Father and Son backpacking trip 2011

Joe, Kieran, Thomas, and Joseph had a wonderful time in the Sierras last week!! It was a great weekend!!
This is an opportunity for fathers and sons to get together, hike, have mass, have confession, and hear great mediations. Thank God in His goodness for the wonderful work of Opus Dei!!

Stephen's Reenactment

"26 yrs. of WYD" by Grassroots films is below.
Here is Stephen's reenactment.
This is classic Stephen.

26 Years of World Youth Days

The Giants Win for the Murrays!!

June Birthdays!!!

Happy Birthday Kieran and Stephen!!!
Kieran is 14!! and Stephen is 8!!

Claire Update

Please continue to pray for Claire.  She has been in the hospital for a month and is doing physical and occupational therapy.  She is working very hard and getting stronger everyday.  Your prayers sustain her and our family.  God Bless you!!

Computer Problems

I have been behind for over a month on blogging.  My computer crashed again, and I had to wait for the fan to be replaced.  Once the computer was working I made it a point to back up all of the necessary files just in case this happens again.  It is a difficult transition when you have access to everything you think you need at the push of button, and later find yourself not being able to have a button to push.  I don't want to rely on technology as I do.  Many times it is a blessing and a curse.  Thank you Lord for allowing me to trust you, and for showing me Your way.

A time for Sacraments for the Murrays

Stephen and Claire received sacraments this weekend.  Stephen received First Communion and Claire received Confirmation.  The family attended and the outpouring of the Holy Spirit certainly rested upon us this weekend.
I read a commentary that I want to share.  It is very beautiful:
"Yielding to the Holy Spirit"
"Tears are the humble, created water of my heart that corresponds to the powerful uncreated water of the Spirit's life in me.  Tears are perhaps the most rejuvenating and re-creating water of all, the evidence that I have allowed grace to melt the ice at the center of my being.  As Leon Bloy says strikingly, where there are tears, there is the Holy Spirit, because the Spirit of God is always, as at the beginning, 'hovering over the waters.' What areas of my life are still rigid, refusing to yield to resistance and be shaped by God's fingers?....
In what parts of my person do I still allow the old inflexible grouch of sin to have his way?  Each one of us, according to our state in life, has different strategies for allowing the old Adam and Eve to survive in us.  We may have that rascal, the decrepit old self, locked away safely, but surreptitiously we still pass him food through the slot in the dungeon door, do we not?
The Glory of God is always found in movements of love, in communication of life, never in static routine cramped piety, thoughtless repetition of official acts of conventional observance, external religious acts that could easily become the letter that kills, the continuing tyranny of the old, sinful self.  The Spirit by contrast, is wind, fire, light, water, Glory; the unexpected, the transforming, the self communicating, the self-outpouring Power that shapes by embracing and not letting go.  The way of the disciple is necessarily a way of discipline, because discipleship is the living school in which we learn how to be like Christ by intimate association with Him."

Stephen's First Holy Communion

Veni, Sancte Spiritus

This is so beautiful.  I love reciting it together during the Pentecost mass.
Come, Holy Spirit, come!
And from your celestial home
Shed a ray of light divine!
Come, Father of the poor!
Come, source of all our store!
Come, within our bosoms shine.
You, of comforters the best;
You, the soul's most welcome guest;
Sweet refreshment here below;
In our labor, rest most sweet;
Grateful coolness in the heat;
Solace in the midst of woe.
O most blessed Light divine,
Shine with these hearts of yours,
And our most inmost being fill!
Where you are not, we have naught,
Nothing good in deed or thought
Nothing free from taint of ill.
Heal our wounds, our strength renew;
On our dryness pour your dew;
Wash the stains of guilt away:
bend the stubborn heart and will;
Melt the frozen, warm the chill;
Guide the steps that go astray.
On the faithful, who adore
And confess you, evermore
In your sevenfold gifts descend;
Give the virtue's sure reward;
Give them your salvation, Lord;
Give them joys that never end. Amen.
Alleluia

Claire's Confirmation

Life on the Rock - Nun Essential - Fr. Mark and Doug with Sr. Miriam Jam...

