Feb. 28,2008
I was interested to read about the Vatican reviewing the practice of receiving the Eucharist in the hand rather than on the tongue, as in pre-Vatican II days.
I have no problem with changing back to the original way and think it could prevent the abuses mentioned in the story. I just wonder what effect that would have on Extraordinary Ministers of the Eucharist, as they must touch the host. I picked the story up off http://www.catholicity.com where it can be found in the commentary section. For some reason, I cannot get the whole URL to post in my blog.
Also of interest at Catholicity is a story about the Vatican requiring all seminaries to teach seminarians to say the Latin Mass. I think that is great, too. It is a beautiful part of the Church's heritage. It seems that Latin also is seeing a comeback in schools. I know it is taught in my homeschool where this week we learned Ego amo te - I love you, among other things.
Thursday, February 28, 2008
Tuesday, February 26, 2008
Penance, Vocations and Reality in Kroger
Feb. 26, 2008
Totally behind on the blogging so this entry is going to contain some varied response to events that have occurred recently.
Like, for example, trying to go to confession in my new hometown. On the up side, a lot of people wanted to go to confession at the big Catholic church in my VA town on Saturday. On the down side, there were 15 people ahead of me and 15 minutes left in the scheduled half hour before Mass. Father probably would have run over to accommodate as many as possible, but I had to be back home to attend the Boy Scout Blue and Gold banquet where my Tiger Scout was receiving two important badges and various beads. So I had to leave on time.
Now, I should say that I'm no longer a parishioner at this large church. My family has opted for the smaller, diverse Catholic church around the corner that had traditionally served the African-American community. But the priest there - who is wonderful - does not schedule confession, very likely because he actually serves three parishes. You have to make an appointment for confession. Our new little church is wonderful, warm, friendly, and full of the love of God. But it doesn't have kneelers or adoration of the Blessed Sacrament, which I miss very much. I am lamenting here the loss of tradition in what must be termed a liberal diocese. And I hate to see people not being able to receive the sacraments because of a priest shortage, which I think is directly related to the liberal nature of the diocese. Just my opinion, mind you.
The shortage - which mean less access to sacraments and devotions - then feeds the shortage because the flock isn't being fed. So, I shall have to be early if I want to confess around here - and I do. And I am actively praying for vocations in this diocese.
Lent hasn't gone so well as I hoped. I gave up my gum-chewing habit and planned to fast every Friday, not just Good Friday and Ash Wednesday. That worked on the first Friday, but last Friday I made the mistake of making tuna noodle casserole for dinner. Never make something you really like if you are supposed to be fasting. That just adds to temptation. So, this Friday I'll do something Spartan. Luckily, I think I'm getting the flu so I'll just stick to fluids.
Now, about reality. It's great when your first-grader can read well. What's not great is when you hear him reading this in Kroger: "Have you ever been forced to have sex against your will? Are you afraid? Are you ever beaten, punched and kicked?" And on and on.
Now, that wasn't a tabloid magazine, it was an advertisement in the fold-down seat section of my shopping cart. The ad was for a women's shelter, which is fine. But why so graphic and why on a child's eye level?
I told him to stop reading and I would explain at home. I did not complain to management, although I considered it. So, the kids and I had a talk at home about how not everyone's Daddy is nice and kind. Not everyone's Daddy hugs Mom every day and plays Jr. Monopoly with his kids or teaches his son to shoot a BB gun. I explained there are some bad people in the world who have sick souls, and the ad was about a safe place women and children could go to get away from bad people.
Yes, it's reality and yes they need to know about it at some time. But at 7 and 8? I did not know about things like that when I was their age. So, I think I handled the situtation as well as I could, but the fact that children must be confronted with this reality is a cause for prayer.
Another cause for prayer: My mother, who can remember air raid drills as an elementary school child in WWII, is now a nurse-helper in a school for a little autistic boy. At that school, they are doing disaster drills for school shootings. She remembers her own fear during the air raid drills and laments that today's children must fear such violence from their own countrymen.
