Quick Trip to Indian Creek

Dear Diary,

This morning at Mass, Father LeRoy talked about how Jesus told Peter that one day he would follow Him even all the way to the cross. Peter loved Jesus very much, but he was still a little afraid because he remembered how he had failed before. Father said Jesus didn’t tell him this to scare him, but to comfort him, and to show him that his love would grow strong enough to carry even a heavy cross.

On the ride home, I kept thinking about that. Father said there are two kinds of crosses—ones we choose for love of Jesus, like little sacrifices, and ones that come to us that we didn’t choose at all. Those are harder, but they count so much when we carry them patiently. I tried to understand that in my own little way. Maybe it means being cheerful when things don’t go just right, or waiting quietly when I want something very much.

And oh, I am waiting! I am so excited to make more tape recordings of prayers, but I have to wait for the mailman to bring my new tape cassettes. I keep listening for his truck and watching down the road. I’m trying to be patient about it, offering that waiting up to Jesus like Father said. Maybe even that can be a little cross.

Before dark, Mini and I hurried down to the cave. The air was getting cool and still, and everything felt quiet like the day was folding up. Shaggy Coat was there by the water, and when he saw us, he didn’t run away. I knelt down very slowly, and he let me pet his little head. His fur felt soft and damp, and I gave him a carrot which he took so gently. It made my heart feel so warm, like a tiny secret friendship.

Walking back, I thought about Peter again. Maybe loving Jesus means staying close to Him, even when things are hard or when we don’t understand everything yet. Just like following a path through the woods, one step at a time.

Evening Prayer

Dear Jesus,

please help me to love You like Peter did, even when I feel small or unsure.

Teach me to carry my little crosses patiently and to offer them to You with a quiet heart.

Bless the mailman on his way, and thank You for the joy of small things, like kind animals and peaceful evenings.

Stay close to me, dear Jesus, and help me always to follow You.

Amen.

Love,

Kathy,

The Lord's Prayer 

The Circling Year

Dear Diary, 

This morning the sun came up soft and golden over the pasture, and Mini and I sat on the old bench watching the cows. The sky looked so wide and quiet, like it was holding a secret. I kept thinking about what Father LeRoy said—how Jesus asked Peter, “Lovest thou Me more than these?”

I tried to imagine Jesus asking me that while I sat there. Not in a big, scary way—but gently, like the sunrise. “Kathy, do you love Me?”

And I thought… I do love Him. But sometimes I love other things too—like being comfortable, or having things go my way, or not wanting to do hard chores. It made me feel a little small, like Peter must have felt. Not sad exactly, just quiet inside.

The cows didn’t hurry. They just kept grazing, peaceful and steady. And it felt like maybe that’s how love should be—simple and steady, not loud. Just doing what needs to be done, because you love.

I reached down and scratched Mini behind her ears, and I whispered, “Jesus, You know I love You.” I think that’s the best I can say right now. And maybe tomorrow I can show it a little better.

Evening Prayer

Dear Jesus,

When You ask me if I love You, help me answer with my whole life.

Teach me to choose You in the little things, even when it is hard or quiet or unseen.

You know my heart—please make it love You more.

Amen.

Love,

Kathy

 A Little Prayer to our Dear Mother

Third Sunday After Easter

 
Dear Diary,

It was a cool morning, and the air felt soft and a little quiet, like it was thinking about something. Robert picked us up as usual and right on time, and we all rode to Church together—Sister Mary Claire, Mini, and me. Mini sat so nicely, just watching out the window with her little ears up.

When we got to St. Mary’s, we went inside and it felt warm and cozy with the wood stove gently burning. The soft crackling made everything feel safe and peaceful. I held Mini close for a moment before we found our place together.

Father LeRoy talked in his homily about how Jesus told His disciples that they would have hard times, even while the world around them seemed happy. I’m not sure I understood it all at first, because it sounded a little sad to me.

But then Sister Mary Claire whispered to me that even though things can be hard when we follow Jesus, He puts a quiet kind of joy inside us that no one else can see. Not the loud, laughing kind—but a peaceful, hidden joy that comes from loving Him. That made it feel different to me, like the hard things weren’t empty after all.

Father said that God sees those hard things as very precious, even if the world doesn’t understand. I tried to think about that while I knelt there, and I asked Jesus to help me believe it.

