We are Catholics before we are Democrats. We are Catholics before we are Republicans. We are Catholics before we are Americans. So, let's vote like Catholics!!

"the purpose of our lives is...

"to reveal God to men. And only where God is seen does life truly begin. Only when we meet the living God in Christ do we know what life is...
There is nothing more beautiful that to be surprised by the Gospel, by the encounter with Christ. There is  nothing more beautiful than to know him and to speak to others of our friendship with him." Preaching the Gospel is an invaluable service that the Church can offer to the whole of humanity that journeys through history... The mission of proclaiming the Gospel to all peoples entails a critical judgment on the worldwide transformations that are now substantially changing humanity's culture. The Church present and active on the geographical and anthropological frontiers bears a message that has been passed down through history, in which she proclaims inalienable human values, with the proclamation and witness of God's saving plan made visible and operative in Christ.  Preaching the Gospel is the call of God's children to freedom, to the construction of an ever more just and solidary society, and to our preparation for eternal life.  Whoever participates in Christ's mission must inevitably face tribulation, conflict, and suffering, because they will come up against the resistance and the powers of this world... Evangelization needs Christians with their arms raised towards God in prayer, Christians moved by the knowledge that the conversion of the world to Christ is not brought about by us, but given to us."
Pope Benedict XVI

Stephen recites Lonfellow

Newest Murray Member

Yes, it is official.  I am now 13 weeks pregnant with the latest member of the family.  We did delay in letting people know until I was farther along given that I have had three miscarriages within the last three years.  We ask for you continued prayers.  I recently saw the tiny baby's heartbeat again and feel much better about this pregnancy given the amount of time that has past. This child is certainly a gift from God given the past losses, and I certainly was not expecting the opportunity to conceive again.  Our Lord always has better plans and it is good to be reminded of this.
Thank you all so much for your prayers.

This election is all about religious freedom and life.

Discredit it if you can.  But when our religious freedom and the very lives of the future are taken away.  Who can we point the finger at then?  Vote for life and religious freedom. 

Ordination of 33 deacons fills St. Peter's with joy!

Matthew is in this video, even it is his back. He helped serve the mass.  This is very exciting for the Oakland Diocese who watched Brandon Macadaeg from Danville become ordained.  Our Lady of the Rosary, pray for us!!

Some Pics of Matthew

Matthew helped out at his Seminarian brother's Deaconate ordination this week.  Brandon Macadaeg was ordained Deacon in Rome and he is from the Oakland Diocese.  What an awesome experience to share that with your Seminarian brother as well as to be able to participate in an exquisite church in which the sacrament was conferred.  Here are some photos of the event:

School...

Well, we now have 4 weeks of school completed.  What an accomplishment!  We all miss the summer, except for the heat of the season. Yet, we did have the sweltering summer continue in Antioch through to October.  It is cooling off which does make school a little more palatable.
There are seven in school in the Murray home.  Fulton is a Kindergartner this year, can't believe it!  He is pluggin along and is very motivated to learn.  Today was his first piano lesson, and during the lesson he made it a point to mention to the Piano teacher that "he was not very good at this."  With some time he should do well.
Michael is a second grader and preparing for First Holy Communion which he is so excited to receive.  Stephen is a fourth grader and adjusting to additional curriculum which he did not need to worry about as a third grader.  He is feeling overwhelmed, so please pray for Stephen as he moves forward in the school year.
Joseph is a middle schooler, he is in sixth grade and doing well.  I think summer school did benefit him. Thomas is a seventh grader and he is loving science especially all of the material he is learning about Space and Dinosaurs.  Well, whatever it takes.
Kieran is a Sophomore and he is working hard given the subjects he is taking this year.  He is also participating in Martial Arts 5 days a week with two different classes and the many youth group events as well as his Confirmation class.  All of these are really beneficial for him but it is crazy making for us.  Claire is now a Senior in High School.  She is looking forward to her future researching careers and praying about her vocation.  Ultimately she will do best when doing His will.  Sheila continues to work and go to the local Community college.  It seems like she is rarely here.  We miss her, but it is good for her to prepare for her future and we can appreciate her more when she is able to spend time with us as a family. 
Joe and I recently helped with a Marriage Prep retreat.  We do hope to help out the Diocese more as we move into the year of Faith.  We are encouraged to learn more about our beautiful faith, but most importantly to live it out.  Thank you for your prayers as we continue with the busyness of school and the attempts to raise beautiful human beings for God.