A New Time

Our family has gone to church at 10:00 am always. We found our parish just around our first anniversary. That means we've been going to this church for about 29 years.  29 years!!!!! How is that possible? 

When we were first married 10:00 suited us just fine. I think we enjoyed sleeping in then. 

When we had babies and toddlers and elementary aged girls 10:00 was the only option really. They were awake early but there was a lot to 'wrangle' in that stage. (although happiness, pure happiness and I loved it) I can remember laying out their church clothes with them the night before (oh how I loved that). I can remember cooking breakfast, cleaning up, helping them get ready, doing their hair, helping to brush their teeth, putting on their coats, shoes, and getting them into the car. I remember packing their 'church' bags with fun and quiet things to do during Mass (I miss that). 

When we middle school and high school teens 10:00 was again the only option for us. Those teens needed to sleep in and we accommodated of course. 

But now, we have one in college going to church on her own, and one young adult. And so we've changed our church time to 8:00 am. 

Here is why we love it so much more:

⛪Getting up and going without doing lots of things first helps make it feel more holy to us. It's first and we like putting our faith first. That time just feels like the day hasn't started yet and so our minds are clear and our hearts are open to hear the Word and participate. 

⛪When we get home around 9:15 we have soooOoooo much day ahead of us. It feels good to have all of Sunday to go. 

⛪It's less crowded and so I find it more peaceful 

⛪This might sound strange but the 10:00 has a certain feel to it. There is a lot of music and a lot of families. When I've been to 10:00 since our girls have grown it's actually kind of hard. I see all of those young families with their 'church bags' and I want just one more time to be that family. So going to an entirely different Mass feels like an entirely new time in our lives and we need that. We can't stay in that stage forever! 

This past Sunday Scott decided to entice Anna and give her a spring in her step to going with us to the 8:00 by making a homemade waffle brunch when we got home and it was so so good! Hot tea, turkey sausage, and warm buttery waffles... yes please! 

The Churches of Quebec, Canada

One thing that this family loves about traveling to different places is experiencing our Catholic faith in different areas of the country and of the world. 

We've been to some really special churches. 

Of course our church is our very favorite. 

(Easter, 2023) 

But there is just something about going to Mass in another place - meeting the people - hearing the different prayers (or just a different way) - seeing the alter and the actual structure of the building - hearing the music. It's actually one of my favorite parts of vacations. 

Sunday Mass at Saint Patrick's in Quebec

So on the Sunday of our trip to Quebec, Canada, Scott did some research (ahead of time) and found an English speaking Mass for us. It wasn't in 'Old Quebec' but right outside in a residential area, which I loved. 

The priest was so friendly. He was in the entry way when we ran in dodging a quick downpour and he actually told us not to park where we were so we wouldn't get towed, ha! So Scott ran back out to move the car and the girls and I found a spot to sit. 

Holy Door, Quebec 

On one of our last days we were able to fit in going to the Holy Door. Here is a bit of background on that: 

Located in the Notre Dame Basilica-Cathedral, the Holy Door of Québec City is one of seven such doors worldwide, and the only one to be found outside Europe.

Holy Doors symbolize a passage between what one leaves behind to what one wishes to walk toward. There are six other such Doors around the world: four in Rome, one in Spain and one in France.

The Holy Door in Québec City was inaugurated in 2013 during the 350th anniversary celebration of the founding of the Notre-Dame de Québec parish by François de Laval. A Holy Door is generally kept sealed, only being opened in holy years. The Holy Door is currently open on the occasion of the 350th anniversary of the diocese of Québec until December 8, 2024.

The act of walking through the Holy Door to enter the Basilica reflects the inner journey of comp templating ones life and seeking the truth. For Catholics it's significant because it offers an "extraordinary pathway" toward salvation with a special indulgence. It is only opened every 25 years to mark a special Jubilee year. We were so blessed that we were able to be there. 

What we didn't know that inside the Holy Door would be a special alter and area for prayer along with several significant relics. Included was the relic of Saint Kateri Takakwitha, Abigail's patron saint. 

There was a place to write prayers and then after that we realized that Saint Takakwitha's relic was there. 

