Through Grief Into Action {3 Tremendous Catholic Mothers}

Anna's family~Sam, Rob, Alice, and Melissa, with Tim 

Presentation of the Family of the Month Award

(News release below)

Turning tragedy into inspiration and positive change, Anna's family is coordinating an effort to improve awareness of the dangers of distracted driving, the cause of little Anna's sudden death while crossing a sidewalk last year.  A new foundation established in Anna's honor will benefit from a Lake Padden walk and a half marathon on October 22, 2011.  Come out and join the walk or run if you're in the neighborhood and need a little exercise for a great cause!   Super-great news from Anna's family: they are expecting a new baby in the spring!!!  Please pray for a healthy pregnancy and safe birthing.

My dear friend Aileen, whose daughter Lucy died of SIDS almost ten years ago, turned her energy toward teaching how to protect infants during sleep and providing comfort and support to families affected by Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS).  She now serves as the President on the Northwest Infant Survival & SIDS Alliance Board of Trustees. AWESOME.  But she might miss the annual auction... because SHE'S EXPECTING and will likely be giving birth around that very date in November!!

More prayer requests here...

Another dear friend and heroic mother of many, Ann Marie, continues to inspire me with her courage and unbelievable ministry to many despite the loss of her daughter Gianna; born on Tim's birthday almost one year ago, and died on my birthday two weeks later.  Ann Marie's experience with being a foster mom has proved to be an invaluable resource for me in these past few months.  Is she ever quick to reply to my various e-cries for help!  Add more prayers...

The following news release was sent to the Knights of Columbus State Bulletin and to Columbia:

BELLINGHAM COUNCIL 829 PRESENTS AWARD AND SCHOLARSHIP CHECK 
TO FELLOW KNIGHT WHOSE DAUGHTER WAS KILLED IN TRAGIC ACCIDENT

Bellingham Council 829 presented the Family of the Month Award and a $1,000 scholarship check to Brother Robert Brulotte, his wife Melissa, and their children Alice and Sam at a ceremony October 11.

The presentation was made just a year after the tragic death of the Brulottes' two-year-old daughter Anna.  Little Anna was killed when she was crossing a street next to Assumption Catholic School September 30, 2010.  A speeding car slammed into the rear of a stopped car which was waiting for Melissa and her three children to cross.  The stopped auto then hit Anna, who was killed instantly, and her mother, who was seriously injured.  Alice and Sam were unharmed.

In the past year, the Brulottes have established a memorial fund and a program to increase driver awareness.  A fund-raising marathon and walk, to be held October 22, has as its goal to increase drivers' attention, especially when pedestrians are present.   The family also is very active in the school and parish. 

The annual scholarship will help pay tuition for the two Brulotte children until they graduate from Assumption School, then will be given to other deserving students.

Gianna's Funeral Mass

Father Tom Nathe blesses Gianna's casket at her funeral Mass.

Gianna surrounded by her siblings; 

my favorite of the many beautiful photos displayed at the funeral reception

If you've been to a funeral for a child, you know how heart wrenching the experience can be.
And yet, Gianna's funeral Saturday was a great joy.

In the homily, Father Nathe brilliantly linked the joy a father would feel at handing his daughter off in marriage to her groom (knowing he was the right one for his daughter)... to the joy a father would feel at placing his daughter's casket at the foot of the altar, as Gianna's dad, Ray, had done only moments earlier.
A father, inclined to feelings of sadness, too, at the moment his daughter takes her new husband's hand, would be deeply grateful of their new union.  His solace comes from knowing that his joy will increase and multiply when new life (grandchildren) come forth as a result of his daughter's new life with her husband.
As Gianna was placed, her casket draped in the white garment (pall) which signified her baptism, her parents (though torn with grief) shared the joy of her new life with Christ and all the angels and saints.

Please keep Ann Mary and Ray and their family in your prayers.  Gianna's burial is tomorrow.

On Sunday, the day Catholics worldwide celebrated the Baptism of Jesus, I attended Mass at Our Lady Star of the Sea in Bremerton.  Star of the Sea re-introduced a centuries-old Christmas tradition called Kindelwiegen (cradle-rocking).  A beautifully handcrafted cradle holding the infant Jesus stood at the foot of the altar, and after Mass young and old worshipers came forward to gently rock the cradle.

