Our Church's New Baptismal Font
No more Pagan Baby
With Father Lappe
Proud Godmother
Marmee and Sleepy Emma
Godparents
Sisters (and kids)
Proud Grandmothers
Wednesday, February 4, 2009
Our Godson's Baptism
We celebrated and welcomed our nephew and godson, Albert Gregory Sturhahn, into the Church this past Sunday. Jason has a goddaughter, but this is my first godchild. The Baptism was beautiful (celebrated with a friend of mine having her son baptized as well...Gabriel Lawrence)...and the celebration party afterwards was just as nice. I always love the smell of chrism on the baby's head and Albert looked very handsome in his beautiful little suit Marmee made him. There are more pics at the Sturhahns Site. I pray that we will always be positive role models, examples and good advisers for Albert in his Catholic faith and spiritual journey.
With Father Lappe
Proud Godmother
Marmee and Sleepy Emma
Godparents
Sisters (and kids)
Proud Grandmothers
With Father Lappe Proud Godmother Marmee and Sleepy Emma Godparents Sisters (and kids) Proud Grandmothers
Tuesday, February 3, 2009
So sad, please pray. - Updated
I had just been on Amy's site (which I love) this morning and read her thought provoking post of the day...and then tonight saw the SAD and SHOCKING news that her husband unexpectedly died this morning when he collapsed at the gym. Please pray for her and her family as they grieve this tremendous loss!!! I have enjoyed reading several of his and her books and he also had a wonderful site. Amazing man, husband and father....rest in peace Michael.
UPDATE:
Danielle Bean is collecting donations at her site for the family. There is also a spiritual bouquet being collected, here. Also, Amy Welborn has asked that if you would like to tangibly do something....please buy Michael's book, The How To Book of the Mass, as her husband set up that all the royalties of the book go to their children's college funds. It is an amazing book to have, if not for you and your personal collection, you could always use it as a gift for First Communion, Confirmation etc. This is what Amy wrote:
Michael collapsed this morning at the gym and was not able to be revived despite the efforts of EMTs and hospital personnel.
We are devastated and beg your prayers.
Many thanks for all of the prayers and notes. It is overwhelming. Many have asked what they can do of a material or concrete nature. All I can say is to simply buy his books. Not from me, because I am in no position to fill orders, but from anywhere else. He long ago promised God that he would give all the royalties of The How To Book of the Mass to the children’s college funds, which he did faithfully. It is in good shape because of that. Buy them, read them, and give them away to others. Spread the Word. That is what he was all about.
She also posted his last article which he finished writing Monday...I was amazed at how now fitting what he wrote is/was:
While in Washington, D.C. several weeks ago, I ran into an old friend, Father Benedict Groeschel, CFR, with whom I have collaborated on several books. We met after a Mass for pro-life leaders at Trinity College. It was exactly five years and 10 days from that night in Orlando, FL when Father Benedict nearly lost his life in a tragic accident, and almost four years to the day that I spent a week with him in New York, assisting him in putting the finishing touches on a book that he co-authored with Bishop Baker.
Working with a very frail Father Benedict at the time, I was reminded of an interview that he had given some years earlier at EWTN with Doug Keck on Booknotes. During that interview, when Father Benedict’s book Arise From Darkness was first published, Doug asked Father Benedict to elaborate on something that Father had called the “big lie” in his book. The “big lie,” Father Benedict said, (and I’m paraphrasing him at this point), is to think that if we say all the right prayers and live correctly, then nothing bad will ever happen to us. Sadly, there are many good people who have lost their faith by believing such a lie, and that makes it a big one indeed!
One only has to think of Jesus Christ, the sinless Son of God, and how much He suffered on the cross, to correct one’s view on this matter. In our own day, there are many whom we know have lived saintly lives, many who have prayed much, and yet have suffered too.
This brings me to another incident that I learned from Father Benedict while working with him four years ago in New York. I was waiting for him to make some corrections on a text when I noticed what looked like a wedding program. I asked him if it was for a relative or a couple he had married. He replied that it was neither, but told me the story of the person behind it.
Diana was a young Puerto Rican woman who grew up in a very faith filled home. Even though they were poor, her mother taught her at an early age to trust God above everything. By the time she was old enough to go to college, Diana found a way to pursue her education - again something that she credited to her strong faith - and became the first member of her large family to graduate from college. She then married and was hired by a large investment firm in New York.
Even though her job kept her busy, she found time to attend Mass everyday. When her friends threw parties, Diana made up goodie bags for them that included candy and make-up, but also a prayer book and holy water. When a member of her family couldn’t pay their bills, Diana secretly paid them. When someone in the family got into trouble she bailed them out of jail.
