4°F W4mph SR0737 SS1636

Morning Offering… Jesus, take me as I am, summon out what I should be, set your seal upon my heart, Holy Spirit, dwell in me.

Village sleeps

Heavenly Father,
As the old year closes and a new one begins,
I pause to thank You for every blessing,
every lesson, and every moment of grace You’ve given me.
Fill my heart with peace for what is past,
courage for what is ahead, and joy for the present moment.
Guide my steps so they follow Your path,
let my words and actions bring light to others.
Bless my family, friends, and all those I meet this year
with health, love, and purpose.
May this year be a season of growth, kindness, and deeper faith.
Amen.

Birthday greetings to Juana R. May your day be awesome and your new year hopeful.

Down Memory Lane… this day, 1994… Dubuque Co., IA Sheriff’s Office parking lot. I was unloading my equipment from the squad. As I put down the trunk lid, my foot hit a “very small” patch of ice. My arms flew into the air with the right one coming down on top of the trunk. I got up with an absolutely limp arm. Gathered what I could and went to the door. I could not lift my arm to press the buzzer. Roto cuff injury…surgery on the calendar. Today, the arm is functioning well. Although I’m told a reverse shoulder replacement surgery should be performed. I opt out of that. I have very little pain, and it functions normally.

Holy Day of Obligation… Mary, the Mother of God… Mass 10 AM Sacred Heart, 8:15 AM St Patrick’s Sparta

Good Morning!

Enjoy the day

Know you are prayed for.

27°F NW14mph SR0737 SS1635

Morning Offering given

Village sleeps

No coffee

Today, we remember R&KD and R&BO on their anniversaries; may they rest in peace.

New Year’s Eve, the 7th Day of Christmas
Magi Novena Day 4
RIAY Day 365: The Glorious Mysteries
Meditations for Each Day Page 523: The Last Day of the Year… Virtue cannot co-exist with spiritual tepidity, which leads inevitably towards sin.
Bible verse for today James 5:16: “Therefore, confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of the righteous person is powerful and effective.”

Know you are prayed for.

4°F WSW8mph SR0737 SS1634

Morning Offering

Village sleeps

No coffee, giving it up

Today we remember Larry L, born in 1952, died in 2024. May he rest in peace.

St Anysius reminds us to encourage our clergy and to lead others by our own example. Father, help me to be a good Christian mentor to those who turn to me for guidance.
Christmas Magi Novena Day 3
RIAY Day 364: The Sorrowful Mysteries

Good Morning!
Perhaps with the New Year just hours away, it is time to take inventory of last year. Flip back in your journal if you kept one, and peruse the changes you had decided to make. How’d it go? Did you make progress? Did you realize that wasn’t really what you wanted? Did you complete your goal? Or did it fall by the wayside with you forgetting you had even told yourself it needed to be done? We humans, are very fickle people. Most days, we think it is all about us. Unfortunately, many of us never come to the understanding that it is NOT about us. Perhaps instead of making our own list, we let Jesus make one for us. The only stipulation for the year is to pray the surrender novena every single morning before you start the day. Put it on your phone or have the site email you a link each day. Better yet, get a copy, carry it with you. Let Jesus figure it out while you surrender and lean on him.

Know you are prayed for.

15°F NW22mph SR0736 SS1634

Morning Offering given

Village sleeps

Coffee okay

Today is my pray day for CmomC. If you have any special requests, let me know.

St Thomas Becket, patron of the clergy, teaches us about the struggle for church, independent of government.
St David, King & prophet, chosen and forgiven by God despite sinning, teaches that we must repent deeply when we wrong God and others

The 5th Day of Christmas… 5 golden rings (Pentateuch… first 5 books of the Bible)
Many have said the song titled “The 12 Days of Christmas” has hidden meaning. I have not found this to be confirmed on any level, and in fact, I have heard it said that this is not true. However, as I examine the meanings attributed to them, I personally find them inspiring.
Partridge in a Pear tree… Jesus Christ
Two Turtle Doves… Old & New Testament
Three French Hens… faith, hope, love
Four Calling Birds… Matthew, Mark, Luke, John (the gospels)
Five Golden Rings… Pentateuch
Six Geese-a-Laying… six days of creation before the seventh day of rest
Seven Swans-a-Swimming… seven gifts of the Holy Spirit
Eight Maids-a-Milking… the Beatitudes
Nine Ladies Dancing…the Fruit of the Spirit
Ten Lords-a-Leaping… the Ten Commandments
Eleven Pipers Piping… the eleven faithful disciples
12 Drummers Drumming… the twelve points of belief in the Apostles’ Creed

RIAY Day 363: The Joyful Mysteries
Magi Novena Day 3

Reminding you that Christmas is NOT over.

Know you are prayed for.

34⁰F foggy

adoration 5-7

Mass 10 St Peter’s

Family Christmas gathering

1328- 31⁰, rain/snow mix

1434- 32⁰, 2″ new snow on the ground

know you are prayed for

33°F SSE12mph SR0736 SS1632

Morning Offering given

Village sleeps

Coffee good

St John, the apostle whom Jesus loved, inspires us to imitate him in extolling and praising Jesus to everyone. Jesus, give me the grace, courage, and evangelizing power of John, despite my unworthiness.

