Faithful Magazine - June 09

June 09 A Catholic Magazine For Girls

Contents

A message from Anna

The Ascension

The Ascension

Page 4

Page 5

Page 6

Pentecost

Books

A True Story

Page 7

Page 8

Page 10

The Ascension

Confirmation

Fun Stuff

Page 11

Page 14

Page 15

Saint Space

A Prayer

Blessed Virgin Mary

Page 16

Page 17

Page 18

Praying the Rosary Page 19

A message from Anna

Thank you for taking the time to read and/or download this magazine.

Easter has come and gone and now we have a long stretch of ordinary time and of course summer time!

I hope you all have a good summer and enjoy reading this issue of Faithful Magazine.

This issue as you may have already noticed, is slightly different in format to the previous issues.

I am just testing out a new template so please do tell me what you like/dislike :)

Also included in this issue is more fun stuff for you to enjoy, a real life inspirational story and book recommendations.

The next issue will be coming out on the 1st September 09 so please send in any ideas or submissions by then!

You can send them in using the form on the Now in this issue we have website or directly to my articles about: the email: Ascension, Pentecost, and faithfulmagazine@google Confirmation. mail.com

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You Have A Part To Play Each one of God’s children Has a special part to play Whether it be great or small We are needed every day

So do not disappoint Him By not taking your cue Though you think it unimportant This part is made for you

If your part seems very small Don’t feel you’re insignificant Don’t feel that you can’t offer much And you wouldn’t make a difference

Don’t let God walk away With a disappointed heart Because you felt so unworthy Of your very special part

Though you’re tempted to give up And let another take your place Remember God gave you your gifts And you cannot be replaced And these gifts that God has given He longs for you to share You’re just as important as anyone So don’t be in despair The only one who matters most Is watching for your part With much anticipation And excitement in His heart

The parts that we’ve been given Isn’t based on size at all But rather on the abilities And the gifting of the Lord For each part is important To make the whole thing work So do your part with enthusiasm And know that you have worth © By M.S.Lowndes

The Ascension

We recently celebrated staring up into the sky. Two Jesus’ Ascension. men in white appeared to Ascension day celebrates them and told them that jesus’ Jesus would ascension into return in the Readings about heaven after same as they had the ascension: he was seen him go to Mark 16:15-20 resurrected on heaven.

Acts 1:1-11 Easter Day. Ascension Day is Jesus explains important. Jesus to the disciples that he will didn’t do this just to have a always be with and and he dramatic departure that will give them the gift of the everyone would remember.

Holy Spirit.

No, he wanted to show us that he is risen and that he In Acts 1:1-11 we are told in is in heaven. It shows us that after Jesus was taken that Jesus is still with us and up the apostles were still

he did not rise just to die again.

Also it shows us Jesus’ power. He beat death and ascended into heaven to reign in glory.

He promised us the Holy Spirit and during Pentecost he fulfils this promise.

Ascension Day is officially celebrated on a Thursday, but, as with several other feast-days, in many places it has been moved to a Sunday.

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Pentecost When Pentecost day came round, they had all met together, when suddenly there came from heaven a sound as of a violent wind which filled the entire house in which they were sitting; and there appeared to them tongues as of fire; these separated and came to rest on the head of each of them.

They were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak different languages as the Spirit gave them power to express themselves.

Now there were devout men living in Jerusalem from every nation under heaven, and at this sound they all assembled, and each one was bewildered to hear these men speaking his own language. They were amazed and astonished.

'Surely,' they said, 'all these men speaking are Galileans?

How does it happen that each of us hears them in his own native language? Parthians, Medes and Elamites; people from Mesopotamia, Judaea and Cappadocia, Pontus and Asia, Phrygia and Pamphylia, Egypt and the parts of Libya round Cyrene; residents of Rome - Jews and proselytes alike - Cretans and Arabs, we hear them preaching in our own language about the marvels of God.'

Pentecost is the day when we celebrate the gift of the Holy Spirit and the Holy Spirit coming down upon the Apostles.

