Pan de Vida Brentwood February 2012

The very talented Roxanne Pasibe created a movie of the retreat that the Murray clan is very involved in. Here is that beautiful video and some of the clan. We are so grateful to her for producing and creating the video. Praised be Jesus Christ!

Sheila's Birthday Surprise!!!

During Sheila's Birthday celebration she had a chance to jam with her pals from Immaculate Heart of Mary Church.... and they just happened to make a video. So, here it is. I believe that family can best appreciate it.

Lent...the signs of God at work in us.

Lent has begun.  A time for clearing away the obstacles and coming closer to the Lord.  I love this season.  It is a struggle.  But, of all the opportunities in the church to come to a deeper understanding of God's work in us it occurs during this season.  I read a reflection recently that I would like to share: "because I know that no one can bless and thank the Lord for what others receive if he has not first done so for his own gifts, I caution you to think about the many bonds from which the Lord has freed you and all the other snares set by the devil that you did not suspect He saved you from.  As Job says, the devil has his trap hidden in the earth and God often frees us from it secretly. Let us imagine you sailed forth to battle, sailed the seas, traveled a road where many people had been attacked by thieves or killed by beasts and you realized your danger was as great as theirs and you as vulnerable to death as they, yet somehow you escaped safe and unharmed. Now being a Christian, you ought to acknowledge that God saved you and snatched you from the hands of death you yourself had gripped.  You must understand this with respect to sin, for realizing your weakness, the Lord releases you from the occasion of sin and quells your desire to sin.  O how many blessed favors the merciful God and our Lord Jesus Christ grant us while we sleep on oblivious to their work!  Often in the very same moment we offend him, he considers how he must free us from offense and blame and acts so secretly that no mortal can discern, yet every Christian can believe it and render public thanks for the private favors..." Fr. Francesco de Osuna O.F.M.  Help us O Lord to be mindful of your gifts and to render public thanks..turning away from sin and returning to the Gospel.
In this time of quiet, and in God's secrecy I am mindful of my need for gratitude of His grace and it's working in my life.  Always aware that I am dust and to dust I will return.

Presidents' Day 2012

Happy President's Day!! Let us remember what it means to be in service of our country and of God!!

Trip to Muir woods with the CFR's

The Murray family had an adventure traveling
to the Muir Woods after the Pan de Vida Retreat weekend. Before the Franciscan Friars of the Renewal returned to the Juan Diego Friary in New Mexico we showed them a beautiful portion of Northern California. Bro Maximilian, a native of Illinois, had the opportunity to see the Pacific Ocean for the first time. Fr. Joseph Mary showed us where to view the Muir Beach lookout with a view of the Pacific Ocean that is breath taking. All those on the hike, including Claire marveled at the beauty and wonder of God's magnificent creation. Fr. Joseph Mary's approach was much more hands on. Good times were had by all!

Brian Regan-Big Family Stuff

Living in a big family we totally get this stuff. Brian Regan makes it real and hilarious. He is a Murray family favorite!

Happy Birthday Fulton!!

Fulton turned 5 years old on the feast of the Presentation. He had a very fun filled day with his siblings and friends. He is such a joy and treasure to the family. God Bless you Fulton!

Messy Mondays: Seven Lies about Homeschoolers (OFFICIAL VIDEO)

My kids loved this, especially the older ones. So, truly you can only understand the humor if you have been there. Enjoy!!

Fear is a fundamental gift of God

Yes, I know that it is hard to imagine, but fear is a gift.  Of course, it is a gift of the Holy Spirit - Fear of the Lord.  I read this meditation the other day which so accurately explained the gift of the fear of God that I wanted to share it.  Fear is a fundamental gift because it roots us in the truth about God and divine things.
"Without special help from God what would we have done on a certain day, at a certain hour? What choice would we have made? Without His continuing help, what would we do tomorrow?
When we stand before these two abysses - the abyss of the infinite purity of God, the only good, inaccessible to the sinner, and the abyss of our own wretchedness and weakness - we are seized with an impulse of retreat, to dread. This is not a matter of distrust, nor of discouragement or despair.  It is a piercing, poignant and purifying view of what we are in very truth before the eyes of God.  As long as we have not been purified by this sentiment, we cannot say that we have tasted the Lord.  It is fear that first makes us know and experience what God is and what we are."
I thought fear was not of God.  But, how can Fear of the Lord be a gift be a gift of the Holy Spirit?  Fear causes people to move, to change to grow.  If we are too afraid to see ourselves as God sees us than we have unhealthy fear.  Holy, healthy fear make our faculties for knowing and loving receptive to God's grace.

