Our Lady of Guadelupe year!/Beans done and on to corn!/Birthdays and feast days in the middle of harvest - "ask, seek, knock" - +JMJ+

Birthday number 75 surrounded by girls in pink, a dinosaur, and Jude representing Holy Redeemer!  Out on my beautiful porch as we were surrounded by combines on all sides of us... literally in the midst of harvest!  

The morning after my birthday party on the porch with 2 sets of combines ours and a neighbors and trucks and grain carts!  All around me on my birthday!  in the midst of harvest!  

Jude watching the combine pull into the field along our fence!  

Joy and Tom watching the combine come across the field and right up to our yard.  Hubby managed to take a short window to buy me some wonderful sweet birthday roses in the middle of the craziness!

Selfie in my pink dress and jewels for my birthday with family!  

Hubby rushed in with these beauties!  How he broke away even for half an hour was all holy Spirit!  He did not hold up the hauling of beans from the field!  They are so precious to me knowing how he had to put me ahead of the work for a window in time on my 75th birthday!  Thank you, honey!  

With my new piece of art of Our Lady of Guadalupe.  Talk about the Holy Spirit - I ordered this before I realized that Pope Leo has announced that on October 12th,2026- October 12, 2027 that it will be a Jubilee year for her!  

The Jubilee Year for Our Lady of Guadalupe runs from October 12, 2026, to October 12, 2027, marking the 50th anniversary of the dedication of the new Basilica and the 131st anniversary of her pontifical coronation.

Love this image of 2 amazing Saints together - St Therese on October 1st and St Faustina on October 5th!  

A gift from my Therese for my birthday!  She knows how much I adore pictures and nothing more wonderful than these beautiful Catholic girls at University of Mary as sunset!  The JOY is so obvious and I love that she shares her happiness with her old grandma!  

Grandson Patrick is smiling for his birthday yesterday!  Smiles for the camera are rare these days!  Pat and I go way back to this day of his birth 14 years ago.  I was there for his birth as his dad was deployed to Afghanistan.  It was a traumatic birth when Maria ruptured, he was born dead and resuscitated!  I baptized him in the middle of NICU!  He amazed us with his fast recovery and now totally healthy!

Family Soul Story - Choose Life!: The story of little Lamb - grandson Patrick 

Another gift from Therese - October is devoted to LIFE!  Therese knows how much this means to me!  

Family Soul Story - Choose Life!: The story of little Lamb - grandson Patrick  

The motto of our family continues to be open to life and raising LIGHTS! 

Verly steak and 14 on his birthday pizza!  Happy 14th birthday my special Patrick Joseph!  

A present from my youngest, John, from last year with the fall lilacs on my birthday.  John and I along with his youngest Lucy have been spending time together praying and working on his book about his finding his faith through his brain cancer!

Family Soul Story - Choose Life!: John's cancer stories

John's Utube video made my Spirit Juice!  His story continues now with wife, Bobbi, and 3 kids! 

Therese with her art and words of wisdom from her patron saint - St Therese!  

Beautiful and joyful girls at U of Mary!  Thanks, Therese!  

I was so spoiled for my birthday!  Birdie frosting my red velvet cake and her mom made a wonderful Mexican feast with enchiladas!  Showing their love through a special supper in the midst of harvest!  

Baby Patrick walked early and surrounded by so many prayers - he is the picture of health to this day!  

With baby brother Hector - 2 years later they added Magdelene!  

My sister, Paula, visited the farm on their way to their 50th college reunion at Concordia in Moorhead.  They came out of their way to spend some time on the farm.  

They arrived just as we were beginning to harvest corn, as we had finished beans that morning.  Pat was even able to teach us about the ins and ours of the farm.

Joy and Tom showed us around the farm including the chickens.  They had just found 3 dozen eggs in the calving barn!

A year ago we surprised Hallel on her 40th birthday in KCK - Mary the Mother of God Monastery at the bottom of the hill, and Lumen Christi/Light of Christ Monastery at the top of the Hill!  All 5 of our kids together for the first time in a long time!  

We have fake plans to gather around her for her home visit starting on December 9th - Maria will drive her up from KCK with her 6 kids!  It will be 2 days after my hip replacement!!!!  It all sounds kind of crazy! 

Ruth's fall display - she grew all of this in her amazing garden!  She transplanted the Zinnias in pots too.

A parting shot of our barn at sunrise as Paula and friends head out for their reunion in Moorhead!

St Mother Teresa loves Our Lady and her prayer!  

