Happy Halloween, All Saints Day and All Souls Day

The Way of Salvation by Andrea di Bonaiuto, Public Domain,
https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=23887256

Dear Hearts,

Halloween or All Hallows' Eve is not a liturgical feast on the Catholic calendar, but the celebration has deep ties to the Liturgical Year. The three consecutive days — Halloween, All Saints Day and All Souls Day — illustrate the Communion of Saints.

We, the Church Militant (those on earth, striving to get to heaven) pray for the Church Suffering (those souls in Purgatory) especially on All Souls Day and the month of November. We rejoice and honor the Church Triumphant (the saints, canonized and uncanonized) in heaven. We also ask the Saints' intercession for us.

Halloween evening marks the beginning of the observance of All Saints Day. In England, saints or holy people are called "hallowed," hence the name "All Hallow's Day." The evening, or "e'en" before the feast became popularly known as "All Hallows' Eve" or even shorter, "Hallowe'en."

Halloween is the preparation and combination of the two upcoming feasts. Although the demonic and witchcraft have no place in a Catholic celebration, some macabre can be incorporated into Halloween. It is good to dwell on our certain death, the Poor Souls in Purgatory, and the Sacrament of the Sick. And tied in with this theme is the saints, canonized and non-canonized. What did they do in their lives that they were able to reach heaven? How can we imitate them? How can we, like these saints, prepare our souls for death at any moment?

(https://www.catholicculture.org/culture/liturgicalyear/calendar/day.cfm?date=2018-10-31)

Happy Birthday, Matt!

Dear Hearts,

October 30th is the 63rd birthday of Matthew Wiley Sullivan, Sr., father of Matthew Wiley Sullivan, Jr., Henry Knox Sullivan and Georgia Anne Sullivan; grandfather of Averee Sullivan; son of Big Sully and Mary Claire; and brother of Jim, Mary Frances, John, Mike, Anne, Jerry, Margy and Patty.

Matt recently relocated back to Los Angeles from Northern California, and has set up a cool and comfortable apartment just south of Sunset with a great view of the Hollywood Hills. He is teaching Theater Arts and English at Linda Esperanza Marquez Senior High School in Los Angeles, building a brand new program for the school. They are lucky to have him--an experienced actor on stage, TV and film, as well as a gifted teacher.

It's good to have him back in So. Cal. 

Happy Birthday, Matt, and may you have 62 more healthy ones, by the Aunt Joannie Sullivan Law of Longevity Aspiration of 2008.

God bless us and save us and keep us from harm.

Love,

Patty

Happy Birthday, Elianah!

Dear Hearts,

October 26th is the birthday of Elianah Merwin, daughter of Joseph Merwin and Sondra, granddaughter of Mary Fran and Gary. Eli is ten years old today!

Elianah (means God has answered our prayer in Hebrew) is growing up to be a beautiful, smart and talented young lady. Outside of school, she is a gymnast in Jacksonville, competing on the vault, bars, beam and floor. She also plays violin with the Jacksonville Symphony Youth Orchestra. You can see her mischievous humor in the video below (eyebrow lift🤣)!

Happy Birthday, sweet Eli, and may you have 115 more healthy ones, by the Aunt Joannie Sullivan Law of longevity Aspiration of 2008.

Mary Fran is sure to be smiling upon her tiny, precious Pack. God bless us and save us and keep us from harm.

Love,
Patty

Happy Birthday, Anna!

Dear Hearts,

October 23rd is the birthday of Anna Margaret Herrington, daughter of Ella and Phillip Herrington, and sister to Darlene, Joseph, John, Ruth, James and Agnes.

Anna is five years old today and is a fine example to her baby sister. Happy birthday, sweet girl. May you have 120 more healthy ones, by the Aunt Joannie Sullivan Law of Longevity Aspiration of 2008.

God bless us and save us and keep us from harm.

Love,
Patty

Happy Birthday, Phillip!

Dear Hearts,

October 18 is the birthday of Phillip Andrew Herrington, husband of Ella Sullivan Herrington and father of Darlene, Joseph, John, Ruth, James, Anna and Agnes. Phillip is a teacher and thespian, entertainer and man of wit and civility, gentleness and humor, the soul of goodness. If anyone could win the heart of Sweet Ella, it is Phillip.

Currently teaching theater at Apollo High School in Glendale, Arizona, Phillip is also the sponsor for the school's Drama Club and directs the fall play and spring musical.

Outside of work he is starring as the lead in Arthur Miller's "The Crucible" at TheaterWorks in Phoenix through October 27. To read an interview with Phillip and the show's director click here.

Happy Birthday, Phillip, and may you have 83 more healthy ones, by the Aunt Joannie Sullivan Law of Longevity Anticipation of 2008.

God bless us and save us and keep us from harm.

Love,
Patty

Happy Birthday, Brynn!

Dear Hearts,

October 16th is the 17th birthday of Brynn Noelle Sullivan, daughter of Tim and Maureen and sister of Andrew. Brynn is a beautiful blend of her mother and father--beautiful, smart, kind and funny!

