Therese just talked about the other Maria that got married today... a good family friend brought all those brave enough to travel the roads... together in a small amazing jewel of a Catholic Church just about half an hour from Marshall - Wilno, Mn and St John Catius Catholic Church...
The rain before the snow made the icey branches glisten as we drove past trees in the groves... then had to put on sunglasses as the white was blinding in the sun!
Pat and I share a lively conversation about a powerful book that Pat has been reading called Confessions of a Mega Church Pastor... I am very excited to read it after all that Pat has read to me and shared about it... Pat has been touched deeply by it, and is tearful as the emotions overwhelm him... It is wonderful when seekers discover the Truth of our amazing Church!
White landscape with round bales to add interest...
Closer as we crawl along the winding icey- snowy road to our jewel in a town with "a large beautiful church and 3 houses." It truly feels like you are driving into a farmyard and not the parking lot of a Catholic Church... We all feel like we have taken a wild crazy winter adventure as we leave the warmth of our cars and in our finery enter the church!
After our conversation of the Truth that does not change,which the universal Church represents...All the wonderful windows, statues, and decorations for Christmas...all remind us of our clear and unchanging truth that our Church upholds for us to have happiness in our lives! 
This being the feast of Mary ... this amazing stain glass window of the kings bowing before the queen of heaven and earth is such a gift today! Maria had first of all wanted her wedding to be for Mary's solemnity as the Mother of God... but her newly ordained cousin, Matt, did the Sunday mass of obligation for us - the Epiphany! 
The nativity was so beautiful as was the beautiful statue of Mary with Jesus looking on from behind... Fr Matt Wiering spoke of the scene profoundly as he gave his homily about the "poverty" of the Holy Family - yet in their embracing their smallness they were richly blessed with LOVE! 
We were deeply touched by the representatives of Christ here on this earth... two young priests that have listened to His call and answered with a wonderful powerful YES! Our Church is alive and well when we see these young amazing priests! Thank you Lord, for the promise and HOPE!
A wonderful procession led us into a wonderful celebration of two becoming one in LOVE!
A beautiful and glowing bride on the arm of her father... we were rejoicing with and for them! 
Sitting beside Pat and hearing the reminder of the vows and the sharing of the supreme Gift of His Body and Blood... It was a very good way to start the New Year! Thank You Maria and Eric for sharing with us in this wonderful way no matter what the Minnesota weather tried to throw at us! Jesus, we trust in you! Amen and Halleluia! Bless-bless, Barb
"The grace of heaven enters in
The closed-up Mother's inmost parts.
The maiden's womb bears
A mystery unknown to her
The dwelling of a modest heart
Suddenly becomes God's temple;
Untouched, not knowing man,
She spoke a word and made a Som.
In childbirth she gave birth to him
Whom Gabriel had foretold,
Whom John had recognized,
While still his Mother's womb enclosed him.
He endured lying in the manger,
He did not spurn the crib.
He fed upon a little milk;
Through him not even birds lack food."
Caelius Sedulius - a Christian poet who lived in Italy in the 5th century
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