What I Love About Catholicism: The Family

Yesterday morning, I attended a special conference at my parish. It began with a Low Mass in Latin and then had several sessions with a visiting priest talking about the importance of Eucharistic Adoration and the relationship with the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass. I was only able to be present for part of it, but what I heard was good.

Before Mass started in the morning, a family passed by and quietly genuflected before entering a pew. The couple looked to be in their mid-thirties and were shuffling a small boy while the wife was holding a young baby boy in her arms. I watched as the father knelt and prayed while the mother tended to the baby. Something about this image of a family attending church together struck me as profound but I wasn't sure why.

It occurred to me then how rarely those who attend non-denominational churches do so as a complete family. First, many people who attend a non-denominational church are either divorced or young and unmarried. There are very few older people present, the bulk of the congregation mostly being comprised of those between the ages of 20-50.

Non-denominational churches will separate families so that children receive a church experience more suited to their needs. At least, that's the common story. After worship, children are usually dismissed so the adults can hear the sermon without distraction. Still, the families are apart.

Catholicism is remarkably different in its strong dedication to continuity in its beliefs. Catholicism is world-renowned for being pro-life. Not only do Catholics fight for the rights of the unborn, but for the rights of older people to continue to live, even in the midst of failing health. And Catholicism defends the sanctity of the family like no other church I've ever seen. This battle to protect the family is reflected in its respect and encouragement to keep families together during a church service.

I remember when I was a little girl and wasn't particularly keen about attending Mass. However, my father insisted we all attend church and my brother and I wouldn't think of trying to avoid going to church as long as we were living with our parents. Although my brother is estranged from Catholicism, he does attend church and brings his family. I give credit to my father for this. He set the example by showing us there is value in weekly church attendance.

There was something very holy about that family I saw yesterday morning. I know they are setting the same example my father and mother did when we were young. I was reminded of Scripture that says to raise children to respect others, most especially God. I am so grateful to Catholicism for acknowledging that the family is where the Christian soldier starts their training.

A Simple Woman's Daybook

Thanks to Peggy at The Simple Woman for creating this idea. If you'd like to join in, go here. Check her page later today for more Daybook entries. Enjoy!


For Today, October 13, 2008 ...

Outside My Window... it is dark. At 6:25 AM, the sun hasn't risen yet. I have the window open just slightly to feel the cool air. No birds are singing, either.

I am thinking... about people who have no faith whatsoever and choose to mock those who do. My heart has been saddened these past few days.

I am thankful for... God's great mercy and how He has revealed to me and my family His existence. I can't imagine life without God. I love Him so much.

From the kitchen... Cinnamon-Raisin toast, cereal, and maybe a slice of almond cake - a treat I bought to celebrate getting a new job.

I am wearing... my gray striped cotton nightshirt with roses embroidered near the top with little pearls. I just noticed it says "Autumn Bloom" on the front. Ha! Barefoot. I'm thinking I'm going to get my robe, though. It is chilly near the window but I like having it open.

I am creating... my latest YouTube video response to a young, Canadian man who has no faith at all. He is enjoying himself as he makes silly videos mocking other people's faith. It only reminds me of the truth of John's gospel - the world hates the light.

I am going... to attend Latin Mass today and a special conference following it. We have a German priest visiting (he's young!) who will be teaching about the Euchrist and the connection between Eucharistic devotion and the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass. Sounds very interesting.

I am reading... "100 Decorating Ideas Under $100" by Better Homes & Garden. I have so many little projects I want to do.

I am hoping... I can find a good, used bookcase.

I am hearing... the very faint sound of traffic from the window. Silence, otherwise.

Around the house... are a few more framed piotures that need to be hung. If you want to hang pictures grouped together with similar spacing, it is quite a challenge! Measuring helped a little, but just a little. I certainly don't want our new home to look like a scene from a mafia hit for all the holes in the walls. Egads. The magazines make it look so easy!

One of my favorite things... is watching the sun rise and thanking God for a new day.

A Few Plans For The Rest Of The Week: I start my new job! Yes, I was hired permanently. Now I have to let my other two part-time jobs know I'm "letting them go." I also have to create a new proposal for another digital scrapbooking class. I'd like to scrap the photos from visiting the Renaissance Festival on Saturday. We had such a beautiful day and Mickey got some outstanding photos of the jousting contest!

Here is picture thought I am sharing... The view from my window as the sun rises:

Great Article On Photographing Jousting Contests!

Yes, a shameless self-promotion of my husband's article on photographing jousting contests. We went to visit the Ohio Renaissance Festival yesterday and he got some outstanding shots. He wrote an article about it and if you're interested, you can read it here.

We had a perfect day and enjoyed ourselves very much. Plus, we got some really cool coffee mugs! Here are a few photos. Fun!

Grrrrrr.... Haven't Even Won and They're Already Planning on Spending More of My Money

For pete's sake...

We're less than a month away from the election but Nancy Pelosi isn't letting that stop her from already planning her coup on the American taxpayer. They're assuming Obama will win and then call the Democrats back to Congress where they'll be working on passing legislation that includes extended jobless benefits, money for food stamps, and a possible tax rebate.

Here's a thought, Pelosi. How about giving some money toward finishing our fence on the border and increase the Border Patrol staff? How about cutting the pork before expecting the American taxpayer to not only swallow the bitter pill of paying for a bailout, but shouldering every conceivable need for those who are in our country illegally but gosh darn - lost their job and still don't want to go home?

Seriously. I keep telling my husband that when the day comes for me to head for those pearly gates, it won't be too soon for me. I'm way beyond being weary of this crap.

Faith and Reason

I am really enjoying myself at YouTube! Although FSMDude hasn't responded, other viewers have left some very thought-provoking comments and challenges of their own. I welcome them because I always have the highest regard for truth-seekers. If someone isn't asking questions about their purpose, how life began, if God indeed exists and if He does, how it affects them - then they're living a very shallow life, indeed. I love thinkers!

A common thread in these challenges is how faith really can't be "proved." For those of us who are Christians, we know our faith is tried and tested by God in many ways. We are enriched by these experiences. But trying to explain this to an unbeliever is like trying to describe the color blue to a person who was blind since birth.

It occurred to me last night that there is a transition that we all take when we are "born again" into the Kingdom of God. We don't think of it as a complete rebirth because so many other things are occupying our mind. We recognize there is a complete shift of priorities, a new sensitivity to the things of God, a deep and unfamiliar desire to avoid sin. But what has really happened is that we stopped living as a citizen of the world and became a citizen of heaven. This is huge. Very, very huge.

(Caveat: Those who are Catholics are "born again" into the Church when they are baptized as babies. They are raised within the Church along with all of the instruction from Tradition and the Scriptures. However, many do stray from those teachings. In that case, when they return to the Church, it is seen as a re-dedication of their faith but still carefully pursued and not taken for granted.)

Those who are still in the world, who order their lives solely by the evidence of things they can see and completely explain - are separated and will never, ever understand our faith. It is alien to them and for most, almost repugnant. They can't imagine living by faith, surrendering their imagined control over their lives and embracing a "not-knowingness." This not-knowingness is what we as Christians have to accept fairly quickly. God doesn't give us a blueprint for life. He gives us precepts and guidelines. As we follow those, He unrolls the blueprint, one step at a time. With each step we take, we are trusting in Him.

The words of my father keep echoing in my mind - that faith is a gift. This is so true and I see the "evidence" of it the older I get. Only by the grace of God, given through the power of the Holy Spirit, can we see Him. Only by His grace can we understand His love. Only by His grace can we know His Son, Jesus Christ. It is a gift and not everyone has been given it.

