5th day of Christmas -"I love to be a beggar for the goodness in people"/Presentation in the temple - Mary's heart pierced for us - +JMJ+

After sharing Christmas mass and open table with the Little Brothers of Christmas day in the heart of the poor in Kansas City, KS.  With our 2 youngest daughters, Maria and Hallel.   They now live just 40 minutes apart in Kansas, and are blessed with wonderful times together.  Christmas day with the two of them made our Christmas complete!  And what a wonderful sharing!  

4 of Maria's 7 children with mom and dad, Major Joseph, and our nun.  Joe is attending Major college at Fort Leavenworth for the year, and will be moving to Fort Riley, KS for the next 2 years or so.  That will be 2 hours between them.  I forsee visits to both, but not able to go back and forth as we do now.  

We were able to spend the day with them on Christmas day, and spend the night and breakfast with Maria and then go back for mass on the 2nd day of Christmas - St Stephen's feast day.  We took our 7 year old Evangeline along to share our time together.  

A common sight during our time in Kansas - Pat with his Maggie.  "She is so sweet!"  

"Wounded, I will never cease to love."  

Major Joseph and his 4 boys after mass with The Community on Christmas Day.  Overhead St Edith Stein/St Teresa Benedicta of the Cross.  She is one of the patron Saints of The Community of the Lamb, and my mother, Nancy Cross, had a huge devotion to her!  LOVE this connection between the two.  She wrote a lot about the Cross and the Lamb!  

Bumpa with Maggie and all gathered around her.  So many answered prayers for them to have lots of time with the Community and become very familiar and at home with them.  

Hallel with her Goddaughter, Therese, and Patrick as we go to The Little Brother's Monastery at the foot of the hill - LIGHT of Mary the Mother of God Monastery!  

Kansas City is very hilly with steep up and down hills.  Climbing is a real challenge for this old lady.

Much easier going down...

Hallel asked me to bring turkey and pies for our Christmas meal - Open table where all are invited to come and eat.  

I had such a fun conversation with Little Brother David and Little Brother Louis Marie.  They were gone the last time we visited as they were hitch hiking out to Baltimore, MD and back - gone for 11 days!  They shared about some of their begging experiences - for rides, for food at Fast Food restaurants, sleeping in homeless shelters, finding mass each day, and sharing their prayer and The Word of God.

Little Brother David is blind, and will be taking his first vows in Kansas City on the 14th of January!  Archbishop Joseph Naumann will be officiating.  David said that he met with him last week in preparation, and Archbishop shared that early in his priesthood he shared his life with a blind priest.  

Some of the people they shared time with - getting rides, staying with them overnight, sharing a meal etc.  Most especially a Jewish woman, who loves the rosary, gave them a ride for 8 hours of their trip.  "She married a Catholic man, but he converted to Judaism.  She was a nurse that worked in a Catholic hospital and found the rosary comforting.  She is coming to my first vows, too!"  Wow!  What an amazing time they had!

The nativity with real straw and the Ox and donkey in the stable with the baby Jesus in the manger - there was a play put on with the animals adoring Jesus/"God is in my food" said the French Ox.

David and Louis Marie shared with lots of laughter how they got indoctrinated in Fast food!  "We would beg for our meals at Taco Bell one morning and 4 black ladies bought us a large cup of coffee and a burrito! Then they said that it was a good thing for them to do."  Sometimes the managers would say no, and the employee would say they would pay.  "I love to be a beggar for the goodness in people."  Was how LB Louis Marie described how they are the poor begging for their food or hitch hiking for rides.

The ox and the donkey and the babe lying in the manger.

Holy ground - the chapel of the Little Brothers - The LIGHT of Mary the Mother of God.  Green grass out the windows not snow.  It has snowed there,but it doesn't last as it is warmer there than it is here.

Pat and Maggie missed the picture... so we took one with Hallel before Maggie headed back to base.

Marie Jean is now the superior for the 9 Little Sisters.  She is French and she took her final vows at the same time as Hallel.  They are very close in age which is 38.

A familiar face at open table since Hallel knocked on his door in one of the low income high rises in the neighborhood.  He and his wife now come, and are Hindu.  He has a strong connection with Hallel, and is always happy to see her family!  He also brings his curry along - very good!

The microphone goes around as we eat to share our Christmas joy.  Much sharing about our love for the Lord!  I shared that I was Pat's most Cherished Cross.  Most all here are very familiar with The Cross in their lives!  

