

O DEAR Jesus! have mercy on the Souls in Purgatory. Have pity on them, dear Lord, and do not keep them long in their pain. Let them come to Thee in heaven to be happy with Thee forever. Amen.

Eternal rest grant unto them, O Lord! And let perpetual light shine upon them. May the souls of the faithful departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace. Amen.

Excerpt from Jesus, Make Me Worthy – A reprint of the original can be found here

I started filling this year’s Ora Pro Nobis Candy Boxes on Wednesday and shipped three of them (along with some letters from siblings and other things) to our two college boys with an extra for their roommate… I didn’t think they would arrive by November 1st, all the way on the other side of the country, but they did!

Ora Pro Nobis Candy Boxes make a sweet and prayerful activity to help remember the Holy Souls during the month of November, the month dedicated to the Church Suffering. Fill each box or bag with 30 pieces of candy. Write the name of a departed soul on the calendar for each day of November. Each day of the month, after the child has offered a prayer for the departed soul listed, they may take one piece of candy. The intention is to encourage prayers and sacrifices for the Church Suffering in a sweet and tangible way!

Note: Free calendars to print and color can be found in the archives:

https://showerofrosesblog.com/2014/11/ora-pro-nobis-candy-boxes.html

Eternal Father, I offer Thee the Most Precious Blood of Thy Divine Son, Jesus, in union with the masses said throughout the world today, for all the holy souls in purgatory, for sinners everywhere, for sinners in the universal church, those in my own home and within my family. Amen.

Celebrating the Saints :: Our 2019 Costumes

Nov 2, 2019 | All Saints Day, Costumes | 4 Comments

St. Lucia, St. Cecilia, St. Pio, St. Zelie, The Little Flower, St. Louis and St. Philomena – All Saints in Heaven, Pray for us!

“On the feasts of the saints consider their virtues, and beseech God to deign to adorn you with them.” – St. Teresa of Jesus

.: St. Lucia :.

Twinkle Toes (age 16) as St. Lucia

Twinkle Toes didn’t decide on a costume until the day before so that really limited her options. We don’t have much in the costume boxes in teen/adult sizes! She ended up going with St. Lucia!
Can you believe that Santa Lucia Day is NEXT MONTH already?!?

.: St. Philomena :.

Chiquita (age 14) as St. Philomena

This is a repeat costume from three years ago, but she really wanted to be St. Philomena again here at our new parish. Plus she is planning to choose St. Philomena as her Confirmation Saint next spring.

She had outgrown the old blue costume, but this beautiful dress worked perfectly, plus she didn’t need to wear it backwards like last time! We ordered it in a women’s size small. It took us awhile to find our Rose Garland for her head, but it all came together and she looked so pretty!

.: Sts. Louis & Zelie Martin and their Little Flower :.

Snuggles (age 12) as St. Louis Martin and Rose (age 9) as St. Zelie

Lily (2 months) as The Little Flower

Rose and Bud were both trying to get their older brother to dress up with them – Rose wanted him to be St. Louis and Bud wanted him to be St. Pio as his bilocating double! We were able to round up the stuff for a St. Louis costume, so that won. The only thing I purchased for his costume was this watch.

St. Zelie’s costume was super easy with this medium sized costume from Amazon. She also rounded up a doily and some knitting needles for her lace work to carry around. Her idea!

.: St. Pio of Pietrelcina :.

Bud (age 7) as St. Pio

The fake beard we ordered for this costume was so fun and kept him toasty warm for the outdoor games up here in Northern Idaho, plus it looked so cute! After I took a picture of him standing, he asked me to take one more and knelt down to pray. Love this little guy!

.: St. Cecilia :.

Grace (age 2) as St. Cecilia

St. Cecilia is aways popular with our girls. Twinkle Toes dressed up as her back in 2007 and Rose dress up as her in 2011. We reused Rose’s costume and picked up a new wig.

I love the long blond wigs on tiny little girls… So cute!

We’re missing the older boys, who are both back at Christendom, but we sure loved having them home for fall break last week. Won’t be long and they’ll be back for Christmas and winter break!

You can scroll through all our past costumes here.

Happy Feast of All Saints!

All Saints Guessing Jars {8 More Saints!}

Oct 30, 2019 | All Saints Guessing Jars | 5 Comments

Our annual All Saints Guessing Jars are filled and ready for the party tomorrow night! This year I decide to re-use some of our past ideas/labels (there are now so many to choose from!) adding in some new ones to the mix. You can click the link to download the free printable for this year’s new labels at the bottom of this post!

