On the Feast of Sts. Stephen and John

the afternoon of Dec. 27th .....



Waning hours, two days after Christmas, mom's draining the caviar.....



As always, the hours have run by swiftly since midnight Mass...kringling was in full swing, Uncle Andrew and Charlie came by with cousin Marcelo....then finally to bed and another Marcelo called at 6:30 am CHristmas morning.....!!!!



Mary and John were up early.....then Margaret...then Mom and then Dad and then James and Tom and Drew and Ann and Ellen...Rocky just watched us...and we all gathered in the living room round the manger....passed Baby Jesus around for a kiss...and then mom led us round the house in a train "jingle belling..."....and the day just took off.....



With Nana and Grandfather and the aunts and uncles and cousins and Ellen's Michael and dinner and presents and then dessert with Mom's parents - Grandmother and Granddaddy and uncles and aunts and cousins and caroling, and more caroling in stereo, and Grandaddy leading us in a carol-off...and mom saying, "Let's call Mom and Dad in Bogota" and we all turned to Grandmother and Granddaddy and laughed!!!!!and more friends came by - Phil and Eddy and Matt and Koles and Kenny and then still later we had cigars and sherry and port and Uncle Charlie talked about his work, and Mom and Ellen and ANn kept the menfolk well-nourished with fine fixin's....



And then it was early morning of the 26th....and we went to sleep on a cold winter's night that was so clear...NOEL, NOEL, NOEL, NOEL, born is the King of Israel!!!!



As mom is so ever-wonderful in saying - "How I love my family!!!!!"



l0ve, Dad

So When does everybody get home?

I'll be home Wednesday between 12 and 1pm.

Annie...?

Tom...?

When does the Heights get out...Oakcrest...home school?

Mom's Hope

I like to think of our home as the actual dwelling that we are preparing for the Baby Jesus. My hope is that by December the 15th we have our home 'immaculate' in a manner be-fitting of the efforts that Sweet Mary would make.
That means in twenty-first century terms that I would like all the clutter, de-cluttered - everything has a place and is in its place- or given away to those who could benefit. It means that all the returning students may want to try a little harder to keep their sleeping- personal spaces neat and tidy. I am dreaming about closets in order, drawers in order, nothing under or around the the beds. I have visions of a charming winter cottage worthy of any Christmas story book!
By the time we set out the manger for the beginning of the Christmas Novena on the 16th I want our house to be simply and sincerely an actual manger of love and 'immaculateness'. After all, God-the-Father-the Son and-the-Holy Spirit though it was only fitting! I have visions of the love glowing as we try to make our home fitting too. Love Mom

[by Mom]

The House of Royals

The House of Royals



HAPPY FEAST DAY OF OUR LADY



Sons,



Happy Feast Day of Our Lady.....What a gracious feast in December!! Tom...How about this great word:



kecheritomene!!!!!!!!!!!! perfect passive participle "having been filled with grace"



"Hail.....Mary, who having been filled with GRACE!" Tom, I remember your experience last year with the word!! remind me of details...





Tom tomorrow is your last day of classes? hope you are well.

Chris Breslin took a group of our guys down to the yard for noon Mass and a meeting with one of Mr. Breslin's former professors.....



Drew, as the House of Royals blog notes, you guys must have had a blast today at the Seminary!!



Keep up your work efforts....push yourself hard, and work on all aspects...essays with organization and clarity and EXAMPLES!!!! keep your paragraphs clear and fortified....



and get the data down!!



AND Please, pray for us as we pray daily for you two.....



more later....Dad

Happy Immaculate Conception Day

It's a big day in the seminary today.

No classes (at least not for 1st-4th Theology). 4:30 mass.

We had solemn vespers yeasterday evening. Followed by a big party with entertainment.

That was fun. A highlight was a version of "Chestnuts roasting on an open fire" retooled for the new men studying in the two year Philosophy course; it brought down the house. it ended like this...



and so I'm offering this simple phrase

to Pre-The 1 and Pre-The 2

although it's been said

many times many ways

"class is cancelled

but not for you."

Feast of St. Nicholas

Christmas is coming

The goose is getting phat

Please put a penny in the old man's hat

If you havent got a penny

a hay-penny will do

if you havent got a hay-penny

then God bless you.

===================

Good St. Nicholas whom God did send. Teach me of Jesus your dearest friend.

+++++++++++++++++++



I think we need a different picture of St. Nick up. This one is too Byzantine. That art style feaks me out.

---------------------------------

Second week of advent!!!



Love you all

Christmas List

With Christmas fast approaching we should compile a list of things that we know the house needs...

