St. Andrew Novena

I fully intended to do some research and write up a nice little history and such on this, but I ran out of time. So here's the short version. Also, I realize that it is a little late.

The St. Andrew Novena is to be recited 15 times a day from the Feast of St. Andrew on November 30th (yes, I know that is today, and that it is almost over,) to Christmas Eve.




Hail and blessed be the hour and moment in which the Son of God was born of the most pure Virgin Mary, at midnight, in Bethlehem, in piercing cold. In that hour, vouchsafe, O my God! to hear my prayer and grant my desires, through the merits of Our Saviour Jesus Christ, and of His Blessed Mother. Amen.


(It is piously believed that whoever recites the above prayer fifteen times a day from the feast of St. Andrew (30th November) until Christmas will obtain what is asked.)

Imprimatur
+MICHAEL AUGUSTINE, Archbishop of New York
New York, February 6, 1897

For more info, wait until next year or visit

http://www.fisheaters.com/customsadvent7.html (Fisheaters is one of my favorite sources for Catholic Tradition Info!)

http://catholicism.about.com/od/prayers/qt/Andrew_Novena.htm

http://www.4marks.com/articles/details.html?article_id=5851 (Probably the best out of these three for information on the St. Andrew Novena)

My family and I have been praying this Novena for the last few years, and I also find it to be a wonderful meditation for the Advent season.  I believe I have also had some favorable results in obtaining favors.

Happy Thanksgiving!

Hello!  I hope everyone has a nice long list of things to be thankful for this year!
I was asked to email this recipe to my sister this morning, so I thought that since I had it on the computer, I would share it with the rest of the world.  I cannot take credit for this recipe, although I slightly modified the amounts to fit into a larger pan.  It is a Taste of Home Recipe, originally titled "Mom's Sweet Potato Bake." I don't know what year it came out, but it has been a favorite at our house since we first made it.  It is good hot, cold, and in between.  It is an excellent side dish, and also a good desert.  I think I've had the leftovers for breakfast a few times, too.  Enjoy!

Sweet Potato Bake

Ingredients

• 4 cups cold mashed sweet potatoes (40 oz. can or cooked prepared without milk or butter)
• 1 ⅓ cup sugar
• 4 eggs
• 2/3 cup milk
• 1/3 cup butter, softened
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1 teaspoon Vanilla Extract
• 
  TOPPING:
• 2/3 cup packed brown sugar
• 2/3 cup chopped pecans
• 1/3 cup all-purpose flour
• 8 teaspoons cold butter (2 Tablespoons + 2 teaspoons)

Directions

1. In a large bowl, beat the sweet potatoes, sugar, eggs, milk, butter, salt and vanilla until smooth. Transfer to a greased 9”x13” baking dish.
2. In a small bowl, combine the brown sugar, pecans and flour; cut in butter until crumbly. Sprinkle over potato mixture. Bake, uncovered, at 350° for 35-45 minutes or until a meat thermometer reads 160º or a knife comes out clean;.

The original recipe can be found here: Mom's Sweet Potato Bake Recipe | Taste of Home Recipes

Adoro te Devote: I Am the Dog, Baby

Here is an interesting -- and relevant -- rant by an excellent blogger:
Adoro te Devote: I Am the Dog, Baby

I go back and forth with facebook. Sometimes, I really enjoy it. I have a few friends who are excellent posters. They post the funny little events and details in their lives, and give me a glimpse into a world outside my own. They bring a smile on a dreary day, and I am thankful for that. But facebook, and other social networks, have a dark side, too.
The downside of facebook is the ease with which a person can hurt another person. Sometimes this is done intentionally, sometimes it isn't. Sometimes the hurt seems to be the fact that so-and-so found out on facebook. Big news or small, complaint or triumph, I have seen many people post things that they should have told people personally (whether that be phone, email, letter, or face-to-face) instead of blabbing it to everyone on their friends list. I have been guilty this myself. You get caught up in the moment and it doesn't take long to hit that post button. Sometimes my home feed feels more like a supermarket tabloid because of this! Then, we see it on facebook, and have to comment. Pretty soon we are sure we know the whole story. It's like a party line with hundreds of people listening in, yet so many don't seem to care.
I like the way people are able to connect on facebook, I really do. I like the way great aunt Mary can watch little Joe take his first steps and how cousin Len in Australia can see all the pictures from the Christmas party hours after. I like how I can pray for friends who I know need it, and I like how the words of wisdom from a three-year-old can be passed on to hundreds who need to hear them. But these are only good things if we remember to stay closer to those who are closer to us. Pick up the phone and CALL your mom, your sister, and your best friend. Then think about posting it, and remember that EVERYONE is listening in.