Spring Has Sprung, and will be Leaking Tomorrow

Yesterday it was sunny and going on 60 degrees. Today it was even sunnier and nearly 70! Spring is really here, and to think, last week we had a snow storm, which is typical of Midwest spring weather.

Tomorrow of course, because I have to drive to Gradual School, there will be a storm. My only solace is that the storm will water the lovely flowers that are sprouting up all over my flower beds and front lawn.

I love Indiana in the spring. Pretty soon the Dogwoods and Redbuds will start to bloom, and the hills will be filled with color. Spring rivals fall for colorful drives around here because of the flowering trees.

In between raindrops tomorrow I want to remember that God is taking care of creation. I just hope he keeps his more forceful displays of "affection" for our little corner of the world until after I am safely in my room down there and not on the road.

Pax

Breathe in me Breath of Life

My breathing is returning to normal, but still I have moments when I catch myself gasping and sputtering for my next breath.

Did you know that the word Spirit comes from the word Breath? I was pondering that this morning as I lay in bed trying to relax and breathe as normally as possible. I was asking God to bring my next breath to me; trusting that He is loving me into existence and imagining Him breathing His Spirit into me.

When I told my pops, about my asthma attack he related a story about when his daughter was nine years old and had an asthma attack. He told her that the scary monster that was stealing her breath couldn't take both of their breaths away. He helped her calm down by promising to breathe for her, so for each breath she took he took a breath right along with her until she was breathing calmly again. He promised to offer me (his adopted daughter) that same service, should I ever need it. Next time the monster comes to steal my breath I just have to imagine that he is near, helping me to breathe the monster away.

Inthis episode I have learned a great deal about trusting, and surrendering, and listening to those who know more than I about my medical care.

So, today I am breathing, as deeply as I can, and each breath is very sweet because it comes as a meditation on a God who loves me, and friends who care enough to allay my fears.

God is good, all the time.

Pax

Saintly Quote for the Day

"The measure of love is to love without measure."

-St. Francis de Sales

When "I Can Handle This On My Own" Isn't Such a Good Idea

I got a royal chewing out from my Dr. Today. On Friday I had a run in with something I have recently found out I am allergic to. In fact I accidentally ingested this substance at two meals on Friday.

For the entire afternoon I knew that I was having a bit of a wheezing problem, but I really didn't feel that bad. I just had to work a little harder to get air than I normally do. These allergies are so new to me, and they ususally just cause, well to be delicate, problems that might be considered to be lower down on my body. This was the first ever time I have had what could be considered an asthma attack.

Over the weekend I felt as though I was getting a chest cold. My Dr. Informed me that that was my lungs shutting down. Lucky for me that I was still getting enough oxygen to live, because I sure wasn't getting much breath deep into my lungs.

She was pretty sore at me for not calling her or taking my symptoms more seriously.

I guess I just figured that I could handle it. Famous last words. I am sure that is what Jim Henson said right before he keeled over.

So, I left her office with a prescription for an inhaler that I have to use every four hours for the short term until this tight feeling in my chest goes away, and an appointment with an Allergy and Asthma specialist in two days, and a promise that I will take the next attack more seriously.

I guess I learned my lesson, ASk FOR HELP!

That is why God gave us medicine.

I actually do feel much better.


Pax

The End is Near

I spent a little bit of time today going over the rest of my requirements for Gradual School. I just realized that after this semester I only have four more courses and I will be finito, finished, done, free at last free at last! Thank God almighty, Free at Last!!!!!!!!!

Oh, well there is the written final in there, but to be this close is almost frightening.

How far I have come since 2003 when I answered that still small voice and ventured into my first Gradual School Classroom.

How much I have learned over the course of these years, about myself, and my beloved Church, and God.

I certainly will miss going to class, but I won't miss the pressure.

I have no idea what it is that God is calling me to do next, but I certainly hope that it will bring me into contact with as many wonderfully loving and supportive people as I have met at St Meinrad.

Now I had better get back to my homework so that I don't fail the course I am taking this semester.

Pax

Head Count!

