Pigeon Release

Well, sort of released, anyway!

A pair of Peter's pigeons were freed from the isolated cage in the garage into the hen/pigeon coop in the back yard.

One of them didn't want to face the other birds in the coop.

So far, so good.  There have been a few instances of pigeons getting heckled by the chickens, but so far no one's lost any feathers over it.

Heroic Friend

Ane Kirstine, a postulant, with her veil.

(photo from http://www.passionistnuns.org/)

One of our last Saturday morning coffee hours, following Latin Mass, with Ane Kirstine before she entered the cloistered community of Passionist Nuns in Kentucky.

We have had the honor of witnessing our friend, Kirstine's, entrance into the Passionist Nuns of Saint Joseph Monastery in Kentucky.  On one of her final days here before leaving for the cloister, she gave our boys her topical maps detailing the Lord of the Rings geography.  They shared a great love of Tolkien's works.

Recently, an article was published in the Lexington Herald-Leader with a photo slide show!  It's a great article, and a great glimpse into her new life in the cloister.  Read it, you'll be glad you did.   There's also a slide show with great photos from the monastery.  Truly inspiring.

Divine Mercy Sunday

Pauline adoring Christ on Divine Mercy Sunday.

Louis and Peter, friends from the south, worship with us.

Off duty altar servers celebrating Divine Mercy Sunday.

Father holds Samuel, Janell looks on.

"I shall tell you, in your charity, something which has just occurred to me.  I notice that Thomas lost his faith when he was absent, but when he was together with the believers his faith did not in any way fall short.  So I have the idea that if only a sinner will flee the company of immoral men and associate with the just, he will never be found lacking in righteousness or the resultant salvation of his soul." ~ Saint Gregory Palamas

Saint Gregory Palamas (+1359) was a monk and archbishop of Thessalonica

Mission of Love

Peter takes the newly secured pathway leading to Great Grandma's house; leveled out so that Grandma can walk up and down without the uncertain stones causing tripping hazards.

Grandma's yard and gardens are spectacular, and she's back at yard work again this spring,

despite having broken her neck 4 months ago.

Peter completes a very special knitting project, his first.

Grandma looks on as Peter "binds off" the rainbow scarf.

Peter surprises Great Grandma by presenting her with his creation.

Grandma's neck brace is a thing of the past!
She celebrated by making an appointment and getting her hair permed (the first one in 6 months).
Her health is good, and she is being lovingly cared for by her (amazing) children who visit her regularly and bring meals, supplies, and drive her to Mass.

I would have never guessed that she would be living at home again after her terrible accident last year.
The power of prayer, the amazing grace of healing... Grandma is a treasure.

And now for something completely different:

Here's an update on Rocky, who was neutered about 2 weeks ago:

By vet's orders, Rocky has been confined to his kennel, save for his walks on a leash in the backyard to do his business.  He gets so excited for these short bursts of freedom, that he is like a bullet coming out of the barrel of a gun.  On one of these explosions in the backyard, Rocky severely damaged his cone of shame.  Nothing a little duct tape couldn't remedy!

As you might imagine, he has not been a happy puppy with this confinement.

He whines, barks (loudly and incessantly if the boys are playing in the house or in the backyard), moans, and makes loud crashing noises as he attempts to make himself comfortable in his cage of doom.

But thanks to the the strict confinement (and of course, the outstanding surgical skills of Uncle Craig), Rocky has healed from his incision, without any complications.

Yesterday we gathered forces, and with Zac, Joseph, Collin, and Ezra each holding a limb, I clipped and removed Rocky's stitches.

(Oh, did I forget to mention that we slipped him a little something?  Yes, we used some left-over doggie downers to help keep Rocky a bit more manageable during the suture removal process.)

Now Rocky is getting back to his normal activity level, chasing Charlie all over the house.

The fun never ends around here!

Easter Celebration

Peter receives the wine during the presentation of the gifts.

Zachary incenses Father, preceding the Eucharistic prayer.

Joseph, as cross bearer, assists Zachary, as acolyte, in preparing the altar.

Simply put, our Easter morning liturgical celebrations were amazing.

Zac, Joseph and Peter all served at the 11AM Mass, having gone to bed after 2AM due to the Easter Vigil Mass and the party which followed.

Zac, Peter and I also attended the 8:30AM Mass to witness the baptism of Samuel Jean Marie Baptiste.

Glorious Day!

Now the Easter season continues, and we look forward to the upcoming celebration of

Divine Mercy Sunday, having begun our Divine Mercy Novena on Good Friday. 

Jesus Christ is Risen Today!

Alleluia!

We began our celebration before sun-up, and it continues through this glorious day!