Prayer Quilt

Father Joseph slept on his couch for about the whole month before he passed away.  We had obtained  hospice bed for him about the same time but he was not ready to make that transition.  It was almost as if he was telling us once I am in that bed I will have transitioned into the next phase.  So we never pushed him into anything he was not ready for.  Thursday night before he passed, Fr Kevin and I had to help Father Joseph for several hours with some tasks.  It was incredibly painful to see him go through these tasks again not taking anything away from him.  Before he went back to the couch,  we discussed with him the option of this bed that was very comfortable and would help him with some of the  pressure sores he had on his body that were being irritated by sleeping on the  couch and the fact that this bed could be adjusted with height and head and leg position.  He agreed to try it.  A few weeks earlier  I  had made with bed linens that were similar in texture to the couch so that it would feel similar on  his broken down skin.  I searched in a closet and found a quilt made by a homeschool group out in Kennesaw, GA from St. Catherine's.  One side was made of a fabric bought at a store with prayers on it.  The other side was square quilt pieces they put prayers on from different families and some had drawn pictures.  I just picked the prayer fabric side again for the texture against his skin.  The square side may have had some bumps or stitching that he may or may not  of been sensitive to.  When he passed away and the funeral home came to take him away, I picked up the quilt and found that the underside where his head wound was positioned as he lay there was on top of the square someone had stitched in the Sacred Heart of Jesus.

Thank you for those who made this  blanket and the amount of time, love and prayer you put into it.  He was "surrounded" by this even to his final days.  Keep praying for him.  God Bless all of you. 
Sacred Heart of Jesus pray for us.

Last View of the Ocean

This was taken during our trip to Puerto Rico.  This was his last trip to the beach.  Video is a bit shaky but I wanted to share with those who are unable to make a trip to the beach. God works in mysterious ways as it so happened that the four of us who were able to make the trip were the four along with mom and dad who were at his deathbed.

It is Mother's day today as I post.  Father Joseph really loved his mother.  I truly believe more than she ever will know. Please give your mom a hug and a kiss today for all that she has done for you through your life.  God bless

Incensing the Altar

This was the last time he incensed the altar. This was at the confirmation mass for his niece Christina Vivanco. January 23,  2015.

Never an Opportunity Miss

Father Joseph spread the word in very creative ways

He found a website where he could design his own front plate for his car.

These were his various license plates.

 

 

Priests who assisted "soldiers"

 

His little sister Elizabeth drew this.

Fellow Priest saying final farewells

Thank You

I took my son to the orthopedist yesterday for a follow up visit.  The day after Father Joseph passed away, my son was out on a longboard (a board longer than the typical skateboard) and he decided to use a cell phone app to clock an average speed he was going.  Needless to say he got up to 32 miles per hour.  He had a helmet on like a smart fellow but no shoes.  Of all the nephews of Father, my son is the only one who has served for the Archbishop and under Mr. Huynh so it was looking as if this was not going to be possible.  Thankfully the only take away from the accident was a wrist injury that needed only local bracing and a foot injury that needed a small boot and he was able to serve.
So at the appointment yesterday the doctor said, "how far are we out from the incident, six weeks?"  Of course you have to recall what event it was around and memories of that week returned.  At my workplace on the wall is my diploma from college.  It hangs above the copy machine and looking at it the other day I was reminded of 26 years ago and some of the events of that day.
Father Joseph carrying me in the parking lot.

Now we are ending the month of April and entering the month of May.  One in which we remember the Mother of God and her fiat saying yes to the mission that she was asked to fulfill. Father Joseph realized how special the role of Mary's was and wished to share her with all.

He shared this statue of Our Lady of Fatima with many in the Atlanta Diocese.


During this time, I wish to thank all of you from the diocese and from all over for the prayers and sacrifices you offered for Father Joseph.  During those long months, we all rallied together to serve him in the way God had fit for each of us.  Each one of our jobs was no smaller or greater than the others.  The outpouring at the wake and funeral was heaven sent and beautiful.  That memory will never fade.  God bless all of you and the mission you are presently in.  Walk strongly with the Lord and help one another along.  Giv'em heaven.