Having moved to Southern California just a year ago, Brynn took no time at all to make friends, get a job and get to know her new stomping grounds by cruising around in her truck. She is a junior at Mater Dei High and as a member of the Mock Trial team was nominated for her performance in the first round of the competition last year!

Happy Birthday, beautiful Brynn, and may you have 108 more healthy ones, by the Aunt Joannie Sullivan Law of Longevity Aspiration of 2008.

God bless us and save us and keep us from harm.

Love,
Patty

Happy Birthday, Beatrice!

Dear Hearts,

October 14 is the 10th birthday of Beatrice Adelaide Sullivan, daughter of Mick and Mary, sister to Oscar and Georgia, granddaughter to Nancy Nau Sullivan and Jim and Bitsy.

Jim describes Beatrice as the happiest, smiliest, best girl in all of Illinois. She loves to read and has become a very smart girl. She is strong and dainty at the same time and brings lots of joy to her whole family.

Beatrice is, I believe, the sweet little girl in the blue, right next

to her Auntie Franny. Please someone correct me if I'm wrong.

Happy birthday, Little Bee, and may you have 115 more healthy ones, by the Aunt Joannie Sullivan Law of Longevity Aspiration of 2008.

God bless us and keep us and save us from harm.

Love,

Patty

Happy Birthday, Russ!

Dear Hearts.

October 12th is the birthday of Russ Brogdon, son-in-law of Whitey and Signe, husband of Dagne, father of Matthew and Nathaniel. Russ is a Georgia man who has a fine reputation, takes good care of Dagne's beautiful heart and has earned the respect of Whitey.

Happy Birthday, Russ, and may you have 84 more healthy ones by the Aunt Joannie Sullivan Law of longevity Aspiration of 2008.

God bless us and save us and keep us from harm.

Love,

Patty

God Bless Maurice Moloney

Dear Hearts,

October 11 is the 133rd anniversary of the birth of Maurice Moloney, brother of Kate Sheehan (Boom's mom who was called Nanny by Mary Claire and Helen). Maurice was born October 11, 1878.

When Jim was in Ireland in 1992, found the family farm there in Clare and visited with Nicholas FitzPatrick, Maurice's neighbor and oldest friend. Nicholas almost fainted when Jim got out of the car--he thought it was Maurice himself who had come back from the grave! Nicholas said, "You are the dead spit of Maurice. If you'd had a walking stick in your hand, I would have had a heart attack." Maurice died in his nineties in the 1970s.

Happy Birthday, Uncle Maurice. God bless us and save us and keep us from harm.

Love,

Patty

Happy Birthday, Brian/Budd!

Dear Hearts,

October 10 is the birthday of Bitsy's brother, Brian "Budd" Cusick. He is a fine and hard-working man who owns and operates Cusick's Auto Repair in Hammond, Indiana. His and Bitsy's father opened this business in 1946 and Brian has brought the shop into the 21st century while making a name for himself as an honest and reputable business man in the Calumet Region.

While his business has an up-to-date and relevant Facebook page, Brian has eluded me in my hunt for a photograph of him. So I've included here pictures of the Cusick's Auto Repair receptionist and shop. It is one of the best-looking auto shops I've ever seen!

(Let this be a lesson to the rest of you, if you don't send me updated info and photos, I must depend on the internet's resources.)

Happy Birthday Brian, and may you have 64 more healthy ones by the Aunt Joannie Sullivan Law of Longevity Aspiration of 2008.

God bless us and save us and keep us from harm.

Love,
Patty

Happy Birthday, Aunt Darlene!

From left: Peter, Tim, Margaret, Paul, Ella,

Jim, Aunt Darlene, Bobby, Sr. John Mary & Mike

Dear Hearts,

October 10 is the 81st birthday of our beloved Sullivan matriarch, mother, mother-in-law, aunt and grandmother, Darlene Shajin Silva Sullivan.

She is the wife of Dr. Robert Mitchel Sullivan, God rest him, mother (and mother-in-law) of John, Jim and Erin, Robert and Nicole, Paul and Stephanie, Michael and Shelley, Timothy and Maureen, Sister John Mary, Margaret and Paul Lewis, Ella and Phillip Herrington, Peter and Melody; aunt of the nine children of Big Sully and many more on the Silva side; grandmother of 48 Sullivans, Lewises and Herringtons.

Aunt Darlene has always been Uncle Bob's beloved other half--strong and loving, faithful and smart. She is the beating heart of the family, an engine of love and courage. Living proof of this is the love and devotion shown by her nine living children. Whether they live far or near--Omaha or right next door--each one and their families are in almost constant contact with Aunt Darlene, seeking her advice, discussing the world's challenges or laughing about the various antics of the clan.

From left: Phillip, Erin, Nicole, Stephanie,
Aunt Darlene, Melody, Paul & Shelley

Happy birthday, Aunt Darlene, and may you have 44 more healthy ones, by the Aunt Joannie Sullivan Law of Longevity Aspiration of 2008.

God bless us and save us and keep us from harm.

Love,
Patty

Happy Birthday, Kameron!

