On Sunday we went to Mass at IHM (
the Saint Benedict Center run by the Slaves of the Immaculate Heart of Mary).
As a reward for doing well in Mass, John got to shovel snow, as he's been begging to do every time he sees one of the many snow shovels propped outside of doors in this neck of the woods.
At traditional Catholic parishes, many people make nearly the whole day a social event surrounding church. So, first we spent time socializing and eating snacks in the gymnasium of the IHM school. (In summer, each Sunday they host a barbecue outdoors and everyone brings potluck side dishes.) Mary had grand fun running with "the big kids." I really enjoyed meeting many of Rebecca's friends who, it turns out, read this blog!
Then Brother Anthony gave us a tour of some of the surrounding buildings. Above is the convent of
the Slaves of the Immaculate Heart of Mary. (There is also
another order of nuns amidst all these buildings, but we didn't get to tour there today.)
The print shop where all the IHM publications are printed
There were various construction vehicles around the properties, which delighted the two preschoolers!
Brother Anthony giving us a tour
As a reward for keeping his hands to himself in the workshop, John got to shovel snow again. Then we returned to the Benedictine Abbey and joined the social hour over there with more snacks and more folks! Before long it was time for our kids to take naps, so we retired back to our rooms.
The guest house at the Abbey where we stayed the weekend before transferring to a hotel in Boston, closer to Chris' work needs
In the evening we went to Ben and Rebecca's beautiful, inviting home for a delicious dinner. The four children had the best time playing in the dedicated play room and we adults had the best time with the children, for the most part, keeping to themselves!
Some things Katherine and Rebecca have in common: some similarities from our upbringing, adult converts to Catholicism, bookworms, "traditionalist" leanings in our faith (Latin Mass, providentialism, etc.), our children are very close in age, parenting styles, the geographic connection (my dad's whole family comes from the area north of Boston, so I've visited there many times), being "birthy" (she took the path of becoming a Bradley instructor, I the path of becoming a La Leche League leader), and, honestly, we even look similar (same height, same hair color and length, and often the same weight except right now when Rebecca is so gorgeously thin!).
A photo of the adults, taken by the three-year-old
We took note of this sign at a neighborhood restaurant as we were leaving our friends' house. My editor friends will appreciate the warning that the seafood is not actually fresh but is wink-wink, nod-nod "fresh." I'll pass, thanks!
As a reward for doing well in Mass, John got to shovel snow, as he's been begging to do every time he sees one of the many snow shovels propped outside of doors in this neck of the woods.
At traditional Catholic parishes, many people make nearly the whole day a social event surrounding church. So, first we spent time socializing and eating snacks in the gymnasium of the IHM school. (In summer, each Sunday they host a barbecue outdoors and everyone brings potluck side dishes.) Mary had grand fun running with "the big kids." I really enjoyed meeting many of Rebecca's friends who, it turns out, read this blog!
Then Brother Anthony gave us a tour of some of the surrounding buildings. Above is the convent of the Slaves of the Immaculate Heart of Mary. (There is also another order of nuns amidst all these buildings, but we didn't get to tour there today.)
The nuns have an Neapolitan mastiff as a guard dog.
The print shop where all the IHM publications are printed
There were various construction vehicles around the properties, which delighted the two preschoolers!
Brother Anthony giving us a tour
As a reward for keeping his hands to himself in the workshop, John got to shovel snow again. Then we returned to the Benedictine Abbey and joined the social hour over there with more snacks and more folks! Before long it was time for our kids to take naps, so we retired back to our rooms.
The guest house at the Abbey where we stayed the weekend before transferring to a hotel in Boston, closer to Chris' work needs
In the evening we went to Ben and Rebecca's beautiful, inviting home for a delicious dinner. The four children had the best time playing in the dedicated play room and we adults had the best time with the children, for the most part, keeping to themselves!
Some things Katherine and Rebecca have in common: some similarities from our upbringing, adult converts to Catholicism, bookworms, "traditionalist" leanings in our faith (Latin Mass, providentialism, etc.), our children are very close in age, parenting styles, the geographic connection (my dad's whole family comes from the area north of Boston, so I've visited there many times), being "birthy" (she took the path of becoming a Bradley instructor, I the path of becoming a La Leche League leader), and, honestly, we even look similar (same height, same hair color and length, and often the same weight except right now when Rebecca is so gorgeously thin!).
A photo of the adults, taken by the three-year-old
We took note of this sign at a neighborhood restaurant as we were leaving our friends' house. My editor friends will appreciate the warning that the seafood is not actually fresh but is wink-wink, nod-nod "fresh." I'll pass, thanks!
It looks like you had a perfect weekend! You and Rebecca look beautiful. I am so glad you could get to meet face to face! It looks like the kids and dads had fun, too. :)
ReplyDeleteThat's funny about John getting to shovel as a reward. My son brings his shovel on our walks around the neighborhood and shovels any snow left on the sidewalks. He loves it!!
ReplyDeleteWhat a fun visit!
ReplyDeleteExcellent punctuation blooper find, Katherine! :D
ReplyDeleteThat mastiff looks like a mama - what a troop her brood must be!