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.  

Barbershop Contest

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! 

Anniversary, Annunciation, Waiting, New Birth, New Book

Today we celebrate the Feast of St. Gemma and our anniversary of reception into the Catholic Church 17 years ago. So many blessings! Deo gratias!!!

It's been the best Lent ever. On the Feast of the Annunciation, we were all in prayer awaiting the birth of Max and Laura's baby girl. After a long labor (starting on 24th evening), Laura delivered a beautiful baby girl in the wee hours of March 26th morning. All is well. Praise God! 

The new parents are home, getting adjusted to life with a newborn. We can't wait to make a trip to DC to snuggle this little one and take care of Max and Laura. It just so happens that this baby's birth coincided with an email from my editor--she sent me proofs of Shunya Means Zero. And I was able to dedicate it to both my grandkids before it went to the printer. Deo gratias! It's coming out this summer.  I can't wait to share it with my two little grandbabies, when they're not mouthing everything. I didn't give them Ten Easter Eggs...next year is a perfect time! And just you know folks, the Easter season lasts for 50 days so it's not too late if you want to buy a copy. 

Now for the reward to going through some shameless self-promotion. I'm attaching a few pictures for you to enjoy! I'm over the moon--to have two little grandbabies so close in age feels like an answer to my own prayers about having twins. Now all that God has to do is arrange for a job for Max down here in Charleston so we can all be together :)

The beginning of labor--March 24th. Max and Laura take a walk to speed things up. All the pain and struggle is worth it once they get to hold their precious little baby. They went for a short walk the day after the baby was born!

 
Laura's mother and sister were able to come for Easter--they sent these beautiful pictures. To gaze and gaze upon your baby is the closest thing that comes to Adoration of our Lord. 

We can't wait until our DC family can come to the wilds of SC. 

Happy Easter, all!!! He is Risen!!! Alleluia!!!

On EWTN's Journey Home Program

It has been busy with the online Catholic Writing Conference (where I offered a workshop on Writing for Hire) and barbershop guest program; I'm still playing catch up, but imagine my joy when I learned that my conversation with JonMark Grodi taped last July would air on EWTN's Journey Home program on Monday, Feb. 2nd, the Feast of the Presentation. Matt Swaim said, "And it’s particularly poignant to me that because of some scheduling your episode got moved to the feast of the Presentation. I don’t plan these things intentionally! But how fascinating that your episode will be airing on the feast of Simeon letting Mary know that a sword would pierce her soul… given the power of the Pieta in your story, it’s hard for me to not make the connection!" God's timing is indeed perfect. Here it is: Journey Home - Vijaya Bodach - Former Methodist and Agnostic. 

A friend captured this on her TV (I was at barbershop practice) and it has been a joy to watch this again. I loved how beautifully JonMark is able to express the essence of what I was trying to say. He's a wonderful host, putting me at ease. I urge you all--speak or write the story of what God has done in your life. As Rick Warren says in his book, The Purpose Driven Life, "God wants to use you." With Lent just around the corner, perhaps you'd like to pick it up. I've given away multiple copies of this wonderful book. 

Our grandson was baptized on the Feast of St. Paul Miki and Companions (Japanese martyrs) in the baptismal gown that my mother had sewn for us. Given how much Christians are persecuted, I often wonder whether our children and their children will be called to make the ultimate sacrifice for the faith. We live and die in Christ. But will we have courage? I pray for it. 

The material is silk damask and it looks like it could be from the leftover material from my grandfather's priestly vestments. I was the last person in my family to be baptized in this garment until now. My sister brought it when she came to visit me when Dagny was two months old. Poor Max cried because he didn't fit into it. I draped it over him for a picture. I will keep it for a while--until Max and Laura's little one is baptized.

We were atheists then, so it was just a pretty garment to dress Dagny in. We didn't even pretend to baptize her--there's a story about St. Genesius, how he was converted while in a play mocking Christian baptism. The Holy Spirit came upon him and he refused to renounce even when threatened with death. He's the patron saint of actors, of people who work in theatre and movies. Anyway, I have to speak about another movie, Nefarious, that shows the value of baptism, of belonging to Christ. I wrote a review here: Vijaya Bodach: Strawberries and the Sacred Heart. Praise God for not letting us remain in sin, for giving us the grace to repent, to turn to Him. On this Feast of St. Valentine, may we remember to always be guided by Love and Truth Himself, our Lord Jesus Christ.