Spiritual Woman

A Lot of Changes

2008-07-22T18:52:00.000-07:00

We were helping my sister move out this evening. She had come to live with us back in November because her life was in upheaval and she needed a place to stay. It was an adjustment when she came - we hadn't lived under the same roof since I was 10! And now that she is leaving, it is an adjustment as well. I'm really going to miss having her around.

Also, my husband is considering a new job that would have him traveling a great deal. The boys and I could certainly manage. He's traveled before although not on as quite as extensive a level, but it would mean adjusting my life a great deal. I would need to give up my volunteer job at my Church because I wouldn't have the availability to leave the house for an hour here and there like I do now. It would also mean no escaping for a walk on my own a couple times a week. It also means he would need to stop running Bingo, which is currently keeping our parish school afloat. Maybe someone else would step up to the plate but we have no idea who. Volunteers have been in short supply. The extra money would be a blessing, however. I honestly don't know what is best for our family or for him and so I am praying. Somehow, it will all work out.

And to top it off, my main computer died this week. Just died - no warning, no acting up in the days before hand - it just died. My husband did everything he could to retrieve the data, but it was no use. I didn't lose everything, but I lost enough to put a lot of extra work on my plate recreating things, especially for a deadline I have next week.

As you can imagine, my stress level is rather high right now. Please say a prayer for me!

Can We Hide From Evil?

2008-07-20T18:44:00.000-07:00

This week's gospel (Matthew 13:24-33) has Jesus telling the parable of the wheat and the weeds. A man went out and sowed his seeds of good wheat. While he was sleeping, his enemy came and sowed weeds among the wheat. The wheat and the weeds then grew up together until the time came for harvest, at which point the weeds were collected to be put into the fire, and the wheat was gathered and put into the barn.

We all want to be the wheat. We try to be the wheat. Like the wheat, however, we are surrounded by weeds. Most of us try to limit our exposure to evil. Especially when it comes to our children, we try to protect them from the weeds in our world. We censor what they listen to, and watch on television, and what they read. We try to make sure that they make friends with other children from families that share most of our values. We try to keep them safe. It is tempting to think that if we do enough, we will be able to safeguard our children. Yet, sadly, despite all of our efforts, our children will still experience much that is evil.

The simple truth is, no matter how much we might want to hide from evil, in this world it just isn't possible. Since the first sin, evil has been part of what it means to be human. We could take our children and escape to a desert island, and the “weediness” within ourselves would still be there. Even hermits must confront the capacity for evil within their own hearts. We don't need to seek evil. It is everywhere.

So, then, what do we do to help ourselves and our children grow as strong stalks of wheat to be gathered in for the harvest? How do we resist the weeds that threaten us and them? First, we must nurture our own spiritual development. We can't hope to raise our children with the strength they need if our own faith is weak. We can't parent alone. We need God's help, and the only way we get that is through prayer and learning about God. Second, we must give our children the tools that they need to stand firm against temptation. We must pray with them and teach them to lean on God in their hour of need. We must take advantage of the sacraments and teach them to do the same. We must read and share the Word of God with our children. We must pray with fervor the words of the Our Father: “Lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.”

An important part of what it means to be Christian is to bear witness to Christ's example and message. It isn't always easy for adults or children to stand up for what is right when everyone around us seems to be doing what is wrong. Peer pressure is a powerful force no matter what our age. From time to time, we all end up in situations where the weeds seem to be in control. That is when our commitment to the faith is most tested. That is when it is most important for us to be the good example, to be the wheat standing tall. There are also times when the weeds take root within ourselves. We all sin. It is then that we need to seek God's forgiveness and to resolve to do better, so that we can once again take our place among the wheat.

No, we can't hide from evil, no matter how much we might want to protect ourselves and our children. Evil will find us. We can, however, prepare ourselves and our children for the inevitable confrontations with evil. We can be the wheat standing strong among the weeds.

Can you write your memoir in six words?

2008-07-17T18:19:00.000-07:00

Every now and then life (God) just hands you a gift. Today, for instance, I brought the kids to the library to see "Bubble-Mania". The show was part of the summer program. The same bubble artist had done a show last year and we loved it so they were eager to go again. Once there, the librarian kindly asked if parents of children ages 5 and up would be willing to just have their children attend the show to allow more room for more children. So, I was suddenly given an hour of alone time in one of my favorite places - the library! I used the computer to check my email and post the previous post on this blog and then settled in with the most recent copy of Writer's Digest.

