7 Quick Takes

All today's Quick Takes are over at Conversion Diary!

1.  I helped set a mouse trap with peanut butter.  It's not for my house, but I am loathe to tell you where it is going.
2.  What is Pinterest?  What is the purpose?  More importantly, should I join?
3.  I have been skyping with Elisa in Australia.  The other night we had a group conversation with the two of us and another friend.  Fun!  The reception was better with Elisa way over in Australia  than with our friend who lives in Florida.
4.  I've joined Google+ but am insure as to why at this point.  I see potential though.
5.  Feast day of St. Martha today.  According to the homily this morning she is a reminder to balance contemplation and action.  So, this weekend I am slowing down on the action and working on contemplation.
6.  Yesterday's dinner was sauteed chicken breasts with zucchini ribbons.  When I was done I started to wash the mandolin I had used to slice the zucchini and sliced my middle finger on my right hand. However, this got me out of doing the rest of the dishes:).  Then I walked over to my friend's house with the dinner and was rewarded with a bang trim, which was sorely needed.   She said she got the better part of the deal since she was going to have my cooking for dinner.  I am so glad we all different gifts.
7.  Tuesday we went to Wet and Wild with my brother's family.  We had a blast!  I even convinced my husband to go on a ride.  I miss that sort of thing now that our children are adults.

Reflection Delimma Solved

I wonder what Mary thought about the gifts – odd for a baby – but not the Savior of the world. Did Mary know what they foretold or did she just accept them graciously while trying to make some sense of them. We look and say, of course, gold for a king, frankincense a sign of his divinity, and myrrh a foreshadowing of his suffering.

What did Mary do with the gifts? Were they sold so the family could live in Egypt? Or saved until Jesus began his public ministry and then given to him as a mother’s blessing?

Before we are told why in scriptures the climate of joy at Jesus’ birth changes to one of distress. Mary and Joseph must take Jesus and flee into Egypt to avoid Herod. The family is strangers in the land that was once the home of Israel. God frequently calls people to another place. He does this to give us a new opportunity or chance to change. The Holy Family had an opportunity to live without fear of Herod’s persecution. So they stayed in Egypt until it was safe to return home to Nazareth.

All of this occurred because of Mary and Joseph’s multiple yeses to God.

So, of course, I wonder, what has happened in my life because of my yeses to God? Some of this may resonate with you and some may not. All of it comes from my deep faith and belief that God has a plan; that we are here in this place and this time, together – as a people who have said yes and agreed to cooperate with God’s plan for our good.

What have I said yes to – believing after prayer and discernment that it is God’s will for my life?

I am married to John for almost 28 years. Our love for each other has been tested, but it is true and real and sustains us both. We have two wonderful children who are currently living out their dreams. They bring us joy and give us hope. I am able to live out my vocation of service to the Church by working in a parish as my profession. My ministry provides laughter, tears, happiness, contentment, frustration, peace, disbelief, amazement and wonder. My favorite times are when I have the privilege of walking with people on their faith journey and watching God work in people’s lives.

Sometimes though a yes can bring sadness. Six years ago a new friend walked into the Mom’s group at St. Peter. We did not have a lot in common at first glance but shared a deep faith and love of family. Two years later she was diagnosed with ovarian cancer. We began a journey together into exile; many of us willingly went with her and her family. We all did it out of love. Just six weeks ago she died. Would I have said yes to her friendship if I had known the whole story? Without a moment’s hesitation I would do it all again.

I believe that Mary would have said yes if she knew the whole story as well. Her yes was a gift not only to all of us, but to herself. I’m not speaking here about theological reasons such as being born without original sin or being the Queen of Heaven. I am talking about given the opportunity to love so fully and completely that it is always about the other.

This is what her yes does – it shows me how much to love. She loved and trusted God enough to listen and obey; to be the first disciple and be responsible for God’s son. It makes what I am asked to do seem simple by comparison. I always keep in mind though that Mary had a supernatural grace and lack of sin.

I know, that in all our lives, we have gone to Egypt and then been called to the place God has planned for us if we are willing to say yes. It is part of life for people of faith. I pray, that like Mary, we all continue to say yes to God and grow in holiness.

Reflection Dilemma

Here it is late Wednesday and I have yet to write my reflection for Saturday afternoon's prayer service for the formation retreat.  To explain, my husband is studying to become a deacon and once a year there is a retreat for husbands and wives.  I received this assignment a month ago.   The scripture I am asked to reflect on is Matthew 2:9-15, which is the Visit of the Magi and The Flight into Egypt.  Everything I write is so sad.  I have prayed and read and thought and wrote and started all over again, and all I get is sad.  I sound like being a parent is the most awful thing and all your kids do is rip your heart out when they grow up.  That being a friend leads to pain and suffering. I can't seem to get to a place where I tell about the joy of saying yes to God; how he provides and guides and loves those who say yes. I would be lying to say that my friend's death did not have impact on my life.  But I spend time thinking about our friendship I remember the happy and sad times.  And certainly, as a parent, I don't remember a time when both of our children seemed to be so exactly in the right place.
Mary's yes led her to a beautiful journey of fulfillment not only for her but for all of us whom Jesus saved.  I want to capture both the struggles and the joys of being a parent.  But most importantly I want to convey the satisfaction of saying yes to God.

