All Hallows' Eve

I'm going to move forward on the blog, and hopefully go back to catch up when I can.  Last night was Halloween and the All Hallows' Eve festival at our church.  Our homeschool group and parish here celebrate with a Vigil Mass for All Saints' Day and a big carnival.  So we don't go trick-or-treating anymore, but we do enjoy a fun-filled evening with costumes, friends, mass, games, and candy!

Here's our cast of saints:

Thomas as St. Florian, patron of firefighters.  I had to bribe him with candy to put the costume on for this one picture, and he refused to wear it again.  He was so excited to buy it at the store (his was the only store-bought costume), but just wasn't interested in dressing up.

Ellie as St. Therese.  I made her costume out of fabric a kind friend gave me since she didn't need it.  I made a simple brown tunic, a white hood and neckpiece (I think it's called a wimple) and then the black veil sewed onto it.  The veil gave me quite a headache and I actually ended up going out to buy more fabric since I messed up the first one.  It was fun to sew again, though.  It has been too long!  I found her roses at a church rummage sale last weekend, and the crucifix we already had at home.

Steven Joseph as St. Michael the Archangel.  We already had the knight gear and wings, bought in previous years at resale stores or for gifts.  He has been St. George in the past, but was excited about St. Michael with the wings this time.

Mary Clare as St. Cecilia.  She wanted to sew her own costume.  We bought that same kind of thin, stretchy, non-fraying fabric on sale at Hancock Fabrics.  I think it was $3.50/yard.  I had visions of a long maxi dress, but she had her own plans, drew them out, and sewed it all herself with no help from me!  In fact, she showed me a few things I didn't know about the sewing machine!  She wore her First Communion veil, a lacy sweater, and lace tied as a belt.  We made a last minute harp out of a pink coat hanger wrapped in ribbon.

The kids lined up outside the church and processed in behind Father for Mass.

And here's a little vision of the carnival out behind the church.  One mom of seven pretty much puts together the whole thing each year.  The kids had a blast and played games and ran around until about 9:30pm!  It got dark so quickly after this photo that I didn't get any more good pictures.  But it was a blessed evening!

All you holy men and women, Pray for Us!!!