Lay down your life- 2 new priests!/Mary, our loving mother and Jesus know no social distance

 Evening prayer with my father after supper - outside a maple tree at the picture window reminds us of the maple tree in their office window in their home of 10 years in St Croix Falls, WI.

They left there in October for Assisted Living in New Hope, which is now no longer their home.  My mother died quickly in 10 hours 3 months ago, and my father due to his increasing health issues at age 95 was unable to return there in the midst of the Pandemic, so he is starting his 8th week here on the farm living with I , his eldest daughter of his 12 children.

 His well worn prayer book is opened morning and evening as he is called upon to pray as a permanent deacon of The Catholic Church now for 44 years.  I join him on my phone and with great JOY share in this most powerful of prayers of The Church!

Very often father will pause to reflect on the Psalm words or the scripture verse or the prayers... relating to family issues or to world issues... recently the situation which started in Minneapolis with the death of George Floyd.

 Praying with 7 sisters for Fr Todd yesterday with the "social distance" marked out in the empty church.  I did have a few join me, but at a distance.  United in prayer - there is no distance from Jesus and Mary as they dwell in our hearts so deeply and surely and powerfully in PRAYER!

I just had the JOY of watching the ordination of a TEC friend, Shawn Polman and John Hayes.  So powerful to hear the homily of Bishop LeVoir!  I would ask that you take the time to listen to his wisdom and Truth concerning the priesthood - "Lay down your LIFE for Jesus."

 What have we come to?  When will we return to the handshake/hug of peace, to sitting shoulder to shoulder with a full church, with receiving Jesus on our tongue?  Will it take the finding of the vaccine to protect us and allow us to reach out across the social distance?

 Jesus in the tabernacle as close as ever!  Nothing can separate us from Jesus with Mary, Our Mother of God, so close to us!

Bishop spoke with such deep love for Mary!  He said that she has come to his aide so many times in his life and priesthood.  I know for a fact that she is so important to me, and with me every step of the way staggering down the narrow path - dying to self so that her Son, Jesus Christ, in the Holy Spirit may dwell in me and use weak and lowly me for his Evangelization.

 The sun streamed in and lit up the golden candlesticks and the Cross and body of Christ!

It really struck me as the Cross we are all called upon to take up and follow after Jesus... when Bishop called on the two young men to "lay down their lives as Christ."

Prayer, Evangelization, love of the poor, and Mary with them - they are never alone as they face many hardships ahead.  "My pastor told me early in my priesthood...'Keep your mouth shut in difficult times.  They won't hear what you say anyways.  Just be there."

Such a wise and gentle and humble father he is to the other priests in our diocese.  He was so important to us in the battle of John against brain cancer 11 years ago.  Reminding us when we were terrified at John facing the cancer coming back through his chemo, and facing whole brain radiation...."When you face difficulties repeat these words; 'Jesus, we trust in you.' "  That has become my source of Hope and comfort and brings instant peace to my heart, mind and soul!

Now 11 years healed and prayers answered - with wife and 2 healthy wonderful children!

 So powerfully laying down their lives during the litany of the Saints!

 So beautiful is it to share in this powerful time - Bishop said that it was the first time he had ordained two young men at the same time.  Thank you, Lord!

 Fr Shawn and Fr John during the consecration of the Body and Blood of Jesus - tomorrow Shawn will have his first mass as a priest in nearby Cottonwood - St Marys!

 Father Shawn!!!

 Waiting to kiss the altar at the end of mass with the Bishop.

What JOY after 8 years their hour has come, as Shawn told Bishop.  How truly wonderful it is to welcome these two men to be Jesus for us and bring us Jesus in His Body and Blood.  Without the priest there would be no LIFE/LOVE/LIGHT/Jesus in His Body and Blood to feed us and fill us with his LIFE!

The Gospel today is the poor widow, who gives her entire livelihood in those 2 small coins!  Mary too gives to her Son and then to us her children her entire self with no reservations!  Jesus sees that self sacrifice and says...Calling his disciples to himself, he said to them,
“Amen, I say to you, this poor widow put in more
than all the other contributors to the treasury.
For they have all contributed from their surplus wealth,
but she, from her poverty, has contributed all she had,
her whole livelihood.”

Yes, Lord, we long to give our all to you without counting the cost.  May we look to the example of your wonderful mother and come to you in prayer with her assistance as she takes our needs to you.  Jesus, we trust in you.  Amen and Hallelujah

John and Bobbi with Fr Mark after our newest member, Birdie Barbara, was bathed in the waters of Baptism - washed clean and staring her life-long journey of loving Jesus and His Bride, The Church!  As a family now of 30 we are united in that Faith with no reservations!  The most wonderful grace and gift ever!  Bless-bless, Barbara

Dad with 13 of the 58!  Such a blessing to me!

A peaceful smile old and new - no social distance required!

The two new priests processed out with the Bishop to this amazing song - O God, beyond all praising!

Danielle Rose - The Saint that is just me

Danielle Rose - Nothing compares to you

Danielle Rose - Pursue me