I always wanted to receive three sacraments in one day. I don't mean simply going to Confession and then receiving the Eucharist twice at two different Masses. I mean three actually different sacraments. 

Only once in my life have I accomplished this grace-filled task. It was precisely nine years ago today. I distinctly remember getting up early in the morning and going to Confession. Afterwards, about 1:30pm, I went to Mass and received Holy Communion.

What was that other sacrament again? It may have been Anointing of the Sick. After all, who isn't sick in some way or another?

Ah yes, it was the Sacrament of Holy Matrimony I received that day. Three in one day. How Trinitarian. I must commemorate this day. With my wife too. Without her it wouldn't have happened.

Thank you wifey, for making my dreams come true.

Anniversary Mass Singing

We've been on the road, or have had guests visit, for most of the summer now. One of the items we were fortunate to join in on was my brother Darryl's 10th anniversary celebration to the priesthood. The Millette choir (my brother, two sisters and me.. and joined by my niece Claire on this day!) joined forces with a mom from the Latin Mass who plays organ. We put together a quick couple of practices just an hour or two before the Mass. Needless to say, our guardian angels sure came through for us.

Now this video will never do justice to what it was actually like. The organ actually shook the church on the final song. It was, I think, my favourite moment ever from singing in the choir. I paid a price though. I threw out my voice somewhat. I've been stuck with a bad sore throat ever since!

Give a listen to some of the hymns and such. Some highlights are at:

27:04 Let All Mortal Flesh
46:30 Love Divine All Love Excelling
49:01 Non Nobis Domine
50:35 Dextera Domine
52:09 Ave Maris Stella (shortened)
57:35 O God Beyond All Praising

Yes there is an important juxtaposition here. That is sacred music being played within a post-modern structure. The church my brother is stationed at is Holy Spirit parish in Saskatoon. What could go wrong with a church built in 1966 titled Holy Spirit? They were tough times, and this church bears testament to that.. However, where there is no beauty, put beauty there, and then there will be beauty.

I would love to have some of our hymns recorded properly. However, as Becca so tactfully encouraged me once this was over: "You know, you should think about getting singing lessons..."

What I actually heard:

C'est la vie.

A Perfect Anniversary

Yesterday marked our 6th wedding anniversary. Seeing as we've been around a little bit now, the anniversary went off beautifully. It was well planned, fun, inspiring, and all in all a true grace to our marriage, as every anniversary should be. It began with a trip to Saskatoon on Saturday. We stayed at the Bessborough hotel. In the evening we dropped the kids off and ate at the renowned Samurai restaurant. The miso glazed black cod there is amazing. Afterwards we went to the symphony for a wonderful rendition of Gustav Holst's Jupiter. Very fitting since the tune is used in O God Beyond All Praising which was the recessional hymn at our wedding.
The next day we went to a beautiful Traditional Latin Mass, ate a lovely, low key, brunch at Humpty's, and then strolled the riverbank with the kids on a gorgeous 18 degree and sunny afternoon. For supper we stopped at Boston Pizza in Melfort, and went home to watch a movie before the night was over. Oh yeah, and I gave Becca her new diamond earrings. She gave me a new Makita mitre saw. All around a blessed day.

Yeah...

No, there was no trip to Saskatoon. Becca and the kids are still struggling through colds. Ear aches and head aches were thrown into the mix as well this weekend. So that was pleasant. We made it out to Mass Saturday night. Well, Becca and Joseph did. I had John Paul in a headlock in the church basement for most of the Mass, as he cried, shouted, and all around did his best "terrible twos" rendition.

Our actual anniversary consisted of staying inside, watching Jordan Spieth blow it at the Masters, and making garlic oil for hurt ears. The morning was one of those days that if you didn't hear John Paul cry in over a minute, you had to check to see if he was still alive. The weather was stormy, snowy, and cold. It eventually dipped to 15 below (in the 20s with the windchill). For supper we decided to order a pizza. The pizza place wasn't open. So, long story short, there we sat at our kitchen table with some greasy A&W food. But at least there were no added steroids or hormones! Right? Happy 6th anniversary dear! We're just getting better and better at this.

On one hand, this is all the kids' fault! They get sick. They cry. They make us unable to take a trip to the city. They they they.

They also make the day.

They were so amazed when I added cheese sauce to their morning omelettes. It was the best day ever. Later, when we had A&W, there couldn't have been a more perfect or happier meal. Much better than any $100 plate of black cod. They frequently complimented us on the grub. The sick day inside was spent doing fun activities like playing football, playing a Thomas memory card game, and even having a mom and dad vs. the boys fight! Despite the sickness, tears, headlocks, and a complete deterioration of plans, they made it a fun and hopefully grace filled day.