Pentecost is always 7 weeks after Easter Sunday so this year we celebrated it on the 31st May. Jesus had promised the Apostles that he would send the Holy Spirit, and it is on Pentecost that they received the gifts of the Spirit.

The Apostles began to preach in all the languages that the people who were there spoke and about 3000 people were converted and baptised that day.

Pentecost is often called the birthday of the church for this reason.

The gifts of the Spirit are: Wisdom, Understanding, Counsel, Fortitude (Courage), Knowledge, Piety and Fear of the Lord.

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Books

The Lost Island of Tamarind.

Letters to a Young Catholic

By Nadia Aguiar

By George Weigel

Three children. Alone on the ocean waves, after a fierce storm throws their parents from the Pamela Jane into the icy waters below. Maya, Simon and Penny now face a wild rescue adventure that will lead them to a truly magical place . . .

Letters to a Young Catholic conveys the power of a faith that is at once personal and universal, timely and eternal.

George Weigel invites readers on an extraordinary journey to the building blocks of Catholic faith; taking us to a wide variety Imagine an island with green Catholic landmarks. mountains looming over Weigel also examines the pink sandy beaches and intangible, though no less tide pools lit by the moon.

An island with the darkest of concrete, foundations of the faith, such as grace, prayer, secrets, where pirates lurk sin and forgiveness, and jaguars roam – and a suffering, and -- most precious stone holds a importantly -- love. power that is both wondrous and terrifying.

This book is quite a hard

The City of Ember

By Jeanne DuPrau Many hundred of years ago, the city of Ember was created by the Builders to contain everything needed for human survival.

It worked.. But now the storerooms are almost out of food, corruption is spreading through the city and worst of all - the lights are failing.

Soon Ember could be engulfed by Darkness.

But when two children, Lina and Doon, discover fragments of an ancient parchment, they begin to wonder if there could be a way out of Ember. Can they decipher the words from read, and I am only part-way I thought this book was truly long ago and find a new through it, but I think it is amazing. It took me on an future for everyone? well worth it!

I would almost believable adventure recommend it for around A really good book, with and I just couldn’t stop reading! Recommended for ages 14 and up, depending great suspense and now a on how confident a reader movie as well! ages 9 and up. you are.

The Books of Bayern

By Shannon Hale

The Goose Girl The Goose Girl is pretty much based on the fairy tale of the Goose Girl, where a princess is travelling to a far away country/kingdom to marry her prince when her maid swaps places with her and impersonates the princess.

The princess goes to the castle and gets a job as a goose girl while the maid continues to pretend to be the princess. I won’t tell you the rest of the plot, although you may already be familiar with it, as it may spoil it for some!

Although the plot is very similar to that of the fairy tale there are many added details which make this a very enjoyable tale. There are additional characters and story-lines to pad it out and add more interest to the story.

Enna Burning

River secrets

Enna Burning follows the River Secrets is the third character of Enna from The book in The Books of Goose Girl.

Bayern series.

Enna is given a piece of vellum which enables her to create fire without so much as a spark. She cannot decide if this is power that she wants, but then the war threatens her country and she starts using this power to try and help the war effort.

A fierce war between two kingdoms is now over. But after some gruesome discoveries, it becomes clear that not everyone is happy with the peace. How far are they prepared to go to provoke a new war?

Enna and her friends go to the neighbouring kingdom However she could never in order to secure peace, have imagined that but when they get there controlling the fire could be they find that they are in so difficult and it begins to increasing danger. consume her and This book was a great everything she loves. conclusion to the Bayern This book is a powerful series. sequel to The Goose Girl The whole series is a and I really enjoyed it. beautiful fantasy series, It really draws you in and full of well portrayed there is a great attention to characters and poetic detail. details.

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A true Story.

Submitted by Sophie.

Age 12.

Sandra was 20 and lived in London where she was a singer.

About a minute later she heard a scream and a shot. Terrified, she ran home.

