Total Consecration

St. Louis de Montfort's Way:
Total Consecration

Last year I had intended to begin my journey toward Consecration.  This year I have decided to take the journey toward our Blessed Mother's arms.  She always leads you to her Son.  If you want to read about it... today is a good day to start!  

Great site for information on Total Consecration

Total Consecration to Mary

May Lent draw you closer to our beautiful Jesus.  

Peace and all good,

mom_of_six

Jesus, I trust in You!

Direction for Our Times

Volume Three

I was given a book written by Anne, a wife and mother of six. In the introduction, it states that she is a Secular Franciscan. It is an interesting book. The website for Anne is www.directionforourtimes.org

Check it out.

mom_of_six

Jesus, I trust in You!

Urgent Prayers Needed

Dear Beautiful Reader,
I was sent an email today from a fellow Secular Franciscan.  She is in need of urgent prayer.  Please read the note below...

Sharen H, who has a history of cancer and had a double mastectomy a
couple years ago, had four biopsies done a week and a half ago, and the
 results showed cancer in all of them. She called today from Mayo Clinic
 where she has gone for a second opinion as her oncologist here didn't give
 her much hope.  She is asking for our prayers for healing and strength.

I have sent her a personal note back telling her I would 'pass-in-on' and spread the word of the need of prayer. 
Please all Sharen to your prayers tonight.  I will have my family prayer our Rosary with an intention for Sharen.  
Tomorrow... my classroom children will begin their prayers.  


Thank you,


Mary
mom_of_six 

I stumbled upon this video from one of my facebook friends.  I wanted to share it with you.
Enjoy the video.  It is powerful.
(Once again... remember to pause the playlist on the right sidebar before playing the video.  I need to either figure out how to better use the playlist or take it off of this blog.  Sometimes it is frustrating to go through the extra step of pausing it.)

Prayers of Thanksgiving for Sami to be home from the hospital.  She is, however, still heading to Duke to help with the very painful, multiple blood clots in her arms.  She is 22 years old and on top of many health issues, has just been diagnosed with Addisons Disease.  Please add her name to your prayers.

Peace and all good,
mom_of_six

Jesus, I trust in You!

John Paul II - Totus Tuus

Remember to pause the music on the right side of the posts before you play this video.  I just discovered that the subtitles are too small to read on some monitors.  Here is a link to the video so that you can go full screen and be able to read the subtitles:   Click here...John Paul II - Totus Tuus

I stumbled upon this amazing video.  It is subtitled and moves along quickly.  A beautiful reminder for us in this Christmas season.  

Peace and all good,

Mary

Jesus, I trust in You!

Merry Christmas Hazel

I met Hazel last night.  

My children play the cello and viola and were asked to play for the residents of an elderly care facility.  The children played beautifully and the residents were all singing along with smiles on their faces.  

My husband and I were sitting in the back just watching it all.  He would lean into me and point out residents who were especially enjoying the music.  It was a beautiful evening.  

I noticed a wheelchair up in the front by the children.  There was a very small, petite woman in the chair.  I thought she was sleeping because her head was bent down low over her lap.  Eventually I realized that she wasn't sleeping, she was writing.  She had a notebook in her hand and a red pen.  She was furiously writing while listening to the songs.  I say furiously because she wrote so much and so fast that she quickly filled the pages and turned the notebook over to begin a new page.

The concert ended and the residents began to leave their places.  

Everyone was standing up and moving at the same time.  

It was then, through the noise, that we heard someone pleading for help.

It seemed as though everyone FROZE and time stood still.  I looked around and saw a wheel chair tipped forward.  It was the little writer.  She had leaned too far forward and tumbled out of her wheelchair.  

I'm not sure why I remember this, but everyone backed away from her.  This next part was slow motion for me.  

My husband pushed me from the back and said, "Move!"

I moved.  

We had to make our way from the back of the large reception room, but we were the first ones to reach her.  My husband was on one side of her and I was on the other side.  The poor dear had her legs all tangled in the chair.  We were able to release her legs and I cradled her head until we were able to find a scarf to roll and tuck under her small neck.  

She patted my hand.  

She comforted me.

She told me her name was Hazel and that she was 95 years old.  She wanted me to make sure her notebook and pen were not lost.  I assured her that I had her things.

I will admit that I wanted to know what was written in the notebook.

I will admit to you that I took a chance and while holding her head in the elbow of my right arm... I reached out and opened her notebook.  

I opened it... but I couldn't make myself read the writings.  They were hers and even though I really wanted to read what she had been writing, the words were hers alone.  

