Letters from Grandma

by Alice Ann Grayson

Dear Lily and Isabelle,

It is only a couple of days since Lily’s First Holy Communion and only eight days from Isabelle’s. I am still basking in the joy of these two events and I want to share that joy with you. You will remember your First Holy Communion all the days of your life.

I know that the priests spoke to you about food. They said that Holy Communion is the spiritual food for your soul just as regular food is food for your body. Obviously God thought of that in that he chose the forms of food and drink, (bread and wine) to be transformed into Himself for you, for me, for all of us who respond to his invitation to love Him, and to love others.

So first of all, what does that love mean? It does not mean that you have to like everybody, because people do lots of things which make us not like them. Fr. Paul Mankowski, S.J. put it this way. “ We are not in charge of fondness, but we are responsible for kindness.” That means, because we have within us the graces (gifts) of Jesus Christ, which God won for us by His life, death, and resurrection, we Catholics have the power to be kind to people we don’t like, or who make us mad, or who hurt us. When we fail to use this grace we sin. But even then God rescues us with the sacrament of Confession.

Also, now that you understand that the Mass is the sacrifice of Jesus’s life, His death, and His resurrection, you know that the graces God obtained for us have no limit. His offering on our behalf is totally sufficient to overcome all problems. Even though sometimes we don’t understand why things happen, God said that “All things work together for the good.” Be sure to tell Him your worries because He can help you with those graces you need. Every Mass said all over the world, at every hour of the day, is really one Mass, one offering of God for us to overcome all evil including death. It is a promise of eternal life for those who love him.

What’s more, you have heard that almost all God’s friends left him alone during his suffering. He was all alone in the garden where he was arrested. But, through the Mass, God gives us a chance to be present, to go back in time, to those sad but victorious days, when God suffered and conquered death for all time. So, God does not have to be alone. You are there with Him every time you go to Mass, and anytime you want you can visit Him in the tabernacle where He waits for your company because He loves you. Even when you stop what you are doing, and say a prayer, God is with you. In fact, he is with you all the time. He is thinking of you even when you are not thinking of Him! Wow. Friends like to be with friends.

When I go to Holy Communion, I think about the manger which God’s mother, Mary, used for a cradle for her baby. Once I read that a manger needs to be still, empty, ready, sturdy, and soft inside. Long ago Papa and I made up a Christmas card Christmas card reflecting on how to become a manger. When you receive Jesus in Holy Communion, ask God to make you still- by being peaceful and confident that God is in charge; by being ready- to do the next loving thing; by being empty- making God’s desires number one; by being sturdy- always standing up for the truth and for goodness; and by being soft inside- by being kind when you really don’t feel like it.

With God’s Divine presence within you, you are equipped to live a fruitful and joyful life. We owe God a huge thank you. Everyone does, so be sure to thank God everyday for Himself, and for all the good things he does for you.

Love,

Muma


Letter to Lily on the Occasion of her First confession

Dear Lily,

Pope Francis has said that the most important gift which parents can give their children is their Catholic Faith. Papa and I gave that precious gift to your Mom, and she and your Dad love you so much that they have given it to you. (And Pop and Grandma did that for your Dad.)

As you make your first confession, thank Jesus for teaching you what is good and what is naughty, and thank him for always forgiving you when you tell him you are sorry. God will make you perfect through all his sacraments. Always remember to tell God that you love Him, that you are sorry when you displease Him, and that you are grateful for His love. Papa and I are grateful for you because you are so dear.

Love- Muma and Papa


Letter to Cecilia on the Occasion of being accepted to a good school.

Dear Ceci,

I am just home from traveling to New York to wish Dr.Alice von Hildebrand a happy ninety-third birthday. You know that she is a distinguished philosopher and a dear friend of mine and your mother’s. Her philosophical works- her lectures and writings- and those of her late husband, Dietrich von Hildebrand teach us a great deal on how to live a virtuous life of joy and intellectual excellence. Their work is your inheritance because you belong to your mother and to me. In fact, it is the inheritance of all who discover their work and seek wisdom. I hope you study their work and become a strong advocate for objective truth and the Catholic Faith.

I write now because I am thrilled that you will continue your education at Portsmouth Abbey. There you will find the opportunities to develop your many talents, and that development will be your gift to God- for him to use you to serve others in remarkable ways. It is a great responsibility, and I believe you are “up” for it. A life of love, in the service to Our Lord, using all that you learn about important things will bring you joy. In fact- that is what God said in scripture. "I have told you this ( His Commandments) that my joy may be in you, and that your joy will be complete.” ( John 15-11)

As I drove home, I listened to some tapes on wisdom. Wisdom, which is what I hope you acquire at Portsmouth Abbey, is the path which leads to joy. Brother Francis Malouf, MICM, rendered a definition of wisdom. He wrote:

"Wisdom is the most perfect knowledge, of the most important truths, in the right order of emphasis, accompanied by a total, permanent disposition to live accordingly.”

Both Papa and I congratulate you on your past accomplishments and your future studies in one of the premiere schools in the United States. Be wise in your use of your time there and be grateful to your parents for giving you this opportunity.

Love,

Muma

P.S. Your first assignment: Memorize the definition of wisdom, and pursue it!

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