7 Quick Takes Friday (Vol. 117)

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Flashback Fridays Kevin and I have made a point of going to the traditional Friday night Fish Fry.  The Long Pond Family Restaurant has been our Fish Fry place of choice.  They have a yummy beer-battered fish fry on Fridays that comes with soup, salad, French fries, and the proper fixings (which I practically never use).  The broiled fish with a baked potato is also available and was much to my liking.

 

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Are You New Here? Kevin and I have made a habit of going to daily Mass at Holy Cross, a church near Charlotte Beach, on many weekdays.  We’ve made a friend or two there over the years.  It was hilarious to see the look on one woman’s face who was setting up the altar and happened to glance in our direction.  She was positively shocked and utterly delighted to see us.  She thought maybe that she’d missed our visit since she hadn’t yet seen us this summer.  The gentleman who has been sitting behind us pretty much every day we’ve gone to Mass there introduced himself to us yesterday and asked if we are new at the parish.  We explained we come up here every year on vacation, but that we don’t live here.  He seemed a bit disappointed we weren’t here to stay.  It’s so nice to feel wanted and welcomed!

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Grandfathers in the Faith One of the many reasons Kevin and I look forward to going to Mass at Holy Cross is that they have a couple elderly priests who are really remarkable men of faith.  They are both very friendly, genuinely enthusiastic about their love for Christ and dedication to inspire others to live the Gospel.  I wonder if these two men know how dear they are to our Lord and their faith community.  How could you not love such endearing, devout elderly priests who are giving their all at the altar well into their 70s and 80s?!  Wow!

 

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Flea Market Finds So perhaps a two week car trip when we don’t pack light isn’t exactly the best time for me to come across some inexpensive breakable items to put on the display shelf on the half wall of our apartment, but I did, so we will find a way to pack them so they make it back to Richmond in their purchased-forms.  (I’d like to experiment doing some art projects with broken glass, but these aren’t the pieces I plan to use). 

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Can I go, yet? It is really quite entertaining to play Mexican Train Dominoes with Kevin’s family.  Our after-dinner game last Sunday was no exception.  There were a number of times that we were absolutely in hysterics between Kevin, his sisters, and brothers-in-law it is hard to keep a straight face even if you end up coming in dead last (that would be me).   

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Must Have Chocolate My sisters-in-law are women after my own heart when it comes to chocolate.  All of them love it!  Kevin’s sister Chari made a beeline for the chocolate candy bag in the kitchen cupboard the second she and her husband arrived at the cottage though there were a number of things they had to bring in from their vehicle.  Throughout the evening, she would reach in her pocket and pull-out yet another Tootsie Roll.  It was quite amusing.  Glad I’m not the only one who’s serious about wanting chocolate.
    

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The Badminton Debacle I can’t really think of any other way to describe it.  Kevin and I have been using badminton rackets and birdies, but I don’t think anyone would deign to refer to what we do as actually “playing badminton.”  Suffice it to say that we have fun using badminton equipment (minus the net) to get exercise, and we inadvertently end up entertaining the neighbors and anyone else who happens by while we’re out on the lawn.

     
Don’t tell my mom this, but we actually have had more fun doing our version of badminton than we have in spending time splashing around in the lake.  My mother spends every minute she can in the lake when she’s here.  Kevin and I have been in swimming all of two times while we’ve been here, and that doesn’t really bother us.  There's more than one way to enjoy Rochester, and this is how we roll! :)

                  

     Check out Jen Fulwiler’s tradition of 7 Quick Takes Friday at her tremendously popular blog Conversion Diary.

Rewinding in Rochester

Railroad Bridge Scrapped

This is the view a couple years ago of the Genesee River from Ontario Beach Park (aka Charlotte pronounced without the "r") when the actual railroad bridge remained. Kevin modeled that bridge to scale (N-scale) as part of a model railroading layout he began of the area around 1950. The bridge has been scrapped in the past year. Kevin's beyond disappointed, but it may open up the possibility that someone will be interested in his layout for historical purposes and interest.

Gravestone Not Yet Engraved

Since the weather was so horrendous, Kevin and I couldn’t make it up to Rochester at the beginning of February for my grandmother’s funeral, I wanted to visit the gravesite where she is buried.  We asked at the office where she was buried, and we were given a map and directions.  I knew that other family members who died many years ago are in the same plot.  I found the right gravestone, but I was rather discouraged that my grandmother’s name wasn’t anywhere on it.  I called my mom to ask her if we were at the right gravestone, and she confirmed that we were. 