How many of our manly men-in-black were quick to remind us on only the second day of the Liturgical year when they dawn the color of Rejoicing that they weren't in-fact wearing pink?

Father made it less than a minute into the mass before making it perfectly clear that his vestments were Rose, not Pepto-pink.


Aren't they fun?

Pax

Here Below With We Mere Mortals

I am enraptured.

Today I discovered Flannery O'Connor's Blog -- well, the blog she would have, if she were living now.

If only there were a few peacock feathers on the template it would be perfect.


Check it out for yourself.

h/t to LYL another B Teamer, for the link.

Pax

When Eating Right Really Stinks

So, the entire parish staff went out to lunch today; Father's treat. We ate at this new little bistro on the square. Everyone, all the way around the table had these wonderful meals of yummy foods.

You will never guess what I had, because everything on the menu came either on a bun, or covered in sauce or breaded. (which means had things in it I couldn't eat)? I had a side salad, which consisted of lettuce, one cucumber slice and cheese. For dressing the only one they had that didn't have soybean oil was olive oil and raspberry vinegar (that I had to mix together at the table).

Everyone feasted and I ate rabbit food. Oh well, had there been something on the menu that I could have eaten I would have been okay. I shouldn't complain.

I am telling you, this being allergic to everything really stinks.

At least I got to have a bowl of ice cream for desert this evening, because I know the ice cream that I have here at the house doesn't have any ingredients in it that I am allergic to.

This is making me a better person, right? At least it is making me a thinner person.

Pax

The Hard Work of Reconciling Ourselves

The hardest part about reconciliation is admitting that we don't have what it takes to do it ourselves. I want to be forgiving, but I am so torn up inside by the unrealistic, unfair and inordinate demands made upon me that I can't forgive.

I want to be humble, and let the criticism roll off of my back. I want to stand speechless as Christ did in front of the Sanhedrin and take the abuse. But inside I am crying out "It's just not fair!"

So, for today, my prayer, no my mantra has become Lord for this moment give me the will to forgive, because right now I just don't have it.

I hope someday that I will have the will, and then someday I will feel the forgiveness.

It could happen.

Pax

I'm a Hobbes-Headed Calvin

Mostly Calvin You are 80% Calvin and 20% Hobbes

Your inner Calvin often prevails, but, as in the image below, you have a significant Hobbesian component. I'm going to try to stretch the visual metaphor here: you have a good head on your shoulders, but when you don't use it, your crazy body gets you in trouble? Does that work? Odds are you're impulsive and imaginative, but it's possible you've collected just enough wisdom to hold your most anti-social urges in check. Most of the time. It's a precarious balance, like a boy on one foot with a tiger head.

My test tracked 2 variables How you compared to other people your age and gender: You scored higher than 99% on calvin You scored higher than 0% on hobbes

Link: The Calvin Or Hobbes Test written by gwendolynbooks on Ok Cupid, home of the 32-Type Dating Test

h/t to Mark for the cool link.

Does God Need a Joke Writer?

You Should Be a Joke Writer

You're totally hilarious, and you can find the humor in any situation. Whether you're spouting off zingers, comebacks, or jokes about life... You usually can keep a crowd laughing, and you have plenty of material. You have the makings of a great comedian - or comedic writer.

What Type of Writer Should You Be?

h/t to Karen for the link

Meditation on Forgiveness and Mercy

If you forgive others their transgressions, your heavenly Father will forgive
you. But if you do not forgive others, neither will your Father forgive your
transgressions. -Matthew 6:14-15

Why do we forgive someone? Is it because they deserve our forgiveness? Or is it because God has granted us forgiveness, and in order for us to be able to receive forgiveness from God we must be willing to forgive. It doesn't matter if the person deserves forgiveness, or even admits that they have hurt us. We have to be the ones who step up and forgive.

It really hurts to be wronged. And there are people in our lives who will never, ever be capable of admitting that they have wronged us. If we hold on to the anger and bitterness that we feel because of the hurt that they have caused us it fills all the space inside of us and begins to poison us.