The grass is so green after a couple weeks of rain!  The cows look so nice and happy to be in the cool weather and lots of wonderful green grass!  

A nice visit with Paula as she sat on my mom's antique couch that came to me lately with my new room.  Such a gift to have her relaxed and sharing our family unification.  

Sheep at sunrise taken by Dale Schmidt.  

My birthday 10 years ago.  Pat's apple tree when we lived on the farm - now Ruth and Paul with their 7 kids are living there!  How we love to have our young farm family - such a blessing for us!  

Luke 12 years ago - he will be 13 on November 1st and shares a birthday with granddaughter, Evangeline, who will be 10 on that day!  

Farmer Pat spends days in the truck hauling beans and now corn!  

Grandma and baby Gina Maria about 4 years ago.  She will be 5 in December!  

Gina and Tom with a corn husk bale.  At this moment Luke is raking ahead of the baler, and Paul is baling our hundreds of bales used for feed and bedding!  These two are just a month apart and will both be 5 - Tom on November 19th and Gina on December 16th!  Next year Kindergarten!  

Rose and Joy with unicorn corn cobs some years back.  Today Rose has a swim meet in Wilmar!  Go Marshall and Rose Again!  

A special display for my sister, Mary, who died in 1986 from cancer leaving behind her farmer husband and daughter, Audrey.

My sister, Marty, with a fall arrangement for mom and dad's grave in Shafer, MN.  It is just a couple weeks away from the Anniversary of my dad's passing here in my farm monastery on October, 23, 2020!  I have been thinking about him so much lately!  

Family Soul Story - Choose Life!: Deacon Robert Cross - my dad on hospice in our Farm Monastery for 6 months - 4/16/20 thru 10/23/20  

This gives me a lot of JOY and happiness to honor my sweet sister!  She has been gone for 40 years and when mom and dad died in 2020 only 7 months apart - it was comforting to know they would see Mary!  Mom died on March 16 - the day before Mary's birthday on St Patrick's Day!  Talk about a special gift to us!  

Therese shared this beautiful art work with me!  She is so gifted and uses her artistic talent to bring more LIGHT into the world!  Oh Therese!!!  

On Thursday the Gospel was from Luke and told us to ask, seek and knock and we will be answered by our Lord that loves us and knows what is best for us!  "how much more will the Father in heaven give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him?"  Yes, Lord, come Holy Spirit!  How I am overwhelmed by your LOVE!  

Family Soul Story - Choose Life!: The amazing story of the 13 becoming Catholic!  Wow!  

Yesterday was the Feast Day of Our Lady of Champion, WI!  Pat brought 12 of us for the Walk to Mary this year on the first Saturday of May!  The only Church- approved Marian Apparition in the US!  

BREAKING Pope Leo XIV Grants a Jubilee Year of Our Lady of Guadalupe for the 50th Anniversary of the Dedication of the New Basilica

September 11, 2026

In a momentous decree of spiritual grace and renewal, His Holiness Pope Leo XIV, through the Apostolic Penitentiary, has officially declared a Jubilee Year of Our Lady of Guadalupe. Announced by Cardinal Carlos Aguiar Retes, Archbishop Primate of Mexico, this sacred period commemorates the 50th Anniversary of the Dedication of the New Basilica of Santa María de Guadalupe and the solemn Transfer of the Sacred Image of Our Lady. Commencing on October 12, 2026, and concluding on October 12, 2027, this year-long celebration invites the faithful around the world to draw near to the "Sacred House" of Our Lady of Guadalupe, offering special opportunities for spiritual conversion, liturgical devotion, and the reception of a Plenary Indulgence.

According to the Vatican, during the Jubilee Year, which will conclude on October 12, 2027, "as granted by the Holy See, the faithful who with devotion and contrition visit the Sacred Shrine of Our Lady of Guadalupe and participate in a liturgical act or dedicate time to prayer in the Basilica will be able to obtain a plenary indulgence for themselves or apply it for the souls in Purgatory," announced Cardinal Aguiar Retes. To obtain the indulgence, the usual conditions established by the Church must be met: confession, Eucharistic communion, recitation of the Creed, and prayer for the intentions of the Holy Father.

 FULL STATEMENT + CARLOS CARDINAL AGUIAR RETES BY THE GRACE OF GOD AND OF THE APOSTOLIC SEE ARCHBISHOP PRIMATE OF MEXICO

Com. Of. 34/2026 Prot. 647/2026

Mexico City, September 9, 2026

Subject: Guadalupan Jubilee Year, 50th Anniversary of the Dedication of the New Basilica of Santa María de Guadalupe

To the lay faithful, members of consecrated life, and clergy who journey on pilgrimage in this Archdiocese:

Receive a warm greeting in Christ Jesus.