Apparently, they have not gotten around to engraving my grandmother’s name into the stone purchased years ago by and for her family members.  My grandma’s name, Marilyn Lohwater, was not engraved on the gravestone, but I took comfort in knowing that she’s definitely engraved in God’s heart and in His book of those meant to spend eternity with Him in Heaven.  

7 Quick Takes Friday (Vol. 116)

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First Things First Saturday the first thing we did after dropping our things off at the cottage was to go to 4:30pm Mass at St. Charles Borromeo Church, the same place where my parents got married in the 70s, where I brought Kevin even before we were dating to attend Mass with me, and where he later went weekly on his own once he came back to the Catholic faith in which he was raised.  Most recently, St. Charles Borromeo was where my grandmother, Marilyn Lohwater’s funeral Mass was held.  The weather was so bad this past February, Kevin and I were unable to make it up there, since airports were closed due to the blizzard.  It was also through involvement at St. Charles that my grandmother knew Kevin’s aunt and uncle, who rented us their side of the cottage some sixteen years ago, initiating a friendship that may never have occurred otherwise. 

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With Grandma Gone It feels strange being in Rochester without my grandmother alive.  So many of my memories here have to do with her.  Growing up, this was the one place we returned to each summer.  During the year, Grandma would come visit us wherever we happened to live at the time.  I lived with my grandma in her two bedroom apartment off of Lake Avenue the summer after I graduated from high school, so Kevin and I would only be three miles apart rather than 500 miles.  So many connections, so many memories.

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Want to Make Mudpies?! I can still picture my cousin (who is now a teenager in high school) when he was just a toddler.  My aunt, uncle, and their two children came to spend time with us at the cottage and enjoy the beach and the lake.  With the utmost enthusiasm and a huge grin on his face, my cousin would approach our grandmother and ask in what came out in almost a high-pitched shriek: “Gamma, wanna make mudpies?!” as if this was the most thrilling activity on the planet (which, of course, to a little guy playing at the beach, it was). 

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Playing Cards One of the many things I learned from my maternal grandmother was how to enjoy playing card games.  We started out with Crazy Eights, Go Fish, and later progressed to War, Gin Rummy, and Conasta.  When four of my cousins came to visit one time, we all ended up in a line on our living room floor, paired off playing cards. 

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When the Cousins Came My grandma also taught me how to knit.  One of my earliest knitting projects was a baby blanket for my soon-to-be-born youngest sister.  Another memorable, amusing and definitely Grandma-inspired activity when my cousins came to see us was wearing the knit slippers Grandma had made each of us and seeing how far we could slide in them on the hardwood floors in our house.  That was an interesting Thanksgiving break!

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Sweet Sixteen My mom, sisters, grandma, and I met Kevin and his dad, the real Harry Potter, when I was only sixteen.  All of us became friends when we rented the other side of the cottage where Kevin and his dad lived, so we could spend a week right on what my mom refers to as “her lake.”  None of us imagined what God had in store for the next sixteen years, but here Kevin and I are, back where it all began, coming up on our ninth wedding anniversary.  Just like the lyrics said in one of the mixed tapes Kevin made me when we were dating, “I can tell you my love for you will still be strong after the boys of summer have gone.”  It’s a pretty fitting song for Kevin and me that you can listen to below, if you like. 

    

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Family Ties Now when Kevin and I come to Rochester, we spend much of our time traveling down memory lanes (because there are multiple ones in this town for both of us).  We also have fun spending time with family, mostly Kevin’s sisters and their families, who we usually only get to see when we’re in town staying at their side of the cottage.

     
God has given us so much to be grateful for!!  Thank You, Lord!

                   

Check out Jen Fulwiler’s tradition of 7 Quick Takes Friday at her tremendously popular blog Conversion Diary.

7 Quick Takes Friday (Vol. 115)

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A Montessori Mindset One of the kids at school fell on the way to carpool and got scraped knees.  After tending to the booboos, I was asked a question that I believe to be clearly indicative of this young person’s Montessori education: “What kind of wood do you think those steps were made out of that I fell down?  Are they made of oak?”  Wow!  That was the last thing I expected to hear post scraped knee experience.  The knowledge and questions of children, in general, tends to amaze and amuse me. 

