A Most Beautiful Father's Day Weekend

This past week has been full of so many blessings, with priestly ordinations in our diocese followed by the beautiful first Mass of our very own Father Philippe and the baptism of our little grand-daughter on Father's Day. My heart is so full. Seeing Father Philippe grow in his vocation--he sang with us for a year while he was discerning--has been such a joy. And to be ordained Father's Day weekend was so very special. A couple of years ago, I discovered this beautiful prayer, and I was so heartened to see it on Father Philippe's holy card he chose commemorating his ordination. We received a blessing and it is such an honor and privilege to kiss his anointed hands. Deo gratias! Let us never forget to pray for our good and faithful priests, who make untold sacrifices for their flock.

Father Philippe chose the Sparrow Mass by Mozart for his first Mass of Thanksgiving in honor of our Lady, Star of the Sea, who always, always guides us to her Son. The Mass was magnificent--the music evokes the cheerful chirping of the sparrows, small and humble, totally dependent on God's Providence. The church was full of parishioners, altar boys, seminarians, deacons, and priests on this Saturday morning, all worshipping together. Msgr. McInerny gave the homily, on Father Philippe's journey to the priesthood, how it began in childhood, his faith nurtured by his parents and those before him. My mind wandered to the hymn: Faith of our Fathers--how necessary fathers are for transmitting the faith. Michael told me that one time during confession a priest told him that no matter how devout the mother is, grace flows to the family through the father, who is the head, so it is paramount that he practices his faith. This was even true in the Holy Family--grace from the Heavenly Father flowed to the Holy Family through St. Joseph. It is truly wondrous. Fathers, you are so important!

Sunday was Father's Day and it was so beautiful that Max and Laura brought their little daughter to the Heavenly Father for baptism. I was so grateful she could wear our family's baptism gown. She was alert and didn't cry even once as Holy Water was poured onto her forehead. She's such a sweet baby, taking after Laura and her mother. Our families had the best time getting to know each other and to have both our grandbabies under one roof was such a joy. We are already envisioning the years ahead... It's been so wonderful to see our children grow in their vocation--it is no surprise given the good example of their own fathers. May they continue to provide and protect, love and lead their families to heaven! Heaven!!! 

It was a busy weekend with all the family, all the outings, both baby and I took a nap. It is the sweetest thing of all.  

Summer Garden

I am so blessed that Michael is a good gardener. We've been enjoying winter greens--kale, collards, cabbage--all winter and all spring. But when the bugs started to get into them, I harvested everything. Now we're enjoying the fruits of the summer garden--lots of cucumbers and tomatoes. Okra and peppers are coming in regularly too, and finally the eggplant. We had a little crop of plums and peaches too. A big fat raccoon and cute little rabbit visit the garden every day too... 

 

We just love sitting out on the back porch with our kitties, smelling the flowers, and enjoying the fruit of our labor. Tell me, how does your garden grow? May your summer be full of bountiful blessings.  

Catching up on Book Reviews

It seems that ever since I started keeping a physical log of the books I read, I've been remiss posting reviews so it's high time I mended my ways. What triggered this confession is seeing Carol Baldwin's wonderful article on children's books that appeal to adults in Writer's Digest. Her debut historical novel, Half Truths, is one that definitely would appeal to adults, given it's set in 1950s and many people who were coming of age in that time are still alive and have memories of what it was like in North Carolina. But it's the timeless quality of the story itself. A young country girl coming of age, having impossible dreams, discovering family secrets long buried. It's a story about friendship, racial tensions, and societal mores. Although I guessed the secret early on, it did not deter from the pleasure of reading the story. I appreciated seeing how the real Horace Carter mentors the fictional Kate Dinsmore in journalism. Truth really does set you free. Carol Baldwin grounds us in the time and place deftly by having quotes from the Tabor City newspaper. Meticulously researched, beautifully written, and so very encouraging--this is a book 20 years in the making! You can learn more about Carol and Half Truths on her blog: Carol Baldwin's Blog: HALF-TRUTHS. Many thanks to Carol and Monarch Publishing for the ARC I read last year. 

I was so eager to read Joy McCullough's memoir, Suffer a Witch, because it deals with a very sensitive topic, being groomed and assaulted by a youth pastor, and how the author overcomes this breach of trust. Her prose poems are brutally honest and she pairs them with letters to women of the past (the vast majority of them burned as witches). What makes me doubly sad is that the author's own father was the senior pastor and although girls brought it to his attention, nothing was done. Although I can understand the author's rage, the book offers none of healing balm that I would've expected for others. I cannot recommend this book at all because it is full of hatred. I found myself praying for the author, that God will grant her the grace to forgive her youth pastor. And I pray that justice is served. That youth pastor should be brought to trial, punished, and not ever be placed in a position to groom and assault young women. Thanks to NetGalley for a review copy. 

