LA VOYAGE A FRANCE!! (as told by Katey)

During the first two weeks of August, Mom (Barb), Dad (Rob), Bridget, and I, visited Paris and Normandy and had the most amazing time. We "houseswapped" with some family friends and stayed in their apartment, while they lived in our home in SF and watched our dog. The apartment was this nice little space on the 8th floor our building, which was nestled in the 20 "arrondisemont" (or section) of the city- near Jim Morrison's grave. We lived like Parisians; getting bread at the "boulangerie", have coffee at the nearest cafe, and taking the metro everywhere we went. It was wonderful. Here's some pictures from the trip, but we will write more about it very soon!

Miss you all- Katey

So Long Summer!!!

So we have to say goodbye to the summer of 2008! I am waiting to hear from my west coast correspondent Katey Simon on their trip to France..
Events coming up!
The Irish Twins Birthday Party Sept. 13th!
and Happy Birthday to all of those Virgos!!!
Sarah Raucci
Paul Raucci
Karen Raucci
Lily Parady
Holly Parady
Betsy Parady
and a Happy Anniversary goes out to Tim & Grace!

Say a prayer for Mar-Mar on her birthday Sept. 15th.

Meeting the Downings

I wanted to meet these people who owned all of these businesses, beautiful property and built this lovely chapel. The ole' newspaper reporter came out in me and I was very curious. Jean happened to be at the Chapel one morning and met the Downings she told them of our angel sighting and our story they invited us over that evening to show them the photo. Jean and I proceeded to the Downings home which was below her father's land. A lovely yellow house with a welcoming front porch (photo),not ostentatious at all, a place that was homey. We met these two wonderful people, he had red hair and a stout build with a cheery Irish face. Joan was short and sweet.They pushed aside there papers on their kitchen table and we started chatting while sipping our coffee with real cow's milk from their farm.We showed them the photo of the angel and although awed they were not surprised. They had a night photo of the glorious cross with a figure of Mary on the side of it.

I asked Mr. Downing why he built the chapel he said he owned a business and it wasn't doing well, he had had it with the business world and consecrated his business to Mary. In return he told her he would build a chapel for her in honor of her and leave it open for all people to enjoy. He said without any effort on his part his business started to flourish year after year, as a result he kept his promise to Mary. They both said they have received many blessings from the intervention of the Blessed Mother.
They are enjoying the semiretirement years and all of their adopted, foster and grandchildren they had help raise. Joan asked us to come to a prayer meeting the next day and we went to met them to pray the Rosary and learn about a new series of books from Anne the lay apostle, called Direction for our times. to see the website of the chapel it is https://www.chapel of the holy family.com. The story of Anne the lay apostle is very popular in Ireland and Europe. Anne's website is https://direction for our times. It is a wonderful series. She has written these books with the intention of all of us to share them. Her journey is unusual starting at Medjugore and proceeding from there with messages from Heaven. I am reading them now and will keep you updated.

In addition to the angel we saw a beautiful rainbow which went right down on the top of the Blessed mother's head in the rosary garden.
I was surprised on this vacation , not expecting all of this spiritual insight I had just intended to camp and enjoy nature and family and friends. What a surprise!!
Hope you enjoyed reading this. I would love some comments!!!
Miss Mary

Inside and Around The Grounds

We walked around the grounds and inside the church, where there was more monk music to be heard. As I gazed at the altar I could see the glorious cross through the window panes. I also found rosary beads from Medjugore lying on the back table.This chapel had simplicity and beauty, natural beauty. (photos here) We figured that the music was being piped into the grounds under rocks. Who built this church???and why here??On the bottom of the Chapel was the name J & R Downing. It turns out that the Downings own most of the property here on Darling Road. They are now a semiretired couple who with their hard earned fortune had decided to give back to their community and leave a legacy for their children. They had their own children, adopted a few more and had raised 4o foster children. How did this all happen?? I was curious and I wanted to meet the Downings to show them our angel picture.

The Angel led us to....

continued angel story....... The angel led us to The Chapel which was open to all, as my car climbed the mountain to the chapel my brakes were making a squelching shreek. and clang...........................next thing I hear is monk music coming out of the forest and then this fabulous statue of Jesus inviting us into the chapel and a rosary garden with Mary on the left, The majestic mountains and clouds hugged my soul as I turned to Nancy and Jean and said, "Are we dead?" This looks like heaven, and there is no one here but us!!! Where is the monk music coming from??the trees?? I was awed and for a moment I thought my brakes went and we were in an accident and we made it to heaven!!!!!!It was surreal to me! After a few human pinches I realized that we were really alive and this place was a little bit of heaven on earth! to be continued...................................................

Yes, Mary There is a HEAVEN!!!

Here is an angel I saw in the clouds while I was camping with Nancy and Jean Crowley up in Lyndonville Vermont. We saw this behind The Wildflower Inn in Lyndonville, Vermont.

There is more to this story to come.............

Blessings to all! Love, Mary

Kayaking Fever

I decided to buy a kayak this summer, since the price of gas is so high and it is expensive to travel at the moment . I thought this would be a healthy way to explore the lakes, rivers and waterways of Connecticut. I must say my investment has given me delight. I ventured out to Linsley Lake, the Housatonic River in the valley, The Farm River Estuary here in Mansfield Landing and Long Island Sound.

Bea, Elias, Kelly and I had a fun day at Linsley lake. Kelly went overboard and had her first swim ever. You think she can run??You should see her swim!!!Well my enthusiasm for this sport inspired my other family members to give it a go. We had a nice day at Crescent lake In Southington, where they rent kayaks right there on the lake.

Here are some photos to enjoy!

A Lovely Time!

The clan gathered together on a rainy, rainy day here at The Greens. It was great to see all of the newborns and toddlers roaming about! Many generations of our family and friends attended. It was great to see Mom and Dad's friends again and they all appreciated being there!

I'd like to thank everyone who contributed to make this happen! Here are some photos of our visits with each other that week!