One late evening she had to go home and she really felt very tired so she decided to take a short-cut though the park - not a very good idea.

The next day the newspapers said that a lady had been murdered in the very same park Sandra had been and the police had caught the murderer.

As she was about half-way though she heard someone coming towards her. It was a man staring intently at her as he got closer. Sandra immediately knew he was going to kill her.

Sandra went to the police to see if she could talk to him and she could.

She didn't know what to do but in her despair she begged her guardian angel to protect her. The man came closer and closer and went right past her!

“Why didn't you kill me?” she asked.

“I was going to kill the first woman I saw alone. You weren't alone. I saw a man next to you,” the man told her.

Sandra’s guardian angel had saved her life!

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Messy Tessie's Valentine

By Debbie O’Connor Tessa Scroggins tried to slip inconspicuously through the crowded hallway. She had to pass Brenda Jones and the rest of the cheerleading squad congregated at Brenda's locker, laughing and gossiping.

Maybe they won't notice me, Tessa thought hopefully.

"Hey, girls," she heard Brenda shrill. "It's Messy Tessie. Hey, Tessie" she said in a mockingly friendly tone, "what's the rush? Is there a big sale at Goodwill?"

Brenda's crowd laughed; Tessa turned red. Why can't she just leave me alone? she wondered. Or fall off the face of the earth?

Tessa didn't see Danny Baker until she smacked into him. Books and papers flew.

"Hey, Tessa," Danny said. "What's the rush? Let me help you."

"Umm, thanks Danny," she said smiling shyly. Danny was the cutest boy in the seventh grade, and the nicest. He didn't seem to mind going against the popular tide. He was the only kid at Lake Castle Junior High who did.

"No problem. Just watch where you're going," he laughed. "Whoops, almost missed one," he said, handing her a novel. "You reading this?" he asked.

"Sure," she replied. "I read a lot."

"Me too," Danny said. "But this is too dark and heavy for me."

"It is a little dark," she admitted. I relate to dark, she thought.

Tessa made it to homeroom just in time. Brenda glared at her from the back of the room.

Mrs. Anderson announced that the entire seventh grade would have homeroom in the gym to celebrate Valentines Day on Friday. Everyone should bring something from home for the party and students were encouraged to bring Valentines for their classmates.

12 Mrs. Anderson announced that the entire seventh grade would have homeroom in the gym to celebrate Valentines Day on Friday. Everyone should bring something from home for the party and students were encouraged to bring Valentines for their classmates.

Great, another chance to be humiliated, Tessa thought.

Tessa lingered after the others left. "Mrs. Anderson," she said, "I may not be able to bring anything Friday. My Mom and I..."

"It's okay, Tessa," Mrs. Anderson said kindly. "Just bring yourself."

"Thanks," Tessa said. She hurried to her next class relieved she wouldn't have to ask her mother to spend money.

Tessa got to the bus late that afternoon. Brenda and her entourage occupied the back. No one would let her sit, and the bus driver failed to notice and took off.

Tessa went sprawling to the floor. Her glasses snapped. She heard Brenda laugh.

She walked home from her bus stop alone. Sally Thomas lived two houses down, but she was Brenda's friend and wouldn't be caught dead walking with "Messy Tessie."

Tessa sighed. She remembered long afternoons playing with Sally when they were younger. She wished she had at least one friend.

Tessa unlocked her door and was greeted by Bruce, her alley cat. His welcome brought Tessa to tears. She clung to the cat and cried. Bruce struggled free, only to come and rub against her a moment later.

Tessa stroked her kitty and regained her composure. She sat down and deliberately finished her homework. Then she picked up her "dark" novel and read until six. At six, she made Hamburger Helper. Annie Scroggins arrived as it was finished.

"Hi honey," she said. "How was your day?"

Tessa noticed that her mother looked tired. "Okay," she said. I can tell her about the glasses later, she thought.

13 The next day was just as bad. Tessa overheard Brenda laughing that Messy Tessie needed a Valentine Makeover. At noon, she found a Valentine stuck to her locker door.

