Acts of KINDNESS

I have to say that I have been deeply saddened by what happened a week ago today.  I have thought and prayed about the horror that some people are willing to create.  I am always astounded by the evil that some people perpetuate.  And yes, I believe in evil.  It exists, it is strong, and sadly, I know people invite it into our world.

That aside, I think it is important to mention that half of the children were young Catholics.  And thus, their parish needs great support.  They are not only mourning with the community but, they have a tremendous task of two children's funerals every day until this up coming Sunday.  The local Parish St. Rose of Lima, has even suffered threats and had SWAT evacuations since the last horrible day. 

Please, take some time and offer your prayers for those supporting the grieving families.  Pray for the Priests and the Funeral Directors.

Please read the article from the Priest's sister at this link http://totustuusfamily.blogspot.com/2012/12/acts-of-kindness-in-response-to-evil.html

She is asking for us to send kind words of encouragement to the men of the cloth in that area.  You don't have to limit it to Catholic Priests, send kind words of encouragement to any religious group with which you identify.

Thanksgiving

 

The symbol of Thanksgiving in The American Society.

 

The symbol of Thanksgiving in The Roman Catholic Church.

 

 

Notice what our American values bring to the table.  Large bulk dressed on tinfoil.  But, in church we are satisfied with a sliver and we dress it up with gold.  

The contrast is interesting to me. How about you?  Did you dress your food up today? Did you make it a small meal?  Or was yours a HUGE ordeal of gluttony?  I will give you one guess how mine was presented.  Hint: The first photo is of my turkey. I guess, I have something to work on. ♥

Fall Color

 I have this near my St. Francis Statue.  St. Francis is special because you see, he is missing his head.  Well, not entirely. His head was caulked back on but, since the statue is cement, there is no way silicone caulking is going to hold it together.  So, sometimes my St. Francis has a head and sometimes he doesn't.   I don't have the heart to replace him.  Maybe because he has lived here longer than I have, been through 3 hurricanes, or maybe it is just because he would end up in the county dump, but, I just can't toss him out. For now, he hangs out on the north side of my house and watches my container garden for me.

My Thoughts on Monday

Being Catholic is HARD and, sometimes, lonely.

God's Arms

I woke up today with this splendid sense of peace.  And for whatever my reasoning, I can not shake the need to be with Christ today.  I am in love with him, his way, and his teachings.  I am at peace with all the treachery around me. I am at peace with the way my body walks in this world. I am at peace with the heartaches that I bear. I am at peace because I know that there is nothing in this world that will cause me pain in the end.  Nothing evil can touch me. I am more at rest now than I have been in the past year.  I hope it stays.

I woke up in God's arms today. I hope he never lets me go.

Lunch

Does anyone else like food as much as I?

Simple Bread

Bread has been a sort of therapy for me lately.  It is sort of my prayer and meditation time. This one is special so close to the Feasts of St. Teresa of Avila and to the Feast of St. Francis of Assisi.  I often think about the way they must have lived their lives and how wonderful it must have been to be able to constantly think of God.  I never expect that I will have that kind of attention, patience or virtue.  But, it is nice to know that living simply with good bread and wine (or diet coke) can be as enjoyable a life as any other extravagant lifestyle.

I made both the bread and this photo in this post. I hope you enjoy the glimpse into my kitchen.

Wordless Wednesday

Meditation Monday

Silent Sunday

Ups and Downs in Faith

I spoke to a friend today.  She was telling me how she was recovering from some illness, I won't go specific on this.  But, she still seemed down and I asked if she was feeling well in her spirit.  She said, "No. I have had a lot of doubt and anger. I have had a lot of self pity and questions and just flat out lack of faith.  I don't know what to make of it.  I just get so frustrated and angry that I don't know what to do."

At this moment, I was not sure what I was supposed to do or say.  She called, she needed me. I just didn't know what she needed from me. I never know what to say to someone that is in this type of valley. I will share with you what I told her.

"You must understand that no one can strong faith all of the time.  Our love for God is not even flow.  There are times when we are ecstatic in our relationship with God and others when we just feel disconnected.  This is perfectly human.  In everything there is up and down. Everything.

Our faith today is not the same faith as when we were children, or even in our 20s and 30s.  We can't expect our faith to stay the same forever.  We can expect change in perceptions. We can expect to grow closer to or farther from God this way.  We just have to learn to discern meaning behind our lives and events. This is hard because many times we choose the selfish view of life, not the holy generous view of it."

I explained my own relationship with God and how I go in and out of boredom and passion on a yearly basis. I don't beat myself up over it.  Some things are out of my control.

I then told her that she didn't need to have perfect faith, that I would carry her faith for her.  She should just heal up an get well.  She can be angry if she wants, she can even walk away from her faith and come back to it later if she wants. She can take a break from christian perfectionism and just be human for a little while. She has the benefit of "human" God that understands perfectly well the feeling of being forsaken.

I told her to be sure to communicate and go to her spouse for support. She must not ignore her spouse in this. It matters and it will effect the relationship.

I wish I had know this would be sent my way.  I hope I said the right things. Sometimes, I wonder why people tell me things. 

Feast of Epiphany

Today is Three Kings day or the Feast of the Epiphany for us Catholics.  Epiphany is really on January 8th this year.  My friend is having a Christmas Party on Sunday.  Isn't that a fun idea?

Anyway, I love this article or page regarding a lesson plan for teaching children about this particular holy day.  I plan to make a special meal tonight (plan to anyway).  Maybe say a prayer at dinner but, make it more special than ordinary. And I will have my three little kings (2 kings and 1 queen) wear their crowns.  And no, I can not afford a crown roast so it won't be on the menu.

Read this article.  I love the modern day rendition of the story. It helps put the story into perspective for teens. I think it does a great deal of teaching for adults as well. 

The Feast of Epiphany (Article)

And of course, sing this song:

We Three Kings of Orient Are

We three kings of Orient are
Bearing gifts we traverse afar
Field and fountain, moor and mountain
Following yonder star

O Star of wonder, star of night
Star with royal beauty bright
Westward leading, still proceeding
Guide us to thy Perfect Light

Born a King on Bethlehem's plain
Gold I bring to crown Him again
King forever, ceasing never
Over us all to rein

O Star of wonder, star of night
Star with royal beauty bright
Westward leading, still proceeding
Guide us to Thy perfect light

Frankincense to offer have I
Incense owns a Deity nigh
Pray'r and praising, all men raising
Worship Him, God most high

O Star of wonder, star of night
Star with royal beauty bright
Westward leading, still proceeding
Guide us to Thy perfect light

Myrrh is mine, its bitter perfume
Breathes of life of gathering gloom
Sorrowing, sighing, bleeding, dying
Sealed in the stone-cold tomb

O Star of wonder, star of night
Star with royal beauty bright
Westward leading, still proceeding
Guide us to Thy perfect light

Glorious now behold Him arise
King and God and Sacrifice
Alleluia, Alleluia
Earth to heav'n replies

O Star of wonder, star of night
Star with royal beauty bright
Westward leading, still proceeding
Guide us to Thy perfect light