On Thursday I had my picture taken for the parish directory. I am glad my parish is doing this pictorial directory. It'll be nice to see who is who. I had my dad with me, and he had his picture taken too. We also had pictures taken of the both of us together. Then I spent a lot of money for wallet size photos. I realized how vain I am, and how it comes from insecurity.
After our photo session, Dad and I went to Eucharistic Adoration. How peaceful and beautiful. I just loved being in the silent company of my fellow parishioners, some I knew and some I didn't. I wondered what problems people brought before God. I know my problems; they seem too big for me. I know some of the problems my dad has, and I feel for him. I realized others probably had bigger problems. We all have problems, but we all have God.
So far, God has been with me. I trust He will be with me in the future.
My father has a very strong faith, and a very strong interest in Catholic theology and church history. I was glad we could sit quietly together in church.
My dad and I rounded out our day by going our for a relaxing meal at a Chinese restaurant. I was glad I was able to spend some quality time with my Dad. Sometimes I think my dad is my best friend.
Saturday, July 30, 2011
Wednesday, July 20, 2011
I Am An Only Child
Often I wish I had siblings, but it didn't turn out that way.
My mom was 38 when she got married. She was 39 when she became pregnant with me, and 40 when she gave birth. I know my birth almost caused her to die. Luckily she was my mom for 38 years.
I remember praying as a child for younger siblings. Wouldn't twins be fun? I remember my mother praying with me. When my mother died, I heard my dad tell someone that he wished he had lots of children. I wished I had siblings to share my particular sorrow with. I wish I had siblings when my dad became sick. He's okay now. I wish had siblings, but maybe it wouldn't have been peaches and cream like I think it would have been.
I have learned that when my mom was about my age, she had a miscarriage (her second pregnancy). So, I almost had a sibling here on earth. My dad doesn't feel comfortable discussing it. He said, "it didn't make it!" I wish I knew details.
Right now I have a 40 year-old married cousin with one toddler. I have a feeling the toddler will remain an only. I wish I could tell her to try to have another one because being an only IS lonely for me. However, I can't tell anyone what to do with their life. I don't know if she and her husband are trying to conceive. I won't ask because it's NONE of MY business. Family planning* is between a wife, husband, and God.
I don't know why God made me an only. I don't know why I am still single either. I don't know anything. But I wish I would've been "enough" for my parents. On other other hand, I wish they had more children.
Being an only child isn't the worst thing in the world. I don't want to give that impression either. I have friends who are only children, and they lead happy lives.
I do hate when people call an unplanned pregnancy an "oops baby" or a mistake. My mother said there are no oops babies or mistakes, just surprises. I hate when people criticize large families (and large keeps getting smaller each passing decade).
*(includes NFP, not using birth control, using birth control, TTC, not using NFP)
My mom was 38 when she got married. She was 39 when she became pregnant with me, and 40 when she gave birth. I know my birth almost caused her to die. Luckily she was my mom for 38 years.
I remember praying as a child for younger siblings. Wouldn't twins be fun? I remember my mother praying with me. When my mother died, I heard my dad tell someone that he wished he had lots of children. I wished I had siblings to share my particular sorrow with. I wish I had siblings when my dad became sick. He's okay now. I wish had siblings, but maybe it wouldn't have been peaches and cream like I think it would have been.
I have learned that when my mom was about my age, she had a miscarriage (her second pregnancy). So, I almost had a sibling here on earth. My dad doesn't feel comfortable discussing it. He said, "it didn't make it!" I wish I knew details.
Right now I have a 40 year-old married cousin with one toddler. I have a feeling the toddler will remain an only. I wish I could tell her to try to have another one because being an only IS lonely for me. However, I can't tell anyone what to do with their life. I don't know if she and her husband are trying to conceive. I won't ask because it's NONE of MY business. Family planning* is between a wife, husband, and God.
I don't know why God made me an only. I don't know why I am still single either. I don't know anything. But I wish I would've been "enough" for my parents. On other other hand, I wish they had more children.
Being an only child isn't the worst thing in the world. I don't want to give that impression either. I have friends who are only children, and they lead happy lives.
I do hate when people call an unplanned pregnancy an "oops baby" or a mistake. My mother said there are no oops babies or mistakes, just surprises. I hate when people criticize large families (and large keeps getting smaller each passing decade).
*(includes NFP, not using birth control, using birth control, TTC, not using NFP)
Wednesday, July 13, 2011
Sign Language, Divine Mercy, Returning to Bible Study, T.V.
This past Sunday, a visiting priest from Jacksonville, Florida, said Mass. He said he was in town for a conference for Catholics who are deaf. He actually signed the Eucharist prayer (as well as saying it aloud). Also he taught us a few gestures to use as we said the Our Father. How wonderful to have a priest with the gift of sign language. I hope all our deaf Catholic brothers and sisters who rely on sign language have contact with a signing priest. The sign for peace is like calming the waters.
