Késsinnimek - Roots - Racines

One of our chaplains once started his sermon by asking the question “How do you make God laugh?” The answer: “Tell him your plans.” The topic of the homily was the eternal truth that no matter how organized we are, God finds a way to remind us that He is in charge, and we must be humble enough to recognize this. It’s a lesson that I’ve been taught again and again, for I seem to have a short memory when it comes to that fact. Recently I heard an interesting story that seems to prove the chaplain’s point, and I’d like to share it with you...

America the Beautiful in Anishinabe: A favourite song of ours from before the English and Français arrived.

I liked Frances Lachance version. Not really being person who discusses religion ( I won't convert you, you won't convert me), I rarely go there.

In December 1999, I discovered Blessed Kateri Tekakwitha. My sister Rita and her husband Richard, my wife Annette and I were visiting the LaSalette Shrine in Attleboro, MA, when I saw, in the gift shop, a religious card with an Indian maiden and a prayer. I immediately seized the card and realized for the first time in my life that there was a Native American who was Blessed and a candidate for Sainthood in the Catholic Church...

This was sent to me via our magazine's email address The author is unknown to this editor.
About Rick Warren (REMEMBER HE WROTE- PURPOSE DRIVEN LIFE)
You will enjoy the new insights that Rick Warren has, with his wife now having cancer and him having "wealth" from the book sales. This is an absolutely incredible short interview with Rick Warren, "Purpose Driven Life " author and pastor of Saddleback Church in California .

This is AWESOME!
A 92-year-old, petite, well-poised and proud man, who is fully dressed each morning by eight o'clock, with his hair fashionably combed and shaved, even though he is legally blind, moved to a nursing home today.

On June 24, 2007, the parishioners and guests celebrated the 25th Anniversary of the Beatification of Blessed Kateri Tekakwitha in their Church in Exeter, Rhode Island. The Revered Gerard O. Sabourin was the celebrant. We prayed that Kateri would be named Saint Kateri Tekakwitha soon by the Vatican.

I reached into her "Gosselin file" and pulled out a photo-copy of a bona fide Louisiana marriage contract. I can imagine my Grandmother Asselia standing over a file drawer at a Parish courthouse, file in hand, pouring over the terms of her Great- Grandmother Harriet's marriage contract to Simon Gosselin, the blond hair on the back of her neck standing on end. Locate Anais' Gosselin Gaschet de Lisle's photograph on page 7-44 of Pioneering in America with the Beville family; notice a woman of advanced years, a hint of a smile playing on her rather plump, attractive face. Now, look closely at Anais' photograph; you'll spot a definite twinkle in her dark eyes. I can only imagine that growing up in the Gosselin household of the mid 1800's contributed substantially to that twinkle...

’ai plongé la main dans son « dossier Gosselin » et j’en ai retiré la photocopie d’un authentique contrat de mariage conclu en Louisiane. Je peux imaginer ma grand-mère Assélia penchée sur un tiroir à fichiers dans le palais de justice d’une paroisse, le dossier à la main, étudiant les clauses du contrat de mariage passé entre son arrière-grand-mère Harriet et Simon Gosselin, ses cheveux blonds se dressant tout droit sur sa nuque. Si l’on regarde la photographie d’Anaïs Gosselin Gaschet de Lisle, à la page 7-44 de Pioneering in America with the Beville Family, on remarque une femme d’un âge avancé, l’ombre d’un sourire sur un visage plutôt rebondi et attirant. En examinant alors de près la photographie d’Anaïs, on repère un pétillement malicieux dans ses yeux sombres. Je peux imaginer que le fait de grandir dans le foyer Gosselin vers les années 1850 a beaucoup contribué à ce pétillement.

My dear old mother spoke English some Spanish and pretty good French! I remember her telling my sisters that a woman needed to know this phrase in every language ~ "J'ai mal à la tête!" which translates into English as "I have a headache!" I have written a children's book in Spanish and English, another in Russian and English and am currently at work on one in Chinese and English! I am having the devil's own time of it teaching myself Welsh, but will keep trying. I can think of no good reason to learn French; if you have interest in a second language, I would suggest and recommend Spanish...

I too have been a cradle Catholic and I have worked in the church most of my life. In fact, when I worked as a Chaplain in a parish, the most often heard comment was that the people I was ministering to felt that I understood their needs and concerns because I was married...

It was 1951. The young soldier looked out the window of the transport plane at the Pacific Ocean below, thinking he’d be lucky if they crashed before arriving in Korea, where he would be headed for Heartbreak Ridge. He was sure to be killed by the enemy or imprisoned by the U.S. Army. Why? Because he knew he would not be able to fire his weapon...

Perhaps it is only a coincidence, or perhaps it is for the same reason that “gee,” “golly,” and “gosh” begin with the letter “g,” that Samuel de Champlain encountered the legends of three giants, all of whose names begin with “g.”...

In May and June of 2006, I presented the story of several generations of my Benoît ancestors, descendants of Philippe Benoît, first of this Benoît line to arrive in New France. Family responsibilites and other matters have prevented me from continuing their story until now. It seems providential that this delay occurred because there is now much more to add to what I originally wrote...

Each time I read the Bible stories of Mary and Martha and Susanna, I wonder: Which one am I?

Maine's famous poet Henry Wadsworth Longfellow was born in 1807 and celebrating his 200th birthday this year. He was 40 years old when his world popular poem "Evangeline" was published. For Francoise Paradis of Old Orchard Beach, Evangeline's French Acadian icon spirit is stronger then ever. Paradis is passionate to teach others about the heroine's seemingly immortal story.

Although Franco-Americans share a common history and cultural heritage rooted in their French ancestry, there's actually diversity within the society.
For example, the Acadians' history, with roots in Nova Scotia (Acadie), differentiates them from the Quebecois in Canada.

...Our farm finally acquired a carabao which came like a grace in April , hence her name. I had been praying to St Joseph to send us a carabao, a work animal that is so vitally needed in a farm ,especially with the rains coming . Unbelievably , on the third day of praying, Gene Villena txted that she would like to donate half the cost of a carabao so I can get going with my farm plans...

Dina était une amoureuse de Jésus Eucharistie. Voici une des prières qu'elle répétait souvent.
Dina was a lover of Jesus in the Eucharist. Here is a prayer which she repeated often.