Confirmation

Stevie and his sponsor, Aunt Teresa

“This is not a graduation,” the Bishop said to the congregation of Confirmation students and their family and friends, “but rather a beginning.”  Bishop Lawrence Persico was referring to the role of the Sacrament of Confirmation in the lives of these students, most of whom are Juniors in high school. 

  The typical method of religious education within Catholic American parishes is to gather weekly for an hour or two to discuss Faith and the teachings of the Church which have been inspired by the Holy Spirit and passed down from centuries of tradition.  The original educators learned from Jesus, Himself, and used word of mouth and writing to share matters of faith that ultimately changed the trajectory of their own lives and the world itself. 

All in God's time

  I was in eighth grade when I received this Sacrament which brings the fullness of the Holy Spirit’s power.  What’s interesting, is that power is not always fully expressed at that very moment of reception.  This is what the Bishop was referring to when he spoke to the assembled group which included my son, Stephen Jr., telling them this moment was just the beginning.  After all, the Apostle Paul is the rare person who was knocked off his horse by a flash of Light, and was instantaneously converted.  Most of us are invited to faith by the planting of seeds that will sprout over time.  Different people drop seeds of inspired words, thoughts, ideas, and encouragement over the years of our formation.  We are learning, growing, and cultivating these seeds over our lifetime.  

  So, even as some of these students may be internally celebrating with thoughts of “Yes!, No more religious ed. classes!”  It’s time for us as parents to rely on what has actually taken place. They did in fact receive the gift of the Holy Spirit and He can guide them on this journey more perfectly than our human efforts.  While it can be scary to let them grow and make decisions, this moment brought comfort.  The second of our seven children to reach this milestone.  As a parent- I am still sprouting, called to a new phase in my faith: learning to trust that God's call and timing are perfect.

Bishop Persico, Fr. Larry Richards and the St. Joseph's Bread of Life Confirmation Class of 2017

              Congratulations Stevie and all the newly Confirmed, on this new phase in YOUR life!

Ketchup Time Capsule

 
My oldest is about to turn 18 which is causing tons of reflection on his childhood.  I came across this gem from the good ol' days:

  One evening my husband and I were sitting at the dining table enjoying our meal with our three-year-old son, Isaac.  Isaac was seated next to me with his plate of whatever meal complete with "dipping ketchup."  Trying to get my attention, he began to tap my arm with his little ketchupy finger.  I was wearing a white shirt so I was less than thrilled as I jumped and told him about the benefits to simply calling my name rather than drilling a hole in my arm.  I showed him his fingerprints on my shirt and told him to be more careful.  I even went as far as telling him Mommy doesn't have very many clothes so I really need to take care of the ones I had.  This was in direct relation to the fact that my husband was laid off from his job so money was non-existent.  Of course Isaac didn't even blink an eye before he innocently told me, "that's ok Mommy, you don't even need to worry 'cause you'll get a pretty new white dress when we all go to the feast."  My jaw dropped and I was stunned into a teary eyed silence by my three-year-old's profound theology.  You see, Isaac had recently been asking all kinds of questions about God.  In one conversation he laughingly told me that his cousin Nathan thought that we would eat food in heaven.  I knew he was asking me to tell him the truth about that statement as he asked, "Isn't that silly Mommy?"  After thinking about it, I told him what I knew about the banquet the bible says we'll share together one day in heaven."  Well, this was enough to capture his attention because if there's anyone who loves a party, it's Isaac.  We talked at great length about who would be there and how cool it would be to go to a big feast.  I could see the wheels spinning his imagination as he pictured and made real in his mind this bountiful festivity that had never been matched in his experience.  So real was this feast in his mind that after not discussing it for over a week he applied the richness of God's providence to my worrying about a little ketchup on my sleeve.  Even my husband caught on to the profound wisdom that had just emitted from a child to silence the reasoning of one whose mind was focused on the things of this earth.

  What my child knew to be true he completely trusted in.  And as we are reminded in Luke 12:27 to not worry about anything, Isaac reminded me of this attitude with is childlike trust in God's providence.  I witnessed the Gospel of Luke unfolding before me through the faith of my three-year-old, which shed light on Luke's passage of Chapter 18, verse 17 which states, "Amen, I say to you, whoever does not accept the kingdom of God like a child will not enter it."

