The Pat and Barb Verly family and their 5 children, in laws and grandkids along with many prayer warriors have been drawn together by John's cancer... sharing daily for 8 months started this blog- Family Soul Story - Our faith, family, farm and now our cancer journey called HEALING have colored and deepened our world. WE continue to share and depend on the support of our prayer warrior community, that has lowered us into the Lord's presence for His healing!
Sister-in-law, special sister to me, Angela, receiving the call from her doctors at the foot of the cross.
At my brother's home close to where my parents lived here in St Croix Falls for 10 years, and just across the river will be my father's funeral mass in the morning. Such a special sanctuary/monastery on the hill in this beautiful prayerful home. Angela and I had just prayed the rosary/did the work of the Sorrowful mysteries as we knew that her case was being discussed of her cancer of the uterus.
Shortly after we had prayed as Deacon Robert taught me with the 10 stations on the beads of His Carrying the heavy cross, and the 7 last words from the Cross for the Crucifixion. She heard their decision including chemo and radiation. Truly sitting at the foot of the Cross, and trusting in the doctors bringing her the healing that we pray for. Taking no chances for the cancer to return!
Just before the call and after we had prayed the rosary including the station of Mary meets his mother on the way to the Cross and from the Cross his words to you and I, his disciples, "Behold your Mother"... and we bring her into our home! This is such a stunning view of Mary looking up at her Son on the Cross!
Angela and I agree that Mary is the best mother of all, and we both now have our own mother's recently in heaven praying for us more perfectly! How we love to depend on those prayers, and just a week ago dad joined them!
How I wept with JOY to see these words from St Paul to the Ephesians 6 yesterday as dad would pray this each morning as we ended morning prayer...
Therefore, put on the armor of God, that you may be able to resist on the evil day and, having done everything, to hold your ground. So stand fast with your loins girded in truth, clothed with righteousness as a breastplate, and your feet shod in readiness for the gospel of peace. In all circumstances, hold faith as a shield, to quench all the flaming arrows of the evil one. And take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. Ephesians 6
Yes, dad would say this word for word each morning, and how powerful are they to have prayed aloud by my spiritual leader of our family! The man, who brought us all into the Church 49 years ago and each day since has been LOVE/LIGHT/LIFE!
Praying the sorrowful mysteries as we knew the doctors were discussing her case. The news was not what we had hoped, but we knew that it is the Lord's plan for her and we trust! Jesus, we trust in you.
The peaceful prayerful monastery on the hill filled with LIGHT of a cloudy day. I am soon to head over to the Catholic Church across the river for my hour of prayer for Fr Denny - with 7 sisters!
Hail Mary full of grace, the Lord is with thee!
John 7 years ago in Jackson for a new job - but visiting Our Lady at the Catholic Church as she welcomed him to begin another step of his journey after brain cancer! She is the best mother of all! So many prayers are calling me to sit in front of Jesus. Bless-bless, Barbara
It was a true trip of joy to travel down the 6 months that dad was here on the farm! I made a collage, which will be so great to have here to ponder over these next months/years!
I am soon to get on the road to spend a few days in preparation of dad's farewell with family on Saturday.
Hubby said that I should bring both along! "They are a pair and were together here for 70 years and now united in heaven." True!
The man, who made this all possible! "Your dad needs to be here, Barbie!" So true and such a gift that he gave to me. I love you, Pat and I thank you.
Yes, you were gone most of the farm doing all your spring, summer and fall work on the farm. Just when you were going to be around more dad's time was up... don't take it personally!
First time in adoration at 4a with dad gone! It seems like I just told the lady after me that my mother had died, and now dad. They did die closely and now I went from 2 parents to none...yet there is some comfort in knowing that they are together once again.
Also hugely grateful for those months here praying with dad and mom - spiritually with us!
Went through the litany of family - over 250 with both of our families, adding the new life in the womb! "Jesus and Mary we love you, Save souls!"