"Messy Tessie's clothes are rags. Her hair is greasy. What a hag."

Tessa's eyes filled. She tossed the rhyme in the trash and stormed down the hall. Brenda and her friends laughed.

Danny Baker saw it all.

"Brenda, can I talk to you?" he said.

"Ooh," the cheerleaders gushed insinuatingly.

Danny's face flushed. Brenda walked over with an expectant smile.

"Brenda, that was mean," Danny said. "Why don't you cut Tessa some slack?"

Brenda's smile melted. "Cut Tessa some slack?" she repeated dazedly.

"Yes. You're being mean. Stop."

"You like Tessa," she said accusingly.

"What?"

"Hey girls, Danny's into Messy Tessie. Can you believe it?"

The other girls giggled, but less enthusiastically than usual. Sally looked guilty.

Danny was angry, but he wisely walked away.

That night he prayed over a decision. It was embarrassing, but it was worth it.

The next day, Tessa found an elaborate homemade Valentine in her locker. It read, "Ignore those girls. You have a real friend. His name is Jesus. He loves you very much. Sincerely, Danny Baker."

Tessa smiled. Jesus, she thought. So that's why he's so different.

Copyright 2008 Debbie O'Connor Article Source: http://www.faithwriters.com

Confirmation What is Confirmation?

Confirmation is one of the Seven Sacraments. It is the sacrament in which the Holy Spirit comes to us in a special way to join us more closely with Jesus and His church.

It is the completion of our reception of the grace we received through baptism.

What age do I have to be?

One is usually confirmed between the ages of around 12 and 18, but it varies from place to place.

What are the requirements for Confirmation?

In order to receive the sacrament of Confirmation you must be a baptised Catholic.

You should study and learn more about your faith before being confirmed because a confirmed catholic is expected to live up to their faith.

What happens in Confirmation?

The bishop will extend his hands over the person

and anoints the forehead in the form of a cross while saying: "Be sealed with the Gift of the Holy Spirit." The person being confirmed answers "Amen," Why do we choose a Saint’s name?

There are a number of different reasons for taking a saint’s name when you are confirmed, but the main reason is that you are asking for a change in your life. You are asking Jesus to change you just as he changed Saul to Paul (Acts 13:9).

Where is Confirmation in the Bible?

When the apostles in Jerusalem heard that Samaria had accepted the word of God, they sent Peter and John to them, and they went down there and prayed for them to receive the Holy Spirit, for as yet he had not come down on any of them: they had only been baptised in the name of the Lord Jesus. Then they laid hands on them, and they received the Holy Spirit (Acts 8:14-17)

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Pentecost sound blowing wind fire filled Holy Spirit

I’m going to be running a small competition.

All you have to do is send in your favourite prolife quote and I will put all the quotes in the next issue and choose three winners.

I’m afraid I can’t do prizes or anything, so you’ll just get the satisfaction of knowing you are a winner :) Please send in submissions to: faithfulmagazine@googlemail.com by 15th August 09

speak other tongues language hear declare wonders amazed

Saint Space

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Saint Clare of Assisi Saint Clare of Assisi was born on the 16th July 1194 in Assisi, Italy.

So, she ran away from home and gave her life to God. St. Francis cut her hair and gave her a rough brown habit to wear. Her parents tried many times to get Clare to return home, but she refused.

Soon many young women joined her. St. Clare and her sisters wore no shoes, ate no meat, lived in a poor house, and kept silent most of the time.

They depended on donations of money and food from other people.

Clare was an Italian noblewoman who founded an order of nuns, now called, the Poor Clares.

When she herd St. Francis preaching in the street she wanted to be like him and live a simple life for Jesus.

to give her own life to God, but she was restrained.

Towards the end of her life, when she was too ill to attend mass, an image of the service would display on the wall of her room.

This is why she is the patron saint of television!

Her feast day is on the 11th August.

