Notlukewarm

Answered Prayers

2009-11-08T20:59:00.003-05:00

Do you ever have those days when too many things start do go horribly wrong and the timing is really bad? Well, yesterday was that day! Actually it started on sooner than that.
This weekend was our Ministry Fair at church, which is one of my major responsibilities and takes months of planning. It is part of a month of stewardship activities.
It began on Tuesday when I asked our maintenance man to bring over the ministry books we had stored from last year. He couldn't find them, ANYWHERE in the hall or church. So, we began praying to St. Anthony. And we looked some more, but to no avail. I am talking about 1200 books here, gone, vanished like we all wish our wrinkles would! No problem, I printed mini booklets we had sent out to non participating parishioners.
On Friday I go to the bakery to pick up bread we need and it's late. Not a big deal, they give me a cafe con leche while I wait 30 minutes. While I am waiting for the bread, my food rep leaves me a few voice mail messages at the office to explain how he forgot to put my order in and when did I really need the food? He assures me the food will be at the parish by 9 am Saturday, so I schedule the volunteer chef to come at 10 am to make the finger sandwiches. 9 , 9:30, 9:45 finally I call and again I am assured the food is on the way. By 10:30 part of the food is delivered, the rest comes at 1 or so, but at least the sandwiches get made.
Then I get a message that the person in charge of preparing and serving the food is on the way to the ER with her mom, with another stroke or an allergic reaction to her medication.
At this point I am truly starting to wonder if I am doing anything that I should be in my life since this must be God's way of telling me I am in the wrong place, wrong time, wrong, wrong, all wrong. But I keep praying, thinking, thinking, praying, and making phone calls trying to put out the fires.
Of course, while I am doing this I am setting up for the fair and thinking about all the other things that have happened this week, including three people being hospitalized, two of whom had surgery.
And in the end, every single need was taken care of and the hospitalized people are recovering.
Were all these little problems tests, was it the devil, was it poor planning? I don't know. I do know that instead of giving up I just kept doing what I could and praying that whatever should happen would. God provided and cared for me, as he always does.

Crystal Gayle - Eddy Rabbit - duet - you and I

2009-11-06T06:42:00.001-05:00

Our Wedding Song! At the end of our reception, the waiters all came out with sparklers and made a cirlce around us as we danced. It was odd.

7 Quick Takes

2009-11-06T06:30:00.003-05:00

1. Today is our 26th wedding anniversary. Let's look at some pictures:

2. Here is our wedding song:

Just You and I

3. We are celebrating with a romantic dinner at home, just the two of us. I bought all the food already prepared from a great Italian market. We are having Antipasto:cold shrimp, mortadella, prosciutto, bruschetta, olives, bread sticks, and bread. Dinner: Mini-ravioli with sun dried tomatoes, Chicken breasts with eggplant, broccoli rabe. Dessert: Cannoli and Baci chocolates. I think champagne and/or wine will also be served.

4. Our son is living on his own now and I find I miss him more now than I did when he was away at college or living in New York. I think it is because now, he is close by while when he was away, he was far away.

5. Ten pages written out of the forty I need to write for my final paper!

6. Please pray for our parish's youth minister. She has a serious infection on her foot and may have to have a toe amputated. She is diabetic, which is a further complication.

7. Now, this is very random, but my pastor/boss and I usually get a haircut the same week. Bizarre, isn't it.

More 7 Quick Takes at Conversion Diary!

26 Year Anniversary

2009-11-06T06:25:00.000-05:00

My husband and I have been married twenty six years. It seems like it was just yesterday and that it has been forever. So, to honor our life together, 26 things which make me happy and I am thankful for:

1. We love each other.

2. We have two wonderful children.

3. We still hold hands in public.

4. We kiss in the kitchen.

5. Our faith sustains us.

6. He folds my laundry.

7. When I can't sleep, he holds me until I do.

8. He thinks I look just like I did when we started dating.

9. We go to the opera and he likes it now!

10. He puts gas in my car.

11. We ride bikes together.

12. We call or email to say "I love you" during the day.

13. We like each other's cooking.

14. He is a great painter; walls, not pictures.

15. We enjoy spending time together.

16. He listens to me rant about work.

17. I miss him when we are not together.

18. He runs my baths for me.

19. He learned to dance for me.

20. Our days are not complete without hugs.

21. I have all his letters to me. Someday I will put them in a scrapbook.

22. We look better in pictures when we are together.

23. He's not my better half, he's my other half.

24. He opens the car door for me.

25. He helps me help others.

26. He loves God.

Sometimes I wish things had been different or easier or or or, but in the end, I would still want us right where we are, together.

