Last year we shared about making an ornament every feast day throughout the year so that we had them to fill our Christmas tree and make us think of Christ and the Liturgical Year.

As life is always busy and priorities change we didn't seem to make it past February with our project intentions. We hope to keep at it though and see if we cannot get more ornaments made!

It was also last year that I had hoped to post a tutorial on making a paper mache globe for the Feast of Christ the King. Time was finally found for that project and it ended up being a mini paper globe to hung on our tree as a Christmas ornament. 

The Feast of Christ the King was on the Liturgical Calendar for last month (last Sunday of October) and it has taken this long to finally get the project complete. I'd like to share with you and a few brief instructions on how to create your own!

Forgive me ahead of time for these instructions will be more of a guideline :) If you have questions please to ask! 

Start with your flour and water, you want to mix equal parts flour and water. I think about 1/4 cup of each will do, one can always make more. I had twice as much or more than I actually used. Tear up your newspaper or other paper into small strips. The smaller and shorter the better and easier they are to work with and the less creases that will show up on your finished product.

Dip your strips of paper into the flour and water mix, make sure it is covered and then wipe it all off with your fingers so that while the paper is still covered it isn't dripping off. Layer this on your foam ball. repeat until the whole ball has been covered well. Two to three layers will work the best. Set on a rack or another item it won't still do to dry over night. Of if you want to speed things up and you have a food dehydrator. Set it on a try and leave the lid off, turn it on the lowest setting. It will still take some time but probably not 12 hours.

When your paper mache is dry take your teal/blue and shimmery paint and paint them up. I mixed a shimmer pearl white with a bluish paint and a bit of dark green to get this color. Choose the blue/green/teal that you prefer. Set back on your rack to dry.

The next step will involve either a husband, an older son or just someone that knows their way around some basic hand tools in the shop or garage. For me it was my husband, whom I love for humoring me in my projects! He trimmed up the dowel rod for me and formed these little crosses. They are about 4 inches in height and about 2 inches across. He hollowed out a little niche about an inch from the top so that the other piece could fit in there and added some wood glue. He also drilled a little tiny whole going vertically through the top inch of the cross so that I could put some string in to hang it on our tree. Set them aside to let the wood glue dry.

When they are dry paint them with your gold paint, two layers of paint works great. Set them aside to let them dry.

Now the tricky part which I'll have to keep working on! With your gold paint, paint the lines on the dried and painted paper globe. My lines are not straight by any means even though I repainted them over. Another option here might be to use some hot glue and sprinkle on some gold glitter perhaps providing a straighter line.

Once that pain dries, take your modge podge (or other glue) and paint on a thin layer between the gold lines. Sprinkle the blue glitter over the glue and let dry and continue on until all the painted sections are done. On ours I did two layers of glue and glitter to make sure it was well covered. The previous painted layer will make sure to blend in any of the background with the glitter layer.

When the glue and glitter is dry. Take the nail and poke a hole threw the paper mache layer into the flam, and then place your cross inside the hole leaving about 2-2.5 inch tall cross standing up. Slip your string threw the previously drilled hole and tie a knot. Then you are ready to hang it on your tree when the time comes!

Excerpts from the Encyclical Quas Primus
By Pope Pius XII

19. When once men recognize, both in private and in public life, that Christ is King, society will at last receive the great blessings of real liberty, well-ordered discipline, peace and harmony. Our Lord's regal office invests the human authority of princes and rulers with a religious significance; it ennobles the citizen's duty of obedience. It is for this reason that St. Paul, while bidding wives revere Christ in their husbands, and slaves respect Christ in their masters, warns them to give obedience to them not as men, but as the vicegerents of Christ; for it is not meet that men redeemed by Christ should serve their fellow-men. "You are bought with a price; be not made the bond-slaves of men."[32] If princes and magistrates duly elected are filled with the persuasion that they rule, not by their own right, but by the mandate and in the place of the Divine King, they will exercise their authority piously and wisely, and they will make laws and administer them, having in view the common good and also the human dignity of their subjects. The result will be a stable peace and tranquility, for there will be no longer any cause of discontent. Men will see in their king or in their rulers men like themselves, perhaps unworthy or open to criticism, but they will not on that account refuse obedience if they see reflected in them the authority of Christ God and Man. Peace and harmony, too, will result; for with the spread and the universal extent of the kingdom of Christ men will become more and more conscious of the link that binds them together, and thus many conflicts will be either prevented entirely or at least their bitterness will be diminished.

