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Home , Immaculate Conception, Our Lady of Guadalupe, Saint Lucy

Dec. 4 feast of Barbara

Virgin Martyr Saint Barbara lived during the 3rd Century AD She is the of : Armourers Artillerymen Architects Mathematicians Barbara Cocktail Miners (from Foley's, Drinking with the ) Parts of Europe have a tradition on St. 1 oz. vodka Barbara's feat day: a young woman 1/2 oz. creme de cacao breaks off a branch from a cherry tree 1/2 oz. cream and puts it in a jar of water. If the branch blooms on Eve, she will find Pour all ingredients into a her husband during the next year. shaker filled with ice and shake forty times. Strain into To feast richly and balance the sweet a cocktail glass. drink, put together a grazing board with these simple ingredients: As you give a toast to honor - salted pretzels this veneable saint, recite GK - white, sharp cheddar cheese Chesterton's Ballad of St. - dark chocolate covered almonds Barbara! - fresh (or dried) cherries

ministryblueprints.com Dec. 6 feast of

Tradition to Try He lived 270-343 AD Have your family members (or He is the patron saint of: roommates) all place a pair of shoes Bakers or slippers outside their bedroom door or under the . Children During the night, fill the shoes or Pawnbrokers slippers with: - chocolate gold coins Unmarried People - new fuzzy socks Students - new mittens - hot cocoa & marshmallow mix The very name Nicholas derives from two - fresh orange Greek words, Niki (“victory”) and laos (“people”). Thus, Nicholas means one who is And if you're feeling brave and victorious with the people. “I think Saint adventurous, try this traditional St. Nicholas always moves people to imitate his Nicholas Day Pudding, straight out virtues of charity, love and zeal.” (Excerpt of England! from Franciscan Media)

St. Nicholas's Helper (from Foley's, Drinking with the Saints)

1 cup hot chocolate 1/2 oz. Rumple Minze peppermint schnapps

Pour hot chocolate and schnapps into a mug or an Irish coffee cup and serve.

ministryblueprints.com Dec. 7 feast of Saint

Bishop of Milan Confessor and Saint Ambrose lived 340-391 AD He is the patron saint of : Beekeepers Beggars The Honeybee Learners (from Foley's, Drinking with the Saints) Milan

1 1/2 oz. light rum The Church celebrates the 3/4 oz. lemon juice memory of St. Ambrose as the brilliant 1/2 oz. honey of Milan who influenced St. Augustine's conversion and was named a Pour all ingredients into a Doctor of the Church. shaker filled with ice and shake forty times. Strain into Bee's always accompany St. Ambrose in a cocktail glass. sacred art. They are symbols of work, To feast richly, try whipping creative activity, cooperation, obedience, up some delicious Baked orderliness, and diligence. Legend has it Ricotta with Wisconsin that when Ambrose was a baby, a swarm cheese. Eat with some warmed of bees landed on his face and left behind crusty bread, and, as St. a drop of honey. His father saw this as a Ambrose probably said, Buon sign Ambrose would one day be a great appetito! speaker.

ministryblueprints.com feast of Dec. 8 the

Patroness of the (and the original name of the River)

The Immaculate Conception is one of the most important Marian feasts in the liturgical calendar of the Church, and is celebrated worldwide. The title of the Immaculate Conception recognizes Mary’s privilege of coming into the world free from sin. Always difficult to explain, but the collect prayer from the The White Lady of the Immaculate Conception (from Foley's, Drinking with the Saints) says it best:

2 oz. gin O God, who by the Immaculate Conception of the 1 oz. triple sec Blessed prepared a worthy dwelling for your 1 oz. lemon juice Son, grant, we pray, that as you preserved her from very stain by virtue of the Death of your Son, which you foresaw so through her intercession, we, too, Pour all ingredients into a may be cleansed and admitted to your presence. shaker filled with ice and Through our Lord Christ, your Son who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, shake forty times. Strain into one God for ever and ever. a cocktail glass. Amen

Start the feast out right by baking up a batch of fresh Cinnamon Rolls to surprise your roommates or family! Rolls and coffee in the morning, White Lady cocktails at night, the perfect bookends to a perfect feast day.

ministryblueprints.com feast of Dec. 12

Patron Saint of and Patroness of the

Every year, thousands of people from all over the country make a pilgrimage to the Basilica in . The day commemorates her apparition to Saint in the hills of in 1531. She asked him to go to the bishop and tell him that the Ever Virgin Mary, Mother of God, sent him to ask for a church to be built atop Tepeyac hill.