 

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The Loss of Loved Ones Last Saturday Kevin and I went to Mass, prayed the Rosary before the statue of Mary in the garden at Little Sisters of the Poor where he and I have gone and sat together since I was in high school. I went to Reconciliation, then spent some time praying at St. Michael's grotto. Someone had stolen the matches and scattered all the envelopes, so I couldn't even light a candle for my dad. He knows I've been thinking of him a lot lately.
     Lord, I give you this day and all of the prayers and tears mixed together in it, to be used as You wish for the salvation of souls in time and eternity. Amen.

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You Got Mail! This weekend, I figured out how I’m going to display some cards Kevin and I sent each other over the years in a collage so they can be opened and read while hanging up.

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Empty Nest Errs It feels a bit strange going to St. Benedict’s for daily Mass now, knowing that the two people Kevin and I most often attended Mass with at that church have moved to new places as they continue on their faith and vocation journeys.  I won’t hear from Michele until Christmas and that’s if she feels like sending me a letter.  Fortunately, we keep in touch pretty much daily with John in one way or another, even though he’s been on summer assignment in Hampton, Virginia, and is heading back to St. Mary’s Seminary in Baltimore very soon for his second year of seminary.  

     
Kevin and I have felt in a sense like we’ve had two leave the nest over the past year.  What’s funny is that this summer, we’ve started actually decorating our place a bit.  We now have our dining area devoted to a Rochester, Lake Ontario, beginning of Kevin and me becoming friends and dating theme...Read the rest of this reflection here.   

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Gelati Celesti Kevin and I have been enjoying using our St. Michael's Scrip for Gelati Celesti (and the other bazillion places they have available.  

  

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Step Up Yes, I know I'm silly, but now we have all four of the Step Up movies.  Some of the acting is corny at best, and the stories are very predictable, but I'm really inspired by dance, and Kevin loves it, too, so we've had fun watching the movies and the making of the movies and the choreography.  You can make fun of us if you like, but then you better bring it!  
    

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But I'm on Vacation! For the first time this summer, Kevin and I are both officially on vacation.       

Check out Jen Fulwiler’s tradition of 7 Quick Takes Friday at her tremendously popular blog Conversion Diary.

Empty Nest Errs

     It feels a little bit strange going to St. Benedict’s for daily Mass now that the two people (besides each other) Kevin and I most often attended Mass with at that church have moved to new places as they continue on their faith and vocation journeys.  I won’t hear from Michele until Christmas and that’s if she sends me a letter via snail mail since she's now in a cloistered Carmelite community in Carmel, California.  

     Fortunately, we keep in touch pretty much daily with John in one way or another, even though he’s been on summer assignment in Hampton, Virginia, and is heading back to St. Mary’s Seminary in Baltimore, Maryland, very soon for his second year of seminary.  

There's not a straight wall or floor in our place,
but the picture frames are level,
though this photo seems like it's not.

     In a sense, Kevin and I have felt like we’ve had two leave the nest over the past year.  What’s funny is that this summer, we’ve started actually spent some time decorating our place.  We now have our dining area devoted to a Rochester, Lake Ontario, beginning of Kevin and me becoming friends and dating theme. 

     We have a new shower curtain and matching towels in the bathroom.  I’m still working on what I’ve been referring to as my “inspiration wall” which is the space above my desk.  This past weekend, I figured out how I’m going to display some cards Kevin and I sent each other over the years in a collage so they can be opened and read while hanging up.  

     I try to remind myself of the major progress I’ve made in the past in the past nine months.  It is rather significant considering I’d brought several boxes over here when my mom sold the family home last fall, and then another bunch of things to sort through when my grandmother passed away, plus I still had some items from my dad that I didn’t want to throw out, but I hadn’t gotten around to mailing to family members or friends who would appreciate the items that my dad had collected over the years.

     It wouldn’t surprise me in the least if when Kevin and I finally get our place looking halfway decent (as far as we are concerned—not according to what anyone else thinks) and to a point where we could comfortably have more than our usual one person over at a time, then we’d decide to move.  After being dragged from one location to the next while I was growing up and hating it every time.  I do not like the prospect of moving, but at least I can be fairly certain we’ll be staying in Richmond.  God would have to make it blatantly obvious and more than abundantly clear to both Kevin and me that it was His Will before I’d even consider another out of state move.     

     There is a part of me wondering who God might bring into our lives next to walk with on their vocational discernment journey.  Another part of me is wondering if this will be a time for Kevin to focus more our own relationships with the Lord and one another.  Perhaps that would be partly expressed through us getting back to work on our spiritual memoir.  I know, I for one, could certainly stand to be reminded of the myriad of ways the Lord has worked in and through our lives over the past 15+ years. 

