St Margaret Clitherow Banner

I’ve come to realise over recent months, that as much as I try, words are not always my forte, I am no theologian, and so my way of spreading the Glory of God is to do what I do best and use the gifts he gave me to create beautiful things!

With that realisation I wanted to make something for my parish, and following a chat with my lovely priest we decided on a project that is much needed. And so here it is, a little peak at the artwork for my newest project, an embroidered banner for my parish in the @salforddiocese - can you guess the Saint? Swipe to see the parish.

Now this will be quite a lengthy project but I am thrilled and excited to be working on it, our Parish Patron Saint certainly has really become quite a big part of my life of late. I can’t wait to share more about that with you soon.

For now this will be a lovely exercise in embroidery to prepare me for entering the @royalneedlework Certificate course next year!

God Bless.

K

September Ember

🍁 September Ember 🍁

Ember Days, also known as the “fasts of the four seasons”, were said to have been introduced into England by St Augustine of Canterbury as a way of thanking God for the gifts of nature and to cultivate the virtues of moderation and prudence in the use of worldly goods.

In Catholic England, there was a verse to help people remember when they fell: “Fasting days and Emberings be Lent, Whitsun, Holyrood, and [St] Lucie,” or the catchy shorter version: “Lenty, Penty, Crucy, Lucy.”

These days were made optional rather than an official observance following Vatican II in the 1960’s but in the past months as I have deepened my faith and delved into the roots of Catholicism I have come to discover the beauty of the old ways, the Old Mass (The Traditional Latin Mass, Mass in the Extraordinary Form), some traditions which have long been put to the side by the church.

Ember days have been a gateway for me discovering the very deep connection my faith has to nature to the earth, to being thankful for the fruits of the seasons for all we have been gifted by God.

Looking forward to really making Ember days a special observance in our home. Ideas for Ember days going forward for us…

🍁 Walks in nature to collect treasures to decorate the home

🍁 On days where meals are allowed use seasonal produce which has been prepared in a special way and speaks of the season. Do the same for any snacks.

🍁 Making sure nourishing fresh juices are avaliable for sustenance.

🍁 Pick seasonal flowers for the dinner table and ensure at allowed mealtimes the table is set and is a Vision of beauty and thanks.

🍁 Set small seasonal trinkets, alongside a candle for a lovely backdrop to prayer time.

To Marriage, carrying each other in good times and bad, to honouring each other. Always.

When I married my husband in a civil ceremony little over four years ago now, it was a beautiful day filled with love and laughter…but one thing was missing and it has always been one of the most important things in my life…God. It was not that God wasn’t there, in my eyes as omnipresent and omnipotent God is everywhere, but God wasn’t in my heart that day, God wasn’t invited. I soldiered on for a long while, telling myself marriage was still the same in church or what difference would it really make? I fell into only what I can describe as a spiritual black hole up until a couple of years ago, when on May Day, reflecting on the crowning of our lady in church I felt filled with love and this sudden need to go back to my faith.

In the Catholic Church, for a marriage to be valid it has to be performed in church and so six months ago I asked my husband if he would be willing to convalidate our marriage - to have it recognised and strengthened and most importantly in my eyes, be in the presence of God whilst we reaffirm our love and commitment to one another. Not only did he agree, but he agreed what I consider the ultimate sacrifice and agreed to forego any physical intimacy for six months prior in order for me to spiritually prepare for taking our vows in church. This meant that each Sunday I could receive communion (in the Catholic Church we believe in the presence of Christ in the Eucharist and so this can only be received if you are in a state of Grace and have confessed and been absolved of your sins). My husband is not Catholic, not baptised and atheist and so this has been a gesture of deep love sacrifice and selflessness on his part that I will forever be greatful for. He has carried me through one of the darkest spiritual periods of my life into the light and allowed me to heal from within. And so this Saturday past, we took our vows in church surrounded by family and friends with a small buffet in the adjoining parish centre. I feel like the luckiest girl on earth and I can’t wait to share more images from our special day. For now here’s a peek Here is to marriage, to carrying each other in good times and bad, to honouring each other. Always.

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