Basilica Cathedral of Quebec 

Standing on the same location since 1647 and designated a Canada National Historic Site given its architectural value, the Cathedral bears witness to the history of a whole population. Here rest four governors of New France, the bishops of the diocese of Québec and a funerary chapel dedicated to François de Laval. Visitors will see various works of art and pieces of archives with the splendid interior decoration as a background. You could also see de Holy Door.

What a beautiful place to visit. Although you could enter the Basilica through the Holy Door we actually visited it another time.  

Notre-Dame Victories Catholic Church 

This is a magnificent church - beautiful, impressive. It is the first Catholic church in North America, dating back to 1664. Amazing 

 

Last Week ~ A Reflection

This is our last week of summer. On Monday teachers go back for two days and the first day of school is next Wednesday. Anna will be back on campus on Sunday, and Abigail is involved in a program called 'link crew' which gives orientation for upcoming freshman so she will be busy those teacher days too. 

This last week the calendar is full of lots of little things. There are some doctor appointments that have cropped up and have been added in even though we tried so hard to fit them in the first week of summer back to back. 

I've already been in my classroom setting up during bits of time just here and there. I love to pop in at odd hours for just little bits. 

There are what feels like a million errands for Anna for college, for Abigail for high school, and for my own classroom. 

But we are still doing wonderful things like: 

reading on the couch after lunch

being together all day long 

having dinner on the porch at night...

I know what I will miss oh so much next week, although I'll be so busy in the first week of school to realize it. I'll miss us all being together. We scatter starting on Sunday and we're not together again until October. 

Yesterday was the last time for us this summer to be at Mass all together. And I soaked in. 

It was a particularly beautiful Mass. 

To begin with as we were walking in Sister Cristel asked Anna and I to come over to her and she was asking about college. When Anna told her where she was going, sister knew the theme song as she used to be a catholic high school teacher and many of her students went on to Holy Cross. She said, "that college is very comforting" and I added in "yes, to the families as well". That was such a sweet moment. 

The music, the homily given by a visiting sister from Uganda who spoke about her story and how 

1. Don't be mad at God for the difficulties - He is preparing you for something he has for you

2. Parents, don't give up on your children - do what you can and God will do the rest

and so much more

And truly it was just so wonderful to be sitting in our church for the last time all together for the summer. 

Summer was long. Summer was wonderful. And it's time to go back! 

Sandwich Ministry

This week Abigail and I were privileged to be a part of the Sandwich Ministry at our church. Each day our church (located in a city) gives out hundreds of sandwiches to the homeless that come to the sandwich window (a building attached to our church). 

Abigail recently joined the Sandwich Ministry because she completed the Confirmation program. Our church strongly encourages the now "adults of the church" to participate and give back. Scott and I feel that this high school age is the perfect time to them give to others. 

We gave Abigail all of the options to volunteer and she chose this. (Anna did too years ago.)

(Check out all of those loafs of bread up there! We used every single one of them!)

So this first time we headed to our parish together and were in charge of making: 

2 bins of ham & cheese

2 bins of turkey & cheese

2 bins of peanut butter & jelly 

for a grand total of 216 sandwiches! 

It took us around 2 non stop hours but we got it done! 

Here's one bin done... 5 more to go! 

 

Lovin our hair nets -- this was when tired was starting to set in, ha! (look at all those loafs still to gooooo) 

Overall it was an awesome morning with Abigail. I am so blessed to be a part of such a beautiful faith community that gives back. (one sandwich at a time) 

Abigail's Confirmation ~ May 6, 2023

written Sunday afternoon, May 7, 2023

I've got that: 

day after

sad it's over

yet

bubbling up inside with gratitude for so many things. 

I'm surrounded by dishes and silver to put away, napkins to fold and save for the next occasion, and a whole new week of teacher coming at me but I don't care. 

I have to be here and record these feelings while they are still so vivid. 

I am honestly surprised at how I'm feeling about this Confirmation. Yes, of course I know it's importance in our catholic faith and I know how special it is. But for some reason it touched my heart in such a profound way. Maybe it's because it's my "last" one. Maybe it's because I got to see Abigail in her very first 'grown up' event. And certainly is because the Holy Spirit moved me in a profound way. I pray she did in my little girl's heart as well. I know He did. 

There is truly so much I could say but let's just jump in. 

