Prayers for our priests/St John Vianney/"your great love"/LIFE for us!

Father Craig Timmerman giving John and Bobbi Jesus in the Eucharist at their wedding.  Father is a cousin to our family, and has been there for us so often on our journey over the last 10 years!  It was such a gift for him to be the priest in Bobbi's parish/ St Eloi in Ghent, MN.


 As Pat's sister pointed out yesterday..."It was all a part of the Lord's plan over the last 10 years."  Yes, and having Father Craig and the Sunday mass of Corpus Christi/Body of Christ as the pinnacle of their wedding was very much the best part of their wedding!  Jesus is our all in all!!

"Behold the Lamb of God, who takes away the sins of the world.  Blessed are those called to the supper of the Lamb."  as Father raises up His Body and Blood after the consecration and we come forward to receive Jesus!


Today is the feast of St John Vianney, who is the patron saint of Diocesan Priests.  How we need to pray for his intercession and for our priests and those young men being called that they will hear and respond "yes."  The priest shortage is a concern as through the priest do we receive Jesus in His Sacrament.   The Eucharist is what brings LIFE into the world, and as St John Vianney states so beautifully..."Were we to realize fully what a priest is on earth, we would die: not of fright, but of love.  Without the priest, the Passion and Death of our Lord would be of no avail....  What use would be a house filled with gold, were there no one to open it's door?"


The homily Father preached on this Corpus Christi Sunday blew me away!!!  Not only did he quote John 6... "If you eat my Body and drink my Blood you will find LIFE eternal"  but he added the second part..."If you don't eat my Body and drink my Blood you will have no life in you."  Dynamite!  How important are priests for us, and how much are they under attack by Satan as a result?

Exchanging of the rings during the ceremony and administering The Sacrament of Matrimony one to the other. 


Roman Catholic Wedding Ceremony Vows. "I, ______, take you, ______, to be my wife/husband. I promise to be true to you in good times and in bad, in sickness and in health. I will love you and honor you all the days of my life."

This priest has been so important to John over his journey of brain cancer/going to France and bathing in the healing waters of Lourdes when Hallel took her habit/finding his faith/considering a call to the seminary/the ups and downs of the last 10 years during which Bobbi was praying for him and waiting for John Verly!
http://familysoulstory.blogspot.com/p/johns-cancer-stories.html

Bobbi sharing her amazing story!!!


Bobbi's story she shared at the reception as well as with Hallel!
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!

 Yes, I am dipping into the wonderful wedding pictures again today... This one should be titled... JOY comes to those who wait and Trust no matter the cost and obstacles!

 Right John?


Jesus, we are eternally grateful for the priests in our lives!  They allow us to receive LIFE and all the help we need for the Journey through The Church!  How we love you and long to serve you without counting the cost!  Lord, in your great love, answer me. Psalm 69   The answers we receive are truly The Truth that gives us the freedom to follow after you - dying to self so that your Spirit may be at work in our lives/domestic church/family.  Jesus, we trust in you.  Amen and Hallelujah

Finally a Verly girl!!!  After having 4 for the first 30 years... even Susan changed her name to Little Sister Hallel!  A Verly girl to join me... Barbie and Bobbi Verly!  And such a wonderful young woman as we reach 26 with 2 more on the way surrounded by so much LOVE and prayers from the moment we know of the LIFE in the womb!  Bless-bless, Barbara Mary Luke

The park on this glorious day with siblings all around!

LOVE most of all that we share our Faith as a family!  Nothing can compare... Faith/Family/Farm!

Happy Feast Day
Saint John Vianney
The Cure d'Ars
1786 - 1859
Feast Day: August 4...
Patronage: all priests

After many obstacles and suffering, St. John Mary Vianney ( Jean-Baptiste-Marie Vianney) became one of the most celebrated parish priests in the Catholic Church. He fought for souls in his small town in Ars, France by fasting, praying and hearing confessions until the wee hours of the morning. He converted many souls and because of this, the Devil often tempted him in the middle of the night, but he was so strong and so rooted in prayer that he was able to triumph. It is said that the Devil once told St. John Vianney, "If there were three such priests as you, my kingdom [in France] would be ruined."

