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Happy Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception! Today the Church celebrates the Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception, the solemn dogma defined by Blessed Pope Pius IX in 1854. She is the patroness of the United States of America and this is a holy day of obligation in the United States. Many people confuse the Immaculate Conception to be about Jesus being born without sin. However, this is actually in reference to Mary being born without sin. This Dogma of the faith revealed by God that the Blessed Virgin Mary "in the first instant of her conception, by a singular privilege and grace granted by God, in view of the merits of Jesus Christ, the Saviour of the human race, was preserved exempt from all stain of original sin" (Denz.-Schonm, 2083). Mary was granted the gift of her Immaculate Conception because she was chosen to be the Mother of God. She received the original grace of purity and the final state of the blessed life that we hope to have one day through accepting and living by God's grace. In other words, Mary's Immaculate Conception shows us the perfect and pure relationship that God desires and has in store for us. In honor of the Blessed Mother's purity and sinlessness, we make an all white dinner and because it's a solemnity I do a full table setting. I like to make treats and special dinners on feast days but on solemnities I will do a more elevated table setting to show in our home that this is one of the highest ranking of liturgical days. The Menu 1. White chicken breast 2. White wine sauce 3. White rice 4. Rolls (white in the inside) 5. White wine to drink 6. Salad... green... checked with Mary and she said it was ok to make this exception for the sake of attempting healthy eating. I also like the green leaf connection between Eve and Mary being the "New Eve". The Table Setting White table cloth and napkins White dinnerware White flowers for the dinner table and our home altar. Prep Time: 10 minutes Bake Time: 25 minutes Total Time: 35 minutes Yields: 4-6 servings Meet the Ingredients For the chicken 1 tbsp olive oil 4 boneless skinless chicken breasts (you could also use tenders) salt & pepper garlic powder For the white wine sauce 1 tablespoon unsalted butter 1/2 large ellow onion diced 4 garlic cloves minced Salt & Pepper 1 C. White Wine 1 teaspoon dried thyme 1/2 cup heavy whipping cream Fresh chopped parsley or basil as garnish (optional) Note: I did not do pictures for this one but will add them in the future just in case you feel you need them. Let's Get Started! 1. Heat 1 tbsp olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat, I use a cast iron so this takes about 2 to 3 minutes. 2. While that is heating, season the chicken with salt, pepper and garlic powder. Just give it a little sprinkle, sprinkle! I don't measure for this, just roll with it. 3. Place the chicken in the skillet and cook until golden brown, about 4-5 minutes on each side. I use a kitchen thermometer and wait until it gets almost to 165 degrees. I say almost because the chicken is going to cook a little longer after this in the white wine sauce and nobody likes dried out chicken. 4. Once all your chicken has reached that cooking temperature, remove it from skillet and put it on a plate. 5. Next we will get to the white wine sauce. You do not need to wipe or drain your skillet, just let the excess juice and olive oil stay. 6. Add 1 tbsp butter to skillet and melt over medium-high heat. 7. Toss in 1/2 diced onions and cook for 3 minutes, or until softened. 8. Stir in 4 cloves minced garlic then sprinkle with salt, and pepper; cook for about 30 seconds. 9. Pour in 1 cup white wine and bring to a simmer, stir so as to scrape the bottom of the skillet and mix all together. Cook until half of the wine has reduced, about 5-6 minutes. 10. Sprinkle in 1 tsp thyme and a 1/2 cup half-and-half. 11. Reduce heat to medium- low and put the chicken back in the skillet. Let it simmer until the white wine sauce thickens, this took about 8 or so minutes for mine. 12. Once the sauce has thickened you can garnish with parsley or basil and serve. We really enjoy this dinner and hope that you will to! It's certainly one that we eat more than just at the Immaculate Conception but it's also a great celebratory meal. Did you make this recipe? If so I would love to see it, drop a picture in the comment or send it to me on social media Facebook @HisGirlSunday or Instagram @steffani_hisgirlsunday. For more liturgical living resources check out the blog section of my website or follow me on Facebook to see what Catholic things I am doing to celebrate feast days. Cheers!

On Saturday night, November 5, 2022, the Houston Astros won the World Series against the Phillies, and this city proved to me what I had already known. First, each and every one of us, whether you call yourself religious or not, is inherently ritualistic. Second, that we in fact do know how to be a strong and bonded community. And third, we can pull together vibrant expressions of joy quite literally over a short span of two days. The Unfulfilled Desire I am immensely proud of our city's baseball team, and while we were more of a basketball family, I appreciate talent, hard work, and sportsmanship in any given arena of athleticism. Yet as elated as I was, I found that a quieter place in my interior life felt sad. And I realized that what initially seemed like melancholy, was truly the disappointment of an unfulfilled desire to see ritual, community, and vibrant joy for Christ in my city. I am uniquely tuned into this city in general through seeking to inspire Catholic culture and tradition on the His Girl Sunday platform, but also through my full-time job as the Director of Liturgical Life. Working right in the center of this city gives me a lens with which I can see the lives of a wide range of demographics from age, to race, to faith, to socioeconomic status. And I daily, weekly, and monthly seek to collect all these individuals across the board to come together and express the goodness and beauty of our faith in Christ. Helping others in person, on the ground, to live the liturgical year is the work of my heart, but is not without its challenges. Inspiring a liturgical and sacramental life is one thing when posting on social media or living within my own home, and it is another type of work to instill this in the larger community. When I saw over 1 million people gather for a parade that came together over a quick weekend, I couldn't help but think to myself, "if only I/we could get this many people to our feast day festivals, Eucharistic processions, or even Mass." Of course, this is not a reflection on the Astros, or to say that they are undeserving, but rather to say that Christ too is worthy of such praise and even more so. Ritualistic by Nature Without knowing it, over a million people in the city of Houston proved what the Church and the wisdom of the Church Fathers have long stated; that we are ritualistic by nature. St. Thomas Aquinas, teaches that it is proper for man to “employ sensible signs in order to signify anything” (Summa Theologiae II–II:85:1). In other words, we communicate through our words, gestures, and actions what we honor. It should be no surprise given our human nature that the ritual action we see within the World Series is so closely related to that with which we express our devotion to God. The crowds wore colors and symbols that are fitting to express a sense of allegiance and respect for the team. They chanted and sang out of praise for their win. Each fan came together as a community to show their love in person as one body and to be present for this monumental occasion. And the fans desired to see the team and to be seen by the team in appreciation for what had been accomplished. Yet, these are not just matters that pertain to baseball, but speak to something greater. Proper attire, song, chant, symbols, colors, community, joy, and the desire to see something special (God in the Eucharist) all speaks of the liturgy. I deeply pray that we can grow to see this intimate connection, and offer all of those actions stated above to God as we do to our sports teams. I long to see the day where there is a parade for Jesus Christ in this city with over a million people in attendance. I will be there with the flaming baton. Meant for Community People could have just celebrated within their home, and perhaps some did, but many decided to put the effort into being together. Within two days an impressive parade took place with many offering their talents in congratulations to the Astros. This only further proves that we were meant for community, and not only are we meant for it, we are at our best when we are together. Unity in belief and praise can be an immensely powerful thing, hence why Christ commands us to keep holy the Sabbath. To go to Mass together in person as a community is the most compelling expression of faith we have. When we are together in person, bonded over shared ideas and belief, we become more human. And in that humanity, we can become more like Christ, sharing in one another’s greatness and refining one another’s weaknesses. It is together that we can best express our gratitude for Christ and for our own lives. This is the heartbeat, of liturgical living, Catholic culture, and tradition. We must re-learn, over and over again, how to come together out of gratitude and love for Christ and our own lives. It is in this lived reality that we see culture and tradition form. Traditions arise when we, as a community, value something enough to see it lived out time and time again. And tradition doesn’t just happen, it takes effort and intentionality. Christ is worth the effort, and you are worth it too. After seeing Catholic schools and churches either close or cancel things to be at this parade, many questions arose within me. Of course, not at their parade attendance, again this is not a commentary on sports team pride, but rather a reflection on the lack of similar fervor for our faith. Why, as Catholic schools and churches do we not cancel or close when Solemnities arise? Why do we not have a much larger attendance, as a community of believers, for our own faith-filled gatherings? Why don’t we have thousands gathered for Eucharistic processions? How can that many attend a parade post Covid, but my community won’t come back to Mass in person? I don’t have answers to these questions, but I felt that they were worth bringing up in hopes that it will spark curiosity. Not a curiosity that will just leave you confused, but rather as something that will help us believers spring into action. Again, what the Astros proved to me was positive, we are ritualistic and communal beings. These are two components that are integral to our participation in the liturgy and then the liturgical life that is to follow. I hope to see the day where Catholics gather in droves out of celebration for our resurrected Lord, to see exuberant Easter parades, lively Eucharistic processions, and feast day gatherings that are bursting with culture and happiness.

