Hallel with others had come to share mass at Nancy's former parish. Much has changed now with Nancy living in Delano outside the Cities. Hallel is in KC for another year and we have fake plans to get down there for a quick weekend visit soon. We must first get through the TEC retreat next weekend with many prayers and jobs to accomplish!
When I visit I take only dad to Sacred Heart, but he also goes with my sister close by to her parish. Mom turned 90 and it seems that that was a turning point for her in many ways and she no longer can manage to get out to mass. This is a sad time for me, but I cherish sharing mass with my dad still!
In our shared prayers before Mom received dad prayed for all the unbaptized in our families, and that the Lord would intervene for them to receive this most powerful, important, and life-giving and saving gift!
Something struck me today when Pat and I were sharing the readings for today starting after Evening prayer last night. Hallel's Community of the Lamb has taught us this amazing gift of starting to read the Gospel the night before. As we share it numerous times - The Holy Spirit sheds lights on places where the Lord speaks to our hearts, minds, and souls!
A few days ago Jesus was walking across the sea, and got into the boat being tossed by the waves with the disciples and it calmed and they were amazed. Today Jesus calls us to get out of our boats and leave all behind and follow him!
As he passed by the Sea of Galilee,
he saw Simon and his brother Andrew casting their nets into the sea;
they were fishermen.
Jesus said to them,
“Come after me, and I will make you fishers of men.”
Then they left their nets and followed him.
He walked along a little farther
and saw James, the son of Zebedee, and his brother John.
They too were in a boat mending their nets.
Then he called them.
So they left their father Zebedee in the boat
along with the hired men and followed him...
Mark 1:14-20
Just what does this mean for us, who are in our boats mending our nets after another day of the same old same old? It means that Jesus is always in control, and we need only to listen to his call and leave all behind and trust in Him showing us where we can "be fishers of men." Where we are called to step out of our comfort zone and share The Truth with no hesitation, rather with deep conviction and righteousness!
Monsignor Jeffery Steenson, The Personal Ordinariate of the Chair of Saint Peter, used English and said mass on the high altar! Gregorian chant and a choir with angelic voices along with many Sacred Ministers and servers adoring and pointing to the Truth that Jesus came down to feed us His Body and Blood!
Bells, kneeling all around him and incense made us aware without a doubt that Jesus was here present for us to receive and carry forth!
United in the Eucharist!
Truly this fills me with so much happiness each Sunday mass as I know that our entire family is united in Sharing our Faith and united in the Eucharist! Maria and family in Washington, Nancy and family in St Maximilian in the Cities, John and Ruth and their families sharing with us in the parish they grew up in here in Marshall, and Hallel and her Community of the Lamb in the heart of the poor in KC! So much LOVE!
It is a big year for Rose and two of her cousins this year! Rose had her first Reconciliation this past weekend in preparation for her first Communion in May. Patrick in Washington and Augustine in Delano will also be having their first Reconciliation and First Communions! Exciting times indeed and truly a deeper walk with Our Loving and forgiving Lord for the journey!
I know that Nancy misses her time with her sister and The Community of the Lamb! Change is good and hard at the same time!
Jesus, how I love to share prayer and The Church as a family united in The Truth! May we daily get out of our comfortable boats and follow you - trusting in your guidance and dying to self so that we may serve without counting the cost. We place this upcoming TEC retreat and ask that many hearts may be touched and changed so that many may leave their comfort zone and follow after you down the narrow path carrying/dragging their most Cherished Cross to newness of LIFE! The Cross becomes the Tree of LIFE/LOVE/LIGHT! Jesus, we trust in you. Amen and Hallelujah
How did this ever become the norm?!? Lord, end the taking of innocent LIFE! May the Truth come to LIGHT and may ALL LIFE be protected and cherished from conception to natural death!
https://familysoulstory.blogspot.com/p/johns-cancer-stories.html
This from Fr Craig today in Lourdes!
"Prayed for John at Mass today in Lourdes again. Baths tomorrow."
The beads of water still on his hair - "I asked them to pour the water over my head, because that is where I need the healing."John
Fr Craig said mass for us, heard John's confession, and took John through the baths in the line of those sick and asking healing!
On the cross called finding Faith through brain cancer - a sister on each side helping him walk after his brain biopsy left him with ataxia on his left side!
In Lourdes and in love with Our Lady of Lourdes 2 years later for Hallel's first vows - he went through the baths with his dad this time and both had water poured on their heads!
The Look of LOVE and healing - how we LOVE her!
My chapel on wheels with beads and Christian music!
So true after this weekend and every day since we came into The Church 48 years ago!
https://familysoulstory.blogspot.com/p/the-amazing-story-of-13-becoming.html
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