November is Stewardship Month

2009-11-05T15:10:00.002-05:00

At least at our parish it is. And since I am director of stewardship, I am quite busy. Now, many people are very much against stewardship and I am aware of this. But, you don't stop preaching God's word and truth because people don't like it.
So, last weekend we invited everyone to "take a step" in time, talent, and treasure. This weekend we have our ministry fair and lay witness speakers. Then it is commitment weekend and we end before Thanksgiving with a ministry blessing for all those involved in ministry.
So, what is the point of all this? Well, our Bishops have a document called, "Stewardship: A Disciple's Response" , which gives you a detailed explanation along with study questions. If you'd rather not read the whole thing I can sum it up:
1. Stewardship is not optional for the baptized.
2. All that we have comes from God.
3. Gratitude is the only response possible for all that he has given to us.
4. A good steward is a good Christian.
5. All sin can be seen as a lack of being a good steward.
Think about it.

A Public Person

2009-11-05T08:26:00.003-05:00

My husband is in the diaconate formation program. At times wives are expected to attend events. At two out of the three we have been told we will become public persons when our husbands are ordained. I am already a bit annoyed it is mentioned over and over without it explained and because I am already a public person. Now, don't think I am making assumptions, I'm not. I have been employed in parishes for almost ten years so it is safe to make this assertion. I don't always like being a public person, but it comes with the territory. My husband is also a rather public person in our parish. One, he is married to me and so attends almost every activity with me. Two, he is involved in ministries of his own.
On the flip side is a good friend who is a deacon's wife. She tells me I will become invisible when my husband is ordained. Well, that would be a welcome change. I'd be quite happy if I could attend Mass on Sunday without hearing a litany of complaints before I even reach the holy water font.
To me, being a public person means people notice your presence or lack thereof at your usual Mass and at parish events. I look at it as part of my responsibility as a parish employee and someone who is trying to spread the Good News. I don't think I could become more public with my husband's ordination and I will wait and see if I become invisible.

Sunday October 25 Gospel

2009-10-24T17:49:00.002-04:00

In the gospel, Mark 10:46-52, Bartimaeus cries out "have pity on me" and then when Jesus asks him what he wants, he says, "I want to see." I think of all the times I have cried those very words. How many times have I cried those words, in way or another, imploring, pleading, begging "please, let me see what I am to do, what am I to say, where am I to go, what is the plan? "
And sometimes, I get an answer and other times I am not so sure. Or, I get an answer, but I don't like it.
Jesus tell Bartimaeus, "Your faith has saved you." Why then, do I struggle with believing that for myself? Jesus saves me from our whatever I am lacking if I believe with the faith I profess I have.
My eternal struggle, is living out in my daily life that truth that it is in me.

Graduate School

2009-10-24T17:00:00.002-04:00

Since January of 2006 I have been enrolled in an extension program of Loyola University of New Orleans. It is called LIMEX, Loyola Institute for Ministry, Extension. I am almost done. Almost done meaning I have to write a 35 to 40 page paper, a synthesis - praxis paper which will help me see my ministry more clearly and enable me to mobilize my learnings into a coherent and focused practice. This is a pretty tall order and most days I'm sure I'm not up to it at all. This week, though I started thinking more about the paper. Well, maybe not so much the paper, but how my life has changed since I began this program.
I am no longer a religious education director but the stewardship director.
My children no longer live at home. My son has graduated college and is about to start a new job while my daughter is still in college.
My husband has changed careers after a long stretch without full time employment and he has entered the diaconate program.
My grandmother died, my husband's grandmother died, my dad had quadruple by-pass surgery, and my dear friend has had cancer twice.
I am not the person I was when we began. The things I've mentioned are just the beginning; I have to yet to determine how these events have impacted the way in which I function as a "professional minister."
I know that I am more compassionate, listen better, and care more deeply for others. I have more knowledge about the church, scripture, and theology. However, the most important thing I have learned is that trust in God's unending love, grace, and mercy is what got me through the tough spots on the list above.
The task now, is to blend my life, ministry, and lessons into one paper that ties it up neatly. No small task, but I must persevere.

