The vocation of marriage is not an easy one. Especially in our times of turbulence, and even peril in the world; marriage must be something that couples do not rush into lightly. When graces are abundant though; the air is filled with heavenly sweetness and love. Like the aroma of a freshly baked apple pie on a cold, and crisp autumn day.
Marriage is also like a budding rose, beautiful but not without thorns. When it blooms, its scent carries a magnificent aroma to all in its midst. The rose eventually withers and dies buts it petals can be savored in different ways; like pressing it into a beautiful album to view for many years to come.
Marriage can be savored over time too, children fill up the house and then grandchildren arrive to bless the roost. I look forward to that chapter in our life someday. But for now what I say to all of my dear readers is; that I have blessed with a wonderful husband ( two beautiful daughters) that knows me all too well. He challenges me, loves me, and works really hard to provide for our family.
The economy has been a real challenge in our present day; but our faith in God sustains us and helps us to go forward on our journey in life. The ultimate goal is heaven. But until then we will strive to do our best creating our own little" domestic church" in a very unstable world.
Marriage is not an easy vocation. It is not for the faint of heart. But neither is the priesthood, religious or single life. However, God gives us the graces to endure whatever battles that we are engaged in. Sometimes just saying " I'm sorry" is the perfect ointment to put on a cut that isn't healing correctly.
I have often been a bit envious when I hear of couples that have never fought with each other, and have just been the "best of friends" forever. Mike and I both have Irish tempers and often don't see eye to eye. It's kind of uncomfortable when two people in the family are as stubborn as we are. But we are also very passionate people who put a lot of energy into things that we believe in.Thank goodness we have good morals and values, love our Catholic faith, and honor the " Sanctity of Marriage" because without Christ's help we wouldn't have made it to one day let alone 22 years. Happy Anniversary Mike. I love you!!!!!! Here's what I said about you last year
Dear Readers,
Thank you so much for all the prayers for my stepmother Judy who fell last Tuesday. She had a massive bleed on the brain and did not recover. She died on Thursday, September 3rd. She was 65.
During her last waking moments before she lost consciousness; I was truly blessed to pray with Judy. We said the Angel of God prayer together. Even though her speech was slurred it was clear to me that she was praying with me.
We never know the time or the place where Our Lord will call us home. So let us all be prepared for that each day of our lives. Judy was not Catholic, but she attended Mass frequently with my Dad. I believe that she embraced the Roman Catholic Church in heart and soul.
Please keep the repose of Judy's soul in your prayers, and of course my Dad- George who is almost 83.
Blessings,
Kathy
Our world is getting loonier each day. Health Reform ( actually Death reform), Swine flu outbreak hysteria, government intervention in almost everything makes our country- look much less like the one Our Founder Fathers envisioned and worked hard to establish. God have mercy on us!!!
I was really frazzled about reading a new law passed in Massachusetts that would levy a $1000 a day fine to those who might not want to opt for the swine flu vaccine. See the You tube video here. Hello world!- vaccines have been linked to autism, death, and even more!!
How about before rushing( or more like stampeding) to get this vaccine; let us take better control of our health first. Cod liver oil is a great way to build up the immune system. Our grandparents and great- grandparents used it daily.
Also, how about getting back to making some great stocks from pastured chickens and cows. Homemade chicken noodle soup is a great immune booster! Lets cut out the refined sugar, white flour, corn syrup, artificial sweeteners, and all the crappy processed foods the we Americans gorge on daily. How about cutting back on unhealthy grains like those in sugary cereals ( even the organic ones can be bad for you).
I have been reading and studying information on the Weston Price foundation for sometime. It is extremely helpful in redirecting one to leading a healthier lifestyle. Go here for some great information.
Also, before everyone starts panicking over hype, let us first go the presence of Our Lord. Try to get to Mass as often as possible during the week ( and of course each Sunday and Holy Day) , A holy hour of Adoration each week, confession often; praying the Rosary and Chaplet of Divine mercy will keep us spiritually grounded and more in tune to what the Lord is guiding us to do. And most importantly, let us keep our family together. Have meals together. Try to pray together each day as a family; even if it is only one Our Father or a decade of the Rosary. A family that prays together stays together!!!!!