So, let us pray....
Totally behind on the blogging so this entry is going to contain some varied response to events that have occurred recently.
Like, for example, trying to go to confession in my new hometown. On the up side, a lot of people wanted to go to confession at the big Catholic church in my VA town on Saturday. On the down side, there were 15 people ahead of me and 15 minutes left in the scheduled half hour before Mass. Father probably would have run over to accommodate as many as possible, but I had to be back home to attend the Boy Scout Blue and Gold banquet where my Tiger Scout was receiving two important badges and various beads. So I had to leave on time.
Now, I should say that I'm no longer a parishioner at this large church. My family has opted for the smaller, diverse Catholic church around the corner that had traditionally served the African-American community. But the priest there - who is wonderful - does not schedule confession, very likely because he actually serves three parishes. You have to make an appointment for confession. Our new little church is wonderful, warm, friendly, and full of the love of God. But it doesn't have kneelers or adoration of the Blessed Sacrament, which I miss very much. I am lamenting here the loss of tradition in what must be termed a liberal diocese. And I hate to see people not being able to receive the sacraments because of a priest shortage, which I think is directly related to the liberal nature of the diocese. Just my opinion, mind you.
The shortage - which mean less access to sacraments and devotions - then feeds the shortage because the flock isn't being fed. So, I shall have to be early if I want to confess around here - and I do. And I am actively praying for vocations in this diocese.
Lent hasn't gone so well as I hoped. I gave up my gum-chewing habit and planned to fast every Friday, not just Good Friday and Ash Wednesday. That worked on the first Friday, but last Friday I made the mistake of making tuna noodle casserole for dinner. Never make something you really like if you are supposed to be fasting. That just adds to temptation. So, this Friday I'll do something Spartan. Luckily, I think I'm getting the flu so I'll just stick to fluids.
Now, about reality. It's great when your first-grader can read well. What's not great is when you hear him reading this in Kroger: "Have you ever been forced to have sex against your will? Are you afraid? Are you ever beaten, punched and kicked?" And on and on.
Now, that wasn't a tabloid magazine, it was an advertisement in the fold-down seat section of my shopping cart. The ad was for a women's shelter, which is fine. But why so graphic and why on a child's eye level?
I told him to stop reading and I would explain at home. I did not complain to management, although I considered it. So, the kids and I had a talk at home about how not everyone's Daddy is nice and kind. Not everyone's Daddy hugs Mom every day and plays Jr. Monopoly with his kids or teaches his son to shoot a BB gun. I explained there are some bad people in the world who have sick souls, and the ad was about a safe place women and children could go to get away from bad people.
Yes, it's reality and yes they need to know about it at some time. But at 7 and 8? I did not know about things like that when I was their age. So, I think I handled the situtation as well as I could, but the fact that children must be confronted with this reality is a cause for prayer.
Another cause for prayer: My mother, who can remember air raid drills as an elementary school child in WWII, is now a nurse-helper in a school for a little autistic boy. At that school, they are doing disaster drills for school shootings. She remembers her own fear during the air raid drills and laments that today's children must fear such violence from their own countrymen.
So, let us pray....
Thursday, February 14, 2008
Gratitude
Feb. 14, 2008
A few things for which I'm grateful:
My sister's clear bill of health following cancer treatment
Finding a good parish in a new city
A comfortable home
Chocolates on Valentines Day
Valentine messages written in invisible ink by my 7-year-old son
Happy children
A friendly small town
Electric power restored after a windstorm
A husband who is my best friend
Fasting during Lent
I must remember to make gratitude lists during Lent and after. Otherwise, I get caught up in what is not right with my life - when there are so many things are ARE right. And then I just want to run away and not deal with life on life's terms.
It's kind of like this hilarious new game my kids have -- Knights of the Rectangular Table. (We don't have any round tables, but they still have that cardboard box from Nutrisystem).