It’s Official: She’s Entered a Cloistered Community

     This evening we received photographic evidence that Michele has entered Carmel.  Her mom snail mailed us a two color printouts of pictures taken of Michele in her brown postulancy dress and white veil.  (Since the the images probably wouldn't scan well, I'll have to see if I can get digital versions to share at a later date.) I can assure you she's positively brimming over with joy.  Also included in the envelope was a postcard of an aerial shot of the monastery.  I must admit I had really been hoping for a note of some sort, however short, from Michele, or even a few lines from her mom about their last days together, but that wasn’t meant to be.  When feeling a twinge of sadness that I didn't receive some thing from her before she left, I was quickly reminded by the Holy Spirit of the many beautiful blessings she brought into my life for the brief time she was in it, and I soon felt sufficiently ridiculous for wanting something tangible (other than the cute bumblebee pillow she gave me months ago) to remember her by. 

     Here is an excerpt of the hand-written (slowly, as my writing can be something quite atrocious) letter I mailed Michele the week before she entered The Sisters by the Sea:

     I already miss you a lot and am grieving that I won’t have you nearby to talk with about anything, to laugh and cry with, to text and be silly with, to pray and discern with (in person).

     I know we’ll be connected through prayer and that the Holy Spirit will let us know when the other person could use some extra prayer cover without cellphones, e-mail, or Facebook being involved. 

     This isn’t a “goodbye, have a nice life” letter, as I don’t intend for this to be our final goodbye, and God-willing, I hope to remain a part of your life always. 

     I am excited for you as you begin a new journey and a new life in a place that already feels like home.  I’m sure it will take some adjusting to have your own proper bed to sleep in, new pajamas to wear, and sturdy, good-for-your-feet shoes to walk around in, but I’m sure you’ll get used to these simple comforts. 

     I know you will bring The Sisters by the Sea a great deal of joy, laughter, and smiles.  I hope and pray they will soon see and embrace your sensitive spirit and determined heart, and recognize how precious you are to the Lord, and what a tremendous addition you’ll make to the community (provided, of course, they don’t have a cheese pump or another appliance easy to disassemble and clean, but impossible to put back together. 

     I laugh when I think of you telling me that you feel like you should warn the nuns what they’re getting themselves into by welcoming you into their fold.  You just can’t put your spirit, vitality, joy, and personality into words.  You must be present in all of your Michele-ness to be experienced and appreciated fully…

     …As it says in a beautiful song by music missionary Danielle Rose from the album Pursue Me she wrote when she felt called to enter a cloistered convent, I will always “see you in the Eucharist.”

     Along with the letter, I included a cute little wood and felt bumblebee and a couple pages listing some of my favorite memories with Michele.  She texted me right up to and on the day she officially entered.  Kevin and I went to Mass at St. Benedict’s that evening, so that’s where we would be praying when she went into the cloister at 3pm (Pacific time).  St. Benedict’s is where we first met Michele, one of the faithful members of the daily Mass attendants there. 

    I think of her often which means I pray for her several times a day.  When Kevin and I have gone to places we’ve been with Michele, we talk about whatever funny thing happened or amusing story she told when we were last there with her.  

     I had to laugh the other day when a girl at camp came in wearing a Wonder Woman T-shirt, because it reminded me of the text I got from Michele in the weeks before she entered asking me if I thought it would be okay if she got Wonder Woman underwear as part of the dowry she took with her to the monastery.  I chuckled and replied that I didn’t think it would be a problem, provided it didn’t cause a scandal on laundry day. 

     I miss her texting or calling me to ask if she can stop over for a visit.  I miss her coming to the door, greeting me with a smile and a big hug, then asking me for juice.  She usually preferred my version of a “mixed drink” which consists of a Mango and Berry blend Juicy Juice mix.  (Kevin and I don’t drink alcohol, so mixing juices or a root beer float are about as hardcore as it gets around here.)  Often, Michele would request some cheese and crackers or some sort of light snack to go along with the fruit juice.  (Along the lines of, if you give a mouse a cookie…)  She’s also the one person who has come over for a visit and been perfectly comfortable curling up on our loveseat and taking a nap soon after she arrived.  I like the fact that Michele felt so welcome and comfortable at our place. 

     I sincerely hope that she is having a smooth transition into her new life as she’s been preparing for it in many ways over the past couple years in her prayer life, personal affairs, and giving away and/or selling her few worldly possessions.

