flickers of hope

As we walked down the street to our church Sunday evening for the Pro-Life Pumpkin Memorial, John and I both whispered prayers for the wind to calm. The cooler temperatures were bearable, but the gusting winds would never allow for all those pumpkins to be lit. We arrived to the front of our church along with several other hundred who had gathered. The folk group was singing/playing beautifully, and the kids unbundled just enough to sample some cookies from the refreshment table. We chatted briefly with friends and family, then found a spot near the street light pole to sit with the kids up front.
The teens organizing the event, started with a few abortion statistics. May we find hope in the fact that the number of abortions have declined since last year, but still 3,600 babies die every day in the US from abortion. There were 400 pumpkins on the steps, each memorializing 9 of those babies. Our parish priest, Fr. Rick prayed with us, and music continued as the teens proceeded to light the 400 pumpkins…with only a slight breeze. Prayers were answered as the wind had been calmed! Thank you Jesus! I got goosebumps as the crowd of hundreds sang together “Hail Mary, Gentle Woman.” It was just beautiful. Afterwards everyone was welcome to take a pumkin (or several) home with them to light and show support for Life. We pulled our little red wagon home, this time in winds that nearly pushed the little ones over. Thank you Lord, for allowing the calm, if only for 1/2 an hour!
I am so inspired by the youth of our parish, and hopeful that this ugly battle for Life will one day end. I continue to remain optimistic that the ProLife ticket will prevail next Tuesday.

Pumpkins for Life

Several youth in our Minster, Ohio parish of St. Augustine have once again organized a Pro-Life Pumpkin Memorial to be displayed on the steps of our church.  400 pumpkins are carved with a cross and lit to represent the children killed by abortion.  It will take place this Sunday, October 26th at 7:30pm.  What a unique and amazing show of support for life!  I am truly inspired by these amazing teens who work so hard to get the message out.  You can see pictures of last years event at http://www.pumpkins4life.com/index.pdf  Hope to see you there!    ~jamie

So close, and yet a world away…

I had the pleasure of traveling again recently to the Sorrowful Mother Shrine in Bellevue, Oh.  Administered by the Missionaries of the Precious Blood, it is the oldest Marian Shrine in the midwest.  And truly a treasure indeed.  It’s about a 2 hour drive from where I sit, making it a good 4 from Cincinnati area…but worth the time.  While there, we were able to attend mass at the outdoor “Peita” chapel.  Our group of 30 or so pilgrims also joined in the Way of the Cross through the serene woods, a rosary, Exposition and Benediction in the Shrine Chapel as well as a personal blessing with a relic of the True Cross.  They have a cafeteria and lovely gift shop.  And if time permits, you have to make your way around the wooded paths to the various grottos including Our Lady of Lourdes Grotto, and Our Lady of Fatima Grotto.  I don’t have to tell you I’m sure how we all need to find time and space away from the pulls and stresses of our daily grind.  I found great peace surrounding myself in all that the shrine had to offer…the love of our Heavenly Mother, and her son Our Saviour.  If you’re looking for a beautiful place to visit, or are going to be up north…check it out!

“Let us praise God together on our knees…”

Those words (from a familiar church hymn) came to mind today as our family enjoyed every bit of beauty God had to offer today at the Bruckner Nature Center just south of Troy, OH.  I’d like to believe when we’re singing those words, we’re not saving the “praise” just for formalized prayer.  I’ll take it a step further, and offer that the excitement and joy our children found in God’s marvelous creation today, often thanking and praising his works, were certainly a prayer in the most basic form.  Simple appreciation and wonder…and quite often on our knees!  It’s humbling and awesome really to spend time with the kids in a setting such as this…woods, creek beds, plants, animals and insects of every variety.  Gods blessings are indeed abundant.  Have a peaceful week all!  ~Jamie

Lifted In Love

On this feast of St. Augustine, it seems fitting to share a little about my home parish his namesake, Saint Augustine Catholic Church.  I’ve been a member since childhood.  It’s where my husband and I made our sacraments, and now where my children have been baptized.  Known for her massive twin steeples, it can be seen from several miles out of town.  It’s always been tradition when returning home from anywhere, to try to be the first to to spot her, “I see the steeples!” And now, I find my children doing the same.  We’re located in the heart of the rural “land of the crossed tip steeples.” Just last winter my son and I were driving about 15 minutes down Rte 119  towards St. Henry parish, and were able to count more than a dozen Catholic churches.  Our community and it’s surrounding areas have strong German roots, and the pride of our ancestors is evident in the beautiful churches they built for us to gather in.  I feel blessed to call St. Augie home.  You can learn more about our parish and it’s history by checking out http://www.staugie.com/ .  If you’re ever up this way, stop by. 

Like watchmen so silent-

Do the twin towers stand-

Through quiet and turmoil-

O’er St. Augustine land-

May they ever rise tall-

Before time’s ebbing stand-

Their crosses the pathway-

Unto His loving hand-

Louis A. Hoying

Counting Blessings at the Clothesline

The following is an exerpt from an e-mail I sent out to a few family/friends some 4+ years (and 4 kids) ago.  The message came full circle last year, returning to me at a prayer group when someone I had just met asked me if I was “the clothesline lady.”  Apparently the message had stuck with her, so I thought it might be worth repeating.  God bless.

“Happy Monday Everyone!

 

(I know, grumble, grumble…back to the grindstone for those of you who do the 9-5 routine!)  It was the same attitude for me today too, as I started my laundry that’s been building up all week.  I finally had to give in and run a few loads before the kids started borrowing socks and underwear from my drawer!  It was during my second trip out to the line this morning that I had to giggle when I saw my first load of darks hanging out…about 20 pairs of pint-sized denims all lined up in a row.

Wonder what people driving by thought…are we raising an army of

midgets here or what?!  I had to giggle out loud as I took stock of that

long row of little legs.  So funny to me, I even had to take a picture.

It was there and then on this partly sunny, but awfully chilly 50-

something degree morning, that God took a minute to remind me of all

the little blessings he’s given us!  All this laundry I curse about each

week…piling up, waiting for the Era-elf to take over some night…was

such a visible reminder of these 6 beautiful children we’ve been given

and the means to provide for them.  Not to mention the holey knees as

evidence of their good health and endless energy!  Suddenly the

laundry didn’t seem such a burden today…although I’m sure by the time

it’s folded and put away, I will have lost sight of some of this peace and

joy.  But for a moment, I’m grateful for this next heavy basket of damp

capris and onesies…knowing that it is in my daily service as a mom that

I am honoring God and following my true vocation!  How richly I’ve

been blessed!!!

May you all find a moment of clarity and thank God for your blessings

as you continue your daily grind!

Have a great day all!” ~Jamie

new kid on the blog

Greetings from the north end of the archdiocese!  My name is Jamie Schmiesing. (http://www.jamiesperfect10.blogspot.com) I’m humbled and quite excited to have been asked by our good Fr. Schnippel to contribute here from time to time.  I was born and raised in small-town midwest Ohio.  I’ve been married to husband John for nearly 14 years, and together we’re raising our 10 children, ages 8 and under.  (not a typo..we have 3 sets of twins.)  In my spare time, I put my degree and nursing license to good use, and also find time to help second graders prepare for their sacraments of Reconciliation and First Communion as a catechist for our St. Augustine parish.  Life is busy and I’m very new to the world of blog, but I feel called to share the blessings we’ve received with others through my writing. As we read in last Sunday’s letter from St. Paul to the Romans ”For the gifts and the call of God are irrevocable.”  So, I go beyond the fear, and beyond the excuses to spread the Good News!  See ‘ya around!