How did it come to our expecting our 20th grandchild this spring? We love all new life and it makes our LOVE that much more and more!
So fun to see these two girls coming into the friend stage. They will both be 4 for a month and a half when Joy is 4 on March 30th. Evangeline is between them as she was 4 on Nov 1st.
It was a fun weekend for us to have Nancy here. Ruth and Paul commented on how easy and great it is to have Augustine and Bernadette there sharing time with their family. "They fit in so well and we love how they are playmates to our kids!" It warms their grandparents hearts to see how our family enjoys sharing time together!
https://familysoulstory.blogspot.com/p/my-most-cherished-cross-patrick-gerard.html
Today is Monday and Dad and I would pray for the family each Monday - first and middle names of all 140+! I happen to be at adoration for the first hour of Monday and do the litany of family and place each member of both Pat and my family in the monstrance with Jesus - all 250+! Some names that I used to struggle with are now much easier as I hear dad's voice saying them... not only first name but middle also!
This reminds me of something Hallel pointed out to me in our last conversation from France on the phone..."Mom do you remember what grandpa taught us about JOY? How we are to love - Jesus first, Others next and yourself last." He shared this after we shared a Zoom mass with The Community of the Lamb in KC and we could see Hallel and share back and forth on the laptop.
It seemed that the Psalm prayers in the office of Morning prayer really spoke to him today. This prayer he had by memory and we prayed it each night at the end of sharing evening prayer after supper. My inner temple is filled with the incense of our prayers for 6 months and now his direction and sharing in his well worn and loved prayer book!
Prayers today from dad on this "prayer work day" as we called each Monday. LOVE for it to continue and now I can share some of my dad's depth and love for Jesus in His Word and Church with each new day!
George made us laugh - there is always a lot of joy and laughter as we come together! It was a special weekend of family meals and sharing!
20 gathered for Pizza night and then we watched The Chosen, and really enjoyed the Wedding at Cana.
We overflow the tables and fill the house with LIFE!
Birdie has a chance to check out the big fire truck while Josephine is helping the little boys.
Go Twins! It is a sure thing that Jude and daddy will share a love for the Twins just as Pat and John have always shared that! It has always given me great joy to hear those two share watching the games and talking about the team or going to games in the Cities. It has been a big part of the glue that binds them together - it started with Pat and his dad going up with cattle and going to a Twins game. It runs very deep indeed!
Sharing 8a mass at the start of Catholic Schools week! Two alumni read the first reading - Mary and Simon!
So wonderful to see these two sharing Dueteroname together.
Luke reading a petition and David serving - David and Rose also did 2 petitions each, and did so well! The prayers of children are heard and certainly are very special!
Birdie with a chargers hat... she will be one in her life ahead! Both of her parents were classmates all 13 years and spent 9 years in HRS! Their story speaks of the Holy Spirit at work and Bobbi hearing the Lord speaking when she was a senior in high school that she would marry John Verly!
3 weeks after their wedding in KC and sharing with Hallel their story of JOY!
LOVE the verse and the shirts which they all wore for their Catholic Schools mass!
Soon Joy you will have a HRS shirt to wear in your future!
My beads are a Birdie magnet...
How we love to have our family feast/brunch after sharing mass together! Our table expanded with Nancy here for the weekend. Meals are huge and shared together at Ruth's.
Grandpa goes shopping with a bunch of the kids while we set Ruth's beautiful table and make the eggs from our own chickens. We have added parfaits to our menu with fruit, yogurt and granola.
Had to add a table for some of the kids - we had 14 kids at meals and how we love to share time together eating, laughing and visiting.
The adults in the kitchen sharing memories and ideas...
The three littles and the puppy...
Grandma's happy place is here!
Too cute with some worried faces...
Minus puppy = more smiles together - Birdie made me squeal with delight!
A parting picture for their nutty grandma.
Angels at my side and all around me! So many Saints pray with me! 
One of our go to Saints is Blesssed Solanus Casey - a relic we have and was used to pray over John 11 years ago leading to his healing... Nancy took it to use in prayer over Bill's sister, who is in the midst of a week of prayer leading up to her doctor's visit with Mayo tomorrow! How we pray for her!
Danielle Rose - I can never choose one!
After being classmates for all 13 years for them to come together 10 years after graduating is kind of special. She shared to the 300 family and friends gathered at the reception in her sweet humble way about how John Verly popped into her head and heart when they were seniors in HS as her future husband. Time and time again the same answer came to her through prayer and roses from St Therese and opening her eyes to see him right in front of her at WYD in Australia... When we consider what John experienced over those 10 years... brain cancer, seminary, girl friends, ups and downs and how disheartening it probably was and how powerful her prayers were for him!!!! Amazing!!! And how patient and trusting and prayerful and waiting and praying for John, this sweet girl was!
3 weeks after their wedding in KC and sharing with Hallel their story of JOY!
Today in the Gospel is the most amazing story of Jesus casting out "legion" of evil spirits! There is so much drama and power with the spirits entering 2,00 pigs and then they all dive into the sea and drown. He is asked to leave, and the healed whole man wants to join him...
As he was getting into the boat,
the man who had been possessed pleaded to remain with him.
But Jesus would not permit him but told him instead,
“Go home to your family and announce to them
all that the Lord in his pity has done for you.”
Then the man went off and began to proclaim in the Decapolis
what Jesus had done for him; and all were amazed. Mark 5
the man who had been possessed pleaded to remain with him.
But Jesus would not permit him but told him instead,
“Go home to your family and announce to them
all that the Lord in his pity has done for you.”
Then the man went off and began to proclaim in the Decapolis
what Jesus had done for him; and all were amazed. Mark 5
After we have been immersed with The Chosen over the weekend - Jesus is very close to me... I have watched him call his disciples to leave all behind and follow him, so to see him turn this man back to his family is powerful. There is a very strong Truth here that we have taken to heart in our domestic Church/family that we are to share our Faith with JOY!
How I love to go home to my family and announce all that the Lord has done for me in is pity for me - His Mercy for me! Thank you, Lord, and I long to love and serve you and those the closest to me without counting the cost. Jesus, we trust in you. Amen and Hallelujah
Pat with his little buddy, George, just before Nancy headed for home. My champion for LIFE and family is beloved by the little ones. Bless-bless, Barbara
From the Tabernacle Jesus seems to say, 'Stay with Me
for it is towards evening and the day is now far spent'.
This should urge me to come to visit Him often."
Fr William Doyle
"As regards prayer, you should try to follow
the attraction of the Holy Spirit,
for all souls are not led by the same path.
It would not be well to spend all the time in vocal prayer,
there should be some
meditation, thought or contemplation.
Try 'basking in the sun of God’s love,'
that is, quietly kneeling before the Tabernacle,
as you would sit enjoying the warm sunshine,
not trying to do anything, except love Him;
but realizing that, during all the time you are at His feet,
more especially when dry and cold,
grace is dropping down upon your soul
and you are growing fast in holiness."
Fr William Doyle, SJ (+ 1917)
It has 'been awhile' since I have quoted from this saintly priest...
Make the time to visit this site - one always leaves well fed!
Dad's man, Brother Victor, was so great these last two days! LOVE how he allows me to share in the life of a monk! How I love to have pictures, icons and candles too! They lift me up!
Danielle Rose - I can never choose one!
Zach Williams
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