Dear Diary,
It was 40 degrees this morning when Robert pulled into the yard with his pickup, the windows fogged from the cold. Sister Mary Claire and I hurried out, our breath puffing white in the frosty air. Mini tried to jump into the truck, but the step was too high, so I lifted her up and set her gently on the seat between us. Robert chuckled and said, “That’s one pampered passenger,” as he turned the truck toward St. Mary’s. The heater groaned and rattled, but it took the edge off the chill as we rode down the gravel road through the gray October morning.
At Mass, Father LeRoy read the Gospel about the widow who kept asking the judge for justice until he finally listened to her. Father said that Jesus told this story to remind us to keep praying and not give up, even when it feels like God is quiet. “Faith,” he said, “isn’t proved by quick answers but by hearts that keep praying.” I liked that very much—it made me think that Jesus treasures every prayer, even the ones that seem small.
It didn’t warm up much all day, so Mini and I went to the cave instead of Bernadette’s Spring. The air inside was cool but still, and I lit a little candle by Our Lady’s grotto. I said the Litany of Our Lady and then prayed the Rosary, thinking about the widow who kept going back to the judge. I asked Mary to help me pray like that—with patience, faith, and trust. Mini stayed curled beside me, her little head resting on my knee while the spring bubbled softly nearby.
Dear Jesus, help me to keep praying with faith, even when I don’t see answers right away. Teach me to trust You like the widow did, and to rest in Your peace. And dear Mary, please keep my prayers close to your heart tonight.
Amen.
Love, Kathy
Dear Diary,
The morning began cool and gray, with the fields wrapped in fog and a few golden leaves sticking to the wet grass. Robert’s pickup came slowly down the road, tires crunching on the gravel, and he waved for us to hop in. Mini dashed ahead, her paws splashing through little puddles. Sister Mary Claire and I climbed into the cab, and the three of us rode together to St. Mary’s.
At Mass, Father LeRoy read the Gospel where Jesus sent out seventy-two disciples in pairs to preach and bring peace to the towns He would visit. Father said that Jesus wanted them to trust completely in God—to travel light, without extra things, and to greet each person with peace. He explained that when Jesus said, “Peace to this household,” He meant more than a friendly hello. He meant bringing the calm of Heaven wherever they went. “When we truly carry Christ inside,” Father said, “we don’t just talk about peace—we bring it with us.” I liked that very much. It made me think about how even small kindnesses can spread God’s peace.
Later this afternoon, Sister Mary Claire and I walked down to Bernadette’s Spring. The fog had lifted, and the water ran clear and bright toward Indian Creek. We sat on the mossy bank while Mini chased a leaf floating in the stream. I listened to the bubbling of the spring and thought about what Father said—that Jesus wants us to bring peace wherever we go. The spring seemed to be doing that all by itself, spreading its calm water through the meadow and into the creek, just as His peace flows from one heart to another.
Evening Prayer:
Dear Jesus, help me to be like one of Your little messengers, bringing peace wherever I go. Let my heart be as steady as the spring and as gentle as Your love. Thank You for Sister Mary Claire, for Mini, and for the quiet gift of this day.
Amen.
Love, Kathy
Dear Diary,
The morning started cold and bright, with a little frost on the grass and the kind of sunshine that makes the whole world sparkle. Sister Mary Claire and I had just finished buttoning our coats when Robert’s pickup came rattling down the road. He stopped right by the house and called, “Hop in before you freeze!” Mini ran ahead of us and jumped right into the cab the moment Robert opened the door. She settled herself proudly in the middle of the seat, as if she had been invited first. We all laughed, and Robert said, “Looks like I’ve got a new foreman.”
At Mass, Father LeRoy read from the Gospel of St. Luke where Jesus told the people to beware of the leaven of the Pharisees. Father said that the leaven meant hypocrisy—pretending to be good on the outside while the heart is far from God. “It’s better,” he said, “to be small and honest before God than to look perfect and proud.” He reminded us that God knows even the tiniest things—He sees the sparrows, and He knows every hair on our heads. “So do not be afraid,” Father said, “for you are precious to Him.”
This afternoon, I found a little time to walk down to the cave. The air inside was cool and still, and the small stream whispered softly near Our Lady’s grotto. I knelt and prayed the Rosary, thinking about what Father said—how God sees even the smallest things, and how I want my heart to stay simple and true. When I finished, I listened to the gentle bubbling of the spring and thought how its clear water never stops flowing—just like God’s love, quiet and steady, always there.
Evening Prayer:
Dear Jesus, help me to stay honest and kind in all I do. Let my heart be clean and full of love, and never afraid, knowing You see and care for me always.
Amen.
Love, Kathy
Dear Diary,
This afternoon, Sister Mary Claire and I walked down to Bernadette's Spring the one that feeds into Indian Creek. The air was cool and smelled like wet grass, and the trees along the creek were turning yellow and gold. The water from the spring bubbled up so clear that we could see the pebbles on the bottom. Sister said the spring reminded her of the one at the Lourdes Grotto, and she smiled when she told me both springs flow about the same—quietly, steadily, and full of life. Mini followed along the bank, splashing her little paws and chasing floating leaves.