This little experiment of mine, challenging an unknown young Canadian man to pursue truth - has enlightened me on how I must pray. Saul of Tarsus persecuted the Church and had scales on his eyes. How appropriate! Is it not amazing that God placed such a strong image of spiritual blindness within Scripture so we know what must happen in order to become a citizen of heaven? Of course... one must have their eyes "opened" to the truth.

So I do love to debate and discuss such things as faith and reason and love to delve into reason and logic and the relationship they have with faith - but when it really comes right down to it; faith is an issue of the heart, not the mind. For those who love their thinking, this becomes a very formidable challenge.

What I Love About Catholicism: The Holy Eucharist

For those who have kept track of my entries (and of course, my father!), you know that it has been a particularly interesting journey toward understanding and receiving the truth of the Holy Eucharist. The Catechism of the Catholic Church states:

1324 The Eucharist is "the source and summit of the Christian life."¹³⁴ "The other sacraments, and indeed all ecclesiastical ministries and works of the apostolate, are bound up with the Eucharist and are oriented toward it. For in the blessed Eucharist is contained the whole spiritual good of the Church, namely Christ himself, our Pasch."¹³⁵

1325 "The Eucharist is the efficacious sign and sublime cause of that communion in the divine life and that unity of the People of God by which the Church is kept in being. It is the culmination both of God's action sanctifying the world in Christ and of the worship men offer to Christ and through him to the Father in the Holy Spirit."¹³⁶

1326 Finally, by the Eucharistic celebration we already unite ourselves with the heavenly liturgy and anticipate eternal life, when God will be all in all.¹³⁷

1327 In brief, the Eucharist is the sum and summary of our faith: "Our way of thinking is attuned to the Eucharist, and the Eucharist in turn confirms our way of thinking."¹³⁸

(The Catechism of the Catholic Church)


Further, it says:

1374 The mode of Christ's presence under the Eucharistic species is unique. It raises the Eucharist above all the sacraments as "the perfection of the spiritual life and the end to which all the sacraments tend."¹⁹⁹ In the most blessed sacrament of the Eucharist "the body and blood, together with the soul and divinity, of our Lord Jesus Christ and, therefore, the whole Christ is truly, really, and substantially contained."²⁰⁰ "This presence is called 'real' - by which is not intended to exclude the other types of presence as if they could not be 'real' too, but because it is presence in the fullest sense: that is to say, it is a substantial presence by which Christ, God and man, makes himself wholly and entirely present."²⁰¹

1375 It is by the conversion of the bread and wine into Christ's body and blood that Christ becomes present in this sacrament. The Church Fathers strongly affirmed the faith of the Church in the efficacy of the Word of Christ and of the action of the Holy Spirit to bring about this conversion. Thus St. John Chrysostom declares:

It is not man that causes the things offered to become the Body and Blood of Christ, but he who was crucified for us, Christ himself. The priest, in the role of Christ, pronounces these words, but their power and grace are God's. This is my body, he says. This word transforms the things offered.²⁰²

And St. Ambrose says about this conversion:

Be convinced that this is not what nature has formed, but what the blessing has consecrated. The power of the blessing prevails over that of nature, because by the blessing nature itself is changed. . . . Could not Christ's word, which can make from nothing what did not exist, change existing things into what they were not before? It is no less a feat to give things their original nature than to change their nature.²⁰³

I don't think it was by accident that I came across the videos by FSMDude. I don't think it's by accident that suddenly, there is a rash of ignorant individuals who are desecrating the Holy Eucharist. These acts, which are meant to mock and ridicule the Catholic faith - are only serving as fuel to further my journey toward the Roman Catholic Church. I have a feeling I'm not the only one.

By the attempts of such people as FSMDude and Professor Meyers, not only Catholics but Christians everywhere are being given the opportunity to think upon the Holy Eucharist and their beliefs about it. We are faced with our own convictions and have been given an evangelistic opportunity to educate others about the Real Presence and why we believe it is true.

The Holy Eucharist is something I have always struggled with as far as accepting it as the Real Presence of Jesus Christ. I am now seeing that the reason for this is because I kept looking at it from the surface. I kept looking at the elements - the bread, the wine, the water - instead of of the command and promise of Jesus Christ. "Do this in memory of Me" and the promise that His sacrifice was to deliver us from the bondage of sin.

Here's what just occurred to me: Jesus said "... For where two or three are gathered in my name, there am I in the midst of them."" (Matt. 18:20) If Jesus Christ promised His presence through a gathering of two or three people who believed in Him, why not the Eucharist? He is present and real, beckoning to all who can receive Him to come and follow Him.

My longing for Him in the Eucharist has been increasing and I know this is a grace gift. As my father said, not everyone has been given the grace to believe. I am more deeply thankful than words could express that God has poured out His grace upon me. Meanwhile, I continue to hold in prayer such people as Dom and Professor Meyers that they too, would be given this same grace.

My First YouTube Video Response: To FSMDude and his desecration of the Eucharist

Well, another first for me. I've watched YouTube videos on occasion and even have started to create my own. I've noticed at times that people post video response instead of just typing a comment. I decided to do just that as a response to a young man who has spent an inordinate amount of time obtaining communion wafers in order to desecrate them.

The boy has already desecrated 35 hosts. And. Videotaped. Every. One. Of. Them.

Yes, I mention in my video that he already made his point once and the rest was just repetition. But I couldn't help but challenge him. He said in one video that he was "concerned about truth" and "concerned that people believe in the Eucharist." He also claimed that a belief in the Holy Eucharist was a "lie."

I challenged him to basically put his money where his mouth is. If he is so concerned about truth, then what is he doing about it other than taking potshots at those who have faith? I'm not sure if he will respond to my video or even respond to it in a civil manner. It would be nice to have an honest intellectual dialog, but I'm not sure if he's either willing or capable of doing so.

So, below are the videos. We'll see if anything happens next:

Part One




Part Two

Pope Benedict XVI Nails It - and So Does a Fellow Blogger, LarryD

There is much turmoil right now in the world regarding the financial market. Stocks are plummeting and people are becoming more fearful about what the future holds. Pope Benedict XVI pointed out that the world's financial system is built on sand. How true. Sands shift with time and can never offer the security that only God can provide.

A fellow Catholic blogger, LarryD (Acts of the Apostasy), said recently on his blog:

But if we keep Christ at the center of our lives, clinging to him through all this chaos and confusion, we will have peace in our hearts. The Church has provided us with great examples of how to do this. Holy saints to emulate. Incredible devotions to embrace. Powerful prayers to meditate on. Not as an escape from the responsibilities we have towards our families, our jobs, our neighbors. Not as a psychological refuge from suffering or even as a refusal to admit that our country is undergoing a time of crisis.

That is just so beautifully said. LarryD's entry, "The Real Rescue Plan" is here and well worth at least one reading. In fact, I plan to read it later tonight and just savor the different Feast Days in October that bring a whole new perspective to our existence at this time in the world's history. Absolutely excellent entry, Larry!

Thank you, Pope Benedict, for directing our eyes toward that which is most important; and thank you, LarryD, for reminding us of our priorities. I feel as hopeful as ever in God and am not filled with fear. God is in control.

God Bless Una Voce: Yes, There IS a TLM in Cincinnati!

I wanted to post this just in case there were folks in the area who wondered if there was a Traditional Latin Mass in Cincinnati. I was afraid there wasn't, but thanks to this Una Voce site (found through our own local chapter in Columbus), I saw there was one at the Sacred Heart Parish in Camp Washington.

