Prayer Request

Dear Hearts,

Please take a moment to hold in your thoughts and prayers the brother-in-law of Jim's friend, Tom. His name is Monsignor Larry Hogan of the Arch Diocese of Vienna. He endured a four-hour surgery this week to explore a cancerous spot on his lung. The surgeon reported that the surgery went well.

Larry holds his PhD from the University of Jerusalem and was for many years the Rector/President of the International Theological Institute in Trumau, Austria, a papal undergraduate/graduate college. The original orientation of the institute was studies of the family and its sustainment as an institution. He has done much to promote the family, one project of ITI being work with the then new independent Ukrainian government to develop family friendly policies and laws that would promote families and having children.

We have two intercessors upon whom we may call for Monsignor Larry: St. Peregrine, the patron saint of cancer patients; and St. Bernardine of Siena, the patron saint of respiratory illnesses.

I offer this:

St. Bernardine of Siena, you were healed of respiratory illness and preached the love and mercy of God everywhere you went.

I come to you now seeking your prayers for Larry and all who suffer with respiratory illnesses.

Plead their cases in unison with Mary, the Mother of God, and seek healing for them if that is God’s holy will.

Pray, dear saint, that they suffer with joy, persevere with hope, and that they join their afflictions with Jesus’ for the salvation of souls.

I ask your intercession on their behalf in Jesus’ holy Name. Amen

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

Love, Patty

God Bless Dad

Dear Hearts,

Thirty-two years ago, on September 29, 1990, Big Sully passed away peacefully in his sleep. He was the son of John (Lefty) and Anna; brother of Sr. Anna Rita, Bob and Sr. Margaret; wife of Mary Claire, father of Jim, Mary Fran, John, Mike, Matt, Anne, Jerry, Margaret and Patty; uncle to 15, grandfather of 24; great grandfather of 27; boss, coworker, leader and friend to many more.

He was a very intelligent man with an amazing work ethic. His jobs that I know of included delivering ice blocks on the Southside of Chicago; lifeguarding at Lake Michigan; B-24 bomber pilot; and virtually every level of steelmaking up to Superintendent of the Basic Oxygen Plant at Kaiser Steel in Fontana, California.

At age 68, his body could no longer stay the course. It was and was not a surprise to all of us when we each got the call that Saturday morning he died. Mom was amazed at how comfy he looked that morning she found him in bed, sleeping on his side with his forearm draped across his face. It seemed as though he slipped into eternity with comfort and ease.

He left us on the Feast of the Archangels--Michael, Gabriel and Raphael. All three of these saints have important roles in the history of salvation. Among other tasks, Michael's job is to call away from earth and bring men's souls to judgment. Gabriel foretold to Mary the birth of the Savior. Raphael is known for his healing acts of mercy. A great group of escorts, if you ask me.

We miss him, we love him and all feel his presence in various ways. Keep watching over us, Dad. And we pray you are enjoying eternal life with Jesus and all our loved ones.

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

Love, Pitty Pat

Happy Birthday, Dagny!

 Dear Hearts,

September 27th is the birthday of Dagny White Brogdon: daughter of Whitey and Signe; sister of Kermit, Mike and Abigail; wife of Russell and mother of Kermit and Nathaniel.

Dagny is a forensic chemist working in the Georgia Bureau of Investigation and has achieved a degree of fame in Georgia among the law enforcement community there. She analyzes evidence in drug cases and others and the fact is that nobody seems to do that job like Dagny.

When facing a particularly aggressive defense attorney who was trying to degrade the State's case, Dagny's unflappable demeanor and utter grasp of the intricacies of the case defeated the attorney's attack in detail. The official report read, "Watching Dagny White Brogdon testify was like watching bullets bounce off Superman."

When she takes off her lab coat, Dagny enjoys being home with her boys, playing, watching sports, traveling and enjoying time together. She also ran the Boston Mini Marathon last year!

Happy Birthday, Dagny, and may you have 63 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, Kathleen!

Dear Hearts,

Kathleen sandwiched by
nephews Adrian and Ivar.

September 24th is the birthday of Kathleen Marie Sullivan: daughter of Jim and Erin; sister of John, Annie, Thomas, Peter, Maggie, Joe, Brigid, Seamus and Patrick; granddaughter of Aunt Darlene, niece, cousin and friend to scores more lucky people.

In the past year, Kathleen has made big changes in her life, buying a home and settling in Front Royal, Virginia. Even better is that she shares this sweet home with her sister and best friend! She works as a certified nursing assistant which is terrific prep for nursing school--her next goal.

She cherishes trips back to Omaha and impresses everyone with how much she can fit in to just 48 hours. Kathleen grew up dancing in Omaha and has found that same outlet in Virginia as a ballet teacher. 

So, happy birthday, Kathleen, and may you have 102 more healthy ones according to 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, Sarah!

Dear Hearts,

September 23rd is the birthday of Sarah Cassaro Sullivan: daughter of Sam and Rosemary; sister of Elizabeth, Kathleen, Patricia, Ann, Mark, Lorne and Debra; wife of Miles; mother of Maeve, James and Silas; sister-in-law, niece, auntie, cousin and friend to many more lucky folks.

Sarah is happily reconnecting with old friends and family since she, Miles and their kids have relocated to Bluffton, South Carolina. They've set up their beautiful home back in Chesterton, Indiana as a Bed & Breakfast called Coffee Creek Retreat. You can see lots of Sarah and Mile's work and design talents in photos on the Facebook page they've set up.

So, happy birthday, Sarah, and may you have 82 more healthy ones according to 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, Annie!

Dear Hearts,

August 23rd is the birthday of Annemarie Clare Sullivan: daughter of Peter and Melody; sister of John, Matthew, Benjamin, Mikey and Bo; granddaughter of Bob and Darlene; cousin, niece and friend to so many more.

This year Annie is in 11th grade and is driving to school with her brother John riding shotgun. She has taken a leadership position with the choir council and is still passionate about performing arts--whether she is on the stage or in the audience. 

At home she is a kind sister and daughter, making family life better and more fun through her creativity. And her beauty is undeniable--those striking green eyes!

So, happy birthday, Annie, and may you have 108 more healthy ones according to 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, Maggie!

 Dear Hearts,

September 22nd is the birthday of Margaret Mae Dawson: daughter of Bitsy, sister of Rick, niece, cousin and friend to many more. Everyone calls her Maggie.

Maggie is a successful entrepreneur, owning, running and growing her own fabric and quilt-supply business out of her shop in the Calumet Region. She is a talented artist with some of the cutest fabric designs I've ever seen! Check out her designs available on a website called Spoonflower, under her shop name Maggiedee.

Maggie is a faithful and loyal daughter and she and Bitsy spend a lot of good time together. Brings her Mama much happiness.

Happy birthday, Maggie, and may you have 82 more healthy ones by the Aunt Joannie Sullivan Law of Longevity Aspiration of 2008.

Love, Patty