Here is the set up just before we left for the cathedral. We were having fourteen  over for a meal after: our little family

my parents and brother

Scott's Mom

Abigail's Confirmation sponsor

their little family

her grandmothers

It was wonderful. 

I took this vase down from the cabinet where I'd been saving it since Maddy (Scott was her Confirmation Sponsor) was a baby. We are her Godparents. She have us this vase with the words "Godparents, guide my steps, light my path. Love, Maddie 10/8/2008. I love it so much that I brought it to a florist and they made this amazing arrangement. 

Holy Spirit prayer cards at each place setting perfect for Confirmation I found at a holy shrine recently. I knew as soon as I saw them that I wanted to use them for this dinner. 

Abigail and Maddie, second graders on the day of their First Communion... thought of this last minute but love it so much! 

I had another table set up in the kitchen (forgot to take a picture of that) and then one more outside on the porch. 

Abigail eating a snack right before we left... 

And just a few family photos because I always want to capture those before things get too busy. 

We got to the Cathedral nice and early and I got a few pictures of Abigail. Love them so much! 

Our Cathedral is breathtaking and such an amazing work of art. 

Scott was Maddie's Confirmation Sponsor and here she is being sealed with the gift of the Holy Spirit with Scott's hand on her shoulder. I love this photo so much. 

And this, her Godfather since she was born now standing with her as she becomes an adult in her faith. This moment is precious to me. Anointed with sacred chrisom. Received at her baptism but confirmation of that gift is essential as it was for the apostles. It was only when the gift of the Holy Spirit came upon them with a mighty wind and flames of fire that they threw open the locked doors, and came out to preach the good new of Christ. 

After they took photos with the arch bishop and I took one from the side. 

And then it was time to relax and enjoy all of our special guests. These four teenagers/young adults are my favorite four on the planet. I am so grateful for those girls in our lives! 

Maddie and Abigial... 

We feasted on such yummy food -- a combination of homemade and catered.

These girls giggled and shared life with each other for hours. Truly my girls best friends. 

Quick before anyone left I got a few pictures (and forgot a few people, gosh!) Here is Abigail with my mom... Love this one so much! 

And loved on by her grandpa and uncle (my brother) 

Happiest one of the day... her "uncle Todd" makes her feel so loved, protected, and special. 

Maddie with her grandmas... 

And of course Scott with his Confirmation 'daughter'. 

HERE is the link to watch the livestream. Scroll to the left. And then "view all" Although the video could never capture it, but still here it is. 

A few things I want to remember 

💛"To be confirmed in your faith means that you are Christ witnesses in the world in which we live. 

That is what we celebrate today. A gift to be cultivated, to be used and practiced."

💛"He shares his Devine life with us especially through the sacraments."

💛"Once we've been appointed with this oil, first at Baptism then Confirmation, we enter into fellowship with Christ and we receive a share in His life."  

💛 "The sacrament of Confirmation is very important because it strengthens you to fulfil the obligations that membership (in the body of Christ) entails." 

💛 "Jesus said on the night of his crucifixion's to his disciples that he gives us a joy that is not of this world, that this world can never take away." 

(All quotations by Most Reverend Leonard P. Blair) 

Other posts you might like: 

Abigail's First Communion Portraits 

Anna's First Communion Portraits

Abigail's First Communion

First Communion 

Confirmation Blessing

Thirty-two high school sophomores from our parish: Saint Patrick-Saint Anthony were blessed at the end of Mass last weekend as they are to be Confirmation Candidates coming soon. I felt a swell of pride and peace as my daughter walked up there on that alter to be blessed. 

It reminded me of this picture so many years ago. It was taken in December of 2014 when Abigail and Maddie were in the First Communion program and were blessed at Mass. Right after Mass was over I snapped this adorable picture of two second graders who filled our lives and hearts. 

 

And this one taken last weekend after Mass when they were blessed and about to receive their Confirmation. I said to two now high school sophomores -- oh please please could we reenact that photo from when you were little. And they did. Maddie put her arm around Abigail again, and Abigail leaned in. 

Words can not express the happiness I have for my girls that they have grown up in church and even more that they were surrounded their whole lives my like-minded friends who also yearned and grew toward strong ideals and faith.