Perfect indeed.

 And there's left over A&W fries in the fridge too!

 Becca's card to me.

My card to Becca.

Marriage: Grape Expectations

Anniversaries of big events always get me thinking back to those times. Here are some ramblings...


April 9th, 2010

We finished the wedding rehearsal, and the wedding rehearsal meal. I'm sure Becca and I broke some revered wedding rehearsal meal traditions with it. Pizza and pop at a church rectory. No new outfits. No speeches. Just some food and hanging out. Becca and I went to the church to pray afterwards (which, I think, breaks the superstitious tradition of not seeing each other afterwards). We then went to our separate houses.

I'll never forget it. I ate a big bowl of grapes that night. All by myself! Give me a moment here while I let these words soak in... A big bowl of grapes, all by MYSELF. I mean a big bowl. I even watched hockey on T.V. while I ate. I haven't eaten a big bowl of grapes by myself since. Yep. Marriage is a big big change. Share share share. Give give give. Ever since then my life has changed dramatically (well duh). No more big bowl of grapes for me. Unless Becca and the kids are away. And the ironic thing is, if they do go away, I miss them too much to even care for grapes.

You just can't win.


April 10th, 2010

Back at the church in the morning for adoration and confession, with Becca. I always wanted to have three sacraments in one day, so it had to be this day. I blew it on my confirmation day. Not my fault though. I was confirmed in a hockey rink, over the penalty box, while the choir sang "Everything I Do, I Do it for You." Not a memorable grace-filled day to say the least. But the wedding day is. There's no blowing it this time. The next chance for three sacraments in one day would be on my deathbed (I'd better not blow that either).

Yes! I manage to get three sacraments in! I'm very competitive that way. I'm not sure who I'm competing against, but at least I know I have the upper grace hand over him or her. I can see myself looking at someone's wedding pictures some day... "oh very nice... did you get three sacraments that day? You didn't? Oh... that's too bad... really bad actually... I did, you know."

The wedding, I remember, seemed extremely short. In reality I think it was closer to two hours than one hour. The moment we stood there saying our vows can only be described as surreal. Before we went up to say them I whispered to Becca: "there's still time..." meaning there's still time to back out. She didn't appreciate my humour too much. Besides, if one of us backed out then I wouldn't get my three sacraments in. So we said our vows. You do what'ya gotta do. I distinctly remember looking out at the stained glass in the church while I stood there. Beautiful windows. I wonder how much they'd cost nowadays?... Whoops! Yep! Yes I accept her as my wife, and all... Could you even get those made anymore?... Yes, in sickness and in health... Maybe someone in the States or Italy could do them?... All the days of my life... Would they create them in Italy and then ship out pieces, or would the artist have to be flown out here to make them?... Amen.

The reception was very fun. Some things went right. Some things went wrong. Wise Dr. Cassidy, the president of OLSWA, once told me that as long as there is food on the table, and things look not-terrible, events usually go well. I think it was good. The food was great. I'm told by Becca that there were flowers there. So all must be well.


April 11th, 2010

People spend so much time planning a wedding! Although things need to be planned well, I am always saying that most of the time must be spent preparing for the day after the wedding. You know, the real marriage. Well I also always say to Becca that the day after our wedding was the worst day of my life. I joke. Slightly.

We were exhausted. Being always in the habit of waking up early, guess what? I woke up even earlier. So tired. After Mass we went and cleaned up the hall. More work. Then we went to visit family and friends. I distinctly remember being absolutely sick of all the attention. Leave me alone already. Go get some sacraments or something. Then the van we were about one hour away from inheriting was discovered dented, with the denter in question never to be found (except someday in hell, I'm sure). It was so tiring. I just wanted a big bowl of grapes and to watch hockey. But for the first time in my adult life I was denied this necessity. And I knew that marriage had begun.


April 12th, 2010

Let the honeymoon begin! Becca and I took off for Montreal, with a pit stop in Ottawa, after morning Mass. Mass in itself was an adventure that morning, with Fr. getting into a near shouting match with some wacky woman intent on proclaiming that the third secret of Fatima was not revealed yet. But we left for our honeymoon. Just Becca and I, heading out in our newly dented van... my family in the back seats.

We had to drive them to the airport in Ottawa. It's the least we could do, really. Becca and I were so grateful that they came, despite the many expenses. They dropped everything and came. Yowza we're grateful.

So we dropped them off. I then got lost in Ottawa. But we eventually made it to Montreal. We had a very fun time in Montreal and Trois Riviere. We saw many neat places and people. I'll spare you the stories. It was wonderful.


