Charity from The Wounded Dove asked us to post a week in pictures. I, unwisely, began posting pictures from our sumer vacation and decided to split it into two posts. This portion is from our trip to the Shrine of Saint Anne in Massachusetts.
Whenever we go away, I try to incorporate some aspect of faith into our trip. We’ve gone to the Shrine of Saint Elizabeth Anne Seton in Maryland, the Creation Museum in Kentucky, and Baptist Church in Georgia among other places. What a change those experiences have brought to my life and, I hope, to my children’s lives.
This year, we brought faith into the car ride by listening to and laughing along with Stealing Home by Mike Sweeney and The Baseball Priest by Father Burke, two of the CD’s I won through a contest sponsored by Debbie Gaudino from Saints 365. If you order from Lighthouse Media, please use Debbie’s code Promo Code 103065.
This year, our trip coincided with the Feast of Saint Anne, and a short side trip brought us to the Shrine of Saint Anne in Massachusetts where we were walked along the larger than life sized Stations of the Cross, attended long a beautiful outdoor Mass, and then lit candles in the Hall of Saints.
Art projects were displayed in the Hall of Saints, and as I walked around looking at some, I noticed that several were made by prisoners, many of them death row inmates. I have never been for the death penalty, but I have always been for more serious prison sentences. I am a big fan of Sheriff Joe in Arizona, but also know there is a need for forgiveness. How do you mesh the two?
I know there is more rejoicing in Heaven for the prodigal son’s return than for a righteous soul. Prison ministry is one that takes a special person, and I prayed for and became more grateful for people like Tony Agnesi who reaches out to those most of society would throw way. Seeing those projects, reading their stories reminded me that no one is a throw away to God.
We ended with a stop in the bookstore where Kaleb was drawn to a book about Mom and Dad’s divorce. I was surprised that that was the one he picked since he can’t read and also since he has no idea of what an intact family is since his father left while I was pregnant with him, but it seemed that I should buy it and I did. The women working the book store began talking to me (I talk to everyone – I love meeting people! 🙂 ) and gave me a book and a card about Amazing Women – I am truly Blessed.
God has done amazing things in all of us, and He has given us an amazing summer that has just gone way too fast.
To see other summer vacation pictures from North Carolina to Maine, from college vistas to long car rides, and from sling shots to tennis balls in the toilet (why would anyone want to see that???) please click here.
Thanks for joining us.
I’d love to hear about your summer too! Please feel free to share or provide links in the comments.
God Bless…
