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