Obviously, with two kids in college I am way past the age where I'd need this book. However, I still remember vividly how difficult it was for little ones to get through that hour sometimes.These passages are suggested for parents to read with children the evening before mass. As the hectic schedule of our Saturdays winds down, take time to shift gears for the time we put aside for worship, reflection and communion. Including your children in the message of the mass with a reading and discussion of the week's gospel will make the mass a shared experience of hearing God's word for both parent and child. These translations are also an extraordinary teacher's aid for Sunday school and children's bible study. Each passage is translated in large text that is inviting to the beginning reader, and is printed side-by-side with the adult text for comparison, explanation and parents' review.This is a really wonderful resource not only in helping children understand the Gospel but in relating it to their own lives. I also really liked that the reading as it would be heard in the church was printed alongside the children's version ... and that the pages are labeled by their place in the liturgical calendar. This not only helps prepare the family for mass but gives them something to discuss later. I could envision remembering a key point of the homily that might relate to the reading done with children the night before for conversations on the way home. Thus one sets the pattern for the entire family of thoughtful participation in the Mass.
These pages are not fictionalized children's stories, they are translations of Jesus' story, true to His message. They are not sugar-coated or watered-down; children can understand the truth in God's word when it is simply written for their reading level, offered in their cadence and vocabulary. Even educated adults often find the language of the Gospels difficult to fully understand, and often turn to study guides and footnotes to wring more understanding out of words written in an old English voice so far removed from our own daily language. The voice of these stories is not changed to be hip or to use today's slang. The gravity and holiness of God's word demands better than that. But there is no reason for outdated and too-advanced language to stand between our children and Jesus' message. Adults as well, have gained insights into the passages through the shared process of bringing the word to children.
How to Tie a Bow Tie by Edward B. GordonUpon opening the book, however, one is truly treated to an example of very fine book design. The font is delicate (so may not make ideal unaided reading for those readers with vision problems) and all the text and illustrations are in a brown ink, rather than black, on a creamy matte paper. The font is really very nice, indeed. ...Biblicalia actually noticed the design in their review of Mike Aquilina's newest book Signs and Mysteries. I find that quite gratifying as I did the interior design. The publisher actually chose the brown ink which I'd have either done in a deeper color as that font is quite delicate ... or, if I'd have known, I'd have chosen a stronger version of the face for easier reading. That's all water under the bridge, however ...
... It is not intimidating scholarship, not overpowering and jargon-laden, and is thus perfect for those who know nothing about the subject of early Christian art and the symbols employed therein. Those who will appreciate learning what their ancestors in the Faith were up to with all these anchors, ankhs, and alphas will be well repaid for their time spent within the pages of this truly lovely little book. ...I am reading a chapter each morning with breakfast and will begin sharing some tidbits with y'all soon. The reviewer is quite right ... this book is a delight that many will both enjoy and profit from.
Rose at home with her living room view ... Little known fact: Sarah Palin makes Andrew Sullivan regret some key life choices.Much thanks to Scott Nehring for these ... I'm tellin' ya, that guy knows just what I like (which is somewhat of a mystery considering just how often we disagree about movies)!
Little Known Fact: Sarah Palin is the only woman who can make Tony Romo WIN a playoff.
Little Known Fact: Sarah Palin knows how old the Chinese gymnasts are.
Little Known Fact: Sarah Palin wears glasses lest her uncontrollable optic blasts slaughter everyone.
Little Known Fact: Sarah Palin doesn’t need a gun to hunt. She has been known to throw a bullet through an adult bull elk.
Little known fact: Sarah Palin is on loan from the Justice League.
Little known fact: If placed into Schroedinger’s experiment, both Sarah Palins remain alive.
Once her husband got the news, he told her: "We shouldn't be asking, 'Why us?' We should be saying, 'Well, why not us?'"I see that the original AP story link isn't active any more so here is the link to what I featured at the time.
There was never any doubt the Palins would have the child, and on April 18 she gave birth to Trig Paxon Van Palin.
All happy families resemble one another, each unhappy family is unhappy in its own way.That quote has more wisdom than one might think.Leo Tolstoy, Anna Karenina
Why is it that a nineteen year old is supposed to WANT to cut all contact with his family, to strike out in a solo free fall in independence? Why do people say aw, but nudge with a wink when they hear of a kid who has just well, left, for good. Why is it considered "weird" not to, or as parents are you considered "helicopter parents" if you cry when you say goodbye?We actually enjoy spending car rides with each other, though I must say that we probably would prefer it if Chicago could manage to be a bit closer than 16 hours driving distance (and just think how lucky they would be to be that much closer to Texas!). We leave tomorrow to take Rose to college there.
Are we freaks?
Maybe, I guess. I like to say we are nurturing parents who love our kids and see them for the amazing people they have grown up to be and, shhhh, LIKE them! And that the kid(s) are nice young people who are generous and kind enough to endure their parent's desire to be with them and actually enjoy it a little bit as well.
So the question comes again: Why is it that to be and stay connected to family is considered somehow suspect or freaky?
