St. Francis of Assisi

October 4, 2020 

Today is the Feast of St. Francis of Assisi.  

A short two years ago, my daughter, Samantha, studied abroad in Austria.  One of the blessings of this adventure was her opportunities to travel around Europe.  One such outing was to Assisi!  

She shares about her journey in a journal she kept called Have Courage, Be Kind linked here and here. 

I could never know what she experienced unless I had been there, but her pictures of Assisi speak to the heart of who St. Francis was...a man of great peace and desire for God.  May we all strive for the same.

Peace!

Basilica of Santa Chiara

Basilica of St. Francis at the Tomb of St. Francis

Basilica of Santa Maria degli

Home Again!

 October 3, 2020

This weekend my college girls come home!

While the house has become increasingly active and substantially louder (girls really make a lot of noise!) I forgot how much space all of us take in a pew at Mass and I feel like I haven't stopped cooking!  But....I wouldn't change the last few hours!  There is not much to say but that this "mama's heart" is full!! :)

We did the traditional food shopping trips, they raided our pantry and spent a joyful couple days with their friend that was married on Saturday.  

Psalm 127:3-4 says “Children are a gift from the LORD; they are a reward from him. Children born to a young man are like arrows in a warrior’s hands”. Children are blessing from God. The fifth verse of Psalm 127 says “Blessed is the man whose quiver is full of them”.

We are blessed!!

 

Guardian Angels

October 2, 2020

Today is the Feast of the Guardian Angels

and as stated before, I simply love angels.  Perhaps it is due to how close the word is to my name...perhaps I just live the idea of a being whose role it is to represent us before God, to watch over us always, to aid our prayer and then present our soul to God at our death.  

In Matthew 18:10 it says, "See that you do not despise one of these little ones, for I say to you that their angels in heaven always look upon the face of my heavenly Father."

Additionally, I have found a resource if you are interested in learning more about angels.  It is linked here.

This picture is one that I remember from my childhood.  There is something very comforting in knowing that an Angel is always with us, guiding, guarding and lighting our path.  It has been said that the first name you wake up thinking is the name of your guardian angel.  I have tried numerous times to go to sleep with this on my mind and awake with a name, but alas, a name has never come.  While that may be discouraging to some, for me, it has been reassurance that the divine cannot be put into words, or into a name.

A prayer by Pope John Paul II in a General Audience on Aug 20, 1986:

"Angel of God, who are my guardian, enlighten, guard, govern and guide me, who have been entrusted to you by the heavenly goodness. Amen."

Saints Michael, Gabriel, and Raphael

 September 29, 2020

Today is the Feast day of Saints Michael, Gabriel, and Raphael.  You many be like me and simply LOVE angels.  These three angels are the only ones named in Scripture.

St. Michael: 

St. Michael is seen in the book of Daniel with his vision as the "great prince" who defends Israel against its enemies.  And in the book of Revelation, he leads God's armies to final victory over the forces of evil. 

St Gabriel: 

He appears in Daniel's visions, announcing Michael's role in the God's plan.  He also appears to Mary and announces she will bear a son. 

St. Raphael: 

His activity is in the story of Tobit from the Old Testament.  He appears to guide Tobit's son through a series of adventures: 1) His marriage to Sarah, 2) Healing of Tobit's blindness and 3) the restoration fo the family fortune.

Thus:  

Michael protects

Gabriel announces

Raphael guide

 

Saints Michael, Gabriel, and Raphael are the Patron Saints of:

Death
Germany
Grocers
Police Officers
Radiologists

Saint Gabriel is the Patron Saint of:

Broadcasters

Saint Raphael is the Patron Saint of:

The Blind

Saint Michael, Saint Gabriel and Saint Raphael, Pray for us!

College Drop-Off Number 2

September 7, 2020

Friday I took Tabitha to college.  Everything I wrote two weeks ago, could really just be re-written!  How do our little ones grow up so fast! How is it possible that my fiercely strong and independent girl can be left in Duluth...indefinitely?!? Looking at this very impressive building, I wonder...is she going to get swallowed up?

Even though the heart does what the heart wants...it does feel different leaving a child at college for the first time verses the 2nd, 3rd or 4th.

And all my feeling were melted away when I received a text from her bright and early Saturday morning. Tabby shared that she had stayed up with her roommate, comforting her because she was so sad to be at college.  It is one of those moments when you know you must have done something right in parenting. Tabitha's plan is to go into nursing....she has always been great at caring for others but to see it from a greater distance, well...this mama's heart swelled with pride (the good kind). 

She is right where she belongs! It is time to let go of the kite string and watch her soar. 

I rest with peace knowing that she will remember that: "It's not how much we give but how much love we put into giving."

Back to School Night

August 31, 2020

Wonderful to see so many at our back to school night...in the parking lot! It was great to travel with you through language materials we use in the classroom.

It began with a Travelers Guide and ended with mini-donuts!

Check out the tables:

 Ms. Monica with the completed Traveler's Guide

Yummy- Mini-donuts!

Ms. Kalley and Mrs. Salonek - E1

Mrs. Wermerskirchen - E2

Ms. MaryGrace and Ms. Christa- Casa 2

Ms. RoseAnn- Casa 1

Ms. Cassie and Ms. Anna- Toddlers

Ms. Carolyn- Atrium Level II and III

Mr. Barnhart - A1

Rob- Mini-Donut maker!

Return to School

 August 23, 2020

It is that time of the year...preparing for the return to school.

This year, I have two children heading to college.  As I drove and moved Teresa into her dorm this weekend, I couldn't help but remember when she was younger.  She would be so excited to start the school year, but then when the day actually came, there was always some hesitation to part ways, for both of us!

I have done this "parting of ways" now for over 20 years, you'd think it would get easier since I have done it literally every year! Yet, somehow, when I "part ways" with whichever child, at whatever age, there is always a lump that forms in my throat and my mama-heart squeezes as tears take over my vision. 

We strive year after year to be good parents, to impart the best wisdom we can to help our child/ren become who they are meant to be.  We spend hours on our knees, wipe noses, place band-aids and comfort with hugs and encouragement.  I can reason within my head because it always knows that this is exactly what should happen...that children grow and as they grow, it is time that we, as parents, let out the 'kite string' that ties them to us, just a little bit more.  I know the reality that my children will go from these cute little kiddos:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

to young women and men who will make their own mark in the world:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

While my head knows this, I have decided that it really does not matter the age of a child...this time of the year can just be hard on the heart.  And although it is, I find comfort in knowing that we have done our part in finding a school (at which ever level that child is at) that will support their growth and formation.

When I think about the trust that I must give my children's schools, teachers and community, my heart swells with the greatest respect for all who have entrusted your precious ones into our care at SJB.  We truly do love each student as though they were our own.  I know that drop-off, when your child has some hesitation, can pull the heartstrings.  I also know (because I get to witness it everyday) that they love their teachers and thrive when they are given the chance to "do it myself".  

So...for all those of you who have or will have their heartstrings pulled within the next couple weeks...THANK YOU! Thank you for your trust. Thank you for knowing that we do everything we do with the greatest of love.