The Art of Remembering: My Younger Brother

Charlie in 5th grade

up front and grinning brightly

happy and friendly

the photo at the left

my brother, cousin and me

blessing those two on All Souls Day

sharing the sweet souls of my brother

and my cousin

with Rebecca's

The Art of Remembering

Nonnie's Observations: The Art of Remembering: Momma

Nonnie's Observations: The Art of Remembering: Momma: Remembering Momma Vivid memories of my momma range from learning to dance at the Moose  to her cooking at the restaurant she owned w...

Haiku My Heart: Autumnal Glory

autumnal glory… 

God’s rich palette of hues

feeding my spirit

 sharing with Rebecca's

Haiku My Heart

and 
Straight-Out-of-the-Camera
aka
S-O-O-C 
hosted by 
Gemma Wiseman
& Magical Mystical Teacher

Haiku My Heart: Cosmos' Last Hurrah

 cosmos’ last hurrah

now down, due to storm’s fierceness

spring will bring blooms ‘gain

love abounds 

at Rebecca's 

Haiku My Heart

Wordle #181: St. Therese de Lisieux

Wordle #181

Peering into the lives of the saints 

provides a connected and vital chain to our risen Lord.  

With that connection, 

my speech takes on a new importance 

in radiating no harm to others.  

For which of us broken humans 

needs a word (such as name-calling) or action 

that strips away any divinity that is left in us?  

Signs of help for us can be found in a poem 

from the likes of St. Therese de Lisieux.   

So let’s raise our goblets to St. Therese 

(who, even as she lay on the sheets of her bed) 

gave us a sense that we too can strive for holiness 

in ‘little ways’ as she did.

As my faithful readers can see, 

I've been drawn back to this place.

I won't be writing here on a daily basis,

but St. Therese and Mother Mary 

are whispering in my ear...

linking 

Wordle #181

to Brenda's

The Sunday Whirl

Faith in a Bottle's Last Post

Dear Readers,

I  will no longer be posting here.  
That does not mean that I won't write posts of a spiritual nature.  
I just cannot manage to give my full attention 
to this blog and Nonnie's Observations.
So, as of today, you will find me solely (and soulfully)
at Nonnie's Observations.
I am hoping that you will follow me there.
Lovingly,
Nonnie

Mondays with Mary: The Magnificat

The Magnificat
also known as
Canticle of Mary

My soul proclaims the greatness of the lord, 
my spirit rejoices in God my Savior 
for He has looked with favor on His lowly servant. 
From this day all generations will call me blessed: 
the Almighty has done great things for me, and holy is His name.
He has mercy on those who fear Him in every generation.
He has shown the strength of His arm, 
He has scattered the proud in their conceit.
He has cast down the mighty from their thrones, 
and has lifted up the lowly.
He has filled the hungry with good things, 
and the rich He has sent away empty.
He has come to the help of His servant Israel 
for He has remembered His promise of mercy,  
the promise He made to our fathers, 
to Abraham and his children for ever.

linking with pleasure
to 
Hettienne's
Mondays with Mary

Shadow Shot Sunday 2: At St. Francis

 I've stopped before the door,

delighting in the play of light and shadow,

I take my shot for posterity;

 then in I go to experience 

the delight of being fed by my Lord and Savior.

sharing with

Shadow Shot Sunday 2

hosted by

Gemma

John Newton and "Amazing Grace"

A Reflection on Today's Reading

 In our parish bulletin,

 the Reflection on today's scripture reading

refers to John Newton who wrote "Amazing Grace."

I found this so like the scripture verse

in Matthew 8:26 when the apostles' fear

became so great that they woke Jesus 

that I had to share it with my readers. 

Newton had been a slave trader and a drunk 

when a violent storm threatened to sink his ship 

with all those aboard.  

For the first time in his life, he prayed.

He was saved as were those on his ship. 

After that episode, he quit the slave trade

and spent the remainder of his life repenting, 

writing hymns, 

and eventually becoming a minister.

Remember this tale which sums up the grace 

given Newton by God whenever singing or hearing this hymn.

More details of his life can be found here and here.