I hope everyone is remembering their Secret Shepards. Prayers to everyone. woo hoo.

soooooooooooooo

1. TV!!!!!!

2. TV

3. TV

4. Stereo

5. mushrooms

6. linens



Obviously add, change, take away any ideas...

love you

xxooxxoo, Elle

Happy Birthday My Son James

You are a fine gentleman and son, James.........May God keep you holy and James!!Happy Birthday!! love, Dad

Happy Birthday, James!

Fifteen.
Excellent.
Happy Birthday, James!

It was fun

Thanks everyone for a wonderful Thanksgiving break. It is a blast to have everyone home even if it is for a short few days. Annie, all the pies and breads were sweet as was your way around the house...

Drew your words of wisdom interspersed with your sounds of utter weirdness make every conversation worthwhile and entertaining. Tom, your quiet way and firm humor keep me laughing for days after. We all miss you guys everyday and the countdown is set for when you all visit again.

James's birthday is coming up...The big 15!!!!

Thanks for coming!

It was great to see you all here for the Mass last night.

Thanks for coming. It was a fuller sweetness with y'all there.

WHITE LILY RULES!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

love DAD

Friday

This Friday I'll be "inscripted among the canditates" as per the "rite of liturgical admission."

It's a pre-req for receiving the sacrament of Holy Orders.  The idea, in short, goes like this:  anyone can aspire to receive the Sacrament of Holy Orders, but only candiates can be ordained.   Friday is the Mass with the Rite whereby I'll go from an "aspirant" to an aspirant who is "among the candiates."

This is what was going to happen at Mattaponi over the summer.

Y'all are welcome.  Mass is at seven.  They'll have a little reception to follow like last time.

Lemme know what ya think.

Adios.

life on the Nottingham Ranch

(Dad's email)



Hello,



Attended the Oakcrest Gala...lots of fun...the day before, Oakcrest teachers offered suggestion or the "Big Auction Item"...among items considered:Library items, trips, and then Ellen suggested Spirit Items, like vinyl banners for the Green and White Teams, a MAscot banner for the "Charger" etc....the Oakcrest Administration voted....decision: SPirit Item, and Ellen ROyals will announce it..



SO this young rookie teacher got up in front of the black tie formal dressed group and "Gave an Awesome spirit-filled rousing ..."Your-daughters-will-take-their-spirit-outside-these-walls-to-the-World" speech...and she raised around $2500!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Wow!!



James returned from his Mountaineers 29 mile 3 day hike.....blistered worn out feet, tired limbs....left here THursday morning......to the eastern mts. of Tennessee.....rained all night Thursday, intermittent and all afternoon and night Friday...sleeping bag soaked, clothes soaked, back pack soaked....but while half of the group was held up at the 11 mile mark on Friday at 3:30 pm, James was asked by his Geometry teacher to travel another 9 miles forward in the rain and dark with

the all-important keys to the van for the teachers in the advanced group....



So, he and 8 other Heights' "Rangers" headed off through the wiles of a Hobbit-like "MIRKWOOD" forest, dark, rock-strewn, cumbersome, narrow paths, pitch-black visibility,pouring rain, armed with small flashlights whose batteries were weakening.....within 200 yards of the final shelter, 6 of the fellows could go no further, and they pitched their wet tents up.....while James and one other brave "Strider-like" Ranger (these are characters from "The Hobbit" or those of you not versed in J.R.R. Tolkien references) went forward to drop off the keys!!!



Soaked to the bone, this young man from the House of Royals, gobbled down some handfuls o trail mix (gorp), ate a small remnant of sausage still remaining in his satchel, and he lay down upon the concrete of the shelter, his wet sleeping bag for a miserable cover, and heard the "rap, tapping" o the rain as it hit the corrugated tin roof of the shelter.......



The next morning, when the entire group reassembled, the Geometry teacher, who gave James the assignment to forge ahead the night before with the keys, approached him and gave him an honorable bow saying only, "Hail, ROY - to - the - ALS!"



I am sorry that you all missed Sunday breakfast today, because you missed Mom comparing James' night journey as a metaphor for our faith, referencing the saints and heroes o the Church...awesome!!!! You also missed the scrambled eggs and sausage and toast with jam and coffee!!!!!!!



Well, Ellen is out getting some dessert....and Ann, your Peter has just returned from playing soccer down at Norwood Park!



Countdown to Thanksgiving vacation is 9 days!!!!



Please keep prayers for dear Aunt Eileen in Wheaton, IL who is dying of cancer...Mom and Dad - Nana and Grandfather are heading out to see her and Uncle Bernard next weekend.....