As a short guide and aid to your November liturgical living, I have compiled some quick tips, ideas, and links to bring joy and festivity into your domestic church. This is not a list of every single November feast day, but will be a very good start. Feast days that you will find in this post! 1. All Saints' 2. All Souls' 3. Martinmas 4. St. Elizabeth of Hungary Note: This is not a full list of resources on my blog for feast day celebrations, activities, and recipes in the month of November. Go browse around for saints and feast days that are special to you. Enjoy! 😊 The Month of November is Dedicated to the Holy Souls in Purgatory. Click the graphic below for this Eternal Rest Frame, handmade by especially for Liturgy Market by Rough2Rustic. All Saints' Day (Solemnity) About All Saints' Day is a solemn holy day of the Catholic Church celebrated annually on November 1. The day is dedicated to the saints of the Church, that is, all those who have attained heaven. It should not be confused with All Souls' Day, which is observed on November 2, and is dedicated to those who have died and not yet reached heaven. Although millions, or even billions of people may already be saints, All Saints' Day observances tend to focus on known saints --that is those recognized in the canon of the saints by the Catholic Church. Generally, All Saints' Day is a Catholic Holy Day of Obligation, meaning all Catholics are required to attend Mass on that day, unless they have an excellent excuse, such as serious illness. All Saints' Day was formally started by Pope Boniface IV, who consecrated the Pantheon at Rome to the Virgin Mary and all the Martyrs on May 13 in 609 AD. Boniface IV also established All Souls' Day, which follows All Saints. (Catholic.org) Quick Links 10 Fun Ideas for All Hallows' Eve 16 Ways to Celebrate All Saints Celebrating All Saints in Your Home All Saints' Day Prayer Bless the many parted souls who lived their lives with grace. Bless the saints in heaven, gathered in that special place. May we tell their stories and remember all the ways they lived their faith and spent their days. There is glory and reward, even if at first there’s strife. Oh, blessed saints, you help us see a path that’s to eternal life. May we always hold them dear and know their life and place. May we know their inspiration and aspire to their grace. Food Saint Snacks All Souls' Day About On All Souls’ Day the universal Church prays for all those in purgatory, people who were much like us, whose offense may have been less than ours. By pleading for them, we are inspired to lead purer lives. On that day, and during the entire month of November, we remember our departed brethren as we go to the cemetery where they are buried, attain indulgences for them, give alms, do some good work, ask for Masses to be said in remembrance, all on behalf of those close to us and to others we may have neglected during the year. We also light candles, and in some parishes the faithful display pictures of their deceased loved ones in the church. Church bells are sometimes rung to remind everyone to pray for the poor souls in purgatory. Priests are authorized to say three Masses on this holy, somber day. (Simply Catholic) Quick Links All Souls' Day Traditions All Saints' Day & All Souls' Day Lesson Plans All Souls' Day at Home Eternal Rest Prayer Eternal rest grant unto them , O Lord, and let perpetual light shine upon them. May the souls of all the faithful departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace. Food Catholic Soul Cakes St. Martin of Tours About A conscientious objector who wanted to be a monk; a monk who was maneuvered into being a bishop; a bishop who fought paganism as well as pleaded for mercy to heretics—such was Martin of Tours, one of the most popular of saints and one of the first not to be a martyr. Born of pagan parents in what is now Hungary, and raised in Italy, this son of a veteran was forced at the age of 15 to serve in the army. Martin became a Christian catechumen and was baptized when he was 18. It was said that he lived more like a monk than a soldier. At 23, he refused a war bonus and told his commander: “I have served you as a soldier; now let me serve Christ. Give the bounty to those who are going to fight. But I am a soldier of Christ and it is not lawful for me to fight.” After great difficulties, he was discharged and went to be a disciple of Hilary of Poitiers. He was ordained an exorcist and worked with great zeal against the Arians. Martin became a monk, living first at Milan and later on a small island. When Hilary was restored to his see following his exile, Martin returned to France and established what may have been the first French monastery near Poitiers. He lived there for 10 years, forming his disciples and preaching throughout the countryside. The people of Tours demanded that he become their bishop. Martin was drawn to that city by a ruse—the need of a sick person—and was brought to the church, where he reluctantly allowed himself to be consecrated bishop. Some of the consecrating bishops thought his rumpled appearance and unkempt hair indicated that he was not dignified enough for the office. Along with Saint Ambrose, Martin rejected Bishop Ithacius’s principle of putting heretics to death—as well as the intrusion of the emperor into such matters. He prevailed upon the emperor to spare the life of the heretic Priscillian. For his efforts, Martin was accused of the same heresy, and Priscillian was executed after all. Martin then pleaded for a cessation of the persecution of Priscillian’s followers in Spain. He still felt he could cooperate with Ithacius in other areas, but afterwards his conscience troubled him about this decision. As death approached, Martin’s followers begged him not to leave them. He prayed, “Lord, if your people still need me, I do not refuse the work. Your will be done.” (Franciscan Media) Quick Links Celebrating St. Martin of Tours Feast Day Highlights Happy Martinmas Blessing for the Feast of St. Martin of Tours Lord God, source of all that is good, we praise your holy name on this day in which we celebrate the memory of your faithful servant, Martin of Tours. By the example of his life, renew in us the desire to follow daily in the footsteps of Christ, your Son. Bless this nourishment, which we receive from your bounty. May it strengthen us for your service. We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen. Food Roast Goose St. Elizabeth of Hungary About As the daughter of the Hungarian King Andrew II, Elizabeth had the responsibilities of royalty thrust upon her almost as soon as her short life began in 1207. While she was still very young, Elizabeth's father arranged for her to be married to a German nobleman, Ludwig of Thuringia. The plan forced Elizabeth to separate from her parents while still a child. Adding to this sorrow was the murder of Elizabeth's mother Gertrude in 1213, which history ascribes to a conflict between her own German people and the Hungarian nobles. Elizabeth took a solemn view of life and death from that point on, and found consolation in prayer. Both tendencies drew some ire from her royal peers. For a time, beginning in 1221, she was happily married. Ludwig, who had advanced to become one of the rulers of Thuringia, supported Elizabeth's efforts to live out the principles of the Gospel even within the royal court. She met with friars of the nascent Franciscan order during its founder's own lifetime, resolving to use her position as queen to advance their mission of charity. Remarkably, Ludwig agreed with his wife's resolution, and the politically powerful couple embraced a life of remarkable generosity toward the poor. They had three children, two of whom went on to live as as members of the nobility, although one of them –her only son– died relatively young. The third eventually entered religious life and became abbess of a German convent. In 1226, while Ludwig was attending to political affairs