Random Thoughts

2009-10-09T14:26:00.005-04:00

1. Somehow we have arrived in the month of October. I truly have no idea how, because I am still working on June's to-do list. I have fallen far off the path in my prayer life, exercise, personal time, basically everything that nurtures me. And why, how did this happen? All the needs of others and work suffocated me to the point that I was always anxious and slightly depressed.
2. As I was trying to deal with that, some great things happened. My husband got a permanent teaching job at a local high school and we went on a short vacation. Our son and his girlfriend temporarily stayed with us and now both have found new places to live. So, now our nest is empty again. I'll miss them, but I do enjoy being alone with my husband. In some ways it makes us feel very young again.
3. Through all of this, I am constantly wondering what the higher purpose is in the trials we go through and why things change so often. Each change has a domino effect. Since my husband is working full time now, I have to do housework. Thankfully he still goes grocery shopping. It's not that I am incapable of doing housework, but now I have to think about it and remember to do it.
4. Sometimes I think God's plan is to teach me humility, other times I think it is trust. I think trust in him is so important and really that is what sustains me and tells me to not lose hope, even when that seems like the best option.
5. This week I am going to Dallas for a Stewardship conference. It will also be an opportunity for some quiet time and prayer time. There is daily Mass, excellent speakers, and time to meet new people. It renews in me a sense of purpose in regard to my ministry, which is always a good thing.
6. Someone said that in our course of study over the last 3 1/2 years she has learned that there is no objective truth. I disagree, but couldn't find words to express myself. I hate when that happens.
7. I keep praying to find peace and contentment, my trust in God knows it is there, even if I can't find it.
8. My son and his girlfriend are not living together and people seem surprised by this!
9. Prayers for some friends:
All my friends who are having cancer treatments
A colleague whose dad died
The group of our parishioners who are in Guatemala on a mission trip
T's mom who had a stroke

Respect Life Sunday

2009-09-30T21:37:00.002-04:00

In preparation for Respect Life Sunday, a statement by Cardinal Justin Rigali. It is always difficult that our priests do not preach on this topic. I am never sure why as it seems to me the issue of respecting all life and taking care of the life we have been given is essential to all we believe as Catholics. Am I being naive?

Interesting Websites

2009-09-27T14:30:00.003-04:00

The post "Sunday Mass" comes from this site, Seasoned Spirituality. It has homilies, booklets you can print out, the Ignatian Spiritual Exercises, and more.

There is a brand new website for all things pertaining to the rosary, called, appropriately enough, Rosary.com. You can purchase rosaries, read stories and testimonials, learn how to pray the rosary or make a rosary.

Steve Ray consolidated his many sites and his blog into one handy location, Defenders of the Faith.

If you'd like daily reflections on the day's readings, go on over to Presentation Ministries. I used to get a print copy of One Bread, One Body for years. Now it comes directly to my in-box.

Sunday's Gospel

2009-09-27T14:01:00.002-04:00

John said to him, "Teacher, we saw someone driving out demons in your name, and we tried to prevent him because he does not follow us." Jesus replied, "Do not prevent him. There is no one who performs a mighty deed in my name who can at the same time speak ill of me. For whoever is not against us is for us. Anyone who gives you a cup of water to drink because you belong to Christ, amen, I say to you, will surely not lose his reward. "Whoever causes one of these little ones who believe (in me) to sin, it would be better for him if a great millstone were put around his neck and he were thrown into the sea. If your hand causes you to sin, cut it off. It is better for you to enter into life maimed than with two hands to go into Gehenna, into the unquenchable fire. And if your foot causes you to sin, cut it off. It is better for you to enter into life crippled than with two feet to be thrown into Gehenna. And if your eye causes you to sin, pluck it out. Better for you to enter into the kingdom of God with one eye than with two eyes to be thrown into Gehenna, where 'their worm does not die, and the fire is not quenched.'