     Lord, thank You for the gift of friends who bring us closer to You just by being themselves.  Amen.

7 Quick Takes Friday (Vol. 114)

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On that farm, he had a…I’ve been the lead teacher at school for a Nature Camp held for students who are between the ages of 2-6 this week.  We did a number of fun activities including: singing various songs such as “Old MacDonald Had a Farm,” reading some educational books, making a mobile from a branch, twine, wooden beads, and shells, using little bits of scrap paper and Modge Podge to decorate wooden frog shapes to which we added googly eyes on the front and a magnet on the back, taking a walk during which we collected items from nature that are no longer living in our paper lunch bags.  (Don’t worry.  That’s not where our lunches were.)  It was nice to be back at school with lots of kids and some really amazing adults.  Here’s a video clip involving Old MacDonald which Kevin told me about that made me laugh:

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Is It Really Love? The lyrics of a French song I really like “Savoir Aimer” by Florent Pagny have been going through my head lately when I think about what genuine love is.  True love gives without wanting or asking for anything in return, even the hope of being loved.  There are no strings attached or conditions that need to be met in order for the giver to give love freely.  It’s just there.  No matter what.  It’s patient, steadfast, persistent, and doesn’t diminish or run out.  If it is even within my capability to give others such self-effacing, sacrificial love as this, it is only because this is the love the Lord gives to me, to each one of us every day.

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Still a Bit Surreal Kevin and I have now gone out twice on his motorcycle.  Here’s photographic proof that I’ve been on the bike:

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God’s Still Working Miracles Read this miraculous true story by USA TODAY’s Madeline Eversley about how a priest no one has been able to identify interceded on behalf of  a 19 year old girl in a tragic car accident no one thought she’d make it out of alive.  

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Man to Man, Dad to Dad My father’s birthday has just passed and the anniversary of his death is tomorrow, August 10.  Around this past Father’s Day, I received a free copy of this book from Catholic Company, for reasons perhaps only the Holy Spirit can explain (I didn’t request it or order it), and though hesitant to read it and write a review, because I knew it would be a tough topic for me, I did read it, and this is my review...
I just read a book written by and for Catholic men called Man to Man, Dad to Dad: Catholic Faith and Fatherhood edited by Brian Caulfield, so I’ve been thinking about my own father and the role of fathers in general.  The funeral I attended recently for William Barrett Sr. reaffirmed that the best gift a father can give to his children are a dedication to the Lord that comes before all else, and a commitment to family that remains strong, loving, tried, and true... Read the rest here. 

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How to Save a Life A few weeks ago, I was inspired to watch the video to a song I’ve liked for quite a while.  I was surprised to discover the lyrics aren’t what I thought they were.  It’s amazing how one word changes everything.  Because of some of the experiences I’ve had in my life with family and friends, I thought that the chorus to "How to Save a Life" by The Fray was:

“Where did I go wrong?
I lost a friend
Somewhere alone in the bitterness
And I would have stayed up with you all night
cause I know how to save a life.”  

The actual lyrics are: “had I known how to save a life.”  This deeply moving music video contains a message that can save the life of someone you love.  I invite you to watch, listen, and learn, so perhaps you’re less likely to find yourself in the position of regretting that you could have saved a life and didn't.

For more information on suicide prevention, check out this info-packed website for the signs that someone might be suicidal and tips on how to help them.  Don’t ignore them.  Seek help and support for your loved one as well as yourself.  Suicide prevention is everyone’s business!

    

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A Life-giving Birthday Gift Since my mom has learned and done so much over the years to help give people life, I figured a good present for her now that she is a grandma is Infant First Aid and CPR classes.  

     My mom’s been very involved in the respect life movement (from womb to tomb) for a number of years.  Among many other things, she has kept vigil with those who have lost their will to live, visited the sick and home-bound, given shelter to the homeless, fed the hungry, cared patiently and gently for those who are imminently dying, comforted those who are in mourning, prayed for an end to abortion, supported unwed mothers and helped them get the resources they need, fought doctors and anyone else who has refused to recognize the sanctity and dignity of every human life, shared the Gospel with others…

     Pretty much the only life-giving/saving activity I could think of to add to her repertoire is a couple courses on what to do in the event that a physical emergency arises in which she could be the one to keep her grandson or another young person alive.  I was impressed with the class I took through this company.  If you haven’t been trained in Infant or Adult First Aid and CPR or could use a refresher, I encourage you to check out Enjoy CPR.  

