Candles at the grotto at Notre Dame

Today I went to Notre Dame to pick up my son. As usual, we visited the grotto where I lit two candles. One I lit for my good friend Mary, her family, and their intentions. The other I lit for the anonymous critic of Notre Dame who has been posting comments on my blog, and for his/her intentions.

Notre Dame-- Batting Zero????

Anonymous has left the following comment on my last post on Notre Dame:

"I am sorry Catholic kids do not make a school Catholic, what makes a school Catholic is the people that teach their (being in good standing with the Vatican) and the people that attend the school actually believe what the Church teaches...so far ND is batting 0-2.Hence it is catholic with a small c and not a BIG C as say Franciscan Univ. is!!! "

OK, anon, what is this all about? I will grant you that Franciscan University has a greater unity of faithfulness among students and faculty than does Notre Dame. It is also much smaller than ND. Franciscan University of Steubenville is a wonderfully unusual faith-filled place. It's fantastic. Does that mean no Catholic young person should attend any other university?

Do you think that the Lord wants to abandon Notre Dame (as you seem to be doing) because of the few isolated areas that have drifted? I think Scripture tells us that the Lord tends to do just the opposite.

Are you trying to say that there are no faithful faculty members or faithful students at Notre Dame? That's ridiculous. Where is your data to back up your claim? My son took an entire course on John Paul the Great's Theology of the Body. He also took an entire course on the Reformation from, naturally, a very Catholic point of view. There's a Eucharistic Chapel in every dorm, large enough for daily Masses. Public rosaries are said every night at the grotto.

Do you know anything at all about the President of Notre Dame, Father Jenkins, who is widely regarded as a good and faithful priest?

Did you know that this year's valedictorian is entering the seminary? I urge you to read his valedictory address. Here is one quote. "I likewise was taken aback when I noticed in my dorm that the most popular weekend spot was the chapel for Sunday night Mass. The University’s faith foundation was instrumental in my decision to come here, though only after arriving as a student did I start to realize the distinctiveness of this place and the role faith plays in that distinctiveness."

Like many faithful Catholics have done, Anon, you seem to be looking at a few isolated examples of problems at Notre Dame and then generalized that impression to the whole university. Such judging is prejudice. You have prejudged the entire university with inadequate information. To do so is an unjust accusation made against a very large community of people, most of whom are decent people trying to be good Catholics.

I think you ought to leave Our Lady's University alone, or better yet, pray that it will be purified of all that displeases her, that Father Jenkins will be given wisdom and courage to continue the housecleaning he has already begun. (I'm always sympathetic to those who need to do a little housecleaning....)

The body of Christ is very large and the battle for the hearts, minds, and souls of our children is fierce. Petty finger-pointing only serves to weaken us a a church.

The Grotto at Notre Dame

Here is the grotto at Notre Dame with my sister and one of my sons praying.

When I go to Notre Dame I always try to say a rosary at the grotto.

Once it was nighttime, freezing cold, and sleeting. I told my son I wanted to say the rosary at the grotto after dinner but that he didn't need to come with me. He said he would anyway. We ate in the dining hall with a group of his friends. After dinner he told them of our plans. He asked, "Anybody want to go?" They ALL wanted to go. They piled in my van and we drove over there.

I was so distracted saying the rosary by these amazing college students who wanted to join us in the freezing rain. When we finished the last prayer I turned to them, about to tell them how impressed I was with their devotion. To my astonishment, they all were still standing there, eyes closed, deep in prayer for another five minutes or so. I was nearly in tears thinking who are these kids? I certainly was not like this in college and didn't know anyone else like this either. The grace of God was just upon them. Perhaps I will be criticized again by an anonymous commenter but I must say that I think many of the students at Notre Dame, and certainly these students in particular, are influenced by the presence of Our Lady on that campus.

8 Things About Me Meme

Deb from UKOK's Place has tagged me for the "8 Things About Me Meme."


Here are the rules:


“Here are the rules: Each player lists 8 facts/habits about themselves. The rules of the game are posted at the beginning before those facts/habits are listed. At the end of the post, the player then tags 8 people and posts their names, then goes to their blogs and leaves them a comment, letting them know that they have been tagged and asking them to read your blog.”


