San Antonio Catholic Churches

San Antonio, Texas has many beautiful Catholic churches. During our latest visit the city, I took some pictures to share with family, friends and readers.

Women & Spirit: Catholic Sisters In America

Mark and I visited the Women & Spirit: Catholic Sisters In America exhibit at the Dallas Women's Museum on September 26, 2009.

As a Catholic, this was a once-in-a-lifetime experience that helped me understand the role of the Catholic Sisters in education, medicine and social services in the United States through the years.

I hope the photos can tell a better story than I could ever tell.

Note: the cutlines are mostly re-written from the tags under each item at the exhibit.

The National Shrine of Our Lady of The SnowsIn Belleville, IL

While driving through Illinois on our way back from Michigan last June, I saw a sign to The National Shrine of Our Lady of The Snows near Belleville, Ill. All I said to Mark was, "Turn here."

That's how my magical night started at the most calming place I've visited in a very long time. I needed this unexpected turn during our trip back to Dallas more than I thought.

This was definitely a gift from Mother Mary to me. It's the place I envision when I'm in doubt, pain or need to say a little prayer.

Bronner's Christmas Wondrland In Frankenmuth, Michigan

We visited Bronner's Christmas Wonderland in Frankenmuth, Michigan on June 2, 2009. This was Mark's first visit to the place and my second. You can say, we enjoyed Christmas shopping in June.

The place is certainly a Christmas wonderland. Here's some pictures to share with you.

A Very Merry Main Street Market

Merry Christmas everyone. I hope you enjoy the company of family and friends.

One of my favorite Christmas traditions is the gingerbread house. So, I went earlier this month to the Very Merry Main Street Market at Beaumont Civic Center. It was fun to watch the kids working hard to build the gingerbread houses. It was more fun to watch the parents take the task very seriously.



Merry Christmas everyone

Indian Day With The Alabama-Coushatta Tribe Members

Last year, I accompanied Mark during his assigment to cover the Indian Day celebration at the Indian Village Assembly of God church near the Alabama-Coushatta Indian reservation in Southeast Texas.

On Sunday, we were invited to the annual event. Mark had the day off. So, he didn't take any pictures. That's cool with me because I didn't have to compete with his excellent photojournalism skills.

It was a very nice experience. As usual, the food was great and made with love. We felt honored to be invited to the event.

The Patriot Guard Riders Were In Beaumont

On Sep. 26, Staff Sgt. Edward Charles Reynolds from Port Arthur became another casuality of the war in Iraq. He leaves behind three children and a fiancee'. His second tour was about to finish in November. His wedding was planned for December. But, fate had a different plan for him and his family.

As it's become the custom lately, members of the radical Westboro Baptist Church of Kansas decided to picket Reynold's funeral. Word spread quickly and the Patriot Gaurd Riders headed toward Beaumont to counter protest the WBC. Unlike the WBC members, the Riders understand soldiers' funerals are about the family and honor rather than gay phobia or other issues.

On Saturday morning, more than 200 riders assembled at the parking lot of Home Depot in Beaumont. Most of them drove long hours to be on time for the funeral. Less than 10 WBC members -- including children -- showed up for their picket show.

Mark had the day off. So, we decided to document the Riders preparation and the funeral. Here are some of the pictures I took during the event.





We decided to leave after the arrival of the family during Reynold's funeral service. I felt the family needed some privacy from the cameras.

Oh and BTW, the WBC protesters, who were kept 500 feet from the church premises by state law and troopers, left before the funeral service started. I'm coming to the conclusion their main purpose is to get the media's attention.

A Tasting For Some Other Place

On Tuesday evening, the Beaumont Civic Center buzzed with people who came to taste the delicious food made by different organizations and churches for the annual "A Tasting For Some Other Place." The proceeds from the event go to Some Other Place. The Beaumont Enterprise states:

Some Other Place - an ecumenical mission that provides food, clothing and household goods as well as financial assistance for rent, medications and utilities for the indigent in Southeast Texas.

This was my first time to attend the event. I enjoyed the atmosphere and the spirit of good will and giving. I didn't taste any of the food because I was busy making photographs to document the event for this blog.

The Last Days of Christ Annual Reenactment

On Saturday, I went with Mark during his assignment for The Beaumont Enterprise to cover the Last Days of Christ annual reenactment at the Christian Cathedral High School in Beaumont, Texas.

I really enjoyed going back in time to the old Jerusalem. As usual, I took many pictures as you can see below.

Happy Easter everyone.