Youth Catechism of the Catholic Church

YOUCAT is the brand new Youth Catechism of the Catholic Church just in case you were wondering. I was wondering, so I looked it up. I looked at sample pages, and the layout looks pretty nifty and fresh. I think I would like a copy for myself.

Author, K of C Picnic, Dog

We had a visiting retired priest say Mass this past Sunday. During the homily, the priest had a book that he recommended by a  Mr. Barkley. Actually I think he said Dr. Barkley and that he was Presbyterian. Maybe Barkley is spelled Barclay. I did a Google search, but I don't think I found the correct Barkley/Barclay Presbyterian.  The visiting priest didn't say the name of the book.

In the afternoon I accompanied my father to his Knights of Columbus picnic. Neither Dad nor I won the raffle or bingo. Usually one of us wins something. I enjoyed the picnic, and I think Dad did too.

Saturday wasn't filled with picnic fun. I woke up with dread in my stomach on Saturday. My godson and his mother had to put their dog to sleep, and I went with to offer comfort and support. I gave them hugs and lots of tissues because they cried a lot. The veterinarian first gave the dog a shot of calming medicine, and I think the family members needed the calming medicine. About 10 minutes later, the vet gave the dog the fatal dose. I hope the family members aren't too sad for too long. They sure loved the dog. I'm glad the vet was compassionate towards them.

Spiritual Friendship

I recently read the book Walking Together: Discovering the Catholic Tradition of Spiritual Friendship by Mary DeTurris Poust and thought of my friend Jan. She was a very practicing Catholic.

We had a spiritual friendship then 11 months and 19 days ago she died at the age of 46. She had a chronic illness, and I was so glad I spent as much time as possible with her before she died. Sitting at her bedside in hospice with her family all around was the most meaningful thing I've ever done.  I don't think I wrote about her in this blog. I don't think I can write more about her life and death right now.

I can say that several weeks ago, some mutual friends and I went to visit her grave. On the way home from the cemetery I learned that her husband has already gone swimming in the dating pool. I don't get it. I am not saying there are rules for this sort of thing, or maybe there are rules. Believe me, I truly UNDERSTAND the desire for companionship. I just can't wrap my head around the fact that he already has had one relationship under his belt, and it hasn't even been a year. He hasn't done anything bad, but it just seems too soon.  They were married over 20 years and were unable to have children.

So Many Thoughts Today, Bad Godmother Action

My name on this blog is a nickname. I'm shy, and like my privacy.  Also, I've heard more than enough criticism in my life, and I'm afraid of more criticism.

Maybe if I wasn't so shy, I would have a mate. Maybe I would have a job. I hate being shy. But once I get to know someone, I open up.

I'm unemployed, and struggle financially. I'm so ready to be productive and earn money.  I'm starting to do volunteer work.

Dear God, you gave me a brain. Please let me use it, so I can support myself. Please God, let me fit in the world of work.

What's with the pornography in "R" rated movies? And when my 17 year-old godson was visiting and wanted to watch Love Actually, why didn't I check the rating? Why didn't I remember the porn parts of the movie? I remember the funny parts. We were watching this movie on my laptop, and when the porn part came on, I stuck my foot in front of the screen so he couldn't see it and ended up pressing the rewind button then fast forward button with my foot. This was one big godmother-ly mistake. I feel guilty.

I had a flat tire today, and drove on the flat to my local service station. A shout out to Manny, Danny, and John who take good care of my car time and again. I sat there waiting for Danny to fix the flat and thanked God that I didn't ruin the tire with the rim since I drove on the flat. Thank you, God, that I was able to afford the $25 repair and didn't have to buy a new tire. The treads of my tire are still really good.

Manny (the owner), Dan, and John are always very courteous and give me a discount or freebie every now and then. They thank me for my business and remember my [real] name.  I was talking to Dan about my tire when a man came to deliver some auto parts:
Dan to delivery man: How's it going?
Delivery Man: Okay. Same old.
Dan: Same old, same old. I'd say more, but there's a lady present.

I appreciate being thought of as a LADY. I do appreciate it when men refrain from swearing in front of me because I am a lady, a woman, a female.

Last year I remember taking a walk when I encountered an old man with a small boy (his grandson?), and the old man tipped his hat to me.  I was thrilled at this sign of old-fashioned manners. I smiled and said hello.

Adoration and Pictures with Dad

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.

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)

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?