Oh, Dearest Mother, Sweetest Virgin of Altagracia, our Patroness. You are our Advocate and to you we recommend our needs. You are our Teacher and like disciples we come to learn from the example of your holy life. You are our Mother, and like children, we come to offer you all of the love of our hearts. Receive, dearest Mother, our offerings and listen attentively to our supplications. Amen.



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Connections
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Posted: Dec 18 2008 at 3:42pm | IP Logged Quote Connections

I know I can share this here.

This is my family's first Christmas as Catholics. My husband and I were both cradle Catholics who left the Church in our early twenties. After searching and reading and hoping, I was called back to the Church this summer. My husband joined me and our two sons were Baptized this October.

I have felt such gratitude for God's love, patience and direction back to Him.

This Advent our priest challenged us to do something for our families we have never done. One of the readings reminded us to visit the lonely. This lead me to take my two sons to visit my grandmother who we had not seen for a long time. She lived about an hour away in a senior center and was, no doubt, lonely without my grandfather who died in February 2007. We visited less than 10 days ago. She told me wonderful stories of when she was a girl. She shared how she misses my grandfather and how hard the holidays are.

Today, she died.

I cannot tell you how overcome I am with gratitude to God for leading me to spend a few precious hours with her.

I am so overcome with love for a God who would take her to be with Him and with my grandfather this year for Christmas.

Admittedly, I am sad, too. Sad I did not visit earlier. Sad I do not have more visits to look forward to. But mostly, I am grateful.

_____________
Blessings,
Tracey
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MaryM
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Posted: Dec 18 2008 at 3:50pm | IP Logged Quote MaryM

Wow, Tracey, that is quite a story of listening to God. I'm glad for you that you had this time and am praying for the repose of the soul of your grandmother.

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Booksnbabes
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Posted: Dec 18 2008 at 3:57pm | IP Logged Quote Booksnbabes

What a beautiful story! Praise God's goodness!!! We will pray for the repose of your grandmother's soul. May you be able to focus on the joy of the visit you did have and not so much on what might have been.   

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Mary G
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Posted: Dec 18 2008 at 4:37pm | IP Logged Quote Mary G

Tracey -- thanks for sharing this story .... what a beautiful Christmas present God gave your grandma! Hugs and prayers for all those left here missing her.

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Posted: Dec 18 2008 at 4:57pm | IP Logged Quote Lisbet

A very beautiful story. Inspires me to follow through with those Holy Inspirations.

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chrisv664
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Posted: Dec 18 2008 at 6:28pm | IP Logged Quote chrisv664

Thank you for sharing this beautiful story, Tracey. I noticed you signed your name "Blessings, Tracey" and you definitely blessed us with your sharing. Oh, and welcome back home to the church! God is good, isn't He?
I will pray for your Grandmother's soul.

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Posted: Dec 18 2008 at 8:13pm | IP Logged Quote crusermom

How beautiful. God is good.

Mary

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teachingmom
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Posted: Dec 19 2008 at 12:16am | IP Logged Quote teachingmom

Thank you for sharing this encouraging and beautiful story!

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hylabrook1
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Posted: Dec 19 2008 at 8:42am | IP Logged Quote hylabrook1

What a beautiful story. Thank you for sharing it. Praying for the repose of your grandmother's soul and for comfort for all who will miss her.

Peace,
Nancy
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KC in TX
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Posted: Dec 19 2008 at 4:26pm | IP Logged Quote KC in TX

Oh, hello, tissue alert!! What a lovely, lovely story.

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