Sebastian on Silent Retreat at Monastery

 "Mom, could you take me to a monastery so I could go on a silent retreat?" 

Not a question you hear every day. 

Answer: "Sure! Of course!"

They had him serve at the altar

Be a lector

Sing in the choir!

(I know, it's like "Where's Waldo?" He is everywhere if you just look carefully enough)

Read in the cloister

We had a little chance to have hot chocolate at the local bar

And try their lasagna, of course (which was incredible)

Chapel of St. Thomas Aquinas (where he died)

St. Thomas asked to have the Song of Solomon read to him just before he died. That is beyond amazing. We love you, Thomas. You are our inspiration. 

NEW portrait of St. Thomas in the private library (thank you, Sisters, for letting us in!)

We love Fossanova!

Only 1.5 hours away. What a blessing!

Pilgrimage is full!

Amazing news--the registration filled up! Then we added a few extra spaces, and they filled up as well! I simply cannot believe the amazing opportunity that this is for me. I have designed what is, as far as I know, the first-ever pilgrimage to Rome whose focus is the laity--and the mothers in particular--who built Christian Rome. With the help of both Fr. Josh Whitfield and Vocatio Travel, I will guide this spectacular pilgrimage with 47 participants. I thank God for this rich blessing! 

 

What a joy

 

I love my boy!

Rome on Strike

 Annie wrote a song capturing her 7 years of living in Rome, featuring the famous strikes. Enjoy!

https://youtu.be/PXrMZD_AWqg

Best Christmas

Christmas 2025 in Dallas--our whole family was back in our home for our first Christmas there in 7 years. How poignant--it highlighted for me the sacrifice we have made to move to Italy, having had renters in our home until recently, and at the same time it was savory-sweet because we were finally back home on such a special day. Christmas is the feast day that simultaneously celebrates Christ's Incarnation and the choice of God to use family as his means of self-disclosure. Family life is elevated on the spiritual level because of the Incarnation and the reception by Mary and Joseph of the Christ Child. The mystery is beyond comprehension and I marvel more as the years go on--I am filled with praise and reverence. 

We spent time with family as never before--Ronnie Sr. and Jane stayed with us all week; Kim, Ken and Jenna spent several days with us over Christmas, and we got to host Jenna for her first overnight on Christmas Eve/morning. We spent lots of great time with Mom and Dad. Aunt June was with us quite a bit; Uncle David joined us on the 24th; we spent great time with the Davilas. We enjoyed Midnight Mass at the University of Dallas chapel and I am still relishing in Fr. Geronimo's amazing homily. Adopting the tradition of our dear friends the Cronenwetts, we served homemade tomato soup on Christmas Eve before Mass, and then the next day, had a massive feast after the tree and presents. We partied late into the night. I have never felt so full, so joyful, perhaps in all my life. God has led me on a sure and steady path, one that I could not usually see or appreciate. Now I know that he has blessed me with a rich, gorgeous family life as well as a theological vocation to understand it more fully. How blessed is this small, fleeting life of mine. 

Uncle Ray meeting Jenna for the first time since her infancy

Uncle Ray with Kim, Ken, Ron and me

Mom and her cherished Magnificat

Roasting marshmallows with our neighbors, the Copes

Wonderful conversation with Mom and Dad

Afternoon at a Christmas village

Tomato soup before Midnight Mass

How blessed I am--I love Kimmy so much!

Stuffed stockings

I think Granny Ruth would be proud!

The new Mount Vernon, really. Right??

First look on Christmas morning--priceless

 

Italian sunglasses for everyone

Christmas morning madness

Lots of biking around the neighborhood

Jane--we love you! You elevate the quality of this family quite a bit

Papa Ronnie received Annie's glass ornament she brought him all the way from Merano, Italy

How I love my Clare! God bless you now and always!

Matching earrings for Godmother and Goddaughter

Sebastian's ice cream maker

Annie wanted a drum set (answer: no). Instead Ron got her a percussion machine--that's more like it! It's a girl band in the making!

Kids gift exchange--I love how they organized it themselves. The house was bursting with laughter. I stood in the kitchen at one point and teared up--the love among them is real and strong. Thank you Lord, for blessing me with an adult family that are close and committed to one another!

Then, amazingly, Aunt Swanee and Dave came to Dallas to celebrate Aunt June's birthday plus New Year's! What a BLAST. 

It will take me months to absorb all the wonderful events, conversations, and time together. My heart overflows with gratitude!