Today's visiting priest was Father Norbert. He was Priest A from last week. But he didn't give a homily. Instead we had a first-year seminarian who spoke about answering God's call. I'm calling the seminarian BK because those are his initials. BK tied his speech into the reading quite nicely. He was also wearing a nice suit and tie. When was the last time I saw man in a suit and tie? It's been a really long time.
BK said he was engaged then felt a pull towards the priesthood. That's all well and good, but I couldn't help but think that somewhere out there is a youngish woman with a broken heart. BK's story was very touching, and afterwards I told him so. I think it's important we encourage our priests and priests-to-be.
I was a communion minister today. I had the cup. One woman kept drinking and drinking. I thought she was going to drink the entire contents of the cup. Another woman dipped her host, which is a big NO-NO. I think I was suppose to stop her from doing that.
Afterwards I met with a friend, and we saw The Dolphin Tale. My friend is quite depressed and nervous because she works in a psychologically unhealthy place. She's sensitive to the fact that I am unemployed and wish I had a job. I once worked in that same psychologically unhealthy place. We're both looking for new jobs. I told her to keep on trying and hoping. I know I keep hoping. I hope then I cry. Then I hope and then I cry. Intermingled in this hoping and crying is the searching. But if I didn't have hope. I would be in DESPAIR. But really, what choice do I have?
Dear God, PLEASE give me strength to get through this job search. Dear God, please take care of my material needs (food, shelter) because I can barely take care of them myself. Dear God, please let my resume land in the hands of the right person or in front of the eyes of the right person. Dear God, please, please, please. I beg you for a job. Dear God, don't throw me out on the street, penniless. Dear God, please HELP.
Sunday, September 25, 2011
Saturday, September 24, 2011
Becoming A Person - Religious Education in the 1970s
I went to Catholic grade school in the 1970s, so of course I had religion class. We had a religion textbook and an additional book from the Becoming A Person series. No, it wasn't written by Carl Rogers that I know of.
These were touchy-feely Catholic books written for children that I really liked. I don't remember much about the religion textbook.
I bet I could write everything I learned in my years of Catholic school in one post because we were learning about becoming a person instead of becoming a Catholic.
Does anybody remember this series?
These were touchy-feely Catholic books written for children that I really liked. I don't remember much about the religion textbook.
I bet I could write everything I learned in my years of Catholic school in one post because we were learning about becoming a person instead of becoming a Catholic.
Does anybody remember this series?
Wednesday, September 21, 2011
A Better Mother or Huh? Really? I don't think so. My mother was better.
I was over at Jill Stanek's blog and saw the video of a pro-choice group rudely interrupting a pro-life meeting at Georgia State University.
One young pro-abort woman said, "A woman has an abortion to be a better mother." I couldn't believe I heard that. That does not make sense. How can a mother be a mother if she's killing her babies? I don't know what kind of mother that young woman had, but she didn't have my mother.
My mother cared for people including the unborn. My mother wanted more children. My mother became involved with Birthright. My mother took care of me. My mother helped other people. My mother taught me to take the high road. She had very high moral standards. My mother took care of my father. I miss my mother. Oh, how I miss her. If only I could give my mom one more hug.
The same young GSU woman also said the phrase, ". . . the child she carries in her womb." Well, at least the pro-abort KNOWS it's a CHILD in the womb. AND young Miss Pro-Abort said a woman who chooses an abortion chooses the "lesser of two evils." So she just said abortion is evil. Of course, she is implying that giving birth is also evil.
You'll see on Jill Stanek's blog that there's a cease and desist letter. Well, those pro-abort GSU students probably realized their actions and words didn't promote their cause and called a lawyer. They, especially that one young woman, saw they weren't using the proper pro-abortion words. I mean she said child in the womb. Whoops. If I were her, I wouldn't want that video out there for the world to see. Maybe she'll get kicked out of the pro-abort community.
One young pro-abort woman said, "A woman has an abortion to be a better mother." I couldn't believe I heard that. That does not make sense. How can a mother be a mother if she's killing her babies? I don't know what kind of mother that young woman had, but she didn't have my mother.
My mother cared for people including the unborn. My mother wanted more children. My mother became involved with Birthright. My mother took care of me. My mother helped other people. My mother taught me to take the high road. She had very high moral standards. My mother took care of my father. I miss my mother. Oh, how I miss her. If only I could give my mom one more hug.
The same young GSU woman also said the phrase, ". . . the child she carries in her womb." Well, at least the pro-abort KNOWS it's a CHILD in the womb. AND young Miss Pro-Abort said a woman who chooses an abortion chooses the "lesser of two evils." So she just said abortion is evil. Of course, she is implying that giving birth is also evil.
You'll see on Jill Stanek's blog that there's a cease and desist letter. Well, those pro-abort GSU students probably realized their actions and words didn't promote their cause and called a lawyer. They, especially that one young woman, saw they weren't using the proper pro-abortion words. I mean she said child in the womb. Whoops. If I were her, I wouldn't want that video out there for the world to see. Maybe she'll get kicked out of the pro-abort community.
