The Hinkes are a pious, active, and virtuous family. I think the best way to introduce them is to touch on all three. I hope this article will help everyone get to know them.

 

The Hinkes are very active and have a lot of hobbies. They like to play board games, and Blaise (age 7) has mastered Connect Four and is learning how to play chess from his dad. Philomena (age 11) loves geography and knows an impressive amount about it. They are currently studying animals. Some of their favorites are rhinoceroses, tigers, and the serval (which is a wild cat that can jump over six feet and catch birds in mid-air). They have 40 cousins in Houston alone and visit them often.

 

Throughout the interview, Mrs. Maria (who is the new Spanish teacher, by the way) was always joyful and encouraging. They do a lot of things outside like hiking, and play sports like gymnastics and Ninja Warrior (obstacle course, e.g. American Ninja Warrior). But staying active doesn’t seem to get in the way of living out their faith.

 

When asked about their favorite saint and quote, they showed me two different walls dedicated to those two things. They knew a lot about the faith and they incorporate it into their daily lives with books, the Angelus and the Divine Mercy Chaplet daily, and of course their two walls of saints and quotes.

 

They have several, but one of their favorite quotes is St. Padre Pio’s: “Pray, hope, and don’t worry.” Some of their favorite saints were St. Lucy Yi Zhenmei from China, Blessed Chiara Badano, and of course St. Blaise and St. Philomena (whom the children are named after). One of their favorite scripture verses is Philippians 4:13: “I can do all things in Christ who strengthens me.”

 

We also talked a lot about how earthly pleasures are fleeting and that Christ is our only source of true joy.

 

Overall, the Hinkes are a great family and I can’t wait to get to know them better… and I hope you do too!