The only way for God's mercy and forgiveness to flow into us is for us to allow mercy and forgiveness to flow from us to other people. If we forgive those who have wronged us, then our souls are like a hollow reed and God's mercy can flow into us at the same measure as the mercy we are willing to show.

Mercy means treating someone better than they deserve. I know there are times when I depend on being treated with mercy. If I am not willing to extend mercy to others why would God have any reason to extend mercy to me?

I have been wrestling with this for a few days now. I think I finally have a hold on it.

Lord, help me to treat those who harm me with forgiveness and mercy. Especially when they know not what they do. Help me to empty myself of bitterness and negative emotions, so that I can be open to your mercy and grace in my life. Help me to grow in humility, and love for only you.

Amen

Pax

Final Day of Novena

Ninth Day

Dear Little St. Thérèse, by love and suffering while you were on earth,

you won the power with God which you now enjoy in heaven.

Since your life there began, you have showered down countless blessings on this poor world;

you have been an instrument made use of by your divine Spouse to work countless miracles.

I beg of you to remember all my wants.

Sufferings must come to me also,

may I use them to love God more,

and follow my Jesus better.

You are especially the little missionary of love.

Make me love Jesus more, and all others for His sake.

With all my heart I thank the most Holy Trinity

for the wonderful blessings conferred on you,

and upon the world through you.

Intercede for us all the days of our life,

but especially during this Novena and obtain for us from God

the graces and favors we ask through your intercession.

Amen.

Thought for the day: The Mission of the Little Flower.

I do not intend to remain inactive in Heaven.

I want to work for the Church and for souls.

I have asked this of God and I am certain that He will grant my request.
I will spend my Heaven doing good upon earth.

This is not impossible, since the angels though always enjoying the beatific vision, watch over us.

No, I cannot be at rest until the end of the world.
I beseech Thee, O Jesus, to cast Thy divine glance on a great number of little souls.

I beg of Thee to choose in this world a legion of little victims, worthy of Thy Love.



O Lord, You have said:

Unless you become as little children

you shall not enter the kingdom of heaven;

grant us, we beg You, so to follow,

in humility and simplicity of heart,

the footsteps of the Virgin blessed Thérèse,

that we may attain to an everlasting reward.

Amen.

Pax

Watch for the roses!!!

Novena Day 8

Eighth Day

Dear St. Thérèse, like you I have to die one day.

I beseech you, obtain from God,

by reminding Him of your own precious death,

that I may have a holy death, strengthened by the Sacraments of the Church,

entirely resigned to the most holy Will of God,

and burning with love for Him.

May my last words on earth be,

"My God. I love You."

Intercede for us all the days of our life,

but especially during this Novena and obtain for us

from God the graces and favors we ask through your intercession.

Amen.

Thought for the day: Death.

It says in the catechism that death is nothing but the separation of the soul and body.

Well, I have no fear of a separation which will unite me forever with the good God.
I am happy to die because I shall be able to help souls who are dear to me,

far more than I can here below.
Life is not sad; it is very joyous.

If you say, "This exile is sad," I understand you.

We are wrong to give the name "life" to something which will end;

it is only to the things of Heaven that we should apply this beautiful name.

Pax

Novena Day Seven

Seventh Day

O little martyr of Love,

you know now even better than in the days of your pilgrimage

that Love embraces all vocations;

that it is Love alone which counts,

which unites us perfectly to God and conforms our will with His.

All you sought on earth was love;

to love Jesus as He had never yet been loved.

Use your power in heaven to make us love Him.

If only we love Him we shall desire to make Him loved by others;

we shall pray much for souls.

We shall no longer fear death,

for it will unite us to Him forever.

Obtain for us the grace to do all for the love of God,

to give Him pleasure,

to love Him so well that He may be pleased with us as He was with you.

Intercede for us all the days of our life,

but especially during this Novena and obtain for us from God

the graces and favors we ask through your intercession.

Amen.

Thought for the day: Love of God.

