Catholic Schools Week

At Holy Spirit Parish in San Diego, I found a tribute to the 117 Vietnamese Martyrs. This was very powerful. The parish is 1/3 English 1/3 Spanish and 1/3 Vietnamese. As a whole they gave a very warm welcome and really made us feel at home right away. The pastor, Msgr Lechner, is a man of MANY talents and I was repeatedly amazed at his multiple areas of interest and expertise - including foster sons and four grandsons I asked how he was able to find time for everything. He said, "Pray first and everything follows." Amen to that.



Was invited to sing for the children and staff of Sacred Heart Catholic School in Coronado, CA on the opening day of Catholic Schools Week. I am always thanking God after a chance to visit each classroom. I learned that they already knew the words and melody to 'The Sacred Heart Song' so that was what we sang that morning - I even sang it in Espanol.

Right now it is 12:45AM California time and we are camping in the parking lot of JSerra High School in San Juan Capistrano. Pray for me as I visit each class for the whole school day (about 40 minutes per class) I beg God for conversion of heart for myself and the students I speak/sing for tomorrow. I start at 8AM and am hoping our little dog doesn't wake me up too much tonight. THEN pray we make good time heading up to Ukiah (a 12 hour drive?) I'll post more later. G'nite!

In Loving Memory

As we are all about an ongoing conversion of heart; you will understand why we want to you to meet Kaydee Campbell.
Her mother, Doreen, graciously gave permission for me to share something about Kaydee and her family.

Sometimes I imagine I am really working on my conversion. Then I hear a story like the one you're about to hear. This photo was taken 5 hours before Kaydee's death on Sunday, December 14, 2008 and her example continues to challenge me to truly live what I believe.

THEN you have to meet her family and her fiance. The brightness of her example is held up even higher by their decision to forgive. We must keep them in prayer to persevere in the direction of forgiveness. You can read Kaydee's story by clicking here.

Dear God, pour out your graces upon the family, fiance, and friends of Kaydee.
Continue to bring good out of this tragedy.
Bless those who grieve by flooding them with consolation
they know can only be coming from you.

In Jesus' holy name we pray.

For all our Dominican friends we also pray for your comfort as we grieve with you the passing away of our friend Fr. Tom Kraft, O.P. who died this morning at 10AM after his battle with cancer... Read about Fr Tom by clicking here. The singing just keeps getting louder in Heaven

A Storm called FOCA

My dear daughter Therese, we pray God will move the hearts of lawmakers to protect the lives of your unborn friends. Someday you will learn all about what your Mama went through to come to the realization of how miraculous your tiny unborn life was! She knew you were a person and she loved you before you were born.

We asked God to make you strong long before you were born. And He did! We pray you will live to see the end of some very evil laws that say your life was less important before you took your first breath.

Today certain people (born) still think they're lives are more important than others (unborn). Isn't that crazy?

Well, your mother and I do not believe anyone has the right to stop another person from being born!

There is a storm rumbling called FOCA with some very dark clouds that will try to block the light. This is why our family is praying this prayer each night:

Our Lady of Guadalupe
please enfold president elect Obama in your mantle.

We beg you to pray with us for a miraculous conversion in his heart, mind, and spirit regarding the plight of the unborn.

May his conversion be so profound that, regardless of political fallout, he fearlessly begins promoting the culture of life.

Send every angel to confuse and frustrate any effort to pass laws that directly or indirectly go against the sanctity of human life from conception to natural death.

We pray this in the holy name of Jesus. Amen.


We conclude with one 'Hail Mary', one 'St Michael Prayer' and one 'Glory Be'.

With a word of caution to those women and men still suffering grief because of a tragic choice, any grownups still confused about the coming FOCA storm click here to read one woman's open letter to president elect Obama.

Then join us in PRAYING THE STORM AWAY!