Many fiestas or popular celebrations take place in honor of La Virgen , or the dark-skinned Cinnamon Tequila Sour , all over Mexico. Almost every household (from The Almond Eater) erects an altar to the Virgin Mary for the day and the faithful demonstrate their joy by lighting fireworks throughout their cities. (saintsresource.com) 1 oz. tequila 2 tbsp simple syrup Try your hand at some traditional 2 tbsp lemon juice on this special 1 egg white feast day, such as: 1/4 tsp cinnamon Sopa de Espinaca con Codito (Spinach soup with macaroni) Tacos (Stuffed tortillas) Frijoles Negros Pour all ingredients into a (Black beans) Mole Poblano (Chicken in spiced shaker filled with ice and sauce) Arroz (Rice) Guacamole (Chopped avocados) Cajeta (Boiled milk and sugar) Flan shake forty times. Strain into (Custard) Cafe con Leche (Coffee with milk) a cocktail glass.

ministryblueprints.com Dec. 13 feast of

Virgin and Martyr lived 283-304 AD She is the patron saint of : the Blind Writers

St. Lucia was a young Christian girl who was martyred, killed for her faith, in 304. The most common story told about St Lucia is that she would secretly bring food to the persecuted Christians in , who lived in hiding Lucia Cocktail in the catacombs under the city. She would wear (from Foley's, Drinking with the Saints) candles on her head so she had both her hands free to carry things. Lucy means 'light' so this is a very 3/4 oz. lime juice appropriate name. 3/4 oz. light rum 3/4 oz. Grand Marnier Hugely celebrated by Italians and Swedes alike, here's just a snippet of the many traditions attached to this 1/4 oz. orange curaco awesome saint - you and your family or housemates may do the same! Pour all ingredients into a shaker filled with ice and In : the oldest daughter of woke up first, wore a shake forty times. Rim your lingonberry crown fitted with lit candles, and served cocktail glass with sugar and her family breakfast. Try baking Swedish Saffron Buns (Lussekatter or Lussebullar) the strain mixture into it.

In Sicily: big community celebrations occur, including a with a huge statue of Santa Lucia brought through town and to the church. Try making cuccìa siracusana, a unique dessert!

ministryblueprints.com Dec. 17-23 the "O"

The Roman Church has been singing the "O" Antiphons since at least the eighth century.

The real inspiration behind the popular and beloved hymn "O Come, O Come, Emmanuel," the "O" antiphons are what accompany the canticle of December 17 Evening Prayer from December 17-23. They O Wisdom of our God Most High, guiding creation with power and love:come to teach us the path of knowledge! are a magnificent theology that uses ancient December 18 biblical imagery drawn from the messianic O LeaderO of the House of Israel, giver of the Law to hopes of the Old Testament to proclaim the on Sinai:come to rescue us with your mighty power! coming Christ as the fulfillment not only of December 19 Old Testament hopes, but present ones as O Root of Jesse’s stem, sign of God’s love for all his well. (USCCB) Sing these each night as you people:come to save us without delay! December 20 graze - dinner with your family or friends! O Key of , opening the gates of God’s eternal Kingdom:come and free the prisoners of darkness! December 21 For your feasting: O Radiant Dawn, splendor of eternal light, sun of drink a choice Italian holy wine for each night, such justice:come and shine on those who dwell in darkness as Vin santo (dessert wine) and in the shadow of death. create a grazing board to nibble throughout the December 22 night: sliced meats, condiments (special mustard, O King of all nations and keystone of the Church:come pepper jams, chutney), roasted red peppers, roasted and save man, whom you formed from the dust! grape tomatoes, olives, hearty breads such as December 23 ciabatta, pumpernickel, sourdough, pretzels, sliced O Emmanuel, our King and Giver of Law:come to save us, fruits like apple or pears, or a warm fruit compote, Lord our God! and add some pickled veggies, and yum! —From Catholic Household Blessings & Prayers

ministryblueprints.com Dec. 21 Longest Night

The longest night, the day with the most darkness - let's flood it with the light and hope for what is yet to come!