Dad on the farm April-October. Faith/Family/Farm and Hospice. It could not have been better with Hallel coming home for her every 3 year visit, Birdie's birth, all the family home, an entire growing season on the farm that dad observed, priest friends ministering to dad, and HOSPICE! Bless-bless, Barb
An Icon of St Ignatius of Loyola which has graced dad's home for many years and in reality this saint goes back to the beginning of our conversion! Dad and mom were attending an Ignatian retreat at the Cenacle convent and dad was reading Isaiah 55:1-2
Isaiah 55:1-21"Come, all you who are thirsty, come to the waters; and you who have no money, come, buy and eat! Come, buy wine and milk without money and without cost. 2Why spend money on what is not bread, and your labor on what does not satisfy? Listen, listen to me, and eat what is good, and you will delight in the richest of fare.
These powerful words speak to me of dad's journey now to heaven forever!
When dad read those words 49 years ago... the Holy Spirit told him that he and his family should come into The Catholic Church! He was a Protestant minister at the time, and he and his wife had 11 children - I, Barbara, being the oldest! I can never thank my father enough for his bringing me into the Church - each day since has been a gift to me!
Dad with the sun setting in the West last evening. At this time each evening after he had eaten his supper, we would sit at the table - he reading his well worn prayer book and I either on my phone or reading from mom's prayer book... we would with great JOY and reverence share evening prayer with all the priests, religious, deacons, and convents and monasteries the world over! Such powerful PRAYER!
Mom would join us each night in her golden light and frame... now dad is with her, and their prayers united for our family is needed and appreciated! Yes, it is only October and it looks like winter! Surprisingly we have fake plans to have a meal outside at the park for dad on Saturday and it is supposed to be around 50degrees!
From dad's prayer book this morning - I am eternally grateful for his sharing with me his LOVE of Jesus, The Word and The Church in his markings throughout his prayer book! My heart swells with LOVE and JOY to share with him in this way!
My brother just shared these words of dad that we are going to make into a memorial card for him, and suddenly the markings in his prayer book make so much powerful sense!
Words – certain words –
have gained great significance for me. Reading the scriptures, these
words have leapt from the page; I have even taken to underlining
every time I find them. They center my life. The first is NAME.
How
many times the scriptures tell us to honor the Name. In the Old
Testament when God reveals His Name to Moses, the very ground where
it occurs is declared holy, and God’s holy name is so sacred that
the Old Testament substitutes “Lord” for every occurrence of the
NAME – YAHWEH. He is Our Father, ABBA.
In
the New Covenant, the Name is JESUS. “There is no other Name under
heaven by which we are to be saved.” JESUS!
When God’s name is treated lightly, when used coarsely as in the
exclamation, “O God!” it’s painful, as it is when I hear the
Name of Jesus taken in vain.
I
desire GLORY be given to the NAME. Glory is the way we praise GOD in
the Highest. This is to enter the radiance, the magnificence, the
awesome presence of the NAME. GLORY
BE TO YOU, O LORD!
We
are not to be shy or timid about our praise of the GLORY, we are to
SHOUT WITH JOY TO THE LORD! If within our spirits we feel this
exuberant shout when we contemplate the Holy Name, our spirits are
lifted up and we are filled with joy, and the temptations that beset
us fall apart like the walls of Jericho which came down at the SHOUT
of the people of God. These words – when placed in the context of
the Catholic Church of Jesus – become radiant with life and, in
this context, I bequeath them to the next generation of this family
and to those many others that I have loved in this life.
Now I can see into my father's deeply held faith in his heart in his inner temple! The words from St Paul to the Ephesians today speak volumes of how dad and I share in this temple/farm monastery, and we were united in our LOVE for Jesus and His Bride, The Church!
"Christ Jesus himself as the capstone. Through him the whole structure is held together and grows into a temple sacred in the Lord; in him you also are being built together into a dwelling place of God in the Spirit...." Ephesians 2
"Make us true to your teaching; keep us free from error and sin."
The Holy Spirit is so much shared by dad and I as he was baptized in the Holy Spirit and then prayed over me! My love for Jesus deepened at that point! I shared prayer groups with dad and mom - most importantly our finding one in Minneapolis after our move from Flint, MI at The Cenacle Convent - Charismatic nuns! My first exposure to nuns and The Church! Their prayers and The Holy Spirit speaking to dad led all 13 into The Church!