It's back to praying, reading, thinking and writing for me tonight.  I'll let you know what happens!  Pray for me please.

Peeling Peaches

Peaches, ripe and juicy, are a joy of summer.  The last few summers have been disappointing, peach wise.  But yesterday I found myself staring at  peaches begging to be made into cobbler.  So, I choose five and began to peel them by first putting them in boiling water, then waiting for them to cool before I separated the skin from the flesh of each peach.  My knife pierced the skin and I cleanly lifted it off each peach, except one.  Why?  Because it was still a bit unripe and so it was more difficult to peel. 
I started to think that was similar to people and peeling back our protective skin on our soul.  If we try to make changes in our life before we are ready, it is difficult and you may take away flesh along with skin.  This can cause pain, bleeding, and leave a scar. 
That is why when we need to make changes in our lives, we need to be ripe for the change.  And how does that happen?  I think God prepares us through prayer, confession, Eucharist, service and other people.  Once we are prepared, and God has led us to the next place, the peeling off of the skin is easy.  We separate from whatever we were holding onto and move closer to God's will and His plan for our lives. What we become is always better than before, just like the peaches taste even better as cobbler.
I'll leave you with the peach cobbler recipe.
Peaches, peeled and sliced, enough to fit in a 2 qt baking dish (I use a round pyrex bowl)
1 stick butter,
3/4 cup brown sugar
3/4 cup oatmeal
1/2 cup flour
ginger and cinnamon

Put peaches in baking dish, toss with ginger and cinnamon
Melt butter, add sugar, oatmeal, flour and spices
cover peaches with topping
bake at 350 for 35 minutes

Whipped cream or ice cream are optional, personally, the cobbler was perfect warm out of the oven with nothing else added.

Now, I have no recipe for improving your soul, but I will say to be persistent, gentle and wait on God - he'll give you your perfect recipe!

Google +

 Interesting, find out a bit about Google+.

Mom or not?

This post, The Mission of Older Moms, at Faith & Family Live is taking up a huge amount of space in my brain.  I can't stop thinking about it.  Granted, I've been thinking about what kind of a mom I am more than usual given my recent change in mom circumstances.  I am not an "older" mom, I mean, hey, 50 is approaching, but not for a couple of  years.  I had my children when I was young and now find myself with adult children, who live far away.  Most of my friends, even my own siblings, have young children though we are all very close in age.  And by young, I am talking about elementary school age. 
It seems every time I meet new people there is surprise on their faces when I tell them my children are adults.
But that is really beside the point.  The point is, now I have one less role to define myself with and frankly, I feel a bit empty.  And surprised.  Logically I know I am still a mom, just like my mom is still a mom, even though her youngest is 41. 
I mistakenly thought that having a career would be a protective factor in not feeling this way.  I thought I would just involve myself more fully in my work and be more productive.  It's not happening according to plan at this point.  I am no longer the mom who has children, I have adults and it is so different from having children.  What will fill this space now?  I am waiting on the next sign from God, but if anyone has any ideas, I am open.

A Week in the Life of a Priest

Sunday Snippets

Take a look at some new blog posts from the Catholic blogsphere at This, That and the Other Thing.

Last Holy Communion

Some stories must be told.  This is one of those stories.  On Friday, June 3 I had the 6 am shift to be with Diane in Hospice.  I got there and S told me it had been a rough night.  She got her things together and then left to get ready for her day, which included two important appointments. 
Diane kept waking up from a fitful sleep to throw up.  At one point she fell asleep on my shoulder as I was propping her up and trying to hold the the bucket without making a mess.
She fell asleep and I prayed the Divine Mercy Chaplet.  She woke up and was in pain, was given some more medicine and dozed on and off.  By now it was almost 9 am and T came to replace me so I could go to work.
I collected my things, kissed Diane goodbye with an "I love you and see you later." Just outside the hospice doors, there was S, walking quickly my way.  She had gone to morning Mass and had brought back communion and wanted me to give Diane communion.  So, back we go.  The nurse was in the room and I ask her if I can give the host to Diane.  "If she wants it, you can try."  Diane opens her eyes and we ask her, she nods yes.  I take the pyx from S, it has a picture of Padre Pio on it (more on this later), open it and realize I can only give Diane a very small piece.  I place the pyx on a makeshift altar S has set up and remove the Host.  I break it in half and think, "I am breaking Jesus, he was broken for us, Diane is broken, but this will help her heal."  I break off the tiniest piece I can and place it in Diane's mouth.  She holds it there for a very long time as all of us pray until she swallows.
I leave again with S.  She tells me how she decided to come to the hospital.  Her appointments were cancelled and since it was First Friday she really wanted to go to Mass.  While there she had this overwhelming desire to bring the Eucharist back for Diane, but she did not have a pyx.  So, she asked our friend if he had something she could use and he gives her a pyx he has that he bought to bring his mother, who was dying of cancer, Communion, but never did because she died before he could to so.  So, she rushed back hoping I would still be there to give her Communion.  I am still not sure why S wanted me to do this, since she is also an Extraordianry Minister of Holy Communion.  I remember her saying, "you need to do it, I can't."
I have thought about this whole thing for over a month now and each time I am more and more amazed.  It was a gift, not only for Diane, but for me, S, T and even our friend who loaned S the pyx.  All of us were very close to Diane and we were able to share a beautiful moment with her.  And to see the Body of Christ in a new light.
As an Extraordinary Minister it has always been meaningful when I have given communion to adults and children who are receiving just after their first communion.  But this time, I was able to give someone Jesus for the last time.  And not just someone, my dear friend, my sister in all ways but birth. 