in Italy, Elizabeth took charge of distributing aid to victims of disease and flooding that struck Thuringia. She took charge of caring for the afflicted, even when this required giving up the royal family's own clothes and goods. Elizabeth arranged for a hospital to be built, and is said to have provided for the needs of nearly a thousand desperately poor people on a daily basis. The next year, however, would put Elizabeth's faith to the test. Her husband had promised to assist the Holy Roman Emperor Frederick II in the Sixth Crusade, but he died of illness en route to Jerusalem. Devastated by Ludwig's death, Elizabeth vowed never to remarry. Her children were sent away, and relatives heavily pressured her to break the vow. Undeterred, Elizabeth used her remaining money to build another hospital, where she personally attended to the sick almost constantly. Sending away her servants, she joined the Third Order of St. Francis, seeking to emulate the example of its founder as closely as her responsibilities would allow. Near the end of her life, she lived in a small hut and spun her own clothes. Working continually with the severely ill, Elizabeth became sick herself, dying of illness in November of 1231. After she died, miraculous healings soon began to occur at her grave near the hospital, and she was declared a saint only four years later. (CNA) Quick Links Printables and Worksheets for Home Cooking and Crafting Desserts & Decorations St. Elizabeth of Hungary Prayer O God, by whose gift Saint Elizabeth of Hungary recognized and revered Christ in the poor, grant, through her intercession, that we may serve with unfailing charity the needy and those afflicted. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen. (from The Roman Missal) Food Hungarian Braided Bread Happy Feasting! If you used any of these ideas, share with me on Facebook @HisGirlSunday or Instagram @steffani_hisgirlsunday. See you in the Eucharist, Steffani

Hey Friends! I have taken a little break from painting heirloom products to go back to sharing some of the fun traditions that we do in our home. We love pumpkin pie in my family and like the rest of the world, all things pumpkin flavored. This particular tradition goes back to the Aquila family, every year the whole family comes together to make pies from scratch on the Wednesday before Thanksgiving! I cannot explain how much fun we all have together dancing, singing, laughing, and making pies together in the kitchen. In addition to this, my family makes this pumpkin puree so that we can have our own pumpkin pie to share at the Friendsgiving gathering that we host. It is very simple so scroll down to see the play by play. Bake Time: 45 minutes Total Time: 55 minutes Yields: 4-6 cups Ingredients 1, 4-6lb pie pumpkin (picture note: we made 3 pumpkins) Let's get started! Preheat your oven to 350 degrees and then prep your pumpkins. Okay I have seen a lot of pumpkin puree recipes that have you cut the pumpkin in half and take out what I call the "innards" before baking. We don't do that, I'm going to make your life very easy! Put your pumpkins on a baking sheet and using a fork poke holes all the way around the pumpkin. When the oven is finished preheating put the pumpkins inside and bake until soft. Depending on the size of your pumpkins this will take anywhere between 35-45 minutes. Take the pumpkins out of the oven and test them to see if they are ready by inserting a fork into the side. If the pumpkin is soft and finished baking the fork will go in easily and without much effort. Now that they are fully baked you are going to pull back the stem. Technically this is called a penduncle and can actually help you determine the quality of the pumpkin. I learned something new today, couldn't help but share. Begin peeling the skin off of the entire pumpkin, again if they are ready the skin will come off easily! For some reason my family got a kick out of the way this bare pumpkin looked when I was finished pealing it. Perfect-Pumpkin-Peeling right there! Next you are going to flip the pumpkin over so that the bottom is now facing up and take off any remaining skin and pull out the blossom end. Grab a spoon and scoop out the seeds and strands! Very quick and easy to do when everything if soft. You could save the pumpkins seeds and roast them for another tasty holiday snack. Alright folks this is what we are left with, a big bowl of pumpkin pulp. You can go ahead and grab your food processor, blender, or food mill to make the puree. Throw the pumpkin into the food processor and put it on high until it is completely smooth. See all these strands around the side? We DO NOT want that, that does not make for a tasty pumpkin pie so if it is still at this stage put the top back on and hit high. Here is a little close up after I hit high again so you can see the before and after difference. Nice and smooth! Here is the finished product from our 3 pie pumpkins! We put half in the refrigerator to use more immediately and the other half in the freezer. You can keep the puree frozen for up to 4 months if stored properly. This is a great way to have that fresh pumpkin taste in your holiday meals and desserts. I hope that you enjoy it as much as we do by making it a fun yearly tradition. Did you make this recipe? If so I would love to see it, drop a picture in the comment or send it to me on social media Facebook @HisGirlSunday or Instagram @steffani_hisgirlsunday. For more liturgical living resources check out the blog section of my website or follow me on Facebook to see what Catholic things I am doing to celebrate feast days. Happy Fall! Steffani

I want to share the little journey of how I came to start living Advent in its truest sense, and I hope my experience is an encouragement to you this Advent. Growing up my family was pretty secular, we never celebrated Advent. In fact, as soon as Thanksgiving was over, we jumped right into the joy of Christmas. We busied ourselves for a month with decorating, holiday baking, shopping, and my dad putting lights on everyone’s home in the neighborhood with his cherry picker. It was a fun and exciting time that is full of many wonderful and fond memories, but I also remember a feeling that stands out distinctly. The day after Christmas all of that momentum came to an abrupt stop, and in the blink of an eye all that time came and went without any interior recognition of what we just celebrated. Essentially, we prepared ourselves for the holiday season, but not at all for the birth of Christ. Through the years, with the help of God’s guiding graces I delved further into my Catholic faith and learned about the solemn and reflective season of Advent. These are the four weeks leading up to Christmas. Through my journey of faith I came to see and cherish that as a hopeful Christian, Advent is meant to be a time of prayerful preparation and purifying penance to ready my heart for Christ’s coming. I was so excited to live this, because I didn’t want to feel that twinge of emptiness after Christmas day. I did all the Advent activities that I could and did my best to not worry as much about the hustle and bustle of buying the best gifts and fighting the crowds, but really focusing myself on the birth of our Savior. I did so much Advent “stuff” that when the season ended, my heart still wasn’t ready. It was as if I exchanged all the secular preparation for a lot of Catholic themed activities, only to end up in the same place. I don't want you to fall into the same mix up that I did, and I think it can be very easy to do such given the amount of messages we see during season of Advent that say we need to be "doing" something. I want to speak plainly and share that the only thing you need to do is to slow down, pray, experience some silence in your day, make sacrifices, and perhaps pick one or two Advent activities. Invite your children, husband, and friends to experience these things with you. Through our own imitation of Mary, waiting