Faith

The truth about living liturgically

The 2020 Thy Word Gospel Reflection Journal is on sale now, but supplies are super limited. Make sure to grab a copy soon!

There is a lot of talk in Catholic Circles about “Living Liturgically”.

Now, living in sync with the seasons and feast days of the Catholic Church is AMAZING…but when I was a young Catholic mom, just discovering how to run a home, I was totally STRESSED about “Living Liturgically”.

Why?

Because I thought that to live liturgically I needed to remember every single feast day, and plan a cute craft, and cook an involved and witty meal. And if I missed even one feast day I was a TOTAL FAILURE.

And, I missed nearly all of the feast days. So most days I went to bed confident that I was, once again, the worst Catholic mom ever.

Well, the years passed and babies kept coming. The idea of doing a craft or making a special meal for each feast day was simply laughable. We were hanging on by the skin of our teeth! Fed and clean was good enough!

And here is the funny thing.

As our family grew, life got busier, and I gave up on living liturgically, we naturally became more Liturgical.

This didn’t happen through crafts or food.

Nope, it happened through Scripture. Specifically through the liturgical readings of our Church.

Gradually I have made it a habit to read the readings assigned by the Church to each day, with a special focus on the Sunday readings.

Simply making time to read the daily readings has done something to me and my family–it has brought us into the rhythm of the Church.

My heart is asking the same questions of the disciples, and straining to hear the words of our Savior. I am with the saints, pondering the Psalms and working through the teachings of St. Paul’s letters to the Early Church.

I know that this is simple and fairly obvious, but I can’t tell you how freeing it is to know that I don’t have to remember every feast day with a special meal and craft. Now, don’t get me wrong. I love cooking and crafting…but the idea that I HAD to mark these days with things that could potentially stress me out, and that I constantly had to be looking into the future, planning crafts and meal plans… Ah! I’m getting all hot and tense just thinking about it!

Celebrating with meals and crafts is AWESOME, and so many more organized people than me do just that. Bravo if that’s you!

But if it’s not you, please don’t label yourself a failure!

You can live liturgically–and you can guide your family in a liturgical life.

THROUGH THE SCRIPTURE.

Of course, we can even make reading the Scriptures complicated. (The Devil likes to do this so that we stop doing these good things). But let’s not do that! Let’s keep reading Scripture SO SIMPLE. So small. So easy.

Yes, work to get into the habit of reading the daily Gospel reading… But how about one verse a week? Taken from that Sunday’s Gospel reading. Just one verse to read and sit with. Just one phrase from Jesus, Himself, that will help you live with the Church.

This was my guiding hope for you as I put together the 2020 Thy Word Gospel Journal.

Here is a look at one of the weeks included in the journal:

As you can see, the journal is so simple. Just the date, citation, a flower, and a single verse.

And likely you’ve heard that verse on the page before, right? But do you really understand it? Read through it right now. Read it again.

What exactly is Jesus trying to say? And what is His specific message to you, right now, right where you are?

Looking at just one verse from the weekly Gospel will open your eyes to the power of Scripture. All too often we rush our way through reading Scripture. We start a reading and think, “oh, I know this reading…” and then our mind drifts and we are done, close the book and move on.

But Scripture is not like anything else. Scripture is the Word of God, it is alive and it has a message for you!

And that is what Thy Word is for. It is an invitation to slow down and dwell in His word. Allow the words to speak to you, and as they do you will start to naturally live liturgically.

If you would like to grab a THY WORD GOSPEL JOURNAL, I encourage you to place an order soon.

Since I put this book together sort of last minute, I didn’t have very many printed and MANY have already been claimed.

To place your order, just head here: https://shop.catholicsprouts.com/products/thy-word…

Your sister in the small things,

Nancy

THY WORD, Gospel Journal 2020

by Nancy Bandzuch · Leave a Comment

So, I was totally NOT going to create a new version of the THY WORD Gospel Journal this year. Sure, I liked the booklet, but I’m trying to focus more on kids…and I just can’t do everything.

I had made up my mind. And even though I started to get DOZENS of emails and messages asking if there was a new version of THY WORD coming out, I held my ground and said, “No, not this year.”

And then I got this email

Now, how do I say no to this person? Impossible.

And so, it’s back, brand new, improved and full of the 2020 Liturgical Year readings.

THY WORD has exactly the same format as last year. There is a Gospel citation for each Sunday, one verse pulled out, floral image to color and plenty of room to journal, take notes, whatever.

Here is a spread from the book:

Simple, right?

And that’s the way that I wanted it to be. Use the book in whatever way is best for you. Here are a few ideas for use that I’ve had:

Once a week practice LECTIO DIVINA with the verse included. Record your thoughts and resolutions.
Use this book as your MASS JOURNAL. Take it with you to mass and use the blank lines as a place to record striking points from the homily. This journal could also be used as a child’s mass journal.
Set to work MEMORIZING VERSES with the use of this journal. Trace and color in the verse and then use the blank lines as a place to write and rewrite the verse until it is fully memorized.
Commit to keeping a WEEKLY PRAYER JOURNAL. Once a week sit down to pray. Start by reading and reflecting on the verse and then pray through journaling.
Establish a WEEKLY MEETING WITH YOUR HUSBAND. Once a week sit down with your husband to discuss and pray about the coming week. Use the verse included in your opening prayer and the space provided to take notes about what you need and hope to accomplish that week.