So, what do you think about that?! I pondered this Gospel for a few days, and one night, in my insomnia, I cried out to God and in the morning he answered me with this:
What is causing you to sin? Not your hand, or foot or eye; rather, it is your actions or inaction that cause sin. So, the question is what needs to be cut off or out in your life? Is it food, drink, selfishness, drugs, sex, pornography, greed, idolatry, envy, the list contains as many possibilities as people in the world.
In order to learn what we need to rid ourselves of, we must go to the Lord in prayer and a sincere heart to be open to what he tells us. Change is never easy, but if we allow God to gently rid us of our sins, then we will be filled with his mercy and peace.
Jesus is reminding us that our goal is heaven and to reach it we must exert some effort. He is also clear that to enter, one must be pure.

Don't be Late

2009-09-24T03:40:00.002-04:00

Priest's Retirement Dinner
A priest was being honored at his retirement dinner after 35 years in the parish. A leading local politician and member of the congregation was chosen to make the presentation and to give a little speech at the dinner. However, he was delayed, so the Priest decided to say his own few words while they waited: 'I got my first impression of the parish from the first confession I heard here. I thought I had been assigned to a terrible place. The very first person who entered my confessional told me he had stolen a television set and, when questioned by the police, was able to lie his way out of it. He had stolen money from his parents, embezzled from his employer, had an affair with his boss's wife, taken illegal drugs, and gave VD to his neighbor's wife. I was appalled. But as the days went on I learned that my people were not all like that and I had, indeed, come to a fine parish full of good and loving people.'...Just as the Priest finished his talk, the politician arrived full of apologies at being late. He immediately began to make the presentation and gave his talk: 'I'll never forget the first day our parish Priest arrived,' said the politician. 'In fact, I had the honour of being the first person to go to him for confession.'

Sunday Mass by Fr. Kissinger

2009-09-21T21:41:00.002-04:00

This found its way to my inbox today. I was quite moved by it and would like to give it to many, many people. I'll start here and see what happens. It is not copyrighted per the email.

Sunday Mass is the heart of Catholicism. Yet, there has been a dramatic drop in attendance at Sunday Mass. Recent polls indicate that less than 50% of Catholics go to Mass on Sunday. In the past, the word that Catholics dreaded to hear most was “excommunicated.” Today they “excommunicate” themselves; they refuse to go to Mass. Some say they get nothing out of it; the homilies are boring. Others want to know if they have an obligation to go to Sunday Mass. What can we say to these people, some of whom are our relatives and good friends? I have thought of this for some time now and offer these thoughts for your consideration.

Why should you go to Mass on Sunday? You say you are a Catholic. Sunday Mass is the very heart of Catholicism. You believe in Jesus. You want to do the will of Jesus. Well, this is the will of Jesus. You say you love Jesus. Jesus said, “If you love me keep my commandments.” This is the command of Jesus. “Do this in memory of me…For as often as you eat this bread and drink this cup you proclaim the death of the Lord till he comes.” (1Cor. 11: 24-26) Are you really a Catholic?

Why should you go to Mass on Sunday? Mary is “our tainted nature’s solitary boast,” the “Immaculate Exception.” So you are a sinner. You are a sinner actually in the past, potentially in the future and you carry this treasure is a very fragile vessel. You need a savior. You need salvation. Here is the one and only Savior and the very act by which you are saved, re-presented now sacramentally, so that you can participate in it. And you want to know if you have to do this?

Why should you go to Mass on Sunday? You started out as zero, zip, nada. You are a conglomeration of the gifts of God. All that you have, all that you are, all that you will ever be is a spin-off from the reality that God loves you. “What do you have that you have not received?” You should be grateful for all God has done for you. Here is the Eucharist which is the greatest act of thanksgiving. Have you fallen in love with the gifts and forgotten all about the Giver? As the poet said, “Ingratitude the most unkindest cut of all.” And you call yourself a Catholic?