patiently and prayerfully for the birth of her child, we can more fully experience the elation that is Christmas. This taught me an additional lesson, that Advent is challenging and countercultural. Instead of noise there is silence, instead of celebrating there is waiting, instead of indulging there is penance. Keep in mind that Advent is not only a season that guides us in waiting for Jesus to be born on Christmas day, but for the second coming. We live Advent every single day in the broader scope in that we seek to prepare our hearts, minds, and actions for the day when Christ returns. We want to be ready for this and not caught off guard, or wishing that we had been more intentional. These are same kind of feelings that I had when I had busied myself too much during the season of Advent. The theological correlations are the same, I pray that we can seek to remember them. This year I am approaching this season differently, and I decided to do a couple of small things with great intentionality; I lovingly challenge each of you to do this too! This year I am focusing on more time for silence, less TV, music, social media, checklists, full schedules, etc. and more time to walk with St. Joseph to Bethlehem, befriend Mary in the stable, and to gaze at this little Holy Family with the animals as we await the child that will save us all. Happy start to your Advent, dear friends. God love you, Steffani

About Saint Lucy St. Lucy was a consecrated virgin & martyr who was killed in the early church during the worst persecution. Her name means “light” which is appropriate for a woman who was known for the visible glow she had out of her love for her spouse, Christ. She would bring supplies and food to the poor and Christians in the darkness of the catacombs but would wear a wreath of candles so that she could see better. There are so many fun traditions associated with her feast day, many of them involving light, candles, torches, and even bonfires. Popular Traditions Today the eldest daughter is supposed to wake the household with St. Lucia buns, coffee, and treats while wearing a wreath of candles, a white gown, and a red sash symbolizing her baptism and martyrdom. She can also be accompanied by small brothers known as “Star Boys” who wear white gowns and cone shaped hats decorated with stars and carrying a star tipped wand. These are the traditional St. Lucy Buns, also known as Saffron buns, that I make every year! What We Do In my family, we wait to put up the Christmas tree and lights until this weekend. It's a meaningful way to integrate light on the feast day of Lucy whose name means light, but is also a way to express joy on Gaudete Sunday. Our home is filled with Advent and Christmas decor, but it’s been missing the romantic twinkle of lights. Without the lights I have been reminded of the meaning of Advent, the cold dark winter preparation for the coming of Christ. These physical reminders can be so important to our Catholic life, without them we can easily fall into the busyness of December schedules, parties, work, baking, shopping, and the typical hustle and bustle. A Reflection on the Meaning of Light I’ve been thinking more about the lesson of light that we can take away from St. Lucy’s feast day in honor of her own faith. Hearing about her glow reminds me of when I was engaged or what others tell women when they are pregnant, "you’re glowing"! My engagement period was filled with so much anticipation and joy, it very much felt like the season of Advent. I couldn’t hide the love and happiness that I felt even if I wanted to, and then I imagine St. Lucy and the love she had for Jesus. This young girl glowed out of love for Christ whom she consecrated herself to. We see very clearly the physical reminder of her name with the candle lit wreath that she wore when serving others who were hiding in darkness; but she was also a spiritual light to the message of the Gospel. She could see what others could not through her faith, which reminded me of this reference from the ever popular Chronicles of Narnia. In C.S. Lewis’ book Prince Caspian, Lucy has this exchange of faith with Aslan. Her siblings can no longer see him, even in daylight, but she can and she realizes something else, that he is bigger! “Aslan,” said Lucy, “you’re bigger.” “That is because you are older, little one,” answered he. “Not because you are?” “I am not. But every year you grow, you will find me bigger.” We can use St. Lucy and Lucy Pevensie as a way to understand that in the light of faith and truth, Christ will grow to be “bigger”. This innocent exchange is so telling of the fact that as we grow older, get busy, or let other things take priority in life, it's very easy to lose sight of how God plays a part in all that we do. On the feast of St. Lucy and the upcoming joy of Gaudete Sunday, let’s refocus on eyes and our heart on Christ, who will shine on all of our circumstances. Praying for you this Advent as we all seek to prepare a place in our hearts and homes for the coming of Christ. And may St. Lucy intercede for us as we draw nearer to the light of Christ. God love you, Steffani

Feast Day: October 15 Patron: Headache Sufferers & Spanish Catholic Writers St. Teresa of Avila is one of the most insufficiently discussed female saints there is, in my personal opinion! She is a triple powerhouse in that she was a beautiful woman, contemplative prayer, and passionate reformer. She was born just a couple of years before the Protestant reformation and died well after the Council of Trent ended. Her dedicated efforts to reform the Church and the Carmelite order for men and women are just one of her many honors, you can read more about that here. Before that, Teresa lived a young person's life that might not be that far from our own: flirting with boys, going to parties, and being overly interested in clothes and materials things. Given her own self-awareness, she wanted to abandon her life of sin and distraction and become more devoted to God, so she joined the Carmelites. And she did this even against the strong discouragement of her father. While there she gave much of her energy to quiet time, mental prayer, serving others, and seeking to make her order and the Church more orthodox amidst the turmoil of the Protestant Reformation. St. Teresa is frequently described by these terms, "beautiful, talented, outgoing, adaptable, affectionate, courageous, and enthusiastic." She was given the title Doctor of the Church along with my confirmation saint, St. Catherine of Siena. One of the reasons I have drawn myself so close to her, and I think other women of a more bold type personality can too, is because at times I have felt that I am "too loud" to be a saint or "too outgoing," and not quiet and demure enough as we often see the saints depicted. Yet her life, example of prayer, and enthusiasm for the Church have been a source of strength for me. I encourage you to look more into her life too, I think she can be a good spiritual friend for all of us women. Through this spiritual master I have learned by means of prayer how to be close to God and live a life in service to others. If you would like to learn more about mental prayer and St. Teresa of Avila I would highly encourage you to read Interior Castle and the Way of Perfection. I would not call these "easy reads" as each line is filled with so much depth, but they are books that bear much fruit by even attempting to give them our attention. Both of these are also available on audio books for those that are juggling many things. All of these practical ideas are taken from her writing, I don't think there is any other saint that presents prayer in the way that she does. It is said that she struggled in prayer for the better part of 18 years, looking at the clock and waiting for her "prayer time" to run up. I too can find myself sitting in prayer and not actually praying, my mind is off on other things or I'm reciting empty words. After reading more from