weather, ashes, plays, and books

Sunday night it got down to 27 (F)-but Monday during the day it was in the 70's. This morning is the first in a long time where I am not wrapped in blanket as I begin the work day. I think we may have seen our last below freezing temperatures in SC for the year. I know Mrs. Curley plans to be planting this weekend. (Her spinach, planted a few weeks ago, is coming up now.)

We got our ashes last night. Father had Mass during our regular CCD period so that all the students could go. The church was packed-overflowing out the doors. The Hispanic population was out in full force. And of course there were many, many children present.

We had our first rehearsal, a read-thru, on the play our CCD class is putting on yesterday evening. Mrs. Curley and I are directing the play. It is hard work (enjoyable, but hard work). I am starting to have new respect for directors. So much to keep track of...

We are in the final stages of preparing our next release. As mentioned in late January, this new book is a little different for us. It is a collection of family stories told by the youngest of 11 children. It is called: "Giving Up Stealing... for Lent!" by Brother Charles Madden OFM Conv. (You may recognize him from his popular book on Freemasonery published by TAN books.) The book is great fun to read. [One of our proof-readers told me that she was-as is sometimes her custom-reading the book at the back of Church. She was laughing so loud and often, she had to leave because others were trying to pray.] When you finish the book, you do get the sense that you have read more than just a collection of sometimes humorous, sometimes more serious stories. Together, these stories (which are told in only mildly chronoligical order) weave a tapistry about family life-the way it should be lived, even with the faults and failings of each member. It is hard to explain exactly, (although as chief marketeer of the book, I am going to have to find a way). So look for it in a few weeks. We will probably be taking pre-orders late next week.

From Bethany, the small holding in Bethune...Oremus pro invicem!