2020

What can I say.  What a year...

I again apologize for not being a regular blog poster, but what can I say...mom life...

A brief life update, baby #3 is on the way and due February 13 which for me will most likely mean sometime in January.  My husband and I, along with our two other kids, are excited for the new member of our family to arrive!  

My husband has been working from home ever since March thanks to Covid 19, but it has been a blessing. No waisted time commuting, huge savings on gas, parking, and wear and tear on the cars...Most importantly, lunches spent with the family and more family time in general has been so nice.  

To be very honest, 2020 has been a good year for us, minus not having Mass available for about two months (if I remember correctly) and putting what I think of Covid 19 and current politics aside.  I am truly sorry for all the hardship that this year has brought others though.  My heart truly goes out to you and know that you are in my prayers.  

I have one request or hope for the rest of this year and for all future years...pray more.  Pray for peace.  Pray for honesty and truth in everything (especially from the media).  Pray for purity. Pray for a respect for all human life, especially unborn human life.  Pray for openness and understanding. Pray for respect and kindness, regardless of difference of opinion.  I have seen such lack of charity simply because people disagree this year, it's unreal.  I have seen prayer do so many wonderful things though that more would be great.  And if you can spare an extra prayer for more patience for me...that would be amazing.  Thank you!  

I truly hope to get on again soon, but I can't promise.  Life goes on.  

God bless you! 

Mary Renee

On This Feast of The Annunciation...

God bless you!

Mary Renee

Words of Encouragement

God bless you!

Mary Renee

Wise Words from St. Francis de Sales

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Mary Renee

St. Therese of Lisieux on Prayer

God bless you!

Mary Renee

Lent is Approaching!

Hello friends!

I know it's been a while!  Between Christmas until now, someone has practically been sick.  I'm still getting over a cough.  And I will just say that pleurisy is NOT fun.  Still getting over that as well.  Anyway...the Christmas season has come and gone (we had a wonderful Christmas) and now Lent is approaching.  Time is flying!  If you are giving up or doing anything extra for Lent, please let me know in the comments.  I think I'm going to work on taking more quiet time for prayer and less screen time.  I have also been focusing on living more simply and getting rid of things I rarely use.  It's so nice knowing where everything is because I have no piles of stuff to look through.

Well, to catchup, I will be posting some words of inspiration from St. Therese.  Have a blessed Saturday!


God bless you!

Mary Renee

In Honor of St. Juan Diego...

God bless you!

Mary Renee

Advent 2019

A blessed Advent to you all!

Decorating for Advent/Christmas is so much fun! I like to keep it pretty simple.  Most of our decorations are over our fireplace. I have some mistletoe around the house, a wreath on the front door and a mason jar filled with scented pine cones, pine needles, wood, etc...it's basically potpourri.  I also put out a couple Christmas books and Christmas toys for the kids. Putting these things out only during this season keeps these items fun! Sometime this weekend we will go and pick out a Christmas tree.  What are some of your favorite ways to decorate for this holy season?

PS: I also have a Charlie Brown Christmas tree on our piano. 🧡

God bless you!

Mary Renee

The Presentation of the Blessed Virgin Mary

In honor of Our Lady today...

God bless you!

Mary Renee

Wisdom from St. Therese

God bless you!

Mary Renee

Belated Allhallowtide Post

Good morning readers!

Just sharing a little blurb about what has been going on and in honor of the Holy Saints in Heaven.  

It was pretty miserable outside this past Halloween, so we didn't take the kids trick-or-treating.  We did pass out some candy to the brave ones who went.  We also dressed the kids up as Popeye and Olive Oyl as a fun way to greet the children coming to the door.  I'm finding out how fun it is to dress your own kids up. They look so cute in whatever to put them in. My daughter was a pumpkin for her first Halloween and St. Therese of Lisieux for her second.  This was my Son's first Halloween.