Sr. Miriam James SOLT - She is Awesome!!!
"Our deepest longings of our heart are found in Jesus, and we are LOVED"

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.

Happy Easter - Alleluia

He is Risen, Alleluia!
What a beautiful season of the year!! Now that Lent is behind us we can continue to work toward heaven with our new resolutions of prayer, fasting and almsgiving.
Our family was so very honored to be at the cathedral for the mass with Bishop Salvatore. Matthew served both the Easter Vigil as well as the 10:00 a.m. mass the next day. It is a very busy time for the Murray clan, the kids are on break from school. But, we have star testing, spring activities with boy scouts, kenpo and girls club. Not to mention the yard work, spring cleaning and Holy Week preparations. So, I am a couple days past Easter Sunday, but the Church celebrates Easter Sunday during the octave after Easter Sunday. This is awesome!! We will then celebrate for 7 weeks in this Easter season remembering Christ's passion, death and most importantly His resurrection. We have been saved. We enter into Divine Mercy Sunday when His love and mercy is with us in a most profound way!!
A very Blessed and Happy Easter week and Divine Mercy Sunday to all!! Blessed John Paul II, pray for us.

Happy Birthday Daddy!!!

Joe celebrated his Birthday this week with family!! We were able to spend it with the whole Murray Clan! Matthew is home from break for Holy Week.
A Blessed and Holy Week and Easter to All!

Lifelong Love

I believe we need to strengthen marriages. This video does a beautiful job highlighting commitment and the courage to love... forever. I spoke to a young woman today who was planning her wedding in July. She is enjoying every minute of the wedding plans. She told me, " You only get to plan one?" "Well, hopefully!" I told her. Our culture continues to discourage the self denial and sanctity of marriage. While the Church continues to promote the beauty of self-giving love within the vocations of married, single, and religious life. Let us strive as members of the mystical body to enlighten and transform the culture especially with regards to the grace that the powerful sacrament of marriage has to transform the world.
What have you done for your marriage lately?

I have a great family...

I know many people can say the same thing about their children, their family, and they should.  But, I know it is important to say that about my wonderful family. Things are going well this Lenten season for the Murray family.  Joe and I had the opportunity to get away for a couple of days to celebrate our upcoming birthdays.  We went to Napa for a two nights and enjoyed some time together.  While we were gone Sheila, Kieran and Claire stayed home watching the children and maintaining the fort.  My mom and sister were able to come for some respite time and help out when needed.  We are so thankful for their help and generosity.  It is important for couples to get away and spend time listening to each other and remembering why they are married.  This time together enables them to nurture and sustain the beautiful vocation of marriage.  Our selfless family enabled us to do just that.  I  love our family and I appreciate their kind gift, and I praise God often for His blessings and their presence in our lives.  It is important to thank the source and giver of all gifts and never more than this weekend was it apparent to Joe and I.
Many Blessings this Lent and into the Easter Season.

Kieran's Snow Camp Survival

Kieran recently attended a snow survival camp with his Boy Scout troop. Each Scout dug out their own cave to sleep in over night. It was quite an experience for Kieran, this is not the first time he has gone on the survival camp and it may not be the last. It is very impressive the skills and techniques they instruct over the weekend. It certainly is not something the girls and I would want to participate in, but Matthew and Joe were intrigued and encouraged by the trip. Good for you Kieran!

Happy Lent!!

Now that Lent has officially begun it is very important not to lose the sense of joy that we have within us. As scripture tells us, let them see the hope that is in you. We are hoping to come close to God and this takes some work, but no less joy. I wanted to share this Brian Regan comedy with you as you journey into Lent. We stumbled upon him from Sr. Miriam's blog (soltsisters) and it brought us some laughter, especially at a time needed given Claire's surgery.  She appreciated him given her own Emergency room past.  Our whole family has watched and enjoyed his humor which is wonderful because as a family we can come together and experience laughter and joy.
May our Lord continue to richly bless you and your family this Lent and into Easter.
God Bless!!

Claire's home!