This particular issue featured the 100 best websites for writers - one of which was Six Word Memoirs by Smith Magazine The point of the website is to have people summarize their lives in six words - a daunting task, don't you think? I've never been known for being wordy, but even I have trouble being that succinct. Yet, many people have met the challenge.

What is your life story? Can you say it in six words? I was thinking that I would write, "I plan. God laughs. I adjust." or perhaps, "I love. I pray. I create." What do you think?

Feel free to comment and share your own six word memoir. I would love to read them!

Download Free Issue of Canticle Magazine

2008-07-17T08:23:00.001-07:00

Click Here to read the July/August 2008 issue of Canticle Magazine. It's a great magazine featuring many writers who I am pleased to count among my friends, and I just renewed my own subscription yesterday!

Help for Men who have experienced Abortion

2008-07-15T18:06:00.000-07:00

"Columbia" magazine, a publication of The Knights of Columbus, included a very informative article on resources to help men who are suffering as a result of an abortion. It is a myth that abortion only impacts women, especially because men have no legal rights when it comes to abortion decisions.

Men who regret abortion decisions fall into three categories: "those who advocated or pushed for the abortion, those who knew about the abortion but failed to intervene, and those who did not know. The first group repents of actually killing the child, while the second group experiences guilt over 'the sin of omission.' The third often react with great anger that it happened, that the law did not grant them any right to know or decide, and that they could not stop the abortion from taking place."

If you know of a man who is experiencing pain over an abortion in his past, there are places and people that can help:

The National Office of Post-Abortion Reconciliation & Healing:
www.menandabortion.info
noparh.org

Guys for Life: www.guysforlife.org

Fatherhood Forever Foundation: www.fatherhoodfoundation.org

Pro-Life Joes: www.prolifejoes.com

Fathers and Brothers Ministry: www.lifeissues.org

New Faith and Family Blog

2008-07-15T17:45:00.000-07:00

Faith and Family has started a new blog at http://faithandfamilylive.com/. They describe the blog as a place "where everyday moms offer one another inspiration, support, and encouragement in Catholic living. Any mom grappling with the meaning of life or the cleaning of laundry is welcome here." It features a wonderful line-up of writers including Danielle Bean, Rachel Balducci, Lisa Hendey, Arwen Mosher, and Rebecca Teti. It really looks like it will be a wonderful resource.

Seeing Rocks in a Whole New Light

2008-07-13T18:32:00.000-07:00

As a child, I loved to collect rocks. I can remember walking down the street with my father, picking up specimens to bring home. I would spend hours studying them and sorting them and placing them in the special box that I kept them in. They were my special treasures! Fast-forward twenty-something years. I admit, I haven’t thought much about rocks during the interim.

My two boys also love to collect rocks. There are some differences, however. When I was small, I chose rocks based on color or shape. As far as my boys are concerned, size is the primary consideration – the bigger, the better! My rule is that they have to be able to physically pick the rock up in order to add it to their collection. My rocks fit in a box. They have set up a rock “museum” in their tree house.

Children inherently see more than we as adults do. Children see magic and mystery where we only see the ordinary. When my children look at their rocks, they see all sorts of different shapes and images. Their rocks aren’t just rocks. They are faces and boats and cartoon characters. They even have one rock they claim is the spitting image of the United States. If I look really hard, I can actually see what their imagination so easily provides.

They are discriminating in the rocks that they choose as well. We recently went on vacation up at Lake Champlain in northern Vermont. The shore where we were staying was covered with rocks. I had told the boys that they could each bring home eight rocks – one for each day that they were there. My goodness, it was a difficult choice! They would pick their favorites each day, and then have to rotate out some so that they only had a total of eight. They picked the ones that appealed to them most, the ones that were unique and stood apart from the others.

I have to admit that their love of rocks has reawakened my own. As an art major in college, I was taught to truly look at objects in order to reproduce them in a drawing or painting. As a student of theology, I learned to appreciate the wonder of God in all of His creation. Combine these two ways of seeing, the physical and the spiritual, and “simple” rocks take on a whole new meaning. I found myself studying the rocks on the shores of Lake Champlain with a much greater appreciation than I might otherwise have had. I marveled at the way the waves kept hitting the rocks, slowly shaping and smoothing them. Such a simple process, really, but one I hadn’t paid much attention to before. God is always working on the earth’s creation. It is a constant work in progress. The rocks are so beautiful, each one unique with a story of its own. God cares enough about the rocks, simple inanimate objects, to put such care into their creation. How much more does He care about us, who are made in His own image! How much more beautiful are we in His sight! Honestly, I never thought rocks would have so much to teach me!

