Just a quick stop before running to the next thing...

Wow!  Is it really the last day of July?  Insane.  Next comes August, then September, and I guess the Summer fades away.  Ah, but then comes fall, and I love fall…
I have a million and three things I'm trying to get done right now, hence the lack of blogging.  I'm trying to move out (out is next door, so that's not TOO hard, but takes time and lots of shuffling.) I'm trying to get another blog started on caring for the elderly in your home (something we did for 12 years.  Learned lots!)  I REALLY want to get a young adults group established somewhere in our area.  And I just took on arranging some children's activities for the church auction.  Oy!

Did I mention Sursum Corda is coming up?  If you are a young adult over the age of 18, and you think the Extraordinary form of the Mass is, well, Extraordinary, come join us! Here's the link: http://www.institute-christ-king.org/go/summer-camp/   In case you missed my post last year, here's a run-down: Sursum Corda Young Adults Camp
In short, it was an amazing experience.  It was a wonderful mix of prayer, excellent spiritual talks, and FUN!  Not to mention the great camaraderie.  Even though I only knew a handful of the attendees when I arrived, I don't think I ever felt like an outsider or out of place.  For me, that can be a little rare!  Oh, I guess there was one time I felt out of it - volleyball.  I really hate volleyball.  But other than that… :D So if this sounds like a good time, come join us!  Sign up today! Now! I'll see you there!

Let's see, I had a few other things I wanted to share.  Oh yes.  Here's a great post from The Catholic Young Woman blog: http://catholicyoungwoman.blogspot.com/2012/07/this-is-not-christs-work.html 

Well, I really must run!  Off to buy paint!

Keeping Sunday, Part 2...

    Let’s see...it’s been three weeks since my last “Keeping Sunday” post.  Time for round two!  

Okay, so we determined that shopping on Sunday isn’t the greatest idea.  At least, I hope that’s what we gained from that little rant.  This post shouldn’t be a rant.  It is on what we SHOULD be doing on Sunday. 

First Things First: Mass.  It isn’t an option.  You know those days they talk about, those “Holy Days of Obligation,” when we are supposed to go to Mass?  You know the ones.  The ones that they say if you don’t go to Mass, it is a mortal (soul-damning) sin?  (The ones they keep moving to Sunday?)  Yeah.  Now you remember.  What were they again?  Oh yes:  Christmas, New Years (Circumcision and Mary’s Purification,) Immaculate Conception, Ascension, Assumption, and All Saints Day.  But wait...why isn’t Easter on there?  And what about Pentecost? Aren’t they really, really important feasts?  Shouldn’t they be Holy Days of Obligation, too?  Hmmmm... Oh yeah!  That’s right!  They are.  Because every single Sunday is a Holy Day of Obligation.  Yup.  We risk our immortal soul if we don’t go to Mass on Sunday.  Of course, there are good reasons for missing Mass, like being sick or having to care for someone who is sick, but those are the exception to the rule.  Now that we have that straight.... but you knew all of that anyhow.  I will go into the wonders of the Mass another time.  Back to some ideas on keeping Sunday. 

So you go to Mass.  Maybe it’s an early Mass, maybe a later Mass.  You have breakfast (or brunch, or lunch.) Now what? Now I’m going to be honest.  I am not the perfect Sunday keeper.  You are probably far better at it than I.  I would love to hear your ideas, actually.  But I’m going to make a few suggestions.  Actually, I’m going to give a list of ideas.  ‘Cause lists are fun!

• Read the Bulletin.  Most pastors have a little article in there, so you might learn something.  It’s also interesting to see who’s getting married, who’s had a baby, things like that.  It’s the Catholic Gossip Page ;)  Events are generally listed, like fundraisers, or classes, or talks.  Don’t forget to check confession times!  By this time, you’ve drank your coffee, so time to move on…

• Spend some time with Family.  My dad always calls his parents on Sunday.  We used to go visit my other grandparents after Mass on Sundays.  All week we are running around, working, studying, and getting on with our individual lives.  It’s a good idea to have one day to reconnect with those people God put into our lives, (whether we like it or not.  Some get us to heaven by their holiness, others because they require OUR holiness to put up with them...) Talk to your family.  Play a game.  Share a few beers.  Get into deep theological discussions.  Or just talk about all the silly and wonderful things that happened to you all week.  I was watching a talk on marriage on EWTN one day, and something they said struck me, because I had never looked at it in this way before.  The speaker pointed out that all of the works of mercy are part of raising a family.  Seriously.  And, I might add, being part of a family. Visiting the imprisoned might be a stretch (I hope!) but the rest certainly hold true.  So before you lament that you have no time for the works of mercy, look at your family and start there.

 I found this image here. The Works of Mercy are a great place to start your Sunday!