I will love God alone and will not have the misfortune of attaching myself to creatures,

now that my heart perceive what He has in store for those who love Him.
What attracts me to the kingdom of Heaven is the call of our Lord,

the hope of loving Him as I have so desired

and the thought that I shall be able to make Him

loved by a great number of souls who will bless Him forever.
When Christ said, "Give Me a Drink,"

it was the love of His poor creatures that He,

the Creator of all things, desired. He thirsted for love.
Remember that the dear Jesus is there in the tabernacle

expressly for you, for you alone.

Remember that He is consumed with a desire

to come into your heart.

Pax

Novena Day Six

Sixth Day



St. Thérèse, Patroness of the Missions,

be a great missionary throughout the world to the end of time.

Remind our Master of His own words, "The harvest is great, but the laborers are few."

Your zeal for souls was so great, obtain a like zeal for those now working for souls,

and beg God to multiply their numbers, that the millions to whom Jesus is yet unknown

may be brought to know, love and follow Him.



Intercede for us all the days of our life,

but especially during this Novena and obtain for us from God

the graces and favors we ask through your intercession.

Amen.



Thought for the day: Zeal for souls.

Let us work together for the salvation of souls.

We have only the day of this life to save souls

and to give them to the Lord as proofs of our love.

I tell Jesus that I am glad not to be able to see, with the eyes of my soul,

this beautiful heaven which awaits me,

in order that He may vouchsafe to open it forever to poor unbelievers.

I cannot perform brilliant works;

I cannot preach the Gospel or shed my blood.

But what matter? My brothers work in place of me,

and I a little child, keep very close to the royal throne.

I love for those who are carrying on the warfare.

My deeds, my little sufferings, can make God loved all over the world.

Pax

Me Gran Would be Sure Proud

Then Again Memere (My french Grandmother) would be very upset !

You're 90% Irish

Congratulations, you're a shining example of an Irish lass (or lad). There's hardly anyone more Irish than you!

How Irish Are You?

h/t to Martha Martha
Pax

WHAT ARE YOU DOING MAY 19TH?

May 19th is the date the Da Vinci Code movie opens. A movie based on a book that wears its heresy and blasphemy as a badge of honor.What can we as Christians do in response to the release of this movie?
I'm going to offer you the usual choices -- and a new one.

Here are the usual suspects:

A) We can ignore the movie. ........

The problem with this option: The box office is a ballot box. The only people whose votes are counted are those who buy tickets. And the ballot box closes on the Sunday of opening weekend. If you stay home, you have lost your chance to make your vote heard. You have thrown your vote away, and from Hollywood's point of view, you don't count. By staying home, you do nothing to shape the decision-making process regarding what movies will make it to the big screen.
B) We can protest. ........

The problem with this option: It doesn't work. Any publicity is good publicity. Protests not only fuel the box office, they make all Christians look like idiots. And again, protests and boycotts do nothing to help shape the decisions being made right now about what movies Hollywood will make in the next few years. (Or they convince Hollywood to make *more* movies that will provoke Christians to protest, which will drive the box office up.)

C) We can discuss the movie. We can be rational and be ready with study guides and workshops and point-by-point refutations of the lies promulgated by the movie. ........

The problem with this option: No one's listening. They think they know what we're going to say already. We'll lose most of these discussions anyway, no matter how prepared we are, because the power of story always trumps the power of facts (why do you think Jesus taught in parables?!). And once again: rational discussion of history does nothing to affect Hollywood's choices regarding what movies to make.

But there's a fourth choice.On May 19th, you should go to the movies.

Just go to another movie.Save the date now. May 19th, or May 20th. No later than Sunday, May 21st -- that's the day the ballot box closes.

You'll get a vote, the only vote Hollywood recognizes: The power of cold hard cash laid down on a box office window on opening weekend.Use your vote. Don't throw it away. Vote for a movie other than DVC.

If enough people do it, the powers that be will notice. They won't have a choice.

The major studio movie scheduled for release against DVC is the DreamWorks animated feature Over the Hedge. The trailers look fun, and you can take your kids. And your friends. And their friends.

In fact, let's all go see it.Let's rock the box office in a way no one expects -- without protests, without boycotts, without arguments, without rancor. Let's show up at the box office ballot box and cast our votes. And buy some popcorn, too.