When I travel to Cincinnati to visit my family, I like to attend Mass with my father, if possible. At first, we visited Old St. Mary's in downtown Cincinnati, which is a historical landmark. It is a gorgeous church, with fresco paintings and a beautiful altar. However, the Mass is a Novus Ordo ("New Mass") said in Latin, which isn't the same thing as a Traditional Latin Mass.




Old St. Mary's, Cincinnati, Ohio











Sacred Heart is another beautiful old church. I was grateful when we entered to be greeted by the sound of the parishioners reciting the Rosary and most of the women wearing mantillas. The choir was just beautiful, filled with mostly female voices but sounding very angelic. Their style of chants was different than what I was used to hearing but yet very light and sweet. I especially liked how they sang the Sanctus and the Agnus Dei. I could tell my father was very touched, too. I know he prefers to receive communion on the tongue and Sacred Heart of course had the communion rail.

It was a good group in attendance. I'd say there were around 200 people there. I also found it interesting that the highest attendance at Old St. Mary's is for the Latin Mass. Interesting, no?

So if you're looking for a Traditional Latin Mass in Cincinnati, Sacred Heart on Sunday mornings at 11:30 AM is the place to go. My only regret was that there was no incensing of the offering. Sigh. But still, overall it was a much more preferred experience for me than a N.O. in Latin. But I'll take Latin any way I can get it. I really think it is the train that delivers reverence.

A Simple Woman's Daybook

Thanks to Peggy at The Simple Woman for her wonderful blog and great idea for sharing a slice of our lives. For more information on how you can join in, click here.

For Today, October 6, 2008

Outside My Window... is a bird warbling a song. A few other birds are twittering, which makes it sound almost like an early Spring morning if I didn't know better. I have the window open just to enjoy the last days of any warmth. The air is a cool 52 degrees.

I am thinking... how excited I am to know there is a Traditional Latin Mass in Cincinnati!

I am thankful for... my Dad, who encourages me in so many ways and now, is my Catholic conversation partner! We pretty much yak about All Things Catholic almost all the time, now!

From the kitchen... is coffee with flavored "Cinnamon Bun" creamer, and maybe later some bacon, eggs, and toast. Tonight will have to be an easy dinner for hubby since I'm going to be at work.

I am wearing... my light mint green nightgown and an emerald green polar fleece robe. Still barefoot but my arms are warm!

I am creating... digital scrapbooking ideas and will need to start my new project soon - a digitally designed wedding album for my stepson and new daughter-in-law. I want it to look so nice and be a special keepsake for them.

I am going... to be relaxing a little bit today after my visit to Cincinnati, then head off to work at the contracted job, then off to Michaels for the evening shift. Busy day!

I am reading... Getting Things Done by David Allen. I've slowed reading this one but still want to finish it. It has so many helpful strategies for organizing my work life. I'm also reading "Computer Tricks For Scrapbooking 2" by Jessica Sprague, which is slightly deceptive. I thought it was going to be a straight-up book on digital scrapbooking. No. It's more about manipulating the photograph or creating a journaling block - and printing out everything to put on a paper layout. Still, I'll take some of the ideas and use them for digital scrapbooking.

I am hoping... I will find out this week if the contract job wants me full-time permanently. I am quite ready to chuck my other two part-time jobs so I can have a consistent full-time one. I am a little sad, knowing I won't have the same amount of flexibility, but my desire to be self-employed may have to wait a little longer until I can figure out how to bring in more of a consistent income with my talents.

I am hearing... the muffled sound of traffic from the highway, the birds singing their songs, and silence from within our home.

Around the house... is a box waiting to be filled with clothing that no longer fits. It's half-way filled and I hope to fill it more. I'm trying my best to "de-clutter" this place. I'm also hoping to find some reasonably priced bookcases and containers to store what I do have.

One of my favorite things... snuggling with my husband and sharing thoughts about our days.

A Few Plans For The Rest Of The Week: Working at the contracted job tomorrow all day, then my other part-time jobs for the rest of the week. I will be teaching my second digital scrapbooking class Wednesday night and realize I really need to create a visual "how-to" from soup-to-nuts for the students. I've relied on showing too much. I need to formalize the lesson more, even though I have basic notes.

Here is picture thought I am sharing... Last year during October, we had the most gorgeous, golden tree near us and I absolutely adored how it looked against the vivid blue sky. So far, we're not seeing any bold colors but I'm hoping the leaves start to turn more this week.

Catholicism and the Holiness of God

Long ago, I was blessed to take a class at a Presbyterian church who at one point, had R.C. Sproul on staff. Dr. Sproul is a brilliant theologian, and gave one of the most powerful teachings I had ever heard on the holiness of God. By the time I was finished with the class, I was in awe that God hadn't completely obliterated the human race. (Since then, I've become aware of Dr. Sproul's position on the Reformation, Calvinism, and his criticism of the Roman Catholic church. In spite of theological differences, I still like his teaching on this particular subject.)

I know there are non-Catholic churches that have focused on the holiness of God during their services. However, their services aren't quite built to hold such meditation. A typical non-Catholic church service has about 15 minutes of worship music and 30-45 minutes worth of a teaching. Some churches who celebrate communion or the occasional baptism will fit those within the two basic components. But the recognition of God's holiness either comes as a result of a lengthy worship time or a specific teaching from the pastor, reminding the congregation of this truth.

I have begun to believe that the Catholic Church is the only church that consistently promotes a place to cultivate meditating upon God's holiness. The Mass is built for such an awesome endeavor. It takes quiet reflection to ponder God's absolute and supreme character and an environment that is conducive for this type of exercise. People getting up to get some coffee, muffled conversations from those around you, and humorous sermons does not create the environment needed to honor and surrender to God Almighty.

There is such an enormity to God. He is so much "other" than we could ever hope to comprehend. His love is expansive, eternal, and overwhelming when viewed through the prism of the Cross. His mercy is deep, causing us to shed tears of joy when we understand the depth of our sinfulness. His judgement is fierce, and like a hungry fire, purges us of our rationalization and shallow justifications. And His chastisement is always filled with a desire to draw us closer to Him.

I was waiting for the day when I would really feel a conviction regarding my mortal soul. It came today as I attended Mass with my father. There was an awareness that during the Mass, I was on holy ground and what that meant for my thoughts, my deeds, my words, my actions, my attitudes, my opinions. We listened to the parable of the Unforgiving Servant and I was struck by a realization that I'd never had before. As many times as I had heard this parable, (and understanding it was talking about us as believers) I realized the servant, who had just been forgiven an impossible debt, was still trying to save himself.

The price for our sin has been paid by the sacrifice of Jesus Christ. It is a debt we never, ever could have paid. Like the servant, we were forgiven and released from this debt. But the servant was still focused on trying to repay his debt by his own will. I think this was why he throttled the poor guy who owed him 100 denarii. He figured if he could get at least 100 denari, he'd be able to go back to the king and give him something. It would seem that he could not forgive a man for owing him 100 denarii, even if that money didn't even come close to helping him repay his own astronomical debt.

The seriousness of that unforgiving heart was seen from the response of the king. The unforgiving servant was promptly thrown in jail until he could repay what he owed. The lesson is that we are to forgive from our heart and understand that whatever someone owes, it will never exceed what we truly owe our heavenly Father.

Noteworthy Blogs - Catholic Writer Chick At Large

I've discovered another great blog and it's by Janny at Catholic Writer Chick At Large. Any time I can read something that will help me as a writer, I'll bite. Janny has a great sense of humor, loves sports (Cubs, Bears, Bulls, Wolverines...hmmm, it sounds like a zoo...;-) ), being Catholic, but truly loves to blog about writing.

