A Different Kind of Crying

I had to take a break at work today because everything was blurry through my teary eyes.

I found out a co-worker is going on medical leave because he has lung cancer. He doesn't look that old at all. No, I don't know if he is or was a smoker because that's not my business. We're all bringing treats, gift cards, etc. to make a care package for him. I hardly know him, but he seems nice. One woman is bringing in a box of valentines tomorrow, so we can each give him a valentine. We'll be like school children again, but we won't be counting the Valentines we receive, but count the ones we give.

It has been a very long time since I cried at work, and back then I would cry or almost cry because mean bosses would yell at me. I would feel horrible because of the evil of People Abusing Their Managerial Powers. Today's near-cry felt different. It was just sadness that a bad thing has happened to a nice person, but evil people aren't involved. It's about people wanting to do kind things. I wish I could cure him or buy him something big and expensive, but all I can do is buy some little things and add to the package. And I can pray. He will know that the people in the cubicles around him do care.

Church of Bones aka Sediec Ossuary

Here is a link to the Catholic church with lots of bones. I suppose if several hundred years from now, my skeleton was hanging in a holy Catholic church adding decoration to the space, I would be cool with it. I do like to decorate.


Church of Bones in Czech Republic

Bones and the Better Blogger

Today a friend showed me pictures to the Church of Bones in the Czech Republic. A better blogger would link to it, or actually insert pictures into a blog post. I'm not that blogger.

Actually, I'm rather impressed with the decorative use of human bones in that church. I know that sounds kind of weird.

Though the Rock is at Times Slippery, The Church Still Stands

When I was in the drugstore yesterday, I noticed the headline of a local newspaper, so I bought it and read the article. A former pastor at my parish has substantiated allegations of abuse against him per the archdiocese. I am not surprised because there was an allusion of abuse last year in the paper. Years before there were certain type of rumors.  It's been almost a decade since this priest served at my parish. My memories of him are good though his theology was a bit loosey goosey. He was very popular, but I think he wanted to please the people and be liked. He was very, very likable. Unfortunately he had this dark side and did very bad things.

Now almost everything I write and think about him has a double entendre' in my mind. I wish it weren't so.

What to think? What to think? What to think? Why do I have to think? I can just remember what I remember.

Current pastor isn't as popular and runs a much tighter ship, but is busy doing the very tough job of trying to get all of us to squeeze through that narrow gate by being disciples of Christ. Many people in the parish don't like being led towards that gate because it's UNCOMFORTABLE. We people are fat with sin. There is so much in the worldly world to give up and give away to truly be Christ-like. Do you know how many WORRIES I myself would have to dump? And that is just the beginning. Many people have the left parish because they haven't gotten their way. I actually respect this current pastor MORE for having a backbone. Yep, sometimes I'm not thrilled with him either, but pastors come and go.

Current pastor will probably take on the difficult job of addressing the matter of the former pastor. He does that. Current pastor has had to, at different times, stand up and address frankly (yet in very careful language because there are always children present) unpleasant events.

Anyway, despite former pastor now on the bad priest list, I am going to try to remember the good he did too, and not concentrate on the weak, bad parts. The communion he served was still Holy Communion. The absolutions he gave during confession were still absolutions. The babies former pastor baptized are still baptized.

I am still Catholic. I am still a member of my parish because the only truly perfect church community is in Heaven.

Oh-former pastor quit the priesthood since he left my parish, just so you know.

I will leave the judging up to God and the court system.

Our parish has been through A LOT (that I haven't even mentioned here), but I think we're getting healthier in a way even if we're smaller. Just think of it as an ongoing renovation. But hasn't that been the story since the beginning of Christianity? Wasn't St. Francis suppose to fix or build the church? Have you read the Acts of the Apostles? Yep, some tough times there with people not always getting along or playing nice. Okay, I need to re-read that book to come up with specific examples.

But here we are! Two thousand and fourteen years after the Birth of Christ, and the Church is STILL on the Rock!

I think this Catholicism thing is a keeper.

Late January 2014 - Can't even think of an interesting title

I continue to ask myself if I want to continue this blog, so don't be surprised if someday all the posts disappear.

Today I put away my Christmas decorations. I really enjoyed the seeing the bright and shiny Christmas objects displayed, but I knew if I didn't put them away I would get annoyed with them at some point. I enjoyed the loveliness and sentiment of each ornament as I packed my box one last time this season. I can fit everything in one box because that's all I have room for.

So, do I try Catholic Match or not? I mean, I am NOT dead yet.

Speaking of marriage, yesterday at Mass a couple was celebrating their 60th wedding anniversary. Usually, it's really wonderful and inspiring when an old couple celebrates or renews their wedding vows at Mass. People get teary-eyed and such. I've seen the groom of long-ago get all wonderfully emotional. Yesterday's couple didn't look so celebratory. They looked sturdy, I'll give them that. They also looked (I sit in the front, so I see these things) a bit dazed. Maybe they were. Maybe they were worried about something. The priest blessed them and all, so it was a big deal.

I think I've written about how my parents renewed their vows for their 40th anniversary at a Mass and the wonderfulness of that. What a happy day that was.

I think it's great when old married people are celebrating their anniversary at Mass, but I think it's greater when they look happy about it, not exhausted or dazed or confused. Maybe they were dazed wondering how they got it Year 60!

Oh, I recently went to my work Christmas party (yes, during Ordinary time, but the company isn't efficiently run), and remembered how much fun I have dancing. I need to dance more.

And yes, the nativity scene is STILL in the break room at work. I don't know if everyone likes it there, and or those who would be offended just haven't given it a close look. I think if it's not on their screen of their smart phone or if it isn't food, people don't see things in the break room.

Nativity Experiment Update

The little Nativity scene was moved! It's now on top of the bookcase in the break room at the office where it is more prominent! It's more noticeable. Yipee!

Nativity Experiment

I am taking a very small nativity scene to work, and I am going to put it in the break room and see what happens. Will anyone notice? Will anyone take it? Will there be comments? Will there be an email to all about displaying religious symbols in a common area? You know, Christmas is a Christian holiday. If someone likes it well enough and takes it, that's fine. If someone objects and removes it due to the Christianity of it all, then they can fume from the comfort of his/her home about it on their paid day off on December 25. Of course, as a temp (still!) I don't get paid for holidays.

Merry Christmas!