Discipline the Disciple

It took me the better part of today to recall what struck me during yesterday's homily. It was the idea of discipline and that to be a disciple we must have discipline. I know it is not a new thought, but it was with me in my brain and soul all day today. I just don't like what it implies and don't want to be disciplined, but I am going to push myself to take steps in that direction. Since today is the feast of St. Monica and tomorrow St. Augustine, it seems like a good time.

Sunday Happenings

Today a favorite priest celebrated the 9:30 Mass. He is not assigned, but comes to help out when needed. I always enjoy his homilies because he says thing that make me think and also gives information about the scripture as to the time it was written in, why it was written, for whom, that type of info which I find so interesting. I often wonder with others who enjoy his homilies, if the average person in the pew likes them as well. Today, it was overheard that indeed, others besides as geeky Catholics enjoy his homilies. Yea. If you, homily giver, are reading this, please remain your humble self.

We also had a retreat for our catechists, led by two of our deacons. It was well received by those who attended and gave people the chance to talk, learn, and spend with each other. It was a great community builder as well as spiritually uplifting.

After that, came home and ate some great fish my husband grilled.

Gold Girl

You Are A Gold Girl
You're dependable and hard working. You never miss a deadline - and you're never late.You have a clear sense of right and wrong. You're very detail oriented.You get frustrated when your friends are sloppy - or when they don't follow through.You're on top of things, and you wish that everyone else was!

http://www.blogthings.com/whatcolorgirlareyouquiz/

I think 'gold' is good!

Prayer

"In prayer, we have to direct our heart to God to surrender ourselves to him as an offering that should be purified and transformed. In prayer, we see everything in the light of Christ, we let down our guard and we submerge ourselves in the truth and in listening to God, nurturing the fire of our love."
From Pope Benedict's address on Pope Gregory

Surrender, let down our guard...how does one do that without worrying what happens next. If I surrender and let down my guard, all my sins are revealed and though I know that leads to purification, it is so very difficult. What will my sins be replaced with?

Leaving

Tomorrow is moving day for our daughter. She is going back to the University of Florida for her first fall semester. Many of our friends have children leaving. We moms always query each other about crying when we leave our children. So far, mostly no crying on anyone's part. Let's see what happens this week.

Begging Results

All in all my attempt at recruiting catechists was successful. I think I will have enough, unless we get a huge influx of new parishioners! I also was able to register many new and returning children, and connected with last year's catechists who are coming back. Overall it was a good day at church. I was less successful at recruiting prayer partners for the catechists and classes, but will continue to talk about it at the parent meeting and also publish the request in the bulletin. I wonder why people are hesitant to pray?

Blog or Whine

My dear husband has suggested that I whine too much in my blog. I have thought about this (briefly) and he may have a point. So, I will try to keep my comments less whine-like and more positive.

Hand, Heart, and Head

Actually went on the annual DRE retreat this year. Mostly because it was given by a friend of mine and I always enjoy listening to him. The talk that stood out for me the most was when we discussed the idea that our formation programs should encompass hand, heart, and head components. That is something I am going to consider more this year. I often think we focus too much on the head stuff. It is easy to fall into that trap since we have limited time and endless topics to cover. More on this later.

Catechists

It is that time of year when I begin to wonder why people are not inclined to share their faith with others. Yes, I need catechists. And this weekend I am going to ask for them in the worst possible way, by making a general request during announcement time. I will also ask for 120 people to pray for the program, specifically for each class, catechist, the RCIA team and those who come into RCIA. So, we'll see how all that goes. The last time I asked people to pray, there was little response, which I have a hard time understanding. These people are in church at mass so saying a prayer once a week for someone else doesn't seem like a problem for me. Of course, the longer I am in Church ministry, the more I realize not everyone thinks like me. What an understatement!

Spiritual Exercises

I am starting a book called "For the Greater Glory of God" by Manuel Ruiz Jurado, S.J. which is a spiritual retreat with St. Ignatius. The retreat is based, of course, on the Spiritual Exercises of St. Ignatius. A dear friend and I are going to work through the book together and seek to find a closer relationship with God and thereby be better able to know and follow His plan for our lives. As it says in the book, "only by following God's plan will I see myself freed from all forms of slavery and arrive one day to the eternal life of unending Love for which I was created."

I think of the slavery I encounter in my daily life and that quotation sums up what I want in my own spiritual life. The work though, must be done to attain it.