On the ride home, I held Mini and looked out at the fields. Everything looked so simple and still, but I started to think that maybe those hidden joys are like little gifts tucked inside ordinary things—like sitting close together in the truck, the warmth after the cold, or even just knowing Jesus is near, even if I can’t see Him. It felt like a quiet happiness, the kind you don’t have to say out loud.

Tonight, I want to try to carry my little crosses without complaining, even the small ones. Maybe Jesus will tuck that quiet joy inside them.

Evening Prayer

Dear Jesus,

please help me understand You better,

even when things feel hard or confusing.

Put Your quiet joy in my heart,

and help me trust that You are always near.

Amen.

Love,

Kathy

The Prayer Jesus Taught Us

Dear Diary,

This morning Sister Mary Claire had me record the Our Father. Before I began, she reminded me that it is the prayer Jesus Himself taught us, which is why it is such a beautiful way to begin the day.

She said it gives God first place before all our work and worries. It also teaches us everything we truly need to ask for—our daily bread, forgiveness, and help to stay close to God.

When I recited it, I tried to say it slowly and with love. It made me feel peaceful to think that Jesus gave us this prayer Himself.

Tonight I am thankful that my recording was just the Our Father. It is a simple prayer, but it holds so much.

Evening Prayer

Dear Jesus, thank You for teaching us the Our Father. Please help me to pray it with love and mean every word. Keep us safe tonight. Amen.

Love,

Kathy

Jesus Is So Gentle

Dear Diary,

This morning Sister Mary Claire and I walked down to the mailbox, and Robert picked us up as usual and right on time. Mini came along too, trotting beside us like she belonged to the whole trip. It was a quiet sort of morning, and I felt glad we were going to St. Mary’s.

At morning Mass, Father LeRoy talked about the holy women meeting Jesus on the path after He rose from the dead. They were hurrying along, trembling and full of love, and then all at once Jesus came to meet them. Father said that Jesus was so gentle with them. He did not speak in any hard way at all. He just said, “Fear not,” and let them come close to Him and hold His feet and adore Him.

I kept thinking how good Jesus is. He knows when people are afraid, and He does not pull away from them. He understands weakness and does not scold us for it. Instead, He comes close and gives us the courage we need. That made me feel peaceful inside, because sometimes I feel little and unsure too, and it is a comfort to know Jesus is so kind.

Father LeRoy said that Jesus still says “Fear not” to us now, especially when we stay close to Him in prayer and in Holy Communion. I thought about that for the rest of the day. It seemed to me that if I bring my worries to Jesus and lay them at His feet, then He will help me bear them. He is not only our Lord, but our Friend too.

When we came home, I still had those sweet words in my heart: “Fear not.” I want to remember them whenever I start feeling troubled.

Evening Prayer

Dear Jesus, thank You for being so gentle and good to me. When I feel afraid or weak, please help me remember Your sweet words, “Fear not.” Keep me close to You and teach me to trust You more every day. Amen.

Love,

Kathy

Our Lady in God's First Plan

Dear Diary,

This morning after we prayed the Morning Office, Sister Mary Claire explained something beautiful to me. She said Our Lady was never an afterthought with God. He had her in His loving mind from the very beginning, even before the earth, the mountains, and the waters were made. She was part of His first dear plan for Jesus and for the whole world.

While she was telling me this, I kept thinking about our old cement statue of Mary standing on the porch under the light. It has been in our family a very long time. Long ago it stood in the courtyard of a closed convent in Boston, where it had already been watching and waiting for about eighty years. That made Sister’s words feel even sweeter to me. The statue seemed like a quiet reminder that Our Lady has been lovingly remembered for a very long time by so many hearts.

I thought how lovely it is that before there was even a Littlemore Farm, God already knew His Blessed Mother and had chosen her for something holy. The porch light shone down on that old statue so softly, and it made me think of Mary standing peaceful and steady in God’s plan from the very beginning.

Evening Prayer

Dear Jesus, thank Thee for giving us Thy dear Mother in Thy first loving plan. Dear Mary, keep me close to thee tonight and always lead me to Jesus. Amen.

Love, Kathy

Morning Star

Dear Diary,

Today Sister Mary Claire and I worked on our little writing about one beautiful part of Matins, where Our Lady is called the Morning Star. Sister said that this is such a dear name because the morning star shines when the sky is still dark, but it tells us that daylight is coming. She said that is how Our Lady is for souls. She does not take the place of Jesus, who is the true Light, but she gently leads us to Him.

