Family
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He Popped The Question – She Said “Yes!!”
Late January our Einstein asked his girlfriend Sunflower to Marry him, and she said Yes!! We are delighted, Sunflower and Einstein suit each other so well. We are blessed to be gaining such a vibrant new daughter. Meeting just before Covid, when exercise was permitted and visiting was not, their earlier dating period consisted of hours of walking and talking. A time to really get to get to know one another well. They are getting married next year, so excitement is already building and planning is underway. It appears our family tradition of designing engagement rings continues to flourish! That darling ring on Sunflower’s finger, our romantic Einstein designed it…
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First Holy Communion for Bass
Three weeks ago Bass (7) was blessed to receive Our Lord for the first time during a Missa Cantata at the Carmelite Monastery in my nearby childhood town. Extra special was that he received Our Blessed Lord for the first time from our Bishop Emeritus, who has also given First Holy Communion to seven of Bass’ older siblings, all bar our oldest, the continuity is treasured. Our first seven children were also all Confirmed by our Bishop Emeritus, though Jem and Bass were Confirmed at Marian Valley. The Sisters were so excited that Bass was receiving his First Holy Communion with them 🙂 The Missa Cantata in the Southern Hemisphere has…
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Receiving The Sacrament of Confirmation
Last month our two youngest boys, Jem 9 and Bass 7 received the Sacrament of Confirmation, the second of the three sacraments of Christian initiation into the Catholic Church. Confirmation completes Baptism, by which in the laying on of hands and the anointing with Chrism Oil, which first happened at Baptism, we are confirmed with the fullness of the Holy Spirit. We are reminded of our participation in the ministry and mission of Jesus, and strengthened to follow Jesus more closely. We were so blessed that the opportunity arose for our boys to make their Confirmation at Marian Valley. Previously our children, all seven older ones, had received their Sacraments at…
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He Asked ‘Will You..?’ – She Replied ‘Yes!’
Mid June our Carpenter asked his girlfriend Rose to Marry him, and she said Yes!! We are thrilled, Rose suits our boy so well. They have been dating for a few years now, so we’ve had the time to get to know Rose well, she is a lovely young lady and we are indeed blessed to be gaining such a beautiful new daughter. They are planning on marrying next year, so there is plenty of excitement here and phone calls back and forth. See that darling ring on Rose’s finger (yes wrong finger, it was waiting for resizing) our romantic Carpenter designed it himself and surprised her!! It truly is…
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Bushfire, Evacuation & Desolation
It’s nearly a fortnight now since The Fire began and we’ve only just regained our equilibrium. It began as an ordinary weekday and finished in a whole ‘nother way. Wednesday 15th – Feast of the Assumption Actually it wasn’t an ordinary day it was the Feast of the Assumption, so we began the day by attending Mass. When we arrived home at 10.30am we noticed fire in the distance, thought no more of it and proceeded with our day. By 3.30pm however we were certainly paying attention. Huge clouds of smoke were billowing up and ash was falling, it was quite obvious the bushfire was close, only a kilometre away. Planes…
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*Carpenter’s College Graduation
#All photo credits to Jenna, Campion College Photographer of the day. December last year, our eldest son, *Carpenter graduated from College!!! He now proudly holds a Degree in Bachelor of Liberal Arts. The Graduation ceremony opened with the Celebration of Mass, presided by the Bishop Emeritus of Parramatta and con-celebrated with the College chaplain and several local priests. Afterwards dignitaries, faculty and student representatives addressed the; Graduates, faculty, families and friends of the Graduates with the key address given by Miranda Devine. Then the big moment when the graduates receive their degrees! Three years of study working towards this moment, this achievement! We are so proud of our lad! The application, diligence, perseverance and sheer work that…
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A Week with Only Our Littles
Last week was an unusual week due to an unprecedented event, the only children we had at home were our youngest two, who are 4 years & 21 months. Our middle four children were away visiting Grandma and cousins and whilst our adult daughter and nearly adult son were in residence, the focus was on our littles. To adjust to the sudden loss of the majority of playmates we added some ‘extras’ to our week. We participated in a Lego competition and enjoyed a morning at a local park in town. We slowed down and concentrated on our little ones and experienced rather a relaxed week. It was…
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Our Lads Make Their Sacraments
Yesterday Jack Jack made his Confirmation and Jem made his First Holy Communion. To receive the Gifts of the Holy Spirit is such a blessing and as our Bishop told the children, in the times ahead they will need to be brave. Michelangelo on the right who was fortunate to Serve for this special occasion. Jem was so excited to receive our Blessed Lord for the first time and is keen to receive Him again soon. Our Bishop has now Confirmed seven of our children. Yesterday was the Birthday of Our Blessed Mother, hence blue vestments, not the usual red for Confirmation. Anna Maria is godmother to both the…
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Mother’s Day Reality
* This ‘letter’ was inspired by a conversation with a family member, a ‘Young Mum’ of two small children. I began writing three years ago on Mother’s Day night, never completed and it has sat in drafts all this time. Polishing and publishing now as I feel my reflections are still relevant. Dear ‘Young Mum’, I’ve been thinking about your phone call tonight, when you rang to wish me a “Happy Mother’s Day” you shared your disappointment of how your secret hopes for the day with your two little ones hadn’t eventuated, that you didn’t have the day of mothering dreams. You then kindly inquired of me “How was your…