1. I bite my nails (as in fingernails). I tend to be an anxious person and have suffered from anxiety disorders in the past. I received excellent treatment from the University of Michigan Anxiety Disorders Clinic and I highly recommend them. Since their treatment it has ceased to be an issue in my life. (Although I still bite my nails.)

2. I lived in Japan for a year with a Japanese family. It was a wonderfully enriching experience.

3. I'm only five feet tall.

4. I am a terrible housekeeper and I am not good at getting rid of things. (I realize the two are connected....I'm working on it.)

5. I was born in Orange, New Jersey, lived in Fort Wayne, IN for 8 years growing up, and then moved to Michigan. As a child I was terrified of tornadoes, having had several close calls.

6. I am not good at any sport. I never played anything well growing up, always preferring to read.

7. I belong to a Catholic charismatic parish and have been involved with the charismatic renewal since 1987, I believe.

8. I was once in my youthful foolishness a very liberal democrat!!

OK. I tag:

Esther at A Catholic Mom in Hawaii.

James at A Catholic Teen's Thoughts.

Kate at Heart Speaks to Heart

Michelle at Rosetta Stone

The Kitchen Madonna

Angie at Many Little Blessings

Florida Wife at Waiting for the Gift of Children

And Amy Caroline at Knit Together in Love

Notre Dame Graduation Pictures!!

Here he is-- my first-born and me. I couldn't be prouder of him. Can you tell? LOL

This is all of us on the big day.....

Dear Friend Mary O. checks out that ring!!!!

The graduation cake at the family dinner for all the graduates!!!

The "second mother" Mary O., the godmother (my sister) and me...

All of us-- friends, cousins, parents, brothers, and sisters...the fan club.

Having just walked into the arena (super zoomed) diploma in hand.

The proud parents and the official document. He's now a "domer."

Brunch in the dining hall before commencement.


Tomorrow I'll write more......

Graduation from Notre Dame!!

My oldest son is graduating from Notre Dame this weekend and we are about to leave. I probably won't be posting again until next week since I don't have a laptop.

I am still kind of in shock that I have a son who is a college graduate. That he is graduating from his dream school is all the more incredible.

As many of you know I LOVE Notre Dame. No one else in my family has graduated from there. Before my son was accepted I had never been there. My opinion of this school is all from direct personal experience. There is a grace on Notre Dame. EVERYONE is kind and helpful and gracious and humble. I've never seen a university like it. I consider it a great blessing that my son has been able to earn his degree there. Thanks be to God!!

Mother's Day Surprise

How did they guess what I wanted for Mother's Day??? LOL An apron from Kitchen Madonna!!

Lizzie showing me the little holy cards and medal that Kitchen Madonna put in the pocket. How sweet is that?! I love it!! It's just beautiful. I wore it on Mother's Day, and on National Apron Wearing Day, and all day today too! In fact, I'm wearing it at this very moment. It puts me in a good mood. It makes me feel happy and nurturing. It gives me energy and keeps a smile on my face.

Who knew a lovely apron could do all that? She should advertise them as anti-depressants. LOL Thank you so much, KM. And you even made it for a short person!!! My husband said it arrived in two days. You're the greatest!!

Happy Mother's Day, Mom

My mom has been gone for three years now, having suffered from Alzheimer's for over ten years before her passing.

My one consolation is that now, at least, she knows me and her grandchildren again.

Once when my mom was well advanced in her disease and in a nursing home she told me, "I just want to go home and be a mom." I knew exactly what she meant. She wanted to be back "with the apron on." I know all you moms know just what I mean.

My mother was a good mother who would do anything for her family. She was always there for us. And she adored her grandchildren. She couldn't say enough good things about them. They were all beautiful, and "extremely intelligent," etc. I always had to laugh. They could do no wrong in her eyes. I'd try to get them to pick things up before we left her house. She would let them make forts out of the cushions on her couch and chairs. She's say, "Oh just leave it. It will give me the pleasure of knowing they were here."

Mom, we all miss you a whole lot. Please pray for us. (like a minute could pass in heaven without her thinking to do that. ) Thanks for being my mom.

Ten Things About Me Meme

I have been tagged by Aldara from Catholic Mommyhood to do this ten things about me meme.