I liked that very much, and it made the prayer seem even sweeter to me. It felt like one little part of Matins opened up all bright and lovely, just from stopping and thinking about it awhile. Mini stayed near us while we worked, and once she looked up at Sister as if she were listening too.

It was a quiet and happy kind of study, and I felt thankful for that one shining thought from the prayer.

Love, Kathy.

Learning About Matins

Dear Diary,

This morning Sister Mary Claire explained Matins to me, and I liked it very much because it feels like the quiet beginning of the whole day.

She said it is like waking up our hearts for God. First, we ask for help to pray, and then we ask Our Lady to stay close and help us speak kindly and purely. Sister said when we say, “make speed to befriend me,” it means we are asking Mary to come quickly and take care of us.

Then we say the Glory be, which reminds us everything is for God—the Father, Son, and Holy Ghost.

There is also a hymn where we call Mary the Queen of Heaven. Sister said Jesus is our King, and Mary is like our gentle Queen who helps us and brings our prayers to Him.

I liked best when she said Mary is like the morning star that points to the sun. She helps us find Jesus.

At the end, we give everything to her and ask her to help us get to heaven someday.

It made me feel very safe, like starting the day with someone who loves me.

Evening Prayer

Dear Mother Mary, please stay close to me tonight and help me love Jesus more tomorrow. Amen.

Love, Kathy.

Recording Our Lady’s Prayer - None

Little Office of the Immaculate Conception

Dear Diary,

Today Sister Mary Claire and I spent a good part of the day recording the Second Part of The Little Office of the Immaculate Conception. It felt important and peaceful all at once, and Sister wanted me to say the words carefully and understand them too, not just read them out. I liked that, because prayers feel warmer when you know what they are really saying.

One prayer especially stayed with me tonight. It called Our Lady the Queen of Heaven, the Mother of Jesus, and even the Mistress of the world. Sister explained that this does not mean Mary is above God, of course, but that God has given her a beautiful place of honor because she is His own dear Mother. And when the prayer says she forsakes no one and despises no one, it means Mary never turns away from us just because we are little or sinful or ashamed. She is always kind enough to look on us with pity and tenderness.

Sister said the prayer is really asking Our Lady to do what loving mothers do best—take our poor needs to Jesus. We ask her to beg forgiveness for our sins and to help us stay close to Him. And the part about celebrating her Immaculate Conception means being glad that from the very beginning God made Mary so pure and lovely for His great plan. Sister said when we honor that gift with true devotion, we are also asking for the grace to reach Heaven ourselves one day, not by our own goodness, but by the grace of Jesus.

I thought that was so beautiful. It made me feel that Mary is not far away in Heaven doing grand things only for saints. She is near us, and gentle, and ready to help even with the prayers of an ordinary girl at a little table with a recording machine. I was glad to think that maybe if I pray slowly and lovingly, Our Lady might hear my voice too and smile a little.

Mini stayed nearby through it all, sometimes watching us as if she understood this was not just talking but praying. By evening I felt tired, but in a good way, like we had done something worth doing.

Evening Prayer

Dear Blessed Mother, please keep me close to Jesus tonight.

Pray for my sins to be forgiven, and help me love purity, gentleness, and goodness more and more.

Thank you for never turning away from poor little souls who need you.

Lay your mantle over Sister Mary Claire, Mini, and me, and lead us safely toward Heaven.

Amen.

Love,

Kathy

Recording Matins

Little Office of the Immaculate Conception

 

Dear Diary,

This Sunday afternoon I finished recording Matins from the Little Office of the Immaculate Conception, and I felt very thankful when it was done. It took a long time because I am so particular about it. Sister Mary Claire helped me all along with the cues and showed me where to pause, where to soften my voice, and where to say the words more clearly. I kept wanting to rehearse certain parts over again until they sounded just right.

It was slow work, but good work. Sometimes I would think I had it, and then Sister would gently have me do that little part once more. I did not mind, because such beautiful prayers ought to be said carefully. When I finally finished Matins, it felt like I had set down a small bouquet for Our Lady.

Mini stayed close by through all of it, watching in her serious little way. Once she gave a deep sigh and curled up as if she thought prayer recording was very tiresome business. But then when I started again, she lifted her head and listened so hard that I told her she was my littlest helper.

Now Matins is finished, and Prime shall be my next project. I already know it will take some time too, because Sister says good prayer should never be rushed, and I believe that is true. So I mean to go on the same way, one careful part at a time, until Prime is done too.

Dear Blessed Mother, please help me pray slowly and faithfully, and let every word I say be for Jesus. Amen.