Trader Joe’s was my first stop for supplies. I love that they don’t use artificial dyes and have such fun snacks! I picked up Petite Pumpkin Spice Cookies, Pinks & Whites, Fleur de Sea Caramels, Chocolatey Cats Cookies, Scandinavian Swimmers, Organic Animal Crackers, and Cinnamon Schoolbook Cookies.

I also got some carving pumpkins for Saint-O-Lanterns!

Instead of reusing the Cat Cookies for St. Jerome, I made up a new label for St. Gertrude of Nivelles, Patron of Cats. Instead of using the animal crackers for St. Francis of Assisi again, they are now “wild beasts” for Its. Perpetual and Felicity.

I always enjoy browsing candy isles at the grocery store to see what else I can come up with for new ways to connect candy to the saints.

Dragon’s Teeth Candy Corn?! Perfect for St. George. In the past we have used Hot Tamales.

Now that Christmas stuff is available so early, I had even more options! As soon as I saw the Kissmas Tree Hershey Kisses I thought they would be perfect for St. Boniface, recalling the picture book Kristoph and the First Christmas Tree (included in our 2015 New Christmas Books for the Feast of St. Nicholas).

I also had someone email me asking if I had any ideas for St. Sebastian (along with a couple other saints), and I had been planning to include him this year with Super Sports Chocolate Candy, since he is the Patron of Athletes!

I love how these three jars turned out. So fun!

I never did pick up Dove chocolates for St. Teresa of Avila, but a label is included in the new printable for this year.

I also included labels for St. Teresa of Calcutta (any white and blue striped candy would work like these, these or these) and St. Maria Faustina (I think these could work for “Rays of Mercy”).

You can download this year’s printable labels here.

Find links to more of my FREE All Saints Printables here.

All Saints Guessing Jars {Dye-Free Edition}

Oct 29, 2019 | All Saints Guessing Jars | 5 Comments

I’m currently working on a few new additions for this year’s All Saints Guessing Jars, but I recently realized that I never did share the new additions from a couple years ago! I’m going to quickly share them now in case anyone would like some new ideas.

That year (2017) we had a smaller, mostly family party, since we had such a difficult baby at the time, and I focused on jars featuring our three newly confirmed teens’ Confirmation Saints – St. Maximilian Kolbe, St. Augustine, and St. Elizabeth of Hungary. We also have a teen with an artificial dye allergy, so I included some dye free options. I never did get around to making any last year, since the movers were unloading the truck at our new home on October 31st!

Gummy Soda Bottles are perfect for St. Augustine, patron of brewers!

*I can’t remember if these were dye free or not…

For St. Maximilan Kolbe we used Fudge Stripes.

This jar filled with Sun Drops Milk Chocolates (from the Health Food store) commemorating the 100th Anniversary of Our Lady of Fatima and the Miracle of the Sun.

Wooden Saints from Naturally Catholic!

*Naturally Catholic is closing shop soon for the season,

so order now if you’d like any Christmas gifts!

Petite Pumpkin Spice Cookies from Trader Joe’s for St. Fiacre

Organic Delish Fish for St. Andrew

Andes Mints for St. Teresa of the Andes

*these do include dye…

Milky Way Midnight Minis for St. Dominic, patron of astronomers

Download my free printable jar labels here:
All Saints Guessing Jars 2017

I’ll be back with a few more new additions soon…

Find links to more of my All Saints Party Printables here!

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Sean & Jessica, Captain-24, Ranger-23, Twinkle Toes-21, Chiquita-20, Snuggles-17, Rose-15, Bud-13, Grace-7 and Joy-5 (blog nicknames)

A Little About Me

Hi! I'm Jessica, a Roman Catholic wife and home educating mother to our nine children. I was home educated myself, along with my eleven younger siblings. I have a special devotion to St. Therese, through whom I have been given much help and many blessings--the beautiful "Shower of Roses" that she has sent my way! Here I will record a few of the blessings I treasure. Please remember that what you see here is just a little glimpse at our lives, so please say a prayer for us, as we continue to strive for holiness.

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Prayer of Mothers

Father in heaven, grant me the grace to appreciate the dignity which you have conferred on me. Let me realize that not even the Angels have been blessed with such a privilege—to share in your creative miracle and bring new Saints to heaven. Make me a good mother to all my children after the example of Mary, the Mother of your Son. Through the intercession of Jesus and Mary I ask your continued blessings on my family. Let us all be dedicated to your service on earth and attain the eternal happiness of your kingdom in heaven. Amen.