Family things...

What we could not tell you until now is that Mary was helping put together a surprise party for her mother who turned 80 this year. Here is a picture of Grandma "Cookie" and the kids.

Let's see... so many miles and so many places. I will try to give a proper update.
St Joseph Parish in South Bend, Indiana gets the award for the most gracious welcome with the shortest amount of notice. An evening was set up with only a week's notice. I was able to visit almost all the grades at their school. Can't express how much I enjoy doing that. Pre-K on up - I love the interaction and the unexpected and there is plenty of both in the classroom.
While were in South Bend, Indiana the boys and I stayed up late putting up streamers and balloons in the RV for Therese's 3rd Birthday. Therese is very glad to be "free" (Three).







There was a last minute concert at the Cathedral in New Ulm, Minnesota.

Concerts were offered at the following Parishes: St Patrick in Elkhorn, Christ King and St Pious Parishes in Wawatosa, St Peter Parish in Kenosha, Wisconsin, St Joseph in Cheyenne, Wyoming and last night Immaculate Heart of Mary parish in Pagosa Springs, Colorado.





Kenosha Parish





Cheyenne, Wyoming















Along the Colorado highway we drove into the first hints of Fall.

Today (the Feast of the Archangels) we leave for mass in thirty minutes then point the RV toward southern California.
This is a 'just-the-facts' update; I hope to add some reflections in the coming days. Thank you for any prayers offered for safety in travel - more to come!

Honoring our Mama

September 8th the Church celebrated the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary. We love our Jewish Mama. She has a sense of humor and a big, big heart. While I grew up appreciating the beauty of statues and images, I am quick to tell protestant friends that we Catholics do not worship images or statues, anymore than we worship images in our wallets or on the walls of our home. That night we lit the candles and sang "Happy Birthday" to Mama Mary and thanked her for being the Mother of the Word made flesh.

Last Sunday night I shared the following thoughts with the folks at St. Patrick Parish in Elkhorn, WI: "Authentic Marian devotion always leads us closer to the Eucharistic heart of Jesus. In the same way authentic Eucharistic devotion, devotion to the heart of Jesus, will eventually result in a loving relationship with Mama Mary.

Happy Birthday Mary. Pray for all of us, our family and every person who reads this blog, as we strive to 'do whatever he tells' us to do. Thank you for saying 'Yes'.

P.S.
I am amazed that it worked to type this post from the passenger seat while Mary drives our tow-vehicle back to Indiana. We are on the way to South Bend, IN for the weekend and looking forward to picking up the RV after having it at the factory (almost a month!) for some warranty repairs.