Pre-Departure Festivities {Praying, Playing and Feasting}

Zac prays the Divine Mercy Chaplet at St. Mary's Anacortes Faith on Fire Conference

True to his Boy Scout ways, Zachary was prepared for his departure to the University of Notre Dame down to the finest details with a few days to spare.  His extreme readiness meant that our family was free to travel to Anacortes for the third annual Faith On Fire Catholic Family Conference.  Athough we opted out of the camping element this year, we participated in the opening Mass, the magnificent conference talks and the life of prayer and fellowship on the spacious grounds at St. Mary's.  A super-charging faith experience, this conference is one of those "do not miss" family events.

Heaven and earth collide in the beautiful Mass celebrated by Archbishop Sartain at St. Mary's

A phone message from Judah inviting us to his baptism Sunday morning caused a departure from our original plans to attend morning talks at Faith of Fire so that we could witness his new birth into the Body of Christ.  Sharing and celebrating this leap of faith with Judah meant back to back services, as we drove straight from his baptism to the closing  Mass celebrated by Archbishop Sartain at St. Mary's.  The pews were packed, but we were able to stand at the baptismal font and participate in the amazing mystery of the Holy Mass, celebrated with great reverence and awe.  As always, Archbishop Sartain's preaching deeply inspired and encouraged us to grow in faith and never let the world 'steal it out of us.'

Peter, Joseph, Judah, Zachary and Enoch celebrate Judah's baptism into the Body of Christ.



Zachary, Cole, Patrick, Peter, Joseph, and Roy dine in style at Grandma & Grandpa's

 True to form, Grandma Billie and Grandpa Cliff hosted a delightful, delicious and welcoming farewell barbecue for us and a few of Zac's friends on his last night in town.  Zachary provided the after dinner entertainment by pulling out the old potato canon for a blast on the shores of Lake Whatcom.  Unfortunately the striker wasn't working properly so there were only a few flying potatoes.  But we can say without reservations that Zachary went out with a bang!


Zachary bids farewell to Grandma Billie and Grandpa Cliff.