                  

Check out Jen Fulwiler’s tradition of 7 Quick Takes Friday at her tremendously popular blog Conversion Diary.

Man to Man Dad to Dad: Catholic Faith and Fatherhood

My father’s birthday has just passed, and the anniversary of his death is coming up soon.  I just read a book written by and for Catholic men called Man to Man, Dad to Dad: Catholic Faith and Fatherhood edited by Brian Caulfield, so I’ve been thinking about my own father and the role of fathers in general.  The funeral I attended recently for William Barrett Sr. reaffirmed that the best gift a father can give to his children are a dedication to the Lord that comes before all else, and a commitment to family that remains strong, loving, tried, and true.

     
Man to Man, Dad to Dad: Catholic Faith and Fatherhood addresses some of the concerns many parents, particularly fathers, have about passing on the faith to their children.  Honestly, it is a God-incident that I even received this book as it wasn't the one I selected from Catholic Company to review.  

    
The book arrived near Father's Day, which as you might imagine can be a rough day for me and others who have lost their fathers.  I didn't know why I'd received the book, but I felt that maybe I was supposed to read it, anyway. For a while, I couldn't bring myself to get that far in it as my dad's birthday approached (it was July 25) and while thinking about the upcoming anniversary of his death (August 10).

    
Over a weekend last month, I decided to pick it up again and finish it.  I'm glad I did.  I found it to be encouraging and uplifting to read the stories by various Catholic male authors about what it means to live out the Catholic faith.  I also think it might help you to see that parents who raise their children in the faith have done a lot more than they might think in building a strong foundation for the faith in their children, whether they embrace Catholic beliefs and God right now or in the way you envisioned or hoped for at this time or not.

 
One of the many reasons I believe the Holy Spirit nudged me to the Northside for the funeral Mass of a gentleman who I’d never met is because a woman from St. Michael’s parish recently told me that my dad had been part of the inspiration for the Rosary Prayer Group she started.  At my father’s funeral, which this woman attended, it was mentioned that my dad always prayed the Rosary.

    
I now have the blue bead Rosary he prayed with all the time, and I use it regularly.  One gift for which I am very grateful for from my parents and grandmothers in particular is the gift of the desire to put God first in life and as part of that having a strong devotion to the person who knew Jesus most intimately, the Blessed Mother.

In some ways, we get to choose what legacy we will leave.  Man to Man, Dad to Dad: Catholic Faith and Fatherhood addresses the hot topics and challenges Catholic men, husbands, and fathers face on a daily basis.  The authors provide realistic goals and specific steps to help men become the best they can be.  I highly recommend this book for anyone and everyone interested in reading about what really makes the man, husband, and father more like Christ.  I received a free copy of this book from Catholic Company, for reasons perhaps only the Holy Spirit can explain, and though hesitant to read it and write a review since I didn’t order it and knew it would be a tough topic for me, I did read it, and this is my review.  

I am part of Catholic Company’s reviewer program for which I receive free product samples in exchange for an honest review.  

Glory Bees Fascination & Novena

I do believe the start and fascination Michele and I developed with bumblebees blossomed back in the spring of last year just before Michele went to visit The Sisters by the Sea in Carmel, California, for the first time.  It was around then that I had given Michele The Pieta Prayer Book, one of my absolute favorite prayer books of all time.  (I love it so much I always carry it with me in my purse.)  She had been looking through it and had come across The Twenty-Four Glory Be to the Father Novena.
     
This novena involves praying the ‘Glory be to the Father’ twenty-four times a day (one for each of the 24 years St. Therese of the Child Jesus lived) for nine days in succession.

   
When I walked into the side porch at St. Benedict’s one weekday before 5:30pm Mass, Michele enthusiastically told me about how she was doing The Twenty-Four Glory Be to the Father Novena.  She mentioned that it was a lot of ‘Glory Be’s to say.  Immediately we laughed at the thought of bumblebees buzzing around giving glory to God. 

   
From then on, we’d say, write, and/or text to each other: “love, hugs, and glory bees.”  Since then we have taken to giving each other bumblebee items.  In the picture, Michele is holding the “glory bee” and pink roses I gave her Easter 2012.  We both thought it was really cool that the shadows formed a cross on the wall leading up to her place, so we made sure to get that in the photo as well. 