Feast of the Epiphany and A Need for Prayer

While we are planning to celebrate the Feast of Epiphany today, we just learned about another family suffering a possible break up. What words can we say to help the mother or the father or the children when something like that happens? It breaks our hearts. Both spouses are hurt and confused and I am certain their children are feeling very afraid and insecure. We know this particular family; they are friends of ours, and sadly they are most likely just one of many families going through similar difficulties at this time.

It is almost 6:00AM Arizona time and, yes, I have been awake all night working on a song/prayer for them. It made the most sense to write this prayer on behalf of the children. The lyrics are included below. Please pray them with us for this family.

No title for this song... yet...

Mother of Jesus,
I need you here with me,
Though I’m just a child
I am old enough to know
When my father and mother
fight with each other
My heart feels so scared and alone

And I know this can’t be right
It’s why I’m asking you this night
Wrap your mantle around my father,
Wrap your mantle around my mother
Don’t let our broken hearts turn to stone, please
Will you pray our wounded family back home again?

Mother of Jesus,
I need you to help me.
How can I find true peace of mind
I drew you this picture...
of a time I remember
How we used to laugh,
Can you see our faces?

But it’s only black and white...
It’s why I’m begging you this night
Bring back the colors of humility and grace
Bring back the colors of forgiveness and peace
Don’t let our broken hearts turn to stone, please
Will you pray our wounded family back home again?

Beginning right here...
Beginning right now...
Beginning in me...



Thank you for joining us in lifting this hurting family up in prayer.
God bless you and your family in this new year and may this
Feast of the Epiphany bless you with every possible grace.

The Mother of God?

Mother of God? YES! And for all Catholics, and others, confused about why this day is celebrated, click here for more info.

I hope I do not get into trouble posting this beautiful picture. Hopefully some art expert will provide the name of the artist and tell me it is open for use in blog postings. Otherwise I'll have to draw my own picture will not look near as beautiful as this one!

Yes I am typing this at 2AM on the first day of the year 2009. Had to. It seems like a long time since I posted. There is an image that keeps coming to mind... If you've seen that classic movie called "The Wizard of Oz" you will know what I am talking about when I say, stopping in Arizona feels like that point in the movie when Dorothy and friends reach the Emerald City and get all spruced up; the Tin Man gets shined up, the Scarecrow gets stuffed with new straw... you get the idea.

It seems like we are being put back together here this winter. Any weariness we have now is from the blur of catching up with old friends and seeing familiar places.

So we've celebrated a few big Feast Days... CHRISTMAS, St. Stephen, St John the Evangelist, The Holy Family, and today the Solemnity of Mary, Mother of God.

It was on this day, almost 14 years ago, that a friend approached us after mass saying he had all the paperwork ready for us to sign in order for our ministry to become a full fledged 501 (C) (3) not-for-profit. God bless him for that gift. So many people have walked with us off and on over the past years and each one has played a role in helping us be where we are today.

And where are we today? After more than two years full-time on the road, we are thinking we may need to stop for a month or two now and then just to 'regroup'. We've seen a lot of wonderful places along the way and still Oklahoma feels like home to us. The fact that our house remains on the market (unsold) since before the market went into a tailspin might be an indication God intended to preserve it as a place for us to land from time to time. We are open to whatever He wants of us - and that usually includes a great deal of waiting.

We are gearing up to hit the road again before long. Thank you for the emails and comments about the Advent offerings. Call it a practice run for things to come.

Thoughts for this new year: Do not let news of wars and economic woes cause you to worry. Direct your thoughts to God and let his peace fill you. Distance yourself from sin and peace will come. Pull down any idols that have been draining your spirit of zeal for God and breathe in the Holy Spirit that heals and restores and brings back to life. God is still on His throne and all will be well... All will be well.

I'm excited about the new music that is coming. Stay tuned by checking in on this blog from time to time.
Happy Solemnity of Mary, Mother of God!
Michael, Mary, Joseph, John Paul, and Therese