The May Magnificat.

I came upon this beautiful poem dedicated to the Blessed Mother and her month of  May.  I found it in the back of the Book with the Divine Office.  I never would have found it if my book had not fallen and opened to the page.  I love it.  It is also a tribute to mothers who try to model after the Blessed Mother with God's grace.  I thought I would share it with you.  I do hope you enjoy it.


May is Mary's month, and I

Muse at that and wonder why:
         Her feasts follow reason
         Dated due to season-


Candlemas, Lady Day
But the Lady Month, May,
          Why fasten that upon her
          With a feasting in her honour

Is it only its being brighter
Than the most are must delight her?
           Is it opportunist?
           And flowers find soonest?

Ask of her, the mighty mother:
Her reply puts this other
            Question what is Spring?
            Growth in everything

Flesh and fleece, fur and feather,
grass and greenworld all together;
            Star-eyed strawberry-breasted 
            Throstle above her nested

Cluster of bugle blue eggs thin

Forms and warms the life within;
            And bird and blossom swell
             In sod or sheath or shell

All things rising, all things sizing
Mary sees sympathizing
           With that world of good
            Nature's motherhood 

Their magnifying of each its kind
With delight calls to mind
           How she did in her stored
           Magnify the Lord

Well but there was one more than this:
Springs universal bliss
           Much had such to say
           To offering Mary may

When drop-of-blood-and-form-dapple
bloom lights the orchard-apple
            And thicket and thorp are merry
            With silver surfed cherry.

And azuring-over greyball makes
Wood banks and brakes wash wet like lakes
            And magic cuckoocall
             Caps, clears and clinches all-

This ecstasy all through mothering earth
Tells Mary her mirth till Christ's Birth
              To remember exultation
              In God who was her salvation.


by
Gerard Manly Hopkins


Happy Mother Day to all Mothers!!!
Happy Month of May to our Mother in Heaven!!!

Lourdes Pilgrimage 2011

Our good friend and Knight of Malta Tim Jeffries sent us these exquisite pictures of their recent pilgrimage to Lourdes. Viewing them brought back so many fond memories for Claire and I. Most importantly, of Our Lady's hand in our opportunity to participate in last year's trip, as well as her protective mantle in Claire's care over the last year. I know that Claire is much stronger spiritually today as result of that grace and peace filled journey. Physically, Claire has become weaker. Especially given her recent surgery, which has pushed her recovery back further. Since the spinal fusion Claire has had to regain muscle strength that she took for granted in the past. Claire is in both physical and occupational therapy to try and rebuild her muscle control. There are plans for her to enter the hospital in the rehabilitation unit in order to work on strengthening. Being in the hospital is not the best or easiest decision, but for Claire it will allow her to learn new skills and get stronger. We thank you for your continued prayers. We ask that the Blessed Mother pray for you and bring you to the place of healing at Lourdes. May the almighty Lord bless us, protect from evil and bring us to everlasting life. Amen.

Happy Birthday Matthew!!!

Matthew turned 22 last week!! We are so amazed, the time just flew by. I remember mothers telling me to pay attention when your children are younger because the time you spend with them is so brief. I, of course, did not heed their advice and look back now on all my areas of imperfection as a mother. While, at the same time, witnessing God's providence and His perfect will.  These were an answer to prayer, and enabled us to get out of His way. Still, God's grace can do all things and it has in Matthew's life. The name Matthew means "gift of God" He has certainly been a gift for our whole family and as you can see by the picture, everyone loves their older brother and he is so wonderful to them. He is preparing for his vocation, in whatever God calls him to, in the cell of the family, our domestic church. May God continue to bless you Matthew, and we will keep you and your vocation in constant prayer.
Love,
your family.

"To the Author" band at the Pan de Vida Retreat in Redding

Joe, Sheila, Matthew, Claire and I spent Divine Mercy Sunday in Redding at the first Pan de Vida Retreat of the West Coast. It was certainly a grace filled weekend for everyone. You can see the pictures of Sheila and Claire with the band members. They had a great time especially with the guys who played for Our Lord all weekend.
Great group of young men. It is always a blessing for our family to participate as a group sharing the faith with others, including and most importantly young people. John Paul II was beatified over the weekend and during the retreat we remember his call for a "New Evangelization." We can reflect on his own radical conversion to Christ and strive to achieve that.  I desire and meditate on this kind of conversion often, and tried to call this to mind throughout the weekend. We attempt, as a family, to live the message of the Second Vatican Council that encourages everyone to be a saint, and calls each of us to holiness. It is true that when we live the missionary spirit of striving for holiness we call others to holiness. Our challenge is to exemplify that call that Jesus made to His disciples and go and teach the good news. When we live the Gospel message we become missionaries of Jesus Christ to others. During the weekend there were many graces and we were so blessed to be a part of it. You can tell who enjoyed it the most with these pictures of the girls.
May the peace of our Lord be with you all!!!

Kieran's Bike trip..

Kieran spent the last week traveling down Hwy. 1 to Big Sur with his Boy Scout troop. In total, the trip was over 150 miles. The views were spectacular and it was quite an adventure. He has become the cyclist over the last few months and he is enjoying it tremendously. I am very grateful to his boy scout troop for their generosity and kindness; without the Scouts I don't believe Kieran would have discovered his new passion.

Stephen's First Confession

During this Octave of Easter, as well as the Divine Mercy week, Stephen had the opportunity to receive his first confession. It was very sweet. Normally I am not one to take pictures, especially of such an intimate sacrament as First Reconciliation. But, given Stephen's gifts, and that his hero is Fr. Jerry, and lastly that he is preparing for First Communion I thought it appropriate to capture this moment of grace. Stephen loved every minute of it. He ran up the steps for confession. Fr. Jerry let me know that he thought he would vibrate right out of the chair. The next evening Stephen expected to return for confession. Joe and I were surprised at his enthusiasm to receive confession. His desire to return the next evening confirms his love for the church, as well as his ease with Fr. Jerry, and most importantly Christ's presence in that sacrament.
Thank you Lord for your graces and mercy this week and throughout the season of Easter.
May His Divine Mercy be with you all, now and always.