St. Teresa, she would say that this is not actually prayer. However, she does not leave us there, she gives wisdom to lift us up so that we too can truly draw nearer to God. To Do or Consider in Prayer 1. Focus on God when you are praying, and pay attention to what you are saying. "If a person does not think [of] Whom he is addressing, and what he is asking for, and who it is that is asking and of Whom he is asking it, I do not consider that he is praying at all even though he be constantly moving his lips.” (Interior Castle) 2. To not address God while you are thinking of other things. (The Way of Perfection) 3. Talk to Jesus as if He were your husband. "A good wife knows her husband. She understands him, cares for him, and is attentive to him. Similarly, if a soul knows Jesus, understands him, cares about him, and is attentive to him, prayer can be truly meaningful. At the root of prayer is a relationship of love." 4. "St. Teresa warns against reciting the Our Father or attending Mass without thinking about the encounter with Christ. Staying focused in prayer requires effort and discipline; it’s often easier to daydream. But the soul will begin to experience the presence of Jesus in a deeper way when it engages him directly." 5. Seek some solitude in your day. “It is well to seek greater solitude,” she says, “So as to make room for the Lord and allow His Majesty to do His own work in us.” (Way, 31:7) 6. Never forget that God dwells within your little castle (your soul). “If I had understood as I do now that in this little palace of my soul dwelt so great a King, I would not have left Him alone so often.” (Way, 28:11) 7. Humility helps us to lift our hearts to God. “What I have come to understand is that this whole groundwork of prayer is based on humility and that the more a soul lowers itself in prayer the more God raises it up.” (Life 22:11) 8. Don't think so much about your prayer, just show God love. “In order to profit by this path and ascend to the dwelling places we desire, the important thing is not to think much but to love much, and so do whatever best stirs you to love.” (IC 4:1:7) 9. Force yourself, if you have to, to make prayer a habit. “One needs no bodily strength for mental prayer,” she says, “but only love and the formation of a habit.” (Life 7:12) 10. Prayer takes courage. “We must have a determined determination to never give up prayer.” (Way 21:2) 11. Mental prayer is spending time with your greatest friend. “Mental prayer, in my opinion, is nothing else than an intimate sharing between friends; it means taking time frequently to be alone with Him who we know loves us.” (Life 8:7) 12. Integrate fasting into your life beyond Lent. “Prayer and self-indulgence don’t go together.” (Way 4:2) As a bonus, I wanted to direct you to this absolute gem, given to us by St. Teresa, called "The Four Waters of Prayer." Not many people know about it, but she likens contemplative prayer to a garden and water then gives practical explanations for helping us to grow in our prayer life. “Christ and the Woman of Samaria” (detail) by Paolo Veronese Hoping that you have an October full of feasting and fasting that brings celebration to your hearts and homes. I love to see the ways that you are living liturgically so feel free to share that on Facebook @hisgirlsunday or Instagram @steffani_hisgirlsunday. #hisgirlsunday #liturgyhome God love you, Steffani

In my first week of marriage my husband and I went to high tea and enjoyed some of the finer things in life. Beautiful china was laid out, tasty little sandwiches and spreads were displayed for the choosing, and of course we drank the best quality tea I've ever had. To be honest with you, I didn't even know hot tea existed until I was in my last year of high school. I can't believe I just admitted that to you! Growing up in a small town in Texas with a very southern family, the only kind of tea that was ever on our table was iced sweet tea. And even though I truly prefer that, this is nice too! To celebrate our Heavenly Mother and Queen, I think that it is most fitting to host a tea. This tradition works for anyone of any age, children, teens, adults, a gathering of women, a date with your boyfriend or husband, or even as a parish group. I had one wonderful woman message me and let me know that she saw this idea on the blog and decided to implement it with her faith formation families. My heart burst with joy! This is what I want to get people back to regarding living liturgically: liturgy, parish life, home life, and celebration. If you would like to know more about the liturgical history and theology behind this feast day, click here to read my previous Queenship of Mary blog post. To begin we need to collect all of our ingredients. Yields: 24 Rectangular Sandwiches Prep Time: 10 minutes Total Time: 15 minutes Sandwich Ingredients 1 Cucumber, peeled and very thinly sliced 1 Loaf of Extra Thin Sliced Bread, crust removed Lemon Herb Aioli Cucumbers and Flowers for garnish Lemon Herb Aioli Ingredients 1 Garlic Clove, chopped coarsely 1 C. Mayonnaise 1 Tbsp Dill Weed 1 Tbsp Parsley 1 Tbsp Chives 1 Tbsp Thyme 2 Tbsps Fresh Lemon Juice 1 Tsp Lemon Zest Take out your mini food processor and pour in 1 cup mayonnaise and 1 clove garlic coarsely chopped. Pulse the food processor until the garlic and mayonnaise are smoothly combined. After you've done that, sprinkle in 1 tbsp thyme, 1 tbsp parsley, 1 tbsp dill weed, and 1 tbsp chives. Pulse the food processor again until all the herbs are combined and coarsely chopped. Now squeeze 2 tbsps of fresh lemon juice and pour into the herb mixture. Using the lemon you squeezed, zest 1 tsp and add it into the food processor. Pulse a few more times until all your ingredients are combined, then set in the fridge to chill while you prep the sandwiches. Remove the crust from your bread and set aside so we can prepare the cucumber slices. After you have peeled the cucumber, slice it as thinly as you can, about 1/8 inch thick. Lay the cucumber slices out on a paper towel and pat them dry. Place your sandwich bread out on the counter, and grab your chilled lemon herb aioli from the fridge to spread it out on one side. Layer two rows of three cucumber slices in each sandwich and spread more aioli on the other slice of bread. Then cut the sandwich in half, in between the rows of cucumbers, to make small rectangles. Arrange on a platter as you like. To garnish the plate, I decided to make cucumber flowers which is much easier than you might think. To watch a tutorial, you can visit my social media page, but here are the directions. Cucumber Flower Directions Place a small x in one slice of cucumber. Stagger three to four cucumber slices and roll them up. Place the cucumber roll in the center of the x Add cucumber flower to your plate of sandwiches I also wanted a touch of femininity and color so I placed tiny white flowers on each sandwich and in the center of my cucumber flowers. I truly hope you delight in your high tea, and don't forget to share with me how it all went. Did you make this recipe? If so I would love to see it, drop a picture in the comment or send it to me on social media: Facebook @HisGirlSunday or Instagram @steffani_hisgirlsunday. For more resources on building Catholic tradition, check out the blog section of my website or follow me on Facebook to see what Catholic things I am doing to make our day to day life more joyful. God love you, His Girl Sunday