Imagine Heaven: Near-Death Experiences, God's Promises, and the Exhilarating Future that Awaits You by John Burke was a great gift to me. I needed to read this after my father's passing and truly I am praying that he chose to be with Jesus. As the subtitle says, John Burke weaves near-death accounts with Scripture and it makes you long for heaven even more. What is clear is that there's a review of life that occurs--how our actions, good and bad, affected others, how even our failure to act affected others, and how much everybody wants to be with Jesus because of the unconditional love they experience. He had examples of NDEs from other faith backgrounds who converted to Christianity because they saw the truth--that Jesus is God. Burke also writes about NDEs where the people are given a vision of hell. It is truly horrifying. Many saints have had visions of hell, including the three little visionaries from Fatima, and so they spent hours praying for conversion so that poor sinners wouldn't go to hell. I highly recommend this book for anyone interested in life after life... 

Piccolo Spoleto Concert

We're taking a much-needed week off from barbershop practice tonight after our Red, White, and Ringing concert the last day of the Piccolo Spoleto festival. So wonderful to celebrate our nation's 250th anniversary with a truly American tradition--barbershop! I was so grateful to sing from the risers, though I had a cane with beautiful blue flowers, borrowed from a parishioner, should I need it. It matched our blue shirts. I love how God takes care of even the smallest details, knowing how much I like pretty things. 

Below, a few recordings. Enjoy!

One of my favorites from Toy Story: 

1. You've Got a Friend In Me
   https://youtu.be/3eaKgqFFoPg

Holy City Harmony Quartet Debut:

1. America the Beautiful
   https://youtu.be/Tl546wWiuN0 

One of the few songs where we tenors get the melody. It's an emotional song; I saw some in the audience weeping. Music truly helps heal a hurting heart:

1. It Is Well with My Soul
   https://youtu.be/Hve7zXkYt9A

Most importantly, you too can sing along. Here's David teaching the audience:

1. When the Saints Go Marching In
   https://youtu.be/SS8oVJIUB7I

Local ladies, if you love to sing, we invite you to come join us for Guest Night June 22nd. No experience necessary.

Barbershop Contest and Piccolo Spoleto Concert

It's been a rollercoaster of emotions these past couple of months. We're singing better and better. But this was the hardest contest I've ever sung. You can see it here: Charleston Sound Chorus - R9 Contest Set - May 2026  https://youtu.be/BPOCX887LMI 

Not only did I injure myself the day before, but our beloved bass section leader, Hannah Harris, died a week before contest. You can listen to David's speech and our song here: Charleston Sound Chorus - R9 Show of Champions -https://youtu.be/VSdJKGjUR5w  

Mary and Hannah

Only one of our quartets sang: Encore Quartet - R9 Contest Set -https://youtu.be/SvPZ6909-RI and they sang so beautifully. Hannah's quartet, Put a Ring on It (they sang at Dagny and Ian's wedding reception) had to withdraw. Alas, I missed all the quartet competitions because I fell in the shower and did the splits, tearing my hamstring. But God is so good--Michael came down with me and was able to care for me. In addition, our chorus has a physical therapist, a nurse, and a nurse practitioner, who are able to assess and give good advice. And many faithful women who prayed over me. Praise Him!!! I was able to procure a wheelchair and rehearse with my chorus and sing.

Below, our coaching with the Queens of Harmony, Dynasty Quartet, and another Queen, Gina Baker earlier in the year.

I had no idea that my fortune could turn in an instant... but what a reminder to stay in a state of grace.  

But I had help--so many graces were poured out on me. We'd been praying the world's oldest novena since Ascension Thursday, to receive the gifts of the Holy Spirit and for their fruits to be manifested in us.

We sang. We touched hearts. We learned we could do this even through heartbreak and pain. Hannah would be proud. We placed 3rd overall and 2nd in our division. All glory to God! 

It is so hard to understand why all this is happening, but we trust in God's perfect will for our lives. I truly believe and live Romans 8:28, "And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose." 

I had planned to go to Chicago for the Catholic Writing Conference and then to my father's memorial, but I cannot risk further injury. So I'm staying home and resting in the Lord. I find myself crying out of the blue--it reminds me a little of having mild post-partum depression. But my heart is grateful--for having this time to rest and heal, for family and friends closeby, for pictures and videos of Hannah singing. Please pray for her and her family. May God have mercy on her soul, bring her to heaven, and may she welcome us with the choirs of angels when it's our turn to go to our eternal home.

As I rest with my kitties (purrfect therapy), I run through my music for Piccolo Spoleto concert and Guest Night (posters made by the talented Laurie Yoh). Today is Pentecost Sunday. Come Holy Spirit! Come!