She wrote something that resonated with me on the topic of creativity. I agree wholeheartedly with her - our creative spirits need room to breathe and think. A constant flow of information from the world can quickly clog up our interior soul because when the mind is busy processing information, it has little time to dream.

Read her wonderful entry, "Breathe...Focus...Write...Repeat." here. I just loved it!

What I Love About Catholicism: The Focus on Jesus & Discomfort

I find it slightly ironic that after all the years I spent in non-denominational churches, I have found the Catholic Mass more focused on Jesus Christ than I originally thought. I have sat through many, many church services that were proceeded by worship songs such as, "I Love You, Lord" and "Jesus, Jesus," but yet after worship, the service would shift to another topic.

Most non-denominational churches have so much going on that it's difficult to slow the hectic pace in order to really meditate upon Jesus Christ. There is the children's ministry (that is in perpetual need of adult volunteers), the evangelism ministry, "mercy" ministries, prayer ministry, women's ministry, men's ministry, singles ministry, young married couples ministry, separated and divorced ministry, grief ministry, recovery ministry, hospitality ministry - I'm sure there are a few I've left out. Often, the church service would become a lengthy commercial for one of those ministries.

As I've said before, I have no problem with ministry. I only have a problem when it becomes the root instead of the fruit. Our love and devotion to our Lord Jesus Christ is what grounds us and enables us to bear fruit for the Kingdom of God. Focusing on the fruit will not bring fruit. However, giving the roots of the trees the nourishment they need to bear fruit will give us the desired result.

Throughout all those years, I clearly remember feeling that something was missing during those services. Sure, there was the very enjoyable worship teams, the upbeat music, the fun socializing that happened after the service, but it felt incomplete. After I'd leave, I'd occasionally wondered what had transpired during the service. Did I have an encounter with God or a just a nice time sipping coffee while watching well-produced multi-media presentations?

I suspect this next thought was a part of my Catholic upbringing, but I would also wonder about the "comfort zone" of a Sunday service. Everything was so nice and cozy, and of course I enjoyed it. But was "nice and cozy" what we as Christians were to experience during a church service? I had a comfy chair, the ability to sip a gourmet coffee in my seat, savoring a well-crafted presentation both with worship and the sermon. I heard many sermons that were "uplifting" or "encouraging" but rarely challenging. My flesh was swathed in teachings that spoke of how God loved me and wanted to hug me like a child.

Certainly God loves us and does hold us close to Him. " ...he will cover you with his pinions, and under his wings you will find refuge; his faithfulness is a shield and buckler." (Ps. 91:4) But are we to forever seek shelter and expect to be hidden by God or are we called to something much bolder? Are we called to light up this darkened world like a great fire, consuming mediocrity and apathy by the power of the Holy Spirit? I think you know my answer. Yes and yes!

How is such a passion born? How are we to be changed from the self-absorbed mob of flesh into One Body that beats with His Heart and reaches out with His Mind? I think I'm safe in saying it won't come from focusing on a "What-Have-You-Done-For-Me-Lately" type of sermon and it won't come from constant chattering activity within a multi-purpose building.

It comes from a quiet focus upon Jesus Christ and what He did for us by His sacrificial death and resurrection. It isn't a one-time deal, either. My goodness, if all of us could have absorbed the profound reality of the Truth of Him in one fell swoop, there would be no need to attend church. But yet God created it so that our sanctification takes time. In fact, it takes our whole lives and still there would be more opportunities if we lived thousands of years. Our flesh is both our curse but yet triumphant blessing, because when we overcome the flesh, by the grace of God, we are living testimonials to His redemptive power.

This power exists within the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass. Each time a Mass is said, it is a revolutionary act against a world that has rejected the Light and the Truth. With each word said during the Mass, a declaration is made against Hell that death has no hold upon us, that we have been set free by Jesus Christ in order to be joined with our Heavenly Father for all of eternity. No matter how fierce the demons may cry, no matter how many arrows they send our way, no matter how many temptations and traps they set for us - it's already done. Finished. Jesus Christ made it so and it is during the Mass that we are reminded of this, each week and for many who attend daily Mass, each day.

Non-denominational churches are well-known for their "outreach" programs. But their focus continues to be on the culture, the world first - and not upon Jesus Christ. Jesus said many hard things when He was on this earth. He did not come with a "nice and cozy" message. He spoke of suffering, sacrifice, dying to self, forgiveness, and loving our enemies. These are the hard truths of our faith, the truths that are often pushed to the side for a more palatable teaching. But Catholicism isn't known for pushing aside hard truths. In fact, Catholicism pushes the hard truths by reminding the Body of Christ what we were built to do. And it isn't to become "cozy chair potatoes."

We are to get up and exercise, walk in the power of the Holy Spirit, take risks of faith, and bring the Good News into a lost and dying world. Whenever I pray the Rosary, I think of how Jesus entered this world - through a young single woman, who was feeling very anxious about her predicament. Mary trusted the angel, Gabriel's message. She trusted that God knew what He was doing when He chose her. Even in the midst of great physical, emotional, and spiritual discomfort - she trusted and obeyed. We are so blessed by her response. She is the perfect example of setting our sights on Jesus and enduring pain. May we be given the same grace each day in order to bring Him the greater glory.

What I Love About Catholicism: Catholicism and Self-Indulgence

Can you tell I'm still on a "sacrifice" kick? This topic fascinates me so much because when I was attending a non-denominational church, so little was said about sacrifice. In fact, I can't remember when I ever heard a sermon talk about denying self and taking up the cross.


Instead, what I heard was:

• Growing in "spiritual authority"
• Servant evangelism
• Claiming our identity in Christ
• Living the "abundant life"
• Building a powerful prayer life
• Grace and forgiveness
• "Mercy ministries"

These are all good things, but to me, are the natural fruit of a Christian who has died to self. When you sacrifice your preferences and embrace the possibility of whatever God has planned for you, doors will be thrown wide open for ministry.

I don't know why I keep hammering on the "dying to self" message. I may need to hear it myself more than anyone. I just know that powerful things happen when we lay down our lives for the cause of Jesus Christ. Love - the way God intended for us to love - is a sacrifice. Every time we place someone at the head of our "to do" list, we are loving them and dying to self. Every time we say, "How can I help you," we are dying to self, sacrificing our preference to move along to whatever we want to do so we may be available to someone else's need.

Catholicism seems to have understood this for many, many centuries. It is why they embrace martyred saints and remember them. Those martyrs are a clear reminder of what a sacrificial life looks like. It is in stark contrast to the "me-first" culture we now currently live in. Catholicism reminds believers every time they attend Mass that this life isn't about pursuing happiness at all cost, it is about meditating upon what Jesus Christ did for the world in order to bring us into relationship with God our Father.

I think this is why I have an almost knee-jerk reaction to my fellow Catholic "progressives." I don't see the sacrifice. I see an insistence upon "rights" which, when you really get down to it, are self-indulgent in nature. Why should a woman become a priest? I mean, really. Why? So that she can celebrate the Mass... okay. Got that. But why is it so important for a woman to be allowed to celebrate Mass? Why does it matter so much?

It would seem the reason why it matters so much to them is because they are pursuing a self-indulgent path. I don't buy into the whole "But I am 'called' by God to do this..." No. God doesn't call us to promote ourselves. He calls us to serve. Within the Roman Catholic Rite, the priest serves as an icon of Jesus Christ. It is a mystery. But to clarify a point - God made man first, not woman. Man was not made for woman, but woman for man. If this is an accepted truth, then to me it is the height of presumption on the part of a woman to believe she should be the one to offer the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass.

