Tickling the Ivories

 This is my view of the beautiful Christmas altar at Our Lady of Good Counsel church.  

I recently came out of retirement and am again playing the organ for one Mass a week. 

 I was taught to play the organ from the music teacher at my elementary school 41 years ago. I was 12 years old and my instructor walked across the street from the school to the church 2 times a week to teach me.  

I've spent many, many hours up in this choir loft playing for church and choir,  I have no idea how many years I have played...I would take breaks when I had new baby and when my arthritis was acting up.  

Right now my fingers feel great and I am love being able to play music again.

To top it off, when I started playing again I had to go to the church to practice...but since then I have been blessed with the piano that stood in my husband's family's home for all the years I have known him. The piano is getting a lot of use.  It seems someone is constantly playing,

Thank you for this beautiful gift, Grandma Collins.

2008-Church Autumn Picnic

We enjoyed a wonderful autumn church picnic today, and after a week of cold rain, the sun came out and the temperature rose to a "toasty" 60 degrees.

Grandma and Grandpa were with us to enjoy the company of our fellow Our Lady of Good Counsel parishioners.
Luke spent most of his time driving a "motorcycle" around the fireman's field.
Grace and Clare in the kick ball dugout.
Danny
Grace
Mark was a great pitcher.Laura was a great fan.
Becky and Ida

Full bleachers
All the kids enjoyed painting pumpkins.Danny gave Kimmy a hand with her pumpkin.
pumpkin fun
Maddie giving Kimmy a push
At an autumn picnic, the party is over when the pie is gone.

Mark's First Communion

It has been a busy sacramental week around here. Danny received the Sacrament of Confirmation this past week.

Today was Mark's very special day, when he received Jesus in the Holy Eucharist for the very first time.

What a handsome and holy young man Mark has become.
Everyone was able to attend Mass this morning, and then pose for this family photo after.
Mark and Grandma and Grandpa H.
Mark and his best buddy Aaron.
Father Morelle and Mark posing for the same picture I have taken of all my children following Mass.
And, of course, for old time sake, the picture my parents took of me with Father Morelle on the day I received my First Communion.

A Sacramental Evening

Daniel George Paul received the gifts of the Holy Spirit in the sacrament of Confirmation tonight. We are so proud of him! Dan chose one the best sponsers anyone could have-his brother Patrick.
Daniel and our wonderful parish priest, Father Morelle.

I couldn't resist adding this photo of Danny's First Communion. Just take a look at the smile on Danny's face in this picture and the one before it. This is one of the most beautiful smiles I have ever seen!! Sacrament's seem to do a good thing to Dan!

We are blessed to had Father Morelle as our parish priest for many, many years.

The prove this fact, I will add this photo.....

myself after my Confirmation, along with Father Morelle and the Bishop.