What is the Nativity of Mary? On September 8th we celebrate the birthday of Our Lady. It is liturgically fixed to this date because it comes 9 months after the feast of the Immaculate Conception. The Immaculate Conception being the Catholic dogma which states that Mary was conceived without sin as the child of Sts. Joachim and Anne. This holy couple was infertile but fervently prayed for a child when Anne received the promise that their child would play an integral role in salvation history. “The Lord has heard your prayer, and you shall conceive, and shall bring forth, and your seed shall be spoken of in all the world.” Saint Augustine describes the Nativity of Mary by saying, "she is the flower of the field from whom bloomed the precious lily of the valley." (Artwork: The Birth of Mary by Giotto, Circa 1303 AD) The tradition that pours forth from this feast day is not found in Scripture, but rather is given to us by the living tradition of the faithful and the Protoevangelium of James, which we believe to have been written around the 2nd century. This is where we receive the story regarding the angelic apparition to Anne. From this writing we also come to better know Anne & Joachim as parents and the intentional care that they gave to Mary. We see that everyone in this family is playing an important role in drawing themselves and their child in closeness to the Lord, knowing that she will carry out a great mission. In the Protoevangelium of James it describes how "Anne made a sanctuary” in Mary's room, and “allowed nothing common or unclean on account of the special holiness of the child." We can further read that in Mary's first year St. Joachim, “made a great feast, and invited the priests, and the scribes, and the elders, and all the people of Israel.” He also brought her to the priests who blessed her saying, "and they blessed her, saying: 'O God of our fathers, bless this child, and give her an everlasting name to be named in all generations' . . . And he brought her to the chief priests, and they blessed her, saying: 'O God most high, look upon this child, and bless her with the utmost blessing, which shall be for ever." Anne, Joachim, and the priests then decided that they would offer her to God by consecrating her. This feast day is particularly interesting because we don't usually see birthdays on the liturgical calendar, in fact there are only three: Jesus (December 25th), Mary (September 8th), and John the Baptist (June 24th). The Church began celebrating the Nativity of Mary around the 6th century and it became widely spread throughout the universal Church close to the 12th century. In fact, this used to be a holy day of obligation until around 1918 AD. If you go to Mass today, and I highly encourage that you include this in your celebrations, pay attention to the opening prayer. It describes "the birth of Mary’s Son as the dawn of our salvation" and cries out for an increase of peace within our hearts. Remember here the message of the angel to Anne, her child plays a cooperative role in the salvation of mankind. (Artwork: Bartolomé Esteban Murillo, Circa 1617-1682 AD) How Can I Celebrate Mary Today? This liturgical feast is a birthday, so what else could be more fitting than to have a birthday party! Let's imitate St. Joachim and throw a great feast, inviting our local priests, friends, and family. You can also use this checklist that I've made as a guide and friendly reminder to plan ahead! Have fun celebrating Our Blessed Mother with your family or your friends! We certainly will be doing the same right alongside you. I love seeing your treats, outings, and all the ways that you live liturgically, feel free to share your memories with me on FB or Instagram. Use these hashtags! Just want my general account to see it? Use #hisgirlsunday Did you live liturgically at home in some way? Use #liturgyhome Are you out in the community sharing in Catholic tradition? Use #liturgyculture Did you bake a feast day recipe of mine? Use #liturgykitchen Have you purchased something beautiful to enhance your domestic church? Use #liturgymarket God love you, His Girl Sunday

As a short guide and aid to your August liturgical living, I have compiled some quick tips, ideas, and links to bring joy and festivity into your domestic church. This is not a list of every single August feast day, but will be a very good start. Note: This is not a full list of resources on my blog for feast day celebrations, activities, and recipes in the month of August. Go browse around for saints and feast days that are special to you. Enjoy! 😊 The Month of August is Dedicated to the Immaculate Heart of Mary. Click the graphic below for ways to celebrate the Immaculate Heart. The Transfiguration About All three Synoptic Gospels tell the story of the Transfiguration (Matthew 17:1-8; Mark 9:2-9; Luke 9:28-36). With remarkable agreement, all three place the event shortly after Peter’s confession of faith that Jesus is the Messiah and Jesus’ first prediction of his passion and death. Peter’s eagerness to erect tents or booths on the spot suggests it occurred during the week-long Jewish Feast of Booths in the fall. According to Scripture scholars, in spite of the texts’ agreement it is difficult to reconstruct the disciples’ experience, because the Gospels draw heavily on Old Testament descriptions of the Sinai encounter with God, and prophetic visions of the Son of Man. Certainly Peter, James, and John had a glimpse of Jesus’ divinity strong enough to strike fear into their hearts. Such an experience defies description, so they drew on familiar religious language to describe it. And certainly Jesus warned them that his glory and his suffering were to be inextricably connected—a theme John highlights throughout his Gospel. Tradition names Mount Tabor as the site of the revelation. A church first raised there in the fourth century was dedicated on August 6. A feast in honor of the Transfiguration was celebrated in the Eastern Church from about that time. Western observance began in some localities about the eighth century. On July 22, 1456, Crusaders defeated the Turks at Belgrade. News of the victory reached Rome on August 6, and Pope Callistus III placed the feast on the Roman calendar the following year. (Franciscan Media) Quick Links The Blessing of Grapes Learn About the Transfiguration with Scripture Feast Day Highlights to Consider Transfiguration Prayer Let us pray that we too may be strengthened to overcome all our fears that surround us through his grace. Let us pray: Loving God, you give us forty days to journey into the inner mountains of our hearts and lives. Let these sacred days be a time when we seek and find you with in each of us. Food 1. Grape Parfait Grapes are an obvious connection to the Eucharist in that they become the wine which in turn becomes Christ’s blood. Creation is transfigured into something new and brilliant! When we partake in the Eucharist we too are transfigured as we become what we have received, the body of Christ. Christ then transfigures the world. On this day, God reveals to us the splendor that we were made for, the restoration of all that we are through His own transfiguration. Queenship of Mary About Pope Pius XII established this feast in 1954. But Mary’s queenship has roots in Scripture. At the Annunciation, Gabriel announced that Mary’s Son would receive the throne of David and rule forever. At the Visitation, Elizabeth calls Mary “mother of my Lord.” As in all the mysteries of Mary’s life, she is closely associated with Jesus: Her queenship is a share in Jesus’ kingship. We can also recall that in the Old Testament the mother of the king has great influence in court. In the fourth century Saint Ephrem called Mary “Lady” and “Queen.” Later Church fathers and doctors continued to use the title. Hymns of the 11th to 13th centuries address Mary as queen: “Hail, Holy Queen,” “Hail, Queen of Heaven,” “Queen of Heaven.” The Dominican rosary and the Franciscan crown as well as numerous invocations in Mary’s litany celebrate her queenship. The feast is a logical follow-up to the Assumption, and is now celebrated on the octave day of that feast. In his 1954 encyclical To the Queen of Heaven, Pius XII points out that Mary deserves the title because she is Mother of God, because she is closely associated as the New Eve with Jesus’ redemptive work, because of her preeminent perfection, and because of her intercessory power. (Franciscan Media) Quick Links Celebrate with Kids Queenship of Mary Home Consecration Activities for the Queenship of Mary Queenship of Mary Prayer O God, who made the Mother of your Son to be our Mother and our Queen, graciously grant that, sustained by her intercession, we may attain in the heavenly Kingdom the glory promised to your children. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God, for ever and ever. Food Mini Fruit Tarts for the Queenship of Mary Tea Party In honor of Mary's royal role as Queen, we can celebrate her with a tea party. Make food and treats that you would serve at a tea. St. Monica About The circumstances of St. Monica’s life could have made her a nagging wife, a bitter daughter-in-law, and a despairing parent, yet she did not give way to any of these temptations. Although she was a Christian, her parents gave her in marriage to a pagan, Patricius, who lived in her hometown of Tagaste in North Africa. Patricius had some redeeming features, but he had a violent temper and was licentious. Monica also had to bear with a cantankerous mother-in-law who lived in her home. Patricius criticized his wife because of her charity and piety, but always respected her. Monica’s prayers and example finally won her husband and mother-in-law to Christianity. Her husband died in 371, one year after his baptism. Monica had at least three children who survived infancy. The oldest, Augustine, is the most famous. At the time of his father’s death, Augustine was 17 and a rhetoric student in Carthage. Monica was distressed to learn that her son had accepted the Manichean heresy—"all flesh is evil"—and was living an immoral life. For a while, she refused to let him eat or sleep in her house. Then one night she had a vision that assured her Augustine would return to the faith. From that time on, she stayed close to her son, praying and fasting for him. In fact she often stayed much closer than Augustine wanted. When he was 29, Augustine decided to go to Rome to teach rhetoric. Monica was determined to go along. One night he told his mother that he was going to the dock to say goodbye to a friend. Instead he set sail for Rome. Monica was heartbroken when she learned of Augustine’s trick, but she still followed him. She arrived in Rome only to find that he had left for Milan. Although travel was difficult, Monica pursued him to Milan. In Milan, Augustine came under the influence of the bishop, St. Ambrose, who also became Monica’s spiritual director. She accepted his advice in everything and had the humility to give up some practices that had become second nature to her. Monica became a leader of the devout women in Milan as she had been in Tagaste. She continued her prayers for Augustine during his years of instruction. At Easter 387, St. Ambrose baptized Augustine and several of his friends. Soon after, his party left for Africa. Although no one else was aware of it, Monica knew her life was near the end. She told Augustine, “Son, nothing in this world now affords me delight. I do not know what there is now left for me to do or why I am still here, all my hopes in this world being now fulfilled.” She became ill shortly after and suffered severely for nine days before her death. Almost all we know about St. Monica is in the writings of St. Augustine, especially his Confessions. (Franciscan Media) Quick Links Read the Fruitful Tears of a Mother Pray the St. Monica Novena Discover St. Monica's Relics St. Monica Prayer O God, who console the sorrowful and who mercifully accepted the motherly tears of Saint Monica for the conversion of her son Augustine, grant us, through the intercession of them both, that we may bitterly regret our sins and find the grace of your pardon. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God, for ever and ever. Food St. Monica Homemade Pretzels Monica's arms are wrapped in prayer for her husband and her son, the salt represent the tears she shed for their conversion. St. Augustine About A Christian at 33, a priest at 36, a bishop at 41: Many people are familiar with the biographical sketch of Augustine of Hippo, sinner turned saint. But to get to really know the man is a rewarding experience. There quickly surfaces the intensity with which he lived his life, whether his path led away from or toward God. The tears of his mother, the instructions of Ambrose and, most of all, God himself speaking to him in the Scriptures, redirected Augustine’s love of life to a life of love. Having been so deeply immersed in creature-pride of life in his early days and having drunk deeply of its bitter dregs, it is not surprising that Augustine should have turned, with a holy fierceness, against the many demon-thrusts rampant in his day. His times were truly decadent: politically, socially, morally. He was both feared and loved, like the Master. The perennial criticism leveled against him: a fundamental rigorism. In his day, Augustine providentially fulfilled the office of prophet. Like Jeremiah and other greats, he was hard-pressed but could not keep quiet. “I say to myself, I will not mention him/I will speak in his name no more/But then it becomes like fire burning in my heart/imprisoned in my bones/I grow weary holding it in/I cannot endure it” (Jeremiah 20:9). (Franciscan Media) Quick Links Feast Day Fun Ideas Learn More About Him Watch a Video to Learn More Saint Augustine (354-430) created this poetic prayer to the Holy Spirit: Breathe in me, O Holy Spirit, That my thoughts may all be holy. Act in me, O Holy Spirit, That my work, too, may be holy. Draw my heart, O Holy Spirit, That I love but what is holy. Strengthen me, O Holy Spirit, To defend all that is holy. Guard me, then, O Holy Spirit, That I always may be holy. Food Pear Crisp In St. Augustine's writing he talks about learning a lesson in virtue from a pear that he had once stole in his youth. Happy Feasting! If you used any of these ideas, share with me on Facebook @HisGirlSunday or Instagram @steffani_hisgirlsunday. See you in the Eucharist, Steffani

These cookies are dangerously good, this is your warning! As you know for the feast of Our Lady of Mt. Carmel I don't hold back from any caramel recipe. I've done a caramel cookie with snickers here, but this is a whole different kind of treat. Gooey Soft Crunchy & Sweet Before you begin, consider what kind of caramel you are using! I used real, salted caramel which cannot be baked for the entire length of the prescribed recipe. If you wanted to add caramel to the dough and then bake it, you would need to use a Kraft caramel square. I learned this because I initially made the cookies by putting a couple of caramel bits on the top of the dough and when you scroll down you will see what happened. There is a perfected way of working with real caramel below too! Prep Time: 15 minutes Chill Time: 1 hour Bake Time: 10-12 minutes Yields: 24 Cookies Ingredients 1 large egg, at room temperature 3 teaspoons pure vanilla extract 3/4 cup unsalted butter, softened 3/4 cup light brown sugar 2 teaspoons cornstarch 1 teaspoon baking soda 1 teaspoon cinnamon 1/4 cup granulated sugar 2 cups all-purpose flour 1/2 teaspoon salt 1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips 1/2 cup chopped pecans 14 wrapped real caramel squares, cut into 4 pieces I began with that tedious little task of unwrapping and quartering each caramel square. Put them into a small bowl and set them aside on the counter to rest. In your stand mixer with the paddle attachment add in 3/4 cup unsalted butter, 3/4 cup light brown sugar, and 1/4 cup granulated sugar. Beat those three ingredients together on medium-high until it is light and fluffy. Crack in the egg, add in 3 tsps pure vanilla extract, and mix that together until it is all thoroughly combined. In a separate large bowl we are going to combine our dry ingredients, beginning with 2 cups flour and 2 tsps cornstarch. Then sprinkle in 1 tsp baking soda. Add 1/2 tsp salt to the flour mixture. And the ingredient that gives this a little pop, 1 tsp cinnamon. Whisk all of that