CHRISTMAS Day 3… Feast of St. John
RIAY Day 361: The Joyful Mysteries

Know you are prayed for

33° fog WNW8mph SR0736 SS1631

Morning Offering given

Village quiet & peaceful

Coffee good

Birthday greetings to Angela M

2nd Day of Christmas
St Stephen the First Martyr for Jesus demonstrates that the violence of men and women cannot undo God’s love and protection. Father, when I am fearful about the violence in the world, be my refuge and my peace.
RIAY Day 360: the Sorrowful
Day 1 of the Epiphany Novena is coming soon
Day 2 Hedge of Protection Novena

Lovely day spent here at home. My thanks to Joe C for stopping in to visit with us. It is truly a pleasure to have you with us.

Know you are prayed for.

30°F ESE13mph SR0735 SS1631

Morning Offering given
God of heaven and earth, on this day I rejoice in Your Son, Jesus Christ, and in all creation.

Village peaceful
The rain falls

Coffee okay

Christmas Day
Christ is born
The Magi have seen the Star (Novena will begin in 2 days) and begin their journey to Christ.
RIAY Day 359: The Luminous Mysteries

Merry Christmas!
The man and I enjoyed Mass last evening at St. Augustine’s in Norwalk. The violin music filled the church, taking us to another place. The sounds of children’s voices reminded us that this parish is alive and thriving. How blest they are for that. It was good to be there. Yet somewhat bittersweet. Our home parish has no Christmas Masses; our priest told us to attend one elsewhere. But that’s an issue for another day and time. Our day will be spent here at home. I was reminded this morning, as I came into the home office, that I am still recovering from the incessant dizziness in my head. It is better (or I am getting used to it). This is a blessing, whichever it is.

The TriParish is asking everyone to Enthrone the Holy Family in their home. I picked up our picture and framed it last night, placing it by the home altar. More on that later in the month.

Enjoy your day.
Know you are prayed for.

25°F SSE11mph SR0735 SS1630

Morning Offering given

Village waking

Coffee good

Made it through the 1st day of hospital release. The motion sickness pill relieved the dizziness, and Tylenol relieved the headache. The nummy face and foggy feeling dissipated along with it.

St Irmina illustrates how good things can come from unexpected tragedies if we reject despair and put our trust in God. Father, lead me to respond in a positive Christian manner when terrible things happen to me or to others.

Advent Day 25
Christmas Novena
RIAY Day 358: The Glorious Mysteries
Meditations for Each Day pg. 514: A Christmas Novena IX. The Holy Family
It is my hope that your Advent Season was peaceful, informative, and brought you closer to Christ.

Not to rush you… The Christmas Season will begin tonight at Midnight and run through Epiphany (6th) until the Baptism of the Lord on January 11th. There are so many things to enhance your faith in this season.
Dec. 26- Feast of St Stephen;
27th- Feast of St John;
28th Holy Innocents (Childermas);
29th St. Thomas Becket;
31st Pope Sylvester I;
Jan. 1 The Circumcision;
2nd 1st Friday;
3rd 1st Saturday,
4th Holy Name,
5th 12th Night,
6th Three Kings Day (Epiphany);
7th 1st Wednesday,
11th Baptism of the Lord, Pope Hyginus, The Holy Family.
Don’t miss out. If you don’t know, look it up and find out something new.

Know you are prayed for.

24° NW10mph SR0735 SS1629

Morning Offering given

Village waking

Coffee good

Today we remember Kathy S may she rest in peace.

St. John of Kanty reminds us of the importance of abstinence and sacrifice as disciples in our personal journeys of faith.

ADVENT DAY 24
Christmas Novena
RIAY Day 357: The Sorrowful Mysteries
Meditations for Each Day pg.513: A Christmas Novena, VIII. What Jesus Wants From Us

Good Morning!

I am home from the hospital. The MRI came back no stroke, bleeding, or tumors… God is good. The thought is that headaches/dizziness are from arthritis in my neck/possibly migraines/my stuffy sinus, or my blood pressure medication. The good news is I HAVE A WORKING BRAIN! While there, they got a bit excited about this old heart of mine and how it beats so slowly and then speeds up so quickly. Will do follow-up in January in Sparta with my PC. Meanwhile, when I was there, they applied massaging wraps from my ankles to my knees to prevent blood clots. I want one of those machines. They are amazing! Wishing I could have tried it from ankle to hip because the fluid swelling in my lower legs is gone. Will be checking into that. The only med I left with was a motion sickness one to help until I have my follow-up in January. They thought a shower chair would be good, and a walker when I’m alone and unsteady on my feet. This will change the way I spend my days. No driving while dizzy. The numbness in my face is still unexplained and has lessened. Thank you for your concerns, prayers, and phone calls. I have an amazing circle of friends and family.

Now I need you to put PJS on your prayer list. He’s going through a rough time right now and needs prayers for discernment and healing. Also, just put in a suggestion that if it is God’s will, he should think about writing a book speaking about his life experiences. They have been extensive. Regardless… prayers for his well-being please.

Know you are prayed for.