1. I lived in Japan for a year.

2. I lived with chronic hepatitis C, contracted from a blood transfusion, for 20 years before being successfully treated with interferon and ribavirin. The virus is now undetectable. Yea!

3. My great grandfather immigrated to this country from France to be the personal chef of one of the Vanderbilts.

4. My mother's heritage is 100%Irish.

5. I like to garden.

6. I like to write.

7. I like to debate matters of truth and morality.

8. I am now the proud mother of one college graduate.

9. I do not feel old enough (or mature enough) to be in my fifties.

10. I do not enjoy exercise (except for gardening and walking-- nothing too strenuous:-)


I tag James and anyone else who is looking for something to write about.

Ten Things About Me Meme

I have been tagged by Aldara from Catholic Mommyhood to do this ten things about me meme.

1. I lived in Japan for a year.

2. I lived with chronic hepatitis C, contracted from a blood transfusion, for 20 years before being successfully treated with interferon and ribavirin. The virus is now undetectable. Yea!

3. My great grandfather immigrated to this country from France to be the personal chef of one of the Vanderbilts.

4. My mother's heritage is 100%Irish.

5. I like to garden.

6. I like to write.

7. I like to debate matters of truth and morality.

8. I am now the proud mother of one college graduate.

9. I do not feel old enough (or mature enough) to be in my fifties.

10. I do not enjoy exercise (except for gardening and walking-- nothing too strenuous:-)


I tag James and anyone else who is looking for something to write about.

A Calling to the Priesthood?

Please pray for a man who is discerning a calling to the priesthood. I know this man and I think he would be a wonderful, and I mean WONDERFUL priest. But, it's not up to me.

Please pray that God would lead him very clearly and that the way would be smoothly paved for him if indeed God is calling him.

And please pray that Satan would be hopelessly unsuccessful in any attempt to confuse this man or to present obstacles to his walking the path the Lord desires for him, whatever that might be.

Oh Lord, you know who I'm talking about. If it be your will please give him a certain sign, that he might have every reason to feel completely confident that this desire within him is, in fact, a calling from you.

School May Crowning

Here is the May Crowning we had at school. The second graders wore their First Communion outfits. It was a lovely day. Aren't they adorable. They looked like a classroom full of angels.

Of course , they ARE a classroom full of angels. It is just a wonderfully sweet, charming group of seven-year olds. I just love them.

These pictures are again courtesy of Mary O. I couldn't print these side pictures any bigger. Don't know why. But you get the idea of what the day was like. Thank you, Mary O.!

OK.... For you Protestants, we don't worship Mary. What you see is affection and respect, not adoration. We love Mary because she is the mother of our Lord, but we don't worship her. We honor her ,but we do not adore her. In fact, we are specifically forbidden to adore her. Adoration is reserved for God alone. Those who claim that Catholics worship Mary are sadly making a false claim. It is important to know the truth.

Blogs I Like

Well, once again I am building a blogroll. Kate did kindly tell me how to transfer my whole feedlist to a blogroll but I decided to do it one by one since there are sites on my feedlist that are not among my favorite blogs, but are just ones I like to check in on from time to time. You know what I mean?

So, know that I am not nearly finished. (I wasn't finished before I deleted it either....) Hope you're enjoying what is in Michigan a simply gorgeous day!

May Crowning!!

This is the actual statue at our church as she looked on Saturday. Isn't she gorgeous? My wonderful friend Mary O. sent me this picture from our May Crowning. Mary hand carried the crown back from Hawaii where she was visiting. It is just exquisite in real life. The morning sun was shining on her though the windows and the whole experience was really rather mystical.

Our church is only a few years old but it has the feel of a traditional Catholic church. It is a charismatic parish and the members are very faithful to the magisterium We have a wonderful unity. There was talk of eventually turning these windows behind Mary into stained glass windows, but some of us really love the warm natural light they provide too. Mary looks very lovely in front of them.

For those of you who may be reading this who are not Catholic, please know that when I refer to the statue as 'she' I know I am talking about she who the statue represents. There is no worship of the statue here, nor worship of Mary either, for that matter. We honor her because she is the mother of Our Lord and because she leads us to Him. Just as at the wedding at Cana she is always telling us, "Do whatever he tells you."