May 19th. Mark your calendars now: Over the Hedge's opening weekend. Buy a ticket.And spread the word.

Forward this e-mail to all the Christians in your address book. Post it on your blogs. Talk about it to your churches. And let's all go to the movies.

Pax

H/t to Barb Nicolosi for the pass-it-on.

It's All About Me Me Me

Happy Saint Patrick's Day.

This also happens to be the 46th anniversary of the day God graced the world with my presence.

You should all be celebrating this happy occasion, just imagine what a dark unhappy world this would be without me in it to cheer you all up!

My favorite part of my birthday celebration is that even though it falls during lent, I was always granted the dispensation of being allowed to have sweets today when I was little. And most forward thinking Bishops (at least American Bishops worth their salt) grant dispensation to their dioceses so that we can eat meat on St. Patrick's day when it falls on Friday as it has this year.

So Happy St. Patrick's Day. Eat Steak!!!

BTW: gifts will be gratfully accepted.
Pax

Fifth Day of Super Saint Novena

Fifth Day

Little Flower of Jesus,

from the very first moment of your religious life

you thought only of denying yourself in all things

so as to follow Jesus more perfectly;

help me to bear patiently the trials of my daily life.

Teach me to make use of the trials, the sufferings,

the humiliations, that come my way,

to learn to know myself better and to love God more.

Intercede for us all the days of our life,

but especially during this Novena and obtain for us from God

the graces and favors we ask through your intercession.

Amen.

Thought for the day: Patience in Sufferings. I do not fear trials sent by Jesus, for even in the most bitter suffering we can see that it is His loving hand which causes it.
When we are expecting nothing but suffering, we are quite surprised at the least joy; but then suffering itself becomes the greatest of joys when we seek it as a precious treasure.
Far from resembling those beautiful saints who practiced all sorts of austerities from childhood, my penance consisted in breaking my self-will, in keeping back a sharp reply, in doing little kindnesses to those about me, but considering these deeds as nothing.

Pax

Direction is a Good Thing

I have a new Spiritual Director. Today I met with my new spiritual director for the first time. He is a priest I have known for a few years. I met him when he was the teacher of a class on Liturgy that I took for Lay Ecclesial Ministers in my Diocese. I loved his class and came to know him quite well in the ten weeks we spent together. I asked him then to write a letter of recommendation for me when I entered Gradual School. So now, depending on how hard the work is kicking me in the tail, I either thank him or curse him that I am in Gradual School.

This morning I met with him for a short, preliminary visit to let him know where I am personally and spiritually and to ask -- beg really-- him to take me on as a directee. He agreed. Now, as I transition out of my job and into whatever it is I will be doing next I will have him to help me to discern that I am following God's will.

God is good, this will be a great relationship.

Pax

Novena Day Four

Fourth Day

Dear Little Flower of Carmel,

bearing so patiently the disappointments and delays allowed by God,

and preserving in the depths of your soul an unchanging peace

because you sought only God’s will,

ask for me complete conformity to that adorable Will

in all the trials and disappointments of life.

If the favors I am asking during this Novena are pleasing to God,

obtain them for me. If not, it is true I shall feel the refusal keenly,

but I too wish only God’s Will, and pray in the words you used,

that I "may ever be perfectly fulfilled in me."

Intercede for us all the days of our life,

but especially during this Novena and obtain for us from God the graces and favors we ask through your intercession.

Amen.

Thought for the day: Abandonment to God.

I fear only one thing---to keep my own will; take it, my God, for I choose all that You choose.
The only happiness here below is to strive to be always content with what Jesus gives us.
I can demand nothing with fervor, except the perfect accomplishment of God’s will in my soul.
O my Beloved, I offer myself to You, that You may perfectly accomplish in me Your holy designs, and I will not allow anything created to be an obstacle in their path.

Pax

Counting the Good Days

Today was a good day. I can feel them slipping through my fingers.

