Golden Rose, Queen of Ireland
The Lady of Knock is a special story from Ireland that many people believe to be a miracle. In the year 1879, villagers in a small town called Knock saw a vision on the wall of their church. They said they saw Mary, the mother of Jesus, standing silently with Saint Joseph and Saint John. A lamb and a cross were also part of the vision.
For nearly two hours a group that fluctuated between two and perhaps as many as twenty-five stood or kneeled, gazing at the figures. Even though it was raining, the figures stayed bright and dry.
After the vision, Knock became an important place for prayer. People who were sick or sad began to visit, hoping for healing and comfort. People who claim to have been cured at Knock still leave crutches and sticks at the spot where the apparition is believed to have occurred.
Over time, many visitors said they felt peace and hope while praying there. The Catholic Church studied the event and later said the vision was worthy of belief. Because of this, Knock became known as a holy place.
Today, the Shrine of Our Lady of Knock welcomes visitors from all over the world. Pilgrims come to pray, light candles, and learn about the story of the vision.
Each Irish diocese makes an annual pilgrimage to the Marian Shrine, and the nine-day Knock novena attracts pilgrims every August. For many, Knock is a place of hope, prayer, and peace.
KIDS IN THE KITCHEN
Hash Brown, Tomato and Mozzarella Quiche
This would be great for Mother’s Day Brunch!
Ingredients
- 2 teaspoons plus 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
- One 16-ounce package frozen shredded hash browns, thawed, excess water squeezed out
- Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
- Cooking spray
- 6 large eggs, lightly beaten
- 3/4 cup half-and-half
- 1 1/2 cups red and yellow cherry tomatoes, halved
- 1/2 cup fresh basil leaves, roughly chopped
- 1/4 cup fresh chives, finely chopped
- 4 ounces part-skim mozzarella, shredded
Directions
- Preheat the oven to 450 degrees F. Coat a 9 1/2-inch deep-dish glass pie dish with 2 teaspoons of the oil.
- Toss the hash browns, the remaining 2 tablespoons oil, 1 teaspoon salt, and 1/4 teaspoon pepper in a medium bowl to mix well. Gently press the hash browns into the prepared pie dish to form a crust, and spray with cooking spray. Bake the crust until it begins to look dry, for about 10 minutes. Lower the oven temperature to 400 degrees F, and bake until golden brown, 20 minutes more; set aside until cool to the touch. Lower the oven temperature to 350 degrees F.
- Beat the eggs, half-and-half, 3/4 teaspoon salt, and 1/4 teaspoon pepper in a medium bowl. Place the tomatoes, basil and chives on the crust, pour the egg mixture over them and top with the mozzarella. Bake until the center is firm, and the quiche no longer jiggles, 35 to 40 minutes. Let cool for 20 minutes, then slice and serve.
Cook’s Note: It’s important to squeeze out as much water as possible from the hash browns and to use a glass pie dish to ensure a crispy crust.
Literature Corner
Audrey Covington Breaks the Rules
By Karine Evans
Audrey Covington’s parents are the textbook definition of strict—they don’t let Audrey stay up late or watch scary movies, and they definitely don’t let her go anywhere unsupervised. Audrey knows it’s best to just accept the way it is. But her friends decide her parents’ rules are getting in the way of all their fun and disinvite her from their start-of-summer slumber party, so they aren’t tied down by boring Audrey.
Now Audrey is stuck helping her parents move her former-movie-star grandmother into a luxury retirement community. When she finally manages to sneak off to her parents’ car to check her phone, her grandmother climbs into the driver’s seat and speeds off—not realizing Audrey is still in the back seat! But as the two make their way across Hollywood, they realize that the life they think they want might not be what they need. For ages 8-12, 272 pages.
Junie B. Jones and the Stupid Smelly Bus
By Barbara Park
Meet the World’s Funniest Kindergartner—Junie B. Jones! Remember when it was scary to go to school? It’s Junie B.’s first day of kindergarten, where she quickly realizes she has a lot to learn.
But she does know a few things; like how much she can’t stand that meanie Jim; or that books—and pencil sharpeners—and clay—are her favorite things in the whole world; or that she hates the color yellow, because it’s the same color as that stupid stinky school bus she has to ride to and from school. So, at the end of the day, Junie B. decides she won’t get on the bus after all! This is a series that follows Junie through Kindergarten and first grade. There are 28 books in all. For ages 5-7, 80 pages.
Lardie’s Laughs
Q. Why is a computer so smart?
A. Because it listens to its motherboard!
Q. Where does Wonder Woman go shopping?
A. At the Supermarket!
Gab in Gaelic
Woman of my heart = bean mo chroi (pron: bann muh kree)
