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!