This afternoon my mom and I sat at her kitchen table and had a nice talk over glasses of lemonade and some fresh fruit. We talked about her memories of her mom, because she suffered from migraines as I do. We talked about my new medication that has kept me nearly headache free for two years. We talked about my future plans when my job ends in a few months. We made plans for me to return then and stay with her for a while this summer when my kids are out of school. She helped me to see that there will be a future for me beyond my work at the parish, and she gave me the courage to not fear new experiences because up until now I have been thinking about what will come next, but not really with an open heart because I have felt that there really was no way that I could ever achieve what God might be calling me to next. We laughed about some of our memories, and we had a very enjoyable time.

It was, for a short while as though the dark cloud of her disease wasn't hovering over us. There was no thought that perhaps when my job ends this summer she might be so impaired by her disease that she will be unable to live here at home and I will be visiting her not here but in a nursing home.

I just wanted to write about it so that when we are in the dark days I can come back to this post and remember that there were days like today. There were moments when she still remembered who I am. There were moments when her love for me showed through in a very strong and true way. This was one of those days. In our whole conversation I know she wasn't pretending to remember who I was. She remembered things about my childhood and recent history that weren't just coincidental or could have applied to any of my other siblings. She was talking to me.

God is so good, all the time.

Today was a good day.

Pax

Novena Day Three

Third Day

Dear Little Flower, make all things lead me to heaven and God,

Whether I look at the sun, the moon, the stars and the vast expanse in which they float,

or whether I look at the flowers of the field, the trees of the forest,

the beauties of the earth so full of color and so glorious,

may they speak to me of the love and power of God;

may they all sing His praises in my ear.

Like you may I daily love Him more and more in return for His gifts.

Teach me often to deny myself in my dealings with others,

that I may offer to Jesus many little sacrifices.

Intercede for us all the days of our life,

but especially during this Novena

and obtain for us from God the graces and favors we ask

through your intercession.

Amen.

BTW: here is the wonderful full novena site

Pax

A Perfect Child? In Whose Eyes?

This story by Andrew Bolt relays two touching accounts of women who chose to defy their doctor's orders to terminate pregnancies because of fetal abnormality and the outcome of those births. These children were born out of love, and not out of some need to assure that they would be "perfect" by the standard of the world.

I want to warn you. you may need a hankie. I had a few tears. Whoever decided that every child born had to be perfect has a lot to answer for. Oh I remember, Margaret Sanger started that debate, and look where she has got us NOW!

Lord have mercy on us
Christ have mercy on us
Lord have mercy on us.

h/t to Joel at On the Other Foot for the link
Pax

It's Hard Out Here for a Priest.

This one you have to see for yourself.



check this out.





From a seminarian at my gradual school no less, what are they teaching them I wonder?

h/t to Jeff Miller for the link.

Pax

Now That was Invigorating . . .

Who am I kidding, I am totally exhausted. Today was the day that the angelbaby decided we would spend shopping on our little spring break trip to visit my mom. Since I am sadly deficient in the shopping gene it took all of the intestinal fortitude that I could muster for me to make it through the stores and mall and all the other places she dragged me as she blissfully spent her money. We went book shopping, and clothes shopping, and toy shopping and after that we walked through the Mall just window shopping.

Don't get me wrong, I really enjoyed spending all of that quality time with my baby girl, who is very quickly getting to be a grown up young woman. I am saddened that I am losing my angelbay so quickly. It was really fun to be able to talk with her and find out just how her nearly 10 year old mind works. We even had time to discuss her Friday plans with her dad and a male friend of hers (not- she tells me emphatically- a date) to play golf, even if it is really cold outside.

We rounded out our whirlwind of shopping by going to the grocery store to buy food so that we could prepare dinner as a surprise for Grandma tonight. She helped me to choose every item we purchased and discussed the menu in depth.

By the time we finally got back to my mom's house I was totally exhausted and ready for a nap but the angelbaby is over in the other room trying to teach her aunt the finer points of the card game that she purchased at Toys-R-Approximately-1/3-of-the-Gross-National-Product-Store. Better her aunt than me, because now I need to go take a nap.

Pax

Little Flower Novena Day 2

Day Two Prayers

O dear little Saint, now that you see the crucified Jesus in heaven,

still bearing the wounds caused by sin,

you know still more clearly than you did upon earth the value of souls,

and the priceless worth of that Precious Blood which He shed to save them.