Making Sapce for God

The Father knocks at my door seeking a home for his son.

Rent is cheap, I say

I don’t want to rent, I want to buy, says God.

I’m not sure I want to sell,

but you might come in to look around.

I think I will, says God.

I might let you have a room or two.

I like it, says God. I'll take the two.

You might decide to give me more some day.

I can wait, says God.

I’d like to give you more, but it’s a bit difficult;

I need some space for me.

I know, says God, but I’ll wait. I like what I see.

Hmm, maybe I can let you have another room.

I really don’t need that much.

Thanks, says God. I'll take it. I like what I see.

I’d like to give you the whole house

but I’m not sure -

Think on it, says God. I wouldn’t put you out.

Your house would be mine and my son would live in it.

You’d have more space than you’d ever had before.

I don’t understand at all.

I know, says God, but I can’t tell you about that.

You’ll have to discover it for yourself.

That can only happen if you let them have the whole house.

A bit risky, I say.

Yes, says God, but try me.

I’m not sure -- I’ll let you know.

I can wait, says God. I like what I see.

by Margaret Halaska, O.S.F.



St. Ignatius Loyola

I am reading a biography of St. Ignatius Loyola and learning all sorts of things about him.  He was sickly all his life, yet persisted in living a life of poverty eventhough his health could have been improved if he'd chosen otherwise.  He did penance for many sinners and many converted their lives of sin because of his example.  In many pictures, he is dressed as a soldier, but he wore a simple habit, probably something similar to what St. Francis wore.  He was subjected to the Inquisition in Spain more than once.  He gave his Spiritual Exercise to both religious and lay people before he was a priest. When he was ordained, he waited over a year to prepare himself to celebrate his first Mass. 
Another thing I found astonishing was that Church authorities thought he and his followers were to familiar with the sacraments, especially the Eucharist because they received every Sunday.  In his time, people received only once or twice a year. As someone who receives almost daily, it is so difficult to understand the Church's position at that time.
"Dearest Lord, teach me to be generous.  Teach me to serve Thee as Thou deservest; to give and not count the cost; to fight and not heed the wounds; to toil and not seek for rest; to labor and not to seek reward, save that of knowing that I do thy will, O God.  St. Ignatius

7 Quick Takes

More Quick Takes at Conversion Diary.

1.  Saying good-bye is difficult. Our daughter is leaving for an extended, unknown period of time.  She is moving to Australia for a year and then wants to be a missionary somewhere, maybe Brazil, but it will depend on what she can find.  She was away at school for four years and our son moved out two years ago, but Australia is very far away from Florida.  VERY. FAR. AWAY.  My mom was trying to convince me it is no different than when she lived in Gainesville or our son now living in New York.  I wasn't buying it.  In some ways it is more than the moving far away, it is the fact that truly my children are now adults and this part of my life where they are my responsibility is over.  I am blessed beyond measure that both can take care of themselves and make good decisions, but it will take some time to get used to this new stage.
2.  Last night we had dinner with a family we have been friends with since before either of us had children.  We reminisced about many things the kids all did together.  Our girls are two weeks apart and Elisa and I were the first visitors Kathy and Sarah had at the hospital.  But even before that, Kathy and I took our pregnancy test together.  Apparently we had never shared this before with the girls; they were surprised. 
3. Elisa is going to NY before going to Australia.  She'll spend time with family and go visit her brother in East Hampton for a few days.  She will  be in the U.S. until July 12. 
4.  Do I seem a bit focused on Elisa?  Well, it's hard not to be with one day left to spend with her. 

5.  Elisa's best qualities are her determination, strength of faith, love of family and friends and her level headedness.  She also has a quite a spirit of adventure but loves a good plan, especially if she has come up with it herself. She is loyal, values fairness, and holds on to traditions. 

6.  She likes to hold my hand when we are out and gives me hugs when I need them.

7.  Elisa has the best qualities of both her parents, her few negative traits come, of course, from her dad!  I'm kidding.  But, in the interest of honesty, she is very much like me in that she does not suffer fools well at all.