Link: International Catholic Deaf Association
Last night I went to a talk given by the Marians about the Divine Mercy. What a gift, what a treasure the Divine Mercy is. The Divine Mercy is one of the riches of the Catholic church. I am so glad to be Catholic. On priest brought a big negative of the photo of the Shroud of Turin. When lit from behind you can see how the image of the Divine Mercy matches up with Shroud of Turin image. I felt a shiver. We said the Divine Mercy chaplet, and we each were blessed w/the a first class relic of St. Faustina.
Link: Marians
This evening I returned to a Catholic Bible study that I dropped out of two years ago. It was good to be back. We study the Bible in conjunction with the Catechism of the Catholic Church. I feel kind of happy that I went to my Bible study.
Right new Primetime is airing an hour long program on Mary. Yes, our Blessed Mother. I turned the program on late. Did you watch this program? What did you think of it? How is Catholicism portrayed?
Link: International Catholic Deaf Association
Last night I went to a talk given by the Marians about the Divine Mercy. What a gift, what a treasure the Divine Mercy is. The Divine Mercy is one of the riches of the Catholic church. I am so glad to be Catholic. On priest brought a big negative of the photo of the Shroud of Turin. When lit from behind you can see how the image of the Divine Mercy matches up with Shroud of Turin image. I felt a shiver. We said the Divine Mercy chaplet, and we each were blessed w/the a first class relic of St. Faustina.
Link: Marians
This evening I returned to a Catholic Bible study that I dropped out of two years ago. It was good to be back. We study the Bible in conjunction with the Catechism of the Catholic Church. I feel kind of happy that I went to my Bible study.
Right new Primetime is airing an hour long program on Mary. Yes, our Blessed Mother. I turned the program on late. Did you watch this program? What did you think of it? How is Catholicism portrayed?
Monday, July 4, 2011
Corpus Christi at St. Elizabeth Seton Parish
Good Morning,
The Feast of Corpus Christi (Body of Christ) was June 26, over a week ago, but I'm still thinking of it. After all, I named this blog after the Eucharist because it's so meaningful to me.
I attended Mass at St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Catholic Church in Crystal Lake, Illinois, because I was staying at my friends' house in that town.
As the Mass ended we had a procession around the parking lot. The pastor held the monstrance, and we all followed him around. It was very silent and reverent.
This parish has some events listed in the bulletin that impressed me:
1) There are two daily masses.
2) There are three different times for confessions every week.
3) The rosary is recited eleven times every week.
4) The Divine Mercy Chaplet is recited six times a week
5) Eucharist adoration is available seven days a week.
One of the priests is a parochial vicar, which sounds very impressive. What is a parochial vicar? I've never heard of one.
The pastor, Fr. Brian Grady, wrote an entire page about the Holy Eucharist. Here is part of what he wrote.
"Did anything of the bread and wine remain after their substance had been changed into Our Lord's body and blood? After the substance of the bread and wine had been changed into Our Lord's body and blood, there remained only the appearances of bread and wine. Because the appearances of bread and wine remain in the Holy Eucharist, we cannot see Christ with our bodily eyes in this sacrament. We do see Him, however, with the eyes of faith. Our bodily eyes, moreover, do not deceive us when they see the appearances of bread and wine, for these appearances really remain after the Consecration of the Mass. By the appearances of bread and wine we mean their color, taste, weight, shape, and whatever else appears to the senses. The change of the entire substance of the bread and wine into the body and blood of Christ called Transubstantiation."
I believe.
One more thing: you had the option of receiving communion by kneeling at a communion rail at this church.
The Feast of Corpus Christi (Body of Christ) was June 26, over a week ago, but I'm still thinking of it. After all, I named this blog after the Eucharist because it's so meaningful to me.
I attended Mass at St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Catholic Church in Crystal Lake, Illinois, because I was staying at my friends' house in that town.
As the Mass ended we had a procession around the parking lot. The pastor held the monstrance, and we all followed him around. It was very silent and reverent.
This parish has some events listed in the bulletin that impressed me:
1) There are two daily masses.
2) There are three different times for confessions every week.
3) The rosary is recited eleven times every week.
4) The Divine Mercy Chaplet is recited six times a week
5) Eucharist adoration is available seven days a week.
One of the priests is a parochial vicar, which sounds very impressive. What is a parochial vicar? I've never heard of one.
The pastor, Fr. Brian Grady, wrote an entire page about the Holy Eucharist. Here is part of what he wrote.
"Did anything of the bread and wine remain after their substance had been changed into Our Lord's body and blood? After the substance of the bread and wine had been changed into Our Lord's body and blood, there remained only the appearances of bread and wine. Because the appearances of bread and wine remain in the Holy Eucharist, we cannot see Christ with our bodily eyes in this sacrament. We do see Him, however, with the eyes of faith. Our bodily eyes, moreover, do not deceive us when they see the appearances of bread and wine, for these appearances really remain after the Consecration of the Mass. By the appearances of bread and wine we mean their color, taste, weight, shape, and whatever else appears to the senses. The change of the entire substance of the bread and wine into the body and blood of Christ called Transubstantiation."
I believe.
One more thing: you had the option of receiving communion by kneeling at a communion rail at this church.
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