  I shall try to live with the thought of how God will take care of all our needs...even if it takes His providing a bit of Shout and Tide to get the job done here on earth.

*** Coming across this writing fifteen years later was like unlocking a time capsule intended to bring comfort all these 15 years later.  As my son's wings are in the process of unfurling and preparing to take flight I'm reminded that we all must go through the process of making the faith we've been taught our own.  And though, at 18 my son might now react the way I did when his younger siblings tap his designer sleeve with splattery condiments...at one time- raw, unblemished faith was there and has burrowed deep within.  The word of God never returns void.  Time to reflect on those choice Scriptures that spoke to me back then...do NOT worry and have child-like faith.  Of course the One who created my son loves him more than I ever could and won't stop reaching out to Isaac as he begins his adult journey. If he could use ketchup on my sleeve to turn my eyes to Him...I'm sure He has more than a few clever methods up His sleeve for my son as well.

TRIumph is launched and NOW AVAILABLE!

  An amazing...and surreal evening- one week ago tonight.  My family was introduced and the mic was turned over ... with expectant eyes falling upon me while they awaited "the story". 

  It had been four years and some months since my husband and I discovered the seventh child we were expecting was diagnosed with Trisomy 18 while in the womb.  Briefly- and it's ok if you don't know what this genetic condition is because we surely didn't until we faced it- Trisomy18 is a chromosomal defect which deemed our son "incompatible with life."  When we asked how long would we have with our son we were told, "Most children with this condition, who survive birth, will not live to see their first birthday."

  We lived through the exasperating unknowns and were blessed to give birth to John Michael and hold our son for 48 hours before he was to go home- to heaven. 

  Seems so strange to be able to write that so simply...never without emotion...always with a full heart. 

  I have written the full story of this experience and am excited to share that the book launch was a wonderful, dreamy success and the book is now available and offered with the HOPE that the insights, LOVE, and understanding we gained along the way might give solace to all as they face their own dark period of difficulty.  The book is called TRIumph: A Story of Finding Hope In A Love That Knows No Bounds.  You can learn more, and if desired, purchase TRIumph at www.triumph-story.com

  Thank you so much for your support, love, and prayers over the years.

  **My son, I know you came to this earth- and our family for a short time and with a specific purpose. Already I have witnessed the large impact you made on our family and community- what an honor that has been. As your story begins to take flight...it shall be with fond remembrance of your heart beating under my own...that I thrill to the reality that others will have the chance to "meet you" and learn of Love that comes with the Peace of a surrendered will . ** ~Mommy to son   

Of a LIFE- Brief But Sweet!

Oh sweet son John Michael
Born three years ago
Alive on this earth
After two days did go...

You were flesh of our flesh.
And bone of our bone. 
Once housed in my womb
Now facing God's throne.

 I know, wrapped in His arms,
You are laughing out loud
And singing His glory
With that Heavenly crowd.

You see His pierced hands
Hear the Holy Spirit's Thunder
Does the Father's Deep Voice
Fill you with Joy and Wonder?

What's it like as you run
On the streets made of gold?
With your body so perfect
Just like we've been told!

I can hardly imagine
the glory you see...
Won't you please ask Dear Jesus
To help Daddy and me?

Share YOUR short story
of LIFE-brief but sweet
So HONORED we had
the BLESSING to meet!

We're sending up hugs
Please send us back one...
We love and we miss you
HAPPY BIRTHDAY DEAR SON!

Testing is back...

  I wrote about my last pregnancy in Tiny Love... 

The genetic testing on our baby is back...  Our son's name is Lawrence Ignatius (named after Fr. Larry Richards, the amazing evangelist Priest who married us and continues to administer the Sacraments to us and our children) and St. Ignatius~ prolific writer.  Our son did have Trisomy 18.  This was the same genetic disorder which affects the 18th chromosome (three genes instead of two...hence the Tri)...which as they say in the medical world, "makes this child incompatible with life". 

  This is very rare to have two children with Trisomy 18.  They suspect my husband or I have a fragmented 18th chromosome.  Doctors reccomend we have genetic testing/counseling. 

Simply amazing that we have seven healthy, chromosomally sound children!