Servant of God Caroline Jones Chisholm (Feast Day March 25)

May 30, 1808-March 25, 1877

Caroline was born in England in 1808 and raised in an Anglican family. Even as a child, she was very interested in immigration and felt drawn to help the less fortunate. When Caroline was 22, Archibald Chisholm, a faithful Catholic and a Captain in the East India Army company, asked her to marry him. Caroline agreed on one condition: that he would support her in helping those in need, as she understood that to be a special calling for her. Archibald agreed. Caroline soon converted to Catholicism, and the two raised their family in the Church. While living in Madras, Caroline opened the Female School of Industry, a school for orphaned girls, illegitimate daughters of British soldiers, and local women.

In 1838, Archibald's health was failing, so Caroline and her family moved to Sydney, Australia in hopes that a more temperate climate would help Archibald feel better. Caroline was appalled by the poor treatment of the migrant women living in Sydney. She went to work immediately, advocating to get the women jobs, better working conditions, and shelter. Three years later, she founded the Female Emigrant's Home, where women found shelter and assistance finding jobs.

In her first seven years in Australia, Caroline helped over 11,000 immigrants. Her compassion and love for the poor and lonely arriving in Australia is so well-known and respected that her picture is on Australia's original $5 bill. Caroline continued to advocate, write, and speak on immigration rights until she became bedridden in the last few years of her life. Caroline died at the age of 68, and her husband Archibald died five months later.

• In what way does God "dwell" with us?

• Jesus says that the Holy Spirit is a teacher and a reminder. What would you like the Holy Spirit to teach you? What are some things you want to be reminded of by the Holy Spirit?

• What is the difference between the peace of the world vs. the peace of Jesus?

• Servant of God Caroline Jones Chisholm knew God had called her to serve those in need. How did her vocation to marriage help her do that?

Honor Our Fallen Veterans

In honor of Memorial Day (May 26^th^), take some time to think of those who made the ultimate sacrifice for our country.

Here are some ideas for activities to help your family pause, reflect, and honor our fallen veterans and their families:

• Fly an American flag.
• Learn a patriotic song.
• Visit a cemetery and clean the gravesites of veterans.
• Write letters to soldiers and their families. Visit https://amillionthanks.org/letter/ for instructions on how to send it.
• Clip coupons and mail them to a military base associated with the Overseas Operation Coupon Program. Current soldiers can use coupons up to six months after their expiration date at military commissaries, allowing them to save money to support their families.

Visit http://ocpnet.org/ for more details.

Decorated Cakes with Homemade Whipped Cream

Celebrate the vocation to marriage of Servant of God Caroline Jones Chisholm and her husband, Archibald, by decorating some mini-wedding cakes today using this frosting.

1 cup heavy whipping cream
3 Tbsp powdered sugar
(optional) ½ tsp of vanilla extract
Cupcakes (homemade or store bought)

Place your mixing bowl and beaters in the freezer for 15 minutes before you make the whipped cream. Remove from freezer and pour all the ingredients into the cold bowl. Use a hand mixer or stand-up mixer on low, watching for bubbles to form. Once you see the bubbles, turn the speed up to medium until peaks form. Chill until ready to serve. To decorate the cupcakes, divide the whipped cream into smaller bowls and make different colors using food coloring. Spoon into plastic baggies and snip the corner to make your own piping bags. Use candy, sprinkles, etc. to add additional decorations. Have each family member decorate their own cupcake.

Joyful Mysteries of the Rosary

The Holy Spirit is particularly present in the Joyful Mysteries.

Recite a rosary together as a family, meditating on the Joyful Mysteries. To find the prayers of the rosary and the Joyful Mysteries, please visit: https://www.usccb.org/how-to-pray-the-rosary

The lector is the person who proclaims the first and second reading at Mass. Watch what they do and think about what it would be like if you were a lector someday.

Get to know the Person of the Holy Spirit. Spend 5 - 10 minutes each day this week praying to the Holy Spirit.

May 26th is National Paper Airplane Day! Fold some paper and let it fly!