Posted by Karen Zappavigna Hoogland | 0 Comments
Twelve Drummers Drumming
Merry 12th Day of Christmas – Fri. Jan 5, 2024 Today’s meaning for the 12th Day of Christmas reminded me again of my days as a catechist for seventh and eighth graders preparing for the sacrament of Confirmation. On the first day of class, I often did a study of the Apostles’ Creed with the students. Most times, the children did not realize it is basically summary of our Catholic faith in twelve points. Those were some fantastic...
Posted by Karen Zappavigna Hoogland | 0 Comments
Eleven Pipers Piping
Merry 11th Day of Christmas – Thurs. Jan. 4, 2024 My mom and dad, when they chose to have each of my 5 siblings and me baptized as infants, promised to raise us in the Catholic faith. While my parents did not always agree with everything happening in the Church, I know they did their best to live their lives as a good faith example to their children. Of course, they were not perfect. None of us are...
Posted by Karen Zappavigna Hoogland | 0 Comments
Ten Lords a-Leaping
Merry 10th Day of Christmas – Wed. Jan. 3, 2024 See what love the Father has bestowed on us that we may be called the children of God. (1John 3:1) This verse is from today’s first reading. On a good day it is easy to appreciate that I am a child of God. On a bad day, it is certainly more difficult – especially when dealing with frustrating situations or difficult people. As a child of God, and follower...
Posted by Karen Zappavigna Hoogland | 0 Comments
Nine Ladies Dancing
Merry 9th Day of Christmas For many years, my mom gave me and my sisters a subscription to a magazine called Angels on Earth. It is a sweet little periodical that comes out 6 times a year and is filled with stories of everyday people and how their lives have been impacted by angels – either in the form of other people or some kind of angelic or spiritual presence. I still subscribe to this magazine...
Posted by Karen Zappavigna Hoogland | 0 Comments
Eight Maids a-Milking
Merry 8th Day of Christmas – Mon. Jan. 1, 2024 Today the Solemnity of Blessed Virgin Mary, the Mother of God is observed in the Catholic Church. This particular feast day is one which I always attended Mass with my mother. It was kind of our thing! The Entrance hymn was Hail Mary, Gentle Woman. This was a personal favorite of my mother’s. We sang it together often through the years. I sang it to her in...