As I am one of those children for whom Christ died,

obtain for me all the graces I need in order to profit by that Precious Blood.

Use your great power with our divine Lord and pray for me.

Intercede for us all the days of our life, but especially during this Novena and obtain for us from God the graces and favors we ask through your intercession.

Amen.

Pax

Great Idea, Why don't you Tag Along

A Novena to a Super Saint!


Novena to St. Theresa the Little Flower

First Day (to begin Monday)
(each of the 9 daily prayers will be posted daily-

remember to visit daily to complete the Novena)

O Heavenly Father, Who in Thine ineffable goodness didst place in
the soul of St. Theresa of the Child Jesus the precious treasure
of sanctifying grace, and didst grant her ever to keep it in the
midst of earthly dangers, we pray Thee to grant to us for our part
the happiness of never losing this inestimable gift whereby we
become Thine adopted children, the brothers and sisters of Thy Son
Jesus, the temples of the Holy Spirit and the heirs of Heaven.

Enable us, to this end, carefully to avoid mortal sin which would
rob us of this grace more to be desired than all the wealth of the
world, to fly the occasions of sin, and to resist temptation.

We implore these graces through the intercession of the one who
was ever Thy faithful child and whose memory we venerate.

St. Theresa of the Child Jesus, who would have preferred to die
rather than lose God's grace, vouchsafe to obtain for us all the
help necessary to avoid the misfortune of committing mortal sin,
incompatible with this divine grace. Obtain for us the favors we
crave and implore through you powerful intercession.
Amen.




via Suzanne and UkOk

Pax

Reflection on Obedience for Saturday The First Week of Lent

We have been in lent for a little over a week. Some of us have been fasting this lent from things that we needed to let go of in our lives. I wonder how we have been doing in our attempt to let go? It has been slightly easier for me perhaps than some of you out there to let go, because for me it is a health issue; either I stop eating these foods that are poisoning me or I remain sick.

Obedience is an interesting thing. The Israelites were brought out of slavery in Egypt by a loving God who brought them into the desert to teach them about obedience. In the desert they had to depend on God alone for all of their needs. There wasn't much chance for them to barter with other civilizations, or plant crops, or in any other way take care of themselves. They were totally dependent on God. He provided for their needs.

As I look at my new way of life, only eating what my body needs, no matter how appealing the thought of (or the taste of) some of the old foods I used to eat are, I am beginning to understand how my metabolism works. I am beginning to see myself as fearfully, wonderfully made. In my obedience, I am gaining a great love for my creator. He made me this way for a reason, If I live within the guidelines of the foods that are healthy choices for me I will thrive. If I make choices that are outside those guidelines I will begin to go back into the bondage of the illnesses I was experiencing. I want to be free. Living a life of obedience will make me free.

If I am made in the image and likeness of God, and I am shackled to illnesses that I have brought on myself because of my own stubborn choices, then when people see me what kind of image of God am I projecting? It is a pretty sad thing for me to ponder. When people see me I want them to see the best image of myself I can be. My choices are something I can control. Obedience gives me the ability to show those positive choices to the world.

Moses said to the people, "Today the Lord your God commands you to obey all his laws; so obey them faithfully with all your heart . . . and you will bring praise and honor to his name." Deuteronomy 26:16,19

Pax

These Guys Need Real Jobs, Please!!

This one is for my son. He loves this stuff. I have forced him to see Hamlet Live onstage. This would be his version. Click on the play button on the video screen below and enjoy "Laertes Strikes Back"




h/t to the twisted minds at The Peeping Thomists for pointing me to the link.

Pax

Another Step on the Discernment Road

Today I found out that my position at the parish will be ending on June 30th of this year. I have known for about six months that they were going to reformat the position, and I would have to apply for whatever position they finally decided they wanted. It turns out that what the committee has come up with is incompatible with what my families needs and my needs are, and where my charism as a minister is.

I plan to work out the end of my contract, in an uncomfortable truce with Father, as he sort of let me know that he would be happy to see me leave sooner "if I found another position before then". I have work to do until then and I plan to complete it.