A woman is not an initiator - both physically and spiritually. She is built to receive. It is why women are, for the most part, much more receptive to things of the Spirit. She is able to comprehend spiritual things more easily than men. Men are the "doers" in life. They initiate. They take action. They pursue.

This may sound like basic Dating 101, but I feel it has a place in the Mass. Going back to self-indulgence, women who desire to present the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass are stepping outside of their created roles. It isn't a matter of "becoming relevant to society" or adhering to newer cultural mores. It is a matter of God's purpose.

God desires for us to die to ourselves in many ways. Only Catholicism has spoken this truth in a clear and consistent way. From the priests and nuns, and various orders taking their vows of self-denial, so we also have periods in the liturgical year that promote abstaining from various pleasures. I remember when I started to realize I was no longer around Catholics during the weeks preceding Easter. No one was talking about giving anything up because Lent wasn't a reality for them.

Know that when we give up anything, God always has something much better to give to us. Precious metals of faith and diamonds of grace will fill our souls. And the light that shines forth from such treasure is what the world really needs to see most. I'll be praying that we all will shine brightly with His love for a fallen world.

Marriage, Sacrifice, and Mother Angelica

I can't tell you how much I love Mother Angelica. She is so full of spunk and wisdom. I know she is not doing very well health-wise, but I listen to her old broadcasts, "Mornings With Mother Angelica" when I'm able and enjoy her teachings immensely.

Today, I heard her speak about marriage and sacrifice. She observed that not many people seem to stay married anymore because they haven't understood what sacrifice means for their relationship. I know that may sound a little too "black and white" for some, but it reminded me of why I was frustrated when I'd learn about a well-known Christian's divorce. It would cause me to think of Catholicism and sacrifice.

After I left the Catholic church, I remember relishing the variety of teachings I'd hear. No more stories about suffering or sacrifice. No one admonished me to "offer it up" when things got rough. Instead I heard sermons on following Christ so that I could enjoy an "abundant life." Abundant seemed a pretty good alternative to suffering!

I know we are offered abundant life through Jesus Christ, but has non-Catholic churches so focused on this that they've lost sight of what sacrifice really means? Sacrifice means you have the opportunity to deny yourself and place someone or something as a priority. Then Jesus told his disciples, 'If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me." (Matt. 16:24)

Marriage can be used by God as a cross to purify us. If a Christian is running away from that, there will be another cross to be carried. God's purpose is to sanctify us and make us holy. That doesn't come easily and only by His grace can we be aware of the countless opportunities He gives us.

Maybe this is why I'm saddened by divorce. Marriage is one of the best ways God can confront us with our own selfish nature. Parenting is another way. When we seek someone else's happiness above our own, we are expressing an agape kind of love, the kind of love that does not seek its own satisfaction.

I pray that I can be a good example of this to my own husband. When Christians walk in this type of sacrificial love, it is a powerful witness to the world that seeking one's own happiness isn't the best path. When this doesn't happen, the Gospel loses. I want to see the Gospel win, both in my life and in the lives of my fellow brothers and sisters. May God give us the grace we need to carry our cross.

Gregorian Chant Video

I came across this video. It would be good to listen to it early in the morning. I loved the photographs.

Blessings to you. :-)

Da Pacem Domine/Grant peace, O Lord, to those that worship
Uploaded by Catholique_Apostilic

What I Love About Catholicism: Standards, Rules, and Vows

Last night, I checked my old non-denominational ministry's website, as I occasionally do, to keep up with any news. They have grown exponentially and with such growth comes challenges. I noticed there was yet another "news alert" regarding a well-known evangelist and his separation from his wife. Since I wasn't familiar with this person, I did a search. One of the links mentioned several other well-known Christian pastors who had experienced marital problems, many deciding upon divorce as the solution.

I remember years ago, my reaction when I first heard about Amy Grant divorcing her husband and then quickly marrying Vince Gill. Something inside of me died and it took time to figure out what I was mourning.

I realized as a Christian, that I had placed more well-known Christians on a type of pedestal. They didn't ask for this, I know. However, at that point, I believed that all Christians were truly putting forth every effort to become more like Jesus Christ. This meant that they didn't leave their husband and break up another marriage by pursuing someone else's. Although I realized non-Catholic churches didn't condone divorce, there wasn't an internal government system to underscore the seriousness of such an act.

What was even more tragic was that Amy and her husband at the time, Gary Chapman, led youth meetings in their barn. I couldn't help but wonder what type of example this was setting for the younger believers. It seemed to play right into the worldly thought that our own will trumps vows taken before God and their family and friends.

Which brings me to the Catholic Church. The Church takes vows very seriously. Vows are taken by priests and nuns when they enter into their Holy Orders. Standards are upheld within Dioceses and rules are followed within the catechism and canon law. It reminds us as Christians that we are not our own and have surrendered our will to God as we seek to follow Christ each day.

Christians from other non-Catholic churches are seeking to follow Christ, too. But it's almost like trying to travel without a map. It's not good enough to say, "Gosh, I'd love to visit Nashville..." and then set off with a full tank of gas. You need to have directions.

Such is our journey of faith. It's not enough to say, "I want to be a good Christian." You need to read your Bible, attend church, and hang around people who are also going in the same direction. You need to be open to being uncomfortable but realize God will give you grace for the trip. You need the guidance of standards, rules, and vows to stay on track.

I still am greatly saddened when I learn of a Christian leader's failed marriage. I know how tough full-time ministry can be and relationships often suffer. This is why I'm thinking that a priest or nun's vow of chastity is a very good thing. I know that many Catholics (and non-Catholics) have criticized this vow. They figure that a priest really can't relate to them since they aren't experiencing the same challenges as being a husband and father. But they are a "husband" - only their spouse is the Church. They are also a "father" but have many children. Shepherding a church takes a great deal of time and energy and if one is married, that time and energy is decreased.

There is a beautiful flow with how Catholics order their world. There are feast days and faith markers such as First Communion and Confirmation. There is a specific process for getting married and Baptism for new infants. There is even a special rite for those who are near death. There is comfort in knowing where you stand with the Catholic Church.

In this day and age of "anything goes," I am finding not only comfort but wisdom in how the Catholic Church has operated throughout the millennia. God gave us rules for our protection and the Catholic Church has sought to uphold them. Amen and amen.

A Simple Woman's Daybook

I was disappointed when I realized I missed entering my daybook last week. I really do enjoy reading what other women are doing. The simplicity is very relaxing. If you'd like to join in, check out Peggy from "The Simple Woman" and her entry here. For more entries from today, click here.


For Today - September 30, 2008
Outside My Window... is the midday sky, with large, transparent clouds painted upon light blue. The leaves are starting to turn gold and auburn.

I am thinking... I need to conquer the Apple operating system! I still need to learn how to operate iMovie for work.

I am thankful for... my husband, who was pretty patient with my anxious moments when we drove back home from North Carolina.

From the kitchen... will be my version of Subway's "Spicy Italian" - pepperoni, salami, green peppers and onions layered inside of a Pillsbury Italian Loaf (rolled out), tuck in the top and sides and then bake. Right now it's filled with the aroma of fresh coffee that I am enjoying with CoffeMate's new flavor, "Cinnamon Bun."

I am wearing... blue shorts, a very outdated tank top with some tears (and I never wear this top anywhere but home!), and my trusty old Birkenstock sandals.

I am creating... a digital scrapbook for my stepson and new daughter-in-law. I have another digital scrapbook page I'll be creating today just for fun.

I am going... to possibly enjoy a bike ride later today. It's a gorgeous 75 degrees right now!

I am reading... Getting Things Done: The Art of Stress-Free Productivity by David Allen. Phenomenal book. It was lent to me by the founder of the company I am currently contracting with and is the reason why he is able to get so much done in a day. I love it!