It is so important to remember the true meaning of Halloween (All Hallows' Eve). This year I was reminded that it is one day of the Allhallowtide (The three days of All Hallows’ Eve, All Hallows’ Day and All Souls’ Day are collectively referred to as Allhallowtide and are a time for honoring the saints and praying for all recently departed souls. The term hallow means “holy” – you may recall reciting it in the Lord’s Prayer, “Our Father who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name” (Mt 6:9))

So, in Honor of the Holy Saints in Heaven, we pray...

and in remembrance of the Holy Souls in Purgatory (and all of us on Earth), we pray...

God bless you!

Mary Renee

In Honor of St Francis of Assisi...

God bless you!

Mary Renee

In Honor of St. Charles Borromeo...

God bless you!

Mary Renee

In Honor of St. JPII

God bless you!

Mary Renee

In Honour of St. Therese of Lisieux

God bless you!

Mary Renee

What's Been Happening

Hey readers!

I hope your Fall has been truly blessed!  I know mine has!  My husband and I just recently celebrated our 3rd wedding anniversary.  I can't believe all the good things that have happened these past 3 years!

This past Thursday, my Mother-In-Law, Sisters-In-Law and I all went to hear Hugh Jackman perform.  My favorites of his performance were when we sang songs from Les Miserables, The Greatest Showman, the Gaston song from Beauty and the Beast, and the song New York, New York.  He is a very talented singer and dancer!

This past Friday, my Mother-In-Law, Sister-In-Law and I took my little ones to a children's museum.  My daughter had so much fun, she didn't want to leave!  We'll be going there again!  And maybe with some friends!

This past weekend, my sister, her husband and two kids came to visit from our of state.  They came to watch my two other sisters run a marathon.  It was nice having the whole family together.

Until next time!


God bless you!

Mary Renee

St. Padre Pio, Pray for Us!

God bless you! Mary Renee

The Feast of Our Lady of Sorrows

The Seven Sorrows of Mary:

1. The Prophecy of Simeon (Luke 2:34-35)

2. The Flight into Egypt (Matthew 2:13-21)

3. The Loss of Jesus for Three Days (Luke 2:41-50)

4. The Carrying of the Cross (John 19:17)

5. The Crucifixion of Jesus (John 19:18-30)

6. Jesus Taken Down from the Cross (John 19:39-40)

7. Jesus Laid in the Tomb (John 19:39-42)


Seven Promises to those who meditate on Our Lady’s Seven Sorrows:

The Blessed Virgin Mary grants seven graces to the souls who honor her daily by meditating (i.e. mental prayer) on her seven sorrows (dolors). The Hail Mary is prayed seven times, once after each meditation.

1. "I will grant peace to their families."

2. "They will be enlightened about the Divine Mysteries."

3. "I will console them in their pains and I will accompany them in their work.”

4. "I will give them as much as they ask for as long as it does not oppose the adorable will of my Divine Son or the sanctification of their souls."

5. "I will defend them in their spiritual battles with the infernal enemy and I will protect them at every instant of their lives."

6. "I will visibly help them at the moment of their death. They will see the face of their Mother.”

7. "I have obtained this grace from my divine Son, that those who propagate this devotion to my tears and dolors, will be taken directly from this earthly life to eternal happiness since all their sins will be forgiven and my Son and I will be their eternal consolation and joy."

For more prayers and information on Devotion to Our Lady of Sorrows, please visit: https://www.catholiccompany.com/content/The-Seven-Sorrows-of-Mary.cfm?aid=5849&new=yes&engine=GFblog

God bless you!

Mary Renee

In Honor of Our Blessed Mother

God bless you!

Mary Renee

We Will Never Forget

Saw this on Facebook today and wanted to pass it along.  Good things to remember!

Remembering all those who lost their lives and all those affected by the tragic attacks 18 years ago on
Tuesday, September 11, 2001.

Eternal rest grant to them, O Lord; and let light perpetual shine upon them. 

May their souls, and the souls of all the faithful departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace.
Amen.

God bless you!

Mary Renee