May Crowning

I have not posted in several days because of preparations for our parish May Crowning.

It was lovely. Nothing quite went as planned and yet it was still lovely. There several hundred people there. Dearest Jeanne brought 12 dozen roses for the procession!!It was just beautiful.

The crown was the loveliest May Crowning crown I have ever seen. It was made from flowers brought back by sweet Mary from Hawaii!!! Just gorgeous.

My son John played the keyboard and our wonderful music minister did a terrific job leading, in spite of some confusion.

We sang Immaculate Mary in procession. We crowned her to the traditional May Crowning hymn, Bring Flowers of the Rarest. And concluded with Hail Holy Queen Enthroned Above.

The Mass immediately before the Crowning had a strong Marian focus-- the readings and the homily were all about Mary. Our pastor and two deacons led the crowning. This was the first parish sponsored May Crowning we've ever had. The presence of the clergy and the instruction they gave made it clear that it is their desire to put our parish under Mary's mantle. It was very inspiring, very moving.

I hope to post pictures when I receive some.

Yikes! You won't believe this!

I just accidentally erased my entire blogroll-- the one I've been working on for days and days, adding everybody's addresses one by one....I don't know how or if it's possible to retrieve it. Is there a way to just make my bloglines feeds my blogroll? All in one step? I can't believe I did this.

Our Parish Mission: Living in the Power of the Risen Christ

Our parish is having a parish mission this week. The speakers are from Renewal Ministries: Ralph Martin, Peter Herbeck, and Sister Ann Shields. I will be writing more about their message soon. For now, just have to get some things done so I can go to it!

May we all live in the power of the Risen Christ every day! Even while cleaning toilets and doing laundry!!

Saint Pius X

"Holy Communion is the shortest and safest way to heaven. There are others: innocence, but that is for little children; penance, but we are afraid of it; generous endurance of trials of life, but when they come we weep and ask to be spared. The surest, easiest, shortest way is the Eucharist."

Saint Pius X

We so underestimate the power of the Eucharist!!!!

My parents and my grandma!!

My cousin Dana sent me this old photo she found of my parents and my grandmother. My parents are the two on the left and the woman on the far right is my grandmother, my father's mother. The picture must be thirty years or more old. My mother looks so good. The camera must have caught her by surprise because she always smiled for pictures. I can't remember seeing a serious picture like this. She's been gone for three years and was ravaged by Alzheimer's Disease for 10 or 15 years before that. But she sure looks good here, doesn't she?

My dad just looks a little younger than he did before he died. I still just can't believe they're both gone.

Rest and Solitude

In Prayer Primer Thomas Dubay writes:

"Thoughtful man and women, even those reflecting a secular point of view, are well aware of the detrimental effects a continuing din has on our psyches. In his best seller, Future Shock, Alvin Toffler wrote about "the overstimulated individual. . .the bombardment of the senses. . . information overload. . . decision stress." Thomas Merton observed that "We live in a society whose whole policy is to excite every nerve of the human body and keep it at the highest pitch of artificial tension, to strain every human desire to the limit and to create as many new desires and synthetic passions as possible, in order to cater to them with the products of our factories and printing presses and movie studios and all the rest." This, he explained, is why he had chosen to "live in the woods."

Pictured above is Thomas Merton's hermitage on the property of Gethsemane Abbey.

Dubay goes on to say that "We need mental and emotional rest, rest from overstimulation, if we are to be normal and healthy."

The life of a mother is always very stimulating, joyous, and yet often loud and with limited rest. I must always guard against taking on too much and yet still be willing to work hard in the service of my Lord in the raising of my children. I find it hard to know just where is the right balance.

His Will

Today during my prayer time I was reminded of a recommended prayer, "Oh Lord, incline my heart to do your will.

For me, I think I would rephrase it to: Oh Lord, help me to do your will even when, and especially when, I am not so inclined.

The will is an interesting idea. Are there layers of the will? Why do I do things I don't want to do? Or is it that I change my mind at the moment of decision? Or is there a deep intent and a superficial one? Who's at the wheel?

I'm thinking too much :)

Overstimulation!!