Thank you God for guiding me to do the right thing with Hazel.  It would have been different had I asked her if I could read her notebook.  Maybe I would have asked her, but she was so comfortable resting in my arm that I thought she would drift off to sleep.  

I held her until the responders came to help.  

Please pray for Hazel this Christmas.  My school children are now on Christmas break so I cannot tell them this story and ask for their prayers.  She was alone so please pray for her to be comforted by His Holy arms. 

I asked my girls if they prayed for Hazel last night.  My 11 year old said, "I did.  AND I asked Mr. R. to pray for her too."  

Once again, a child has helped guide me.

So...

Mr. R??  I'm asking you to pray for her too.  I miss your waving welcome from across the street from school and everyday at 4:30ish I still go to the window 'expecting' to see you walking across the street.  You who shined Christ so beautifully, please pray with us for Hazel.  

We believe in the Communion of Saints.  

Our God is an awesome and amazing God.

Peace and all good,

Mary

mom_of_six

Jesus, I trust in You!

Classroom Advent Gift

Classroom Advent Gift to Parents

We completed our project yesterday.

I was completely exhausted.  (actually I am STILL exhausted... )

Take a look:

Maybe this one will show you a better look at how MANY we created...

26 Nativity sets were finished yesterday and are now waiting to be wrapped in tissue paper and sent home for parents to enjoy this Christmas.

BTW... my classroom children are continuing prayers for Sarah and John, baby Caseson, Mr. R., Linda's family, and my brother-in-law.  Their compassion for others inspires me everyday.  

Peace and all good,

Mary

mom_of_six

Jesus, I trust in You!

Mr. R.

Christmas Tulips for Mr. R.

Eternal rest grant unto him, O Lord,

and let perpetual light shine upon him.

May he rest in peace. 

Amen.

Mr. R. went home to be with God on Thursday, December 15, 2011.

He will forever be a part of my life and I am forever grateful 

to him for the countless lessons he taught me and

my children.

Jesus, I trust in You!

Mary

mom_of_six

Jesus, I trust in You!

I was invited to the nursing home where Mr. R. is now calling home.  The children in the preschool and fifth grades were traveling to his new home to sing Christmas carols to the residents.  The principal and I headed over early to make sure everything was set for the children and Mr. R. was ready to accept visitors.  We entered the elevator to travel to the second floor and waited for the doors to open.
We were repeating his room number so we would be able to find Mr. R's room.  230...203...230...
We didn't want to waste any time in finding him.  The children were in the bus and on the way and we wanted to be sure to check if he was ready for us.
The elevator door opened and we stepped out.
Mr. R. was sitting in a wheelchair waiting for us!  He was smiling at us!  It was a beautiful gift, indeed!

We pushed his wheelchair into a small reception area and waited for the children to arrive.  Several other residents were gathered to listen to the children's songs too.  They sang for him and he waved his arms in time to the music.  It was beautiful!

The children finished their last song and walked to the elevator doors to head back to the bus.
We pushed Mr. R. back to his room and sat to chat with him for a bit before we had to head back to school to finish our day.
He shared with us a picture of Our Blessed Mother that he had taped to his dresser mirror.  He told us the world needs Fatima.
We asked him if he enjoyed Thanksgiving and being able to travel out and see his own home again.  He replied, "I am home."
He was getting tired and we asked him if he wanted to rest.  He motioned toward his bed.  We helped him out of his wheelchair and scooped his legs up in our arms and gently laid them on his bed.  We undid his velcro shoe straps and covered him with his blankets.
He laid back, smiled, and said, "I am so blessed."

He was starting to doze off so I said, "Have a beautiful day, Mr. R."
He replied, "It already has been."

We turned to leave the small room.  He had already begun to drift off to sleep.  I turned to look back at him one more time.  As I did, I lifted my right hand and waved to him.
He looked at me and slowly raised his hand.
He waved back at me.

Mary
Jesus, I trust in You!
Here are two links to previous posts:
How I got to know Mr. R.

Mr. R. Christmas 2010

One last gift from Mr. R.

On the day I heard that Mr. R. had suffered another painful heart attack... something inside of me was a bit restless.  I climbed up the 4 flights of stairs to my classroom and sat at my desk.  I couldn't concentrate or even begin to think of starting to grade the stack of papers that was waiting for me in a pile.
Then I remembered that the school secretary had mentioned to me a few months back that she had uncovered a case of statues that Mr. R. had given to the school.  She didn't know anything more about the closed box.  She had no idea which Saint was in the box.
When I remembered the box, I immediately got up and started my way down the stairs that I had just climbed. I went into the office and asked the school secretary if I could have the key to the closet where she had told me the box of statues had been stored.  She was curious about why I wanted to get the box.  She shared with me that the box had been in the closet for over 5 or 6 years...maybe even longer.
I told her that I felt that Mr. R. had given the statues to the children to enjoy and remind them of Jesus and I didn't like that they were stored in a box where no one could see them.
I wanted them out and on every floor in the school.

