Family is a great blessing. And I am thankful for my Dad, Mom and Brothers, Sister-in-law(s) (my oldest brother is getting married toward the end of September), and nephews. I could go on and on. I am thankful to Grandparents especially my Dad’s Mom, Dorothy, who was influential on my faith life. Grandma Galarneault was a prayer warrior. She spent time each day working the beads (praying the Rosary). She was a daily communicant. And she always encouraged me to follow the Lord. She even, one time, told me that she thought I might have a religious vocation. I do miss her and all my deceased family members. Still, one great blessing I was able to have is that Grandma lived until she was 95, and I was able to celebrate her funeral Mass. It was a blessing of inestimable portions. What greater tribute to a woman of faith than celebrating a Mass for her.
Lately, I have been thinking about these things as I have been helping my parents get ready to move into an apartment. They have lived in our family home for over 41 years. It is going to be a big change for them and for us. It is the only place they have lived during my life. I am going to miss the place, but it is not in the scheme of things all that important. Rather, the relationships my parents have formed with us, the love that they showered down on us, and truly the most important thing is the faith in Jesus Christ that they live, these are what is important. Houses and things don’t last, but what my parents have taught us will prepare the way for us to be ready for eternal life. I pray for my family both living and dead, that we will one day reunited in heaven.
Fr. Thomas P. Galarneault