I am hoping... my contract job becomes permanent. I think I'm ready for some predictability.

I am hearing... Rush Limbaugh on talk radio. Maybe I should ask the government to bail me out.

Around the house... are still boxes with books. I am also hoping to get some used bookcases soon so they have a better home!

One of my favorite things... sipping flavored coffee while thinking about God and the Church.

A Few Plans For The Rest Of The Week: Working early tomorrow morning, then a full-day Wednesday. My other part-time jobs will be for Thursday and Friday.

Here is picture thought I am sharing... This is me, riding my blue Giant bicycle, which I really love. We're finally able to ride our bikes where we now live!

Back Home

Whew! What a whirlwind weekend! We left on Friday to travel to Durham, North Carolina and it took about 9 hours to reach our destination. (Which wasn't too bad since a straight drive would have taken about 8 hours.) We left yesterday after the wedding to drive back (starting at the oh-so-wonderful hour of 5:30 PM.) and after missing one of our turns, (and thus adding an extra hour to our drivetime just for fun...) we arrived home at 3:45 AM this morning.

The wedding was wonderful, although it was outdoors and the air was slightly humid and hot. Northern NC had received a huge amount of rain and we thought it would have brought in cooler weather. Well, not so much. And my outfit was a long sleeved number. I was definitely overdressed for both the location and the weather!

I still can't believe my stepson is married! He has a wonderful gal for a wife and I know she'll help keep him on the straight and narrow! It was great to meet our daughter-in-law's extended family. (How strange to think "daughter-in-law" now...!) Dustin's fellow Army buds were in the wedding and they were great to meet, too. I could tell they all have fun together and enjoy great supportive relationships.

One thing I discovered was McDonald's "McCafe" drinks really did help keep me awake! Okay. I think it's safe to say I'm hooked on the flavored lattes! I had a Vanilla Latte on the way down, then a Caramel Latte and a Vanilla Latte on the way back to Columbus. For around $3 for a large, they give Starbuck's a serious run for their money. (I used to be a Starbuck's barista and know the same sized drink would run well over $5.) All I cared about was having some espresso to keep me awake. My husband is one of those types who won't let me fall asleep because as he says, "you have to keep me awake!" So I needed some extra help. Thank God for McDonald's!

I'll be working on creating a scrapbook for the new couple, part of our gift to them. Mickey took some great photos and they had another photographer also at the wedding. (I'll be using Mickey's photos, only.) I'll be busy with that project for awhile!

I've determined that my husband's traveling style and mine are so different. Me: Let's blaze through the speed limit by going 5 miles over. My husband: Let's be extra careful not to be pulled over by a psycho cop and go exactly the speed limit. Maybe even less.

Arrrggghhh!! If I had gotten out of the car and pushed it at times, we would have gone faster!

God love my husband, though. He puts up with a lot of harping at times from yours truly...

Going to a Wedding!

My stepson is getting married tomorrow in Durham, NC, so I'll be away for a few days. If you're a new visitor, check out the tabs on the left to read some older posts. I'll be back soon and with plenty of photos!

Thanks to everyone who reads and comments. It really means a lot to me, but more than anything, connecting with other Catholics is my greatest joy. God bless all of you richly!

I'm Religious, Not Spiritual: A Word About Sacrifice

Carolina Cannonball, who I have said could be my twin separated at birth, has written a post recently about spiritual quitters and slackers. The quitters are those who have left the Catholic church because they couldn't accept the hard moral beliefs of our faith.

The "slackers" are those who have stayed behind and drag everything down. In fact, some of them try to make it miserable for the rest of us. Instead of just admitting they're really Protestants and joining some church that does ordain women and gays, they prefer to stay within the Catholic church and attempt to remake it into their own image - which is a very flesh-like image, I may add.

The whole point of Jesus Christ coming to earth was to redeem man. This redemption took place as Jesus willingly laid down His life and became the Lamb of God - who took away the sin of the world. He was crucified unjustly but yet God's justice was satisfied by this Perfect Offering. Jesus embraced His cross, knowing His heavenly Father would receive the greater glory.

However, Jesus also did something that is often forgotten by church-goers. He is the Perfect Pattern. It is by watching Him and emulating His behavior that we also are given the grace to travel the same path, to sacrifice as He would have us sacrifice and love as He would have us love. It is His sacrifice I think about when pondering the state of His church today.

When I refer to "church," I am going to include our Protestant brothers and sisters in Christ. Although they are separated brethren, they still are trying to follow Him. There are many people who are aware of their daily faith, how they respond to the world and have nothing but a desire to please God in their hearts. Those aren't the people who concern me.

The ones who do concern me are those who want to remake the church in their own image instead of conforming themselves to the image of Christ.

We are to be transformed by Him, by God's truth, by His great love for mankind. We are not to be transformed by the world but yet this is exactly what has happened in churches that want to be "relevant" to our culture. Ugh. I cannot tell you how much this irritated me when I was in my twenties and it irritates me even more now. We are NOT to appeal to the world with outstretched hands, begging to be accepted into their cool and trendy little clubs. We are NOT to minimize the power of the Gospel in order to be more "palatable" to the world. We are NOT to twist Scripture into personalized outfits, branding our faith as if it's the latest clothing line from Tommy Hilfiger.

In fact, when it comes to Truth (who is Jesus Christ), one size really does fit all. And as much as we chafe against the rough threads of Truth because it scrubs against our selfish flesh with such persistence, we are still required to put it on. As St. Paul said, we are to:

Put off your old nature which belongs to your former manner of life and is corrupt through deceitful lusts, and be renewed in the spirit of your minds, and put on the new nature, created after the likeness of God in true righteousness and holiness. (Eph. 4:22-24)

Where is the transformation when some Christians are marching lockstep with the world, who are demanding "equal rights for gays" and the ordination of women into the priesthood? Where is the renewal of the spirit of the mind when these same people insist that the church must "progress" in order to be relevant to our society?

You know, the Truth has stood for two millennia and more. I don't think it's going to lose it's potency because it's not concerned about being relevant, but by being faithful.

Jesus was disappointed often by the lack of faith His disciples had. He even went so far as to say, "And when the Son of man comes, will He find faith on the earth?" (Luke 18:8) Where is that faith? Why is it that faith must undergo some sort of warped reality show make-over in order to be presented to the world? Why does faith have to be sugar-coated, mass-produced, and then gift-wrapped in shiny paper to attract the world?

You know what folks are really attracted to? Authenticity. Forget the wrapping, the slick marketing ads, the carefully crafted slogans - they want real. This is why I believe Gov. Sarah Palin has struck such a deep chord in the minds of so many. She's real. She is so doggone real that she stands in stark contrast to all the spinmeisters who love nothing more than to coat their candidate with a thick layer of gloss. People look at her and say, "I'd like to be around her. I'd like to even share a beer with her and tell her what I think about this country." And they sense she'd listen.

Well, I'm laying down a gauntlet, ladies and gents. I'm tired of the woefully anemic "spiritual" label that is so "cool" to wear these days. "Oh..." the Oprah-robots will say, "I'm spiritual. But still Christian!" Bleh. Enough already. Just admit it. We are enemies of the world. We have nothing in common with the world, or at least shouldn't. We are an anomaly, marching toward a different destination than the self-seeking, pleasure-lusting world. We are in mortal combat, deflecting the wiles of the enemy who continues to try to lure us with promises of ease and likability. (And if there is one thing some Christians so desperately want - it is to be liked.)

So. Here is my new motto: Religious, Not Spiritual.