We really didn't know which Saint would make an appearance when we opened the box.
I felt like I was a little girl again on Christmas Day and my father was standing beside me waiting for me to open a gift from him.
We  s l o w l y opened the box.  The statues were all individually packaged in styrafoam containers to protect them from damage.  Both Sue and I uttered a little impatient huff when we saw the white packages.  (Yes, I'll admit that fact.  Remember, I said I felt like a child on Christmas morning again.)
We lifted one of the packages out of the box and slit the tape surrounding the white box with our fingernails.  We opened the box and there was St. Joseph holding the Christ Child, staring right up at us.

I have St. Joseph sitting on our class Gratitude Table out in the hallway.  He is out there for all of the children to see and think about our beautiful Jesus.

It was when I sat at my computer later in the day to write about St. Joseph that I discovered that he is the Patron Saint of departing souls.  Our amazing Mr. R., our classroom to sidewalk 'waving' friend, was in hospice care and still sharing his love of Jesus with us.  When the time comes for Mr. R. to journey to his eternal home,  may St. Joseph take him to see his precious Jesus.

Here is a link to read about our last Christmas experience with Mr. R.:
Mr. R Christmas Story 2010

Shine Jesus to everyone you meet.  You might never know how your actions or words touch someone who is waiting to hear the Good News of our Precious Jesus.  Find your 'gifts' that are hidden on top shelves in closets.  Open them and share God's unending love.

Mary
mom_of_six

Jesus, I trust in You!

St. Joseph, Patron of Departing Souls

Prayer to St. Joseph over 1900 years old

O St. Joseph whose protection is so great, so strong, so prompt before the Throne of God, I place in you all my interests and desires. O St. Joseph do assist me by your powerful intercession and obtain for me from your Divine Son all spiritual blessings through Jesus Christ, Our Lord; so that having engaged here below your Heavenly power I may offer my Thanksgiving and Homage to the Loving of Fathers. O St. Joseph, I never weary contemplating you and Jesus asleep in your arms. I dare not approach while He reposes near your heart. Press him to my name and kiss His fine Head for me, and ask Him to return the Kiss when I draw my dying breath. St. Joseph, Patron of departing souls, pray for us. Amen

 Dear Reader, I was informed this afternoon that my "waving across the street" friend, Mr. R., is nearing his journey home. Please keep this precious soul in your prayers as he nears the end of his life here on earth. You can read about how this man has shined Christ so beautifully to my classroom children and my own children here.
 Mr. R. Christmas Story 2010

I have a beautiful St. Joseph story to tell you that happened today but I am too tired to write it just now.  I will write tomorrow and share with you my story.  Once again, it involves Mr. R...

Happy All Saint's Day!
Mary
Jesus, I trust in You!

Basilica of the National Shrine of Mary Help of Christians at Holy Hill

We woke up yesterday morning and my husband made the beautiful suggestion of taking our three youngest children to Holy Hill near Hartford, Wisconsin. It was a beautiful Fall day and we decided to make a day of it. We planned to attend Mass at 11:00 and spend the rest of the day exploring the grounds and showing our children this beautiful National Shrine.

Well, we made it to Holy Hill at 11:09... we hadn't counted on the parking and the climb to the Church, not to mention we had several detours along our route. We decided to take the children and climb the steeple tower. I had visited Holy Hill many times as a child but had never been able to climb the tower. Here are some photos of our sights...

We took the children to the lower chapel, under the main Church and went to sit in a pew to pray. It is a Chapel of St. Terese of the Child Jesus. Our youngest, five years old, kept crawling over the backs of our legs as we were praying. I finally asked her to please settle down and tell Jesus how much she loved him. She leaned into my ear and whispered, "Mama, can you take me back there?" ...and she pointed to the back of the Church. I really didn't want to disturb the many people in prayer, so I gave in to her. We left the pew, genuflected, and walked to the back of the Chapel, hand in hand. We reached the last pew and she started pulling my arm to the left. She told me, "Mama, I want to pray here!" And she led me to a side altar where there was a statue of the infant Jesus. She let go of my hand and knelt on the marble step right in front of the side altar. She folded her hands... and there she stayed.
A group of women came into the Chapel and saw her kneeling in prayer. They began to take pictures of her. She never turned around. She continued to pray through all of the flashbulbs going off and through all of their whispers.
She stayed in prayer for at least ten minutes... in fact it may have been longer. She looked so small kneeling on the marble step in front of the large altar. I had my camera, but I didn't want to take away from her beautiful moments in prayer to her little Jesus. I found a picture that comes close to the statue she loved so dearly, but the one above the altar was all in white.

