Quick Video From Maui Photo Fest

This was the most awesome piece of computer related stuff that I've ever seen and I want one! :D

Thanks to Rick Sammon for this video!

Rick Sammon: Quick Video From Maui Photo Fest

Welcome to Bishop James S. Wall

Sacred Heart Cathedral, Gallup, NM

For the past 21 months the Diocese of Gallup has been without a shepherd due to a sudden, serious injury to Bishop Donald Pelotte. After it was clear that he could not make a full enough recovery to continue as Bishop, the Holy Father accepted his resignation and he retired. This left the Diocese which covers a large, geographical area with an estimated 60,000 Catholics floating in a desert sea without a captain for direction. Gratefully, the Holy Father appointed Bishop Thomas Olmsted, of the Diocese of Phoenix as Apostolic Administrator.  A Bishop is always busy but this doubled Bishop Olmsted's workload.  Faithful to his calling, he was here part of every week, flying from Phoenix to Gallup and back on a private plane.

On Feb. 5, 2009 Pope Benedict XVI appointed Father James S. Wall, vicar for priest in the Phoenix Diocese as Bishop of Gallup.

 Deo gratis! 

Fast forward to the evening of April 22nd. Our small Schola sang Solemn Vespers with Bishop Olmsted, Bishop Elect Wall, many priests from both Dioceses and Bishop Elect Wall's family. It was beautiful and we were so glad to be asked to participate. And I'm pretty sure angels were singing with us because we had never sounded so well!

Father Matthew Keller, the Director of Vocations 

for the Gallup Diocese was the cantor.

During Solemn Vespers, Bishop Elect Wall

 pledged his Oath of Fidelity, 

then signed a printed copy with

 Bishop Olmsted witnessing and signing as well.

April 23rd at 2:00 p.m. the procession began for the Ordination of Bishop Elect Wall. Although we were sitting in the back and couldn't see everything, we could hear and the sounds we heard were beautiful. Not only the words from the Apostolic Nuncio, Abp. Pietra Sambi or Cardinal Mahony of California and Bishop Olmsted, but the bells that rang from the bell tower at the moment he was ordained.

We weren't allowed to take pictures during Mass which was fine because there were several professional photographers roaming around and their pictures are better than any I could take. To see pictures of the Ordination you can go here.  

Photos by Andrew Junker for The Catholic Sun.

You can also still see the video that was shown in several locations in Gallup as well as a live feed on the internet by going here.

So now our Diocese has a Bishop. He's young (44), full of life and ready to do what he was called to do by the Church.  God bless him in his work and keep him safe in his many travels.

Bishop James Sean Wall's Episcopal Motto

 Translation "Be Doers of the Word"

It's a pain getting old!

The past several months have been both physically and emotionally painful. I lost a good friend, an older man with severe lung disease. 

   Paul Box

My best friend lost her father, other friends had losses and Thomas Aquinas College lost their President in a car accident in Ireland. 

Not to make light of human losses but I had to help my old dog, Carmel, cross to the other side. She was in pain and with much love and tears I held her as she peacefully left this world.  She hiked many mountains with me and I'll take her on one more hike next month to the top of her favorite mountain and bury her ashes and tennis balls at the top.  

Those were her tennis balls and she made it known to any other dogs who tried to get one.

Carmel

On the emotional front, it's difficult when all your children leave home.  After so many years of caring for them, always putting their needs above yours, it's hard to let go. Even if they return to live in the same town it's not the same because they are adults and have their own lives. Yes, I'm invited to participate and many times I do but I really enjoy being in my home, putzing around, doing nothing in particular except maybe walking (or being walked) by my young dog, Baylee. But I do miss the fun of being a Mom.

So, two nights ago my oldest son asked me if I would babysit a 9 1/2 month old little guy while his Mom and Dad went out and celebrated the Dad's birthday.  Sure, how hard could that be! I took my camera and for about the first 30 minutes I had fun chasing him around taking pictures. I got some really cute ones but oh boy, he's an active kiddo. He's going to be walking within a month, he can already stand by himself, he just doesn't know it yet. And he'd fall down and get up, down and up. I did too so I could take his picture. Around 8 he started getting fussy and I wrapped him in his blanket and rocked him until he fell asleep. Then I sat down and enjoyed holding a sweet, sleeping baby!  Precious baby but I was so sore the next day!  Although I would do it again because he was a sweetheart!

                                            Baby's Night Out!

Jay and I celebrated our 30th year of wedded bliss by taking a cruise to the Western Caribbean. A great time, 3 Margaritavilles, lots of food and plenty of water. We swam with dolphins, climbed a waterfall, saw sea turtles and lay in the warmth of the sun. An enjoyable way to celebrate 30 years of ups and downs. 

    Margaritaville in Cozumel, Mexico

Now it's back to reality! Elizabeth graduates the second weekend of May with a BS in Psychology, with honors. We are very proud of her, just praying for a good job. We stopped over in Houston to see Kathleen and she hasn't changed much, still bubbly and ready for fun. 

Kelly is busily involved at Notre Dame, going to classes and peacefully protesting the invitation to President Obama to speak at ND's commencement.

Mike and Emily entertained her Mom, one of her sisters and her little boy this past week, showing them around Gallup. They tried to get to the Grand Canyon but the Interstate got shut down because of high winds and blowing dust and then we had a small snow storm. Patrick is busy being a lawyer and I think pretty happy with it. He's also putting a new floor in his basement and painting the walls.

Life goes on whether we want it to or not! I'm getting older which means everyone else is too! Next week the Catholic Diocese of Gallup will ordain their 4th Bishop, James S. Wall. Our small choir is singing for Vespers on April 22nd and on April 23rd we will watch as our new Bishop begins his new calling .

God is good, he blesses us in all things, the good, the bad and the sad. 

Praise be to God and Happy Easter! +