They also have cardboard swords and shields which bear the motto: We Will Win or Flee!
Mostly they just chase each other around and pretend bad guys are after them. But, really, to win or flee. As tempting as that is for me, that is not the way life works. And, at 40, I should know better. But I still indulge escapist fantasies when the going gets rough. And the going has been rough here lately in a situation that affects my family. Fleeing is not an option. Praying is the only option. So I am praying a novena to the Holy Spirit - something I wish I had done years ago. It is a beautiful prayer. Here is the link: http://www.theworkofgod.org/Library/Trinity/holy_spirit_novena.htm.
And, here is the Prayer for the Seven Gifts of the Holy Spirit:
O Lord Jesus Christ Who, before ascending into heaven did promise to send the Holy Spirit to finish Your work in the souls of Your Apostles and Disciples, deign to grant the same Holy Spirit to me that He may perfect in my soul, the work of Your grace and Your Love. Grant me the Spirit of Wisdom that I may despise the perishable things of this world and aspire only after the things that are eternal, the Spirit of Understanding to enlighten my mind with the light of Your divine truth, the Spirit of Counsel that I may ever choose the surest way of pleasing God and gaining heaven, the Spirit of Fortitude that I may bear my cross with You and that I may overcome with courage all the obstacles that oppose my salvation, the Spirit of Knowledge that I may know God and know myself and grow perfect in the science of the Saints, the Spirit of Piety that I may find the service of God sweet and amiable, and the Spirit of Fear that I may be filled with a loving reverence towards God and may dread in any way to displease Him. Mark me, dear Lord, with the sign of Your true disciples, and animate me in all things with Your Spirit. Amen.
A few things for which I'm grateful:
My sister's clear bill of health following cancer treatment
Finding a good parish in a new city
A comfortable home
Chocolates on Valentines Day
Valentine messages written in invisible ink by my 7-year-old son
Happy children
A friendly small town
Electric power restored after a windstorm
A husband who is my best friend
Fasting during Lent
I must remember to make gratitude lists during Lent and after. Otherwise, I get caught up in what is not right with my life - when there are so many things are ARE right. And then I just want to run away and not deal with life on life's terms.
It's kind of like this hilarious new game my kids have -- Knights of the Rectangular Table. (We don't have any round tables, but they still have that cardboard box from Nutrisystem).
They also have cardboard swords and shields which bear the motto: We Will Win or Flee!
Mostly they just chase each other around and pretend bad guys are after them. But, really, to win or flee. As tempting as that is for me, that is not the way life works. And, at 40, I should know better. But I still indulge escapist fantasies when the going gets rough. And the going has been rough here lately in a situation that affects my family. Fleeing is not an option. Praying is the only option. So I am praying a novena to the Holy Spirit - something I wish I had done years ago. It is a beautiful prayer. Here is the link: http://www.theworkofgod.org/Library/Trinity/holy_spirit_novena.htm.
And, here is the Prayer for the Seven Gifts of the Holy Spirit:
O Lord Jesus Christ Who, before ascending into heaven did promise to send the Holy Spirit to finish Your work in the souls of Your Apostles and Disciples, deign to grant the same Holy Spirit to me that He may perfect in my soul, the work of Your grace and Your Love. Grant me the Spirit of Wisdom that I may despise the perishable things of this world and aspire only after the things that are eternal, the Spirit of Understanding to enlighten my mind with the light of Your divine truth, the Spirit of Counsel that I may ever choose the surest way of pleasing God and gaining heaven, the Spirit of Fortitude that I may bear my cross with You and that I may overcome with courage all the obstacles that oppose my salvation, the Spirit of Knowledge that I may know God and know myself and grow perfect in the science of the Saints, the Spirit of Piety that I may find the service of God sweet and amiable, and the Spirit of Fear that I may be filled with a loving reverence towards God and may dread in any way to displease Him. Mark me, dear Lord, with the sign of Your true disciples, and animate me in all things with Your Spirit. Amen.