Longest Night Martini Sure to be come a new tradition for you, your family, your friends, and even your (from RachelRay.com) community! 2020 - it got all the memes, all 1 oz. gin the talk about this unprecedented, most 1/2 oz. maraschino liqueur depressing year. Let's get ready to say 1 oz. pomegranate liqueur goodbye to the darkness and welcome the 1/2 oz Triple Sec light with LUMINARIES! Here's what to do:

1/4 oz. sweet vermouth Luminaries (for outside your home or 3 dashes angostura bitters parish on the Longest night) Sugar Lemon wedge Supplies: - paper lunch bags - scissors (for cutting designs Rub the juicy side of the lemon wedge on - markers/sharpies (for drawing designs) the outer edge of a chilled martini cocktail - candles (real or batterie) glass and roll the glass lip in the sugar. Add - sand or pebbles (to weight everything down remaining ingredients to a cocktail shaker filled with ice. Shake vigorously until the Create your design in the bag, pour in sand or outside of the shaker is frosted and beaded pebbles at the bottom, add lit candle, place with sweat. Strain into martini cocktail outside just as the sun is setting. Keep it lit, and say a prayer! glass filled with crushed ice.

ministryblueprints.com Sources

Saint Barbara H T T P S : / / W W W . C A T H O L I C . O R G / S A I N T S / S A I N T . P H P ? S A I N T _ I D = 1 6 6 ; D R I N K I N G W I T H T H E S A I N T S B Y M I C H A E L P . F O L E Y ( P G . 3 3 6 - 3 3 7 )

Saint Nicholas D R I N K I N G W I T H T H E S A I N T S B Y M I C H A E L P . F O L E Y ( P G . 3 3 8 - 3 3 9 ) ; H T T P S : / / W W W . F R A N C I S C A N M E D I A . O R G / S A I N T - O F - T H E - D A Y / S A I N T - N I C H O L A S

Saint Ambrose H T T P S : / / W W W . C A T H O L I C . O R G / S A I N T S / S A I N T . P H P ? S A I N T _ I D = 1 6 ; D R I N K I N G W I T H T H E S A I N T S B Y M I C H A E L P . F O L E Y ( P G . 3 3 9 - 3 4 1 ) ; H T T P S : / / W W W . C A T H O L I C N E W S A G E N C Y . C O M / S A I N T / S T - A M B R O S E - 7 6

Immaculate Conception H T T P S : / / W W W . L O Y O L A P R E S S . C O M / C A T H O L I C - R E S O U R C E S / S A I N T S / S A I N T S - S T O R I E S - F O R - A L L - A G E S / F E A S T - O F - T H E - I M M A C U L A T E - C O N C E P T I O N / ; D R I N K I N G W I T H T H E S A I N T S B Y M I C H A E L P . F O L E Y ( P G . 3 4 2 )

Our Lady of Guadalupe H T T P : / / S A I N T S R E S O U R C E . C O M / O U R - L A D Y - O F - G U A D A L U P E ; H T T P S : / / T H E A L M O N D E A T E R . C O M / C I N N A M O N - T E Q U I L A - S O U R / ; H T T P S : / / W W W . C A T H O L I C C U L T U R E . O R G / C U L T U R E / L I T U R G I C A L Y E A R / A C T I V I T I E S / V I E W . C F M ? I D = 9 6 8

Saint Lucy H T T P S : / / W W W . W H Y C H R I S T M A S . C O M / C U L T U R E S / S W E D E N . S H T M L # : ~ : T E X T = L U C I A ' S % 2 0 D A Y . - , S T . , R E A L % 2 0 C A N D L E S % 2 0 A R E % 2 0 O F T E N % 2 0 U S E D ! ; H T T P S : / / W W W . S I C I L Y D A Y B Y D A Y . C O M / S A I N T - L U C Y S - D A Y - I N - S I C I L Y - C A R R I A G E S - L E G E N D S - F A I T H - A N D - T R A D I T I O N / ; D R I N K I N G W I T H T H E S A I N T S B Y M I C H A E L P . F O L E Y ( P G . 3 4 7 )

"O" Antiphons H T T P S : / / W W W . U S C C B . O R G / P R A Y E R - A N D - W O R S H I P / P R A Y E R S - A N D - D E V O T I O N S / P R A Y E R S / T H E - O - A N T I P H O N S - O F - A D V E N T ; D R I N K I N G W I T H T H E S A I N T S B Y M I C H A E L P . F O L E Y ( P G . 3 6 3 - 3 6 4 )

Longest Night H T T P S : / / W W W . R A C H A E L R A Y . C O M / R E C I P E S / T H E - L O N G E S T - N I G H T - M A R T I N I /