Touch the hem of his garment/"I might never get to do tihs again in my life!"/George is baptized on the 3rd Sunday of Lent!

Ruth and Paul in France in August with their 4 oldest for Hallel's final vows!  Ruth said; "Christmas Card" when this was taken not considering that her 2 youngest were not there.  It was a very special time for all of us, and especially wonderful to share this with so many of our grandchildren... 8 of the 15!

Simon and Mary jumped into my car last night after a day of "retreat" in a huge gathering of middle school age kids in the Cities.  They were both very excited about their day, and they shared with grandma the comedy but faithfilled speakers, the praise and worship music in which they put Christian words to popular songs, and Adoration with a scarf of fabric which they could come up and hold onto - touch the hem of his garment!  Mary asked her brother, Simon, "Did you get to confession?"  He shared the way that he talked to himself to get brave enough to go up and be that close to Jesus... "It was hard to stop singing the music, but I kept saying to myself; 'Simon, you can do this!  I might never have the chance to touch him garment.  Simon you can do this.'  I did it!"

 The mountain that moved to France for Hallel's vows!

How I rejoiced with Simon and Mary at this beautiful experience of The Church and all that it has to offer us for the journey of Faith!  How I smiled and prayed that they may make their faith their own and hold it ever close to their hearts and treasure it always in their souls.  Touching the hem of his garment will forever mean so much to them and bring them close to Him!  How I pray that each of my soon to be 18 grandchildren will join their grandparents, and parents and aunts and uncles and great-grandparents in sharing our Faith as a Family!  Seeing the awesome wisdom and beauty of The Catholic Church!

 John carrying the cross as he served Fr Denny at mass this last winter...

Today he and Bobbi sat next to us and shared mass while Mary and Simon served at the altar.  Hopefully the baby will be along next Sunday in the baby seat/car seat that they are transported in these days!  They can have their little baby Verly any day now and we are so ready and excited!  Not any more than John and Bobbi.  Lord, calm their fears and nerves, and keep mom and baby safe!

At their shower a few weeks back with a gift from Maria and a cross-stitch of them with babyboo!  The Lord's ways are the best!  Our cup runneth over!

Reading over the readings for today... I think that what Simon was experiencing was the sense of being on Holy Ground as Moses was with the burning bush...
God called out to him from the bush, “Moses! Moses!”
He answered, “Here I am.”
God said, “Come no nearer!
Remove the sandals from your feet,
for the place where you stand is holy ground.
I am the God of your fathers, “ 

Simon realized that this was Jesus present and beckoning him to come and kneel before him - touching the hem of his garment.  When Mary asked him if he got to confession, they both sounded disappointed that he had run out of time for that.  That is a good thing to know the goodness and Mercy of Our Lord there to lay your burdens at his feet and go forth freed from the sins that leave us in darkness and weigh us down.

The other week serving with their brother, David... I told them that I love to see their reverence on the altar.  That awareness of being on Holy ground in the presence of Jesus in His Body and Blood and The Word!

Psalm 103 from mass today speaks all we hold onto...
"He pardons all your iniquities,
heals all your ills,
He redeems your life from destruction,
crowns you with kindness and compassion.
R. The Lord is kind and merciful."

May we never forget that he is there with his arms open wide with kindness and mercy for us if only we confess our sins and that we are truly sorry for offending Jesus!

 Mary lighting the candles before mass this morning... I mentioned to Pat that I didn't like the purple curtain over Jesus in the tabernacle..."That is the meaning of Lent.  Jesus going into the desert for 40 days, and our penance and sacrifices to come closer to him during Lent."

Mary, I pray that you will be a light of this world!  Shining bright for a beacon leading to the Truth!  How my heart fills with Joy to see you love and serve Jesus!  He loves you with his LIFE!

Praise and Worship, the hem of Jesus' garment, confessions going on at the same time at different locations!  LOVE is flowing like a river!

"What a beautiful Name it is
Nothing compares to this
What a beautiful Name it is
The Name of Jesus

You didn't want heaven without us
So Jesus, You brought heaven down
My sin was great, Your love was greater
What could separate us now"

Jesus, how we love you and long to share that love of you and your Bride, The Church, with all those we encounter but most of all with those the closest to us in our Domestic Church/family!  May we share your Truth with great JOY and die to self so that you may live in us and may your Holy Spirit come forth in the fruits of the Spirit at work in our families.  May  we be patient, kind, loving, gentle, patient, and always self-controlled.  Jesus, we trust in you.  Bless-bless, Barb and family

 Looking towards heaven... little 5 week old George Blaise Bandzuch is being baptized now by Archbishop Naumann in Kansas City!  So many prayers!!!  Welcome into the True Church sweet little one... our love has grown only more with you in our family!

This just in from KC... Hallel made it to the Baptism!  Instant tears of joy and gratitude!

Danielle Rose - If I touch him

The Saint that is just me - Danielle Rose