Washington State March for Life Photos

On January 18, we participated in the March for Life in Olympia. We were all very impressed with Archbishop Sartain (Seattle's new Archbishop) and the number of people who were present to witness to the sanctity of human life. The local Catholic radio station reported that there were approximately 9000 participants.

The children were thrilled to meet Archbishop Sartain (and so were we). He took the time to ask each of the children their names and shook Patrick's hand for a few minutes, or rather Patrick shook the Archbishop's hand for a few minutes.

Below is a slideshow from the March.

Who Will Protect Her?

A few nights ago, Catherine brought Elizabeth into my bedroom, saying, "Elizabeth is scared." I took her in my arms and the following conversation took place:

Me:  "You don't need to be scared. Mommy will protect you."

Elizabeth: "No!"

Me: "Daddy's here. He can protect you, too."

Elizabeth (a little louder): "No! Jesus protect me."

2010 Read Alouds

Once again, this past year, my husband read to our older children. The children listened to him read:

Redwall by Brian Jacques

The Cure of Ars: The Priest Who Out-Talked the Devil by Milton Lomask

Crossbows and Crucifixes: A Novel of the Priest Hunters and the Brave Young Men Who Fought Them by Henry Garnett

Red Falcons Of Tremoine by Hendry Peart

Beorn the Proud by Madeleine A. Polland

New Year's Dinner

Traditionally, our New Year's dinner consists of spiral-sliced ham, scalloped potatoes, vegetables, salad, Martinelli's Sparkling Apple Juice, and eggnog.  On December 31, my husband went to the store and purchased the necessary items for our meal. However, in our family, the birthday child decides the menu for his special day. Therefore, on New Year's Day, my husband asked our youngest son, "What do you want for dinner?" Our little boy responded, "Chinese food."  Our son might have started a new tradition. We will see what he wants for his birthday dinner next year.

2010 Personal Reading

Below are the books that I read in 2010.  Those that I did not finish will remain in my sidebar and be included in my 2011 personal reading list.

The Christian Mother: the Education of Her Children and Her Prayer by Rev. W. Cramer, translated by a Father of the Society of Jesus

This book would be appropriate as a wedding gift or as a gift for young mothers.

The Eternal Galilean by Fulton J. Sheen

Philothea; Or an Introduction to the Devout Life (Tan Classics) by St. Francis de Sales

This is the second or third time that I have read this book.  It is excellent!

The Song at the Scaffold: A Novel of Horror and Holiness in the Reign of Terror by Gertrud Von Le Fort

I will most likely reread this book. One of the many things that struck me was the fact that during (or immediately prior to) the French Revolution, the government forced the nuns to dress in lay clothing. I could not help, but reflect on the fact that today, some nuns actually choose to not wear a habit.

Previous Personal Reading Lists:

2009

2006

Our Lady's Knights

Our youngest sons were delighted to receive these costumes for Christmas (the paper crowns were not included). Finnian has stated more than once, "I am a Knight of Glory." I call them "Our Lady's Knights". Both boys have only taken off their costumes to go to Mass, eat, and sleep. I enjoy seeing them dressed up and listening to their chivalric discussions.

Stoop

"The son of God made man was invited to enter His own world through a back door. Exiled from the earth, He was born under the earth, in a sense, the first Cave man in recorded history. There He shook the earth to its very foundations. Because He was born in cave, all who wish to see Him must stoop. To stoop is the mark of humility. The proud refuse to stoop and, therefore, they miss Divinity. Those, however, who bend their egos and enter, find that they are not in a cave at all, but in a new universe where sits a Babe on His mother’s lap, with the world poised on His fingers."

Fulton J. Sheen, Life of Christ, pp. 28-29

Divinity is always...

"If the artist is at home in his studio because the paintings are the creation of his own mind; if the sculptor is at home among his statues because they are the work of his own hands; if the husband-man is at home among his vines because he planted them; and if the father is at home among his vines because he planted them; and if the father is a home among his children because they are his own, then surely, argues the world, He Who made the world should be at home in it. He should come into it as an artist into his studio, and as a father in his home; but, for the Creator to come among His creatures and be ignored by them; for God to come among His own and not be received by His own; for God to be homeless at home—that could only mean one thing to the worldly mind; the Babe could not have been God at all. And that is just why it missed Him. Divinity is always where one least expects to find it."

Fulton J. Sheen, Life of Christ, p. 28

Divinity is always...

"No worldly mind would ever have suspected that He Who could make the sun warm the earth would one day have need of an ox and an ass to warm Him with their breath; that He Who, in the language of Scriptures, could stop the turning about of Arcturus would have His birthplace dictated by an imperial census; that He, Who clothed the fields with grass, would Himself be naked; that He, from Whose hands came planets and worlds, would one day have tiny arms that were not long enough to touch the huge heads of the cattle; that the feet which trod the everlasting hills would one day be too weak to walk; that the Eternal Word would be dumb; that Omnipotence would be wrapped in swaddling clothes; that Salvation would lie in a manger; that the bird which built the nest would be hatched therein--no one would have ever suspected that God coming to this earth would ever be so helpless. And that is precisely why so many miss Him. Divinity is always where one least expects to find it."

Fulton J. Sheen, Life of Christ, p. 28