Weekend Reflections: Tiny Car

photos taken evening 

before the Easter Vigil

at my parish church

teeny vehicle

 smartly adorned by silver

and luscious cherry

sharing with James'

Weekend Reflections

Signs, Signs: Garden Ministry

inspired sign touting

parish garden ministry

and those volunteers

sharing with

Lesley's 

Signs, Signs

Streams 'N Stirrings: A "Selfie" and God!

Streams 'N Stirrings: A "Selfie" and God!: God knocks at my door seeking a home for his son: Rent is cheap, I say. I don’t want to rent. I want to buy, says God. I’m not sure ...

Mondays with Mary: One Little Rose

One Little Rose

I would rather have one little rose

From the garden of a friend

Than to have the choicest flowers 

When my stay on earth must end.

I would rather have one pleasant word

In kindness said to me 

Than flattery when my heart is still

And life has ceased to be.

I would rather have a loving smile

From friends I know are true

Than tears shed round my casket

When this world I’ve bid adieu.

Bring me all your flowers today

Whether pink, or white, or red;

I’d rather have one blossom now

Than a truckload when I’m dead.

When I googled the title of the prayer,

I was led to a site about 

Little Rose Farron

who was stigmatic and lived her last years

able to consume only the Eucharist and liquid foods.

Little Rose Farron in a state of ecstasy

(image found here)

sharing with

Hettienne's

Mondays with Mary

Haiku My Heart: Mother's Day Blooms

oldest son's present

to his mom, who’s grateful for 

love expressed with blooms

Actually, this is one of his gifts;

the others were 

the one-on-one visit

with him

and... lunch at Panera's.

I am looking forward to 

spending time with my 

other children on Sunday.

 

sharing 

with Rebecca's 

Haiku My Heart

My Thanks

Holy Card found here

My translation of the Holy Card:

"Mary, by the very gentle Mother, 

we appeal to your intercession,

certain that your Son 

will grant our prayers."

In today's devotional 

Praying the Daily Gospels:

A Guide to Meditation, 

was this suggestion-

"Think of some way 

to let the people you know 

that you are thankful 

for the gifts they bring to your life."

So, here is my way...

Friends in Bible Study…

I give thanks to our Lord for the gifts 

you extend to me through your friendship 

and acceptance of me, 

as I am, 

in this place 

and in this time.  

May our Holy Mother Mary 

and her Son Jesus Christ 

sprinkle blessings on you and your family.

Amen.

Mondays with Mary: An Offering to Mary

An Offering to Mary

Here are my prayers, Mary

You do the rest

Where they are needed

You will know best

Don’t  bother saving

A merit or two

Use them all, Mary,

I give them to you.

It’s the only way, Mary,

That I can see.

For repaying my thanks

For the grace you gave me.

I give them to you,

Without any strings,

Pass them to Jesus

As your offerings,

So take my prayers, Mary,

And all that I do,

With my heart in the Center,

I give them to you.

O Mary Conceived Without Sin,

Pray for us Who have

Recourse to Thee.

sharing with Hettienne's

Mondays with Mary

The Catholic Church Has Two New Saints

The Canonization of Pope John XXIII and Pope John Paul II

As a Catholic and, having seen Pope John Paul II in person 

in Chicago in October of 1979, 

I was excited to experience 

the canonization of him and Pope John XXIII, 

albeit via TV.

My 19 year-old daughter, 

a close teacher friend from St. Lawrence Elementary School 

and I rode the train to Chicago 

to be part of the sea of people congregated in Grant Park. 

Pope John Paul II greeted 

the worshipers in several different languages. 

There upon he celebrated the Mass 

with more than 350 bishops from North America.  

I think that I surely was not the only person there 

who felt the sensation of goose bumps developing on one’s skin. 

I felt the same phenomenon 

when Pope Francis declared the canonization 

of these two beloved popes.

Pope Francis greeting
Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI

one of three petitions
for the canonization
of Popes John XXIII
and John Paul II

relics of the new saints

The majority of the photos I am sharing here

 are the result of my snapping pictures 

from the live feed from St. Peter’s Square.  

Two were scanned from my Commemorative Album.

The banner photo is my own taken in our parish rectory entrance.