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.

Italy Day 21 {Venice}

Joseph lights a candle at the grave of St. Lucy in Venice, Italy.

Looking past the main altar (which was missing due to reconstruction efforts) toward the grave of St. Mark, inside St. Mark's Basilica.

Entering the stream of traffic on the sidewalk outside the door of our hotel in Padau was like jumping into a raging river.  Just a few blocks' walk to the train station, we rushed along single file, dodging the incoming foot traffic streaming into Padua for the day.  We purchased our tickets to Venice from a self-serve kiosk for about 10 Euros each, and found the platform.  While waiting for departure, we met a friendly military family (wearing Cougar gear) from Tacoma.  On respite from a post in Germany, their group's journey to Venice began with a 2.5 hour bus ride from Pisa to Padua.  How fortunate we were to have had our home base in Padua (right next to the train station) before beginning our Venetian experience with a 35 minute ride.

Our picnic lunch in Venice.... sshh, don't tell the picnic police!

Stepping out of the train station Venezia Santa Lucia onto the shores of the Venetian canal felt a bit like entering Disneyland: grand, surreal, CROWDED, loud, chaotic; beautiful in an urban sense with glimpses of natural beauty in the winding waterways...and places to spend money every few steps.  The shores of Venice were lined with water taxis and gondolas, but we set out on foot, hoping to find St. Lucia at San Geremia's Church before the noon closure.   Only one wrong canal crossing (and a purchased map) later we found Santa Lucia and entered what would become our favorite place in all of Venice.  We started our day with St. Lucy in prayer, lighting candles for loved ones and praying for the intercession of St. Lucy; and we ended our day there, at the 6PM daily Mass.

In between visits to St. Lucy we:

• enjoyed an illegal picnic on a side street along a canal
• took an overpriced canal tour in a fancy gondola
• maneuvered single file along choked pedestrian only streets
• prayed at St. Mark's, St. Salvadore's, and St. Nicholas of Tolentino's Churches
• made two espresso stops in order to have the use of toilet facilities
• refused to pay 2 Euros at the turnstile inside St. Mark's Basilica to visit his grave
• gawked at the amount of garbage blowing around the square near St. Mark's
• got gelato from a surly clerk
• watched the "working Venice;" intrigued with the adaptations for the aquatic environs
• posed for and took many photos with the sights of Venice around us
  
  
  

Something to ask St. Lucy in prayer:
Saint Lucy, your beautiful name signifies light. By the light of faith which God bestowed upon you, increase and preserve this light in my soul so that I may avoid evil, be zealous in the performance of good works, and abhor nothing so much as the blindness and the darkness of evil and of sin.
By your intercession with God, obtain for me perfect vision for my bodily eyes and the grace to use them for God's greater honor and glory and the salvation of all men.
Saint Lucy, virgin and martyr, hear my prayers and obtain my petitions.

Amen.