Earlier at Mass, Father LeRoy read the Gospel where Jesus spoke to the Pharisees, warning them that they honored the prophets but did not follow their teachings. Father said Jesus was trying to open their hearts so they could see that it is not enough to know God’s words—we must live them. “Faith isn’t only in our heads,” he said, “it has to reach our hands and hearts.”
Sitting beside the spring, Sister Mary Claire explained it to me in her gentle way. She said that truth and love are like the spring’s water—they must flow outward, not stay hidden or still. “When we keep God’s love moving in us,” she said, “it brings life to everything it touches.” I liked that very much. I watched the water sparkle and thought maybe the spring itself was teaching the same lesson.
Evening Prayer:
Dear Jesus, help me to keep Your love flowing in my heart like Bernadette’s Spring—clear, steady, and kind. May my words and actions bring Your goodness to others, just as the water brings life to the creek.
Amen.
Love, Kathy
Dear Diary,
It rained all morning, steady and cold, and the yard was filled with puddles that reached clear up to the porch steps. The air smelled like wet earth and corn husks, and the sky was the color of pewter. Mini looked out the door and gave a little sigh—there wasn’t a single dry spot for her anywhere. When Robert’s pickup came rolling down the road, he pulled right up to the end of the house sidewalk so we wouldn’t have to splash through the puddles. He leaned out the window and called, “No walking in this weather today!” Sister Mary Claire and I climbed in quickly, and Mini shook herself off before curling up between us on the seat.
At Church, Father LeRoy read from the Gospel where Jesus spoke to the Pharisee who wondered why He didn’t wash before eating. Father said Jesus was teaching that God cares more about the heart than about how clean our hands are. “It’s not enough to look good on the outside,” Father told us. “A pure heart—filled with love, honesty, and kindness—is what makes us truly clean before God.” I thought about that as I watched the rain slide down the church windows, thinking how God can wash our hearts clean too, just like the rain washes the earth.
When we got home, Robert waited until we were safely on the porch before driving away through the mud. Sister Mary Claire made tea while Mini and I sat by the window listening to the soft patter of rain. Everything felt peaceful and good.
Love, Kathy
Wednesday — Prayer for Mercy and Compassion
The Litany of the Blessed Virgin Mary
Night Prayer
Printable Prayers
Dear Diary,
It was only 45 degrees this morning, and I could see my breath when I went out to feed the hens. The grass was frosty around the edges, and even Mini didn’t stay outside long. Just as Sister Mary Claire and I were getting ready to bundle up for the walk to the mailbox, we heard Robert’s pickup coming down the road. He drove right into the yard and called out the window, “No sense freezing this morning! Hop in!” I was so thankful not to have to make that cold walk.
At Church, Father LeRoy read the Gospel about how Jesus told the Pharisees that they cleaned the outside of the cup and dish but forgot about what was inside. Father said that Jesus was teaching us that what really matters is our heart—that being clean on the inside, where our thoughts and love come from, is what pleases God most. “We can look good on the outside,” Father said, “but it’s kindness, honesty, and prayer that make us truly clean.” I thought about how I want to keep my heart tidy for Jesus, the way Sister keeps the altar cloths—fresh and white.
When Robert drove us home, I noticed two big metal tubes in the back of his pickup. I asked what they were, and he grinned. “For the John Hathaway room in the cave, little lady,” he said. “You’re getting a new wood burner stove—straight from Vermont!” I almost couldn’t believe it! My very own stove for the cave! I think I said “Oh!” about three times before remembering to thank him properly. Sister Mary Claire smiled and said that now the cave would stay warm even in winter. Mini wagged her whole body as if she understood.
Love, Kathy
Dear Diary,
The morning was cool and bright, and the fields were shining with dew when Sister Mary Claire and I walked down the gravel road to St. Mary’s for Holy Mass. Mini trotted happily beside us, her little feet pattering on the stones. The church bell was ringing softly as we came near, and the autumn air smelled like wood smoke and dry corn husks.
Father LeRoy read the Gospel where Jesus said that no sign would be given to the people except the sign of Jonah. Father explained that the people wanted proof before they would believe, but Jesus wanted them to understand that He Himselfwas the sign. Just as Jonah called the people of Nineveh to turn their hearts to God, Jesus calls us to do the same. Father said we don’t need miracles to know God is near—love and faith are His greatest signs.
This afternoon, I went to the cave with Mini. The air inside was cool and still, and the sound of the little stream echoed softly against the walls. I knelt before Our Lady’s statue and prayed the Joyful Mysteries of the Rosary. I thought about the angel’s visit to Mary, and how she said yes without needing any sign at all. When I finished, I said the Litany of Our Lady, and the cave felt so peaceful that even Mini lay very still beside me.
Love, Kathy