Dad's interview on Journey home - listen to his conversion in his own words!
2-26-07
Riding along with hubby as he turned the white field black preparing it for a rest til next April or May!
October snow...
Stripes of black and white... Time to visit with my farmer and share how we are still getting used to my father being gone after over 6 months. We were thinking that it could be much longer with as stable as dad seemed to be. I am realizing that if dad had truly died suddenly after collapsing on Sunday that it would have been much harder. He came back for 5 days and he voiced that he was disappointed that he did not go on Sunday. He was ready!!!
A time to share and getting in touch with my new freedom. I still come into the house and hear myself telling dad that I am home.
The farm now for 42 years as a city girl come to the farm.
A duck has come to join my 13 chickens! David had 4 ducks and only one is left and with the snow she came to be with the chickens and find warmth and community there.
Gathered around the water for a drink.
"Like a duck to water." my dad's words as I listen to him speak about his conversion - "She (mom) was dabbling in things Catholic."
Jesus, how blessed am I to have this amazing story of my father, who loved and followed you... allowing the Holy Spirit to lead him and our family! I am forever grateful to him and to You, O Lord! Jesus, we trust in you. Amen and Hallelujah
8 year ago! Patrick in the loving arms of his two older siblings, Therese and David! Another miracle of prayer and the Holy Spirit!
My greatest JOY is sharing our Faith as a family - united all 30 of us - while dad lived here we were 31 united in our love for Jesus, Mary and The Church! Bless-bless, Barb
This is going to dad's mass with me! Gathering pictures to share for his celebrations!
What really matters!!!
Jesus comes to us!
"I am a child of God through Baptism and my resemblance
to Him has grown stronger through Holy Communion.
May I never forget my last Communion and
may my heart yearn for the next one." - Mother Angelica
"Heavenly Father,when Your priest
holds up the host
and says "the Body of Christ"
let my soul bow in humble adoration
before the love and humility of Jesus.
Let my heart be
a pure resting place for Your Son.
I desire, dear Father, that the image of Jesus
grow brighter in my soul after every Communion.
At that tremendous moment God and I are one."
Mother Angelica
Foundress of EWTN and the Poor Clare Nuns of Perpetual Adoration
Excerpt fromThe Mass is my Life ____________________
Dad's last meal and evening prayer at the table, where he sat for 6 1/2 months for hundreds of meals! Hundreds of morning prayer shared and evening prayers! We would watch the days get longer and then shorter after the summer solstice. We would watch the leaves come on the trees, listen to the birds, watch the storms pass, and prayed as the drought came through the month of August, we shared an entire growing season on the farm, and even witnessed the first early snowfall! My farm house and life became his adopted home and LIFE, which he enjoyed and appreciated.
I prayed my St Barbara Chaplet with my father for the first time through my tears a week ago Sunday when he gave us a warning that he was soon to leave this world after collapsing. It was a most special gift from son, John, for my birthday!
Dad's prayer shawl was constantly around his shoulders as he was always chilly even through the summer months here. Pat reminded me that we rarely missed sitting on the porch for our rosary each day even in the heat.
That evening he ate two popsicles and by morning he was back to eating normally!
Breakfast was his best meal always, and here was no different! He would rise at 5a in his home in St Croix Falls, and by time I would get up around 7a - he would make me wonderful breakfasts and join me for his 3rd breakfast!
Looking back on his 6 months here - I was taught by him although he never came into the kitchen here. He suggested that I make large plate sized pancakes rather than the smaller ones. He instructed me on how he liked his oatmeal, he was disappointed in my "over easy" eggs and soon I learned that if I used my skillet - I could make him happy! Yes, I was less than gracious towards his suggestions and complaints time to time, but I did learn and he was right!
After his near death on Sunday the 18th - the 29th Sunday of Ordinary time...the following day he shared morning prayer with me from his well worn prayer book! How I marvel at this now knowing that he only had 5 days to live!