40 years!!! Sharing Mass and a blessing on the morning of a busy day... "with your constant help!"

Anticipating our many photos in France in a couple weeks!  This was Christmas and what made it so special was that Pat requested this picture with his Susan/Hallel!  A rarity and Hallel is glowing with great genuine JOY and happiness!

Today marks a landmark date for Pat and I... our 40th anniversary!  My one wish for this day has happened!!!  My husband and I got to mass and even were given a blessing!  It just feels like the best start to our 41st year we could have ever hoped for. 

With our only son, John, on his wedding day on June 2nd at the beginning of the summer... now we are gearing up to celebrate Hallel's wedding on August 15th in France !  No better more wonderful way to celebrate our 40 years!

I am just so happy that Pat was able to go to mass with me today!  He is off now cutting hay which has to dry and get baled and picked up and covered before we leave here in 10 days!  In there is the County Fair... Jesus, we trust in you!  How we rely on our Lord to keep us safe and sane!  The words from the Psalm today are so true!

"But I pray to you, O LORD,
for the time of your favor, O God!
In your great kindness answer me
with your constant help.
R. Lord, in your great love, answer me."

Psalm 69

Only missing Hallel and now 2 new members in the womb, and prayed for without ceasing!  Adding the two in the womb.. there will be 22 of us going to France for Hallel!  My brother Dan and his wife, Angela, are joining in too!!!  So much LOVE and so many prayers!

A group of us in KC with Hallel after the wedding!  Now the family comes to surround her on her Big Day!


It was a delight to have Pat suggest that we go back and talk to Father about putting something in the bulletin for Hallel's vows!  Going back to talk to Father was great, and he so agreed that it would be good to share our joy and her happiness at this amazing option of being a Bride of Christ!  I could also ask him for a special blessing on this day marking our 40th wedding anniversary!

Love this and Pat smiling for his son!!!


I just talked to Pat's oldest sister on the phone, and her comment of this marriage being the Lord's amazing plan was so true!  How special when you patiently wait and pray and trust for 10 long years!  That look of JOY on Bobbi's face says it all!!!


I know that Grace was moved by this sharing by Bobbi at the reception!!
Bobbi's story she shared at the reception as well as with Hallel!
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!

This new daughter is a delight to me and our family!!! 


Lord, how we need you and are overwhelmed by your great unconditional love and forgiveness!  "With your constant help" we are able to go forward down the narrow path carrying/dragging our Most Cherished Cross and finding LIFE/LOVE/LIGHT eternal.  May we always recognize you in all that we do each day and give over the control to you.  Jesus, we trust in you.  Amen and Hallelujah

 Missing Joseph and Bobbi... a year ago when Hallel came home for her home visit!  Now to gather around her in France!!!  The mountain will move!  Bless-bless, Barbara Mary Luke

The 5 with their spouses will be there in France, but these little ones will be with their respective grandparents and not make the trip this time.  I am sure they will have France in their future sometime...  Jesus in their midst!!!

The 5 with their children... 2 to add in March! 

It is so special that Pat wants all to know of this glorious option... giving your all to Christ as his bride... answering "yes" to the call! 

Danielle Rose - Pursue me

Hebrews 13:7-9a

Remember your leaders who spoke the word of God to you; consider how their lives ended, and imitate their faith. Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever. Do not be carried away by all kinds of strange teaching.


"God always forgives when you are totally repentant and you desire to change. He forgives...and He never gets tired of forgiving. Never. You may get tired of asking. I hope not. He never, never tires of forgiving." Never.”
Mother Angelica

Loving Jesus Above All Things:

BLESSED is he who appreciates what it is to love Jesus and who despises himself for the sake of Jesus. Give up all other love for His, since He wishes to be loved alone above all things.

Affection for creatures is deceitful and inconstant, but the love of Jesus is true and enduring. He who clings to a creature will fall with its frailty, but he who gives himself to... Jesus will ever be strengthened.