So there you have it.

I gave in and if you’d like a 2020 version of THY WORD, go and grab one.

But be warned, I didn’t print a ton of these, so if you want a booklet, get one soon! I expect to be sold out before Advent starts.

https://shop.catholicsprouts.com/products/thy-word-weekly-gospel-journal-2020

Have a beautiful week,

your sister in the small things,

Nancy

J1ST 097: Novenas

by Nancy Bandzuch · Leave a Comment

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Hey Friends!

Before we dive into this week’s topic, two quick announcements! One: We will NOT be releasing a new episode next weekend. We’re taking a week off for Thanksgiving. BUT (two), we will be back the First Sunday of ADVENT with the first episode of our book study series! The book we’re reading is Interior Freedom by Fr. Jacques Philippe. You can snag it right here!

This week, we’re discussing another one of those Special Catholic Things: Novenas. What is a novena? Where do we get the tradition? Do I have to start a novena on a particular day (like do the dates matter)?

The root of the word “novena’ is Latin for nine. The original novena was prayed by the apostles and Our Blessed Mother as they waited for the descent of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost. From there, novenas have been composed to many of our Saints and for many of our Feast Days (Christ the King, for example). Usually, a novena is prayed leading up to the Saint’s feast day so that the ninth day of the novena is either the eve of or the actual feast day, but you can begin a novena whenever you’d like!

Pray More Novenas is our favorite go-to for all things novenas and they have a great FAQ page that you can check out and learn even more about our Church’s awesome form of prayer. They also offer a FREE novena reminder service via your email. The prayers of whatever novena is currently “going on” will be sent to your email as a daily reminder. It is So Cool.

One thing that is important to remember about novenas… it can be tempting to believe that God can’t possibly respond ‘No’ or ‘Not right Now’ to your novena prayers, but the fact is, He often does. A novena isn’t a magic formula for a ‘Yes’ and we are powerless to make demands or attempt to control God. Sometimes, prayers are answered in a way that is not immediately apparent or more subtle than what we were expecting. It could be a change of heart, renewed energy, or inspiration to pursue something different.

In this episode, we both share an intention that is near and dear to our hearts right now. We also ask that you share your intentions with us. It would be an honor to carry your intentions to our Lady and our Lord. Just email Nancy at [email protected] and she will pass everything onto Katie so we can both be praying for YOU.

Your sisters in the small things,

Nancy and Katie

Mentioned in this episode:

Advent book study of Interior Freedom

Pray more Novenas

Katie’s new devotional for Catholic Women facing Infertility (15% off all November)

Flying Novenas ala Mother Teresa

St. Andrew’s Christmas Novena

J1ST 095: Relics Part Two

by Nancy Bandzuch · Leave a Comment

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** Before we jump into this week’s episode, we want to let you know that we’ll be doing a book study this upcoming Advent!!! The book is Interior Freedom by Fr. Jacques Philippe. Have you read anything by Fr. Philippe yet? He is AMAZING. Such a gentle, yet wise voice… our hope is this study will help us all stay centered this Advent on what (or WHO!) truly matters. You can snag a copy here. First episode/discussion will be on December 1st!! **

And we’re back with Part 2 of our Mini Series on Relics!! We thought it might be good to distinguish between veneration and worship. Besides the fact that relics are pieces of dead people or things that have touched dead people, those unfamiliar with the practice might also take offense at the idea of us giving “worship” to something/someone other than God. But the fact is, we *don’t* Worship relics. We venerate them. In the words of one of our Church Fathers, St. Jerome,

“We do not worship, we do not adore, for fear that we should bow down to the creature rather than to the Creator, but we venerate the relics of the martyrs in order the better to adore Him whose martyrs they are.”

So if you have friends thinking you’re weird for worshiping pieces of dead people, you’ve got your reply right there. It ISN’T worship. Holding, gazing, praying with (not TO) relics can help us feel a stronger connection to the holy people we are asking to pray for us. Relics are a powerful reminder that the Saints are Real People who had Real Bodies. Also: the fact that there are no first class relics of Christ or Our Lady strengthens our belief in the Ascension and the Assumption. Where are their bodies? Not on Earth!

Anyways, this week on the podcast, we’re diving into specific relic stories. Namely the Holy Stairs, the Crown of Thorns, and the Shroud of Turin.

The Holy Stairs were brought to Rome by St. Helena. They are the stairs that Christ ascended to appear before Pilate.

The Crown of Thorns were in the news earlier this year when a fire broke out in Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris. It, along with many other relics and the Eucharist were saved from the blaze.

The Shroud of Turin is arguably the most fascinating relic of our Faith. It is the cloth in which Christ was covered and buried in and a ‘negative image’ of His face was left. Studies of the shroud have shown us just how much Christ suffered on Good Friday before dying on the Cross.

Have you visited any of these ‘extreme relics?’ Tell us about it in the comments!

