Nice Notes 2025

This year was very difficult as my husband, Bob, sadly passed away on the Feast Day vigil less than 24 hours after complications from a massive stroke. My family and I were blessed with an abundance of prayers from so many of you who are “regulars” to the Virtual St. Joseph Altar. Your thoughts and prayers mean the world to me and I am deeply grateful. I can’t thank you all enough for the outpouring of love and support we experienced. Please continue to keep us all in your prayers and if you can, please pray the following for the souls in purgatory:

The Prayer of St. Gertrude
Eternal Father, I offer Thee the Most Precious Blood of Thy Divine Son, Jesus, in union with the masses said throughout the world today, for all the holy souls in purgatory, for sinners everywhere, for sinners in the universal church, those in my own home and within my family.

---

I don’t know if this will touch you the same way, but I thought I would share this.

I work in a Catholic Montessori school as the Elementary Catechist, for ages 6-12, I prepare the children for First Communion and Confession. We have 44 children in the class, 15 younger ones in the FHC prep.

When the class did the St Joseph Altar, I did wonder if they were understanding the history and significance or was it just an activity?

We read the new book from Word on Fire and they all enjoyed it. Later when the pastor asked what was this all about, a fifth grader summarized so well, bringing in the Sicilian famine and Fava beans.

Anyway, on Tuesday I was giving a meditation to the First Communicants on the Prodigal Son (Catechesis of the Good Shepherd calls it the Loving Father). At one point I was talking about the son wanting to eat the pods for the swine, trying to describe what that food would be.

One girl (age 7) got so excited. She raised her hand and said, “It probably was Fava beans!”

It just thrilled me that she made the connection—swine, famine, pig slop, etc. That means to me the Altar was a huge success!

Thanks again for all the inspiration you have provided.
J

---

I’m so sorry for your loss of your husband. That it was so close to St Joseph’s feast and all the work you have done honoring him, I can’t help feeling a bit consoled that Bob was accompanied by St Joseph. I am praying for the repose of his soul and your family’s comfort.
God bless, JM

---

I am so sorry for the loss of your husband, Bob.  Please know that I have put his name on my “Holy Souls” list and that he will be prayed for all month in November.  In the meantime, your husband will be in my prayers for the repose of his soul.

I don’t remember how or when I found the Virtual St. Joseph Altar, but I know I have been blessed by it.  I also know that it has been at least 15 years that I’ve been visiting the Altar, as my children, now all grown, enjoyed making the 3-D altar years and years ago.  I, too, am a New Orleanian, no longer in my beloved city.  Away from home, my husband and  I have made St. Joseph Altars for our family over the years.  Here in NJ, there are a few St. Joseph Altars, NONE of them like the lovely ones I remember back in New Orleans.  But, still, the devotion is there, and St. Joseph is honored.

Thank you for the Virtual St. Joseph Altar.  My family and I “visit” each year and have left prayer intentions.  As far as I’m concerned, there can NEVER be too much done to promote devotion to St. Joseph.  May our dear St. Joseph keep you and your family close to his Pure Heart.  Again, thank you, Evann.  God bless.
Pax, MC

---

You’ve been in my thoughts and prayers a lot these past few days. I’m so sorry about your husband’s passing. You really inspired me to make my first St. Joseph Altar with your presentation, and then with what has happened this week, I really wanted to make sure we created one. I feel like St. Joseph is watching over your family in a special way.
Love and Prayers, MK

---

I don’t know you or your husband, but look at it this way, there sits your husband with Saint Joseph. I bet he got to meet St Joseph face to face. (and you ought to know what St Joseph is considered the patron of, right?) God rest his soul, ML

---

And, so many sweet comments on this Facebook post.

And, below!