Reading · Mere Tradition with Kennedy Hall

My wife and I thought we would give you a more personal update. We know you are well aware of our situation and, if you’re able, are praying the St. Clare novena with our family as we lead up to August 12th, the birth of our 8th child.

This will be my wife’s 8th C-section, and as you know, we welcomed our 7th child into the world, crying and wanting his mom just like the others - only 9 short months ago. Our sweet baby Gabriel, who now rests in the arms of Our Lady, and his new baby sister will only be 10 months apart. This was a surprise and a joyous one for us all, so soon after such an immeasurable loss… and simultaneously an immense gain as we now have a saint in heaven praying for our family… praying specifically for this situation.

With that said, this 8th C-section is causing some problems, and the doctors are prepared to operate on my wife while assuming placenta accreta is present. We know this is a complication that many women have faced, and we thank God that He has given us as many children as He has in 10 years.

Come the day my wife finally arrives home, it will be over 3 months since she’s been gone. This time with her away has been such a cross for the whole family, especially with the added grief we all still carry from our sweet Gabriel. We are a bit worn out, but God has seen us through this in ways we can’t quantify - tangible realities like dates and chains of events and also spiritual consolations that can’t be understood through words. Without Him, we would not be here; we would not be standing.

All this to say, the children miss their mother deeply, and I miss my wife and I can’t even begin to speak to the weight on my wife’s heart as well. But we truly have made the most of it with visits and phone calls and family rosary on FaceTime etc. Here are some pictures of our visits during this time…

*Movie time in Mom’s room was always a highlight for the kids*

Celebrating Samson’s 7th birthday in the hospital Atrium, while not ideal in many ways, will be a memory we will look back on with fondness and a marker of our desire to keep the family running as normally as possible during such an abnormal time.

*Charles and Clementine enjoy cruising around the hospital in Mom’s wheelchair!*

Here we have from left to right, Shiloh Gerard (9), Clementine Joy-Anne (4), Charles Marcel Emmanuel (2), Samson Michael (7), Clover Kennedy (8) and Titus Xavier (10). And, of course, Gabriel Augustine (9 months in heaven)

*Listening to baby sister’s heartbeat and kicks was also a special treat. Most of the younger kids never experienced it, as they weren’t brought to appointments like the first couple have been.*

We wanted to thank you yet again, as you support us through another challenging time with your prayers and subscriptions. I will not be as present, starting next week, for a little while as we lead up to the birth of our baby and I help my wife through a very challenging recovery. But I will be here. I will be praying and offering sacrifices for you, my subscribers, and your intentions, and I will be looking forward to my full return, answering Q and A’s and delivering content that, thankfully, you all seem to enjoy.

If you have ever considered becoming a paid subscriber, now is the time. I thank you deeply for your consideration in this investment in my work - what I aim to be for the good of The Church - and my family.

Dear Subscribers | An Update on Challenges ahead, and Cherished Blessings and Crosses

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