Why should you go to Mass on Sunday? The first and most powerful instinct in every human being is self preservation. With all the powers of our being we want to live. Yet we know we have to die. The Eucharist is the pledge of your resurrection. “I am the resurrection and the life…Whoever eats my flesh and drinks my blood has eternal life and I will raise him up on the last day.” (John 6:54) “Eat, drink and be merry” for tomorrow we die and live with the risen Jesus.

Why should you go to Mass on Sunday? In Baptism we forge not only a personal relationship with the Lord but also become a member of the Christian community, the Mystical Body of Jesus, the People of God. To believe is to belong. The Sunday Mass is the celebration of the presence of the Living God in the midst of His people. It is a powerful and essential support group for Christian life in a counter-Christian culture. The Eucharist is the source and sign of unity and community. This is one of the great tragedies today. Young people think that they can become themselves by breaking away from their family, church and even country and manufacture their identity on their own. They do not realize that they are turning away from the very things that give them substance and identity. So they end up with no roots, no identity, now knowing who they are, where they came from and where they are going.

Why should you go to Mass on Sunday? Our Lord first called his followers as disciples, “Come follow me.” And then he sent them out as apostles, “Go into the whole world and make disciples of all nations.” This is the dynamic of Catholicism. This intake and output, this discipleship and apostolate is realized in the Mass. We assemble as disciples to hear the Word of God in the Scripture and to receive the Word of God in the Eucharist. Then we leave the Mass as apostles to proclaim the Good News by our lives and to heal with our love.

Why should you go to Mass on Sunday? Sunday Mass continues the two-fold mission of Jesus to proclaim the Good News and heal the sick. The Liturgy of the Word proclaims the Good News and the Liturgy of the Eucharist heals. If simply touching the hem of Jesus’ garment could heal, what healing must take place when you receive his Body and Blood.

But you say, “I don’t feel like going to Mass.” The two disciples on the road to Emmaus didn’t feel like believing in Jesus they felt that it was all over so they were getting out of town. Then this stranger walks along with them. They feel their hearts burning as he opens the Scripture to them and then they recognize Jesus in “the breaking of the bread.” They turn around and return to Jerusalem to proclaim the Good News. Even if you do not feel like it go to Sunday Mass, your heart may burn also as they open the Scriptures in the Liturgy of the Word and perhaps you will recognize Jesus in “the breaking of bread,” in the Liturgy of the Eucharist and you will turn around and return to the Church to proclaim the Good News to those others who do not feel like going to Mass.

How strange then to hear people ask, “Is there an obligation to go to Mass on Sunday?”
“Obligation?” You have to be kidding. We’re talking about privilege. If it is an obligation that will determine whether or not you go to Mass on Sunday forget the obligation. That is not your problem. You have a greater problem than that. Your problem is faith. You just don’t believe. You’re not a Catholic.

Memo from God

2009-09-14T17:46:00.004-04:00

To: YOU
Date: TODAY
From: GOD
Subject: YOURSELF
Reference: LIFE

This is God.

Today I will be handling all of your problems for you. I do not need your help. So, have a nice day. I love you. And, remember.... If life happens to deliver a situation to you that you cannot handle, do not attempt to resolve it yourself! Kindly put it in the SFGTD (something for God to do) box. I will get to it in MY TIME. All situations will be resolved, but in my time, not yours. Once the matter is placed into the box, do not hold onto it by worrying about it. Instead, focus on all the wonderful things that are present in your life now. Now, you have a nice day.

God

Thanks to my friend who sent this to me! It's an old memo, but always true.

Prayers

2009-09-13T22:20:00.002-04:00

In my business, that is church business, I usually hear more than my fair share of bad news about the goings on in people's lives. It comes with the territory. This past month though, most of this bad news is about my friends. People I know and love and are very dear to me. It is not as easy to simply say I'll pray for you when it is a friend. I try to offer up my daily communion for someone who is in need of prayer and strength. Lately I can't decide who needs it the most. So, I ask you to pray with me for these people and their needs:
D- who starts chemo tomorrow, her second bout of cancer
Y- for remission of cancer
N- who is recovering from surgery
T - who is getting her tonsils removed
T- who is having her deviated septum fixed and sinuses cleaned out
B- and her family as they bury her dad
B- for a new job
T- who is pregnant
all the unemployed
our office staff
and lastly my husband and me as we start a new business venture.

