St. Ignatius of Antioch (Feast Day October 17) 

d. 107 

Ignatius was born in Syria and was a convert to Christianity. In the year 107, Emperor Trajan visited Antioch and forced the Christians there to choose between death and apostasy (denying the Christian faith). Ignatius would not deny Christ and thus was condemned to be put to death in Rome. Ignatius allowed soldiers to bind him in a rickety cart and lead him to Rome for martyrdom. As his cart rolled into towns, local bishops and Christians came to meet and encourage him.

Ignatius is well known for the seven letters he wrote on the long journey from Antioch to Rome. They urge the Christians there to remain faithful to God and to obey their superiors. He was very concerned with unity in the Church; the letters warn against heretical doctrines, providing solid truths of the Christian faith. Ignatius also wrote that Christ was present in the Church, in each member, and in the Blessed Sacrament. He called himself “the bearer of God.” Ignatius was devoured by wild beasts in the Roman amphitheater.  

·       Why is the Eucharist important to you?

·       In the Gospel, we see people not understanding what Jesus is teaching. Who do you turn to when you don’t understand matters or teachings of the faith? Why? Who else could assist you?

·       What are ways that you can remain in Jesus and stay close to him?

·       What inspires you about St. Ignatius of Antioch?

Bubble Fun

Jesus is the living bread that came down from heaven. Today, make some bubbles and send them up to heaven. You can use bubbles from the store or make your own solution and wand.

4 cups warm water

1/2 cup sugar

1/2 cup blue Dawn dish soap

Whisk the sugar into the warm water until the sugar dissolves. Whisk in dish soap. Let the homemade bubbles sit for a couple of hours for best results. Make your own wand with one of the following:

Fly swatter

Plastic cup: Punch a hole in the bottom to blow through. Dip the large open end into the solution.

Plastic soft drink bottles: Cut the bottom off the bottle and dip. Use the lid end of the bottle to blow.

Pipe cleaners: Create just about any shape you like from a pipe cleaner, just make sure you keep a small section as a handle. 

Plastic funnel: This already has a natural shape for a bubble wand. Using the large end to dip and the small end to blow.

Celebration Ice Cream Cake

Celebrate Jesus with this delicious cake!

For Cake:

1 store bought Angel food cake (you can also use a chiffon tube cake)

3 pints of ice cream (Choose 3 flavors that work well together. There are so many possibilities, but some ideas include: coffee, maple walnut, and chocolate chip; mint chip, chocolate, and vanilla; strawberry, vanilla, and lemon.

Large soup spoon for scooping ice cream from pint and knife or spatula for spreading

For chocolate whipped cream icing:

pint of heavy whipping cream

metal bowl and hand beater

2-3 Tbsp. of chocolate fudge topping (i.e. Hershey’s or Sanders ice cream topping)

Put metal bowl and beaters in freezer along with pint of whipping cream for 10-15 minutes before whipping the cream. Whip cream until soft yet somewhat firm peaks form before adding the chocolate fudge. If you add too soon, the cream will not whip to a stiff enough consistency. Put the whipped cream into the refrigerator until ready to ice the cake.

Slice angel food cake in half horizontally with a serrated bread knife. Slice each section in half again horizontally so that there are four even layers. Use a sturdy dinner sized paper plate and cut a piece of parchment or wax paper to size before laying down the first layer of cake. This makes it easy to transfer ice cream cake to a nice serving plate later. Take two of the pints of ice cream out of the freezer to let soften a few minutes before spreading on layers. Work quickly to scoop and spread first pint of ice cream on bottom layer of cake. Smooth ice cream and add second layer of cake. Spread second pint of ice cream. Put cake back into the freezer to harden.

Take remaining pint of ice cream out of the freezer to soften. Use a second plate for the third layer of cake, then spread the 3rd flavor of ice cream topped with final 4th cake layer. Put back in freezer to harden. When hardened, take bottom section out of freezer and ice with chocolate whipped cream, including inside of tube. Add second layer of hardened cake and frost this portion as well with the chocolate whipped cream. Return to freezer until hardened and ready to serve.

Depending on the season and air temperature, you may need to let the ice cream cake soften from 5- 15 minutes before slicing to serve. Sprinkle with shaved chocolate or fruit.

National Eucharistic Revival Prayer

We are in the Year of Going Out on Mission for the National Eucharistic Revival. Take some time to pray this prayer for this movement. You can also find it at: https://www.eucharisticrevival.org/post/national-eucharistic-revival-prayer 

Lord Jesus Christ, you give us your flesh and blood for the life of the world, and you desire that all people come to the Supper of the Sacrifice of the Lamb. Renew in your Church the truth, beauty, and goodness contained in the Most Blessed Eucharist.

Jesus living in the Eucharist, come and live in me.

Jesus healing in the Eucharist, come and heal me.

Jesus sacrificing yourself in the Eucharist, come and suffer in me.

Jesus rising in the Eucharist, come and rise to new life in me.

Jesus loving in the Eucharist, come and love in me.

Lord Jesus Christ, through the paschal mystery of your death and resurrection made present in every Holy Mass, pour out your healing love on your Church and on our world. Grant that as we lift you up during this time of Eucharistic Revival, your Holy Spirit may draw all people to join us at this Banquet of Life. You live and reign with the Father and the Holy Spirit, God forever and ever.

Our Lady of Guadalupe, Mother of the Eucharist, Pray for us.

What gesture do we do before we receive the Eucharist?  a) bow, b) genuflect, c) make the sign of the Cross, or d) trace the sign of the cross on our heads, lips, and heart. Why is this gesture important?

Together, pray the Family Prayer every day this week. 

Bubbles were added into the National Toy Hall of Fame in 2014!