Go Navy!!!!!!!!!!!!Beat Army!!!!!!!



love.....Dad and Mom..........Katy, Cecy's has her corduroy overalls on!!!!

Well Done, James!!!

(Dad's email)

All,

Tonight, your grandson/brother/nephew/son James....was awarded the Coach's Award for the Junior Varsity Soccer Team 2004-05 year. "For the player who best displayed enthusiasm, intensity and spirit and was always there for the team."

According to James, his award is simply......"Talent on loan from God"(borrowing from Rush Limbaugh)..."having more fun on a soccer field then any human being should be allowed to have"...."a season in which we had fun"...."hip, hip...HUZZAH!! HUZZAH!! HUZZAH!!"

John Paul was there in Chesterton Hall to see his brother!!!

For the Varsity Team, Victor Faustino was the Offensive Player of the Year, Pat Selwood received the Coach's Award and the former Petrei Award now Maginnis Award went to David Mitchell.....

...Among the recipients of the Petrei/Maginnis Award was your Grandson/brother/nephew/son Thomas Joseph...he was captain of the 2002-03 Varsity Soccer Team...

Bye or now!!!!! son/brother/Dad/husband.......Tom

Election Results for Thought

52% of the Catholic vote went for Bush

61% of the weekly church-goer vote went for Bush

59% of the married- with- children vote went for Bush

23% of the gay-lesbian-bi-sexual vote went for Bush

80% of the most- important- issue- is- moral- values vote went for Bush

For a complete breakdown of election results click ***HERE***

Bush Wins

wOOOOOOOOOOOO hOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!

another 4 more years. ANd Daschle lost too,,, this is all just great

Nov. 2, All Soul's Day/Election Day, 5:30 p.m.

My wife and my children: from the remarks of my colleagues (18) upon their return from the polling locations, the turnout is near record breaking.....as of this time 5:30 there is no "news" regarding results.....I even wonder if over the next 12 hours we will have something definitive...what a period of eerieness, uncertainty...So we try to predict - yes, President Bush will win 275-285 of the Electoral College Votes....and then Senator Kerry will legally challenge voter tallies....but we will have President Bush for another term......we'll not worry about what happens after that...Just let's get through the next 12-24 hours.....

I'll be coming home...

...on election day to vote. We have mass at 4:30 here in emmitsburg on tuesday for All Souls. I'll be on the road, probably by 6 or 6:30. The polls close at 8. I'll want to be on my way back here no later than 8. So might I drop in for a brief bite to eat, say...7-7:30?

Hello, My Children.... this is your Father

Speaking words of wisdom, Let it be.

Don't forget to turn your clocks back at 2am on Sunday the 24th.

My heart goes out to you but I don't know how to put in words.

(I just let Mom do all of my typing, editing and ad libbing!!!!!!!!)

Love, Dad

25 25 25 25 25 25 25 25 25 25 25 25 25 25 25 25 25 25 25 25 25 25 25 25 25

thats 25 25s. I counted.



So a, Drew's 25. Thats pretty good. Thats like five full hands. Im not even to 4 full ones yet. Happy BDay Drew! And to steal Ellens little phrase from her last message: Rock on. And remember: The Cheat is not Dead

Drew is a Quarter of a Century Old!!!!!

Happy Birthday Drew!!!

You are soooooooooooo old. You are the best big brother ever in the whole wide world.

I love you so much.

Wooooooooooooooo Hooooooooooooooooo

Party it up in the seminary tonight

Rock on

Father Rhoades' last Rector's Conference

Father Rhoades gave his last Rector’s conference this afternoon.

He related the story of the past few weeks beginning with the message Lisa had left him from Archbishop Montalvo on Tuesday, October 5. She indicated that the message nuncio’s call was “urgent.”



He told how the nuncio was communicating the intention of the Holy Father that he be installed as the next Bishop of Harrisburg, to which Father Rhoades said in reply, “Are you sure?”



He mentioned how he met with Cardinal Keeler and spoke with Archbishop Rigale, and Bishop Olmstead, who will be the consecrating Bishops at the ordination December 9.



He also told how the nine days between October 5 and the public announcement of October 14 felt like “the longest days of my life.” He was able to contact his Father the evening of the 13th. Trying not to let on as if anything had occurred was quite difficult especially during the occasion of the Priest Reunion of October 5th and 6th. He again singled out and thanked Dennis Schuelkens for his response to the emergency of Father Kriss’s collapse on the morning of the 6th.



He said how the Mount will always have a special place in his heart. He spoke of feeling mixed emotions and bittersweet considering how deeply connected he feels to the Mount.



His parting wish for us was that we pray for him and that we “Be great priests, Be holy priests!”