Heroic Parenting {Gianna}

Photo of Gianna with Pierluigi, Nov. 1957

from http://www.saintgianna.org/

I am profoundly humbled by the witness to heroic parenting being shown by Ann Marie and Ray Henninger in these days following the death of their baby Gianna Caeli.  Their story is chronicled in Gianna's Caring Bridge site, and I have included excerpts from their online journal below.


My husband Tim and Ann Marie were classmates at Seattle Prep, and we ran into Ann Marie at the Northwest Catholic Family Education Conference in Seattle last May.  Ann Marie had just announced their pregnancy, and I made a note of her due date and emailed her in November to inquire about how her pregnancy was coming along.  I received this reply:

Hi Bridget,

Thanks for writing.

Our baby daughter Gianna is due 12/12...and she is not expected to live long, if she lives until her birthday.  We found out on 10/15 that she has Trisomy 18.  It's been a rollercoastery few weeks, but we celebrate her life, however long or short!  More info on the link below.

I thank you for checking in.  Please keep all of us in your prayers!

Hope you and yours are well!

+ JMJ +  

Ann Marie

As it turns out, Gianna was born on Tim's birthday and went home to heaven on my birthday.  She has a very special place in our hearts, and her family is in our prayers during this time of profound suffering.

Please remember the Henningers in your prayers today, and throughout this week as they prepare for their final good-byes to Gianna's earthly body.  

We praise God for the example of Saint Gianna Molla, heroic mother, and ask her intercession for Ann Marie and Ray and family.

from http://www.caringbridge.org/visit/godsgracefromheaven:
Jan 5:
Gianna died peacefully this morning...and as I listened to her great big heart pause more and more between beats, we all said good-bye and how much we loved her.  Just as with her birth, it was a sacred time, although it did happen quicker than we'd expected.  

My mom Marian had been holding her and noted she didn't seem to be breathing.  I took her immediately into my arms and we promptly gathered all the family.  Gianna just faded away to Glory amidst our tears.  No distress, she just quietly left us.


We are caring for Gianna's body here at home until the funeral Saturday, so if you wish to come sit vigil with us, know you are very welcome to do so.  Gianna is being kept cool to prevent deterioration of her wee body.  The children are planning to tuck notes/photos/mementos in with their sister.  She's got her St. Gianna medal, miraculous medal, and guardian angel pin, plus her monkey doll and pink bear.
  
Dear Lord, we praise and thank you for the gift of Gianna...thank you for choosing us to be her parents and siblings, thank you for sending her to us.  We rejoice that she is forever in the arms of Jesus,  "Let the little children come unto me.  Luke 18:16 Amen
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Jan 6:
This afternoon, several people stopped by our vigil for Gianna. Her body is never alone...she is tucked into her casket wearing her most favorite outfit, laying on sweet floral cotton blankets, her body scented with lavender oil, surrounded by her stuffed toys, blessed medals, rosary, crucifix, candles, baby booties, a painting that says, "Before I formed you in the womb, I knew you. Before you were born, I set you apart." Jeremiah 1:5

Saturday morning, we will have a casket closing ceremony and farewell, which daughter Erin has planned.  At that time, we will have prayers, place our treasures for Gianna into the casket, and continue to thank God for the gift He has given us in Gianna Caeli. We will also place the cremains of two of Gianna's siblings in her casket with her, so they may be safely (and finally) interred with their sister.

Funeral Mass at 1:30pm Saturday at Queen of Angels Church in Port Angeles WA, 209 West 11th Street.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Jan 7:
I am so immensely thankful for the concept of a 'home funeral/vigil' as it has allowed the chance to give her a final bath and anointing, each child to hold her again as they desire, and it's given us  time to say good-bye, time to spend with her body, time to continue  mourning until the final farewell.  WHAT A GIFT!  

May you rest in peace, John.

We will miss you, and your loving smile and friendly words.

Thank you for you amazing witness to the faith.  You are a true inspiration!

May God bless Michelle, and your children and grandchildren in their time of sorrow.

May the souls of the faithful departed

through the mercy of God

Rest in peace

Amen.

Please pray for the Henninger family, 

whose 12th child, Gianna, (born with Trisomy 18) is dying today.

May we never fail to praise God for the gift of life, for each and every day and 

every soul he shares with us.