Friday, February 8, 2008
Cursillo Founder Dies
Feb. 8, 2008
I just read on zenit.org that Eduardo Bonnin, founder of the lay Catholic Cursillo movement, died in Spain at 90. I count my Cursillo retreat of 2 years ago as a turning point in my life as a Catholic. I found others who sought to make their faith the axis upon which their life turned. And I began joining in weekly "group reunions" in which other cursillistas talked about how they stayed in touch with their God and worked to evangelize their communities. A community can be as small as a home or as large as a blogosphere.
It was on Cursillo that I finally realized that my work outside the home was not the correct path on my journey at that time. And it was on Cursillo that I met friends who truly aided me in my journey -- some of whom I am still in contact with although I have since moved from Memphis to Virginia. So, to Eduardo Bonnin, I say thank you and add this prayer:
"Come Holy Spirit, fill the hearts of your faithful and ignite in us the fire of your love. Send forth your spirit and we shall be created and You shall renew the face of the earth."
I just read on zenit.org that Eduardo Bonnin, founder of the lay Catholic Cursillo movement, died in Spain at 90. I count my Cursillo retreat of 2 years ago as a turning point in my life as a Catholic. I found others who sought to make their faith the axis upon which their life turned. And I began joining in weekly "group reunions" in which other cursillistas talked about how they stayed in touch with their God and worked to evangelize their communities. A community can be as small as a home or as large as a blogosphere.
It was on Cursillo that I finally realized that my work outside the home was not the correct path on my journey at that time. And it was on Cursillo that I met friends who truly aided me in my journey -- some of whom I am still in contact with although I have since moved from Memphis to Virginia. So, to Eduardo Bonnin, I say thank you and add this prayer:
"Come Holy Spirit, fill the hearts of your faithful and ignite in us the fire of your love. Send forth your spirit and we shall be created and You shall renew the face of the earth."
Wednesday, February 6, 2008
Ash Wednesday
Feb. 6, 2008
It is a gray Ash Wednesday here with somber mountains as a backdrop to drizzly skies. I have a headache and am very tired because I'm not used to fasting. I should really do it more often. If I did, I might realize what it is like for those who do not have enough to eat. If I did, I might think more often of the people living on the streets here and scratching out a living across the ocean. It is good to do without once in awhile. But how do I translate that penance into true charity - consistent charity? That is what I'm exploring this Lent.
I am so blessed it is hard to believe that I'm ever unhappy or ungrateful. But, oh, I am both and fairly often. My day today was busy -- Mass, piano lessons, speech therapy assessment, taking my husband to the car dealer and the dog to the vet. Routine, middle class errands and yet they say a lot about my life. For one thing, I have the time to do these things. I am not busy working in a factory. It is a blessing to go to Mass more than just on Sunday. And I'm grateful that my kids can take piano lessons. I'm fortunate that the public schools here offer free speech therapy assessments. And I could go on and on. If I could change one thing about myself this Lent it it that I should become truly, constantly grateful for my life.
Here is a quick exchange between Joey and me at dinner, that pretty much made my day.
Joey is a big fan of Calvin and Hobbes.
Joey: "You know what Calvin says you need to be happy in the world?"
Me: "No, what?"
Joey: "Power and money."
Me: "I'm not sure he's right. What makes you happy?"
Joey: Pause "You."
Me: "Well, I don't have any power or money, so I guess he's not right."
And so goes dinner conversation on a night when I did not overeat.
It is a gray Ash Wednesday here with somber mountains as a backdrop to drizzly skies. I have a headache and am very tired because I'm not used to fasting. I should really do it more often. If I did, I might realize what it is like for those who do not have enough to eat. If I did, I might think more often of the people living on the streets here and scratching out a living across the ocean. It is good to do without once in awhile. But how do I translate that penance into true charity - consistent charity? That is what I'm exploring this Lent.