Monday, September 19, 2011
Wishing for a Pie Chart, Wanting Out of the Sinking Boat
You know how God is in control?
You know how it's important to pray?
You know how we have free will?
You know there are other people on this planet who interact with us?
How much is God in control? How much do my actions lead to my desired goals? How much do the actions of other people influence my life?
Am I unemployed because:
a) God wants me to be unemployed and have no means of support? (God's power)
b) I'm not praying enough? (my power)
c) I am not doing enough of the right things to obtain a job? (my power) or
d) Other people (employers) do not want to hire me? (other people hold the power)
What percentage of this unemployment is God's will??? Whom should I be angry at?
I am actively looking for a job. I meet weekly with a career coach for advice, direction, and support.
I have education. I have skills. I have experience.
I am so sick of hearing about the economy and depressing unemployment rates.
I know plenty of people who are gainfully employed with good salaries and benefits.
I am tired of being a Have Not.
It doesn't make me feel better to hear about how other people are in the same unemployment sinking boat.
I don't want to drown.
Help.
You know how it's important to pray?
You know how we have free will?
You know there are other people on this planet who interact with us?
How much is God in control? How much do my actions lead to my desired goals? How much do the actions of other people influence my life?
Am I unemployed because:
a) God wants me to be unemployed and have no means of support? (God's power)
b) I'm not praying enough? (my power)
c) I am not doing enough of the right things to obtain a job? (my power) or
d) Other people (employers) do not want to hire me? (other people hold the power)
What percentage of this unemployment is God's will??? Whom should I be angry at?
I am actively looking for a job. I meet weekly with a career coach for advice, direction, and support.
I have education. I have skills. I have experience.
I am so sick of hearing about the economy and depressing unemployment rates.
I know plenty of people who are gainfully employed with good salaries and benefits.
I am tired of being a Have Not.
It doesn't make me feel better to hear about how other people are in the same unemployment sinking boat.
I don't want to drown.
Help.
Sunday, September 18, 2011
Two Priests, Canticle of the Turning, Unemployment
Really, I ought to take notes during Mass, so I can get the details rights except I don't think we should be taking notes during Mass.
We had two visiting priests say Mass today. Priest A introduced himself and the other priest (Priest B). Father A said Father B is not only ordained in the Western Rite, but is also approved to say Mass in the Eastern Byzantine Rite. I wonder how he got approval. Did he attend a special training session? I wish I had asked him after Mass.
Today's recessional song was "Canticle of the Turning," which I like for it's liveliness. I'm pasting the lyrics here:
1. My soul cries out with a joyful shout
that the God of my heart is great,
And my spirit sings of the wondrous things
that you bring to the ones who wait.
You fixed your sight on your servant's plight,
and my weakness you did not spurn,
So from east to west shall my name be blest.
Could the world be about to turn?
Refrain
My heart shall sing of the day you bring.
Let the fires of your justice burn.
Wipe away all tears, for the dawn draws near,
and the world is about to turn!
2. Though I am small, my God, my all,
you work great things in me,
And your mercy will last from the depths of the past
to the end of the age to be.
Your very name puts the proud to shame,
and to those who would for you yearn,
You will show your might, put the strong to flight,
for the world is about to turn.
3. From the halls of power to the fortress tower,
not a stone will be left on stone.
Let the king beware for your justice tears
ev'ry tyrant from his throne.
The hungry poor shall weep no more,
for the food they can never earn;
There are tables spread, ev'ry mouth be fed,
for the world is about to turn.
4. Though the nations rage from age to age,
we remember who holds us fast:
God's mercy must deliver us
from the conqueror's crushing grasp.
This saving word that our forebears heard
is the promise which holds us bound,
'Til the spear and rod can be crushed by God,
who is turning the world around.
The lyrics speak to me too.
Finally, I pray to God that someone, somewhere is impressed by my resume.
We had two visiting priests say Mass today. Priest A introduced himself and the other priest (Priest B). Father A said Father B is not only ordained in the Western Rite, but is also approved to say Mass in the Eastern Byzantine Rite. I wonder how he got approval. Did he attend a special training session? I wish I had asked him after Mass.
Today's recessional song was "Canticle of the Turning," which I like for it's liveliness. I'm pasting the lyrics here:
1. My soul cries out with a joyful shout
that the God of my heart is great,
And my spirit sings of the wondrous things
that you bring to the ones who wait.
You fixed your sight on your servant's plight,
and my weakness you did not spurn,
So from east to west shall my name be blest.
Could the world be about to turn?
Refrain
My heart shall sing of the day you bring.
Let the fires of your justice burn.
Wipe away all tears, for the dawn draws near,
and the world is about to turn!
2. Though I am small, my God, my all,
you work great things in me,
And your mercy will last from the depths of the past
to the end of the age to be.
