Faith and Family

Growing up in a Catholic family in the 1960's &1970's was a tumultuous time. Growing up in my family was even more so. By the time the 1970's were over, both my parents had died and my life was turned upside-down. Yet, in a relatively short amount of time my parents instilled in me the foundation of faith that would be the spring board into a much deeper faith later in my life. Their devotion to God and to the church, and their moral character have been key examples to me. Their strong devotion to family was an important part of my childhood, and impacted my own devotion to my wife and children. 

My parents were pillars in our faith community. They were active members of St. Petronille Church.  My mother was in the CCW and my father worked his way up to a regional post in the Knights of Columbus. They sponsored three parish bowling teams. My mother bowled in a women's league on Tuesdays and my father bowled in a men's league on Friday night. They bowled in a couples league once a month on Saturday night. They were part of a group of people that helped create a Catholic high school in Wheaton. St. Francis High School ended up serving all seven children. They supported and knew many of the priests and missionaries at the local Maryknoll Seminary.  

After the liturgical reforms of Vatican II called for more congregational singing, my father, who didn't sing very well, volunteered to lead singing during mass. He was also a lector. Our family of nine sat near the front of church usually the second or third row on the right side. My mother expected you to participate in every aspect of mass including the singing. My brother "the garbage disposal" refused to sing each Sunday, so she would make him sing at home. Of course, with five boys in one row there was always some sort of hi-jinks going on. My father, who was on some level a prankster himself, sometimes added to the craziness. After all, this is a shoe repairman who painted the words "help me" on the soles of the shoes of a friend getting married. Thus, when he knelt down the whole church could see it!

Four out of the five brothers were altar servers. Which brother was the renegade? You guessed it! The garbage disposable! All seven children went to 12 years of Catholic school. Five children either graduated from a Catholic college or at least attended several years of Catholic college. Our family participated in all aspects of Catholic life. There wasn't a feast or special mass that our family missed. Some of my favorite memories from my childhood are the majestic liturgies that we attended: The music, incense, vestments, and lighting. The smells and bells of Catholic liturgies. It was in these moments where my faith was nurtured and an understanding of God's majesty grew.    

In the larger community, my parents impact was even more dramatic. My parents who were children of German and Irish immigrants bought a small shoe repair shop right in the middle of downtown Glen Ellyn. They eventually expanded it to include sporting goods. The idea to expand started with the selling of used ice skates. Many children who grew up in Glen Ellyn bought their first pair of skates from my family's store. People brought their shoes, luggage, purses, tents and just about any other item that could be sewn, glued or repaired to my family's store. Thus, my family was well known in the surrounding area.

My father was an amazing man who everyone loved. He was outgoing, friendly and could banter back and forth with every customer. He grew up during the Great Depression and served during World War Two. He was a humble and honorable man. He served his community in a variety of ways. For example, he donated hundreds of pairs of ice skates to the poor. When he died from a massive heart attack in the fall of 1977, our family and the community was devastated. He showed me an example of a devoted husband and father and what an honorable businessman looks like.

My mother was the matriarch of the family. Being the youngest of the family, my siblings claim I was spoiled by her. I can't help the fact that I didn't get into trouble like they did. She was the strong  willed leader of the family. She loved to garden. My love of history was nurtured by her. My love of music and theater came from her. It was because of her insistence that I finally tried out for a high school play "Hello Dolly" as she laid dying in a nursing home from brain cancer in the spring of 1979. She had a strong faith in God, and was a Pro-life advocate early on in the struggle. Of course, I not only sat beside her at the dinner table, but in church as well. Thus, she nurtured my love for Catholic liturgy. She fully participated in all aspects of the mass.

Even though they were in my life for a short time, who I am today was built on a foundation set by my parents. I am eternally grateful to them. I pray for their souls every day. I have tried to live up to their example. There is a part of my heart that will always be empty.

This reminds of a story:

Paul’s stress level was at unsurpassed levels. His wife Pat was in labor and Paul was sure it was time to head to the hospital. Breathing heavily, Paul grabbed the phone and called the doctor. “MY WIFE, SHE’S READY, SHOULD WE COME?”

The doctor tried to relax the poor fellow, “just try to relax, now tell me how much time elapses between the contractions?”

“Pat!! ” Paul screamed on the top of his lungs, “HOW MUCH TIME IN BETWEEN THE CONTRACTIONS? TEN MINUTES? OK, TEN MINUTES IN BETWEEN!”

“And is this her first child?” Questioned the doctor.

“NO, THIS IS HER HUSBAND!”

regnancy Joke Brian’s stress level was at unsurpassed levels. His wife Maggie was in labor and Brian was sure it was time to head to the hospital. Breathing heavily, Brian grabbed the phone and called the doctor. “MY WIFE, SHE’S READY, SHOULD WE COME?” The doctor tried to relax the poor fellow, “just try to relax, now tell me how much time elapses between the contractions?” “SHIRLEY!” Brian screamed on the top of his lungs, “HOW MUCH TIME IN BETWEEN THE CONTRACTIONS? TEN MINUTES? OK, TEN MINUTES IN BETWEEN!” “And is this her first child?” Questioned the doctor. “NO YOU STUPID NITWIT, THIS IS HER HUSBAND!

