2024 has been an extraordinary year of blessings for the Seith Family. At the end of March, we welcomed our 5th grandchild, Joseph Frassati, courtesy of Kaitlyn and Chris McGrath. Then in July we officially welcomed the new Caitlin Marie Seith into the family and in turn, she and Eric announced in the Fall that they were blessed with our 6th grandbaby who we will get to meet in person in May of 2025. Everyone is just over-the-moon excited including the McGrath kids who had been praying for a cousin from their mommy’s side of the family. It seems that between baby and wedding showers, Fr. Chris’ 10 Anniversary to the priesthood celebration, Joseph’s Baptism, Caeli’s 1st Communion and the regular host of birthdays and holiday celebrations, the Seiths have been partying the whole year round.
Bob’s been ridiculously busy with his work this year. He’s rewriting a program for his company that he wrote and ran for the past 35 years. Joni thinks they realize that retirement is on his mind and they are trying to suck as much out of him before that happens. He’s been continuing his deacon-duties at Sacred Heart: preparing homilies, bringing Holy Communion to those who are sick, and leading The Chosen classes. Bob has also been teaching classes for the Secular Carmelite Group that he belongs to, and continues to assists in the Unbound Ministry with Joni.
This year Joni was asked to give two talks at the National Deacons Conference, lead a retreat for Walking with Purpose Women, and doing some talks and radio and podcast interviews. Considering that she has been having repair work done on her jaw much of this year, it’s hard to believe she can run her mouth so much. Or is it?! Joni continues to enjoy playing in her art room with her BFF, Mary and of course spending time with the family. It’s hard to believe there was even time to fit in a few restful trips to Ocean City this year, but we sacrificed and made a way. Lol!
The McGraths are having a beautiful year with the addition of baby Joseph. Little Jo Jo’s feet seem to never touch the ground, as his sibling can’t bear to have him out of their arms. And his giggles are the best! Kolbe is now a teenager and Karolyn will be double digits (10) at the end of this year. Caeli will be playing the Blessed Virgin Mary in the Nativity play this year and Bri will be running the world any day now. She might be tiny but she is a force to be reckoned with. Kaitlyn is an amazing mom and homeschool teacher and all-around person! And Chris Mc continues to balance his husband, daddy and accountant hats with extraordinary precision and exhaustion.
Chris is extremely busy at St. John Paul II Seminary with his Spiritual Directing duties as well as serving God in many other ways. He has completed his second book Joseph Pieper Speaks to Seminarians for the Institute of Priestly Formation (IPF). Fr. Chris ends his year with taping a slew of interviews for EWTN’s Life on the Rock and Book Nook, Mother Natalia’s Podcast, What God is Not, and Cor ad Cor with Mother and Father episodes for Joni’s YouTube channel and painofgrace.com blog. All of these projects will be viewable in 2025. So, stay tuned.
Logan, who STILL loves living in Texas, continues to share his talents with his many percussion students and performs with the Fort Worth Symphony Orchestra on a regular basis. Five of the six percussion spots for his county’s Honors Band were filled by Logan’s students. He has also been working on instructional, entertaining (and some hilarious) videos which you should check out on youtube. Search Logan Percussion. You’ll be glad you did!
Eric and Caitie are living in Northern, VA. Eric LOVES his job teaching Religion and Math at Queen of Apostles School. The students awarded Eric with “The Most Likely to Become a Doctor of the Church” award this past year. Caitie is a hospice nurse and all of her patients are blessed to have such a caring and knowledgeable nurse taking care of them.
Samwise (Sammy the Terror Pup) is still adorable and incredibly playful and has both Joni and Bob wrapped around his little paws! He adds much laughter and aggravation to our lives, especially when he decides to let the world know that he is in charge, in the middle of the night.
We hope that 2024 has been a good year for you as well, and that many blessings will be shed on you and yours in 2025.
May God bless you all! With love and prayers from the Seith Family
Pain of Grace 