One night Diana had a strange dream. In the dream Jesus appeared to her, dressed in a white robe, standing on a cloud of smoke. He was beckoning her to come to him, telling her not to worry, that he was going to take her with him. Then it seemed to her that the whole world disappeared from beneath her and she awoke. She told her husband about the dream the next morning, but he didn’t want to hear about it—it scared him.
The next few nights, the dream repeated itself. She told her mother, who wondered what it could mean.
A month later on September 11, 2001, Diana was at work at her investment firm in the World Trade Center on one of the top floors. She phoned her husband and mother on her cell phone after the second plane struck the tower below her. She reminded them of the dream, just before the tower crumbled.
What is the opposite of the “big lie”? Trust.
When questioned by an English journalist about the future of the Religious Order that he co-founded, Father Benedict gave a simple reply, “We have no plans, except to be led by God.”
None of us knows what the future holds, but hopefully we can embrace what is inscribed in our coinage, “In God we Trust.”
UPDATE:
Danielle Bean is collecting donations at her site for the family. There is also a spiritual bouquet being collected, here. Also, Amy Welborn has asked that if you would like to tangibly do something....please buy Michael's book, The How To Book of the Mass, as her husband set up that all the royalties of the book go to their children's college funds. It is an amazing book to have, if not for you and your personal collection, you could always use it as a gift for First Communion, Confirmation etc. This is what Amy wrote:
Michael collapsed this morning at the gym and was not able to be revived despite the efforts of EMTs and hospital personnel.
We are devastated and beg your prayers.
Many thanks for all of the prayers and notes. It is overwhelming. Many have asked what they can do of a material or concrete nature. All I can say is to simply buy his books. Not from me, because I am in no position to fill orders, but from anywhere else. He long ago promised God that he would give all the royalties of The How To Book of the Mass to the children’s college funds, which he did faithfully. It is in good shape because of that. Buy them, read them, and give them away to others. Spread the Word. That is what he was all about.
She also posted his last article which he finished writing Monday...I was amazed at how now fitting what he wrote is/was:
While in Washington, D.C. several weeks ago, I ran into an old friend, Father Benedict Groeschel, CFR, with whom I have collaborated on several books. We met after a Mass for pro-life leaders at Trinity College. It was exactly five years and 10 days from that night in Orlando, FL when Father Benedict nearly lost his life in a tragic accident, and almost four years to the day that I spent a week with him in New York, assisting him in putting the finishing touches on a book that he co-authored with Bishop Baker.
Working with a very frail Father Benedict at the time, I was reminded of an interview that he had given some years earlier at EWTN with Doug Keck on Booknotes. During that interview, when Father Benedict’s book Arise From Darkness was first published, Doug asked Father Benedict to elaborate on something that Father had called the “big lie” in his book. The “big lie,” Father Benedict said, (and I’m paraphrasing him at this point), is to think that if we say all the right prayers and live correctly, then nothing bad will ever happen to us. Sadly, there are many good people who have lost their faith by believing such a lie, and that makes it a big one indeed!
One only has to think of Jesus Christ, the sinless Son of God, and how much He suffered on the cross, to correct one’s view on this matter. In our own day, there are many whom we know have lived saintly lives, many who have prayed much, and yet have suffered too.
This brings me to another incident that I learned from Father Benedict while working with him four years ago in New York. I was waiting for him to make some corrections on a text when I noticed what looked like a wedding program. I asked him if it was for a relative or a couple he had married. He replied that it was neither, but told me the story of the person behind it.
Diana was a young Puerto Rican woman who grew up in a very faith filled home. Even though they were poor, her mother taught her at an early age to trust God above everything. By the time she was old enough to go to college, Diana found a way to pursue her education - again something that she credited to her strong faith - and became the first member of her large family to graduate from college. She then married and was hired by a large investment firm in New York.
Even though her job kept her busy, she found time to attend Mass everyday. When her friends threw parties, Diana made up goodie bags for them that included candy and make-up, but also a prayer book and holy water. When a member of her family couldn’t pay their bills, Diana secretly paid them. When someone in the family got into trouble she bailed them out of jail.
One night Diana had a strange dream. In the dream Jesus appeared to her, dressed in a white robe, standing on a cloud of smoke. He was beckoning her to come to him, telling her not to worry, that he was going to take her with him. Then it seemed to her that the whole world disappeared from beneath her and she awoke. She told her husband about the dream the next morning, but he didn’t want to hear about it—it scared him.
The next few nights, the dream repeated itself. She told her mother, who wondered what it could mean.
