Dear Loved Ones,

Pleasant Greetings to everyone! Traditionally, May is celebrated in Pinas with Flores de Mayo honoring our Blessed Mother Mary with flower offerings, so too here in CA.

On May 12 at 7:00pm, the eve of our Lady of Fatima feast, our St. Mel’s church (under Fr. George’s leadership), held the Crowning of the image of the Blessed Virgin Mary – a beautiful life-statue carved in Portugal. The activities, attended by huge crowd consisted of: recitation of the joyful mysteries (before each decade groups of offerors brought flowers o the image), followed by the crowning, then candle-lit procession with the image on a caroza, amid meaningful singing, culminated by an out-door Benediction and agape. The entire proceedings were so moving and successful – another feather and appreciation for Fr. George active service to the community, of course with the laity’s participation – all touched by the Holy Spirit!

Then on May 24 at 10:00am, on invitation by the Dominican Sisters headed by Sr. Maximilian Marie, O.P., Sean and I attended the Consecration of their Spiritus Sanctus Academy to the Blessed Virgin Mary (BVM) located in Granite Bay, CA. The rites started with a Marian procession, celebration of the Holy Mass by Bishop William Weigand of the diocese of Sacramento, the crowning of the image of BVM, culminated by socials/lunch. The event was truly blessed with the outpouring of rain during the outdoor Mass which did not dampen the spirits of the attendees. In humor, Bishop Weigand incorporated the rain blessings in his homily, summarizing that no matter how intricate are man’s plans, God’s Will always prevails. We needed the rain which did not come during the entire spring season in order to prevent brush fires, which had started in the Tahoe area weeks ago. During the socials we conversed with some guests: Sister Assunta, O.P., Mother Superior of the Dominican Sisters of Mary, Mother of the Eucharist Order who came all the way from Ann Arbor, Michigan, the Dominican brothers from St. Albert’s Priory in Oakland (where Fr. Ed stayed), and others who we saw during the March for Life in San Francisco. We shared table with a Korean brother who invited Sean to spend a discovery vocation week-end with them in SFO.

At the start of May, my aerobics/yoga instructor Eli asked two of his loyal students to assist him in a big (over 40 students with average age of 50 years) class he was handling at the CA Family Health & Fitness Center (20 minutes drive from our Anatolia), and I readily said ‘yes’. So I spend 3 hours a week teaching aerobics/yoga to senior citizens, which is consistent with my passion. What’s funny is Eli thinks I am on my early 40s, he calls me ‘dynamo’ whatever he means, it gives me a nice feeling – seems something to do with energy! As S. Covey says in his’7 Habits of Highly Effective People’ - ‘exercise for self-renewal’, so keeping fit is my priority and this is another opportunity for diversification/expansion of services, he-he-he. Well, I am on my way to utilizing some 20% of my life potentials! I find our regular “20-20-20 (consisting of 20 minutes. cardio, 20 mins. resistance, 20 mins. stretching) training” highly effective. While waiting at the lobby before class starts, it’s gratifying to hear feedback from participants how their backs, or legs, or arms have improved and aches/pains removed; spreading the good news so participants have increased, assuring Eli of job security.

Joining the rest of America in honoring the war veterans on Memorial Day, we spent the day at Old Sacramento (with its rich old world gold rush ambience) where veterans and families celebrated the annual Jazz Festival with various bands, all around a fiesta atmosphere. We enjoyed hanging out near the stage with a band of teen-agers playing and singing jazz music of the sixties - their energy was so amazing!

Attached are photos: 1) with Sr. Maximilian Marie & Sr. Assunta, O.P.s, during the consecration event; 2) with the image of our Lady of Fatima; 3) with Sean at Old Sac on Memorial Day. Let us continue to pray for our country and people and for America. Peace and Joy to You and God Bless Us All!

Much love and Best Regards!!!

SUSAN BG