Love Him, then; keep Him as a friend. He will not leave you as others do, or let you suffer lasting death. Sometime, whether you will or not, you will have to part with everything. Cling, therefore, to Jesus in life and death; trust yourself to the glory of Him who alone can help you when all others fail.

Your Beloved is such that He will not accept what belongs to another -- He wants your heart for Himself alone, to be enthroned therein as King in His own right. If you but knew how to free yourself entirely from all creatures, Jesus would gladly dwell within you.

You will find, apart from Him, that nearly all the trust you place in men is a total loss. Therefore, neither confide in nor depend upon a wind-shaken reed, for "all flesh is grass" and all its glory, like the flower of grass, will fade away.

You will quickly be deceived if you look only to the outward appearance of men, and you will often be disappointed if you seek comfort and gain in them. If, however, you seek Jesus in all things, you will surely find Him. Likewise, if you seek yourself, you will find yourself -- to your own ruin. For the man who does not seek Jesus does himself much greater harm than the whole world and all his enemies could ever do.

Imitation of Christ, Book 2 Chapter 7.

Thomas A'Kempis!!!

“In trial or difficulty I have recourse to Mother Mary, whose glance alone is enough to dissipate every fear.”
-Saint Therese of Lisieux

University of Mary - Immaculate Mary Altar!!!  Both Ruth and Nancy went there for their college!

Sharing our Faith will move the mountain! Hallelujah!!!

No, they were not angry or overly serious on their wedding day, but they like to share some humor with others on their behalf! 


As John got to know quiet and reserved Bobbi as they dated... he would report to me about her wild sense of humor.  "She can be so silly and I really like to get to see that side of her!" 


Love that they share this making fun and humility from the beginning, and it will serve them well as they carry/drag their most Cherished Cross down the narrow path to LIFE eternal.  I need to learn at their feet.  I have learned from all of my children and children in laws, and that is a wonderful gift indeed!

The real picture was total happiness and great JOY!  My niece, Bridget, took their wedding pictures and they are so wonderful... thank you!!!  I was able to take their engagement pictures and that joy was very evident after their many years of waiting and praying and trusting in His Plan!

Sharing her story was the highlight of the reception and I looked around to see all listening to every word and some wiping tears!

Here is the story of Bobbi waiting 10+ years for her John...

Bobbi's story she shared at the reception as well as with Hallel!
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!

Time with Rose again yesterday and her new baby kitty!  Rose and her cousin/best buddy, Bernadette will be the two youngest going to France in 10 days! 


I was just sharing with my sister-in-law, Angela, who is also coming to France for Hallel with her husband, my brother Dan, making it a grand total of 20 family members there for her... that I am experiencing the Gospel coming alive in my life!  How?  The faith needed to move a mountain is being lived out in my life!

Now those brown eyes and the sweet face with eyes starting to peek open just a tiny bit!  Nothing cuter!  Roes is getting ready to go to a birthday party with ice cream and grandma got to French braid her hair/Bernadette Braids we calls them!


Matthew 17:20

And He said to them, "Because of the littleness of your faith; for truly I say to you, if you have faith the size of a mustard seed, you will say to this mountain, 'Move from here to there,' and it will move; and nothing will be impossible to you.


These words are now what I am living!  With each day there is much that is happening in our family and on the farm and in the prayer department to work towards this huge mountain of 20 of us being there for Hallel!  But I see that this is very much a shared Faith in each one of us!  The greatest JOY I have in my Domestic Church/family is that we share our faith!!!  Jesus and His Bride, The Church, helping us get to heaven forever is what we eat, breath, drink, work, play, and everything that fills each day and night!

Half of the bale pyramid awaiting being covered by a plastic tarp to keep the rain from ruining it!  No, the cat nor Rose went under it!


1 Corinthians 13:2

If I have the gift of prophecy, and know all mysteries and all knowledge; and if I have all faith, so as to remove mountains, but do not have love, I am nothing.


