Robin's nest/JOY to the Lord!/Prayers lifted up here/St Catherine of Siena bring peace to the Church

 Rose will be 8 in 2 days and she came to interview my dad about her ancestory for a school assignment..   

She discovered that my father's father goes way back in being one of the early Americans here from England - John Hancock is said to be one of his ancestors!  Dad's mom was Dagmar, a 100% Swede, and my mother a combination of Irish, English, Scottish, and hence I call myself a mutt with a Swedish grandmother.  Pat's side is pure Belgian.

 My dad recited the 100th Psalm for Joy Jean as it is filled with JOY!

1 Shout for joy to the LORD, all the earth. 

2 Worship the LORD with gladness; come before him with joyful songs. 

Each morning we say the 100th Psalm to begin our morning prayer together!

 Dad shared much about his growing up during the depression.  Lost jobs and homes and trying to survive makes this current crisis we are facing seem much less difficult.  Keep the world safe and please end this virus.

 Joy filled Joy Jean! 

Much of the readings today have also much JOY in them!  The reading from Acts 8 starts with the mourning for the martyrdom of St Stephen, and then the persecution by Saul of the Christians, but it ends with the Apostle Philip going to Samaria and casting out evil spirits, and healing many paralyzed and crippled people..."There was great joy in that city. "  Acts 8

 Rose and Joy in the barn on Monday... bottle feeding the calves Rose feeds 3 morning and night.

Rose and Joy share a room now, and decided to put on dresses for the day on warm wonderful Monday!  Farm girls in dresses are my delight!

The Psalm for today 66 speak of the theme of JOY!
R.    (1)  Let all the earth cry out to God with joy.
or:
R.    Alleluia.
Shout joyfully to God, all the earth,
sing praise to the glory of his name;
proclaim his glorious praise.
Say to God, “How tremendous are your deeds!”
R.    Let all the earth cry out to God with joy.
or:
R.    Alleluia.
“Let all on earth worship and sing praise to you,
sing praise to your name!”
Come and see the works of God,
his tremendous deeds among the children of Adam.
R.    Let all the earth cry out to God with joy.
or:
R.    Alleluia.

 Sharing a room now and their lives on the farm.  Big sister Rose teaching her little sister, Joy, how to be a true farm girl!

Such a good life they have with many siblings and lots of LIFE all around them to care for and keep them busy away from too much screens.

St Catherine of Siena was the 24th of 25 children!  That is a huge family indeed, and she was named a doctor of The Church for her work in bringing peace between warring factions in Italy, and attended to plague victims... Dad prayed today for her assistance in bringing some that have lost their way back to the True Church.  She can also be asked to help with this health crisis we are facing these days.  How this has turned our world upside down and turned our attention to Jesus and His Bride, The Church!

Two days from being 8!  She reminds me so much of her mom, Ruth Ida!  Rose is a lot like my girls!

A memory from 5 years ago with that year's baby kittens.  So soft and sweet with then almost 3 year old Rose Again. 

The story goes that at Easter Vigil when she was about this age she reported to us..."I heard my name!  I heard my name!"  "When Rose?"  "Rose Again!"  from the creed.  She wanted to be called that for a long time and still answers to that name.  Grandpa would ask her; "Should I call you Rosie Tosie?"  "No, Rose Again!" 

Love how they are listening to the words during mass!  LOVE sharing mass as a family each week!  How we miss Jesus in the Eucharist!

 My father has been watching a lot of activity out of his door... I took a picture to show him the work of art that two robins are making on his light.  Soon the blue eggs will be laid in it, and then the sitting and the frantic feeding.

 Much swooping back and forth to keep him occupied.  LIFE goes on in the circle of life! 

Jesus reminds us today of his undying and unending love for us as he feeds us with His Body and Blood and Word! 
Jesus to us...
Jesus said to the crowds,
“I am the bread of life;
whoever comes to me will never hunger,
and whoever believes in me will never thirst.
But I told you that although you have seen me,
you do not believe.
Everything that the Father gives me will come to me,
and I will not reject anyone who comes to me,
because I came down from heaven not to do my own will
but the will of the one who sent me.
And this is the will of the one who sent me,
that I should not lose anything of what he gave me,
but that I should raise it on the last day.
For this is the will of my Father,
that everyone who sees the Son and believes in him
may have eternal life,
and I shall raise him on the last day.”
John 6:35-40

We are precious in his sight and He is always there to care for us and we are asked to take up our Most Cherished Cross and follow him down the narrow path.  It isn't all sweetness and light, but through The Cross we find LIFE/LOVE/LIGHT!  

 Puffy clouds and the nest just outside my dad's room...

 The glory of the heavenly heights....

 The new leaves are soon to fill the trees with green LIFE!

Jesus, bring peace to your Church and your world!  May we die to self so that you may live in us and we may be your hands and feet and voice sharing your Truth.  St Catherine of Siena pray for us and bring us into your presence singing your praise with unending JOY!  Jesus, we trust in you.  Amen and Hallelujah

Also prayers for 5 year old grandson, Romeo Joseph, in Washington, who is recovering from a concussion. 

We are on our knees in our hearts, minds and souls here with prayer throughout the day and evening, and sharing a Rosary and chaplet at 3p - outside if the weather is warm enough.  Bless-bless, Barb and Deacon Robert sharing religious/farm life.

Saint Catherine of Siena
Doctor of the Church
1347-1380
Feast Day: April 29
Patronage: against fire, bodily ills, firefighters, illness, Italy, miscarriages, people ridiculed for their piety, sexual temptation, sick people, sickness
Catherine was the youngest of 25 children. She started having mystical experiences and visions when she was only 6. She became a Dominican tertiary at 16. A brilliant theologian, although she never had any formal education, she persuaded the Pope to go back to Rome from Avignon, in 1377, and when she died she was endeavoring to heal the Great Western Schism. In 1375 she received the Stigmata, which was visible only after her death. She died when she was only 33, and her body was found incorrupt in 1430.

Happy Feast Day
Saint Louis-Marie Grignion de Montfort
1673 - 1716
Feast Day: April 28
St. Louis-Marie Grignion de Montfort, a French Catholic priest and confessor was known in his time as a preacher and was made a missionary apostolic by Pope Clement XI. As well as preaching, Montfort wrote a number of books and is known for his particular devotion to the Blessed Virgin Mary and the Rosary. Two of his most notable works are True Devotion to Mary and The Secret of the Rosary.

  "Love does not stay idle."

- St Catherine of Siena, Letter T82

Precious Blood,

Ocean of Divine Mercy:

Flow upon us! 

Precious Blood,

Most pure Offering:

Procure us every Grace!

Precious Blood,

Hope and Refuge of sinners:

Atone for us! 

Precious Blood,

Delight of holy souls:

Draw us! Amen.

Prayer of

St Catherine of Siena

Italy  ~ 1347 -1380

Doctor of the Church

Reformer, mystic, writer

Third Order Dominican

Incorrupt

Feast Day - April 29

 

 "I treasure your knowing how to
give the world a kick." ~  St Catherine of Siena

"Be who God meant you to be and you 
will set the world on fire." - St Catherine of Siena

"Proclaim the truth and do not be 
silent through fear." - St Catherine of Siena

Danielle Rose - the Saint that is just me

Casting Crowns - If we are his body