The Liturgical Year
I am so sorry to be missing in action last week. My husband and I drove from Ohio to Oklahoma to attend my brother-in-law's funeral. He was 58 years old and succumbed to brain cancer. His memorial service was filled with friends and family, pictures, eulogies and a pot luck of delicious food. What a wonderful testament to his legacy of love! This was NOT a religious ceremony by any means. But connecting with the family to share this experience was priceless to my husband and to me. It was also a good model for our children that this is what we do as family - we are there for each other during the happy times and the sad.
This week we celebrate two great feast days. On May 14 we celebrate the feast of Saint Matthias. He was the apostle that took Judas's spot. He was chosen by chance when the apostles cast lots. This is a fun day to play games of chance with your children. Maybe draw straws to see who sets the table or cleans up after dinner. Or maybe a guessing game to see who gets the first bowl of ice cream for dessert. Be creative! The main thing is to remember how Mathias was chosen and that he was a brave apostle who followed Jesus Christ. He is also the patron saint of alcoholics.
On May 15 we celebrate the feast day of Saint Isidore, the farmer! He was so devout in attending daily mass, that when his employer told him that he had to work instead of attending mass, angels came to help him finish his farm work! Today would be a good day to plant something in the garden in his honor.