20. If the kingdom of Christ, then, receives, as it should, all nations under its way, there seems no reason why we should despair of seeing that peace which the King of Peace came to bring on earth -- he who came to reconcile all things, who came not to be ministered unto but to minister, who, though Lord of all, gave himself to us as a model of humility, and with his principal law united the precept of charity; who said also: "My yoke is sweet and my burden light." Oh, what happiness would be Ours if all men, individuals, families, and nations, would but let themselves be governed by Christ! "Then at length," to use the words addressed by our predecessor, Pope Leo XIII, twenty-five years ago to the bishops of the Universal Church, "then at length will many evils be cured; then will the law regain its former authority; peace with all its blessings be restored. Men will sheathe their swords and lay down their arms when all freely acknowledge and obey the authority of Christ, and every tongue confesses that the Lord Jesus Christ is in the glory of God the Father."[33]

21. That these blessings may be abundant and lasting in Christian society, it is necessary that the kingship of our Savior should be as widely as possible recognized and understood, and to the end nothing would serve better than the institution of a special feast in honor of the Kingship of Christ. For people are instructed in the truths of faith, and brought to appreciate the inner joys of religion far more effectually by the annual celebration of our sacred mysteries than by any official pronouncement of the teaching of the Church. Such pronouncements usually reach only a few and the more learned among the faithful; feasts reach them all; the former speak but once, the latter speak every year -- in fact, forever. The church's teaching affects the mind primarily; her feasts affect both mind and heart, and have a salutary effect upon the whole of man's nature. Man is composed of body and soul, and he needs these external festivities so that the sacred rites, in all their beauty and variety, may stimulate him to drink more deeply of the fountain of God's teaching, that he may make it a part of himself, and use it with profit for his spiritual life.

22. History, in fact, tells us that in the course of ages these festivals have been instituted one after another according as the needs or the advantage of the people of Christ seemed to demand: as when they needed strength to face a common danger, when they were attacked by insidious heresies, when they needed to be urged to the pious consideration of some mystery of faith or of some divine blessing. Thus in the earliest days of the Christian era, when the people of Christ were suffering cruel persecution, the cult of the martyrs was begun in order, says St. Augustine, "that the feasts of the martyrs might incite men to martyrdom."[34] The liturgical honors paid to confessors, virgins and widows produced wonderful results in an increased zest for virtue, necessary even in times of peace. But more fruitful still were the feasts instituted in honor of the Blessed Virgin. As a result of these men grew not only in their devotion to the Mother of God as an ever-present advocate, but also in their love of her as a mother bequeathed to them by their Redeemer. Not least among the blessings which have resulted from the public and legitimate honor paid to the Blessed Virgin and the saints is the perfect and perpetual immunity of the Church from error and heresy. We may well admire in this the admirable wisdom of the Providence of God, who, ever bringing good out of evil, has from time to time suffered the faith and piety of men to grow weak, and allowed Catholic truth to be attacked by false doctrines, but always with the result that truth has afterwards shone out with greater splendor, and that men's faith, aroused from its lethargy, has shown itself more vigorous than before.

23. The festivals that have been introduced into the liturgy in more recent years have had a similar origin, and have been attended with similar results. When reverence and devotion to the Blessed Sacrament had grown cold, the feast of Corpus Christi was instituted, so that by means of solemn processions and prayer of eight days' duration, men might be brought once more to render public homage to Christ. So, too, the feast of the Sacred Heart of Jesus was instituted at a time when men were oppressed by the sad and gloomy severity of Jansenism, which had made their hearts grow cold, and shut them out from the love of God and the hope of salvation.

24. If We ordain that the whole Catholic world shall revere Christ as King, We shall minister to the need of the present day, and at the same time provide an excellent remedy for the plague which now infects society. We refer to the plague of anti-clericalism, its errors and impious activities. This evil spirit, as you are well aware, Venerable Brethren, has not come into being in one day; it has long lurked beneath the surface. The empire of Christ over all nations was rejected. The right which the Church has from Christ himself, to teach mankind, to make laws, to govern peoples in all that pertains to their eternal salvation, that right was denied. Then gradually the religion of Christ came to be likened to false religions and to be placed ignominiously on the same level with them. It was then put under the power of the state and tolerated more or less at the whim of princes and rulers. Some men went even further, and wished to set up in the place of God's religion a natural religion consisting in some instinctive affection of the heart. There were even some nations who thought they could dispense with God, and that their religion should consist in impiety and the neglect of God. The rebellion of individuals and states against the authority of Christ has produced deplorable consequences. We lamented these in the Encyclical Ubi arcano; we lament them today: the seeds of discord sown far and wide; those bitter enmities and rivalries between nations, which still hinder so much the cause of peace; that insatiable greed which is so often hidden under a pretense of public spirit and patriotism, and gives rise to so many private quarrels; a blind and immoderate selfishness, making men seek nothing but their own comfort and advantage, and measure everything by these; no peace in the home, because men have forgotten or neglect their duty; the unity and stability of the family undermined; society in a word, shaken to its foundations and on the way to ruin. We firmly hope, however, that the feast of the Kingship of Christ, which in future will be yearly observed, may hasten the return of society to our loving Savior. It would

