Burning the Candle at Both Ends

A Bishop Shepherding His Flock

I wanted to share something that happened at Ryan's wake last night.  I looked up at the doorway and saw our newest bishop on Long Island, Bishop Peter Libasci walking in.  Now, by marriage, Mary Ellen is related to a pretty high ranking monsignor in our diocese, so I figured he must have called for the Bishop to pay a visit.  I went over to greet the Bishop, since I felt somewhat of a connection... as a young priest he was assigned to the parish I grew up in and his first funeral there was my mother's. He also confirmed my niece, while still a priest, with a special dispensation.  Last year, this time as a bishop,  he confirmed my daughter with this same niece as a sponsor.  Full circle!

The Bishop spent quite alot of time with the Barretts and at the end of the evening, after he had left, I spoke with the Monsignor and thanked him for arranging this visit.  He looked at me puzzled and said "I had nothing to do with that.  The Bishop said he had read in the paper that Ryan had wanted to be a priest.  All priests are entitled to a visit from the Bishop at their wake!"  Wow! 

When I met Bishop Libasci at the door he said to me "I just had to come and see the little priest."  Maybe because this is the year of the Priest, but this story really touched me and gives me incredible hope for the Church. Let's all continue to pray for our priests... new priests, seasoned priests, and future priests!

In Mary Ellen's Words...

In the very first hours after learning of Ryan's death, we were led to believe it was by drowning.  Please read, in Mary Ellen's own words, the events of the day to clarify some of the details.  Alice has been kind enough to post them here.

I am sad

I can barely believe I am typing the words that Ryan Barrett was found drowned on the annual father/son campout. My heart is breaking for his family who is so dear to ours. I just wanted to share a picture from last year's campout to show what a great group of Dads and sons this is.  Ryan is on the right wearing his favorite Indiana Jones hat.

Please pray for comfort for the Barrett family in the coming days, weeks , months.

 

My heart is overflowing with grief and I cannot write any more. I am off to try and close my eyes...

Those Summer Days...

A few of my favorite pictures so far this summer:

Thomas turned nine this summer and one of his favorite things is spending time at the ocean.

 

Becky and Jess love getting a bit of sun, too.

 

Hannah commands the waves.

 

Two best friends awaitng the fireworks on the Fourth of July.

 

No summer would be complete without plenty of tree climbing.

 

My fun-loving brother got all excited to see he shared his name with the ice cream man... had to get a picture of that!

Happy Mother's Day!

Happy Mother's Day to all the wonderful moms who stop by my humble little home on the web. I snipped these lilacs and dogwood blossoms for you!  Have a great day.

 

Rainy Day Craft

Crafty Crow asks  What can you make from an egg carton?  While babysitting some of the Bonny Blue House children we decided to give these bugs a try.

First you MAKE the bugs ... 

... then BE the bugs! 

 

He's a looker!

Mary Ellen has finally posted a picture  of her handsome little guy. Check out the blonde locks!

The Bonny Blue House Gets "Blue-er"...

With the arrival of:

Brendan Michael

9lb. 2oz.

21- 1/2 "

Dad says he "looks great" and has curly blonde hair.

Mother is still in recovery and all is well.

Praise God! And Welcome to Brendan.

Congratulations Mary Ellen and Dave!

Also, I ask your prayers of thanksgiving for the wisdom bestowed upon  Mary Ellen's Dr., the only pro-life OB on Long Island. His prudent judgement and compassion for Mary Ellen throughout her pregnancy have been amazing. May God continue to bless Dr. Scanlon in his pro-life work and in his medical practice!

Updates From The Bonny Blue House

I just received the first call from Mary Ellen. Her doctor has decided that it will be safest for Mary Ellen, due to her medical history and the high position of the baby to deliver the baby by c -section.  She is scheduled to go in one hour. I just spoke with her and she sounds wonderful and excited to be holding her baby in just a short while. She appreciates all your prayers and asks for you to continue praying.

Since Mary Ellen is a member of the Confraternity of Christian Mothers, I thought this prayer from their handbook , Mother Love , was in order. Please join all her online friends in praying for her right now.

A Prayer to St. Gerard for Safe Delivery

O great Saint Gerard, beloved servant of Jesus Christ, perfect imitator of your meek and humble Savior, and devoted child of Mother of God, enkindle within my heart one spark of that heavenly fire of charity which glowed in your heart and made you an angel of love.  O glorious Saint Gerard, because when falsely accused of crime, you did bear, like your Divine Master, without murmur or complaint, the calumnies of wicked men, you have been raised up by God as the patron and protector of expectant mothers.   Preserve Mary Ellen from danger and from the excessive pains accompanying childbirth, and shield the child which she now carries, that it may see the light of day and receive the purifying and life-giving waters of baptism through Jesus Christ our Lord.  Amen.

I will post an update when I get the next call from Dave.

Have a blessed day!

Prayers for this Fine Young Man!

Tom has been dating my daughter Jessie for three years now. She was fifteen when they met and he was sixteen.  Although this was a very young age, younger than we had planned on allowing our children to "date", we made an exception because we knew his family well, and we also have restrictions on dating, even for our young adult children, that many families don't have. So here we are, three years later, and Tom has become like my seventh child. Our whole family, even extended family, regards him that way, too.

Here is a picture of them at a recent family wedding.

The reason I am asking for prayers is that tomorrow, Tom is leaving on a ten day mission trip to Haiti. He will be joining a group that wll  be distributing food and medication to the people there. The group going consists of priests, nurses, and lay people. They will be affiliated with a parish in Haiti. I hadn't originally been too concerned, but last night, Tom tells us they will have fifteen bodyguards protecting the group the whole time they are there! Wow!! Even though this should be comforting news, it seems to have made me more apprehensive. Why do they need fifteen bodyguards? I am choosing to regard this as a good thing, but still I ask for prayers for Tom, and all the members of this little band of missionaries! Thanks!