Adoration

2009-09-09T23:02:00.002-04:00

Since I am in charge of planning 40 Hours, I've been thinking about what people need when they go to adoration. I leave rosaries out along with How to pamphlets on the rosary and Divine Mercy Chaplet. Then I have this neat little handout on How to Pray a Holy Hour which I copy and leave out for people to take. A few months ago I also left prayer booklets and books with Eucharistic meditations, those were often taken by people when they left, so this time around I have fewer spiritual aids.
I know what I like to bring with me whenever I go. My journal, bible, iPod for music, rosary, and chaplet, and a sweatshirt. Sometimes I bring a book to read or a bible study to work on. When I go with my husband, we usually pray the rosary together with earphones so we don;t disturb others. Then we each have time for our personal prayers and readings. I like to pray the rosary first, to settle myself down. Then I pray quietly, write in my journal and read. I like to sit on the floor, as close as possible to the monstrance and just soak up all the grace from being in his presence.
I like to go at least once a week. It is so calming. When I can't get to an adoration chapel, I go to our chapel and sit before the tabernacle. It is truly the most satisfying prayer time.

40 Hours Devotion

2009-09-09T22:48:00.002-04:00

We are again having 40 Hours in our parish this week. It is so wonderful to know that people are praying before the Blessed Sacrament in our chapel. I was there this morning and then later this evening. Each time there are many more people than those who signed up. My husband and I are going at 4 am. I can't wait.
Tonight we also had Exalt as part of the devotion. This is a time of praise and worship, teaching and then adoration especially for the teens of our parish. Sadly, not many attend. And there was literally no time of silence. During adoration time, there was music or guided meditation. How do we teach teens to be still and listen when there is no quiet?
We close tomorrow night with Mass at 7 pm. I hope it is better attended than the opening Mass.

Snake

2009-09-09T22:41:00.003-04:00

I read many blogs where folks live out in the country or have pets as well as little children. Little children and pets provide entertainment and fodder for amusing posts. I have no such fodder. But I did come into contact with a snake in my office a few weeks ago.
I was just locking up at about 8:15 pm and as I walked into my office I saw something odd outside the youth minister's door. As I walked toward it, it slithered under the door. It was a snake! So, I called a co-worker and told her to come with a shovel so I could kill the snake. Yes, kill it. She arrived five minutes later with her teenage son and a pillowcase. Apparently, killing the snake was no longer the plan. We would catch it and then set it free. Which is what we did, eventually.
We told our boss today, aka our pastor, he didn't really believe us. Oh well. Somewhere there are pictures to prove it.

It's Friday

2009-08-28T10:08:00.004-04:00

1. A favorite song for you to listen to : Sometimes by Step.

2. How does the devil distract us from God?

The head devil is going to send the trainees to earth to convince the people they do not need to be concerned about serving God. He asks the questions, "How will you do this?" #1 says, "I will tell them there is no God." "Won't work, in their hearts people know God exists." #2 says, "I will tell them there is no hell." "No, people know there are consequences for actions." #3 says, "I will tell them "Don't worry about it today, you have plenty of time." "Excellent, that will work."

And that is the truth, isn't it. How often do we put off what we know we should do because we have time? This week many of the scripture readings have pointed out to us that we do not know when Jesus is coming and so we must be prepared.

3. Two friends told me something extremely uplifting about their impression of me, as a person of faith. It was totally unexpected. It made me think about how often I deny that I have any positive impact on others, and put myself down. I didn't even tell me husband what they said to me, I feel if I tell anyone, it will tarnish it somehow. I just want to treasure and remember it.