together and slowly add this in to the wet ingredients with the stand mixer on medium until it is thoroughly combined. You may have to use a silicone spatula to scrape the sides of the mixing bowl. Now for those tasty little additions, toss in 1 cup of chocolate chips. And while you're at it, throw in 1/2 cup chopped pecans. How do YOU say pecan? pee-KAHN pick-AHN PEE-can PEE-kahn. Let me know your vote in the comments! Mix those in to the dough on low until you see them both completely combined throughout. Then cover the mixing bowl with saran wrap and put it in the fridge to chill for an hour. The chilling process keeps the cookies from spreading too much when they bake. After an hour of chilling, let the dough sit out on the counter for about 5-10 minutes. While that is happening line two baking sheets with either a silicone mat or parchment paper and preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Okay, if you are using real caramel squares like me, this is what NOT to do. If you do this... Then you will get this... Not. Pretty. Still tastes good. Instead, I want you to do this! Take a heaping 1 tablespoon of cookie dough, roll it into balls, and place them about 3 inches apart. Bake for 10-12 minutes depending on how hot your oven gets. Yum, beautifully golden brown. As soon as the cookies come out of the oven, press two or three caramel bits into the top of the cookie. Don't just let it sit on top, break the top of the cookie with the caramel and let the heat melt the caramel. This worked like a charm! They soften but hold their shape, which is exactly what we want. Let them cool on a baking rack and plate them to share! For more information on Our Lady of Mt. Carmel, visit my latest caramel iced coffee recipe here. I added some very helpful links for growing in devotion to the brown scapular. Did you make this recipe? If so I would love to see it, drop a picture in the comment or send it to me on social media: Facebook @HisGirlSunday or Instagram @steffani_hisgirlsunday. For more resources on building Catholic tradition, check out the blog section of my website or follow me on Facebook to see what Catholic things I am doing to make our day to day life more joyful. God love you, His Girl Sunday

This 4th of July Lemon Berry Trifle is to die for! It’s light and creamy with refreshing summertime flavors. We had a BLAST this last Fourth of July with our family out by the pool. That’s always been my happy place; poolside, cold beverage, grill going, tasty snacks, and oldies or country music on! Nothing is better than that! This recipe is absolutely perfect for any summer gatherings and the top can really be decorated with whatever berries, or color scheme you want. And yes those are Epiphany star cut outs because this Catholic house didn’t have any traditional small star cookie cutters. Note to self, next year order some off Amazon because they are not easy to find in person in July. Prep Time: 40 minutes Chill Time: 1 hour Total Time: 1 hour 40 minutes Yields: 12 servings Lemon Glaze Ingredients 1/4 cup water 1/4 cup lemon juice 1/4 cup sugar 1/2 tsp almond extract Berry Trifle Ingredients 2 containers of fresh strawberries, hulled and sliced (leave some halved to decorate the top) 1 container of blueberries 1, 4-serving size package vanilla instant pudding 2 cups milk 1, 8 ounce package cream cheese, softened 1, 5.3 ounce carton vanilla-flavored Greek yogurt 1, 8 ounce container of cool whip 1 store bought angel food cake Let’s tie those aprons on and get to it. Start by making the vanilla pudding! I just followed the box directions here, nothing fancy. Put the package of pudding mix into a mixing bowl and add 2 cups of milk. Whisk together until the mixture is smooth and set in the refrigerator to chill while you prepare the rest. Whew, the hard part is over! ;) Gather your glaze ingredients and head over to the stove. In a small saucepan over medium-high heat, pour in 1/4 cup sugar and 1/4 cup lemon juice. Add in 1/4 cup water! Then pour in 1/2 tsp almond extract. This little ingredient gives the whole thing a really nice pop of flavor. Whisk everything together until the sugar has dissolved. This took me about 2-3 minutes! Note: This is not going to come out as a thick glaze like we normally think when we hear the word, but is really intended to wet the angel food cake and lift it up with flavor. Set that aside and cut the angel food cake into quarter inch thick slices. Lay them out on a cutting board or dish and brush the glaze on both sides of the cake. Cut the angel food cake into cubes and set that aside until we are ready to assemble the trifle. Yeah, I ate a cube of cake too! To turn our attention to the pudding mixture you will need the three things pictured below. We will also use the cool whip but I left that in the fridge until the moment I needed it. It's Texas… all that is good and holy melts here. RIP that stick of butter we left on the counter. In a mixing bowl combine the 8 ounce package of cream cheese and the 5.3 ounce cups of Greek vanilla yogurt. Mix together with a silicone spatula until smooth. Add in the pudding and beat with your hand mixer on medium low until it is smooth. Scoop in 8 ounces of cool whip and fold into the pudding mixture. Folding is key, don’t use your hand beater for this, we want light and fluffy! Before we begin to layer the trifle I want to show you how to easily make the jicama stars. Cut into 1/4 inch thick slices, then lay your cookie cutter down, press, and pop out your star shapes. Just like you would cut out a child’s fun shape sandwiches on a slice of bread! Now we put the trifle together layer by layer. Begin with 1/3 of the angel food cake and lay that across the bottom of the trifle dish. Then scoop 1/3 of the pudding mixture and spread it across the cake to make another layer. Line the glass dish with strawberries and blueberries, then sprinkle a layer across the pudding. Do this three times, or as many as it takes for you to get to the rim of the trifle dish. About half way up I evenly placed three jicama stars around the edge of the dish to create a little design interest, then continued my layers to hold them in place. When you get to the very top of the dish spread out a layer of pudding. This will help to hold our fruit design in place. I began by putting one medium sized star in the center and lining the rim with strawberries. Outline the star in the middle with blueberries. Place strawberry halves in the inner points of the star. Then fill in the open areas with blueberries. I wanted a pop of white on the top so I also added four jicama stars to each corner. Put that in the fridge for an hour to chill then serve and enjoy with family and friends, or just eat it by yourself with a glass of white wine, I won't tell on you. Prayer for Our Nation God our Father, Giver of life, we entrust the United States of America to Your loving care. You are the rock on which this nation was founded. You alone are the true source of our cherished rights to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. Reclaim this land for Your glory and dwell among Your people. Send Your Spirit to touch the hearts of our nation's leaders. Open their minds to the great worth of human life and the responsibilities that accompany human freedom. Remind Your people that true happiness is rooted in seeking and doing Your will. Through the intercession of Mary Immaculate, Patroness of our land, grant us the courage to reject the "culture of death." Lead us into a new millennium of life. We ask this through Christ Our Lord. Amen. Did you make this recipe? If so I would love to see it, drop a picture in the comment or send it to me on social media Facebook @HisGirlSunday or Instagram @steffani_hisgirlsunday. For more resources on building Catholic tradition, check out the blog section of my website or follow me on Facebook to see what Catholic things I am doing to make our day to day life more joyful. God love you! His Girl Sunday