So good to gather and share our differences and our common love for each other and The Lord and Lady!  

The last two years Hallel has gifted her Christmas shirt to Edwin.  He is very appreciative and actually gives me a smile and a thank you.

Verly Christmas Camp 2023.  

Hallel is a sheep sharing the good news that the baby in the Oxes manger and food is God come to be with us!  

The ox, the donkey, and two sheep from the pastures where the angels came to share with them the coming of the Lord!  

"It is the Lord!  A tiny child that is God!"  

Worshiping God!   

Hector watching his aunt Hallel recognizing that the Messiah has come to free us from our sins!  

We are so blessed to have our nun and her family of the Lamb here in the U.S. in the heart of our country in KCK!  Thank you, Lord and Lady!  

Today is the presentation in the temple from Luke 2.  It was good to be back at mass this morning after a week away, and soaking in the beauty in the early morning hour with hubby by my side.  

When I pray the joyful mysteries on Saturday and Monday  - the 4th decade - The Presentation is prayed for my 4th daughter, Hallel.  It seems appropriate as in many ways we presented her to the Lord by exposing her to nuns at Schoenstatt camp and hence she shared called to be a nun.  With our encouragement and blessing she is now the Lord's spouse.  

Family Soul Story - Choose Life!: Susan Angela Agnes/Little Sister Hallel - the story of a Call .  

So beautiful today - the Gospel 

Now there was a man in Jerusalem whose name was Simeon.
This man was righteous and devout,
awaiting the consolation of Israel,
and the Holy Spirit was upon him.
It had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit
that he should not see death
before he had seen the Christ of the Lord.
He came in the Spirit into the temple;
and when the parents brought in the child Jesus
to perform the custom of the law in regard to him,
he took him into his arms and blessed God, saying:

"Lord, now let your servant go in peace;
your word has been fulfilled:
my own eyes have seen the salvation
which you prepared in the sight of every people,
a light to reveal you to the nations
and the glory of your people Israel."

The child's father and mother were amazed at what was said about him;
and Simeon blessed them and said to Mary his mother,
"Behold, this child is destined
for the fall and rise of many in Israel,
and to be a sign that will be contradicted
(and you yourself a sword will pierce)
so that the thoughts of many hearts may be revealed."  Luke 2

Fr Denny holding up the Body and the Blood of Our Lord - I can hear The Beautiful voices of The Little Sisters and Little Brothers - "Behold the Lamb of God!!"  It seems like we are listening to the angels singing their endless praise in heaven.  Such beauty takes me to highest heights!  

How powerful and real to have Mary united with us in this battle here in this world of darkness all around us!  She shared in her Son's suffering and death knowing that He is God!  We are called upon to take up our Cross and follow Him down the narrow path.  She is with us as we stagger two steps forward and one back.  

The first reading from I John 2 speaks of the light...  Beloved, I am writing no new commandment to you
but an old commandment that you had from the beginning.
The old commandment is the word that you have heard.
And yet I do write a new commandment to you,
which holds true in him and among you,
for the darkness is passing away,
and the true light is already shining.  I John 2

Christmas gifts were homemade from each child to their 6 siblings - they celebrate all 12 days of Christmas!  Christmas Day they were from Therese to her siblings - making playdough, stuffing a stuffed animal back rest, mending a dress up dress for Evie, making wooden places to put a book to keep track of your page.  So thoughtful and each appreciated!  

Maggie with baby Jesus placed in the manger.  

Evangeline joined us for mass on the 2nd day of Christmas - St Stephen's Feast day - the first martyr.  

Such a happy picture and so much comfort for little Evie!  Close to her heart filled with love for her Spouse, Jesus Christ!  I must end this for today.  It just seems like there is too much to share and I find myself needing to take a break - until next time...  Jesus, we trust in you.  Bless-bless, Barb and all

LS Stella back from France and excited to see her family the next day!  

So joyful!  

Hallel with Evie visiting the icon under the altar of the Incarnation of God here in a helpless infant.

Sitting in the stable - the straw allows you to share with the Holy Family! 

Saying our farewells until next time.

 “Remember then how our fathers worked out their salvation;

remember the sufferings through which the Church has grown,

and the storms the ship of Peter has weathered because it has

Christ on board.  Remember how the crown was attained

by those whose sufferings gave new radiance to their faith. 