Your very name puts the proud to shame,
and to those who would for you yearn,
You will show your might, put the strong to flight,
for the world is about to turn.
3. From the halls of power to the fortress tower,
not a stone will be left on stone.
Let the king beware for your justice tears
ev'ry tyrant from his throne.
The hungry poor shall weep no more,
for the food they can never earn;
There are tables spread, ev'ry mouth be fed,
for the world is about to turn.
4. Though the nations rage from age to age,
we remember who holds us fast:
God's mercy must deliver us
from the conqueror's crushing grasp.
This saving word that our forebears heard
is the promise which holds us bound,
'Til the spear and rod can be crushed by God,
who is turning the world around.
The lyrics speak to me too.
Finally, I pray to God that someone, somewhere is impressed by my resume.
Wednesday, September 14, 2011
A Single Mother, Pro-Life, Suffering
Yesterday I came across a blog of a Catholic, young, single mother named Amanda. She recently gave birth to conjoined twins who are in the NICU in a Chicago hospital. Alone she is keeping vigil at her daughters' bedside.
An article was written about her in the Chicago Sun-Times when she was pregnant because she chose life. The Pro-Life Action League website also featured her. Her first doctor encouraged abortion, and that breaks my heart.
It breaks my heart that people encourage women to kill their own babies.
It breaks my heart because no one threw her a baby shower.
One reason people have told her that she should abort is because her children will suffer. Everyone suffers one way or another. It may be physical suffering, or emotional suffering. One may suffer when he or she is young or he or she is old. There is no guarantee that a physically healthy newborn will never suffer.
Back to the story at hand, I'm not sure how to leave a comment on her blog.
An article was written about her in the Chicago Sun-Times when she was pregnant because she chose life. The Pro-Life Action League website also featured her. Her first doctor encouraged abortion, and that breaks my heart.
It breaks my heart that people encourage women to kill their own babies.
It breaks my heart because no one threw her a baby shower.
One reason people have told her that she should abort is because her children will suffer. Everyone suffers one way or another. It may be physical suffering, or emotional suffering. One may suffer when he or she is young or he or she is old. There is no guarantee that a physically healthy newborn will never suffer.
Back to the story at hand, I'm not sure how to leave a comment on her blog.
Tuesday, September 13, 2011
Forgiveness
At Mass this past weekend, we heard scripture about how we need to forgive 70 times 7 (that's a whole lot of forgiveness).
It's not always easy to forgive. When I was young I was injured by a drunk driver. Once the bones healed, I was very angry. Mr. Drunk Driver was not remorseful (that I ever saw), nor was he brought to justice. I never rec'd any restitution. It was all unfair, and I could probably work myself up into a lather if I keep talking about it. Anyway, it took me well into adulthood to forgive him. It took me 20 YEARS to forgive. Forgiveness helped me move on. I had to wish him well in my heart. There was no purpose for me to continue with the anger. I just don't go down that angry road. Hopefully he did not/is not living out the rest of his life in a drunken stupor and running over small people. That doesn't do him or anyone else any good.
Now, I have other people I need to forgive for various slights and other misdeeds and mistakes. I need to forgive people for their ignorant comments. I need to forgive certain people for not living up to my expectation even though I never stated these expectations. (I forgot people can't read minds). I need to forgive them in my head and in my heart.
I need to know if one of my friends has forgiven me for something that happened this summer.
It's not always easy to forgive. When I was young I was injured by a drunk driver. Once the bones healed, I was very angry. Mr. Drunk Driver was not remorseful (that I ever saw), nor was he brought to justice. I never rec'd any restitution. It was all unfair, and I could probably work myself up into a lather if I keep talking about it. Anyway, it took me well into adulthood to forgive him. It took me 20 YEARS to forgive. Forgiveness helped me move on. I had to wish him well in my heart. There was no purpose for me to continue with the anger. I just don't go down that angry road. Hopefully he did not/is not living out the rest of his life in a drunken stupor and running over small people. That doesn't do him or anyone else any good.
Now, I have other people I need to forgive for various slights and other misdeeds and mistakes. I need to forgive people for their ignorant comments. I need to forgive certain people for not living up to my expectation even though I never stated these expectations. (I forgot people can't read minds). I need to forgive them in my head and in my heart.
I need to know if one of my friends has forgiven me for something that happened this summer.
Saturday, September 3, 2011
Closed Door, Open Window
Dear God,
I heard it said in the Sound of Music that when God closes a door, He opens a window. Dear God, would you please open a window for me then make sure I see the open window and give me courage to step through the window. I assume the window is at ground level. Please let it be at ground level. Help. I need a break.
Love,
Me
I heard it said in the Sound of Music that when God closes a door, He opens a window. Dear God, would you please open a window for me then make sure I see the open window and give me courage to step through the window. I assume the window is at ground level. Please let it be at ground level. Help. I need a break.
Love,
Me
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