The Holy Triduum: Holy Thursday

When it became apparent that we would not be celebrating the Holy Triduum in the usual way, I began a mental list of all the things that I would miss most. Top of the list was the Vigil fire. Gracie exclaimed, "we wont get to do our pilgrimage to the 7 churches!"

Gratefully, the Nativity House community members were eager to observe the Triduum from home. We divided the responsibilities up amongst us. 

Holy Thursday, The Last supper - Gracie

Good Friday, Stations of the Cross - Becca; Veneration & Taize - Justin

Easter Vigil, Vigil Fire & Liturgy of Light - Me!

Easter Brunch - The Community

Each day we will also stream Mass/Communion Service with either Bishop Barron or the Cathedral of St Raymond.

Below you will find a photo log of Holy Thursday.

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When Gracie began reading the introduction to this prayer tears started welling up in me. Connection - it was as if a Golden Thread was running all the way from the Israelites experiencing the Exodus, to Jesus at His Passover, to now. 

We kept it simple. Clearly not a traditional seder meal. Our bitter herb was lettuce sprinkled with fresh ground pepper. Bitter indeed.

Streaming Mass with the Cathedral of St Ray's. Fr Ryan Adorjan's homily - wow.

Mother Daughter Retreat: Year 7

Gracie is in the beginning of her adolescent years and I love it. I love watching her test out her beliefs and finding her voice. I thought for sure as we ventured into this stage of development she would want nothing to do with our retreat tradition. 

Boy was I wrong! 

Just like previous years she was the one reminding me, "it's October! When are we going on retreat?"

This year, like every year, finding the time was a struggle. On the drive up to Racine, late on a Wednesday, I was exhausted and apprehensive. There's always so much work to do instead of resting. But it was imperative that we rest and rest together. 

My favorite moment of the 24 hour getaway was when Gracie was sitting and crocheting, out of the blue, she bursts out in song, "Give thanks to the Lord, for He is Good, His mercy endures forever!"

Year 6

Year 5

Year 4

Year 3

Year 2

 Year 1 

Western Shore of Lake Michigan

Stream Walking at Grant Park, South Milwaukee

Stream Walking at Grant Park, South Milwaukee

Favorite Climbing Tree at Eco-Justice Center!

Nativity House: 2018 Year in Review

For the years that we have been offering hospitality to expectant mothers and living in intentional community at Nativity House - December is a special time. 

This December marks the 9th anniversary of publishing The Visitation. It was also December 2014 that we accepted the application of our first intern. 

Looking back over this last year, we have much to celebrate. In December, last year our guest mom, Alexis, was gifted with a car from Cars of Hope. This gift was just in the nick of time as baby Charlotte Rae was born January 15. This is always a special time at Nativity House. The community gathers around our guest mom with much love and care. Mom and baby are given the support they need for a great start. As the Director of Nativity House, I am always humbled at how our intern/staff community gathers around our new moms. The bonds that are formed during these times are strong and rich.

February we grew again - welcoming Kirk, a baby nubian buck. He joined our doesIvy and Rua making our flock a family. Breaking News! We just found out this week that Rua is expecting. We are looking forward to goat kids in the new year!

In March, we saw the kick off of our 4th CSA season! We expanded the garden this year with 6 new apple trees and many new varieties of veggies. We also welcomed 3 new families to the garden this year bringing our membership to 8 families. We also had a steady stream of garden volunteers this year. 

One major first for Nativity House this year was bees! We welcomed our first beehive and beekeeper, Erik Olson. What a tremendous blessing to understand the life of these pollinators better! (not to mention the fabulous honey harvest) We are looking forward to adding 2 more hives this coming season. 

 The end of summer was celebrated with our annual Farm to Table Celebration. This year started off the celebration with Mass presided over by newly ordained, Fr. Mike McMahon. We served 100 guests (a record!) a sit down, farm to table 5 course feast. Each course was more delectable that the last.  We ended the night with a festive barn dance called by our friends from St. Isidore Catholic Worker. It is always amazing to see the Nativity House community - near and far - come together for is wonderful event. 

In August our two interns moved on: Annemarie completing one year of service, Sarah completing two. Mid-September, Alexis, having earned her Certified Nursing Assistant's licence and finding full time employment also moved on. 

With the fall comes garden clean up and volunteer groups from the area universities. This year we were blessed with groups from Benedictine, Lewis, Joliet Montessori, Net Teams, and Notre Dame. Work on the farm takes many hands! For these groups we are very grateful.

Fall also brought an Eagle Scout Project to Nativity House. Danny Donohue and his scouting friends built a new bridge so that our guests and staff can better utilize our beautiful wooded space.

In the new year we look forward to new interns coming on staff. We hope to welcome a new guest mom early February. 

*****

With the close of the Liturgical year and the start of Advent just around the corner, there is always cause for reflection. The life of Nativity House runs deep with abundance, blessing and friendship. It has been 9 years of publishing the newspaper, three and a half years of intentional community and hospitality to guest moms and a lifetime of memories, loves, joys, tears, laughter. 

Over these years we have met and come in contact with so many amazing beautiful friends - some long term, some just passing through. We carry all of you with us. You are our community.

Thank you for allowing us to be part of your lives.