In 1962, Irv Kloska and Bonnie Kowrach stood in St. Adalbert's Basilica in Grand Rapids and pledged their lives to each other. More than 40 years and 13 children later, their family has grown to more than 70 members... and counting. With this blog we keep in touch and share our thoughts - much like we have always done around our kitchen table. But like our table, friends are always invited. Welcome!
Notre Dame 'Reunion' in France
I was blessed to be able to spend last weekend in the south of France at the ordination of some friends of mine from Notre Dame. As we gathered for this 'Notre Dame' picture, it was amazing to see all of the vocations that came out of such a small little prayer group during my time there. This, of course, is a very small portion of our 'friends' -but it was neat that at least this many were able to make the trip for Fr. Thomas (Derek) VanDaniker's and Fr. Michael (Tim) Monahan's ordinations. Sr. Laura and Sr. (Jenny) Mary Thomas were even given special permission to leave their Sisters of St. John cloister in Paris to drive down for the day. May this picture alone give you all hope for Notre Dame:
I purposely did not put names because spelling last names is not easy for me... but I'll try... Front row left to right: Rachel Richmand, Sr. Mary Thomas (Jenny Leary), me, Sr. Laura Yanikowski, Fr. Thomas (Derek) VanDaniker, Meghan (Monahan) Wurtz. Back row left to right: Bridget Monahan, Jack Monahan, Pat McIntyre, Fr. Steve Titus (diocese of Wyoming), Fr. Michael (Tim) Monahan, and Luigi Rao
Somehow Bob Monahan missed out on the picture -he is now Brother Gabriel Emmanuel with the Franciscan Friars of the renewal in New York (gray habit, long beard).
I also made a new special friend that weekend. Her name is Anastasia and she also has a severe nut allergy (as well as kiwi like me... kind of makes you wonder if there is a connection since we both have both). Luigi -her father -was a few years behind me at ND. He and his wife happened to have a conference in Italy the Friday before the ordination and so they were able to drive to Toulon with their three little children (Anastasia -5, Bernedette -3 and Cecilia -8 months) for the weekend. These children were a major grace and source of joy for me. When Anastasia found out that we had the same allergy, she clung onto me the rest of the weekend -always checking with me about what we could and could not eat. Her mom said it was very helpful for her to find someone else with the same 'sickness' -there was someone else to eat salomi sandwhiches with when everyone else ate the big meal (with nuts). Isn't she beautiful?
posted by mary @ 5:24 AM
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7 Comments:
My goodness Mary. Thank you for the nice helping of hope you served up with my coffee this morning! Thank you.
All I can say is: Wow! That was a special time, and those are special people.
Mary, could you give full names for everyone in the picture? There are three or four I'm not sure about.
Also, it looks like Laura has gotten shorter and Jenny taller, though maybe my memory is playing tricks on me. :-)
Alfredo,
I am actually squatting down so Jack can be seen behind me, so Jenny did not get taller... but sweet Laura has always been... um... quite short :).
Glad I could make you two smile...
Mary,
Luigi's last name is Rao and he and Stephanie live in Rockville, MD while he finishes his pathology residency at Walter Reed. He was a walk-on football player graduating in 2000 (?) from L.A. His Chinese family is atheist, but he converted as a teenager and joined the Children of Mary first thing at ND.
Jo Ellen
Thanks, Mrs. Monahan... my memory is horrible. :)!
It was so nice to see you and visit with everyone.
Mary,
Thanks for posting this picture - it is the first I have seen from the weekend. Hope your travels are safe!
JEM
Wow! Thank you for the huge smile you gave my heart this morning by posting this. I didn't know about Jenny and Laura. What a beautiful group! I hope to go to Fr. Michael's mass in Arcola later this summer.
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