"You are a prolife family and understand the beauty and value of all life!" Fr Craig as we laid to rest our Maximilian today

December 2nd at 10 am in the Calvary Cemetery in Marshall, MN.  We laid to rest our little Maximilian. 


The weather was mild and the winds were gentle... for which we were very grateful and rejoiceful.  His brothers and sisters seemed to know that they needed to make a special momento with their brother in his small casket.  We are very grateful for the special area devoted to losses, and had a small family service with 10 little ones - Ruth's 6 and Nancy's 4 along with parents and Uncle John, grandpa and grandma, and from Pennsylvania Bill's mom and sisters were part by live sharing over Bill's phone!  Fr Craig Timmerman blessed us with his presence and we shared a very special service.

The readings were very special and Psalm 23 so sweet and special... the Gospel from Matthew about allowing the children to come to him, and then Father shared how difficult it is to lose our little ones in the womb, and he began with these words looking around at our families present..."You are a prolife family and understand the beauty and value of all life from conception on."


Yes!!  We proclaim that loud and clear with how we approach family being open to LIFE and raising LIGHTS!

Nancy shared this picture today with these words;

"We buried baby Max this morning. It was a beautiful little service and we feel at peace knowing our little one is in heaven.

Thank you, thank you for your kindness, generous prayers, messages, gifts, and stories of your own losses. Through it all I have felt surrounded in prayer and so blessed by this community of Catholic Women.

Loosing a child has shown me, in such a profound way, just what a ...miracle each life really is. We all start out so small and fragile. It is nothing short of wondrous that we are all here.

And so, I know hard days are coming, and I would appreciate your continued prayers. But also, please give your kids a hug for me today. The fact that they are here and that so many pregnancies end in healthy babies is a miracle we all need to acknowledge more often.

Praise God through it all.

Your sister in Christ,
Nancy"

Two sisters and a cousin with Max... the two 5 year olds, Rose and Bernadette, were very aware and Rose shed tears for her baby cousin.  She also shared during the homily about what she had learned about St Peter in her Catholic Kindergarten class.  As Fr Craig spoke about how St Peter reminds us that we will understand the mysteries of life and death when we arrive in heaven, and that they keep our eyes and hearts focused on being with them someday.

Rose understood that her little cousin Max was dead and we were all sad that he won't live his life here with us.  It was special to honor him as we gathered in prayer and sharing the Word/Jesus/LOVE!

Our small service was filled with lots of family support and tears and hugs and so grateful for an amazing nice day in December - Saturday devoted to The Blessed Virgin Mary and the Vigil of Advent which begins tomorrow. 


We will share mass and Camp Foley breakfast and then Nancy and Bill with return to KC, but always have ties here to their sweet son, Maximilian!

So moving to me was our visit to Pat's mother, who died on Gaudete Sunday/Dec 11th last year.  Ruth and Nancy then showed their little ones their brothers, William and Robert, who also died at 20 weeks in the womb!  The circle of LIFE and death is very deep and powerful now sharing the mystery with my daughter, Nancy.  I prayed so hard that my girls would not have to experience the pain of this difficult loss, yet I was there with her when she did!  Lord, I am yours and I serve you no matter the cost.  Jesus, I trust in you.  Bless-bless, Barbara Mary Luke

Thank you, Lord, and dear Father Craig... you ministered to our hearts, and souls and love of Faith/Family/Farm!