Bateman/Murray Cousins

Here are the boys hangin' out over Christmas. It was pretty awesome to have everyone together celebrating cousin Emily's birthday. The Christmas season is all about family get togethers and celebrations. I love seeing the cousins laugh and joke with each other, and they love spending time as a group. Of course, it is not without some issues, but for the most part it is good time had by all.
Time is something that slips so easily away, make sure to enjoy the time you have together and be truly grateful for His gift of the present.

December updates...

It seems as thought this year has been a blur, especially the last month.  Matthew has completed another semester, one more and he will have a degree in Philosophy.  He will graduate in the Spring and we are so proud.  Sheila just received her Certified Nursing Assistant license and is looking for a job as a CNA and beginning school at the local junior college.  Claire had another surgery where they removed two protruding screws from the hardware in her back as well as replaced a shunt in her spine.  She is recovering nicely and has regained some strength.  We are so grateful for her improvement since the surgery.  Kieran was just advanced to the adult class, given his size and strength, and all of the boys, Kieran, Thomas and Joseph, advanced in belt testing.  John turned two years old and Fulton, Michael, and Stephen have been anxiously waiting for Christmas.  We have had a very busy month, and now that the Christmas season is upon us we are thoroughly enjoying this time to pray together and reflect on the precious gifts that we have received from God.  Merry Christmas to you and many blessings in the New Year!

A very Blessed Christmas to you and your family from the Murray Clan!

Happy Birthday Thomas!!

Thomas turned 12 yrs. old on Dec. 20th.  During this time of preparation for Christmas it was important for the clan to take the time to appreciate Thomas and his significance in the family.  We had the family together and celebrated with a cake.  In December there are two birthday celebrations that force us to appreciate the lives of family members among us as well as prepare us for The life born to save mankind. As we prepare to open our hearts for His entrance into the world and into our hearts we reflect on His gift of family and meditate on the incarnation.  God became man to save us and set us free. Happy Birthday Thomas!

The New Blog picture.

In November the family was very adventurous, we had our portrait done.  We have not had a portrait done of the family since 2007. Given the family size and the challenge of getting 12 people, adults and children to smile at the camera is quite a challenge.  Our parish, Immaculate Heart of Mary Church in Brentwood, is preparing a directory of all the parishioners and they offered portraits to be taken by Olan Mills at the church.  Joe and I were very skeptical given our past experience of taken photographs while herding and directing the children to appear happy in the photo.  The photographer was wonderful and truly captured each child's and adult's personality.  This was our Christmas picture this year and we are so glad that we took the time to have it done.  What a blessing to have our family take the picture and spend Christmas together.  Praise God for His goodness and His tremendous blessings.

Happy Birthday John Mary!

John Mary turned 2 yrs. on the feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe!

He had a wonderful birthday with family, especially on this wonderful feast.

Pictures are not his favorite, but he will tolerate them on his birthday.

He was glad to receive his bike from his grandparents. What a great day for a birthday! Our Lady of Guadalupe, pray for us!

Thanksgiving... not the only time to be thankful!

