Cottage Blessings

From Mary Ellen

Even in this time of intense grief, Mary Ellen has been thinking of others, writing an email to let her friends know more about Ryan's last moments.  Although she wrote that I should feel free to share it, her words seemed too personal to post on a blog, and I have been sitting at my computer, unsure of what she would want me to do.

I decided to post a portion of her message because Ryan's story should be told accurately in his mother's own words.  As you will see, the poor child never "went missing" or "wandered off," even though, for a long and torturous night, he could not be found.

Mary Ellen writes:

"I know it’s been difficult for everyone, getting information piecemeal.  Here are some details, please feel free to share them or any part of this email.

"Ryan was playing in a little stream a few yard from the campsite. His father and the others knew where he was and he was in view.  Other kids were near him but after a bit they spread out. They were all very excited to be in the campsite, they had only just arrived. When they called the kids for prayers Ryan didn’t come and after a very short time the rangers were called and then the state police and fire marshals. They searched with dogs (my poor Ryan so terrified of them). Dave called me at 11:30pm and then every hour until our dear friend, who was scheduled to go up there Sat with his four boys, drove me up at 4:30am. I arrived there at about 8:00 and they were searching with a helicopter and infrared radar as well as divers. He was found at about 10:30.  In the five minutes between the other kids being there and his being called Ryan had a grand mal seizure and slipped into the stream, his  body was found a few feet away in a drain in a culvert. It is believed the seizure is what killed him although we don’t have confirmation of that yet. When Dave and I saw him, he looked very peaceful and that was of great comfort to us.

"Ryan received last rites at the campsite, two priests against all odds showed up in the middle of the woods at exactly the right time to administer the sacrament. Only Ryan could have arranged that."

May God lift up the Barrett family during this terrible time of grief.

The most urgent prayer request I have ever posted

Please pray all day for Mary Ellen Barrett's son, Ryan.  He is autistic and went missing from a father-son camping trip yesterday at 5 pm.  A desperate search is being conducted for him right now.

Please pray your hearts out for this beautiful 14 year old boy.

[Ryan takes a bow after appearing as the priest in Twelfth Night, May 2008.]

********

Update:  I am extremely sorry to write that Ryan Barrett was found drowned.  May God help and bless the Barrett family during this dreadful time.

Prayers please

A very dear friend just miscarried at fifteen weeks.  

A tiny baby boy.

Please say a prayer for Mary and her family.

Some good news to start your day

Gallup poll:  Most Americans consider themselves pro-life

Now let's just hope those same Americans realize the issue is a desperately important one.

The Rosary: Keeping Company with Jesus and Mary

I placed the pre-order through Amazon months ago, so imagine my joy to receive Karen Edmisten's book, "The Rosary: Keeping Company with Jesus and Mary," in the mail yesterday,  just in time for Mother's Day!

As always, Karen writes with sincerity and clarity, drawing others to the rosary through a narrative that is intensely personal and deeply spiritual.  Without so much as a word wasted, the book is a course in Marian history, apologetics, scripture and prayer that I cannot wait to share with my teenagers.  (Truth be told, fifteen-year-old Agnes has already begun reading it without any encouragement from me--she knows a good thing when she sees it.)  

The real genius of the book is that it is at once both simple and deep--simple and not at all intimidating for those just learning to say the rosary, yet deep and full of new information for those who have loved this prayer a long time.  It is a book I can see myself revisiting whenever I need a lift or inspiration.  Karen's "Making it Work" chapter in particular is one I need right now while juggling a new baby along with days that are fuller than full.  My new motto is going to be "pray while you rock and nurse, rock and nurse . . . ." [p.70.]

Thank you, Karen, for a  labor of love sure to remain a favorite forever.  It is the perfect tribute to the "fairest of queens in the fairest of seasons, sweet May." 

Tact

Am I the only one who found this video of Susan Boyle more troubling than triumphant?

God bless Miss Boyle--I am happy she did well, though not convinced that the judges weren't expecting her that day. What bothers me though is the whole genre of shows that seem to be the modern day equivalent of the Roman Coliseum.  No matter how Susan Boyle looked--and whether or not she had an iota of talent--she should not have been treated so rudely by leering judges or a jeering crowd.

One of the most important lessons a child can learn is the virtue of tact which, at base, is the art of not hurting others. I have had countless conversations with my children explaining the nuance of how certain actions, words, or facial expressions could insult other people, whether or not intended.  This--I hope--will train them to be empathetic, sensitive, and kind-hearted.

It seems to me that a steady diet of  "Britain's Got Talent" and the million other shows featuring judges mocking or insulting the unfortunate is already leading to a coarsening of society that will have long-term effect.  (Can you imagine how a British audience fifty years ago would have treated a middle-aged woman on stage?) 

If only we could bring back tact and delicacy.

"Fathers for Good"

Don't miss this profile of Commander Francis X. Castellano, native Long Islander, Knight of Columbus, and commander of the USS Bainbridge--the naval ship involved in the rescue of Captain Phillips from Somali Pirates last week.

While you are there, take a look around the website of "Fathers for Good," an initiative for men by the Knights of Columbus.

HT:  Cranky Conservative

Primping

[Getting ready for the Vigil on Holy Saturday night.]

Happy Easter everyone!

You know it is spring when . . .

we begin posting over at Cottage Garden.

Here are some lovely photographs taken by Theresa.

Mr. Smith goes to Washington

In an address to the US House of Representatives, Congressman Chris Smith (R-NJ) had something to say about the timing of Secretary of State Clinton's visit to the Basilica of Our Lady of Guadalupe immediately before receiving The Margaret Sanger Award from Planned Parenthood the following day:

"On the one hand, the miracle of Our Lady of Guadalupe has for five centuries brought a message of hope, faith, peace, reconciliation and protection for the weakest, most vulnerable among us. On the other hand, each year, Margaret Sanger's Planned Parenthood kills approximately 300,000 unborn baby girls and boys in their abortion clinics scattered throughout the United States."

Please click here to read more.

If you would like to encourage Representative Smith and thank him for his unequivocal support for the culture of life, contact information is available at his website.  I hope he will hear from many, many Americans.

Our Lady of Guadalupe, patroness of the unborn, pray for us!