April 17th, 2010

Our first fight as a married couple. We were tired when we returned from our trip. We decided to make nice chicken salads for supper. I was frying up some chicken. Becca was cutting up some veggies. There's just one problem, Becca was cutting the cucumbers for the salads into quarters. I quickly corrected her and told her they had to be in thin loonie shapes. Nope. She was doing quarters. But, I reasoned with her, professional chefs cut them in loonie shapes. Needless to say, we didn't even meet halfway and do semi-circles. We just argued about it. I slammed the door and went out for a walk to find some grapes. Not really. I just thought about doing that. In reality, we stewed for a while, and then finally realized our silliness. We made up. We grew from it. In short. I realized, for the first time in my life, the road to holiness was about to be different. It was about to become a life of giving up my own will, or at least trying, for the sake of others. To sacrifice. To finally, for the first time in my life, learn to live a non self-centered life. I can't believe that I've been doing it for five years already. Five years of it. What a thrill. What a cross. What a blessing. What a life. A true, meaningful, life. Thankfully I'm doing this with the very best at my side.

Happy Anniversary Dear!

You've turned my grapes into the most beautiful wine.

4 Years

4 years ago we danced to this song. It was the best dance of my life! 

Usually, first dance songs seem to be all about the girl. This one is more about the guy. I guess he's one lucky guy. We sang it to each other. Somehow, it's our song. Ok, enough sap...

Adored

by Collective Soul

Happy Anniversary, poopy dear! Here's to many more...

Time Flies...

Three whole years of marriage. Where does the time go? Well, the following 13 reasons explain some of the time:

1) We've moved 6 times

2) We've lived in 5 different places

3) I've taken 24 different University Courses

4) I've held 4 different jobs

5) I've either interned or taught 5 different grades

6) Becca has probably changed 2500+ diapers

7) Becca has worked 3 different jobs, all before Joseph was born

8) We've had 6 different pastors in charge of our spiritual care

9) We've been to 3 Riders' games, with 2 of them being in Toronto.

10) We've put 48,000km on our van

11) We've travelled to or through places such as Edmonton, Trois Rivieres, Barry's Bay (ON), Redvers (SK), Ottawa, Portage la Prairie (MB), Hamilton, Montreal, Dryden (ON), Saskatoon, Niagara Falls, Thunder Bay, Regina, Island Falls (Northern SK), Toronto, Deloraine (MB), and, of course, Brantford and Nipawin.

12) We've spent $4000 fixing the van

And, finally...



13) We've shared a million laughs!

Happy Anniversary!

Ode to Thirty Years

August 14th, 1982...

Sounds like a good day to get married!

Happy 30th Anniversary to my dear inlaws the Mombourquettes! I *schucks, gorsh, ahem* wrote a poem in honour of that happy day:

Ode to Thirty Years

T’was 1982, the sky was baby blue;

and love was in the air that day.

Stockings were the fad, the good they did call “bad”;

and happy folks were still known as gay.

The church bells rang so sweet, e’choing a glam rock beat;

a lovely couple to each other vowed.

They left the church in style, moon-walking down the aisle;

happy music (and clothing!) oh so loud.

Their new life started great, a baby before too late;

and another, and another… and another.

And still another child, a slim boy nice and mild;

yet soon outdone by one last brother.

The happy family grew, despite bills, school, and poo;

nothing beyond the cure of some beers.

To the greatest parents we’ve seen yet: those crazy Mombourquettes,

happy anniversary of thirty years!



Happy Annivesary!

On Marriage

Two years? Already? Yep, two years ago today we promised to be true to one another, in good times and in bad, in sickness and in health, to love and honour one another all the days of our lives.

Shortly after returning from our honeymoon (perhaps even the same day), we had our first married argument. We were making salad together in our tiny 2ft by 2ft counter space of Dan's apartment I had just moved into. I was cutting cucumber and I was doing it all wrong. And so ensued a heated discussion on how cucumber should to be cut (big chunks, by the way, not small quarter circles). I think in the end we both made our own salads. And probably ate them in silence.

Within a short time we discovered many other meaningless differences: we put toilet paper on different ways, I'm very particular about how a bed is made/Dan prefers not to make it at all, it's easier if we both just use separate toothpaste tubes, etc.

Looking back, we've certainly grown a lot. And had a ton of fun along the way! I'm married to my best friend, what could be better than that?

Dan got some marriage advice recently from an old fellow he chats with at the gym. "Marriage is great. The first 30 years are tough, but after that it's easy." And that coming from a man who's been married 60 some odd years. Everyday when asked how he's doing Carl will reply, "I'm great, just great. If I ever complain, hit me."

I guess we have a heck of a long way to go to reach 60 years (I'll be 84 by then! yikes!), but at least in 28 years or so it's clear sailing! Here's to decades of wonderful years ahead with the love of my life.