The Basilica of Saint Clare is a church in Assisi, central Italy. It is dedicated to Saint Clare and contains her remains.

However, they were very happy because the Lord was close to them all the time.

When St. Clare heard about the Franciscan martyrs in Morocco in 1221, she tried to go there

Got a saint you’d like me to focus on?

Email me at faithfulmagazine@googlemail.com and tell me!

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Lord Jesus, I thank you that on the first Easter Day you conquered death and the grave and rose to life again.

I thank you that you are not only a memory, but that you are also a living presence.

I thank you that you promised to be with us to end of the world and beyond.

Amen

Blessed Virgin Mary Last month, May, was the month of Mary.

The Immaculate Conception

Mary was the mother of Jesus.

We believe that Mary was conceived without original sin, and she was filled with grace from the very moment of her conception.

Mary has many different titles and names. She is often called Our Lady, Mother of God or The Virgin Mary, as well as many other different names.

As Catholics we have many beliefs about Mary, including the Immaculate Conception, the Annunciation, the Virgin Mother of God, and Perpetual Virginity. I shall try to explain these in this article.

The feast of the Immaculate Conception is celebrated on the 8th December.

The Annunciation Really The Annunciation is just a fancy name for that time when Mary was visited by the angel Gabriel and given the news that she has been chosen to bear God’s son.

I’m sure most of you reading this will already be familiar with this story. However there is a lot of importance to this story.

What if Mary had said ‘No’?

She could easily have done because she had free will.

God did not tell her that she must be the mother of God, but her asked her to accept this request.

Mary is not someone who just does as she’s told, agreeing to accept something you don’t understand and that will

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cause a scandal is not something you simply accept lightly. To say ‘Yes’ to all this Mary had to be a powerful and strong woman.

The Virgin Mother of God We believe that Mary was a virgin, when she had Jesus and that Jesus was conceived through the power of the Holy Spirit.

Our Lady's Perpetual Virginity Catholics believe that Mary stayed a virgin her whole life, even though she was married to Joseph.

Several times in the Bible the ‘brothers and sisters’ of Jesus are mentioned.

However ‘brother’ is used throughout scripture to mean a family member, not necessarily a brother in the strict sense of the word. In Hebrew and Aramaic there is no distinction between the word for brother and another close relative.

Also at the foot of the cross, there would have been no need for Our Lord to entrust His Mother to the care of St John if she had other children who could take care of her.

P"#$%&' )*+ R-.#"$

19 T"# A&'()*#( C,##I believe in God, the Father Almighty, Creator of Heaven and Earth. And in Jesus Christ, His only Son, our Lord, who was conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of the Virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate; was crucified, died and was buried. He descended into Hell.

The third day he rose again from the dead. He ascended into Heaven, and sits at the right hand of God, the Fa‑ ther Almighty. He shall come again to judge the living and the dead. I believe in the Holy Spirit, The holy Catholic Church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and life everlasting. Amen

T"# O/, F1)"#, 3 3 H15* M1,7 G*',7 B# O" M7 J#(/(, forgive us our sins, save us from the fires of Hell; lead all souls to Heaven, especially those in most need of Thy mercy. Amen.

F', E1<" D#<1-#: A??'/?<# )"# M7()#,7 O/, F1)"#, 10 3 H15* M1,7 G*',7 B# O" M7 J#(/( S/?-17 ‑ S1)/,-17: G, J, S, G, L, S, J

M7()#,5#(: J'7B/*: LWX+: 1:26‑38, 39‑56 2:1‑21, 22‑38, 2: 41‑52 S',,'FB/*: Mt. 26:36‑56 Mt. 27:26 Mt. 27:27‑31 Mt. 27:32 Mt. 33‑56

L/D5?'/(: Mt. 3:13‑16 Jn. 2:1‑11 Mk. 1:14‑15 Mt. 17:1‑8, 26 G*',5'/(: Jn. 20:1‑29 Luke 24:36‑53 Acts 2:1‑41 S. of S.: 2:3‑6 Rev. 12:1