• Write letters.  I love the idea of writing letters on Sunday afternoon.  It never happens, but who knows? Maybe this week I’ll succeed.  I want to write a real letter, with paper (you know, the stuff that goes in the printer?  Only nicer.)  Real paper and a real pen.  Maybe I’ll even make my own stationary.  A girl can dream.  There is just something about a real letter that email and facebook and chatting can’t touch.  Maybe it’s because you can hold it and smell it and because the letters aren’t perfect.  Besides, it’s lovely getting something in your mailbox besides bills and political ads (they are coming...) “But,” you are thinking, “I have nobody to write to.  Nothing to write about. Everybody knows everything about my life because I text and chat and facebook and email all day.” I’m guessing, though, that there is SOMEONE not on facebook.  Your grandma, perhaps?  Or maybe you know someone who deserves a little more personal touch?  Who knows...you may make their week.  As far as what to write about, write about them.  Share a memory, or share a story that made you think of them.  Share a prayer.  Tell them why you are thankful God made them part of your life.  (Must find pen and paper tomorrow.  And stamps.  Must find stamps.)

• Find ways to become closer to Christ.  This is really what it is all about.  “Honor the Sabbath and keep it holy.”  Everything about can bring you closer to Christ.  Actually, any act that is not sinful can bring you closer to Christ, if you offer it to Him.  Find Christ in those around you.  Spend some time learning more about your faith (there is ALWAYS more to learn.) Spend some time in front of the Blessed Sacrament, or take a walk and say an extra rosary.  Thank God for your week, and ask Him to bless the next week.  Ask Him what He wants you to do this week.  Ask what virtue you need to practice, and what vice you need to conquer this week. 

• Relax. Take a nap.  Sundays are made for naps.  And planning for a nap later really makes it easier to get out of bed for Mass some mornings.  Really, the fact that we aren’t supposed to work on Sunday is a blessing.  Our minds and bodies need refreshment.  A nap, or reading a good book, or doing other things that relax us really are healthy for both mind and soul.  

So, this is the end of my list of suggestions.  How do you Keep Sunday?   

From Yesterday's Tomorrow: Why are they Killing Babies?

I just thought I'd share this post from my brilliant younger sister…

From Yesterday's Tomorrow: Why are they Killing Babies?: My nine year old brother can’t understand why someone would kill babies. “Don't they remember that they were babies too?” he asked me. We t...

Twilight...

© J. Bridger 2011

It is neither day, nor night.  

It is twilight.

We don’t see the sun, nor can we yet see the stars, 

but still there is light.  

All green fades to black. 

The only colors are pink and blue and yellow.

It is still easy to see, at first, but as stars appear, the familiar become enchanted.  

Trees and flowers and buildings stand as sharp silhouettes against the sky that fades from bright to dark.  

The most drab thing in daylight becomes beautiful, 

and the most beautiful becomes grotesque. 

 It holds the fancy of faeries and elves and dwarves -

the monsters and demons still fear the shadows of sunlight lingering on the horizon. 

 Until at last, twilight fades to dusk, 

and dusk to night.

Monday Reflections

I am weak.  I don't know how to defend the honor of my Lord and my God.  I want to, but instead, I say nothing.  I pray in my heart, and frown, but it is little to defend the honor of His most Holy Name.  Perhaps if I suggested that my coworkers say "Oh Buddha" or the name of some other deity out of frustration, they would get the picture.
We could use the names of false gods "in vain," but would that help to bring about the conversion of those who believe in these false gods? (Hmm, perhaps I should add "o Bama!" and "governementdam" to that list of acceptable alternatives?) I don't think, though, that blaspheming their gods would really weaken their faith - it would only weaken their faith in us.
Our "charity" makes us a group of easy targets, you ever notice? We are easy to ignore and easy to offend without opposition. If a Christian criticizes anyone for their choices, they are told that they are judgmental, bigoted, and uncharitable.  Ironic, considering these virtues that we are so painfully short on weren't even considered virtues before Christianity.  It was a Christian idea that men didn't judge one another, rather that they leave judgement to God.  It was a Christian idea that we love our neighbor, regardless of his status, color, or gender, for the love of God. Before Christianity, equality was an idea unheard of.  True, Christianity did not do away with classes or slavery, but it taught mankind the equal dignity of every human in the eyes of God.
Bigoted.  Now there's an interesting word.  I actually had to look it up.  I had a fair idea of what it meant, but I wanted to be sure.  According to my handy-dandy iPod dictionary: Bigoted - "having or revealing an obstinate belief in the superiority of one's own opinions and a prejudiced* intolerance of the opinions of others." Hmmm.  Sounds like something that can go both ways.  Hey, I'll admit there are a lot of bigoted christians out there.  And I would say ALL of us have a streak of that in us somewhere - we like to be right, and we like to have our own opinions.  But see, there is this little thing called "truth" that not everyone recognizes as even existing.  I believe it does exist, and I believe that the Catholic church holds the fullness of it.  Therefore, I don't consider myself a bigot.  First, because I'm not talking about opinions, I'm talking about facts.  If it was merely my opinion that 1+1=2, and I refused to back down from that, I could be considered a bigot.  Or, to give a better example, if it was merely my opinion that 7+5-2 x 4 = 4, I could be considered a bigot.  However, math doesn't deal in opinions, it is fact.  And it is a fact that 7+5-2 x 4 = 4.  I could be wrong, though, and say that 7+5-2x4=40, and then I could obstinately refuse to listen to my math tutor explain the order of operations.  In that case I would be a bigot.
I would also like to mention that I am not a "blind sheep" following everything the Church teaches just because it says it is right.  I consider there to be sufficient evidence for what I believe.  I don't understand it all, I admit.  But when there is something that doesn't make sense to me, I look for an explanation.  After all, I want to make sure I'm understanding what I think I'm hearing. It's been said by many different people in many different ways, but to put it simply, most people hate the Church for what they think it is, not for what it actually teaches.  So far, I have found an answer to all of my questions. Prove to me that the Church is wrong, and there is nothing to hold me - I do not look for the honor and glory that comes man, only that of God.  Prove my God does not exist, and I have no reason to follow a Church that is false.  Ah, but you can't prove it.  I know it to be truth.
God Bless,
Rae