4. Speaking of friends, I will be the mother of 4 next week, well 6 if you include my own. "D" has to go to Houston for a cancer check-up and our friend "T", who is an oncology nurse, is going with her. But, "T's" husband has an unexpected business trip, so I'm on for her. It was going to be 3 days, now it is just overnight. We've already planned dinner, chocolate chip pancakes. Maybe I'll make smiley faces with the chips like I did when my children were little. Not that these are little children, a senior, sophomore and freshman in high school and a 6th grader. But then, who can resist smiley faced chocolate chip pancakes?

5. If you ever have a chance to go on a Cursillo weekend, GO! I went at the end of June and it has been wonderful support as I journey in my faith.

6. I have completed paper #1 and 1/4 of paper #2. It turns out not to have been as difficult as I thought it would be, considering the topic. What is the topic? Basically, to analyze and then make a proposal about how to improve a system. The system I choose is the parish staff which I am a part of. My pastor asked if he was going to see the paper, I said probably not the paper, maybe the proposal. From my research though, I have a new name for myself, "equilibrium buster." Think about it.

7. Prayer of St. Augustine

Love and Do what You Will

Therefore once for all this short command is given to you:"Love and do what you will."If you keep silent, keep silent by love:if you speak, speak by love; if you correct, correct by love; if you pardon, pardon by love; let love be rooted in you, and from the root nothing but good can grow.

For more Quick Takes click on over to Conversion Diary.

By My Side - Godspell

2009-08-24T19:02:00.001-04:00

A favorite song

Word in Action

2009-08-23T10:13:00.001-04:00

Think about this: faithfulness, perseverance, steadfast, and secure all words we could use to describe the faith we see in today’s readings. Can your faith be described using those words?

To Do: Begin to put into practice service to others as a way of serving God.

Why: Serving others according to God’s will is a way to live our faith.

Today Readings:

Largest Prayer Group in History

2009-08-21T15:07:00.003-04:00

Please join the worldwide "Pray to end Abortion" cause on Facebook. Be a part of the largest prayer group in history, sponsored by Priests for Life.

Thoughts on my Blog

2009-08-21T14:14:00.003-04:00

I have figured out why I have not been posting as frequently as I'd like. The main reason is that often I decide that I am going to have a good rant on a topic and after writing I realize I just can't stand the griping all the time. And yes, I mean my own, not others'.I realized it the other day as I was listening to a person talk back to all the other drivers, parked cars and lights on the road. Apparently, this person also critiques others as they drive. It was annoying to listen to and then I realized I do it too, only in writing! And then I thought, there is slim chance the people or situation I am griping about could see this.
Of course, there is also the spiritual growth that comes from refraining from constantly picking the speck out of another's eye before I take the plank from my own.
So, I will have to post on the higher things or my own personal life, as opposed to complaining. This is going to require effort on my part, but I think it will be worth it. Just remember, I'm not promising perfection so check back to see if I am ranting.

Friday

2009-08-21T13:25:00.005-04:00

1. Prayers for our diocese's Rachel's Vineyard Retreat going on this weekend. This is a wonderful retreat to heal the hearts of those who are post-abortive. We have a wonderful team and priest who minister to the women and men who are in need of restoration. During the retreat different people go to the site and pray in Adoration during the entire weekend. Put, we can always use more prayer.
2. My daughter is on her way back to college today with her dad. I figured it was his turn to make the drive as I did two weeks ago when we set up her apartment.
3. My son (the chef) made his annual summer visit to the ER. He cut his hand when the knife slipped while he was cutting a roasted duck. What's so interesting is that this time around, he just casually mentions it along with the fact that he talked the nurse into giving me a tool to take the stitches out on his own. Silly me, I never realized he'd paid his tuition so he could be a doctor and a chef!
4. I have allowed myself to become re-addicted to sugar. Bad, very very bad. I must get back up and stop the sugar train before it does even more damage.
5. I was able to spend some time sewing this week, which is always rewarding. I have a new skirt and so does my daughter.
6. Next week I hope to have completed one of my two papers which are due in September. By actually writing this down it helps me to be accountable because here it is now in black and white, no excuses. I must do it!
7. I'm going to the movies tonight to see Julie and Julia with some friends. Girls night out, can't wait.