With deep joy and gratitude, I announce to you that Pope Leo XIV, through the Apostolic Penitentiary, has granted a Guadalupan Jubilee Year on the occasion of the 50th Anniversary of the Dedication of the New Basilica of Santa María de Guadalupe and the Transfer of the Sacred Image of Our Mother, which occurred on October 12, 1976. Where she continues to await us and welcome each of her sons and daughters, reminding us: «am I not here, I who am your Mother? ...»

To the People of God entrusted to my care, I extend a cordial invitation to attend the Solemn Eucharist that I will celebrate to declare the beginning of this time of jubilee grace on October 12 at 12 p.m., a day that also marks the 131st Anniversary of the Pontifical Coronation of the Virgin of Guadalupe.

During this Jubilee Year, which will conclude on October 12, 2027, as granted by the Holy See, the faithful who visit with devotion and a contrite spirit the Sacred House of Santa María de Guadalupe and participate in any liturgical act or dedicate a time of prayer in the Basilica may obtain a Plenary Indulgence for themselves or apply it for the souls in Purgatory, fulfilling the usual conditions established by the Church (confession, Eucharistic communion, recitation of the Creed, and prayer for the intentions of the Holy Father).

At the same time, I encourage you to stay tuned for the various events that will be announced at the Basilica on the occasion of this Jubilee. Additionally, attached to this Statement, you will find information regarding the schedule for October 11 and 12 for the preparation and launch of the Jubilee.

May Santa María de Guadalupe, Mother of the True God for Whom One Lives, help us make the most of this Jubilee and accompany us on this path of spiritual renewal and conversion.

Fraternally in Christ the Good Shepherd,

There are some fake plans flying around that we might try to visit either the shrine in La Crosse Wisconsin, or the one in Mexico with the tilma still there!  So exciting for us to consider- my new hip should be functional by then and better than ever!

Lord and Lady we are so blessed to have your love surounding us!  Jesus, we trust in you.  Bless-bless, Barbara and the 33 plus 13 in heaven!  

Salve Regina - Hail Holy Queen - Nashville Dominicans 

Our little sisters of the Lamb sing it like this at night prayer!

Tauren WElls - Joy in the morning

 

 

First day of Fall - rain delay of bean harvest/Canning 100 qts again with more to go!/"Hear the word of God and act on it" Mass with Joy - +JMJ+

Hubby is around more with the wonderful rains we have been blessed with in the last week.  The cool weather has allowed him to have some fires in his new woodstove on the mail level.  It was drippy on Sunday and the KC Chiefs were playing, so we had our campfire in the woodstove and roasted our hot dogs in the house.  The Chiefs did not disappoint!  

This man loves to burn wood! It was providential that the chimney fire made it possible for him to have his dream woodstove on the main level!  

Lots of special memories as it was our nun's 41st birthday on the 18th!   A year ago we had a surprise 40th birthday party for her - with most of us making the trip to Kansas City to surprise her!  Here she is with Jesus in the monstrance on the altar!  

Three little sisters that are all the same age within 7 months of each other!.  Hallel from America heard the call in Rome studying with Catholic Studies through St Thomas University, Marie John, who is from France and answered the call  a year ahead of Hallel, and finally Dorotha, who is from Poland.  They are now truly sisters and Brides of Christ!  

My 3rd and 4th daughters, Maria and Hallel, both went to the University of St Thomas in Catholic Studies and studied in Rome for their sophomore years!  Maria came home and entered the Poor Clares to discern her call to religious life.  She heard "No" and a few years later she met Joseph and they have been married 19 years with 7 children!  

Hallel's call was a "yes" to enter The Community of the Lamb shortly after they opened their first Foundation in KCK - Lumen Christi/LIGHT of Christ in 2008!  

Joy leading music at Mass at the Catholic School - the chapel has been remodeled over the summer!  

Love my Catholic corner in my newly renovated room after having a chimney fire at the end of January!  

LOVE this!  I am currently praying for 3 babies in the womb!  2 in Pat's family and one in mine!  How I love new LIFE! 

Another huge canning day over the weekend with the oldest, Ruth, and the youngest, John, along with family members and always willing hubby!  "I like these days!" said farmer Pat.  We had 70 quarts of Salsa, and 30 quarts of tomato juice.