be the duty of Catholics to do all they can to bring about this happy result. Many of these, however, have neither the station in society nor the authority which should belong to those who bear the torch of truth. This state of things may perhaps be attributed to a certain slowness and timidity in good people, who are reluctant to engage in conflict or oppose but a weak resistance; thus the enemies of the Church become bolder in their attacks. But if the faithful were generally to understand that it behooves them ever to fight courageously under the banner of Christ their King, then, fired with apostolic zeal, they would strive to win over to their Lord those hearts that are bitter and estranged from him, and would valiantly defend his rights.

25. Moreover, the annual and universal celebration of the feast of the Kingship of Christ will draw attention to the evils which anticlericalism has brought upon society in drawing men away from Christ, and will also do much to remedy them. While nations insult the beloved name of our Redeemer by suppressing all mention of it in their conferences and parliaments, we must all the more loudly proclaim his kingly dignity and power, all the more universally affirm his rights.

26. The way has been happily and providentially prepared for the celebration of this feast ever since the end of the last century. It is well known that this cult has been the subject of learned disquisitions in many books published in every part of the world, written in many different languages. The kingship and empire of Christ have been recognized in the pious custom, practiced by many families, of dedicating themselves to the Sacred Heart of Jesus; not only families have performed this act of dedication, but nations, too, and kingdoms. In fact, the whole of the human race was at the instance of Pope Leo XIII, in the Holy Year 1900, consecrated to the Divine Heart. It should be remarked also that much has been done for the recognition of Christ's authority over society by the frequent Eucharistic Congresses which are held in our age. These give an opportunity to the people of each diocese, district or nation, and to the whole world of coming together to venerate and adore Christ the King hidden under the Sacramental species. Thus by sermons preached at meetings and in churches, by public adoration of the Blessed Sacrament exposed and by solemn processions, men unite in paying homage to Christ, whom God has given them for their King. It is by a divine inspiration that the people of Christ bring forth Jesus from his silent hiding-place in the church, and carry him in triumph through the streets of the city, so that he whom men refused to receive when he came unto his own, may now receive in full his kingly rights.

27. For the fulfillment of the plan of which We have spoken, the Holy Year, which is now speeding to its close, offers the best possible opportunity. For during this year the God of mercy has raised the minds and hearts of the faithful to the consideration of heavenly blessings which are above all understanding, has either restored them once more to his grace, or inciting them anew to strive for higher gifts, has set their feet more firmly in the path of righteousness. Whether, therefore, We consider the many prayers that have been addressed to Us, or look to the events of the Jubilee Year, just past, We have every reason to think that the desired moment has at length arrived for enjoining that Christ be venerated by a special feast as King of all mankind. In this year, as We said at the beginning of this Letter, the Divine King, truly wonderful in all his works, has been gloriously magnified, for another company of his soldiers has been added to the list of saints. In this year men have looked upon strange things and strange labors, from which they have understood and admired the victories won by missionaries in the work of spreading his kingdom. In this year, by solemnly celebrating the centenary of the Council of Nicaea. We have commemorated the definition of the divinity of the word Incarnate, the foundation of Christ's empire over all men.

28. Therefore by Our Apostolic Authority We institute the Feast of the Kingship of Our Lord Jesus Christ to be observed yearly throughout the whole world on the last Sunday of the month of October -- the Sunday, that is, which immediately precedes the Feast of All Saints. We further ordain that the dedication of mankind to the Sacred Heart of Jesus, which Our predecessor of saintly memory, Pope Pius X, commanded to be renewed yearly, be made annually on that day. This year, however, We desire that it be observed on the thirty-first day of the month on which day We Ourselves shall celebrate pontifically in honor of the kingship of Christ, and shall command that the same dedication be performed in Our presence. It seems to Us that We cannot in a more fitting manner close this Holy Year, nor better signify Our gratitude and that of the whole of the Catholic world to Christ the immortal King of ages, for the blessings showered upon Us, upon the Church, and upon the Catholic world during this holy period. READ THE FULL ENCYCLICAL HERE

Abortion

My Catholic Faith; A Catechism in Pictures
By: Rev. Louis LaRavoire Morrow   Imprimatur 1937

What is murder?
Murder is the voluntary and unjust killing of a man. It is a great sin. A murderer violates the rights of God and, besides taking a life, robs his victim of the opportunity to gain merits for heaven, and to prepare himself for death.

