Happy Thanksgiving

May we be thankful for health and strength, for sun and rain and peace. Let us seize the day and the opportunity and strive for that greatness of spirit that measures life not by its disappointments but by its possibilities, and let us ever remember that true gratitude and appreciation shows itself neither in independence nor satisfaction but passes the gift joyfully on in larger and better form.     ~W.E.B. Du Bois

Please join me in prayers for Baby Madeleine and Baby Vivian. 

For the Love of Food

On January 26 we celebrated the love of food in honor of a wonderful friend. Here are some of the photos of the family and friends who gathered together to celebrate and share.

In San Francisco:








In Marin:









In San Diego:

photo coming soon!

What is a cathedral?

Milan

Salisbury

Paris

Florence

Chartres

Los Angeles

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In Memoriam

Mary Sylvia, 1914-2008
Richard Andrew, 1940-2008

The Feast of the Immaculada

A tuna is a group of university students that sings traditional songs. Each section of the university (Law, Medicine, History, Architecture) has its own group. On the night of December 8, the feast of the Immaculate Conception of Mary, the tunas meet in the plaza of the Virgen de los Reyes, between Seville's cathedral and alcazar, to sing and make offerings in praise of the Virgin Mary.

Afterward, the groups stroll through the old quarter, singing, stopping often for tapas and beer, and flirting with girls.



Don't miss the tambourine guy's antics at the end.

By the way, tuna in Spanish is atún.

Babies So Special

I met two remarkable mothers and their babies today. Cathyleen, mother of Caleb, and Camille, mother of Lauren, are the founders of Babies So Special, a non-profit organization based out of Loma Linda Hospital in Southern California that provides support for families with special needs babies. They provide a mom-to-mom support network and financial support for families who are overwhelmed by their responsibilities in caring for acutely ill children. They also provide assistance with funeral costs to families whose babies don't survive. Cathyleen and Camille met when their babies were born, within days of each other, with congenital heart defects. Stop by their website -- they are truly inspiring.

Lourdes

Little Rafa doesn't have to have any more radiology or nuclear medicine scans. From now on, the doctors will follow him with physical exams every 6 months. This is such a great relief to us. His right ear seems to be healing very well also.

Street corner prayers

Rome is famous for its fountains, of course.



Ma in front of fountain at Pantheon

But what really made an impression on me were the many sacred carvings and paintings on street corners in Rome -- every time you look up you see an image calling you to prayer.


Virgin and Child

Virgin Mary

mosaic Madonna

Vigil

Lent is drawing to a close and Easter is dawning tomorrow, springtime is here and the plans for celebrations and parades are coming to fruition.

Tonight, this dark night before the Easter Miracle, is the night for vigil. Let us remember all of those who are holding vigil at the bedside of a loved one, and all of those who have waited quietly through suffering this past year.

Lourdes Water

Lourdes water is so sweet and so cold. Running clear out of the many taps near the Grotto, it cools and warms and refreshes and fortifies. It is the sweetest water I have ever tasted. Throughout the sanctuary pilgrims are served water to drink. All day long people come to the taps to fill containers large and small. The river Gave de Pau flows swiftly down the middle of the domaine. The water blesses and cures.

Pa & Rafa at Lourdes