A month later on September 11, 2001, Diana was at work at her investment firm in the World Trade Center on one of the top floors. She phoned her husband and mother on her cell phone after the second plane struck the tower below her. She reminded them of the dream, just before the tower crumbled.
What is the opposite of the “big lie”? Trust.
When questioned by an English journalist about the future of the Religious Order that he co-founded, Father Benedict gave a simple reply, “We have no plans, except to be led by God.”
None of us knows what the future holds, but hopefully we can embrace what is inscribed in our coinage, “In God we Trust.”
Friday, January 30, 2009
Almost perfect Potato Head...
...except for the shoes on the head...but I was so proud she knew where all the other parts went!!
Emma Bemma Boo
Chris (my brother-in-law) has a great camera and has gotten some very sweet shots of Emma this past week....here are a few, and you can see more at his site.
Bertie Boy
So while last Friday was tough as it started with saying goodbye to PopPop it ended late at night with saying hello and meeting my new nephew, Albert Gregory, or as I call Bertie. Amazing how God keeps the circle of life going and for us in perspective...amazing how the heart can be heavy and happy all at the same time. The girls have loved giving their cousin kisses and Angel loves to hold him. Meghan has posted lots more on her site. He has so many cute expressions and makes all kinds of noises. He gets a very cute wrinkled forehead and gives us some big grins. He has such cute little chubby hands and just looks like a boy!! It is amazing to see my little sister as a mommy and I can't wait to watch little Bertie grow...hopefully not too fast!!
Celebrating
After the funeral last Friday, we had a reception remembering and celebrating PopPop at my parents house. We were surrounded by lots of good friends, good memories and good food! Angel had a blast playing with all the little ones and she and Abby really had fun taking turns pushing each other in the baby stroller. Angel also thoroughly enjoyed circling the food table and snacking all night long! Thanks to everyone who was able to stop by, your support and love means so much to us and definitely helps us get through the tough times!! It was very helpful to celebrate PopPop and the wonderful and full life he was able to enjoy! 
Hard to believe...
...that it has been a week today since we said goodbye and buried our beloved PopPop. I feel like I have been in a bit of a dream...getting through the days and emotions and daily duties...and then when it is quiet and calm, remembering that we have lost the patriarch of the family. Feeling a big void and not sure quite how to fill that emptiness. In a way I am glad things happened so fast so he didn't suffer, but at the same time I feel like there were things not said, done or quite "ready". There are millions of things I will miss and that will be hard to be without over the next couple months. I will miss our Sunday dinners with PopPop sitting across from me, the shouting conversations so PopPop could hear, the LOUD television because PopPop wanted to listen, the loads of sugar we had to put in his iced tea, his frequent request for some Baileys, chocolate milk and cookies...the kisses and compliments he always gave and all the stories he told and memories we made. I was so blessed to have so much time with him and so many memorable trips to Florida...especially those on the sailboat and looking for sharks teeth and sand dollars....him giving me my first time driving a car by myself on the highway transporting their grandfather clock to their new place...sleeping in their loft...eating Juicy Fruit Gum and chocolate milk...dancing in the ballroom...three o'clock happy hour with him drinking his white russian, the hours he spent in his workshop making many a table and footstool, and so many more. He was always glad that I played piano, liked Elvis, had thick dark eyebrows and went to Maryville College where his sisters attended. I was blessed to have him at my wedding, at my girls baptisms and living close these last several years. I feel very blessed to have been there during his last moments on earth and the ability to tell him I loved him and kiss him goodbye....so while last week was definitely hard, we took great comfort in putting him to rest in a way he would have been pleased with. We had some music, some prayers, a blessing, and some heartfelt moments. We found a bunch of old letters PopPop had written to all of us over the years, and my sisters and I read excerpts from them....some were very funny and some were sweet (especially the one that he wrote to my dad after they got engaged)....I will share them with you below...we called it Remembering PopPop: In His Own Words. He was a beautiful and FUNNY writer (and published!)...and has inspired me to WRITE LETTERS MORE!! My sister Alli sang "Goodnight My Someone" while they lowered his casket...she used to sing that to my Mamasan and PopPop every night before she went to bed when they lived at my parents house...I don't know how she managed to sing it but she did a beautiful job and I know they loved it!! We sprinkled sand on the casket...a little bit of his favorite to rest forever with him. I had put inside his casket one of his old pipes he had given me when he stopped smoking, a sand dollar and a sharks tooth we had found together. Thank you to everyone who sent beautiful flowers, who left messages and cards, who braved the cold day with us (although the sun did come out...must be PopPop smiling!), who helped us say goodbye and to all for the prayers for him and our family...please keep those coming!!! It was tough to explain to Angelica about what had happened...but that night while we were saying our prayers, we always end with "I love you Jesus, love you Mary, love you Angels, love you Saints...Watch over me." That night after we said that, she looked at us and said "And we Love you PopPop"...she made more of a connection than we thought as we had told her PopPop went to Heaven to be with Jesus and Mary and the Angels and Saints. She kept coming up to everyone that day and telling us she "was not happy" and that she "missed PopPop"...she spent a lot of time circling the grave waving and saying goodbye and blowing kisses. That night when someone said they were sad...she said, "It's ok, because PopPop is in heaven"...and then went back to playing. I hope to embrace that childlike joy and faith that she shows and we will both now enjoy frequent visits and bringing flowers to both Mamasan and PopPop...together again and forever!!