1. A mother bearing a child should be very careful to protect and preserve the life of her child. As the soul is created the very moment of conception, anything willfully done which results in the death of even an unborn child is murder.

Is birth control in accordance with divine law?
No. Artificial birth control is immoral, contrary to both natural and divine law. It contravenes the primary purpose of marriage and prostitutes it for other ends. God severely punishes even in this life those who practice birth control. It results in sterility, vice, weakness of the will, etc., besides physical diseases. "therefore the Lord slew Onan, because he did a detestable thing" (Gen. 38:10)

Marriage
My Catholic Faith; A Catechism in Pictures
By: Rev. Louis LaRavoire Morrow   Imprimatur 1937

THE SACRAMENT OF MATRIMONY
Who insituted matrimony or marriage?
God instudted matrimony in the Garden of Eden, when He created Adam and Eve. He asid; "Wherefore a man shall leave father and mother, and shall cleave to his wife, and they shall be two in one flesh" (Gen. 2:24).
1. The first purpose of God in instituting marimony was to populate the earth, and raise up souls who would fill heaven with saints. He said to Adam and Eve: "Increase and multiply and fill the earth."
2. God also instituted marriage for the mutual support of husband and wife. Before Eve was created, God said: "It is not good for man to be alone; let Us make him a help like unto himself/" (Gen 2:18).
2. Before the ocming of Christ, matrimony was a sacred contract, but not a sacrament. Our Lord raised matrimony to the dignity of a sacrament. At the marriage feast at Cana Christ worked His first miracle, thus manifesting the holiness of the married state.

What is Matrimony?
It is a sacrament that unites a Christian man and woman in lawful marriage. The sacrament confers upon the couple an increase of sanctifying grace besides special graces they need to accomplish the duties of the married state.
1. Christian marriage is a union between only one man and one woman.
God created only one man and one woman in the beginning, and thus then there was unity of marriage. As time passed, however, God tolerated polygamy, to avoid greater evils. When Christ came, He forbade polygamy, and restored marriage to its original unity. He said, "Every one that putteth away his wife and marrieth another committeth adultery: and he that marrieth her that is put away from her husband committeth adultry" (Luke 16:18).
2. Christian marriage is indissoluble. Divorce is absolutely prohibited. When the husband and his wife have lived together in Christian marriage, only the death of one of the spouses permits the other to marry again. "Ad Jesus said to them: "Whosoever shall put away his wife and marry another, committeth adultery against her; and if the wife shall put away her husband and marry another, she committeth adultry" (Mark 10:11,12).
3. Under the Mosaic Law, the Jews were in some cases permitted to divorce their wives. Christ withdrew this permission absolutely, saying: "What therefore God hath joined together, let no man put asunder... Moses by reason of the hardness of your heart permitted you to put away your wives. But from the beginning it was not so" (Matt. 196-8).

Read more on Christian Marriage, Marriage Legislation, Civil Marriage Law by Pope Leo XIII, Christian Marriage by Pope Pius XI

On Christian Democracy by Pope Leo XIII

Socialism By Pope Leo XIII

On the Right Ordering of Christian Life by Pope Leo XIII

Christians as Citizens by Pope Leo XIII

Capital and Labor by Pope Leo XIII

Pope Pius IX Syllabus of Errors

Reconstruction of the Social Order by Pope Pius XI

Introduction of the Feast of Christ the King by Pope Pius XI

Two encyclicals on Christian Education here and here by Pope Pius XI

On Freemasonry by Pope Leo XIII

On Virtue, Grace and Americanism by Pope Leo XIII

A great book Papal Encyclicals in this Historical Content

The Great White Shepherd of Christendom;
His Holiness Pope Leo XIII, his life, poems, encyclicals and public documents

Two more weeks until the 2011-2012 Holy Simplicity Planner starts! Get your copy now in time to get the most use out of your home*school*Liturgical Year planner! Plan next years lessons, yearly goals, daily task sheet and more!