I am so blessed it is hard to believe that I'm ever unhappy or ungrateful. But, oh, I am both and fairly often. My day today was busy -- Mass, piano lessons, speech therapy assessment, taking my husband to the car dealer and the dog to the vet. Routine, middle class errands and yet they say a lot about my life. For one thing, I have the time to do these things. I am not busy working in a factory. It is a blessing to go to Mass more than just on Sunday. And I'm grateful that my kids can take piano lessons. I'm fortunate that the public schools here offer free speech therapy assessments. And I could go on and on. If I could change one thing about myself this Lent it it that I should become truly, constantly grateful for my life.
Here is a quick exchange between Joey and me at dinner, that pretty much made my day.
Joey is a big fan of Calvin and Hobbes.
Joey: "You know what Calvin says you need to be happy in the world?"
Me: "No, what?"
Joey: "Power and money."
Me: "I'm not sure he's right. What makes you happy?"
Joey: Pause "You."
Me: "Well, I don't have any power or money, so I guess he's not right."
And so goes dinner conversation on a night when I did not overeat.
Sunday, February 3, 2008
Hellooooo out there...
Feb. 3, 2008
If a tree falls in the forest and there is no one to hear it, does it make a sound?
Likewise, if you blog and no one reads it, have you really written anything?
That said, please shoot me a quick note if you are reading or have ever read this blog. I hardly ever receive comments and am beginning to wonder if anyone is reading.
Thanks for taking the time. And have a productive Lent. I'm planning to do so. More on that later.
Good night.
If a tree falls in the forest and there is no one to hear it, does it make a sound?
Likewise, if you blog and no one reads it, have you really written anything?
That said, please shoot me a quick note if you are reading or have ever read this blog. I hardly ever receive comments and am beginning to wonder if anyone is reading.
Thanks for taking the time. And have a productive Lent. I'm planning to do so. More on that later.
Good night.
Saturday, February 2, 2008
Love or Duty?
Feb. 2, 2008
I am on a CS Lewis kick these days. I read last night CS Lewis Letters to Children, a lovely quick read that gives even more insight on that gifted writer. A quote from one of his letters really jumped out at me, as I have always been one of those duty-bound people -- doing what is right because it is right. And here is the quote. The topic was on being "good."
"A perfect man would never act from a sense of duty; he'd always want the right thing more than the wrong one. Duty is only a substitute for love (of God and of other people), like a crutch, which is a substitute for a leg. Most of us need the crutch at times; but of course it's idiotic to use the crutch when our own legs (our own loves, tastes, habits etc) can do the journey on their own!"
Now, I usually want the right thing more than the wrong one -- unless we are talking about choosing foods. But I wonder then if my behavior is motivated by duty? The quote brought me up short and made me think.
This also brings to mind the conversation on discipline in a chat group of which I am a part.
One contribution from a member of the group, who happens to be a friend, was quite valuable. It is one that she saw on a video somewhere. "Walk in your strengths and manage your weaknesses."
Now that is some good advice.
'Til next time.
I am on a CS Lewis kick these days. I read last night CS Lewis Letters to Children, a lovely quick read that gives even more insight on that gifted writer. A quote from one of his letters really jumped out at me, as I have always been one of those duty-bound people -- doing what is right because it is right. And here is the quote. The topic was on being "good."
"A perfect man would never act from a sense of duty; he'd always want the right thing more than the wrong one. Duty is only a substitute for love (of God and of other people), like a crutch, which is a substitute for a leg. Most of us need the crutch at times; but of course it's idiotic to use the crutch when our own legs (our own loves, tastes, habits etc) can do the journey on their own!"
Now, I usually want the right thing more than the wrong one -- unless we are talking about choosing foods. But I wonder then if my behavior is motivated by duty? The quote brought me up short and made me think.
This also brings to mind the conversation on discipline in a chat group of which I am a part.
One contribution from a member of the group, who happens to be a friend, was quite valuable. It is one that she saw on a video somewhere. "Walk in your strengths and manage your weaknesses."
Now that is some good advice.
'Til next time.
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