One Huge Family
Posted: Friday, August 22, 2008
by Omega In Christo
I had an extraordinary experience today and if i don't write about it, I could be delinquent. It all has to do with an unique family of 24 adopted children and seven natural children. They are the family of Mary Jo and Michael Jackson.
They live nearby and visited us today at the shrine of Our Lady Of Martyrs. Only fifteen came because the rest were at camp or playing some sport, possibly soccer.
My main feeling today was just wonder and awesome delight. Some of the children, who vary from age of 6 to 15, are in wheel chairs; some are deaf; others are struggling with walking. Can I truly say this? They do not "know" they are handicapped!
While they went on a brief pilgrimage on the grounds, guided by some of our retreatants, Mary Jo spoke to us about her life with these unique, happy children. f irst of all, the seven of her natural children are grown and living away from home—they too love these children!
Mary Jo is a very quiet, uniquely efficient and spiritually very balanced woman. s he has a huge house with 42 acres. h er husband m ichael is financially well to do and works in a field that enables him to work at home and help out. b oth are college graduates. m ary j o has a m asters degree in child psychology.
Some of the retreatants who listened to her talk were older and have raised their children. t hey asked questions like "don't you get overwhelmed with laundry, doctors, squabbles amd just fatigue?" Mary Jo says that this can happen at times but she admits that spiritually she is able to move through the times of trial. She says that it is the Grace of God. She said her main goal is to prepare these children to live in this culture effectively within their capacity.
We ended with Mass. Two of the boys helped serve. The children were absolutely quiet and peaceful. t hey sang the songs and the older ones received communion. All I know is that I will continue to remember this day in wonder. If you want to look up this family and is listed in the internet as "onehughfamily"
You may think that this is naive and impossible. If you were here, you would, in awe, might have to say "it's unbelievable" and it is but for the Grace Of God.
Now i do not feel delinquent.
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Top-level comments on this article: (3 total)hello you may not know me but i once was part of the jackson family yes mary jo and micheal were my parents once but they got rid of em and my sister eileen when i was seventeen and she was sixteen so i would publcize how great they are they cant handle kids thats why they send then away!!!Clare I am so sorry Please leave your address so I can write to you.
have you ever tried to contact them, or have they ever tried to contact you? maybe you should try, see what happens
I am so sorry this happen to you and your sister. Do you and eileen ever get to speak to each other. Do Mary Jo or Michael ever contact you or your sister to see how you are doing. I was wondering what happen to you and eileen, because I have not seen your pictures for some time. God bless you take care of your self, and get a good education. prepare yourself for the future. Look out for your self.
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