Dear Hearts,

October 6 is the birthday of Kameron Hanjani, son of Ali and Julie, brother of Shyhla and Leila, husband of Maggie Merwin Hanjani and father of the gorgeous Francesca Mary, aka Lala!

Personally, Kam is as down-to-earth and friendly as they come, whether he's cheering on his Vikings, taking his sweet Maggie and Lala on a weekend excursion, brewing beer or setting playlists for DJ Pro Bono. (That is the moniker Kameron gave Andrew Bornhop when Andrew was tapped to play music and Claire and Rose's wedding).

Professionally, Kam is an experienced draftsman and currently works as a Project Designer at Enclos, a specialty contractor that builds high performance curtainwall and facade systems. As an athlete, Kam sports a two-handed backhand in tennis and has bragging rights to a state championship from high school!

McLeod West Falcons-2001 state champs

Happy Birthday, Kam, and may you have 89 more healthy ones, by the Aunt Joannie Sullivan Law of Longevity Aspiration of 2008.

God bless us and save us and keep us from harm.

Love,

Patty

Happy Birthday, Lizzy!

Dear Hearts,

Today, October 5, is the birthday of Elizabeth Anne Glick Flores, daughter of Margaret and Brian, sister to Daniel, wife of Randy and mama of Levi Sullivan and Amos Wiley. I was lucky enough to be in the room when Lizzy made her entrance into this world in 1984--one of the most profound moments of my life!

As a toddler, she captured everyone's hearts and attention, either through her cuteness or hilarious attitude. As Jim has recounted, Lizzy is the one who used to face down Big Sully and put her little fists on her hips and say, "What's yo pwoblem, Dodie?" He was putty in her hand, for sure.

Lizzy has grown into a creative, loving and hard-working woman. She and Randy have a lovely home in Mt. Baldy village with a prolific vegetable garden and cozy living space. Professionally, she is a gifted educator who shepherds other teachers to improve and adapt in their vocations in the Ontario-Montclair School District. Personally, she is an organized, well-read, hilarious and loyal woman. And she is a terrific mama of.... THREE! Yes, Lizzy, Randy, Levi and Amos will welcome a new baby in early February!

Happy birthday, Lizzy, and may you have 90 more healthy ones, by the Aunt Joannie Sullivan Law of Longevity Aspiration.

God bless us and save us and keep us from harm.

Love,
Patty

Wedding Anniversary of Jim & Mary Claire

Dear Hearts,

October 4 (the Feast of St. Francis of Assisi) is the 72nd wedding anniversary of James Patrick and Mary Claire Sullivan. They lived on earth as husband and wife for almost 43 years, and we pray they are in wedded bliss in heaven, along with their wedding party and families.

God bless us, and save us and keep us from harm.

Love,
Patty

 

Happy Birthday, Dee Dee!

Dear Hearts,

October 2nd is the 13th birthday of Darlene Sylvia Herrington, daughter of Phillip and Ella Sullivan Herrington and big sister of Joseph, John, Ruth, James, Anna and Agnes. She is the granddaughter of Bob and her namesake, Darlene, Sullivan. Her family calls her DeeDee.

She has moved on to high school this year and is a freshman at St. Mary's with several of her cousins (Dee Dee is on the left of the photo at right). Hopefully we'll see some pictures soon from her first Homecoming Dance, as she was recently invited to attend with a classmate.

Happy birthday, Dee Dee, and may you have 112 more healthy ones, by the Aunt Joannie Sullivan Law of Longevity Aspiration of 2008.

God bless us and keep us and save us from harm.

We all love you!

Aunt Joannie's Law of Longevity Aspiration of 2008

Several years ago, Jim and Joan devoted a considerable amount of time to the study, reflection and serious mathematical applications of the Law of Longevity. After a full day of highly academic conversation, consideration and great deliberation, the two worked tirelessly to establish the Aunt Joannie's Law of Longevity Aspiration of 2008. Simply put: Joan wants all our Dear Hearts to enjoy 125 years of good health and happiness on this earth. So, she and Jim created a very detailed rubric to calculate--based on this very scientific Law--how many more years we wish each recipient enjoys in a healthy happy life. Patent is pending.

How It All Began

James P. Sullivan Jr., the oldest child of Jim and Mary Claire, began this email newsletter in 2003. He was inspired by his West Point classmate who created a newsletter for the H-4 company, which Jim emulated for his own company. The format was so well liked that Jim created something similar for our family and friends--what we now call Dear Hearts.

Another source of inspiration for Jim was our grandmother, Frances Wiley, a.k.a. Boom Boom. "Boom had the communication, phone list and a contact compulsion," Jim recalls. "And I always liked how close she and Boompa were to their family and friends. I think the secret is relentless communication," Jim continues. "Never lose touch--and that can happen in a heartbeat."

For 16 years, Jim gathered biographies, offered prayers and celebrated this wonderful circle of family and friends; a family comprised of eight siblings and their spouses (with 24 children among them); 14 cousins and their spouses (with 56 children among them), and friends who are cherished just like family.