St Paul had something to say about it too!  He certainly had his mountains to move too, when you consider the distances he traveled sharing The Gospel and converting the world!  Yes, that LOVE piece is huge and why we are moving this mountain and heading to France... all 20 of us! 

Grandpa and Mary placing the tires to hold down the tarp!  Ruth and Paul are on the other side, and...

Simon and David were on the top keeping things straight on both sides of the pile... family team work with lots of mosquito spray needed!  Covering the mountain of hay is a big job, but moving it bale by bale to feed the cows and calves will eventually move it!


It was delightful when sharing morning prayer and the readings with Pat this morning to see that the Psalm is an Hallel Psalm!  Psalm 145-150 are Hallel Psalms which means totally praising God... think of the word Hallelujah!!! 
"Praise the LORD, O my soul;
I will praise the LORD all my life;
I will sing praise to my God while I live."  Psalm 146:1-2


Tears sprang to my eyes this morning as I prayed for Hallel, who is now on retreat in France in preparation for her final vows/wedding on August 15th with her family all around her!  To consider the depth of her growing LOVE for her Jesus fed with Eucharist daily as well as prayer throughout the day and Adoration.  They also spend much time starting the night before "chewing" The Word!  Susan/Hallel always loved Jesus in The Word, and hence her calling and answering "yes" to The Community of the Lamb!
http://www.communautedelagneau.org/en/little-monastery-lumen-christi/
http://www.communautedelagneau.org/en/la-communaute-de-l-agneau/
https://www.osv.com/OSVNewsweekly/ByIssue/Article/TabId/735/ArtMID/13636/ArticleID/2156/Community-spreads-Gospel-through-life-of-radical-poverty-.aspx

Rose and Bernadette will be the two youngest in France!  2 year old Josephine will be staying with her 4 year old brother, Dominic, with grandpa and grandma in Pennsylvania while we are gone!  The mountain will fly across the ocean in pieces... Nancy and Bill with their two oldest from Pittsburg, Maria and Joseph with their 2 oldest from Seattle, and Ruth and Paul with their 4 and John and Bobbi and Pat and I from Minneapolis!  It works to move the mountain in pieces and prayers!

Yes, many prayers are keeping me sane and reminding me over and over to give it over to Jesus... he is in control!  My prayers to his mother, my rosary beads send waves of peace flowing all around and through me! 


Jesus, through your wonderful Mother, whom you gave to me at the foot of the cross and now she dwells in our home, we come to you each day!  May we die to self so that you may live and return kindness even in the midst of trials and suffering.  We are reminded that those times in life are where we grow and are weak and turn to you!  Jesus, we trust in you.  Amen and Hallelujah

I am envisioning our group picture in France with a beaming Hallel with her Lamb around her neck!  Remove the 7 youngest and add Hallel and we will be close.  Faith/Family/Farm is where we embrace our Most Cherished Cross and find LIFE/LOVE/LIGHT!  Bless-bless, Barbara Mary Luke

But, he continues, “I don’t think suffering is the purpose of the purgation. I can well believe that people neither much worse nor much better than I will suffer less or more. … The treatment given will be the one required, whether it hurts little or much.” God will clean you up in the way you need to be cleaned up, and you’ll want it even if you don’t like it.
He offers a useful image for the experience that conveys both the reward and the trouble of getting it. It’s like having a tooth pulled. “I hope that when the tooth of life is drawn and I am ‘coming round,’ a voice will say, ‘Rinse your mouth out with this.’ This will be Purgatory. The rinsing may take longer than I can now imagine. The taste of this may be more fiery and astringent than my present sensibility could endure.”
The #Eucharist is the source and summit of the #Catholic faith. How happy are we who can receive the Body and Blood of Jesus regularly! #EWTN #prayforus

Happy Feast Day
Saint Peter Julian Eymard
1811-1868
Feast Day: August 2
...
"You receive Communion to become holy, not because you already are." St. Peter Julian Eymard is responsible for helping many Catholics discover the importance of the Holy Eucharist. Born in Grenoble, France, he entered the seminary at a young age despite his father’s disapproval. After becoming very ill and almost dying, he made a miraculous recovery and was ordained to the diocesan priesthood in 1834, and later joined the Marists. Overcoming many difficulties he established the Congregation of the Blessed Sacrament and the Servants of the Blessed Sacrament, both dedicated to adoration of the Blessed Sacrament.

worth sharing daily!!!  LOVE!

