"Throughout this joyous season let us cling closely to the Cross." Servant of God Catherine de Hueck Doherty

I love to catch little 2 year old Rose being mischievous as she loves to get the attention and has the most radiant smile in the world!  She is known in their family as being a bit of a terror, but for her grandpa and I - she is perfect.  Yes, we give her lots of attention and before she has to act negatively to get it.  This seems to be the cycle she has found at home to get the attention she craves - crying and whining.  But thankfully now with the nicer weather she has found a more mature and content attitude with being outside and finding things to do out there.  She also just turned two and is saying more words and getting her needs known that way too.  She reminds me a lot of my 3rd daughter, Maria, and that probably means that she is super smart too.  Looking into those beautiful dark brown eyes just melts me and her every wish is just about what I will willingly do for her.  We call her Zesty Zita for a good reason.

 Her baby brother, Luke, gave mom a bit of a hard time yesterday due to teething/sick with a fever, and Ruth was a bit shaken to have her easy boy being more demanding.  She looks at her wonderful children, and adores them yet she yearns for the freedom to do projects without distractions and "some time without a baby to nurse or care for."  We all know that Luke was supposed to be here, but with Creighton she knows she should have a good break this time to let things heal.  But the beauty of Creighton Model/Natural method of spacing children due to her needing to heal for at least a year between children, is that God is involved in this.  And we all know that the beauty of LIFE comes to us from God.  We are now praying equally hard for both of our grandchildren in the womb- Nancy due in June and Maria in September!  Maria is in a similar place as Ruth after the traumatic birth of Patrick, but she reassures us as we pray daily for her and the baby - "I will never go into labor again.  I will have a C-section as soon as the baby is ready."  Many in the position of Ruth and Maria would have said no more children - Ruth was even told by her doctor that she should stop, but she got a second opinion and now has 3 more!  Yet, they are trusting and go forth surrounded by prayer and with close supervision to continue to bring LIFE into the world.  They both are huge examples of Faith and Trust in Jesus and His Bride, The Church, in giving them the spiritual support they need along with the medical to be open to LIFE! 

Luke discovered the texture and taste of a dill pickle for the first time.  His eyes are wide with discovery and delight and it probably feels good to those new teeth trying to push through. 
Yes, the new life is truly a reminder of Easter Joy, yet before the resurrection comes the Cross! 
"The cause of our joy is Christ who was crucified.  We cannot have that joy unless we are lifted up with him and draw all things to him.  We must not run away from the cross or we shall not share Christ's joy, Christian joy.  Nor will our hearts be ready to receive the Holy Spirit.  So, dearly beloved, throughout this joyous season let us cling closely to the cross.  Hallelujah!  Hallelujah!"  Servant of God Catherine de Hueck Doherty (1985)
Today in the Gospel - the road to Emmaus - we are reminded of the 3 ways we find Christ to walk with us on our journey down the narrow path carrying our Most Cherished Cross... Christ in His Word, in The Eucharist and in The Church of fellow believers!  So much we are given to go forth and find LIFE/LOVE/LIGHT through our Most Cherished Cross!

This was yesterday - today sleet is on the ground...
Jesus, how we need you to help us carry our Cross and to trust in YOU!  We are yours and we want to hold nothing back from you.  We know that we will only find true happiness in dying to self so that You may live and breath and have all of us.  May we give without counting the cost.  Our hearts burn within us each day as we read your Word, as we receive You in your Body and Blood, as we join our prayers to those around the world doing morning and evening prayer, as we gather together to pray in our homes and to share and celebrate the lives of the Saints, as we look to Your Mother, Mary Most Holy, to intercede for us lifting our needs to You, as we are open to LIFE, as we care for those in need, and all the ways you ask us to serve you, Our Savior and our King!  May the youth gathering today for the High School Festival be deeply touched by the Faith of those there to serve them. Jesus, we trust in YOU.  Amen and Hallelujah

Bless-bless, Barb
"you were ransomed from your futile conduct... with the precious blood of Christ as a spotless lamb."  I Peter 1: 17-21 The second reading from mass today.
"Easter week, week of the baptized: having died with Christ and been born anew with him, we have become a new creation!  WE are free.  WE live the life of God!  Christ has led us into the Promised Land, The Church, the gathering of those who have been saved.
The daily pattern of our life flows and follows from the Paschal mystery.  With Christ we have died and risen.  WE must live as those brought to newness of life!  Nourished on the Flesh of Christ our Paschal Lamb, united by his love, we ask God to keep us all one in heart so that we might be leaven of that unity..."  Servant of God Catherine de Hueck Doherty (1985)

This morning Simon and the 3rd graders will be leading the rosary before mass.  It was a beautiful powerful living rosary that we all shared on May Day at the Catholic School and now they are carrying it forth to mass today.  The month of May is devoted to Our Lady, Mary the Mother of God and all of us!

Simon and classmates carrying forth a flower for Our Lady!

Her crowning with rapt attention and respect!

The beautiful living rosary of PRAYER!

Simon's Hail Mary is precious to hear...  May Our Lady and her prayer be always with Simon on his journey of LIFE/LOVE/LIGHT.

Lead Me to the Cross - Francesca Battistelli

A great reunion while in Oregon - Cousins that grew up together reunited for the first time in about 3 years!  JeriAnn and Maria are exactly 6 months apart and attended the same high school and the same grade!  Good to share some time! 

Another great picture from their trip - adoring their newest member - Alida!  In September there will be one more!