Perhaps sometime this week, you might want to take the time to simply sit with some rocks. If you can do this with a child and get his or her insights, it would be even better. Take the time to truly look and appreciate. Take the time to wonder at God’s creation and be thankful that we are a part of the beauty of His earth.

Back from Vacation

2008-07-12T18:26:00.000-07:00

I'm back from a glorious week spent at a cabin on Lake Champlain up in northern Vermont. This is the first time we've taken a week vacation since our honeymoon 11 years ago! I really wasn't crazy about going. It's a lot of work to get ready for a vacation, and I'm not a big fan of traveling, but by the middle of the week, I truly didn't want to come home. It was just so quiet and peaceful there. My in-laws came with us and they took care of the kids a few hours each day so I got some alone time for me and some alone time with my husband as well. I got lots of quilting done and read 3 novels!

My husband and I took one day and went to nearby Burlington, which is a small college town. The University of Vermont is located there. My husband stopped to use the restroom at the Admissions building and we ended up being invited to go on a tour, which was actually very fun and informative! I always feel very at home on college campuses and now I know a great deal about UVM! After that, we went out to lunch. It was wonderful! I also learned some things about boating. The kids caught their first fish which they were very excited about! The countryside is very beautiful up there as well. I took lots of photos, some of which I am sure will end up on my Moments of Beauty blog.

Of course, the trip wasn't without it's issues. Our van decided to stop working. Thank goodness for AAA! We were able to get the van towed and fixed. Unfortunately, we were $300 poorer. Also, my husband ran out of gas in his motor boat in the middle of the lake when he went out fishing yesterday. Oops - he forgot to check that! Thankfully, another boater was able to tow him in!

Overall, though, it was great, and it was hard to come home to face the mountain of laundry and emails full of problems that I now need to contend with. But, life goes on . . .

Exrtraordinary Moms Network

2008-07-12T17:37:00.000-07:00

A message from my friend Heidi Hess Saxton:

Dear Friends in Christ:

Have you ever been in a place where you wondered just what God was asking you to do with your life? I have, especially lately. Like most moms, I find that the demands on my time almost always exceed the “budget,” and yet I also know God never asks us to do more than we are capable of doing. Which means, if I’m overextended … chances are, “something’s gotta give.”

The last time I felt this way, in 1989, I flew to Acapulco and spent two weeks traveling by bus across the Mexican countryside. At the time I was trying to decide whether to stay in publishing or accept an invitation to become a short-term missionary in Singapore. By the end of that trip, I realized God was saying, “Neither.” I packed my bags and moved from Minneapolis to California to continue my education.

Over the past few months, I felt that same restlessness coming on, and I’ve been asking God to show me what He has in mind. Then a couple of weeks ago Sarah Reinhard and I pack our kids into the car and took off on the “Jet Setting is for Sissies Road Trip 2008,” to go to the Catholic New Media Celebration and visit several of our blogging buddies and other important people. I blogged extensively about our adventures at Mommy Monsters.

Several tremendous blessings came out around the time of this trip, which I’d like to share with you now.

Just prior to our trip, Cheryl Dickow at Bezalel Books volunteered to bring out a Spanish edition of my Mary book (entitled Contempla a tu Madre), and to recover Behold Your Mother at the same time! The new edition is now available through Amazon.com, and includes special journal pages at the back of the books where you can insert your own meditations on the Blessed Mother.

To celebrate the new edition of Behold Your Mother, Sarah and I will be hosting a “Mary Moments” Carnival on the 15th of each month at Behold Your Mother. The first “real” Carnival will be held August 15, to celebrate the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary … and feature posts about favorite Mary books (besides mine, I mean…). You may submit posts directly to the Carnival here, or send the link to me via e-mail.

The other significant development that I’d like to tell you about is the creation of the Extraordinary Moms Network, which I’ll tell you more about in the next newsletter. The Extraordinary Moms Network website, which was designed by my friend Patrice Fagnant-MacArthur, is still very much a work in progress. However, in time I am hoping that this will become a useful resource for all women who are looking to grow as truly extraordinary mothers: adoptive and foster mothers, step mothers and other women raising children to whom they did not give birth, as well as mothers of large families and children with special needs.

All of us need encouragement from time to time in order to continue investing ourselves in the lives of the children entrusted into their care … and I’m hoping EMN will become just that source of encouragement for you. My long-term goals for the network include a weekly podcast, book club, and e-zine (and phase out my multiple blogs over time). Please pray with me, that God would guide me in the way He sees best.

