Murray Clan 13!!
Piano Recital
Claire's 17th Birthday!! Praise God!!
How blessed we are to celebrate another year with Claire. She is doing well. All of the appointments with her specialists indicate her stability and we are so grateful to God for His goodness and her good health! She has been out of the hospital for almost almost a year! We pray for her continued improvement in her health. Thank you so much for your prayers.
"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
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
Newest Murray Member
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.
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.
The Seminarians at the North American College greet the Pope
The Seminarians at the NAC sing to Pope Benedict XVI at his weekly Angelus at Castel Gandolfo in Rome. You can't see Matthew, but you can see a great group of future priests who love the Holy Father and the Church. The Pope's message to the seminarians is both inspiring and challenging. Please continue to pray for Matthew, the Seminarians at the NAC and the Holy Father. God Bless!
Tomorrow's priests
Matthew is not in this video, instead his classmates at the North American College. These young men are the future of the Church and they need our prayers as they pursue their studies and seek the will of God. Please continue to pray for Matthew and his brothers at the NAC.
A statement from Archbishop-designate Salvatore Cordileone
"While visiting in San Diego this past weekend, I had dinner at the home of some friends along with a priest visiting outside the country and my mother, who lives near San Diego State University. While driving my mother home, I passed through a DUI checkpoint the police had set up near the SDSU campus before I reached her home, and was found to be over California legal blood alcohol level. I apologize for my error in judgement and feel shame for the disgrace I have brought upon the Church and myself. I will repay my debt to society and I ask for forgiveness from my family and my friends and co-workers at the Diocese and the Archdiocese of San Francisco. I pray that God, in His inscrutable wisdom, will bring some good out of this."
This is such a humble and contrite statement. I love the Archbishop-designate. He has our continued prayers and support. Please continue to pray for Archbishop Salvatore Cordileone as he transitions to San Francisco and continues to suffer and sacrifice for his flock.
God Bless you!
This is such a humble and contrite statement. I love the Archbishop-designate. He has our continued prayers and support. Please continue to pray for Archbishop Salvatore Cordileone as he transitions to San Francisco and continues to suffer and sacrifice for his flock.
God Bless you!
Trip to Castel Gandolfo
Matthew's recent trip to the Holy Father's Summer Residence...
These are the Holy Father's words to us NAC seminarians at Castel Gondolfo for the Angelus: “I offer a warm welcome to the English-speaking pilgrims and visitors present at this Angelus prayer. I also greet the new students of the Pontifical North American College. Dear seminarians, use your time in Rome to conform yourselves more completely to Christ. Indeed, may all of us remain faithful to the Lord, even when our faith in his teachings is tested. May God bless you!”
These are the Holy Father's words to us NAC seminarians at Castel Gondolfo for the Angelus: “I offer a warm welcome to the English-speaking pilgrims and visitors present at this Angelus prayer. I also greet the new students of the Pontifical North American College. Dear seminarians, use your time in Rome to conform yourselves more completely to Christ. Indeed, may all of us remain faithful to the Lord, even when our faith in his teachings is tested. May God bless you!”
Hiking in Tahoe!
Smore's
Here is the Family making smore's in Lake Tahoe during our family vacation.
What a great blessing and a good time for everyone!
What a great blessing and a good time for everyone!
Adventures of Aunt Betsy, Emily and John!!:)
Cousin Emily came to visit the Murray Clan last week and all of us had a great time with her. She and Claire put together a little video of the different things that they did during the week including John singing One Direction!!! Hope this bring a smile to your face, it brought many laughs among the clan:)
A Rome update...
Matthew sent us an email recently to keep us informed about his first week in Rome. I have attached the email as well as some pictures of the places he has visited (These pictures are those that were found on the web to help illustrate what Matthew described. He did not include these pictures in the email, I took the liberty to add them to message).
God has truly blessed Matthew and our family.
Please continue to keep him in your prayers.
Hey everybody, hope all is well
Even though it is about 1 in the morning, I thought I should give you guys a heads up on what it going on in Rome. I have been having a hard time getting to sleep the past few nights. Last night I think I only got about two hours of sleep. Instead of laying in bed, I decided to send you guys an email.
Despite the fact that I have been getting such little sleep, the past two days have been awesome. The day before yesterday my class went to visit the Basilica of St. John Lateran, the Pope's Basilica.
There we were given a wonderful tour by a sister who focused on certain aspects of the basilica that pertained to priestly ministry. We then had Holy Mass in the Baptistery of this Basilica. Later that night, we went on a walk through Rome in search of gelatto, Italy's version of ice cream.
