Thursday, March 19, 2015

No school- celebrate with a feast of candy, pop and ice cream - Merciful St Joseph today!

This was the only family picture I got of Joseph with his family while they were all here in January... all the more special to have grandma Anna in it!  It pictures all the Josephs celebrating today!  Joseph David, David Joseph, Patrick Joseph, Romeo Joseph, and add to that Patrick Gerard Joseph as Pat chose St Joseph as his confirmation Saint!  Happy glorious high feast day all you wonderful Josephs!

Today all the Josephs are celebrating with St Joseph, "who gave us our salvation." shared John this morning at morning prayer as we discussed how St Joseph modeled for us the Mercy of Jesus and now taught by our Pope Francis, by protecting Jesus in the womb of Mary from suffering stoning.  A righteous Jew would have turned Mary over to be stoned as she was found pregnant before their marriage, "since he was a righteous man, yet unwilling to expose her to shame, decided to divorce her quietly."  Matthew 1 from the Gospel today...  Much like Jesus as he confronts the woman taken in adultery and saying "he who is without sin should cast the first stone."  St Joseph is showing tremendous Mercy towards Mary, and then the Holy Spirit speaks to him in a dream, and without the justification of Mary's words the Truth is known and believed!  "Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary your wife into your home.  For it is through the Holy Spirit that this child has been conceived in her.  She will bear a son and you are to name him Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins." 
A family scene from that Sunday in January...

Pat was sharing at breakfast that back in his Catholic school days that he had the day off of school.  He had to then call Maria, who does Catholic home school and tell her and the kids that they needed to take the day off of school for this high feast day... especially with all of them having him as their patron Saint!  He told them that they needed to have candy, pop and ice cream to really celebrate today.  The kids were a bit stunned to hear grandpa's orders here in the midst of lent, and even Pat said that he was confused to find the Feast of this amazing Saint in the midst of lent.  This is when it falls and we halt the penances and have a party for the Feast of Saint Joseph!  I think I had better make a special dessert for dinner today as Ruth and Rose and Luke are here helping out.  A thought just struck me that my sister Mary chose St Joseph as her patron Saint when she was confirmed too!  Mary Susan Joseph is smiling and celebrating with us from heaven today... March 17th would have been her 57th birthday - yes, she was a St Patrick's day girl!  She died in 1986 from lymphoma cancer when she was 28!  Two big days of celebration that bring her to mind and heart more than usual.  For me that is a daily thing as she is Godmother to two of my girls, Nancy and Susan/Little Sister Hallel!
 Joseph giving the kids a guitar lesson while they were here with us...

I am having a down day today after experiencing some knocks on the farm yesterday.  I am very grateful that Ruth is here to help her dad.  It is wonderful that we can all work together and help each other out when we have a need.  We know that all the Saints are with us today so powerfully that is Saint Joseph.  I have started praying the first joyful mystery for Pat and I - in that I see the way that St Joseph listens to the Holy Spirit in his life and is directed by it.  I see this in my marriage to Pat so often and our marriage is set upon the rock of being open to LIFE and raising LIGHTS - http://familysoulstory.blogspot.com/p/my-most-cherished-cross-patrick-gerard.html  For more I have a page on my blog devoted to these stories of my husband as the Joseph in our marriage and listening to the Holy Spirit and brining that Truth into the LIGHT of day!  I also look at Mary in that mystery and how she shows me how I need to say "yes" even when I am afraid and hurt and don't want to!  There is so much in those 10 Hail Marys to help our marriage!
 Patrick Joseph with his grandson, Patrick Joseph and Romeo Joseph!
It was very special while Patrick, Pat's grandson named after him, was here with us for a month.  Many nights he would come down and have some special snuggle time in the big strong arms of his grandpa Pat!  Pat would say..."He's only 2 let him have some special time snuggling with grandpa."  Little Patrick would be so content and happy there - look at those eyes filled with love!

Jesus, with St Joseph and your Mother, Mary Most Holy, at your side... the Holy Family!  How we need the modeling of Family we see in you, and also your intercession for all the damaged and failing families in this world.  The family is under attack and in a very desperate place.  Saint Joseph may you intercede and bring the Fathers to a place where they can listen to the Holy Spirit and bring their families to a safe place away from evil and darkness of sin and death !  Jesus, we trust in you.  Amen

Joseph in his new rocker with his youngest, Romeo Joseph.
Bless-bless, Barbara Luke
Image result for quotes of john paul ii about love
Thank you St Joseph for protecting Jesus!
Third Day - your Love O Lord
Third Day - Trust in Jesus
In honor of Joey and how he sounds like Third Day when he sings and plays the guitar!

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