July:Saint Macrina the Younger

July 19 we remember Saint Macrina, oldest child of nine children, 324-379 A.D.
Two of her brothers are Saint Bishop's, Basil of Caesarea and Gregory of Nissa.
Her brother Gregory wrote down her 'counsels' and she also had a great influence in Basil's conversion,turning his intellectual gifts to the service of the Church.
I am working out a modern Icon, statement, about Macrina's presence with us today, what would she say to our Church?
I think she would be in shock that women continue to be kept out of the 'voice' and contributing to the Synods etc.
In this icon, I have Macrina ripping a document, because, right up to now, most writings coming out of Rome are written by men, ignoring the Feminine contribution. A friend of mine has suggested that we are only 'half' a Church, as women's gifts, contributions are so under represented.
Macrina is flanked by her two brother's, Gregory and Basil, deliberately cut in half as their writings, though substantial, and inspiring, are not complete without the contribution of the feminine. Imagine if Macrina had also been a Bishop? In her time, she founded one of the earliest Monastic communities of contemplative women.                  Saint Macrina pray for us.

Children's Icon Pattern Book from the life of Jesus

https://www.blurb.ca/b/9563839-icon-patterns-from-the-life-of-jesus?fbclid=IwAR2shwWHgtN6wEsIDPB64NuXwRzq5kINC-HUseeo36s2pK5r8N7T9skEAT0

Available for purchase: Preview my NEW icon pattern book for children from the life of Jesus, click the blurb.ca link above.

Some finished Icons with watercolor pencils, from the children

                                             
                                          "I lay down my life for my sheep"  Jesus, John 10

Children's Icons using Watercolor pencils: The True Vine

The next Icon:                                              The True Vine

There are two parables that are  'the two pillars' of this particular approach to being with children in the Catechesis of the Good Shepherd, CGS. 
"The Good Shepherd", which I showed in the previous post, and  "The True Vine".

I am working on an Icon Pattern Book for children.
Uncluttered, 'just the essential' as we like to say in CGS.
Self publishing, hope to get 'my proof' copy soon, get it edited, then out to YOU. Stay tuned.....

The children want to create...from 5 yrs to 10 years...

In our retreat room for the youngest child at church,(3+),our subject/theme at this time of the year is The Good Shepherd.
Emmanuel Cusnaider, The Good Shepherd  icon is the inspiration/cartoon.
It is perfect, just the essential lines for the child.
We decided to spare ourselves the paint brush clean up as our time is short, and a lot of children.
So water colour pencils are the choice, for now.
Here are the steps, worked out by myself today.
After Sunday, I will post the child's work, creations.

Home with the Three Archangels

Last weekend I went to visit the Basilica of St. Michael the Archangel, the city of Toronto principal church. It has been magnificently renovated and  also now has a new space for a Gift Shop. Curious to see if any original art was being sold, I went to visit. Most of the items are reproductions, it is not a "Gallery', it is a Gift Shop. Here at my Blog, I am showing reproductions, on metal, of my Three Archangels. Write me at:  athomewsoul@gmail.com to purchase your set.

Archangels standing guard in my window. This reproduction on metal makes them waterproof, fade proof,
and as bright as the evening stars, as constant as our daily sun.

Archangel Raphael God's Healing
5 x 7 reproduced on Metal
$60.00

Archangel Michael  God's Protection
     5 x 7  reproduced on metal 
$60.00 

Archangel Gabriel  God's Messenger
        5 x 7  reproduced on metal
$60.00   

In "My Store", on the right side of the Blog under Pages...
I have The Infancy Narrative Cards for sale.
This site does not bundle the card sets if you want more than one, they charge shipping per item.
Write me if you would like to purchase more than one set, athomewsoul@gmail.com

Set of six Infancy Narrative cards $10.00

Set of six flat cards, following " The Annunciation " through to "the Flight into Egypt"...scenes from the early years of Jesus.  You lay the cards out in any order, they are numbered on the back, and then place them in order and  through the Art pictures tell  the story of Jesus early years. Then your child can imitate you and tell you the story.
Blessings as we enter through the door of Advent to await Jesus coming.