~keeping faith & family close to heart in a modern world~


praying in old catholic church

“As the sparrow finds a home and the swallow a nest to settle her young, my home is by Your altars, LORD of hosts, my king and my God. Blessed are those who dwell in Your house! They never cease to praise You.

Blessed the man who finds refuge in you, in their hearts are pilgrim roads. As they pass through the Baca valley, they find spring water to drink. The early rain covers it with blessings. They will go from strength to strength and see the God of gods on Zion.

LORD God of hosts, hear my prayer; listen, God of Jacob. For a sun and shield is the LORD God, bestowing all grace and glory. The LORD withholds no good thing from those who walk without reproach.”

PSALMS 84

blooming purple flower

Welcoming Our New Shepherd, Archbishop Zinkula!

Archdiocese of Dubuque,

October 18th Installation

Both of our priests traveled to be apart of the Mass of Installation, which took place Wednesday evening. I tried live-streaming the Evening Prayer Service via YouTube Tuesday night but, as you could imagine, I wasn’t able to listen to much with the babies “running” around and husband Paul away at work.

But all was not lost… As per our usual routine, messes & memories were made 🤍🏞️

Just look at these sweet things!

From the kitchen sink, I heard Mac chatting with Cam. To be sure he wasn’t trying to talk her into “tasting” any of his chips, I made my way towards the living room, pausing just at the corner of our kitchen table.

{{A little backfill: I got a super cute butterfly house a while back but it never made it outside – Mac enjoyed playing with the door on it so I named it “the shack” and found a home for it on the mantle.}}

My sweet baby Mac had taken this green butterfly house over to sis and he was telling her all about it!
Cam seemed super interested…


Back to Zinkula…

He’s the tall white man serving food to those who were in need in India – Lepers, they were called. This picture is roughly 10 years old, yet, some members of society were still being cast away as Lepers.

… Lord, send your Holy Spirit to anoint our new archbishop that he may continue the work of renewal in the Church, and unite our parishes, priests and people in love, truth and wisdom. Give him a true shepherd’s heart like that of Jesus, that he may give strength to the weak, heal the brokenhearted, console the lonely, bring back the wandering and be a power against the evil of our day. In the powerful name of Jesus we pray. Amen.

Catholic Diocese of Sioux Falls

The Mass Aid also had a helpful note on Communion for those in attendance: