Back before Christmas, I chose my patron for 2015, my #1 patron is St Peter. I decided today my family all needs patrons so here goes:
Jeff– St. Roque Gonzalez de Santa Cruz
A saint I had never heard of but who has a fascinating story.
Joseph– Bl. Marie Rose Durocher Feast: October 6 Patronage: Against Loss of Parents; Sick People
I’m especially glad his saint will protect him from losing his parents! Considering Joseph’s difficulties with asthma and walking pneumonia, hopefully his patron will continue to protect him.
William– St. Aelred of Rievaul Feast: January 12 Patronage: Against Kidney Disease; Against Kidney Stones
Considering William’s eating habits, not a bad saint for him to have. Also considering his digestive issues as an infant, he can really use all the prayers he can get.
Shelby– Shelby’s saint is not canonized or even beatified yet. She is not in the saint generator. Yet. But since her joining of the church triumphant a week ago, her powerful prayers have helped our family already. She saved us from having a broken down car and got us home safely even today as we came home from my parents’ house. Since she has passed I have seen her glow in Shelby’s smile and laughter which seem to be even more vibrant. She has become for us the patron of little girls with special needs and their parents and brothers. Shelby’s saint is Saint Courtney Lenaburg and we will celebrate her life on December 27, all 22 glorious years of it.
This year, in addition to selecting a word, I’ve selected a Bible verse. I’ll start with the verse, when St Peter came up, the verse immediately came into my mind. It is John 21: 15-19
When they had finished breakfast, Jesus said to Simon Peter,* “Simon, son of John, do you love me more than these?”* He said to him, “Yes, Lord, you know that I love you.” He said to him, “Feed my lambs.”He then said to him a second time, “Simon, son of John, do you love me?” He said to him, “Yes, Lord, you know that I love you.” He said to him, “Tend my sheep.”He said to him the third time, “Simon, son of John, do you love me?” Peter was distressed that he had said to him a third time, “Do you love me?” and he said to him, “Lord, you know everything; you know that I love you.” [Jesus] said to him, “Feed my sheep.i* Amen, amen, I say to you, when you were younger, you used to dress yourself and go where you wanted; but when you grow old, you will stretch out your hands, and someone else will dress you and lead you where you do not want to go.”He said this signifying by what kind of death he would glorify God. And when he had said this, he said to him, “Follow me.”
To be an apostle, to feed His sheep, to live in complete submission. Those are the things I’ve been striving for, continue to strive for. And as I’ve spent time meditation repeatedly over St Peter and this particular exchange, my word for 2015 became clear.
Shepherd
To Shepherd my children, to be one that the world looks down upon but who fights and fights hard to defend and care for those entrusted to him or her. The thought of surrendering my needs to one who truly shepherds me, but tending to His flock, particularly, my children, my husband and others I come into contact with. I think this will become even more important as we move to a new place this year where we will know almost no one. Both being a shepherd and allowing myself to be shepherded will be happening this year.
As for resolutions, I’m historically not big on them, but I would say that this year, Jeff and I have decided to make some positive changes in our home. We are going to commit to being meat free on Fridays and aim for more fish in our diet weekly. We didn’t do so great today because of the travel and the added stress (we took out Chinese food which meant chicken and pork) but I am going food shopping in the morning and look to rectify that situation for next week! We also have committed to not spend money at one particular big box store. The reason being that even if we save money on individual items, we end up spending more money on things we don’t normally purchase. Not to mention, staple items like milk, eggs, and butter are close to double the cost there than at the store I work at plus I get an employee discount. We will only spend gift cards we receive there.
And that’s about it! Hoping your new year is getting off to a successful start!
St Monica's Bridge 