Thanksgiving is a wonderful holiday, it is crucial to humanity for us to be thankful people.  Similar to so many others I am very thankful for the blessings God has given to our family.  The gifts as well as the crosses.  We cannot improve or grow without both.  As a Catholic, I am most thankful for the gift of faith.  I find strength and consolation in the beauty of the sacraments.  The Eucharist, which means thanksgiving, is the greatest treasure and what I am most thankful to God for is the precious gift of His Son.
The season of Advent has begun, which this year the church has declared as the season of grace.  And, with this Adventseason  has come the new translations of the mass.  These translations are also perfect opportunities to give thanks to God for illuminating the gifts of mass in a much more transformative and elevating language.  I am so thankful for the beautiful changes which are more accurate to the original Latin text.  This Roman missal no longer attempts to "dumb down the mass," as our pastor Fr. Jerry Brown so accurately explained during his homily on the first Sunday of Advent.  We are once again encouraged to appreciate and be thankful for the gift of the priesthood.  Especially those self-giving men who feed, shepherd and support their flock in learning the new responses and listenening to the right worship of God that takes place in the new missal.
Christmas will soon be upon us, therefore let us enjoy the next four weeks of Advent as we truly prepare to receive on Lord on the day of His birth.  Giving thanks to God with supreme adoration and praise that now adheres more accurately to the Church's initial prayers and responses of the mass for centuries.
Happy season of Advent!

Blessed are those parents...

Blessed are those parents who make their peace with spilled milk and with mud, for of such is the kingdom of childhood.
Blessed is the parent who engages not in the comparison of his child with others, for precious unto each is the rhythm of his own growth.
Blessed are the fathers and mothers who have learned laughter, for it is the music of the child's world.
Blessed and wise are those parents who understand the goodness of time, for they make it not a sword that kills growth but a shield to protect.
Blessed and mature are they who without anger can say "no," for comforting to the child is the security of firm decisions.
Blessed is the gift of consistency, for it is heart's-ease in childhood.
Blessed are they who accept awkwardness of growth, for they are aware of the choice between marred furnishings and damaged personalities.
Blessed are the teachable for knowledge brings understanding, and understanding brings love.
Blessed are the men and women who, in the midst of the unpromising mundane, give love, for they bestow the greatest of all gifts to each other, to their children, and - in an ever-widening circle - to their fellow men.

This was written by Marion Kinneman.  I pray that I may continue to practice this and strive to remember the precious gift of parenting.

All Saints Day - Halloween

This year I really appreciated Halloween. We celebrated All Hallows Eve at our parish Immaculate Heart of Mary Church in Brentwood. The kids enjoyed dressing up as great Saints in the Church.

 Eight members of the Murray Clan dressed up as Saints while only one was a religious priest. That is a true testament to the opportunity for laity to be canonized in the Church.  It was so much easier and less expensive to have them dress as Saints than havng to purchase pre-made costumes of super-heroes and scary figures.

 We had St. Michael the Archangel, St. Maria Goretti, St. Gianna Berretta Mola, St. Stephen, St. Dominic Savio, St. Charbel, Blessed Pier Giorgio Frassati and St. Dominic (priest)
Pope Benedict XVI highlighted to the young people that "the very notion of saints has been caricatured and distorted, as if to be holy meant to be remote from the world, naive and joyless."
This certainly was not true at the party. There was so much joy and we were so glad to be a part of parish that took the time to celebrate the Saints of our faith.
"Christ is not so much interested in how often in our lives we stumble and fall, as in how often with His help we pick ourselves up again. A Saint is someone who picked him- or herself up, by God's grace, one more time than he or she stumbled and fell.

Claire's Birthday!!

Claire recently celebrated her Sweet 16 birthday!!  Her cousin Emily flew up from Arizona and her friends from Napa came to celebrate with her.  What a surprise for her to see her cousin who came just for the weekend to celebrate her birthday.  She was truly surprised and so glad to have her spend the weekend with us.
Claire continues to need prayer.  She had two surgeries within the last month in order to allow the wounds on her back to heal.  She has been having numbness in her hands and fingers.  Our fear is that she may lose the function of her arms and hands as she did the function of her legs.  We worry that she may need a breathing tube in the future if she loses the function of her upper body.  The Missionaries of Charity and our family have begun saying a novena to the Servant of God Fr. John Hardon.  Please join us in pleading with our Lord through the intercession of Fr. Hardon  to grant healing and increased strength for Claire. 
We do accept the graces and the sufferings of our Lord and we pray for the continued grace to do His will.  Thank you so much for your prayers and concerns and my our Lord bless you and your family.
With love from the Murrays.

Dear Aunt Betsy...

The kids performed this for their Aunt Betsy on her B-day. She loved it!