Blessings,
Kathy
August 21st, 2007 by Kathleen Delia Miller
On March 29th, my husband and I, along with our two daughters, ages 15 and 6, nestled together for a 90-minute bus ride from Galway, Ireland to Knock in County Mayo. While praying the Rosary, we soaked in the beauty of the countryside. We spotted countless farms with distant sheep and cows nursing their newborn babies. It was a common sight in Ireland, but a rare pleasure for my family to witness.
Mike, Hayley, Hannah and I were eager to visit the Our Lady of Knock Shrine, where Mary appeared to the Irish people 128 years ago this month. Curious about the Shrine, my youngest, Hannah asked, "What door do we knock on when we get there?" Amused at first, I later realized that our family's pilgrimage was like "knocking" on the door to Our Lady's heart. Many years ago, the distressed Irish had "knocked" on that same door as they encountered potato famines, starvation, disease, and death. Mary heard their fervent prayers, answered them, and gave them hope to go on by means of her apparition at Knock.
I worried about the dark storm clouds that loomed to our right. Getting caught in the rain without knowing the distance of the walk to the Shrine, coupled with Hayley's harsh cough, was enough to make me think twice about getting off the bus. However, we came to pay homage to Our Lady, Queen of Ireland. The weather wouldn't keep us away.
As we stepped off the bus, rain started falling, a torrential downpour mixed with wind and hail. While my family shivered through the half-mile hike to the Shrine, I wondered why Our Lady of Knock chose to greet us this way. After all, we had come so far to make a pilgrimage. Little did I know then of the multitude of weary pilgrims that persevered on the road before us, desperately seeking miraculous cures from infirmities.
Shortly
after we arrived at the Shrine, the sun came out long enough for us to
take photos. We were like children in a candy store moving from one
delicacy to another. There was much to see, but we only had a few
hours before we returned to Galway.
We toured the Basilica blessed by Pope John Paul II on September 30, 1979. Afterward, we were happy to go to confession in the beautiful Chapel of Reconciliation.
As family members filled bottles with holy water from white, limestone outdoor fonts, I received free materials from a lovely lady in the Shrine's society office. These books helped me to understand Knock's spiritual significance, and learn about Archdeacon Cavanaugh, a holy priest at the time of Mary's Apparition.
We assisted at Mass and received Holy Communion in the antiquated church. We also prayed in the Apparition Chapel at the site where 15 people witnessed a glorious sight for two hours (Our Lady did not speak) during a rainy evening on August 21, 1879.
The snow-white marble statues of Our Lady, St. Joseph, St. John, and the Lamb of God with hovering angels in adoration helped us to visualize the miraculous Apparition. On the long flight home to the States, we had an opportunity to think about our wonderful pilgrimage to Knock. We were very blessed to have visited there, and our oldest daughter miraculously made a full recovery from her illness. At Knock, knock we did. Our Lady had heard our prayers.
Prayer to Our Lady of Knock:
Our Lady of Knock Queen of Ireland, you gave hope to your people in a time of distress and comforted them in sorrow. You have inspired countless pilgrims to pray with confidence to your Son, remembering His promise; "Ask and you shall receive, seek and you shall find." Help me to remember that we are all pilgrims on the road to heaven. Fill me with love and concern for my brothers and sisters in Christ, especially those who live with me. Comfort me when I am sick or lonely or depressed. Teach me how to take part ever more reverently in the holy Mass. Pray for me now, and at the hour of my death. Amen. Our Lady of Knock, pray for us.
To my Dear Readers of the Daily Grotto,
Thank you all for the prayers for my brother. He is back to work; but is not out of the woods yet. However, I do appreciate it if you would continue to pray for him.
The girls are back to school, and now I can concentrate on writing some more articles for publication, and happily submit more blog posts.
It was a nice summer spent with family and friends. I am trying hard to lead a more simple life; one that does not have me going here and there- but one that has me spending more time at home taking care of my family. Cooking home-made meals from scratch using organic ( when possible) ingredients as well as farm fresh produce is a priority.
As we wind down from Summertime; Autumn will be here before we know it. The cool, crisp air sounds so inviting after a long stretch of some very hot days.
How was your Summer? Stop in and say hello.....
Blessings,
Kathy
| Sun | Mon | Tue | Wed | Thu | Fri | Sat |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 |
| 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 |
| 15 | 16 | 17 | 18 | 19 | 20 | 21 |
| 22 | 23 | 24 | 25 | 26 | 27 | 28 |
| 29 | 30 |
Recent Comments