In fact, stay tuned because I'm going to put it on a t-shirt. Yep. And I'm going to wear it. In fact, I'm going to go to some huge mall - maybe even around Christmas, and wear it. I might even do the baseball cap with this motto, too. Yes, I'm going to do my own "advertising campaign" but with a twist.

I'll be setting up a Cafe Press to do it. I just feel it's time that we who are loving our God take a stand for religion. Religion is often mocked because of its uncompromising precepts. And Catholicism is especially mocked because it simply won't change like the wind in order to please those who have yet to die to self. So the t-shirt is going to have a Catholic-flavor to it.

For me, it's time to take a stand and say how very badly we need those precepts right now. No more playing footsie with the world. At least not on my turf.

I Did Not Know This: Robert Bork Became Catholic!

Holy cow! I can't tell you how excited I was to read about Robert Bork's conversion to Catholicism five years ago. I just happened to visit The Catholic Thing and found this article about it.

My heart literally leaped for joy when I read it. Robert Bork's book, Slouching Towards Gomorrah: Modern Liberalism and American Decline, has been one of the most thought-provoking books on the roots of liberalism in our country. Robert Bork has a brilliant mind and I always mourned the loss of his presence on the Supreme Court. Until now.

After reading Austin Ruse's excellent piece on the conversion story of Robert Bork, I was happy to agree with him. God always is working with a much larger picture than our human minds can comprehend. What we take as a disappointment, God uses as a stepping stone toward something much greater than we can imagine. Such was the case of Robert Bork. Although he would probably have made a fantastic Supreme Court judge - at what cost would it have been to his eternal soul? We will never know. But we do know that God has everything under control and guides our lives with His loving hand. Everything has a purpose and God uses everything to bring us closer to Him. Congress may have rejected Bork but God had already accepted him if Robert Bork responded to His call.

Perhaps it was the disappointment of not being accepted for the Supreme Court that sent Robert Bork into a quiet place, asking deeper questions about life. He was an atheist then and now is Catholic. I'm sure it was a challenging road for him, but one he made with the prayers and blessings of many, including his wife (who had been a nun for 15 years).

I am always thrilled when I read of bright minds coming into the Catholic church. They have wrestled with the larger philosophical questions of man and God and found that God indeed has given His truth to the Catholic Church. Through the tradition of the church and His Word, He has preserved us. An intellectual should love to think about God above all else but many times, it's the opposite. Intellectuals often like to think of themselves "beyond" God. With the power of their mind guiding them, they feel confident there is no need for a god.

The greater the intellectual who bows before God, the greater God's glory shines into the world. When an intellectual humbles himself before God and admits he doesn't have the answers and is a sinner who truly needs to be saved - a beautiful witness to the frailty of mankind and our constant need for God's saving grace is released. Intellectuals often illuminate the path for others as people say, "What has he seen in the Catholic church that I haven't?"

Glory be to God Almighty for bringing such people into His Kingdom! The feast table at the Marriage of the Lamb is large, and we are all invited.

Hey! I Won Something!

Ha! Angela M. of Where Angels Go, has awarded me the "I Love Your Blog" button as long as I answer the questions below with one word, as all awardees must do.

Egads. One word? How on earth can an Italian answer anything with one word?!! However, I will give it my best, so here goes. Oh, and those I nominate - scroll down and follow the directions on the bottom of the post:

1. Where is your cell phone? extinct
2. Where is your significant other? bed
3. Your hair color? Silver
4. Your mother? Heaven
5. Your father? Ohio
6. Your favorite thing? Rosary
7. Your dream last night? lost
8. Your dream/goal? writing
9. The room you're in? office
10. Your hobby? scrapbooking
11. Your fear? boredom
12. Where do you want to be in 6 years? Hawaii
13. Where were you last night? work
14. What you're not? humorless
15. One of your wish-list items? PagePlus
16. Where you grew up? Cincinnati
17. The last thing you did? Drank
18. What are you wearing? cotton
19. Your TV? Off
20 Your pet? none
21. Your computer? workhorse
22. Your mood? happy
23. Missing someone? Mom
24. Your car? black
25. Something you're not wearing? shoes
26. Favorite store? Michaels
27. Your summer? excellent
28. Love someone? hubby
29. Your favorite color? blue
30. When is the last time you laughed? today
31. Last time you cried? today

Now, for you recipients of this award, here's the deal:



* Display your award.

* Link back to the person who gave you the award.

* Nominate at least 7 other blogs.

* Put links to those blogs on yours.

* Leave a message on the blogs of the people you've nominated.

* Enjoy your award!


I award:


Kimberly at Catholic Family Vignettes
Carolina Cannonball at The Crescat
Stephanie at The Digital Hairshirt
Rachel Gray at Infused Knowledge
Cathy of Alex at The Recovering Dissident Catholic
Chris at Chris & Co.
Jeff Miller at The Curt Jester (Although I highly doubt he'll play. I don't think I've ever seen him respond to a meme but I could be wrong. He may like the button, though...)

Have fun trying to squeeze your life into one word!

The Power of Ritual

I've been thinking more about ritual and the importance it has in our lives. I know that often, the Catholic church is criticized by some for being too "ritualized" and the inevitable verdict: boring. I well remember when I was younger, how I craved action, "something different" and the Wow Factor.

I am also pondering how often I'd shake my head when I saw that in many places, only "old people" went to the Catholic Church. I'd watch them in their pews, heads bowed as they silently prayed, and assumed they were only there because they knew their life was slowly coming to an end and they needed the inactivity of a boring, predictable service.

I suppose it goes without saying I am revisiting those conclusive thoughts. I realize more than ever that ritual does have a place in our lives. It stabilizes us. It places stakes in the ground so that our tents can hold strong against the winds. Ritual serves as a framework from which our faith can hang, like a fine piece of tapestry, properly presented to enrich our lives.

One of the things I've been surprised about was how quickly ritual has grounded me in my faith again. I know some people (even some Catholics) make light of saying the Rosary. But reciting those prayers over and over again as I meditate upon the Mysteries does something profound in both my mind and heart. It centers me on God. It reminds me of what was done and how what was done affects my life today.

These type of rituals are very basic. When I was in a non-denominational church, we had no ritual. Nothing was "basic" because New was the key word of the day. No matter how something was done the year before, it needed to be "different" this year. Everything always had to change because... because... I mean, really. Why does some things need to change, anyway?

Maybe I'm sounding like one of those old people, but I don't like change just for change. I can appreciate improving something but I've wondered how much of this "change" is actually productive? Is it effective change or is it a fad? Fads have come and gone within the church but one thing remains standing - the Word of God. This may be why so many people love the Bible. It emphasizes God's unchanging nature, His faithfulness to His people through thick and thin and His promise to us for our future.

The Roman Catholic Church has her stability, too. No matter how many have tried to attack her or minimize her existence, she continues to sail on. It gives me a great deal of delight to know that the Mass I'm celebrating was what Joan of Arc celebrated. There is ritual that has been passed throughout the ages to the Catholic Church and it holds us all together.

When I was in my twenties, I loved the "freedom" I felt from a non-denominational church. I loved feeling untethered to any central church government because at that time, I thought government meant control. Now I see things differently. A church government keeps things on track for the good of the people. Yes, there are corrupt officials, but there are also good ones. It is a microcosm of human nature. The rain falls upon both the good and the evil in the world and God still blesses sinners.

He has given us ritual for a reason. I am so thankful He did.

What Catholics Don't Have: Slick Marketing

I recently viewed a non-denominational church's website and remembered well the "outreach" of the web.

Don't get me wrong. I'm all for the Internet (of course!) and the many opportunities it affords to evangelize. However, there is a huge difference between Catholic parish websites and non-Catholic websites - and in my eyes, it is a very good thing.