The whole company of saints bear witness to

the unfailing truth that without real effort

no one wins the crown.” – St Thomas Becket

 

 

"A martyr, a saint, is always made by

the design of God, for His love of men,

to warn them and to lead them,

to bring them back to His ways."

- St. Thomas Becket, homily excerpt,

Christmas morning Mass (1170),
four days before he was martyred

 

St. Thomas Becket

Archbishop of Canterbury, Martyr*

England  ~ 1118-1170

Feast Day - December 29

 

 

*On December 29th, 1170, four knights from the court of King Henry II burst into Canterbury Cathedral as the Archbishop was on his way to Vespers. Just inside the cloister door, they murdered Thomas Becket, whose defense of the rights of the Church had angered the King. His last words were: 'I accept death for the name of Jesus and for the Church.'

The murder shocked the conscience of all Europe; miracles were announced immediately; the archbishop was canonized as a martyr by Alexander III in 1173; the king did public penance at his tomb, and much of what St Thomas had worked for all his life was accomplished by his death.

 

 

Thomas said this to a friend on his way to Ordination:

 

"Hereafter, I want you to tell me, candidly and in secret, what people are saying about me. And if you see anything in me that you regard as a fault, feel free to tell me in private. For from now on, people will talk about me, but not to me. It is dangerous for men in power if no one dares to tell them when they go wrong."

 

Click here: St. Thomas Becket - YouTube  (2 mins)

Saint Thomas Becket - The Catholic Thing

St Thomas Becket, pray for us!

 

The 4th day of Christmas - Beautiful heavenly mass for Cathy Verly - 3 Priests!/Feast of the Holy Innocents -"God is light..." - +JMJ+

I found this gem in our family Christmas picture taken at our Verly Christmas Camp at Camp Shetek Lutheran Bible Camp a week ago.  The 3 little boys were born in 6 weeks - they are all now 4 and in Preschool.  Jude and George in Catholic Preschool, and Hector at home in his mom's Catholic Homeschool!  They all went to France in the wombs of their mother's when our nun, Hallel, took her final vows in August of 2018!  

Now the 3 girls, who are growing up as good friend/cousins.  Both Evie and JoJo will have their first Communion this year and Joy next year.  

How we love to center our whole world on Jesus and His Church!  

Pat and I attended a mass for his cousin, Cathy Verly, who died after a long battle of cancer.  Pat and I just arrived back last evening from KCK in time for the wake.  Walking into our beautiful glorious church in all it's Christmas splendor was a great JOY!  

Fr Denny officiated with 2 of her nephews that are priests.  The Gospel was the Beatitudes from Matthew!  "We are all called to live those to the best of our ability."  

I shared with one of Cathly's sisters that it was like we were stepping into Heaven with Cathy.  So beautiful!!!  

The 3 priests consecrating the Body and Blood of Jesus at the banquet when Heaven comes down to earth.  

I was so in love with the beauty that I got a bit carried away.

Pat was saying to Fr Denny that to have 3 priests was very special for sweet Cathy!  

Fr Craig Timmerman, Fr Denny Labat, Fr Paul Timmerman.  Wow!!!  

The little altar boy made my picture more prefect!  

An ocean of poinsettias!  

Cathy's prayer blanket - Fr Denny mentioned these words in his homily

Happy Moments - Praise God

Difficult moments - seek God

Quiet moments - Worship God

Painful Moments - Trust God

Every Moment - Thank God

Her family shared that Cathy taught them how to be always thankful.  

Happy birthday to my sister, Marty, today!  She is 2nd in line after me - she is just 14 months younger than I.  She has a huge family too!  6 married children with 22 grandkids!  I love you Marty!  Bless-bless 

9 years ago - our live nativity with baby Romeo.  LOVE this!  

A stunning picture of our beloved Holy Redeemer at sunset!  

Today is the Feast of the Holy Innocents with the killing of all boys 2 and under in Bethlehem as Herod attempted to kill Jesus.  I think of our Tom, who just turned 2 and ponder the horror of losing him in this way.  

Beloved:
This is the message that we have heard from Jesus Christ
and proclaim to you:
God is light, and in him there is no darkness at all.
If we say, "We have fellowship with him,"
while we continue to walk in darkness,
we lie and do not act in truth.
But if we walk in the light as he is in the light,
then we have fellowship with one another,
and the Blood of his Son Jesus cleanses us from all sin.  I John 1

The first reading today is glorious in sharing that although their life was cut short that they then entered his LIGHT - glory!  

