It seems our life has been filled with goodbyes lately….and it has been somewhat overwhelming. So I may be quieter than normal….
We have said goodbye to two very dear priests that have been called elsewhere to serve the flock. Fr. Kodet and Fr. Fromageot are very special. Fr. Kodet has been here the longest and leaves a huge hole in our hearts. He is like a brother to us.
Last days before our priests left:

Father Fromageot’s smile, his singing, his intellectual stimulus and his friendship will be missed!

Our son-in-law, Mike, serving at one Father Kodet’s last Masses in Maple Hill, KS….

Rosie with her nephew, Peter Ignatius.
Our biggest goodbye is coming up! Our daughter, Rosie, an integral and beautiful part of what goes on here will be joining the Benedictine Convent in Gower. MO the beginning of October!
Indeed, we are happy! But we are also facing the reality of her leaving and this is, and will not be, easy!
Rosie’s teenage years have had their suffering with four years of illness…up and down, up and down.
We said a novena to Father Kenneth Walker, FSSP+ in Advent and, since then, she has had a slow climb up to a more stable physical health.
She has been discerning for some time now. So she will enter in October and we will see how her health holds out. God’s will be done. The novice mistress told her that oftentimes, health improves….sometimes not. The life is rigorous, we will see…
They are almost done building their Church. A lot of their funds have come from their lovely CD’s! From donations, too…
The pictures are from their beautiful website if you would like to peruse it.

Two sisters lead our cow Angel with her new calf Tessie, named for St. Thecla from the martyrology on her “birthday.”

Mother Cecilia washes and kisses the feet of the postulants as they take their place in the Chapter Room for the first time. They then receive the Holy Rule of St. Benedict from her, and an embrace from each of their new sisters, who wish them “Perseverance.”
Please keep Rosie and all of us in your prayers as we turn a new page in this Book of Life!
Beautiful post, Mum. God give us the grace to send our Rosie to this new life with peace and happiness..
Prayers on your way
Oh wow, big hugs for you and Rosie! What a beautiful calling! If by God’s Will it be not for her, please tell her to pray for His desire and keep the Faith! I have seen young adults go into the religious life and then leave the life and the Faith. It is very very sad.
Sorry for all the good byes, but hopefully there will be some wonderful hellos to cushion the aching heart! 🙂
Prayers and hugs! We miss Fr. Fromageot from Quincy days and we had the pleasure of spending time with Fr. Kodet when we visited last time!! I can see why he will be sorely missed!!!
Love the pictures. The one of Mike serving looks like he has the angel wings lol 🙂
Beautiful post, Mom! God’s will be done!
It is a great gift, if a painful one, for you to let your sweet daughter Rosie join the Benedictines. I wish her perseverance! I know Fr. Fromageot from my past parishes and he is so wonderful–especially his singing and his intellect! He also gave my husband and I a day-long personal tour of Rome when we were there on our honeymoon.
We’ll take care of Fr. Fromageot up here in Vancouver!
Prayers for you & your family (and Rosie!)
Dear Leane, It is so true that partings are just about the saddest part of life. But reunions are the most joyful. Just think of all the reunions and all the joy you will have in heaven when you will see all your loved ones forever.
Blessings,
Carol Pelster
You should know dear Carol. I thought of you today… Thank you! 💕
My daughter, a senior in high school, also hopes to join that convent. One mother to another: … Well, you know; too much to say! You, and your gracious daughter, are in my prayers!
I will Pray to St. Therese and St. Gerard for your beloved daughter, Rosie!
Goodbye is only so difficult because we have made another friend.The Little Prince by Antoinne Saint Exprue explains it beautifully in the chapter of the fox.
Good Byes are definitely overwhelming. Fr Kodet will be dearly missed ! We were so blessed to have him here`! We will be keeping you in our thoughts and prayers! We will be praying for you and Rosie <3 She is such a wonderful good person! you should be very proud <3
Prayers for you, and for Rosie and her vocation. I too am going through good byes this year as my son is going to be married in September and is moving his things into his new house. I will have have an empty nest here then. It can be overwhelming at times.
God bless you Shelley as you transition to a new “bend in the road”.