In America, we've become brainwashed by Fifth Avenue. For those outside of this country, "Fifth Avenue" is a term often used to describe the advertising efforts that New York City has perfected. It's all about image, baby. At least, that's what "they" tell us.

This focus (and dare I say it - obsession) with image has now catwalked into most non-Catholic churches and strutted its stuff to the point where a good mega-church worth its salt must have an advertising/marketing/publicity department. Visit any website of a mega-non-denominational church and you'll be greeted with the web wizardry of Flash media, embedded videos, downloadable worship songs - all glossed with slick colors and of course, the ubiquitous taglines.

Since when did churches need taglines?

Well, in the United States, taglines are as common as a corner Starbucks. They're everywhere.

"Come As You Are - You'll Be Loved!"

"The Little Church With The Big Heart!"

"40 Days of Love: We Were Made For Relationships!" (the newest campaign from Saddleback Church)

"Disciples Making Disciples!"


I mean, yeesh. Are we so shallow with our religion that we need a constant holy carrot dangling before our eyes in order to lead us to that noon Sunday service?

While my husband and I were taking a bike ride, we pulled into a denominational church's parkinig lot. When we left, I noticed the sign heading toward the main road. It had a cheery little goodbye: "Thanks For Popping In!"

This cultivates a terrible attitude about going to church. Instead of it being a holy event, a time to break away from the rabid self-centeredness of the world - we are instead faced with it while trying to worship God. It's all about the "Wow!"

Holiness does indeed elicit a response, but it's not a "Wow, that's so cool!" It's more of a "Forgive me, Father, for I have sinned..." It's a place where we know we can't hoodwink God. A place where the facade of the world's pleasures and distractions are to fall away as we glimpse our sinful humanity, God's divine mercy, and the amazing sacrifice Jesus Christ made by submitting to His Father's will by taking up His Cross.

Those kind of truths don't play well on a slickly produced website or a multi-media mega-church presentation.

Thank God for the Catholic Church. No bells or whistles. Just pure conviction as I get my head, heart, and soul straightened out for another week in Babylon.

Gianna Jesson: Brave Activist for Pro-Life

On Wednesday, I happened to catch "The Laura Ingraham" show and heard a very passionate young woman speak against the horror of abortion and Obama's lack of any ethical honesty about it. She comes with a unique perspective. Over 30 years ago, her mother tried to abort her. She survived. When the nurse saw that little Gianna was breathing, she took her to a local hospital where she was saved.

What struck me about Gianna was an absolute stunning amount of optimism and joy as she spoke to Laura. Although she has cerebral palsy as a result of the botched abortion, she was literally bubbling over with gratitude toward God for saving her, both physically and spiritually. As a Christian, her love for her Savior is obvious. As a survivor of a saline abortion, her witness is radically powerful.

View her ad below before YouTube decides to pull the plug:



Not surprisingly, Obama's camp is trying to downplay the truth.

The truth is Obama voted four times to deny healthcare to babies who survived an abortion. He is trying to claim that he thought it would lead to abortion being made illegal. I still can't fathom anyone denying healthcare to a helpless baby, but there it is.

Here is a little more from CNN and some interesting comments by Bill Bennett:


This definitely is not looking good for Obama.

What Has Surprised Me: Fellowship

When I was younger, I remember our Catholic parish being large and fairly impersonal. Many would dart out the door immediately after receiving communion. There were the nods to familiar faces, but little else.

Then my family transferred to a smaller parish. When I was 20 years old, I accompanied my mother on a weekend retreat called "Christ Renews His Parish." To this day, I have very fond memories of that beautiful weekend. It was the first time I felt as though I got an opportunity to really know some of my fellow parishioners. We continued to meet as a group for a few months and then it stopped. I remember feeling sad when it stopped.

Then I started to look for that sense of fellowship, but outside the Catholic church. I did find it, and relished meeting with other believers who wanted to learn more about God and grow their relationship with Him.

I never expected to find this in the Catholic church. So I am both surprised and delighted that the parish I now attend has such fellowship. Immediately following Mass, there is a "donuts and fellowship" time in the "undercroft" of the church. It is so nice to see familiar faces, meet new people, and catch up with what's going on in one another's lives. It's also great to learn about events.

Speaking of...I need to catch up with someone on a possible Mass tomorrow morning...

Anyway. Maybe some of you have experienced this kind of fellowship for years, but to me, it's a surprise that fills me with much joy. I can see that God has been working with the Catholic church to connect people beyond the school functions. I see more retreats and special events available, too. All in all, it's wonderful and necessary for us to stay strong in our faith. We need Mass and our private devotions, but we also really need one another.

Ahoy There, Matey!

It's International Talk Like A Pirate Day!

Every year, when this comes around, it makes me laugh. It's just plain silly fun to have a day designated to talk like B-rated old flicks showing pirates talking with a weird British accent.

So, have some fun and check out this article to discover how it started and what made it popular.

Now go out there and shiver someone's timbers!

Still Here After Windstorm '08

My last post was on Saturday, September 13. Little did I know it would be five days until I could update my blog again.

Sunday was a beautiful day. The temperature was around the mid-70's and there was a nice breeze in the air. My husband and I discussed riding our bikes but we both noticed the breeze was starting to turn into a strong wind and decided to forego the ride. We spent the afternoon relaxing and I thought I'd make dinner a little earlier than usual, which turned out to be a good choice.

Just as we finished dinner, around 5:20 PM, our power went out. We had seen our lights flicker a little and started to hear an increase in the wind. After our power went out, we started to hunt for the candles and the flashlight.

My husband and I spent the rest of the night looking out the window and talking to a few family and friends about what was happening. One tree in our yard split at a branch that looked to be around 10 inches in diameter. Only later did we discover that we were experiencing the winds of a Level One hurricane. Ike certainly didn't slow down before blustering through Ohio!

We were blessed. Our power was only out for 24 hours. As I type this, many Ohioans are still without power and some won't have their power restored until the weekend or even Monday. Although our damage is nowhere near the destruction that Galveston and Houston experienced, it still brought its fair share to our area. One woman called a radio station to say her power had been restored after days without it - only to have the tree that had fallen on the line burn to a crisp after the power came back on, which promptly destroyed the power line, leaving the area once again without power. Talk about bad luck!

Although our power was restored after 24 hours, our Internet connection was not. Our service provider had to wait until power was restored to the hubs and evidently, our hub was still without juice. After four days, we just got our connection back today around 3:00 PM.

So I'll be catching up with emails and such. It's strange to be without the Internet when you're used to having it available 24/7. Yesterday, I almost went into a Panera's to see if I could hop online but then thought better of it. The place was packed because so many people were without their Internet. I decided I'd tough it out and get reacquainted with my new home which still could use some organizing.

But still, I have to admit I am very glad I'm online. It can be pretty frustrating when you have a thought, think "I've gotta blog about this!" - and then realize you can't!

Pandora & Music

I think it's interesting that Facebook has a Pandora application. It's fun to look at the musical choices of others. I have thought Pandora has had a unique take on Internet radio for awhile, now.

What's strange is when I hear groups re-produce music from the 80's. In the latest I just heard, INXS re-recorded their "Need You Tonight" with a sharp electronica/house edge. It sounded fresh but a little weird since I remembered it well when it first came out.

I like to listen to high energy music sometimes when I'm creating a digital layout or doing something design-like on my computer. Anything "danceable" is good for me. :-)

Anyone want to share some of their favorite groups? Since the Internet has spawned so many indies, it is tough to keep up with everyone. I don't even try so I may discover some new favorites from what you recommend.