     
As I sit here missing her and preparing this post, Michele texted me to let me know she is turning her cell phone off tomorrow.  All is well there.  She’s got butterflies in her stomach but is very excited.  It may be too cold there for the purple dress to wear she bought for her entry date.  I guess it’s a good thing she had the opportunity to wear it a couple times in Richmond before she left.  Though she and her mom have been staying there for the past few days, Michele will officially be entering The Carmelite Sisters by the Sea cloistered part of the monastery to begin the next stage of her discernment at 3:00pm (Pacific Standard Time) on Tuesday, August 6, 2013, which happens to be the Transfiguration of the Lord.

     
Please join me in praying for Michele and the sisters in Christ welcoming her into their fold this week.  I know God has great things planned for all of them! 

7 Quick Takes Friday (Vol. 113)

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Navel Gazing at Its Cutest Kids crack me up just saying what comes into their heads and doing what

comes naturally to them.  Scooter has become very much aware of her belly button.  She checks numerous times a day to make sure that it’s still where she left it.  Once when Kevin called this week, and I answered: “Hi sweetheart.” Sunshine said, “Hi, sweetheart.” Kevin heard it and wanted to talk with her.  He asked whether Scooter’s belly button was still there (as I’d sent him a pic of the little navel gazer at it again), then asked her if her own was still in place.  She answered yes to both questions without looking.

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What’s my name? Just a sampling of Sunshine's running commentary, alternative lyrics, and such: "Rain, rain, full of grace, come again another day! Do you see a dragonfly and a monster? I'm doing princess exercises!"  Recently, she’s added commander to the list of ways she refers to herself and what she calls her sisters and me.  I’ve gotten some pretty cool titles from her including: princess, pirate, cowboy, captain, and ballerina, among others.  I’m not quite sure how it is that I resemble Handy Manny, Captain Hook, or Santa Claus, but she's compared me to them as well. At least Handy Manny and Santa Claus are kind, helpful, and generous.  If you think of a redeeming quality that Captain Hook possesses, let me know.

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Generational Healing It's truly fascinating how people in a family view things so very differently based on our personalities, temperaments, life experiences, beliefs about ourselves, and our perceptions of how others and God see us.
Here's a short video that made me laugh.  Not sure if there's an elephant in the room or skeletons in their closet, but it's an amusing reminder that we all have "our little red wagons" as a friend of mine says (whether we acknowledge them or not).

Lord, thank You for being the One Source of perfect, unconditional, limitless Love and Truth we can all turn to when unsure of how to view ourselves and others. Please help us accept the love, kindness, gentleness, and healing You seek to give us. Amen.

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A Remarkable Man On Tuesday, I attended the funeral of a gentleman I'd never met, because I'd heard such wonderful things about his family and his son, who is a priest in our diocese.  The Lord saw fit to nudge me to go to that funeral Mass for many reasons in between my dad's birthday and the upcoming anniversary of his death.  It was a tremendous blessing to be there for the beautiful funeral Mass held for Walter Carlin Barrett, Sr.  He was said to be a man of few words who put the Lord and his family before everything else.  Monsignor Walter Barrett, one of his three children, presided at the Mass held at Holy Rosary Catholic Church.  During his homily, he shared that one of his earliest memories was of his father reading the Bible to him before putting him to bed.        

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Ordination Celebration This Friday evening Kevin and I will be going to the ordination of Charles Williams, a friend of ours through Cursillo.  When I made my Cursillo weekend back in June 2006, Marie, his lovely wife, was on team.  When Kevin served on team in March 2009, he served with Charles.  It’s amazing what the Lord can do in seven years’ time, and miraculous how deep the bonds are that are centered on a love of the Lord.    

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Upon Entry Michele Morris is in California.  She was fitted yesterday for the two dresses she will wear during her time as a postulant (which I'm certain doesn't resemble the purple dress she bought to wear on the day she enters), and she sent out her last e-mail before entering, detailing her recent travels with her mom and some more amusing anecdotes the likes of which are normal only for Michele.  Please pray for her during this time of major transition.
Please also pray for her mother, Janice, who will soon have to say goodbye to her daughter without knowing the next time she’ll be able to make it out to California to visit. (Only her mom and sister can visit.  The rest of us will have to wait six years. Heavy sigh.)  Michele can only receive and write letters at Christmas and Easter, but you can send prayer requests to the community at any time, I’m sure.  The mailing address is: Carmelite Monastery, 27601 Highway 1 Carmel, CA 93923  To find out more about Michele’s new home, visit The Sisters by the Sea website.