Yesterday was a tough day. There was just too much coming at me. We had three grade issues with kids at school, one critical tuition issue with a college student, one IRS issue, and one senior picture issue, all in the same evening. It was a little more than I could take in such a short period of time. A fine opportunity to acknowledge that without the Lord I can do nothing.

So nothing got posted yesterday which is too bad because posting releases tension for me. I was just too exhausted by 11:00, while discussions were still continuing. I just had to go to bed. I hope I can write something later.....

Blogs I Like

I am starting a list on my sidebar of "Blogs I Like." It took me this long to figure out how to do it. I have a long list!!! I'm probably only going to get 4 or 5 on a day and I'm selecting them from my feed list in no particular order. If you don't see yours yet, it's probably coming!!

My son, MY SON!, actually asked me yesterday how to do something on his blog! And a friend of mine who had just seen my blog actually described me as someone who knows a lot about computers!!! (ROFL) Perhaps, I really am very slowly starting to gain some knowledge. Yes, perhaps it's time to stop the self-deprecating humor about my ignorance. I know a lot more than I knew ten months ago. And I had no idea that blogging was going to be so fun, so interesting, so stimulating. Thank you to all my new online friends.

My son has a new Catholic blog!!

New Blog Alert!!

After seeing his mom blog for the last ten months, my son James has started his own blog. He chose the words "Not a jedi yet" all run together of course, for his address because this expression is kind of a family joke. It started on a family vacation.... anyway, whenever someone is given a strong compliment or does something great after all the accolades someone adds, "...BUT, you are not a jedi yet!" Guess you had to be there, or be a family that has seen a lot of Star Wars movies.

Jim is such a great kid that I'm really excited that he's starting a blog. We went to our parish's Lifeteen Mass tonight. On the way there, there was an old song on the radio. Was it called, "If only you believed?" You know, the chorus goes, "If only you believed like I believed, baby, like I believed...etc." There's another line, "If only you believed in miracles, so would I." Teasing, I said to Jim, "Do you believe in miracles?" He looked at me incredulous and said, "Yeah." (like that was kind of a stupid question.) Then he added, "We're going to see one right now." I could cry.

Anyway, check it out " A Catholic Teen's Thoughts . "

Sunday at the park

My husband and I took our three youngest to a local park with hiking trails (pictured) and a nice pond. We had some relaxed walks, and the kids and I played cards at a picnic table while Dad barbecued burgers. The weather was beautiful-- blue skies and warm. My husband said as the day got warmer, "Before you know it we'll be wishing it were winter again." My response? "I don't think so." Hope you had lovely Sunday.

Talent Show and Saint Anthony!!! Again!!

Today my daughter Elizabeth was in her school's talent show. First, she and a group of her friends did a very impressive double dutch jump rope routine. Everybody loved it.

Towards the end, Liz played her cello. She did a great job. I was so proud of her. She played right on pitch and with very nice tone. The kids really liked seeing the "big violin."

I borrowed my daughter's digital camera to take pictures and had planned to post them here. My recollection was that I had brought the camera into the school, then stopped in the foyer and put my things down in order to give my girls their pizza money. I thought I even remembered seeing the camera on the floor next to my purse and making a mental note to remember to pick it up. I then went to the room where our Moms in Prayer group meets. As I got up to leave that room I realized I didn't have the camera. I went back to the foyer and it wasn't where I thought I had left it. I asked in the office. No one had turned it in. I started to worry. I called on my dear friend, Saint Anthony. I asked him to please let it be found.

So there I sat during the talent show watching my daughter doing this great job and no camera to record it. I also started thinking about how I would tell my older daughter that I had lost her camera and how much would it cost to replace it. I pleaded with Saint Anthony. After the show I talked to him again. I checked in the office again. No camera. I asked myself how certain was I that I had left my camera in the foyer. I remember thinking I was about 99% sure it was there. I continued to talk to Saint Anthony.

When I got to my car I didn't even look for the camera. I was sure I had left it in the hall. About half-way home I thought, well, I guess I should look around just in case. I looked on the floor and right next to my seat was the camera. It was one of those Saint Anthony moments. How did he do that??!! I thought, did he actually transport it??!! I don't know. I was so certain I had brought it in and Saint Anthony does do these things. He has done them before for me.