Jude is always a willing helper - we had many tomato paste to get out of the cans.  Thanks Jude!  

John wearing gloves while we did the jalapenos.  All from Ruth's garden!   

Nancy supplied the tomatoes from the garden in Delano.  Our tomatoes were hurt by spray this year, so we appreciate the help.

Thanks Nancy!

Sunday was Simon's 22nd birthday!  He is in such a good place with a job that he loves and living with his family.  He is a very willing helper on the farm plus working at ADM full time rotating shifts.  We sure appreciate all that he does for the farm!  

Simon blessed our food before our brunch after sharing Mass together.  He prayed in gratitude for his life and all the blessings that he has received.  We love you, Simon!  

Nothing better than to have Simon pray on his birthday!  

The 5 grandkids that go shopping for all things sweet for our family celebration brunch after receiving Jesus - Body, Blood and Word!  Simon's birthday on top of that!  

After Mass getting ready to go shopping with the little ones!  

The family crew has canning down to a science called making food for family and why we do the work!  

A grandma tradition - a cute "why we do the work" picture of Gina in her princess dress.

She cleaned out her bowl - grandma made applesauce the old way with sugar and cinnamon after Bernadette said that she wanted the original applesauce.  Grandma likes to spoil!  

Joy at mass on Friday - she asked if she could go to Mass before school.  Grandma will never say "NO" to that request!  I love that she wants to go to Mass to the point of getting up an hour early!

Joy loving the applesauce- Why we do the work!  

Birthday buddies - grandpa Pat and Romeo!  September 15 - Our Lady of Sorrows, and 60 years apart!  

Hallel helping a blind homeless man out of the soup kitchen on her birthday.  The little sisters of the Lamb are the poor!  They eat with them in the soup kitchen and also go on mission by begging for their food from the poor!  

When we talked to Hallel on her birthday - she was going to go out on Mission after a Hispanic neighbor lady fed the sisters breakfast in honor of Hallel's birthday.  LOVE how she is loved by her family of the Lamb and community around them.  Thanks, Nora, for giving our Hallel a Mexican breakfast!  

3 years ago - little Evangaline in the little sister habit that Maria sewed for her older sister.  Next year Maggie can wear it!  I had to jump in with my little sister blue too!  

Farm girl Rose Again is swimming and diving!  

Heart-shaped prayer book with Joy at Mass on Friday which was Hallel's 41st birthday too!   

First year of diving plus swimming.  

Grandpa and Romeo with Birdie Barbara, who is now 6...

So cute!!!

I had a great and wonderful conversation with Therese - she is having her first year of college at University of Mary in Bismarck, ND!  Here she is with the scenic river bluffs behind her!  

It was so great to hear from her!  She is Maria's oldest and how they have depended upon her to care for her siblings, so I know it is a huge adjustment for them and her.  She shared that "there is too much grandma, and it is all so wonderful!"  She had just had a campout with the Catholic Studies kids last weekend.  There is perpetual adoration where she goes in when she has some time.  There is daily Mass too!  She is so excited by how Catholic it all is!  

All moved in and comfy in her dorm.

Saying goodbye to her wonderful dad - Major Joseph!  There were tears of course!  

Today the Gospel is where Jesus reminds us that we are "My mother and my brothers are those who hear the word of God and act on it."  Luke 8  

I asked Therese if there was something I could pray for her - "That I listen and follow the Lord's call to me."  I then asked her to pray for that for me also!  I am so blessed to have such a faith filled granddaughter!  This is reminding me that my Rosary is calling out to me, and with that I pray for our entire family - all 34 of us plus the 13 in heaven!  

Who ever said that the Catholic Church and our faith is boring?  

Hauling corn stalk bales is yet to do - hundreds of bales for feed and for bedding!  

The birthday girl getting spoiled by the little brothers!  

Hallel's final vows in Saint Pierre, France in August of 2018!  24 gathered thanks to Pat's mom's inheritance making it possible and 3 in the womb!  "I promise unto death."   The parable of moving the mountain with a mustard seed of Faith came to Truth!  

These babes in arms are now all 14!  John is now married and has 3 children!  

Lord and Lady, how I love you and pray for my family here and in heaven keeping my eyes on heaven!  May I die to self so that I may serve without counting the cost!  May we hear the word of God and act on it!  Jesus, I trust in you.  Bless-bless, Barb and the 33 

The Saint that is just me - Danielle Rose

Hillbilly Thomists - Good Tree

Zach Williams and Dolly Parton - there was Jesus!