I know that God is leading me somewhere new and exciting, I just don't know where that new and exciting place is yet.

Oh won't the journey be fun?

Pax

My New Look!

Some of you may remember I tried to redo my blog about a year ago and ended up with the same old look after messing it up horribly for about a day. My dear friend Suzanne's blog was transformed by Alexa a few weeks ago and I was so envious that I asked her who did it and she let me know that a wonderful internet pal named Alexa did the work.

Alexa loves to fool around with templates and stuff and can do so much more than I ever could, so I begged her to give mine a once over as a birthday gift to me (my birthday is a week away still, but this will do).

So here we have it! A blog anyone would love to have. and one that actually even has my picture on it now! Doesn't that look just like me?

Thanks so much Alexa.

Pax

Plagiarism Thy Name is Hilarious

Maureen Martin over at CatholicNews.Org got "extensively quoted" by a Catholic journalist on her awesome parody about Ashes being one of American Catholic's favorite Sacraments. It's just too bad he didn't take the time to read her sidebar and figure out that her wonderfully witty piece was a parody, and she was poking fun at all those culturally aware Catholics who show up on Ash Wednesday to "get ashed" every year even though they don't actually practice their faith the rest of the year.

He didn't even list her as his source. Only Maureen can have an act of plagiarism end up being so very funny.

We should make him work off his penance by helping her in her wreath making apostolate next fall. I am sure those wreath making supplies can get really heavy after a while.

Pax

I Made The B Team!

Woo Hoo! Finally a place where I belong!

Pax

Michael Rounds, A Man with the Guts to Sit Down and Sign!

South Dakota's Governor Michael Rounds just signed an bill banning all abortions except those in cases where the mother's life is in "grave danger".

In the history of the world, the true test of a civilization is how well people treat the most vulnerable and most helpless in their society," the governor said.

Things are about to get really interesting. Perhaps now the faulty law that Roe v Wade is based on will finally be challenged and overturned and sanity will reign once again. Helpless unborn children will no longer be sentenced to die because they were inconveniently conceived. It could happen.

I pray for it every day.

Pax

Loving the Work You Do

Today was one of those days that I cherish in my job. There wasn't one moment all day today from the moment I got to work to the moment I left work that I didn't absolutely love my job. I was constantly busy for most of the day after a very busy weekend. I had phone calls to answer, and bills that had to be paid. I had deposits to make, and a million little annoying jobs to do, but today by the grace of God I could see the significance of each one of them in allowing the parish ministry to run smoothly.

I really felt that the Holy Spirit was guiding me today as I met with a prospective inquirer for our RCIA process, and took a phone call from a member of our RCIA team on another unrelated Matter. I was debriefed by our Pastoral Associate on how the Rite of Election went yesterday at the Cathedral, because I was unable to attend with our Elect as I had to be at Gradual School. She did a wonderful job of making them feel welcomed.

As I said, I am blessed by days like this, and lately they have been few and very far between. I had all but forgotten what it felt like to sit at my desk with a smile on my face and a sparkle in my eye. When I got up to leave for home my heart was very light. I do love the work I do. If God should choose to ask me to leave this parish I will be sad, and miss days like today. But if I leave, I know that there will be days like this wherever I am called to work.

Pax

Lenten Thoughts?

Prayer

Are you trying to adhere more closely to your normal prayer routine?

Have you chosen a new prayer form to try this Lent?

What are you reading this lent? Is there anything special you have chosen to read this season to help you focus on the journey?

Fasting

Are you planning to give up something this Lent?

Is there something about yourself that you would like to eliminate this season, and are using this observance as an aid in helping you to remove this "thing" from your life?

What temptation are you trying to avoid this Lent?

Almsgiving

How do you intend to give more this season?

What extra amount of your time, talent, and treasures are you planning to give to God these forty days?

Who do you know that needs the gift of your time?



Just a few things to ponder on this first Friday of Lent.

Pax

Lark News Time Again!

The March Lark News is up.


My favorite article has to be the one about the winner of the Testimony Bee.


Enjoy.

Pax