Yesterday, we went and visited the Catacombs of Priscilla, a wealthy early Christian who donated her land in order that Christians might be buried there.
It was in these Catacombs that St. Philomena was buried. You guys were very much in my thoughts and prayers as I asked for her intercession. We had Holy Mass down in these Catacombs. I cannot begin to describe how amazing it was to hear the First Eucharistic Prayer in the midst of the burial places of the early Christians.
Later that afternoon, we visited the church of St. Lawrence. It was here the Americans bombed Rome during World War II, destroying large parts of this Church. A monument was set up near the church in honor of Pope Pius XII, who personally went down to this church to aid and comfort the victims of the bombing.
St. Lawrence, St. Stephen, and a priest named St. Justin are buried here, along with Bl. Pope Pius IX. This church also contains the marble slab that St. Lawrence was laid upon after he was burned to death. One can still see the blood stains upon the slab.
Next to the church is an enormous, eight mile cemetery, which contains house-size monuments to the departed of Rome. It was incredible! It is here that the departed priests and seminarians of the Pontifical North American College are buried, including one young man who died of an illness only three months after he arrived in Rome and whose cause is being considered for canonization.
These have been packed and busy days and I am very grateful to God for all that He has been giving me here in Rome. Please pray that He send me a little more sleep. You are all in my prayers and I miss you very much. I love you all. I would like to skype as soon as you guys think it would be alright.
Matthew
God has truly blessed Matthew and our family.
Please continue to keep him in your prayers.
Hey everybody, hope all is well
Even though it is about 1 in the morning, I thought I should give you guys a heads up on what it going on in Rome. I have been having a hard time getting to sleep the past few nights. Last night I think I only got about two hours of sleep. Instead of laying in bed, I decided to send you guys an email.
Despite the fact that I have been getting such little sleep, the past two days have been awesome. The day before yesterday my class went to visit the Basilica of St. John Lateran, the Pope's Basilica.
There we were given a wonderful tour by a sister who focused on certain aspects of the basilica that pertained to priestly ministry. We then had Holy Mass in the Baptistery of this Basilica. Later that night, we went on a walk through Rome in search of gelatto, Italy's version of ice cream.
Yesterday, we went and visited the Catacombs of Priscilla, a wealthy early Christian who donated her land in order that Christians might be buried there.
It was in these Catacombs that St. Philomena was buried. You guys were very much in my thoughts and prayers as I asked for her intercession. We had Holy Mass down in these Catacombs. I cannot begin to describe how amazing it was to hear the First Eucharistic Prayer in the midst of the burial places of the early Christians.
Later that afternoon, we visited the church of St. Lawrence. It was here the Americans bombed Rome during World War II, destroying large parts of this Church. A monument was set up near the church in honor of Pope Pius XII, who personally went down to this church to aid and comfort the victims of the bombing.
St. Lawrence, St. Stephen, and a priest named St. Justin are buried here, along with Bl. Pope Pius IX. This church also contains the marble slab that St. Lawrence was laid upon after he was burned to death. One can still see the blood stains upon the slab.
Next to the church is an enormous, eight mile cemetery, which contains house-size monuments to the departed of Rome. It was incredible! It is here that the departed priests and seminarians of the Pontifical North American College are buried, including one young man who died of an illness only three months after he arrived in Rome and whose cause is being considered for canonization.
These have been packed and busy days and I am very grateful to God for all that He has been giving me here in Rome. Please pray that He send me a little more sleep. You are all in my prayers and I miss you very much. I love you all. I would like to skype as soon as you guys think it would be alright.
Matthew
Matthew's Candidacy Mass
July 10, 2012 Matthew had his candidacy mass with Bishop Cordileone of the Oakland Diocese. During this special rite Matthew had the opportunity to affirm his desire to serve our Lord in His bride the Church.
We were blessed to have Fr. James Moore, Matthew's Confirmation Sponsor, concelebrate at the mass.
The Bishop has requested that Matthew continue his studies at the North American College in Rome. He will be studying at the Gregoriam. He will leave July 15th and fly to Rome and then travel to Sienna to learn Italian for the remainder of the summer. Please continue to keep Matthew in your prayers. May Matthew continue to serve our Lord in whatever may be His will.
We were blessed to have Fr. James Moore, Matthew's Confirmation Sponsor, concelebrate at the mass.
The Bishop has requested that Matthew continue his studies at the North American College in Rome. He will be studying at the Gregoriam. He will leave July 15th and fly to Rome and then travel to Sienna to learn Italian for the remainder of the summer. Please continue to keep Matthew in your prayers. May Matthew continue to serve our Lord in whatever may be His will.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)