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rian’s stress level was at unsurpassed levels. His wife Maggie was in labor and Brian was sure it was time to head to the hospital. Breathing heavily, Brian grabbed the phone and called the doctor. “MY WIFE, SHE’S READY, SHOULD WE COME?” The doctor tried to relax the poor fellow, “just try to relax, now tell me how much time elapses between the contractions?” “SHIRLEY!” Brian screamed on the top of his lungs, “HOW MUCH TIME IN BETWEEN THE CONTRACTIONS? TEN MINUTES? OK, TEN MINUTES IN BETWEEN!” “And is this her first child?” Questioned the doctor. “NO YOU STUPID NITWIT, THIS IS HER HUSBAND!

Read more at:

rian’s stress level was at unsurpassed levels. His wife Maggie was in labor and Brian was sure it was time to head to the hospital. Breathing heavily, Brian grabbed the phone and called the doctor. “MY WIFE, SHE’S READY, SHOULD WE COME?” The doctor tried to relax the poor fellow, “just try to relax, now tell me how much time elapses between the contractions?” “SHIRLEY!” Brian screamed on the top of his lungs, “HOW MUCH TIME IN BETWEEN THE CONTRACTIONS? TEN MINUTES? OK, TEN MINUTES IN BETWEEN!” “And is this her first child?” Questioned the doctor. “NO YOU STUPID NITWIT, THIS IS HER HUSBAND!

Read more at:

rian’s stress level was at unsurpassed levels. His wife Maggie was in labor and Brian was sure it was time to head to the hospital. Breathing heavily, Brian grabbed the phone and called the doctor. “MY WIFE, SHE’S READY, SHOULD WE COME?” The doctor tried to relax the poor fellow, “just try to relax, now tell me how much time elapses between the contractions?” “SHIRLEY!” Brian screamed on the top of his lungs, “HOW MUCH TIME IN BETWEEN THE CONTRACTIONS? TEN MINUTES? OK, TEN MINUTES IN BETWEEN!” “And is this her first child?” Questioned the doctor. “NO YOU STUPID NITWIT, THIS IS HER HUSBAND!

Read more at:

rian’s stress level was at unsurpassed levels. His wife Maggie was in labor and Brian was sure it was time to head to the hospital. Breathing heavily, Brian grabbed the phone and called the doctor. “MY WIFE, SHE’S READY, SHOULD WE COME?” The doctor tried to relax the poor fellow, “just try to relax, now tell me how much time elapses between the contractions?” “SHIRLEY!” Brian screamed on the top of his lungs, “HOW MUCH TIME IN BETWEEN THE CONTRACTIONS? TEN MINUTES? OK, TEN MINUTES IN BETWEEN!” “And is this her first child?” Questioned the doctor. “NO YOU STUPID NITWIT, THIS IS HER HUSBAND!”

Read more at:

Brian’s stress level was at unsurpassed levels. His wife Maggie was in labor and Brian was sure it was time to head to the hospital. Breathing heavily, Brian grabbed the phone and called the doctor. “MY WIFE, SHE’S READY, SHOULD WE COME?” The doctor tried to relax the poor fellow, “just try to relax, now tell me how much time elapses between the contractions?” “SHIRLEY!” Brian screamed on the top of his lungs, “HOW MUCH TIME IN BETWEEN THE CONTRACTIONS? TEN MINUTES? OK, TEN MINUTES IN BETWEEN!” “And is this her first child?” Questioned the doctor. “NO YOU STUPID NITWIT, THIS IS HER HUSBAND!”

Read more at:

rian’s stress level was at unsurpassed levels. His wife Maggie was in labor and Brian was sure it was time to head to the hospital. Breathing heavily, Brian grabbed the phone and called the doctor. “MY WIFE, SHE’S READY, SHOULD WE COME?” The doctor tried to relax the poor fellow, “just try to relax, now tell me how much time elapses between the contractions?” “SHIRLEY!” Brian screamed on the top of his lungs, “HOW MUCH TIME IN BETWEEN THE CONTRACTIONS? TEN MINUTES? OK, TEN MINUTES IN BETWEEN!” “And is this her first child?” Questioned the doctor. “NO YOU STUPID NITWIT, THIS IS HER HUSBAND!”

Read more at:

regnancy Joke Brian’s stress level was at unsurpassed levels. His wife Maggie was in labor and Brian was sure it was time to head to the hospital. Breathing heavily, Brian grabbed the phone and called the doctor. “MY WIFE, SHE’S READY, SHOULD WE COME?” The doctor tried to relax the poor fellow, “just try to relax, now tell me how much time elapses between the contractions?” “SHIRLEY!” Brian screamed on the top of his lungs, “HOW MUCH TIME IN BETWEEN THE CONTRACTIONS? TEN MINUTES? OK, TEN MINUTES IN BETWEEN!” “And is this her first child?” Questioned the doctor. “NO YOU STUPID NITWIT, THIS IS HER HUSBAND!

Read more at:

rian’s stress level was at unsurpassed levels. His wife Maggie was in labor and Brian was sure it was time to head to the hospital. Breathing heavily, Brian grabbed the phone and called the doctor. “MY WIFE, SHE’S READY, SHOULD WE COME?” The doctor tried to relax the poor fellow, “just try to relax, now tell me how much time elapses between the contractions?” “SHIRLEY!” Brian screamed on the top of his lungs, “HOW MUCH TIME IN BETWEEN THE CONTRACTIONS? TEN MINUTES? OK, TEN MINUTES IN BETWEEN!” “And is this her first child?” Questioned the doctor. “NO YOU STUPID NITWIT, THIS IS HER HUSBAND!

Read more at: