Children and the Joys they Bring

A young parishioner shoveling the snow at St. Clement's in Canada.

Dear Friends and Family,

This past week brought many joys from young children. The above photos were taken last Sunday morning in Ottawa, Canada (at the FSSP parish which kindly hosted me for several days). This young fellow was smiling and laughing while shoveling the snow. I was blessed to see a bunch of children in Canada, and then a bunch of children at my parents' home in Cleveland, where I spent Thanksgiving week--which was wonderful!

Not only did I get to see most of my nieces and nephews, but I also heard the wonderful news that my little sister Elizabeth is pregnant with her 2nd child. Here are a few photos of one of our meals together (not picturing many of the young children, but showing you at least a bit of my family).

My brother Andy and I at the kitchen table. Both of us have grey in our beards--me more than him!

My Dad, sister-in-law Quinn, brother TJ, brother Andy, and nephews Leo and Joseph in foreground.

From left to Right: my sister Elizabeth, her baby Thomas, her husband Pat, and my niece Lucy.

Brothers.

Brothers and little sister.

The family visit included such fun moments as playing with the kids "Pizza Topper" where you attempt to put more and more plastic pizza toppings on top of a plastic pizza dough (that is carefully and delicately balanced in its center); without knocking the whole thing over, holding little Thomas and watching him laugh and smile, tickling him, playing with him on the ground; hearing from my niece Lucy about an elaborate game of fort that she plays with her friends (which includes such complex rules as a test you have to pass to join a team, the giving back of sticks stolen from the other team's base (at the end of the game), boundaries and special rules for movement, etc.

Having arrived back in England last night and then had a full day of apostolate today, I'm too exhausted to write more at the moment, but am very grateful for the wonderful joys of last week.

May Jesus and Mary watch over you and guide you.

In Cordibus Iesu et Mariae,
Fr. Pillari

More Texas Blessings

Processing in to begin the Holy Mass at St. Mary's Cathedral, Austin, TX.

Preaching at the same.

Speaking to families after Mass--lots of little kids! (many off-screen in this photo).

With a family after Mass.

Dear Friends and Family,

Thank you for so many wonderful blessings this past week in Texas. I miss you all already but you've also given me a heart full of joyful memories! It was a real joy to see so many of you in Austin. Father Tim Nolt, in case you read this, thank you for being such a gracious host--in the midst of all your many duties as rector of the Cathedral--and for taking time to visit with me personally. Thank you especially to all the children who served the Masses, sang, gave me pictures that you had colored, played games with me, or helped in so many other ways. May Jesus and Mary watch over you and guide you.

In case any of you felt it helpful to hear this again, or in case anyone out there has insomnia and needs something to help them fall asleep, or for those who were not able to come, I uploaded Saturday's sermon, which can be found here:  https://philomena.sermon.net/main/main/21052075

To all those in England, thank you for your patience in letting me make this trip, and for your prayers. I'll be back in England this Saturday so I look forward to seeing you soon!

These past few days have found me in Ottawa, once again hosted by the very kind priests of the FSSP here at St. Clement's, where they have invited me to chant the tomorrow's High Mass.

I had the opportunity to spend some time praying in Ottawa's Cathedral, dedicated to Our Lady, to ask for Her intercession and Motherly guidance for some decisions. It was a beautiful place to pray. And, to my surprise, the first class relics of St. Anthony of Padua were brought in for veneration this afternoon, so I was able to also ask St. Anthony's intercession. Here are a few photos of the Cathedral.

Side altar of the Sacred Heart.

Main Altar

Side balconies.

Stained Glass in Back.

Side Altar to Our Lady.

Each of you will be in my prayers at the altar tomorrow morning here at St. Clement's. Then I will travel home for a few days with my parents, siblings, nieces, and nephews, for the celebration of Thanksgiving.

May Jesus and Mary watch over you and guide you.

In Cordibus Iesu et Mariae,
Fr. Pillari

Texas Blessings

Praying in thanksgiving after offering the Holy Sacrifice in Shiner yesterday.

Dear Friends and Family,

The past week has been a whirlwind of blessings. It has been so good to see so many of you here in Texas! So much to be grateful for as it has brought back so many memories of the grace and blessing of working with you as a priest in the very first years of my priesthood. In a little while, I will need to leave the house to begin journeying to St. Mary's Cathedral in Austin, where I will offer the Holy Sacrifice and then spend the evening with the families there. So I only have a few minutes to write this blog (especially as I still need to finish some details of my talk for the reception after Mass).

Here are some pictures:

A discussion as we prepare for games of football and soccer. 

Gathering in to choose teams and then begin the games...

Football and soccer with the homeschooling boys was a real blessing. I caught a touchdown pass and scored a goal--clear signs that God was blessing the day!

Preparing to take off on a hike with the homeschooling young women.

Mid-way point of the hike with the young women.

After sports with the guys, I took a hike with the young ladies. The opening question I asked was "If you were advising a young woman your own age as to how to become a saint, what would you advise her?" The answers were quite good!

After Mass in Shiner, with the Servers of the Immaculate, my old group of altar boys. The Bearded man on the right is a seminarian for the Diocese of Shiner.

The Maidens of the Immaculate, who chanted beautifully a the Mass.

I think this image is the appropriate one to end on, as I have so very, very much to be thankful for from this week. I'd best be off now to get ready for the day's apostolate!

In Cordibus Iesu et Mariae,

Fr. Pillari

All Saints, All Souls, and a Cow...

A devout cow, created by one of the children I'm preparing for First Holy Communion. Hopefully, the cow will be ready too...

The Lanherne bonfire to get rid of branches these guys (one pictured) generously cut down this week. Unlike Texas, where the challenge is getting anything to burn. You don't worry about fire spreading.

Dear Friends and Family,

It was a blessed week, with All Saints and All Souls highlighting the week. Other blessings included the visit of a couple from London, who proudly told me of their many children, and many grandchildren, of whom a great many boys serve the Latin Mass at St. Bede's in London. Though on vacation in Newquay, they made a point of taking a taxi each morning to attend the 8AM Mass at Lanherne, so as not to miss Mass for a single day!

Another blessing was the visit of Fr. Reginald from the Dominicans of St. Vincent Ferrer (see here: https://www.chemere.org ). He very kindly is covering for me here during my trip to North America and arrived a day early so we could visit. It was nice to spend the day speaking French again, and particularly interesting since he recently obtained his doctorate in canon law from Rome, and is also quite interested in the contemplative life.

But since I have to catch a plane tomorrow and still need to finish packing, I'd best sign off.

For some of you... see you soon!

In Cordibus Iesu et Mariae,
Fr. Pillari