Thoughts on the amazing events of the last week: God Got it Done

When the print version of this column appears in mailboxes, it will have been a week since Cardinal Jorge Bergoglio took the name Pope Francis. A week is an eternity in this brave new world of instant information and opinions. Sometimes I am certain that thoughtful mothers who wait for something to percolate before writing should just give up in the digital age. But my editor told me to take my time. So I did and I soaked in every anecdote, every sweet observation, and every one of Pope Francis’ public words in those very early days of his pontificate. With every new wave of information, I was more impressed by the Holy Spirit. Seriously, God got it done. Please read the rest here.

Fast. Pray. Give

Fast

Call someone you have been avoiding. Offer her encouragement.

Pray

Pray in silence. "When we pray, the voice of the heart must be heard more that the proceedings of the mouth" (St. Bonaventure).

Give

Make toast with tea this afternoon. Invite your kids to sit at the table with you.

Fast. Pray. Give

Fast

Give up an extra hour before bedtime. Read with your children--all of them

Pray

Sit quietly and listen and pray this song.

Give

"If people would do for God what they do for the world, what a great number of Christians would go to heaven!" (St. Jean Vianney)

Fast. Pray. Give

Fast

Refrain from self promotion. "The only way to make rapid progress along the path of divine love is to remain very little and to put all our trust in Almighty God. That is what I have done." (St. Therese of Lisieux)

Pray

Is there someone who inspires feelings of inferiority in you? Offer a Memorare for that person's intentions.

Give

Page through your wedding album with your children today. Remember how loved you felt that day. Love your family well.

Lord, Hear Our Prayer

This is Kristin and her beloved grandfather. He's quite the wonderful guy and she once told me he's her "favorite person in the world." He's gravely ill. She left here yesterday morning, hoping to get home before he died. The hospital staff prepared them all and encouraged them to say goodbye. Today, he is awake and talking! Medically, all we know is that we don't know. Kristin and her mom have asked that you would pray. Please pray for peace and grace and strength and wisdom for everyone. And pray especially for Donald Carron; he is so well loved!

~~Update~~

Mr. Carron is amazing! His heart stopped early yesterday and doctors declared him dead. But he had another idea and today he is breathing and eating and drinking and talking. By no means is he out of the woods. There was a considerable bleed on his brain and he's still bleeding. Terumi, Kristin's mom, told me this afternoon that she is just so grateful for the gift of extra time--however much time that is. So, please keep praying for peace and grace and strength for all. Thank you so very much!

~~ Final Update~~

Kristin's grandfather, good Irish Catholic that he was, died peacefully in his sleep a few minutes after midnight on the Feast of St. Patrick, a Sunday this year. Please pray for the repose of his soul and for grace, strength, and comfort for his family.

Eternal rest grant unto him, O Lord
and may perpetual light shine upon him.
May his soul and the souls of all the faithful departed
through the mercy of God
Rest in Peace.

How can our family pray for yours this week?