A gift for Lucy

Back around the Feast of St. Lucy, Matthew over at the Shrine posted an image he created of this early saint.

Intriguied, I hit the little 'email me' button on the Shrine sidebar, thinking, 'Hmmm, new niece named Lucy, I wonder...'

Lo and behold, the humble artist quite readily agreed to not only a print of the first, but an original copy, handsigned and mailed to the youngest member of Clan Schnippel.

Mom, Dad and Big Sis were all duly impressed with the turnout.

As to Lucy, she just drooled on it; but hey that's what 5 month olds do!

Thanks, Matthew, and I can't wait to see it myself.

Grateful for Gifts

Anonomous gifts. Never expected, sometimes dreaded, perhaps stunning (although that can be a rarity!)

I had an all school Mass at McNicholas High School this morning. Nothing extraordinary about that.

But, since Mass ended a little before noon, I headed next door to the seminary for lunch. (Membership has its priveledges.)

As I'm heading through the line, Jim stops me and says: "Hey, someone dropped off a painting for you last night while I was working in the library. It's up in my room, get it after lunch?"

(Cut to Father scratching his head...) Jim: "Oh, he thought you lived here and didn't seem to inclined to driving downtown." Right.... Father's getting nervous at this point.

Maybe I should explain. I've gotten art work in the past that reflected the giver's taste, but I wouldn't hang it in a closet in a spare bedroom! So, anytime something shows up, especially when unexpected, I always get a bit nervous.

Luckily, my nerves were unfounded. It was a good size, limited edition (#6 of 1,200!), print of Pope Benedict XVI. It was framed in a very nice frame, too! The card was signed: "You are such a blessing to spreading the faith and promoting vocations to the Church. God Bless and all your work." Unfortunately, I can't read the signature, but I greatly appreciate it.

Now my biggest concern is where to hang it, hmmm....