a group from Cypress Gardens, where PopPop lived, came to say goodbye
Janice...the activity person where PopPop lived, they danced many dances over the last couple years and she always took great care of him.
Dad, Jason, Chris, Casey and good friends Doug and Alan were pallbearers
Kim & Becca Gray and Alli did a beautiful job leading the songs
Deacon Hamlin did a beautiful job
reading excerpts from PopPop's old letters
PopPop had a brilliant and funny way with words...
sprinkling of sand, PopPop would have loved this!
looking at PopPop's picture board, so many memories
waving lots of goodbyes and blowing kisses to PopPop 
Excerpt from PopPop's letters (except for the one to my dad after they got engaged becuase we read that one as a surprise to my mom)
I agree that just talking with each other is the best entertainment of all. As I grow older, I seem to remember more and more conversations I had with my parents, grandparents, aunts, and uncles. I only wish I had asked more questions, because sometimes in thinking back, I come up with blank spaces where I want answers, and I especially wish I had learned more about our family history.
I still think that some people are cut out to study and some are not, and I just wasn't. But if I was really interested in a thing, I could study it hard- like literature, or yacht designing or navigation. I just dont think I was ever too bright mentally and I attribute that to having been slapped on my head too many times. Whenever any of us kids got near our grandparents, theyd slap us along side our head, and we'd say "how come you did that? We didnt do anything." and they'd say "THAT is for all the times you do stuff you shouldn't and we're not there to catch you."
We've had lots of rough, windy weather this winter, and a few times I wasn't quite sure I'd make it across the Bay in the kayak, but it's always fun and a challenge, and I love just looking at the sea and sky, and all the wild critters.
I'm having lots of fun with my kayak, and go out an average of twice a week (I think Mamasan is happy to be rid of me for a while). The thing I enjoy most is to explore, mostly places where no other boat, other than a canoe or kayak, could go.
I'm happy to hear you now have a cat. We've always loved cats, and had one or two all the years your mom was with us. I think I like cats because they are so independent-- you dont own them, they own you!
I've always loved running, and every day walked from home to school and back, about 1 ½ miles, even went home to lunch. But instead of usually just walking, I'd run, and try to beat my record every day. I couldn't have smelled very well when I arrived back at school.
Please thank Albert and the girls again for that wonderful gift of having our daughter all to ourselves for a bit.
We've gotten rid of so much stuff the last few years, so thoughtlessly, and I think now we're down to the bare minimum! Your mom keeps giving stuff to the church and other many charities, that I really keep an eye on my clothes in the closet. Suddenly it seems I've only about two pairs of britches and three shirts to wear- but I guess it's all for a good cause!
She wrote of events and persons of the Revolution I was never aware of, and it was fascinating to me. Which shows- we're never too old to learn.
I realize she's had wonderful models in Erin and Meghan, but Caitlin is really an original- and so smart! That must come from the other side of the family!
As your mom and I keep saying to one another, what have we done to deserve such a daughter? And being with our baby grands is magic in itself. It's so wonderful to be able to just sit down and TALK with the girls, they're each their very own person, and yet a very strong member of your team. And again, we ask ourselves, " how come we're so blessed with grandkids like this?? But we'll quit asking and just enjoy!
The Herb Club, thank God, is having their annual dinner with just the club members this year, no captive husbands. I suspect they heard the growls of growing mutiny at the last year's dinner.
For her birthday, she's requested I make her a kneeler, which she can use every morning with her prayers. It'll fold up, so won't take a lot of room. I'll send a photo when I complete it. In the back of my mind I was wondering how i'd make her a gadget to help her up from it???
I thought, when I was a kid, that old people just sat rocking in a rocking chair, and dreamed about the good old days, and only got up when they were called to meals. What a SHOCK. It ain't like that at all, but we're just trying to do the best we can.
Monday, January 26, 2009
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