She calls Him her "Little Jesus".

May your day be filled with the knowledge that God is always present and waiting for you to call out to Him. He loves you so very much!

Mary
mom_of_six
Jesus, I trust in You!

Please remember to pause the playlist on the right side of the site before you play the video.
God's blessings and peace,
Mary
mom_of_six
Jesus, I trust in You!

I Can Do All Things Through Christ who Gives Me Strength

Prayers Requested

Your prayers are needed. A family is hurting and the only answer is prayer. Please pray for Bill who was found to have a very large cancerous tumor on his kidney. He is scheduled for surgery to remove the kidney. Pray also for his family... especially his sister.

Catholic Prayer For Cancer

O Saint Peregrine, you who have been called "The Wonder-Worker" because of the numerous miracles which you have obtained from God for those who have had recourse to you, who for so many years bore in your own flesh this cancerous disease that destroys the very fiber of our being, and who had recourse to the source of all grace when the power of man could do no more: you who were favored with the vision of Jesus coming down from His Cross to heal your affliction, ask of God and Our Lady the cure of these sick persons whom we entrust to you (names of those for whom you are praying, including yourself if need be). Aided in this way by your powerful intercession, we shall sing praise to God for His great goodness and mercy. Amen.

God's gentle peace and mercy,
Mary
Jesus, I trust in You!

Finding time for prayer...

I was emailing two dear friends of mine today. They moved away from the town I live in so our relationship has grown into an 'emailing friendship'. I was writing about how frazzled I have been lately and how crazy my days seem to be. And then I wrote...

This time right before school is such a hard time for me and sometimes I feel like I can’t breath because I am being ‘tugged’ in so many directions...
At this time, I crave quiet time for prayer. It is just so hard to find time for Him.

The words I wrote were so heavy for me to write. They were even more difficult to reread after I wrote them.

I immediately stopped what I was doing.
I just sat there at the computer and didn't do anything.
Eventually, the sounds from the house started to interrupt my stillness...
My three youngest children had two neighborhood friends over to play and their laughing and bits of chit chat filtered down the steps to my ears.
My husband's whistling added to the many sounds.

"It is just so hard to find time for HIM!!"

Father, please forgive me. In this busy time of year, help me to find You.
I love you!
Amen.

Mary
Jesus, I trust in You!

May Feelings III

I know I haven't posted in awhile...
I am still here and continuing to be very busy. I love this video and want to continue to encourage you to remember to pray for our Priests.

Mary

Jesus, I trust in You!

Pope writes: "Dear Friends, I just launched http://news.va"

The Pope uses the media! He has an IPad and he uses Twitter! How awesome is this??
God's peace and many blessings,
Mary
Jesus, I trust in You!

p.s. Mr. R. was taken to the hospital and I think he is nearing the time to see our Lord and Savior. Please offer a Divine Mercy Chaplet for him. Remember the promises to St. Faustina from our Lord Jesus Christ.
Thank you so very, very much.

Corpus Christi

This weekend we celebrate Corpus Christi.

This is from our Parish's facebook page...
Corpus Christ is the Church's official act of homage and gratitude to Christ, who by instituting the Holy Eucharist gave to the Church her greatest treasure. Holy Thursday, assuredly, marks the anniversary of the institution, but the commemoration of the Lord's passion that very night suppresses the rejoicing proper to the occasion. Today's observance, therefore, accents the joyous aspect of Holy Thursday.
The Mass and the Office for the feast was edited or composed by St. Thomas Aquinas upon the request of Pope Urban IV in the year 1264. It is unquestionably a classic piece of liturgical work, wholly in accord with the best liturgical traditions. . . It is a perfect work of art.

Please continue prayers for Fr. Corapi, Rachel, Alaina, and Baby James.
Sacred Heart of Jesus, I trust in You!
Blessed Mother Mary, be our mother too.

Mary
mom_of_six
Jesus, I trust in You!

Prayers for Baby James

Baby James is a little brother to a family at the school where I teach. He was born with only 15% of his heart working and has been waiting for a donor heart. He is only six months old. I was talking to the school secretary today and she told me that he is is not doing well. He is too sick... at this time... to be on the donor list. He needs your prayers... also prayers for his family.
Sacred Heart of Jesus... I trust in You!
Blessed Mother Mary... Be our mother too!

Mary
Jesus, I trust in You!