my treasures

"A faithful friend is a sturdy shelter; he who finds one finds a treasure."
- Sirach 6:14

On Tuesday night Alli (one of my dearest friends from South Bend) was nearby Pittsburgh for work, and we were able to get together for dinner. It was so wonderful to see you Alli!! I hope you'll be able to come back soon with Beth and Amy too. I miss you all & love you lots!!



Then last night a group of us got together to celebrate and say goodbye to Maria, who is moving to San Francisco after Christmas. In this picture are five truly beautiful & inspiring people -- Alfredo, Maria, Ani, Jodie and Megan. I am so blessed to know all of you, and thank God for the gift of your friendship!



At dinner last night, I shared Danielle's family tradition of picking a saint for the new year. Actually, as Danielle always told me, "the saint picks you." So here is a picture of Alfredo's saint picking him, and all of our saints and our intentions for the year are below~


Maria~

Saint Agatha, 3rd century virgin and martyr (celebrated February 5th)
‘My Lord Jesus Christ, You see my heart and You know my desires. You alone must have me, because I am all Yours.... You have protected me from the cradle. You have taken me from the love of the world and given me patience to suffer. Now receive my soul.’
Pray for women who will be called to suffer for Jesus

Ani~

Saint Francis of Assisi (celebrated on 4 October)
“Preach the gospel at all times. If necessary, use words.”
Pray for hearts to find joy!

Jodie~

Blessed Louis and Zelie Martin (St. Therese's parents)
St. Therese and Louis Martin could do no more than gaze at each other. With difficulty he pointed his index finger upward and was heard to whisper, "Until Heaven!" (Blessed Louis Martin on his deathbed to the Little Flower) Our Mother said to me, 'Don't be afraid; wait and see, your soul will expand.' (Blessed Zelie Martin to Leonie who was nearly impossible to handle)
Pray that Holiness may be born in families

Alfredo~

Blessed Leonie Martin, Lisieux (June 16th) (St. Therese's sister)
"Your little Leonie may be changed, not only in name, but in everything which might be displeasing to Him whom alone she wishes to love." "It is inappropriate for me to moan over my faults as I have done until now. That is pride. As our Holy Founder said, it is no wonder that weakness is weak; I must humble myself, not vex myself.
Pray for children who are not understood

Megan~

Blessed Luigi and Maria Quatrocchi (April 28)
Maria was advised to abort her unborn child to save her own life. The couple graciously relied on their trust in divine providence and were blessed with a healthy baby girl “Enrichetta”. They also raised their family to be just as virtuous; three of their four children joined religious orders.
Pray for strong, virtuous, holy families.

Me~

Saint Angela Merici, mystic, religious founder (January 27th)
"Mothers of children, even if they have a thousand, carry each and every one fixed in their hearts, and because of the strength of their love they do not forget any of them. In fact, it seems that the more children they have the more their love and care for each one is increased."
Pray for mothers.

I've done this every year since knowing Danielle, so this was my 6th year of having a saint for the year ahead. Here are the others I've had, beginning since 2003.

St Augustine of Hippo, bishop, Doctor of the Church (August 28th)
"You have forgiven me my past sins and drawn a veil over them, and in this way You have given me happiness in yourself, changing my life by faith and Your sacrament. When others read of those past sins of mine their hearts are stirred so that they no longer lie listless. Instead their hearts are roused by the love of Your mercy and the joy of Your grace."
Pray for the conversion of sinners

Saint Jean-Marie-Baptiste Vianney, Cure of Ars (celebrated on August 4th)
"My children, we cannot comprehend the power of a soul over the Good Lord: it can obtain whatever it wants."
Pray for priests.

Saint Padre Pio (celebrated September 23rd)
“The ardent desire to be in eternal peace is good and holy. But it is necessary to moderate it by a complete resignation to the Divine Will. It is better to do the Divine Will on earth than to enjoy heaven.”
Pray for the gift of obedience to God’s Will.

Saint Teresa of Avila (celebrated October 15th)
"Since the spiritual world is based entirely on humility, the closer one gets to God, the more this virtue should grow."
Pray for consecrated souls, they are the soul of the Church.

Saint Anthony of Egypt, 4th century desert monk (January 17th)
"Let Christ be as the breath you breathe; in Him put your trust. Be earnest always to be in union first with the Lord and then with the saints; that after death they also may receive you as known friends."
Pray for the purification of the world from evil.

Please let me know if you would like Danielle's saint list to share with your family and friends as well. It is such a beautiful way to begin the new year... with a special saint companion and friend for the year ahead. God bless you all!