Love, Kathy

Jesus and His Blessed Mother

Dear Diary,

Today I thought about how Our Lord must have shown Himself first to His Blessed Mother after He rose from the dead. The Bible does not say it plain, but it feels so right. She loved Him more than anyone and stayed faithful even at the Cross, when everything was so sad and dark.

This morning when I went to the chicken house, I reached under dear Omelette and found a beautiful brown egg still warm beneath her feathers. I held it so carefully in my hand and thought how lovely it is when something quiet and hidden turns out to be full of life and sweetness. That made me think of Our Lady waiting in sorrow, still believing, even before the joy of seeing Jesus came.

Then I imagined the moment when Jesus came to her, not suffering anymore, but full of glory and life. All her tears must have turned into happiness. The same dear Son she had loved and held was now shining in heavenly beauty.

It makes me love Our Lady very much to think of her joy. She trusted Jesus through all the darkness, and then she saw His victory. I want to stay close to Him like that too, in happy times and sad ones both.

Evening Prayer:

Dear Blessed Mother, please teach me to trust Jesus always and stay close to Him, just as you did. Amen.

Love,

Kathy

Jesus Kept His Wounds

Dear Diary,

Today’s meditation made me think about how Jesus rose from the dead all full of glory, and still kept the holy wounds in His hands and feet. I kept picturing them not looking sad anymore, but shining like lovely signs of His love. It makes me feel that He never wants us to forget what He suffered for us, and how very much He loves us.

Sister Mary Claire said His wounds are like victory marks now. That thought stayed with me all day. If Jesus kept His wounds in Heaven, then they must be very precious to Him. They tell the whole story of His mercy.

Later on I made a quick trip to the cave with Mini to check on my beaver friend Shaggycoat and to make sure the cave was secure. All was well, thank goodness. The cave felt quiet and safe, and it seemed like a good place to think about brave things. I wondered if I am as brave as I ought to be in little hard things, like being patient, obeying quickly, or offering up small troubles without complaining.

The saints loved to think about the wounds of Jesus because they wanted to stay close to Him no matter what. I do too. I want to love Him not only when things are easy, but also when something costs me a little.

Evening Prayer:

Dear Jesus, let Your holy wounds remind me how much You love me. Help me be brave in little hard things, and teach me to love You back with all my heart. Amen.

Love,

Kathy

Kathy is very busy recording all of your Favorite Prayers

The Angelic Salutation

Dear Diary,

Today at school Sister Mary Claire taught me something lovely about the Hail Mary. She said it is such a little prayer, but it carries a whole great deal inside it. Part of it comes from the angel’s own words to Mary in the Bible, and then part of it is us asking Our Lady to pray for us.

Sister said the name of Jesus sits right in the very middle of the prayer, and that is just where He belongs—not only in the Hail Mary, but in everything. I liked that thought very much. She also said when we pray “now and at the hour of our death,” it means we can ask Mary to help us in our everyday life, and also at the very end, when we will need Heaven most.

It made me think the Hail Mary is small enough for a schoolgirl to learn by heart, but deep enough to keep teaching her all her life.

Evening Prayer:

Dear Blessed Mother, please help me pray the Hail Mary slowly and with love, and always bring me closer to Jesus. Amen.

Love, Kathy

What I Learned Today at St. Mary’s School

 

Dear Diary,

Today at St. Mary’s School, Sister Mary Claire taught me that the Our Father is not just a prayer to hurry through because we already know it by heart. She said it is really a way to help us live.

I liked that it begins with “Our Father,” because that means God is not just my Father all by myself. He is our Father, and that means we belong to Him together. It made me think how life is not supposed to be only about what I want.

Then Sister said when we pray for God’s will to be done on earth as it is in heaven, we are asking that heaven’s goodness might come even into our regular days. Into school days and church days and even chore days.

The part about daily bread stood out to me most. It made me think that God wants me to trust Him for today. Not to be so full of worry about every tomorrow. Just to ask Him for today’s help and today’s strength.

Sister also said that when we ask God to forgive us as we forgive others, it means we have to let go of our hard feelings too. That part is not always easy, but it is good and true.

And at the end, when we ask not to be led into temptation, it means we are admitting that we need God to help us stay good. We cannot do it all by ourselves.

So I think the Our Father is a prayer for the whole day, not just for church. It teaches us to love God, think of others, trust Him one day at a time, forgive, and ask for His help.