*Prejudiced: To quote my then-8 year old brother to my then-10 year old brother: "Your just prejujished.  You don't like cocoanut and you haven't given it a fair chance!"

I think I shall write a book...

Yes,  I am going to attempt it.  So if I start disappearing around here again, that may be why.  Or I may be moving furniture.  Or canoeing.  Or planning crazy adventures involving mysterious envelopes and cryptic messages.  Perhaps I will be doing all four things. At. The. Same. Time.  Who knows.  Of course, I may be persuaded to stay by a few more comments, or by a few more clicks on those silly adsense ads.  Or not.  We shall see.  Perhaps I will have another profound thought to share, and will naturally come here to share it.  I have been rather dry on profound thoughts, but have instead switched to scathingly brilliant ideas.  Which, as everyone knows, aren't bad, but always expensive.

Good day, and God Bless!
Rae

I've got plenty to be thankful for...

 There was a quote on facebook - or was it Pinterest? - last week.  It said something to the effect that not every day is good, but there is something good in every day.  So very true.  Some days are terrible.  And some days are wonderful.  Most days are somewhere in between.  But that little tidbit of wisdom got me thinking.  What if every day I made sure that the last think I wrote in my journal was something nice from that day.  So that's what I did this week.  Here are my seven things beautiful...
Monday: Adoration, and writing with a feather-topped pen.  I forgot my pen when I put my journal in my bag on Monday, so I had to borrow one from the reception desk at work.  You know how sometimes they put artificial flowers on pens so you won't accidentally throw them in your purse? Well, this pen had beautiful brown feathers on top.  It was so much fun to write with!  
Tuesday: Finding what I needed at the Mall - and getting out alive.  Buying a hermit crab from a kiosk at the mall for a gift.  Going to my best friends last wedding shower before the wedding - I got to be a TP bride.  It's amazing what some people can do with 4 rolls of toilet paper, a roll of tape and 10 minutes.  I would love to see what they could do with satin and lace.  I think I know where to go if I ever need a last minute wedding dress.  
Wednesday: Watching fireworks with all of my younger siblings.  We saw 7 or 8 different places from our driveway and road.  So much fun!
Thursday: Finally a day off! Getting to play with make-up and nail polish.  Swimming with my sister.  Did you know that it is really, really funny to watch someone doing a handstand in the water kick their legs like a cartoon running off a cliff?
Friday: More swimming, this time with my two sisters, and one "adopted" sister.
Saturday: My best friends wedding.  A beautiful bride, a beautiful Mass, a lovely reception.  Knowing that I looked my best.  Knowing that she is unbelievably happy.  
Sunday: Not working.  I think I will go make myself a Pina Colada…

Beating the heat...

Hi y’all!  Well, it’s officially July, isn’t it.  In with the sweltering heat.  Today at work it was awful - the temperature in the kitchen stayed between 85º and 89º pretty much all day.  Which was nothing, compared to outside While I was vacuuming the relatively cool dining room, I started singing “Streets of Heaven” to myself.  I’m not sure why I thought of that song, but I’m glad I did.  It’s one of those songs that just always gives me chills when I hear it.  So I got to thinking.  What a great way to beat the heat!  Instant air conditioning, at least for a few seconds.  So here are a few songs to cool you down. Warning! Most of these have the potential to make you cry. Just sayin'.

Streets of Heaven - Sherrie Austin

Chain of Love - Clay Walker

Alyssa Lies - Jason Michael Carroll

Bring Him Home, Santa

Riding With Private Malone - David Ball

Ok, that's enough for now...I have to go find a sweatshirt.  And a kleenex box.  Now I want to know your favorite "Chills" or "goosebumps" songs!  Or video clips.  I'm thinking Margaret O'Brian has to have some great moments.  I'll keep thinking, too.  I know there are more somewhere....

Keep cool, and God Bless,

Rae