If you want me to - Ginny Owens

Casting Crowns - Praise you in the storm








 

"your words, I devoured them;" Moving a mountain to France! Miraculous?

The kiss... thanks to my niece and with onlooking granddaughter and grandson, and Father Criag... LOVE!


My day has evaporated!  I had a conversation with my mother this morning and in the process we were struck by how big it is to expect 18 of us including children from 13 to 6... 8 of them, and two pregnant women, and us oldies with bad knees... to get this mountain of 18 of us to France healthy and safely!  It will be a miracle if we all arrive there and all the pieces fall into place!

 I am dipping into wedding pictures today!  LOVE this picture of two fabulous vocations side by side.. Religious life and Marriage!  On one end of our summer we had John and Bobbi's wedding and on the other end in just 2 weeks from today we will have Hallel's final vows in France!  Our family witnesses and supports both with our presence and our JOY!

Youngest Goddaughter, Joy, getting her mini bouquet from Bobbi.  Love this special moment and Bobbi's respect and love for all life!  She joins our Pro-life family!

Bobbi and the 4 little Goddaughters!  Wonderful caring and loving will surround you girls on your journey of Faith and LIFE!


"When I found your words, I devoured them;
they became my joy and the happiness of my heart,
Because I bore your name,"  Jeremiah 15 from the first reading today speaks a truth for me starting the night before after I do evening prayer.. I with great excitement go to read the readings for the next day!  "I devoured them; they became my joy and happiness of my heart!"  Yes!!  Truly Christ is alive and filling me with his LIGHT as the Holy Spirit speaks the Truth to me through The Word each day!  There is so much power found in the Word shared in every Catholic Church around the world, read, preached upon, and prayed over!  That's power and mighty strength to face all that comes our way!

 Love these of John with David Lanoue, his oldest God Son!  Love and respect shine all around them!  At the reception David asked Bobbi to be his Godmother as at his baptism he had 2 Godfathers, and has now a God mother too!

David was so sweet in the wedding and it was obvious that he was thrilled for his Godfather finding his path after so many years of asking and waiting!

 John found his treasure/pearl of great price!  He sold everything/died to self so that he will embrace her and find LIFE/LOVE/LIGHT just as we are called to follow Jesus and take up our Cross to find the Way, the Truth and the LIFE!


"Again, the Kingdom of heaven is like a merchant
searching for fine pearls.
When he finds a pearl of great price,
he goes and sells all that he has and buys it."  Matthew 13 from the Gospel today

A tradition has begun... they add a great sense of humor to their relationship!  Newly wed, Bobbi, asked a woman who was celebrating her 50th anniversary if she had any advice... "A good sense of humor will be helpful in the ups and downs."  Yes!

 So happy for them, and now we get to share France with Bobbi for the first time!  Actually only Pat, I, John and Nancy have been there before!  We will be sharing it with 14 new eyes and hearts and minds sharing in the life of The Community of the Lamb!

Jesus, may your light shine forth for all to see. May we share all the love and mercy we have been shown in our domestic Church/family!  We place this huge mountain of family going to France to support Hallel on her big day of promising her Faithfulness to YOU, her spouse.  Jesus, we trust in you.  Amen and Hallelujah

A kiss in the park, too!  LOVE is a gift... the pearl with great price!  It grows when you share it and give without counting the cost!  Bless-bless, Barbara Mary Luke

St Alphonsus today!




How nice to know this while we celebrate Hallel this month in France and go to Lourdes a few days later, too!
August is devoted to the Immaculate Heart of Mary

"To be His, one must remain little, little like a drop of dew! ... Oh! how few are the souls who aspire to remain little in this way!"

-St. Therese of Lisieux

LOVE his passion to share what he has been given... Faith and LOVE!