Funny Priest Story

Okay, he's not really a priest (yet anyway). Geno, age 3.5, who does think he's a priest sometimes. Anyhoo, he and Lu came over for our monthly (ish) dinner and a haircut night. After cutting Geno's hair, naturally his shirt was hairy and itchy. So i went upstiars and got a men's small white t-shirt, which goes nearly to the floor on him. At first he was confused and not sure how he felt about this big shirt, till i explained it was like an alb that Fr. and the altar servers wear. He told me, "Fr wears a purple alb in lent, but I just have green for ordinary time."

Knowing I had several tableclothes of many different colors, including purple, (thanks to someone's wedding) I offered to make him a purple alb. His eyes got very wide and he excitedly said, "Yeah, cuz Father has a purple alb!" So, I got the material, measured him, and in very short order had a new purple alb on Fr Geno. Not only was he thrilled to have a seasonally appropriate color on, but he was distracted and awed by how amazingly authentic the white sleeves of the alb underneath the purple chasable looked. He was so distracted, in fact, that while saying Mass, everytime he'd raise his hands "let us pray" or see his reflection in the fireplace, he'd pause for a long look at his amazing new look... Donal and I were dying of laughter- on the inside of course :) Seriously, it was the longest Mass I've been to in a long time- and I go to Christ the King!!

Donal commented when I was fitting G for his purple chasable, that Palm Sunday was red and that G was bound to notice. I laughed it off... and sure enough, Hannah calls on Sunday afternoon, "Um, Reenie, Geno asked me to call you... He noticed that Father is wearing red vestments and he only has green and purple..." Yeah, Geno notices everything at Mass, no surprise there. Diplomatic Aunt Reenie was able to convince him that if I made him a white chasable he'd be able to wear it more, especially with Easter and the whole Easter season in front of us. He seemed pleased with that option... so no red vestments have been made... yet...

Holy Week

Good morning friends, Happy Holy Week! I am seriously like a kid waiting for Santa on Christmas when it comes to Holy Week, its definitely my favorite week of the year! What a blessed and rich time. Holy week is one of those times i am incredibly grateful to the Catholic- what richness and depth we have, especially during this season. Wow. All week the readings at daily Mass have been leading us up to the Triduum... today the Gospel (http://www.usccb.org/nab/040407.shtml) was about Judas betraying Jesus. Somehow it really hits home. Sure, most of the time i like to think that I live a faithful life, try to avoid serious sin, etc., and yet, when it comes down to it, that could have been me. How often do I let pride or greed or selfishness get in the way of what God is doing?

In yesterday's Gospel (http://www.usccb.org/nab/040307.shtml), Peter, the first pope, a man that walked with Jesus also betrayed the Lord, though not in the same way as Judas, just as real. After Judas leaves the upper room to betray Jesus, Jesus is telling His apostles that He will be leaving soon.

Simon Peter said to him, “Master, where are you going?”
Jesus answered him,“Where I am going, you cannot follow me now,though you will follow later.”
Peter said to him,“Master, why can I not follow you now? I will lay down my life for you.”
Jesus answered, “Will you lay down your life for me?Amen, amen, I say to you, the cock will not crow before you deny me three times.”

How often I have said to Jesus, "Take my life, Lord. I will follow you, lay down my life for you, live for you." And yet, like Peter, when the rubber hits the road, how often have I also denied even knowing Him by my words or actions or inactions? Lord, continue to reveal yourself to me in this holy season, convicting me of my sin so that i may truly rejoice in your saving death and resurrection!

As usual, I am working with the teens to put on the living Stations of the Cross for the parish on Good Friday. St Alphonsus Ligori's Stations are so deep and moving... and this line always strikes a chord in my heart: "I love You, beloved Jesus; I love You more than I love myself. With all my heart I repent of ever having offended You. Grant that I may love You always; and then do with me as You will." Lord, may we love you more than ourselves in all things, big and small. May we enter more deeply into your heart during this Triduum, so that by meditating on your passion and death, we may come to know the true joy of the Resurrection!

Happy Holy Week my friends. May you be blessed abundantly in these holiest of days!!

New Arrivals

Rosemary Emmanuella Love

Arrived: Tuesday, March 27, 2007 6.46 AM
Stats: 9 lbs 1 oz, chubby cheeks and double chin
BEAUTIFUL!! Fiesty little girl with the loudest cry I've ever heard on a newborn! Someone is going to make a splash in the world and keep her parents on their toes :)
Welcome to the outside world Rosemary, we're happy to finally meet you!\


The happy family with new Rosemary

Mom and Rosemary just after she arrived

Dad and Rosemary shortly after her arrival












































Anthony loves his baby sister... lots of kisses...











Aunt Reenie loves this little girl too!

St Peter, pray for us...

I was struck again by this scripture today (was a couple weeks ago too) Luke:1-11 http://www.usccb.org/nab/020407.shtml. Once again, St Peter is such a great example for me... he's exhausted from fishing all night, Jesus asks him to use the boat so he can preach to the crowds from it, and although i'm sure its the last thing Peter wanted to do, he does it because Jesus asks. and then, to top it off, after he's done speaking (which was probably fairly long) Jesus tells them to put their nets out for a catch. Peter responds that they'd been fishing all night and caught nothing (are you crazy?) but if you say so, we'll do it. He may not have expected much, but he was obedient... and sure enough, Jesus provides the miracle and fills the nets to breaking.

Lord, give us the grace to be obedient, even when we are exhausted and don't understand. May our ears be attuned to the sound of your voice and may our eyes be opened to see your work among us.

again, wow... even if it is just a dumb quiz, i wish it were true...

You Have A Type A- Personality

You are one of the most balanced people around Motivated and focused, you are good at getting what you want You rule at success, but success doesn't rule you. When it's playtime, you really know how to kick back Whether it's hanging out with friends or doing something you love! You live life to the fullest - encorporating the best of both worlds

Do You Have a Type A Personality?

who'da thunk?

People Envy Your Compassion

You have a kind heart and an unusual empathy for all living creatures. You tend to absorb others' happiness and pain. People envy your compassion, and more importantly, the connections it helps you build. And compassionate as you are, you feel for them.

What Do People Envy About You?