A Catholic Family Farewell

It was sixteen years ago yesterday, on the Feast of St. Therese, that I started this little blog to chronicle the growth of our family in a very special place -- the middle of nowhere in Upstate New York. I am a simple father with many faults who loves Jesus Christ and by necessary extension the Church that He founded on St. Peter 2,000 years ago. In this little nowhere place, the faith that seems to be dying just about everywhere is alive. My little family over the past sixteen years has lived the Christian faith as it has been handed down from generation to generation. It is almost unbelievable to think that the Pearl of Great Price can be found in such a rural, out of the way place -- but here it is. Coincidentally, in the crisis we find ourselves in the Church and in modernity, the leaven of the faith is gently bubbling away in many out-of-the-way places where one would least expect. I am so grateful, grateful and humbled because I have deserved none of it and too often took it for granted. 

Today I contribute my last post. It seems the Blessed Lord is closing a particular chapter in our lives that began this year with a devastating house fire on Pentecost. Though we will not leave our beloved parish community, Providence seems to be directing us from the home and land we have nurtured and enjoyed these last 20 or so years. As he did when we first moved to Upstate New York, St. Joseph is opening the doors to a new home and a new chapter. The path now finally seems clear. One great consolation to leaving our former home is that it appears another good Catholic family will purchase the property, building a new home for their children and enjoying the many fruits that we enjoyed living in such close proximity to the parish. I am grateful. 

I close this blog with what seems most fitting, a few pictures from the Solemn High Liturgy for St. Therese yesterday -- the Pearl of Great Price in the middle of nowhere. May our patroness continue to school us through her "Little Way" and inspire us to reach the great heights of God's love, the reason why we are here and our journey's end.