So, thank you , Saint Anthony, once again for finding the camera and for all the many, many things you have helped me find over the years. You are such a good friend and such an amazing saint.

More images of the Abbey of Gethsemane!

The Abbey of Gethsemane

Thomas Merton's hermitage

Daffodils....what a welcome sight!

Above is Thomas Merton's hermitage.

This is the place to go to really listen for the voice of God. It is peaceful. It is quiet. The monks are gracious. It is truly a place of retreat.

My sister the artist

My sister painted this large mural for a marathon in Saint Louis. I am so proud of her. She is a stay-at-home mom who is also an artist and a black belt in Tae Kwon Do. How cool is that?

Abbey of Gethsemane

This is my 21 year old daughter at the top of a mountain we climbed on the property of the Abbey of Gethsemane. We have such a peaceful, enjoyable time each year we come here. I remember the first time I climbed this mountain with her. I was all out of breath and hurt my back somehow. Now that I've been going to Curves for several years it was not a big deal. Made me feel pretty good. Getting older doesn't have to mean getting weaker. Praise God.

Saint Anthony does it again!

My three daughters went to the movies the other night. The youngest two were all exciting that their beloved big sister (21year old) was taking them out. They even went out to dinner first-- A Girls Night Out, as they said.

When they came home I was surpised to turn around (as I was blogging) to see three sheepish looking faces. "What's wrong? " I asked. They had lost both my 12yo's purse and my 10yo's jacket and they were upset. Apparently they got up to leave without thinking and when they returned to their seats the items were gone. They had not been turned in to the office. The purse had a little bit of money and several gift cards from birthdays. The jacket was a favorite. They both were near tears.

We talked about how sometimes things like this happen. Yes, maybe someone stole them. Sometimes things happen that aren't fair. This is not heaven. This is life on Earth. We can offer it up, etc. Still, I did talk to my good friend Saint Anthony and asked if there was any way he could help them to be found. It's so hard to see our children hurting.

Well.... last night I got a phone call from one of my 12 year old's friends asking if she had lost a jacket and a purse. Apparently my daughter had this girl's phone number in her purse and someone had called to return it!!! I called the woman's number. She had been sitting next to them in the theatre. She stayed until after all the credits were finished and saw the jacket and purse left behind. She didn't turn it in because she had once done that and the contents of the purse were missing when the owner finally received it. So she took it home to try to find the owner. She said, "I'm a Christian. Everything is still in it. I wanted to make sure nothing was taken." My husband drove to her apartment and picked the things up.

We wanted to give her a reward but she met him in front and quickly turned over the items and left. So may God bless Betty the Christian who took the time and effort to return to my daughters their little treasures. She obviously respond to the promptings of the Holy Spirit. Oh Lord, please bless Betty and everyone she loves. My her generosity and honesty be returned many times over.

AND, I thank you Saint Anthony. You who so very many times, in the most inexplicable ways, have returned to me and my family so many lost items. You are amazing and I thank you for all the times you have helped me!!!!

Terrible Headache!! Yuk!

This morning I woke up with the worst headache. Oh my goodness, I wonder if this is what a migraine is. I was even throwing up. Threw up the Motrin-- oooh, no relief. But an icepack, extra pillows, and some sleep have helped a lot. God is so good to let this happen on a Saturday and not a weekday! My husband is home and I was able to just sleep. It still hurts but nothing like before.

Yesterday I asked my husband if we could replace the range hood above my gas stove. It was looking pretty grundgy. Today he went to Lowe's, bought one, and is now installing it. It's almost enough to take a headache away!!

My daughter Mary who made the above picture is also sick. She threw up during the night and is taking it easy now. Could be my headache and upset stomach is the same virus, I suppose.

Hope you all stay well.

Today was sunny and the sky was blue. It's still a little crisp, but not snowing, at least. It's really time for Spring here in Michigan. There was snow on the ground here on Easter Sunday. I wanted to have an Easter egg hunt outside but there was no point.

Only white eggs would be camouflaged by snow! I could have put a green one under the tulip that had just been coming up before being SMACKED back down by repeated frosts. LOL

Michigan weather. Some say it builds character. It certainly builds appreciation for lovely weather. When we have it we never take it for granted.