As the gathering stood and applauded his final words to the seminary, Father Rhoades acknowledged the seminarians appreciation with a nod. He was visibly moved. The ovation continued even after he had exited the lecture hall. In the hallway, he was seen as he walked away drying his eyes and hesitantly looking back once and twice to acknowledge the applauding seminarians.

Family Recipies

Mary Royals is happy today!

first blog ever

I just figured out how to post a blog. yaaay!!



The real reason I haven't posted anything thus far is cuz I forgot my user name.

What other excuses are there...



Im still learning about this thing. Standby for official opinion.



I'll post more later.

Here, Mom...

This is the link to the website we talked about this morning regarding the loosening of the APA's choke-hold on the homosexuality discussion.

click it...>What We Offer<...

Margaret's Birthday!!!

I remember, back in '91, when we got out of school on a Friday in mid-October. Mom was getting ready to head into the hospital because margaret was getting ready to "head out." Marcos was like "ah c'man." But it took a while and it wasn't until saturday morning that Ellen woke me up and said we have and new sister and her name is Margaret. I was so happy that I went right back to bed. CONGRATULATIONS MARGARET on thirteen awesome years. AMALUFFIOU!

dad's first blog

This day, the feast of Saint Denis and his companions, 2004, marks the first web log of the head and Lord of the House of Royals. This is an occasion of great joy for this blog. We look forward with great anticipation to any future condescension of the Lord of the House of Royals would deign to extend to this blog. Long Live Dad!

posted by Drew.

Our Lady of the Rosary, The sons and daughters of the soldiers of Christendom, Thank you

October 7, 1571 - Through the intercession of Holy Mary, Mother of God, Christendom defeats Islam in the battle of Lepanto.

October 7, 2001 - President Bush begins Operation Enduring Freedom. "We did not ask for this mission, but we will fulfill it. The name of today's military operation is Enduring Freedom. We defend not only our precious freedoms, but also the freedom of people everywhere to live and raise their children free from fear. "

Summer 2004 - Omar Bakri Muhammad interviewed in Publico is attributed with the following statements culled from a long interview:

• "We don't make a distinction between civilians and non-civilians, innocents and non-innocents. Only between Muslims and non-believers. And the life of a non-believer has no value. There's no sanctity in it…
• Terror is the language of the 21st century. If I want something, I terrorize you to achieve it…The word 'terrorism' is not new among Muslims.
• Muhammad said: 'I am the prophet who laughs when he's killing the enemy.' It is not only a question of killing. It's laughing while we are killing."

October 7, 2004 - "In the simplest sense, the Bush administration has achieved the goal behind the US bombing that began here on Oct. 7, 2001: Afghanistan is no longer a sanctuary where anti-US militants could operate with impunity.

Our Lady of the Rosary, Pray for us!

you smell

The House of Royals Did I do this right????

SO big party on Frriday...woo woo

my car is busted

boo hoo

thanks mom for the wonderful dinner last night

yeah

Let's work on our mission statement

I love what Andrew wrote in the title box. It made me smile and happy to know that our breakfst table atmosphere is worth extending. Do we want to include other thoughts that help define who we are, what our family ethos is? Lot's of comments on this one, please. Love, Mom

OCTOBER RULES!

And now we're into October.

The "House of Royals" has officially entered its second month of existence. Congratulations to all who made the first month a success: Mom, Annie, Drew.

How 'bout a great second month!

Royals Family Recipe Page

Our online cookbook is under construction but, you're welcome to take a peak. Click here - enter the username 'royalsrecipes' and the current password. Then search the site

Enter any ingredient in the "search mail" box then click on "search mail". The recipes with that ingredient will show up. For example: enter butter and you will get a cake recipe and a soup recipe.

Browse and enjoy!

We will be adding more recipes if we get any encouragement!

If you do not know the password and would like to receive it please contact us at houseofroyals@gmail.com

It's the Feast of the Holy Archangels!

'member, back in the day, when mom used to bake special cookies for us on this day!
That was awesome.

Promote Royals Blogging

It is now for Mom and Ann and I to promote Blogging among the other members of our bloggable household, specifically: Dad, Tom, Ellen, and James.



Towards this end we will attempt to contact them via phone, email, or blog in order that they might appreciate more fully the potential of this new medium.



Hopefully we will gain headway quickly in this regard and we will all be blogging very soon.



That is all.

Drew

Annie blogged!

Congratulations to Ann for her first Blog.

You can find it by clicking onto "Paper's Done" under "previous Posts on the right side of the screen.

Here's looking forward to more royals blogs!

Adios,

Drew

ps, its raining in e-burg

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