"A clean heart create for me, O God." Psalm 51

 Yes, it is Ash Wednesday, and our day started with mass at the Catholic School.  We then brought ashes and Eucharist over for Pat's mom.

 Sharing eggs from Ruth's chickens and smiles of pictures of Rose's kitten that now lives in the Cities with her cousin, Clint!  "Rose kitty!" says the spunky 2 year old with a big smile and ashes on her forehead.

John sharing prayer, Eucharist, ashes, and Lourdes water blessing with his grandmother on this very cold day.

 Kindergartener, David, receives his ashes. 

 Simon had this stanza of Psalm 51 during mass today -
A clean heart create for me, O God,
and a steadfast spirit renew within me.
Cast me not out from your presence,
and your Holy Spirit take not from me.

 John voiced all of our joy at the wonder of the voices of all the children joined in song. 
"Walking down the aisle twice to receive the ashes and then Jesus in the Eucharist... surrounded by all those voices in song is so special and like no other place we gather for mass.  I forgot how wonderful mass at school is!" 

 Hard to see Dave's ashes but a hug and a smile is a gift!  He gave his Godfather, John, a high 5!

As I was waiting in the back of church after mass to greet the grandkids as they headed back to class.  A young mother came up to me and said that she wanted to share something with me - "I know I am going to cry... I have a son, who is in junior high, and he doesn't say much about his faith.  Well, he came home from John's talk last week talking and talking about John and what he had shared.  I missed something big!  He hasn't stopped talking, and each day he still talks about how John encountered Jesus!"  Wow!  I shared this with John and he and I agree - if this is the only one he touches it is all worth while for him to burn to share his story far and wide! 

John praying with grandma and giving her The Body of Christ!  "Lord, I am worthy to receive you, but only say the word and I shall be healed." 

 Ashes..."Remember that you are dust, and to dust you shall return." 

 Lourdes water on hands and head... "Our Lady will remain with you on your journey, grandma."

Grandma reached out and stroked John's head over and over... John was touched deeply by her ministering to him and touching that head which has been through so much.  There was something very tender and personal about being there and watching her stroke his head - a blessing of sorts thanking God for John's healing and ministry he has taken up since!  So beautiful!

 The nurses checking mom's vitals... looking good today! 

 Luke makes an appearance...

 A special card from Hallel showing a picture of the one week that they get snow in Saint Pierre, France!

Sharing her note and her wisdom to her grandmother - "You have a very important job, grandma, to pray, to pray, to pray for your kids and your grandkids and then to trust the Lord is working in each of their lives."  That certainly is the job of a parent and grandparent!

Jesus, it is so exciting for Lent to begin today in the midst of this powerful experience of hospice with Pat's mom.  We all feel a bit more in touch with the beauty of LIFE from conception to natural death.  The peacefulness and the quietness we are encountering as she sleeps more and more with each day.  Yet, we are grateful to have her alertness and sharing her LIGHT with all of us gathered around her.  Love is shared as we minister to her needs and she reaches out to comfort us.  May we go forth down your narrow path and deny ourselves so that The Holy Spirit may work in our lives, hearts, minds, souls, all that we do with each breath that we take and every beat of our hearts.  "Jesus, Jesus, Jesus."  Jesus, we trust in YOU.  Amen and Hallelujah

Bless-bless, Barbara Luke


My hero is now a Saint in heaven! 

The chaplet of Divine Mercy in song - this has become a special prayer shared on the I pad with mom and her family.  She introduced many of her kids to this, and they love it!  It seems appropriate to use today as we consider our sinfulness and how much we need the Mercy of Jesus, Our Savior! 

Simon has just read his part of the psalm and this was the response... so blessed to now have 3 grandkids in the Catholic School!