Above is a picture of some of the eggs my children dyed. I love egg dyeing. It's such a simple, fun, family activity.

Have a nice weekend!!!

Do I really want the chocolate bar?

I cannot seem to get the pictures from Gethsemane Abbey that my daughter put on Photoshare onto my blog. She's not here so I can't ask her. But they're coming soon!

Several pictures were ones she took of me as we hiked up a mountain. She was behind me. Let's just say that these photos have provided considerable motivation for me to lose weight. I'm going to have to ask her what her motivation was for taking these shots.

NO I WILL NOT BE POSTING THEM. They're so bad I will not even stick them on my refrigerator as a reminder. They're too humiliating. LOL The image is still in my mind, however, and I'm hoping it will do the trick.

I will remember the picture. Then think, "Do I want to no longer look like this or do I want to eat this piece of chocolate?"

Queen of the angels, Queen of the May

I'm working on a May Crowning for our parish this year with a wonderful group of women who all love our Blessed Mother. What an honor it is to be a part of this effort.

She is the Queen.....

Queen of love,

Queen of mercy,

Queen of peace,

Queen of angels,

Queen of patriarchs and prophets,

Queen of apostles and martyrs,

Queen of confessors and virgins,

Queen of all saints,

Queen conceived without original sin,

Queen assumed into heaven,

Queen of all the earth

Queen of heaven,

Queen of the universe......

Mary, mother of God, pray for us!!!!!

A really stupid thing

Today I did something really stupid. I was trying to unclog a slow drain in the bathroom by pouring boiling water down it. I had already poured two big panfuls and it seemed to be working. I decided to pour down one more. (This was a big pot I use for boiling spaghetti, etc.)

While waiting for it to boil I called my friend Jeanne. As we were talking the water started to boil. So....always the multi-tasker, I put the phone on my shoulder, picked up the pot and headed to the bathroom. The pot was very full. The phone started to slip and I guess I jerked to hold it, thus spilling scalding hot water all over my upper leg. Fortunately, I was able to get a cold washcloth on it quickly. I was so in shock that I lay down and just kept cooling the washcloth and applying it to my leg. I rested like that for about an hour. It was amazing. It went from a huge area of very red, painful skin to just a few small spots. I was really lucky.

Boiling water requires a person's entire attention. I would never have let one of my children hold a phone and also carry boiling water. Live and learn. I definitely learned my lesson.

Easter Monday

"Stripped on Holy Thursday to wash the apostles' feet, stripped on Good Friday to hang upon the cross, Jesus risen and triumphant is clothed in the light of glory, before which no enemy can stand, not even the roaring waters of chaos and death."

from "Magnificat"

Perhaps I shouldn't be blogging yet. I just wrote in the comments section of someone's post the words, "Merry Christmas." ROFL I'm not kidding. I really did. Fortunately, I noticed before I published it. I was almost dismissed from everyone's blogroll as a true nut case. LOL May I always respond with kindness to people in every situation who may just "say the wrong thing."

I had a peaceful Easter Sunday. It seemed a grace-filled day. My brother, no longer a practicing Catholic, came to the Easter vigil with us and so did my daughter's Protestant boyfriend. There was an additional sweetness for us because of their presence. The vigil itself is always a taste of heaven. You know what I mean. Heartfelt congratulations to Amber and Angie on their entry into the church!!!!

For the first time on Easter Sunday our family served dinner at a nearby soup kitchen. We had an early dinner in the afternoon ourselves. It was simple but tasty and very peaceful. Then we went to feed Jesus in the "distressing disguise of the poor." It was a-- I'm searching for a good word to describe it (this not being the best day for me to come up with the right words. :-)
None of my children complained. My high schoolers had to complete some service hours and we had been thinking of doing this for some time anyway.

What a feeling it was as I worked on the table of drinks on the other side of the room to look over and see five of my children at the food line, serving heaping helpings of food on the plates of really hungry people. They were smiling, talking, and laughing. They looked just beautiful as they reached out respectfully and kindly to these very vulnerable children of God.

There was just a wonderful sweetness to this experience. I don't think any of us felt deprived by spending a few hours on Easter in this way. The sense of peace that followed was so gentle. There was no bickering, no stress, on the way home. There was a presence of love and of unity in our family. I think we will do this again.