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Miscarriage & Interment of Angels Friends of ours recently had a miscarriage, and they were directed to a program called Interment of Angels that is “a cooperative effort among Richmond area hospitals, Bliley funeral home, and the Catholic Diocese of Richmond."  Through this program, their baby was buried in Mt. Calvary Cemetery at no cost to them.  I have had a few close friends who have had the heart-wrenching experience of having a miscarriage, and I can’t even fathom how painful that must be.  It's one of those times when you know you can't take away the suffering they're going through, that you can only be present with and for them, lifting them up in prayer.  Please pray for all who are mourning the loss of their loved ones.   

                  

Check out Jen Fulwiler’s tradition of 7Quick Takes Friday at her tremendously popular blog Conversion Diary.

Passing Along the Faith: the Legacy of Walter Carlin Barrett Sr.

     This past Tuesday I attended a beautiful funeral Mass for Walter Carlin Barrett Senior, who passed away on July 24, 2013 at the ripe old age of 93.  I never met Walter, and I mostly know about his son from others in our Diocese who think very highly of him.  The Holy Spirit nudged to go to the funeral even though I didn’t personally know the family and had never been to Holy Rosary Catholic Church.    

     I ended up sitting with a couple friends from St. Michael’s.  There were a number of priests, deacons, seminarians, as well as our bishop in attendance.  The church was completely full.  The choir was amazing.  There’s so much you can tell about a person from the people who gather at his funeral. 

     I was really impressed that Monsignor Walter Barrett presided at his own father’s funeral Mass.  He did a wonderful homily that was an amusing, loving affirmation of his father’s life and legacy.  Walter Barrett Sr. was a man who put the Lord first in his life and was completely devoted to his family.  When he was younger, he thought about becoming a minister.  Later on, he told his son that he’d stolen his vocation.

     “Wait til your father comes home,” their mother would say.  When they heard their dad wiping his feet on the mat outside the door, that was their signal to straighten up and behave.  Monsignor Barrett talked about the faith and grace with which his father brought people together.  He was born in 1919 and lived at a time when segregation was the norm and prejudice was running rampant.

     As a hard worker, who continued working until his health began to fail.  He provided for his family, sometimes working two jobs at a time if that’s what it took to make ends meet.

     Monsignor Barrett’s earliest memory of his father was of him reading the Bible to him at bedtime when he was a young child.  His dad was head of the household and would lead the way when the family walked to Mass.  When they did get a car, his father would always pick people up who he saw walking along the side of the road, even though five of them were already in the car.  They’d scoot over and Walter would drive the person wherever he needed to go before they’d go on to their originally intended destination. 

     He supported Walter and his brother and sister going to Catholic schools for their education.  Most importantly Walter Barrett Sr. lived the Gospel.  Walter was said to be a man of few words, which was fine, because his example as a beloved son of God, a devout follower of Christ, a faithful husband, and father spoke volumes. 

     Monsignor Barrett said his family had been hassling him because he’d told them he figured only about 60 people would show up for the funeral since Walter had outlived many of his family members and quite a few of his friends.  I’m not sure how many the church can hold, but it was definitely filled to capacity.

     Most Reverend Bishop DiLorenzo, a number of people from the Pastoral center, the staff members of the cluster of parishes Monsignor Barrett oversees in Hampton, and countless people from parishes around the Diocese came to honor the legacy of Walter Barrett Sr.  The testimony to his life was the way he lived out his faith.

     I hope and pray that when my time comes to pass from this life into the next that the Lord and those who knew me will most of all remember the importance of drawing ever closer to the Christ. 

     One of the many reasons I believe the Holy Spirit led me to the Northside for the funeral Mass is because a woman from St. Michael’s parish recently told me that my dad had been part of the inspiration for the Rosary Prayer Group she started.  At his funeral, which this woman attended, it was mentioned that my dad always prayed the Rosary.

     I now have the blue bead Rosary he prayed with all the time, and I use it regularly.  One gift for which I am very grateful for from my parents and grandmothers in particular is the gift of the desire to put God first in life and as part of that having a strong devotion to the person who knew Jesus most intimately, the Blessed Mother.

     Walter Barrett Sr. walked with the Lord in this life and is likely rejoicing in His Presence for all eternity.  Here’s the link to his obituary and online guest book. 

     Lord, please grant comfort and peace to Walter Barrett Senior’s wife, children, grandchildren, nieces, nephews, to his family and friends, and all who are mourning this man’s passing.  Give all who are grieving the loss of loved ones the peace which passes all understanding.  Open their hearts to You, who are both Holy Comforter and Wonderful Counselor.