Children of the Heavenly Father‏

Dearest Ones,

On May 1, my sister, Angela, and I traveled to Minneapolis to attend Charlie's First Communion. Charlie is my grandnephew, son of Kathy & Jerry Peterson and Angela is Kathy's mom and Charlie's grandmother. What a weekend! I'll try to capture the highlights. When traveling together, my sister and I like to think of our travels as a pilgrimage, which is a holy journey. We arrived in St. Paul at 5 pm and stayed with the wonderful St. Joseph Sisters, with whom I had lived for ten years. It was delightful to see all of them again and renew friendships. On Saturday morning we attended 7:45 am Mass at Lumen Christi Church in St. Paul, where we also visited the Adoration Chapel and prayed for all of you. Our next visit was to the Home for the Aged staffed by the Little Sisters of the Poor. Thirteen Sisters are on the staff there. It is unusual today to find that many Sisters in a Home for the Aged. Angela had a special reason for wanting to visit them, as she has a close friend in Omaha, a doctor, who had cancer of the esophagus, which had spread throughout his body. Doctors believed the cancer was terminal. However, a priest in Omaha asked him to pray for healing to Jeanne Jugan, founder of the Little Sisters in France in 1839. The doctor prayed for several months for Jeanne intercession, at the end of which he was completely cured. We know that only God heals, but through Jeanne's powerful intercession, we believe he was cured. Jeanne is a powerful intercessor. On Saturday morning we went to Mpls to Kathy and Jerry's home, where we helped Kathy get ready for the big day. We spent five hours going over Charlie's communion instructions, setting up the tables, etc. Then on the big day we arrived at the church at 10:30 a.m. with Charlie looking handsome in his new blue suit and soccer tie. We had to get there early as he was a greeter! Before the Mass, each child came forward with a lighted candle, signifying their part in helping light up the world! Beautiful! I was in tears, as I watched God's precious little ones receive Communion for the very first time. Isn't it wonderful that God figured out a way to stay with us always, by giving us His body and blood? Each child was seated with their proud parents. It was delightful to have my niece Jackie, and Jim, her husband, along with their three little ones, come from Omaha. Jim and Jackie are Charlie's godparents. After Mass, at Kathy and Jerry's home, we all enjoyed delicious brats, chips, pesto, Angela's famous lemon bars and homemade fudge. Among the thirty guests were Jerry's parents, John and Lynda Peterson, a remarkable couple. John is a retired Lutheran minister, who is still actively ministering, as is his wife. Together they sang a song, which the family sings at weddings, funerals and special occasions:
CHILDREN OF THE HEAV'NLY FATHER
Children of the heav'nly Father
Safely in His bosom gather,
Nestling bird nor star in heaven
Such a refuge ne'er was given.

John and I were asked by Kathy to lead a prayer before the meal, so they got a double dose! Kathy asked each guest to name who they are to Charlie, so we went around the circle and said, uncle, godmother, father, friend, sister, aunt, mother, cousin, etc....one woman from Church said, "Cheerleader!" This was followed by warm hugs! It was a joy to meet five dedicated members from the parish, who were invited to share the celebration with us. They have befriended Kathy & Jerry throughout their faith journey.
While celebrating with Charlie, we also remembered Maggie, Linda's daughter, and Mira, daughter of Carolyn, who also received Jesus for the first time. As we prepared to leave, Jerry led us in a beautiful farewell prayer. What an awesome, unforgettable pilgrimage! God now has many new little followers to help Him save the world. As we left we asked for the special protection of the angels:
We ask the Angels to go
before...
after...
and on either side
of all your
transportation
to keep you safe.
Amen. We knew we were in safe arms after that!

God be with you!
Sister Francelle
http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v84/kaje62/charlie/