He is risen!!

He is Risen!!!!

Alleluia!!!!!

Holy Thursday

Take this, all of you, and eat it: this is my body which will be given up for you.

No words can express how awesome is this miracle. Jesus Himself, body, blood, soul, and divinity. The First Eucharist-- my favorite mystery of the rosary, I think, along with the coronation of Mary, Queen of Heaven. Have a Blessed Triduum.

May God's grace be upon all who are about to enter the Church, especially those among our blogging friends....

Grocery Aisle Musings

I needed to get the items for my children's Easter baskets while they were at school. (Or home sick, in the case of my 15 year old, who's doing much better but needed another day home :) As I rushed through Meijers in the rather limited window of time available to me I picked up some other things I knew I would need for the celebration of Easter and the next few days. But I knew I wasn't getting everything.

I started to let those feelings creep in. If I were better organized I wouldn't be making a trip to the grocery store practically every other day. I could have all the meals for the Triduum planned out and get it all at once. I could be making better use of the time that God has given me.

Then it occurred to me that when I stand in judgement before my Lord this is not going to be a big concern for him. "YOU MADE TOO MANY TRIPS TO THE GROCERY STORE. WHY DIDN'T YOU THINK AHEAD??" No. I don't think so. Good organizational skills are helpful and I will still try to improve in this area. But the love in my heart is what's important. The love I have for my God, the love I have for my family, and the love with which I serve.

Would that not being the most organized homemaker WERE the worst of my sins!!!! I'd be in good shape if that were the case. LOL (Maybe it's not even a sin. Although perfectionism probably counts:-)

Interesting how easily we are distracted from the important areas of our life that really do require conversion. Oh Lord, in this Holy Week and always may I see things in the light of your truth. May Your priorities be my priorities.

Sick Children

OK. While I'm going on and on about being a stay-at-home mom I have a confession to make. I actually do work outside the home part time. But I work at my own children's school three hours a day. When one of my young children are sick, I just call the office and they find me a sub. (I also occasionally substitute teach.)

And today I do have a sick child home. He's 15 so he stayed home this morning while I went in to school. (I actually don't even like to do that.) I came home and took his temperature and it's almost 102! Mothering takes a lot of time and requires a lot of scheduling flexibility. I feel for those moms who have to go to work all day and need to leave even a teen home all day alone with a fever. It's hard enough to do it for a half day.

I know there are some who would say, for heaven's sake he's 15. He doesn't need for you to be home. I suppose that's true. But I know from experience that sick people, even adults, really appreciate nurturing. And when of my children needs nurturing, regardless of their age, I am grateful when I can be the one to provide it.

Staying at Home

Above you see the reasons I have spent the last twenty-two years raising children at home.

My good friend Mary has drawn my attention to a book review of "The Feminine Mistake" by Leslie Bennetts in People Magazine. I have not read the book. The book examines the "economic pitfalls facing stay-at-home moms." What if your husband dies, leaves you, or loses his job?

Sadly, these are indeed risks that the stay-at-home mom faces. Some can be averted. Life insurance covers the first risk. Might your husband leave you? Well, yes. Sometimes men do. What if he loses his job? Well, that happens too. But to say that therefore a mom should make sure she is working seems like a drastic overreaction to me.

Moms who choose to stay home with their children make a lot of sacrifices. They sacrifice additional family income. They sacrifice career advancement. In some segments of society they sacrifice the respect of other women and sometimes men as well. And, yes, they do sacrifice financial security.

But the moms I know stay home with their children because they want what's best for their children and no sacrifice is too great. The children come first. Period. That being said, every mom I know who stays home with her children also finds it an extremely rewarding occupation.
I can't imagine a job that would be more satisfying or more fun. Yes, it's a sacrifice but, for me, it has also provided for me the most satisfying years of my life.

I'm sure my friend Mary would wholeheartedly agree.

The Lord provides!!

Thank you, Lord, that through the intercession of Saint Joseph, my husband, in the midst of a depressed Michigan economy together with a limping automotive industry, has actually secured an engineering job with an automotive supplier!! Who would have thought? God is so good. Thank you to all who have prayed that my husband would find a job.