Thanks be to God, Claire has returned home and she has been recovering at home with the family.  She has to wear a brace around her trunk when she is not sleeping in order to stabilize her and allow her back to fuse. Due to the brace, Claire has spent the last couple of days becoming accustomed to completing daily activities in her brace and regaining the use of certain muscles that were comproised during the surgery.  She will have several follow-up appointments and she hopes to return to physical and occupational therapy soon to begin to work more on her upper body strength.  Your prayers continue to surround our family and we dedicate our evening prayer to all those who care for us and have been a tremendous gift to our family.
God Bless you and thank you!

February Birthdays!

A Very happy Birthday to Fulton who turned 4 this month!
To Michael who turned 6 this month!
To Sheila who turned 18 this month, what a milestone!
Sheila spent her birthday with her Nana, her aunts, her father, and her sister Claire who was still recovering in the hospital. What a light Sheila has been to our family, we are so grateful for her presence and joy. Although with the chaos of our lives currently, it may not appear as though we appreciate her; we feel deeply graced by the gift she has been to our lives.
May God continue to bless her future as he had our family by her presence with us.
St. Therese of the Child Jesus - Sheila's Patron Saint,
Pray for us!!!

Claire is doing well!

Claire is doing much better.  Her recovery has been rough, nothing out of the ordinary for Claire.  She did have complications with her lungs given the amount of blood she was given during her surgery.  She also had some concerns with pain and with her shunts functioning properly.  But, she has turned the corner and is doing much better now.  We are confident that it is because of the tremendous amounts of prayers from so many people who have stormed heaven for Claire and her healing.  It certainly is a grace to see the corrections made to her spine.  And, we are so thankful that she now has more strength and we pray that with therapy will regain more leg and arm function.
Thank you for your prayers, and please offer thanksgiving to God for prayers answered in Claire's recovery.
Praise God!!

Surgery for Claire

Claire's surgery went very well.  It was over 12 hours and she needed 5 liters of blood in the process.  As a result, she is very swollen from all of the blood products.  She is in a great deal of pain as well.  However, all of this seems worth it given that her curvature was progressing and may have eventually caused further damage to her spinal cord.  The surgeon mentioned that they were able to make a 70% correction with her scoliosis and correct a portion of the caiphosis. At this point, Claire's arm and leg function have improved.  We noticed an increase in arm function, and we will have to wait and see on her leg function given that she has an arterial IV line in one foot and compression braces on her legs for blood circulation.  But she is able to move her feet up and down. Praise God!  The prayers, masses, and rosaries certainly have aided Claire in such a smooth recovery.  We have seen Claire come out of much less complicated surgeries with more difficulties and pain.  However, since we certainly rallied all the troops for prayerful intercession, her recovery has been, for the most part, very uneventful. Thank you all for your prayers; our family is so grateful to those who have kept Claire on the top of their intention list.
May God continue to bless you for your kindness and deep faith.

Murray Clan current events

Claire recently had another MRI given some weakness in her left arm and some severe pain she was experiencing.  The MRI indicated there were no current syrinx issues and that she was still clear to have the surgery on Feb. 16th.  We continue to pray that Claire will experience tremendous healing.  We ask our Lady of Lourdes especially during her Feast day, Feb. 11th, for Claire's recovery of her legs and some organ functioning.
We also attended a beautiful mass at the Cathedral on Saturday for the World day of the sick. This was hosted by the Order of Malta.  During the mass Claire received the sacrament of anointing in preparation for her upcoming surgery.  This was a unique opportunity for us to be in solidarity with others who suffer, as well as those who care for them, and experience the strength and purpose of suffering.  Each of those who were anointed participated with the suffering of Christ.  Bishop Cordileone celebrated the mass and eloquently detailed the importance of being spiritually fed and healed as only our Lord can provide in the sacraments.  The mass and anointing were unique supernatural opportunities to pray with Claire, and for Claire as she prepares for this very long and painful surgery.  The timing of the surgery, the mass at the cathedral and Claire's presence could not be more providential.  We are thankful to all for their patience and kindness as we hope and pray that this is the final surgery and healing is achieved through God's grace.
God Bless you all.
Our Lady of Lourdes,
Pray for us.