St. Philip's Church

Good Morning Everyone:

My spiritual minute will be about “family”. 

What do you think about when you hear the word “family”?  (Pause)  You may think about your mom, dad, significant other or your children.

In my life, I have had to expand the definition due to necessity.  My family also consists of my church family.

Just to give you a little background about, I was born to a 17 years old girl who was married but her husband left her a few weeks after I was born.  So, my grandmother raised me.  Growing up in the day of the traditional family, I was frequently asked “Where is your Mom?” (Pause) “Where is your Dad?”.  I would have to answer she is in California.  (Pause)  She is in Texas is this month.  I would also have to answer, that I do not know where my father is and that was very difficult for a small child to say and for others to understand.

Now my mom would re-appear periodically over the years.  This would always start out as a happy event.  She would be exited about her new job or the new man in her life, as both would change frequently.  I would always hope and pray that this would be the time I could be “normal” and have a “normal” family.

As I grew from a cute baby, whom she would show off, to an adolescent I was then introduced by my mom as her “sister”.  This was so she was not embarrassed by the fact her daughter was so old.  When I was nineteen, I even joined the Army to leave all the drama behind.

Now let’s fast forward to my meeting and marrying my wonderful husband Bob.  We were expecting our first child and we decided to go “church shopping”.  Bob was raised catholic and I was raised informally religious.  (This is the easiest way to describe my religious upbringing.)  So this was a challenge to find a church that met both our needs.  We came to St. Philips about 8 years ago for the first time and we loved the people instantly.  We even stayed at our first coffee hour until 3 pm talking with the Manseau, Katusich and Drew families just to name a few.  We had found our church and soon to be our church family.

Since then Beverly Ann is my Godmother, and therefore “Grand Godmother” to our children or G.G. as we affectionately call her.  Bob is Alpha Etinde’s Godfather and The Pellands are a close part of our family.  Bonnie has cared for Olivia as she would her own and Olivia considers Ernie to be her grandfather.

In summary, you are all a part of my family and you have filled a void in my heart.  (Smile)  You may have not known it but you all have been unofficially adopted by me and I THANK YOU.

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Last Updated: July 20, 2008
128 Main Street (Rt 10), Easthampton, MA 01027
Tel: (413) 527-0862    Email: info@saintphilipseasthampton.org