Love,

Kathy 

The Cornerstone of Faith

Dear Diary,

I knew I was in trouble when Sister Mary Claire said we ought to scrub the old schoolhouse behind St. Mary’s. It has been closed for years, so it was a mighty dusty job.

Mini kept us company while we worked, and at the end Sister gave me her very first school handout about the Resurrection. She said the lesson came from her old meditation book, the one she inherited from a nun sister in Ireland. I noticed Sister had written #1 in the corner, and that made me think this was not just one of Sister’s passing whims.

Dear Jesus, help me do hard jobs with a cheerful heart, and bless Sister Mary Claire and little Mini. Amen.

Love, Kathy.

Take a Deep Dive

At the Foot of the Tabernacle

Dear Diary,

After all the joy of Easter Sunday, today slipped in very softly.  Sister Mary Claire and I walked to St. Mary’s, and everything felt so still and quiet after the gladness of yesterday. The church was now empty and wrapped in a hush. The little red sanctuary lamp burned softly, and I knew that Jesus was just as truly there in the quiet of today as He was in all the joy of yesterday.

I thought how people are always glad to be near the ones they love, and that must be why Jesus made a way to stay near us in the Blessed Sacrament. He did not want to leave us all alone. That made me feel very small, but in a good way, because it means He thinks of us and cares for us even in all our littlest needs.

I told Him about the things in my heart and thinking of Sister's little German Prayer book, I wrote what I remembered of the ask and seek prayer.

Dear Jesus,

You told us to ask, to seek, and to knock—and that You would answer us. So here I am, asking You with my whole heart.

Please give me a real love for You—a love that is gentle and strong. Help me love You not just with my words, but with the way I live, and the little things I do all day long.

I want to keep loving You always, and never stop.

Amen.

And today, I offer You everything I do—joined with all the goodness of Jesus, Mary, and all the saints.

Amen.

Easter Sunday

Recorded at Littlemore

Holy Saturday

Dear Diary,

Tonight felt very quiet, almost like the whole world was waiting. Sister Mary Claire and I thought about Jesus resting in the tomb, and how Holy Saturday is the still day between the sorrow of the Cross and the joy that is coming. The Church keeps this day in silence and waiting, holding close both grief and hope.

Mini stayed near us again, sweet and faithful as ever. She seemed to fit right into the hush of the evening, and having her close made me feel comforted.

Tonight I prayed and asked Jesus to help me wait with love and trust. Holy Saturday feels like a day for being still, for staying near Him, and for believing that even when everything seems quiet, He is still at work. Tomorrow is Easter, but tonight I want to stay close to Him in the silence.

Evening Prayer

Dear Jesus,

stay near me in the quiet of this holy night. Help me wait for You with love, peace, and trust.

Bless Sister Mary Claire and bless dear little Mini tonight.
Keep us close to Your Sacred Heart, and make us ready for Easter joy.

Amen.

Love,

Kathy

 

Good Friday Night

 
Dear Diary,

Tonight I prayed and asked Jesus to give me a real love for Him, gentle and strong. Good Friday makes me sorry for my sins, but it also makes me feel safe, because Jesus loves us so much.

Mini stayed close, sweet as ever, and that made everything feel even more peaceful. I want to love Jesus truly, not just with words, but in the little things too.

Evening Prayer

Dear Jesus,

please give me a real love for You, gentle and strong.

Bless Sister Mary Claire, bless dear little Mini, and keep us close to Your Sacred Heart tonight.

Amen.

Love,

Kathy

The Cows are Out

Dear Diary,

This morning I woke up from the strangest dream. I dreamed one of the cows was peeking right in my bedroom window while more of them were running loose outside and around my room. It felt so real that I opened my eyes fast and looked toward the window.

Then Sister Mary Claire laughed and told me she had whispered in my ear while I was waking up that the cows were out. She said it was an April Fools’ joke, and I guess my sleepy mind turned it into a whole dream.

Afterward Sister explained the difference between a little shenanigan and a lie. She said a lie is meant to deceive, but a harmless joke is found out quickly and shared with laughter, not meant to hurt or truly frighten somebody. I thought that was a very good way to explain it.

We both laughed then, and I felt better knowing the cows were safe where they belonged. My little resolution today is to be truthful always, and also kind, even in joking.

Morning Prayer

Dear Jesus, thank You for this new month and for Sister Mary Claire, who teaches me so gently. Please help me to love the truth, keep a cheerful heart, and always be kind. Amen.

Love, Kathy