Thanksgiving

I’m showing up a little late to the party, but I wanted to put something on here about the blessings in my life that I am Thankful for.

First and foremost, I am Thankful that God is in my life.  He has given me so many blessings and gifts that I couldn’t even begin to count them.  I try to see them every day; however I know I miss many more that he has given me.

I am Thankful for a loving family, my husband, my beautiful, smart, and caring children, and all of our extended family. That I always feel loved and appreciated, and a part of something much bigger.

I am Thankful for all of my family that live far away, that we all know that we love each other even though we don’t talk every day. 

I am Thankful for special friends who support me in my faith.  They are always there for me when I have questions or am in need of support. They always show me what good faithful people of God are like and have been wonderful examples of devout Catholic Christians to me. 

I am Thankful for my Church family. It gives me great joy to serve on the altar at our Parish and to greet the parishioners as they leave Mass.  It truly fills me with love every time I get to do it.

I am Thankful for the deacons and priests in our diocese, along with our Bishop.  We have been blessed with some wonderful men who have truly dedicated their lives to God and strive every day to be faithful shepherds to His people.  I wouldn’t be where I am today without a few of them.

I am Thankful for my co-workers (some of whom have become great friends) for all they do every day. I am proud to be their leader and I couldn’t do it without them.  I want them to know every day how much I appreciate what they do and cherish whatever extent of a connection I have with each of them.

I am Thankful for blogging.  I never could have imagined how much of impact it would have on me.  It’s been amazing to ‘meet’ lots of new friends through blogging and feel like I have a whole set of prayer warriors at my beckon call.  It has been incredibly beneficial for me to put my thoughts down in written word.  That is something I have never done before and am so glad I started.  I am Thankful for all of you who spend a little bit of time reading what I have to say.

 

 

 

Linking up with Cari and the others at Clan Donaldson for today's Theme Thursday!

Theme Thursday: Secret

Linking up with Cari over at Clan Donaldson for this week's Theme Thursday.

 

The theme? 

 

Secret

 

 

 

Shhh...the secret is...Sophie doesn't know she's not a lap dog!  :)

 

Theme Thursday: Faith

Linking up with Cari at Clan Donaldson for Theme Thursday, this week’s theme is Faith. 

Since I had the honor of photographing the closing Mass of St. Patrick’s Church, one of our parish churches that closed this July after 179 years, I thought they would be great for the theme of Faith. 

The Church was incorporated as the Church of Saint Patrick on November 7, 1834. Over the years, it became the mother church of approximately fifteen parishes in the surrounding area, it served as headquarters for several groups of sisters, it burned and was rebuilt, and was faith home to so many generations of families in our local communities.

Even though it wasn’t technically my parish, I feel a sense of loss about its closing.  You see, because we don’t have enough priests in our diocese for each parish to have their own, we share with other parishes.  We have three parishes that share a priest, administrative and maintenance staff.  So when I converted to the Catholic Church, it so happened that I began my religious education at St. Patrick’s.  My daughter received her first communion there and I was confirmed and brought into the Catholic Church at the Easter Vigil at St. Patrick’s.  St. Patrick’s Church was a significant symbol for my faith.  Here are just a few shots from the closing liturgy.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Theme Thursday: Leaves or Trees

Thought I would link up with Cari this week.  I took a good shot of the trees last week during the snow storm.  Here it is:

 

 

Go check out the great shots over at Clan Donaldson.