Washing the Mass Linens~Corporals, Purificators, Finger Towels

The very special work involved in preparing the linens
for the Mass may take place in our homes.
First, we rinse the linens with distilled water to preserve the life of the cloths.
We dispense of the rinse in our potted plant,
since we are not able to access the sacrarium.
After laundering, we iron them and return them to the sacristy.
Marianna enjoys doing this with me whenever possible.

DOVES Assist First Holy Communion Classes Tour the Sacristy

Monstrance
Key to the Tabernacle
Picture Taken by Marianna
The Students in the First Holy Communion Class had a mini-retreat
and were invited to tour the sacristy.
Ms. Beth showed them how to layer the chalice.
They learned about the monstrance and the sacrarium and were able
to see the Mass vestments the priests wear.
The DOVES were very helpful in showing how to layer the chalice,
and in explaining what they do in the sacristy, and how they pray before coming into this work.

A Child's Wish
by Abram J. Ryan

I wish I were the little key
That locks Love's Captive in,
And lets Him out to go and free
A sinful heart from sin.

I wish I were the little bell
That tinkles for the Host
When God comes down each day to dwell
With hearts He loves the most.

I wish I were the chalice fair
That holds the Blood of Love,
When every flash lights holy prayer
Upon its way above.

I wish I were the little flower
So near the Host's sweet face,
Or like the light that half an hour
Burned on the shrine of grace.

I wish I were the altar where
As on His mother's breast
Christ nestles, like a child, fore'er
In Eucharistic rest.

But oh, my God, I wish the most
That my poor heart may be
A home all holy for each Hour
That comes in love to me.

DOVES April First Saturday Workshop 2011

Altar Candle Base Wax Removal
These plates are the base to the candles on the sides of altar.
Ms. Beth taught us to freeze them for five minutes before scraping off the wax.

We open with a 'Memorare' for our Parish Priests.

Polishing Patens
We apply brass remover, rinse and then polish.
(We have seen the altar sons checking out their reflections in them
and practicing what looks like Morse code on the Church ceiling!)

Service Project
The DOVES are offering a basket for the auction,
taking place in May, to help raise funds to repair the school.
We chose a back yard bird-feeder theme.
Thanks to all the DOVES and sacristans
who participated in donating to this basket,
and especially to Ms. Angelina and Mary Clare for designing it.

Our Angelus Bells went off at noon, thanks to Ms. Sarah's cell phone chime,
so the mothers and daughters were able to close
with this beautiful prayer of the Church.

First Sunday in April~4th Sunday in Lent 2011
DOVES at work

Ms. Cynthia taught the DOVES how to apply seven layers to Father's Chalice

1. Purificator
2. Paten
3. Large Host
4. Pall
5. Coporal
6. Chalice Veil
7. Crucifix-blessed with a kiss.

First Saturday March 5, 2011

Ms. Beth gave the DOVES a workshop on how to polish the patens.
We discovered the names of the families who donated the patens to the parish, engraved on the bottoms.
Ms. Beth uses 'Twinkle' brass cleaner to remove the tarnish off the patens and a soft jewelers cloth to polish them to a sheen.
We also learned ways to remove wax off the candle stick holders and candle plates.
Putting the brass candle holders in the oven on 300 degrees for 5 minutes, and quickly wiping them off gave them a sparkling sheen.
The candle plates go into the freezer for 5 minutes
and then are chipped with a plastic knife.
The daughters worked very well at assisting in this work.
After our packed lunches and the Angelus at noon,
we were off to a great Saturday with our families.

Sharon Willoughby
†A.M.D.G.†

Father Furlong, Priest and Friend

Temporary Adoration Chapel

Father Seamus Ward, S.J., passed into his eternal reward on February 22, 2011.
May the repose of his soul, through the mercy of our Lord, rest in peace.

Our First Saturday Holy Hour March 5, 2011 was dedicated to the priesthood.
We offered prayers for the intentions of the priests who have brought so much to our lives, as well as our Bishops and the Holy Father, Pope Benedict XVI.
Our thanksgiving especially to our own parish priest,
who generously offers Confession during our Holy Hours.

This was the First Holy Hour that our beloved Father Seamus was with us in eternity. He served the parish in Key West, Our Lady Star of the Sea, when not in his beloved mother country, Ireland. He was a loving priest and cherished friend. May our loss be heavens gain.

Sharon Willoughby
†A.M.D.G.†

First Saturday February 5, 2011

February is for Lovers and the DOVES were invited to lunch after our Holy Hour in appreciation for their work in the sacristan ministry. We were especially grateful to the sacristans who have been teaching us the work of the sacristan ministry since we began last July 12th, the feast of Saint Veronica. Ms. Cynthia was there to enjoy the day with us.

Our catechesis centered around the Sacred Heart Devotion and the Sacred Heart Home Enthronement. The teaching of the Sacred Heart Enthronement offered by His Eminence, Cardinal Raymond Burke was shared with the daughters and mothers who attended. The plant before the Sacred Heart is the one we use to reserve the water when preparing to wash the linens used during the Holy Mass.

Sharon Marie Willoughby
†A.M.D.G.†

Notre Dame Parish in Bethlehem, Pa.
February 26th, 2011

We visited this parish Church while attending the National Wrestling Tournament, where our son was invited to compete after placing third in the State Competition in February. In 1968, I received First Penance and First Holy Communion there. In 1969, Confirmation. The Sisters of Saint Joseph prepared us for these Sacraments. It was such a blessing to return to this place where we would stop in and 'pay a visit' to our Lord in the Blessed Sacrament on Saturdays when I was very young.
The Monsignor of the Parish happened to be in the Church when we arrived. He warmly greeted us and offered us his priestly blessing before leaving us to our prayers.

The artistic mosaic behind the Tabernacle of the DOVE reminded me of our sacristan ministry back at home. We remembered the DOVES in our prayers and offered the Anima Christi before leaving.

Sharon M. Willoughby