Wonderful Weekend

We were very blessed to be able to go to Marquette for the weekend and participate in Divine Mercy devotions at St. Peter's Cathedral.

We left home on Saturday and enjoyed a beautiful drive to Marquette. Part of the way took us through part of the Ottawa National Forest where we spotted (I think it was) 23 deer. At the end of that road we stopped to get a picture of a sign for a restaurant called (no kidding) "UP Chuck's". We stopped in Ishpeming to visit the St. Vincent's thrift store that our neighbor raves about. We picked up a practically new baby swing, several baby outfits, shoes for Thomas (also practically new) and a pair of jeans for me for less than $12.

When we arrived in Marquette it was still too early to check in to the hotel, so we went to the Upper Peninsula Children's Museum. It was bigger than we expected, and really more of a huge playroom rather than a "museum". There were 3 birthday parties going on at the time we were there, and the place was pretty crazy. We had a lot of fun there, but even the children were ready to go after less than two hours.

After checking in at the hotel and getting some dinner, Chuck took the older children down to the hotel pool. They had a great time swimming! They came back and had another rare "treat"- they watched some TV while Chuck and I played cards. Bedtime that Saturday night was after midnight, so we thought for sure we would all be able to sleep in. Nothin' doin'. The kids started getting up at around 7:00.

We went to Mass at the Cathedral that morning. We thought Mass was at 11:00, but it was really at 11:30 so we had some time to visit the chapel. I got separated from the family and temporarily "lost". I found myself in the crypt where Bishop Baraga is entombed. If ever I am tempted to complain that the bad weather up here is a nuisance, I ought to stop and consider the example of this man who did not let a few feet of snow prevent him from crossing the Upper Peninsula on snowshoes! Mass was lovely. We went back to the hotel to check out, and then got some groceries for a quick brunch.

There is not much I can say about the Divine Mercy service except that the whole thing was just beautiful. By this time Mary was a bit cranky, Joseph and Daniel felt really cranky, and Thomas was tired of the "long church" and kept asking if it was time to go. Normally these things would have annoyed me to no end, but I felt such a peace despite the grumbles. Eventually the little ones settled down (Joseph fell asleep) and Daniel was lifted up with the chanting of the Divine Mercy chaplet. I had to walk Mary across the floor at the back of the cathedral, but that gave me the opportunity to admire the architecture and stained glass windows while we prayed.

After the service was over I was able to pass off the baby and spend a few quiet moments in front of the Divine Mercy image. I imagined the rays from Jesus' Heart penetrating into my own. I prayed that where there was darkness, Christ would give me His light; where there was sin I asked for His strength and peace.

I pray this same prayer for all of you, my loved ones. God bless and keep you all!