Tuesday - the 2nd day of Christmas we shared Mass with Hallel and her Community of the Lamb.  The Feast of St Stephen, the first martyr!  Little Brother David as Jesus is lifted up by Francis Xavier.  Little Brother David will take his first vows on January 14th and weather permitting we have fake plans to be there for this glorious amazing occasion!  

We had along our 7 year old Evangeline Mary!  LOVE this in Hallel's woolen cloak she wears during the cold months.

Sharing happiness and JOY!  Hubby just got home for supper, so I need to end this for today.  There is so much to share!  

How I love to have our nun sharing with all the kids the JOY of answering the Lord's call to follow him totally and completely.

Visiting the icon of the Incarnation of God into a tiny baby!  Jesus, we love and adore you!  

Francis Xavier is now a priest and says mass daily for Hallel and The Community of the Lamb.  They also have an hour of Adoration morning and evening after morning prayer and evening prayer!  Jesus is their spouse and how they need to spend time with Him!  

LS Stephanie is from the beginning 15 years ago when Hallel entered - she was one of the first group here in the U.S.  It was her feast day on the Feast of St Stephen.  She shared about their going begging on mission on Christmas Day.  Everyone was watching the KC game and so that was a hinderance from them sharing with others.  

2 of the Little brothers living in KCK at Light of Mary the mother of God Monastery... more to share for another day of our open table there on Christmas Day!  

It was snowing in KC and not in Minnesota... a brown winter indeed.  Well, enough for now.  Jesus, we trust in you.  Bless-bless, Barb and the 33

 

 I have loved you with an everlasting love;

I have drawn you with loving kindness.

Jeremiah 31:3

"It's a thirst of the heart of every creature that desires to be loved, and the love which can alone satisfy that craving is the Divine Love. 

 

Let your heart delight in the love your God has for you, personally, individually. No soul ever in ardent fervor desires to unite herself to our Lord in Holy Communion, as our Lord desires to unite Himself to her.

So Holy Communion is a delight to your Infant Savior; because He loves you, oh, how immeasurably! He tells you in His heart-to-heart interview that He has become a little Infant so that you may love Him with a human love without fear."

St Katherine Drexel
____________________________________________

Feast of the Holy Innocents (Childermas)
Feast Day - December 28

As recorded in the gospel of Matthew after the visit of the Magi, Herod, in fear, rage and jealousy, “ordered the massacre of all the boys in Bethlehem and its vicinity two years old and under” in an attempt to destroy his perceived rival, the infant Messiah.  The horror of the massacre and the devastation of the mothers and fathers led Matthew to quote Jeremiah: “A voice was heard in Ramah, sobbing and loud lamentation;Rachel weeping for her children...”(Mt 2:18).

Since the sixth century, on December 28, the Church has celebrated the memory of those children killed because of Herod's rage against Christ (cf. Mt 2:16-17). These innocent lives bear witness to Christ who was persecuted from the time of His birth by a world which would not receive Him. Liturgical tradition refers to them as the "Holy Innocents" and regards them as martyrs.

"Blessed are you, Bethlehem in the land of Judah! You suffered the inhumanity of King Herod in the murder of your babes and thereby have become worthy to offer to the Lord a pure host of infants. In full right do we celebrate the heavenly birthday of these children whom the world caused to be born unto an eternally blessed life rather than that from their mothers' womb, for they attained the grace of everlasting life before the enjoyment of the present. The precious death of any martyr deserves high praise because of his heroic confession; the death of these children is precious in the sight of God because of the beatitude they gained so quickly. For already at the beginning of their lives they pass on. The end of the present life is for them the beginning of glory. These then, whom Herod's cruelty tore as sucklings from their mothers' bosom, are justly hailed as "infant martyr flowers"; they were the Church's first blossoms, matured by the frost of persecution during the cold winter of unbelief." - St. Augustine

Triumph of the Innocents ~ William Holman Hunt (1883)

Click here: Holy Innocents - YouTube ( 2 mins)

Holy Innocents: First Martyrs and Pro-Life Patron Saints - SpiritualDirection.com

(short reflection - excellent)

The Holy Innocents - The Catholic Thing

 

Holy Innocents, Infant Martyr Flowers,
pray for us!

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Fourth Day of Christmas

 

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