Monday was his big day of prayer where he prays for his family first and middle name for all 58 great-grands and his 34 grandchildren! I only helped him with a few just days before his death! Sharp of mind to the end!
Wednesday night he prayed with me evening prayer from his hospital bed! Yes, he was short of breath with just speaking and his hand wavered with his flashlight as he read, but he led prayers with help time to time from me! How we love The Church and our shared prayer for the 6 1/2 months he lived here with me on the farm!
Thursday morning he ate breakfast as his final meal, by lunch he was no longer awake enough to eat or take his meds, and the following morning at 9:10 he took his last breath while Pat and I were beside him praying with him. So peacefully did he leave this world!
Side by side now in heaven forever! This wonderful picture taken of my mother just 2 weeks before her death, and dad just 2 years ago at our family Christmas looking dapper and happy!
The Gospel today struck me as I had written dad's Eulogy last evening and his amazing spiritual life poured out of me! Today it is the planting of the mustard seed! My father shared with me that his immersion baptism as a young man sealed his life for Jesus! It was evident throughout his life and all the times that the Holy Spirit was speaking to him and he answered "yes Lord!"
His mustard seed tree is one of great many branches and leaves and nests for birds and homes for squirrels and cattle laying in the shade peacefully resting from the noonday heat, and a blanket with a picnic and family sharing "social hour."
Jesus said, “What is the Kingdom of God like? To what can I compare it? It is like a mustard seed that a man took and planted in the garden. When it was fully grown, it became a large bush and the birds of the sky dwelt in its branches.”
Reading morning prayer for today in dad's prayer book! Such a gift to see him pointing out to me the Truth upon which he lived his LIFE for Jesus and His Bride, The Church!
How we loved sharing that Way, that Truth and that LIFE - one of my dad's most favorite verses!
As we prayed each day he would marvel at the beautiful readings, prayers and moan with recognition of the Lord that he loved so much and gave his entire life to! I was so privileged to share that love of Jesus, Mary, the Saints and The Church with him! We see totally eye to eye on every little bit of The True Church.
Yes!!! We embraced the cross of aging, this and that physical complaint, declining health and strength, more sleeping throughout the day, days and nights mixed up at the end, shortness of breath with oxygen for the last few weeks, but always sharp of mind! Through that we were perfected in the LOVE that Jesus asks of us to die to self so that He may live in us!
The Divine Office of Deacon Robert Cross - well worn and filled with his insights and love of Jesus!
Breakfast and prayer - thinking of dad, who just a week ago awoke from a near death episode to have oatmeal and pray. "I don't remember any of that morning, why did I not die?" You had 5 more days for family to come and to call and for your prayers to be said and heard. The tiny seed had grown to be shade and shelter to 130 in your family! Your life is a masterpiece - a thing of great beauty!
Dad's youngest great-grandchild - #58 Birdie Barbara! He was aware of #59 in the womb, and we are lifted up now by the combined prayers of mom and dad united in heaven forever! Dad shared with us this Truth he discovered about mother in heaven - "She is now praying for perfectly praying for her family!" Yes! Now they are teaming up in prayer for us! So powerful!
Jude and Birdie are a little over a year apart, and they love to watch each other! Birdie is totally enthralled with her brother, who is very active and smart and sweet! How I enjoyed my two hours with them yesterday between dad leaving for his job and mom coming home from hers!
Such a good baby with her thumb! I should know how great this is for a mom! All 4 of my girls - her 4 Aunts were thumb suckers! She also looks like a Verly girl, which she is actually is! The first Verly girl!
So powerful writing my wonderful father's Eulogy last night!
Eulogy of Deacon Robert Merrill Cross
Dad shared that at his emersion Baptism as a boy of 8 in a Baptist Church... that he felt the finger of God upon his life. His life was no longer his own, but the Lord's!
