Pat and I had stopped in after a family funeral with food and flowers and found mom in good and happy spirits! "Your mom looked so good and acted so good." from Pat. How I hold this time in my heart along with the many wonderful times I was able to be with the two of my parents together in their own home and then the new normal after they moved into Assisted Living in October.
Hallel called me today and told me about numerous masses that her Community have said for mom including the Bishop there saying mass with The Community the next day - on St Patrick's Day. She also shared about their founder, Fr Jean Claude, saying mass for mom on the Feast of St Joseph in Saint Pierre, France - the 19th, and repeating the words that my dad had called my mother "sweetie"while lovingly sitting beside her death bed. Sharing with The Community of the Lamb the love my parents shared for each other for 70 years! Dad was so sweet and loving with my dying mother- praying and holding her hand and giving her farewell kisses. LOVE!
Yesterday I ventured out with the warning of my husband to stay home, but when he heard that I wanted to go to the Adoration chapel to say my rosary... he agreed! The Feast today of the Annunciation just 9 months from the Birth of Jesus on Christmas is the day that the angel comes to Mary to announce the Virgin birth!
The angel Gabriel was sent from God
to a town of Galilee called Nazareth,
to a virgin betrothed to a man named Joseph,
of the house of David,
and the virgin’s name was Mary.
And coming to her, he said,
“Hail, full of grace! The Lord is with you.”
Luke 1
Words from the Gospel make up the Hail Mary! We are quoting The Words of the Angel to Mary!
Much realization of how blessed I have been by the 3 mothers in my life! As a sister-in-law pointed out to me that I had both of my mothers for a long time, 97 for Pat's mom and 90 years for mine, and "you have been very blessed to have two moms who lived to an old age and while here, were wonderful examples of love, Faith and Family. No wonder those values are also of supreme importance to you."
I know that both of my mothers here on earth would agree that there is a better Mother, Mary the Mother of God, who was so closely with them and me on this journey down the narrow path! I am blessed indeed to have them both in heaven now with my Mother Mary!
All 3 of my mothers have said "yes" to LIFE and worked diligently to share the Faith and raise LIGHTS! I looked up to the examples of both our mothers as they put Jesus and The Church first and family a close second. The first discussion Pat and I shared what we valued most - Faith/Family/Farm ... we had the same core values so what was holding us back?
https://familysoulstory.blogspot.com/p/my-most-cherished-cross-patrick-gerard.html
My brother, Bruce, tried to get in to see my dad yesterday, but now we are unable to go in there. "I went to the main office and they said that last week was special circumstances... not so this week. I spoke with dad briefly through the back window... His thought for today was that "mother now is able to love us 'perfectly', the way God does. She knows just what each of us needs."
In conversation with siblings and spouses we find this to be a beautiful comfort and Truth! I am seeing her love for us at work in me and others!
Hallel shared those in their Community around the world and their families that are dealing with the virus. Many prayers!! In our family, Maria and Joseph and their 6 children have gone through it, and are now well! Close to home!
When I shared with Hallel about how dad learned to get out for meals early enough to have a table alone in the dining room. Each person there sits alone, so it is easing dad into this new normal of eating without mother. When this is over and dad can join others to eat, and activities will resume... I know that my father will be happy and enthusiastic to have companionship, as he has been going out to activities without mother since they moved here. So much better that my dad is alone and not my mother! We still want to be there for him and now is so hard! Phone calls and visits outside his window is something!
Someone is awaited. A great tree, the Tree of LIFE, spreads protecting branches and awaits the return of Spring. Beauty is the splendor of Order, the first principle of the Trinity. The soul has order, unity, peace, reality; qualities never earned, but given.
Yes, my mother was a very intelligent woman, who burned to share the message of Truth! Today Hallel asked me to share with her some writing my mom did on Edith Stein... I told her to go to
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Father has shared that he knows of Little Sister Hallel and Maria, who also studied with Catholic Studies at St Thomas as well as John when he did his year in seminary. LOVE the young Catholics on fire for The Church. For those that find fault with The Church - this is a huge reason for me to find HOPE and see that The Church is alive and well and Jesus will not abandon His Church!
Today, the Feast of the Annunciation, is also the day in 1679 that Kateri Tekakwitha took her vow of perpetual virginity
St Kateri certainly lived and understood what Our Mother said "yes" to!
And the angel said to her in reply,
“The Holy Spirit will come upon you,
and the power of the Most High will overshadow you.
Therefore the child to be born
will be called holy, the Son of God..."
Mary said, “Behold, I am the handmaid of the Lord.
May it be done to me according to your word.”
Luke 1
My daughter, Hallel, and the Little Sisters and Little Brothers have also taken this vow along with poverty and obedience! United with Mary! "Behold I am the handmaid of the Lord. May it be done to me according to your word."
Jesus, how we need you and come to you weak and sick and sinful and sorrowful. I want to always need you so I need to be humbled and weak for that is when I turn to you! Jesus, be with us as we sorely miss our mother now a week from her quick passing from this world. How we are blessed by her more prefect love for us from the feet of Jesus, Mary and the Saints..."Mother is now able to love us 'perfectly', the way God does. She knows what each of us needs." Yes, Lord, you are in control and we are comforted by your unconditional LOVE and forgiveness. Jesus, we trust in you. Amen
I asked her why she sat here in the dark church each morning before mass - "Is it because it is the humility station? "No, mom, it is the last pew with a kneeler so no one can see me cry."
A few weeks later The Community of the Lamb came and started their first Foundation in KC and Hallel could say "yes." She told us in front of The altar of Our Lady of Guadalupe that she was leaving for France to join! So powerful!
Now a day later I have the gift of a half hour phone call with my nun daughter! LOVE! And now I am getting together pictures and prayer cards and the service to send to her! I am filled with JOY in the midst of my sorrow. Bless-bless, Barb
https://familysoulstory.blogspot.com/p/susan-angela-agneslittle-sister-hallel.html
2008 in KC! Hoping for a real hug soon!!!
Mary said, “Behold, I am the handmaid of the Lord.
May it be done to me according to your word.”
Art by J. Kirk Richards
Today is the Solemnity of the Annunciation of the Lord. It is NOT a Holy Day of Obligation, but it is a wonderful feast to honor Mary's obedience, her "fiat," and the virginal conception of Our Lord. Only 9 months until Christmas! #EWTN #Catholic #WednesdayWisdom
I think my parents are there as that was when they were attending here - driving half an hour to mass and how they loved it there! Dad! Play this!
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