Your sisters in the small things,

Nancy and Katie

St. Paul’s School of the Word: Lectio Divina for the Family

by Nancy Bandzuch · Leave a Comment

Today a new study is available for your families! It is called St. Paul’s School of the Word and it will teach your families a very simple, yet effective, method of Lectio Divina, or Divine Reading, that will teach your family to PRAY through scripture. It is based on the Letters of St. Paul, and you can grab a copy for just $9. Grab a copy and get all of the details right here: https://catholicsprouts.com/stpaul-school-of-word.

So, I started out this year with a couple of missions:

1. Help families pray the Rosary.

2. Help families fall in love with Eucharistic Adoration.

3. Help families pray through Scripture.

If you have been following along, you might have noticed that I have been picking away at these missions, although I still have a ways to go. Although it might not look like it, my third mission, to help families pray through Scripture, was the one that gave me the most trouble.

It’s funny because that might seem like the easiest, right? We all have a Bible in our homes…or at least we have super easy access to one online. We all know how to read…and yet how many of us know how to PRAY THROUGH SCRIPTURE? Honestly, I am still learning how to do this, and I struggle to quiet myself and slow down enough to actually do it.

So, if I have a hard time praying through scripture than how in the world will I ever teach my children to do this?

I alone could not have cracked this riddle. But luckily I hang out with smarter, more faithful people than myself. And through them, I have learned about the SCHOOL OF THE WORD.

What is the world is a SCHOOL OF THE WORD?

Quick story-

So, about six months ago I was hanging out with the Little Sisters of the Lamb in Kansas City on a Saturday. Each Saturday they host something called Open Table where everyone is welcome to come and share a meal. People from ALL WALKS OF LIFE show up, and it is such a beautiful way to spend an afternoon. After the meal they “break open the Word” by reading the Gospel for the next day. Sometimes there is a skit or a song, and other times they split into two groups, adults and children, to pray and discuss.

This Saturday a boatload of kids were there, including my five. The sisters bravely took all of the kids into the chapel and announced that they were going to mendicate (from the Latin, meaning to chew on) the Gospel. In other words, they expected the kids to sit and prayerfully work their way through the Gospel reading.

I was sitting in the back nursing George, who was a new-born at the time, and I privately thought, ‘ha! Good luck sisters! Those kids are going to sit still for about 1 minute!’

But, as usual, I was wrong. SO WRONG!

The sisters used the Telephone Game (remember that one, from when you were a kid?) to chew on the Gospel, only no whispering. The first person read a small part of the verse to the next person, who turned and repeated it to the next, and so on. On and on the verse went around the circle and even Josie, my ornery three-year-old, was repeating and REMEMBERING the verses. They did this with each verse of the Gospel and when it was done, even Dominic, my wild five-year-old, understood the reading and proudly declared his favorite verse.

And what’s even more amazing–I was able to meditate on the Gospel and understand it better too! Each time the little verse was repeated and pass around the circle I heard it just a little bit more clearly. Gradually the entire reading was opened up to me in a whole new way and I marveled that I had never really understood this reading before.

So, that is what the school of the Word is–an environment where YOU AND YOUR KIDS can interact with and pray through Scripture.

ST PAUL’S SCHOOL OF THE WORD

The new study, St. Paul’s School of the Word, uses this exact practice to explore Scripture: the Telephone game. This Study contains 55 separate readings, all taken from the second readings we hear at mass.

St. Paul is one of the most important writers in Human History, and he played such a big role in establishing our Church. We can learn so much from his letters to the early Church if we just slow down and listen to them.

Here is an example of one day of the study:

The day begins with the scripture. First, read the entire scripture, then play the telephone game with the scripture, stopping to have the family repeat each time you run into a dot. Only the parent needs the book, or even the ability to read, as everyone else is simply repeating.

Then, share as a family. What did this say to you? What was your favorite verse or word and why?

Next, read through the Lesson, and then say the prayer as a family.

Finally, color and paste your “token” onto the Risen Lord Poster (all included in the digital pack you get with the booklet) to both count down the days of the study and really lock a few of the key words from this reading into the minds and hearts of your family.

As I said, there are 55 different days included in this study, so it is longer and is meant to be used in any way that you like! Make it part of your homeschool day. Use it only a couple of times a week over the course of Ordinary Time, use just the first 24 days to earn your SCRIPTURE PATCH, or plow through it 55 days in a row!

I just really hope and pray that this study teaches your family an easy, effective and beautiful way to PRAY through Scripture.

Because helping families pray through Scripture is a mission of mine, I am offering the PHYSICAL booklet for just $9 this week. The booklet comes with all of the digital materials as well. You can also grab a DIGITAL booklet for $8, which also comes with all of the digital materials.

Also, since Advent is right around the corner, I am offering a Scripture Study Combo which includes the St. Paul Study as well as the Jesse Tree Advent Devotional for families. You can get both for just $19. Just click the button on the sales page to get find all of these different offerings.

To grab a copy or learn more about St Paul’s School of the Word, just head here: https://catholicsprouts.com/stpaul-school-of-word

Praised be Jesus Christ!

your sister in the small things,