While on guard duty in the Philippines during WW2 dad reports that the strong feeling that he should become a minister came to him. Thanks to the GI bill he was able to attend college, and when he couldn't get into the first choice for college. He was accepted in Kalamazoo. He expressed how this was providential in his meeting Nancy Vercoe there. She kissed him on the dance floor on their first date. Robert and Nancy married while in college, graduated, then moved to Boston for seminary. While there they had their two oldest daughters, Barb and Marty. Then on to dad's first church assignment in Antrim, NH!
Dad was a deeply spiritual man, who seemed to have a special connection to the Lord's direction in his life! His answering the call to leave First Baptist in Antrim to Flint, MI and First Presbyterian, and his starting to work with alcoholics doing his chalk talks, his welcoming 6 more children always gave the sense that he heard the Lord calling him to serve and his answer was "yes." In 1961 dad and mom were prayed over to receive the Holy Spirit. Over the next 10 years some very important promptings from the Holy Spirit hugely affected dad and our family! In 1967 dad felt the Lord telling him to bring 4 orphaned children into our family of 9. Then in 1971 all 13 of us entered the Catholic Church, and dad made the hard decsion to leave his ministry.
No longer a minister? The Lord had an amazing plan for him to be in the first Deaconate class in the Archdiocese and allowed him to do all that he had done as a minister in the Catholic Church! Dad was ordained in 1976 and celebrated his 44th year as a Deacon a few short months ago. Marrying his children, baptizing his grandchildren, preaching, serving in prisons... Dad lived out the works of mercy in his life! He and mother shared The Prayer of The Church morning and evening together and his growing family knew of his prayers for all 130 - first and middle names!
Our parents were married 70 years, and now have been apart for 7 months until they are once again united in heaven forever! They loved their family and began some wonderful family gathering traditions... Christmas Camp and our vacation home/retirment home in Michigan, and before that Kewadin in the summer on Lake Michigan, and then the farm! Getting us away from the city for the summers, and showing us how to work. Putting much work and thought into how our family could come together and share our lives even though we are so many! Dad was always keeping up their homes and never idle. Don't we all picture him in his hat, long sleeves and work pants raking or fixing on the cabin? He provided for us, and was a model of hard work.
When mother passed away and Covid hit... Dad's prophecy that he would come and live with Barb if mom ever died came to be! He lived an entire growing season on the farm and from our porch we watched the earth worked, the seeds planted, the corn grow more with each new day - up to 7 feet tall! It put on ears, and looked to die as it ripened to a golden color with drooping big ears. Then the combine came and we watched the golden corn go into the trucks and soon the crop was out, the tractor came and the ground was back to black soil again to rest until next year. Dad took it all in and showed such interest in how it all worked. Praying for "Pat and all the farmers", along with many individual intentions, as we did the Rosary and chaplet each day at 3p!
Dad was able to see the beauty of hospice helping him come into the sunset of his life. He loved to tell family when they visited that one of his nurses would change his catheter and then cut his hair each month, and the other would give him a marvelous pedicure and manicure. His smile would be so big, and he was loved and cared for as he deserved in his final 6 months. 6 months of being sharp to the end, and doing the work of prayer of the Church, and for his family, and for the world! We have all experienced the result of his listening to the Lord in his life, and of his prayers for us! Thanks, dad for modeling for us how to be a person of faith - living the Gospel in this world! "You shall love the Lord, your God, with all your heart, mind and soul. And your neighbor as yourself." Matthew 22 - Robert Cross showed us how!
Dad humoring me with a selfie a few weeks back... He looks short of breath and worn down. How I cherish the family picture now with the 31 of us that we took at the end of August! The king of my family is my father, and John said it well by thanking him for bringing us into The True Catholic Church 49 years ago! I can never thank you enough father, and then to have these last 6 months of your life on hospice in my home! Such a blessing to me!
Jesus, how we love you with our ALL! May we die to self so that you may live and move and work and play and serve through us! How amazing for my father to model for us the beauty of dying a "natural death" after valuing LIFE from conception to natural death! Jesus, we trust in you. Amen and Hallelujah
Love this so much! Bernadette and Josephine getting ready for All Saints Day! How I pray that all my grandchildren will consider the beautiful option of religious life! Bless-bless, Barbara
