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Behind the Scenes with Ben’s Gradines

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Ben Brouse packs up the candlesticks after Mass yesterday.

When we first started having Sunday Mass at the Fitzgerald Ivy Chapel in Tulsa, we had only a simple table for an altar.  Parishioner Ben Brouse quickly started work on making a set of gradines and a mock tabernacle to help provide a Catholic foundation on which to build.  Using select pine he crafted the gradines and mock tabernacle in sections for ease in setting up and taking down the altar.  He said that he added design elements as he worked and saw the need, like the little boxes that form a border underneath each gradine top.  He added what he describes as a “Roman” roof to the mock tabernacle to make it more attractive. Read more

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A Chubby Lil Mass Book for Their Chubby Lil Hands

St. Jerome Homeschool Library and Bookstore, a traditional Catholic publisher, announced this morning that their board book has arrived from the printers and will be officially released August 16.  Written by Fr. Vili Lehtoranta, a master at children’s storytelling, and illustrated with full-color photos of Fr. Bede Nkamuke saying Mass, this is going to be a fantastic resource for children.

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CMD Sisters Lift Our Hearts

IMG_6117Recently we were blessed to have two Congregation Mater Dei nuns visit our chapel and teach catechism before Sunday Mass.  In the photo above, Sr. Mary Catherine instructs the older group.  Sr. Frances taught the younger group.  In both cases, the sisters assessed the students’ knowledge and adapted the lessons to fit their needs. Read more

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To Die Like St. James

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When St. James was brought before King Herod Agrippa, his fearless confession of Jesus crucified so moved the public prosecutor that he declared himself a Christian on the spot. Accused and accuser were hurried off together to execution, and on the road the latter begged pardon of the Saint. The apostle had long since forgiven him, but hesitated for a moment whether publicly to accept as a brother one still unbaptized. God quickly recalled to him the Church’s faith, that the blood of martyrdom supplies for every sacrament, and, falling on his companion’s neck, he embraced him, with the words, “Peace be with thee!” Together then they knelt for the sword, and together received the crown.  ~ Butler’s Lives of the Saints