Please feel free to pass this newsletter on to others you think might be interested in hearing more about the Extraordinary Moms Network, or about the “Mary Moments” Carnival. God bless you!

Under the Mercy, Heidi Saxton

Blog Break through July 13th

2008-07-04T18:07:00.000-07:00

Happy 4th of July! I hope all of you had a very festive day.

This blog will be going on break as I enjoy vacation with my family.

Best wishes,
Patrice

Time for God

2008-07-03T15:53:00.000-07:00

My friend Rose sent this to me:

God,
when I received this e-mail, I
thought...

I don't have time for
this...

Then, I
realized that this kind of thinking is.... Exactly,
what has caused
lot of the problems in our world today.

We try to
keep God in church on Sunday morning...

Maybe, Sunday night...

And, the unlikely event of a
midweek service.

We do like
to have Him around during sickness....

And, of course, at funerals.

However,
we don't have time, or
room, for Him during work or play...

Because.. That's the part of our lives
we think... We can, and
should, handle on our own.

May God
forgive me for ever
thinking...

That... There is a time or place
where..

HE is not
to be FIRST in my life.

We should
always have time to remember all HE has done for us.

Book Review: Falling Into the Arms of God

2008-07-02T18:43:00.001-07:00

Falling Into the Arms of God:
Meditations with Teresa of Avila
by Megan Don
Novato, CA: New World Library, 2005

St. Teresa of Avila (1515-1582) was a Carmelite nun best known for her reform of that order and for her mystical relationship with God. Her best known book is Interior Castle which she wrote due to the prodding of her spiritual director. In that book, she wrote of seven dwellings or mansions that indicate different stages on the spiritual journey towards God. Her writing was aimed for the sisters in her religious community although her words have much to teach the world at large.

Megan Don has taken Teresa’s words and reflected upon them in Falling into the Arms of God: Meditations With Teresa of Avila. Don has also divided her book into seven sections with several meditations for each section. The meditations themselves are brief – a couple pages at most, but they are filled with meaning and applicability to twenty-first century life. Don has a true talent for taking Teresa’s meaning and expanding upon it, making it extremely relevant for today’s reader. She discusses detours and pitfalls we may experience on the spiritual journey as well as the glories that await those who persevere.

Teresa’s words themselves are challenging. One cannot read her words and not feel humbled by the realization of how far we need to go in our spiritual lives. The road to union with God is not an easy one. It wasn’t easy for Teresa herself and Don points out the doubts and trials that Teresa experienced. Yet, Teresa was also a person of great joy who enjoyed the fun in life. She insisted that the sisters in her community spent at least an hour in recreation each day, because everyone needs a break from work. That in and of itself is an important reminder in today’s 24/7 world.

“Falling into the Arms of God” is meant to be read in small sections. It can be read front to back, one meditation at a time, or it can be picked up and a meditation read at random. Don also offers instructions in how to use it in a group setting. No matter how one uses this book, it will offer a deeper understanding of the workings of the soul. Don has created a book that this reviewer feels St. Teresa of Avila herself would approve of. She has kept the message and weight of Teresa’s words while making them accessible to a larger audience.

Making the Most of our Children's Time

2008-07-02T17:57:00.000-07:00

I received a complimentary copy of Home School Enrichment Magazine. It discusses home-schooling from a Christian perspective. There was an article on "Beating the Summer Boredom Bug" by Cindy Puhek. The article offered a unique perspective on choosing activities for your children:

Many Christians ask the question, "What's wrong with doing this activity? If it doesn't involve something blatantly immoral, why not?" Steven Maxwell of Titus 2 Ministries teaches that we should change our question from, "Can I do this?" to "Is this activity the best investment of our God-given time?"

The gift of time is precious, and even for our children, what they do with it matters. Obviously there is a place for fun and it is extremely important for both adults and children, but choosing the right kind of fun matters. I had never heard the question put quite this way and I thought that it offers a good standard for making good use of our children's time (as well as our own).

Learning about your Faith with your Children

2008-06-30T18:44:00.000-07:00

As parents, we have the primary responsibility to raise our children in the Catholic faith. They will learn how to be Catholic by the way that we live our lives and the way that we model Christian behavior through prayer, almsgiving, and service to others. One certainly does not to be a great scholar to be a good Catholic. It is possible to live a holy life without much recourse to book learning. Nothing can take the place of prayer and loving God and neighbor.

However, when one loves God, one naturally wants to learn more about Him. Also, there are many aspects of our faith that our children may question. When we don't have the answers, it is good to know where to look for them. There is also much value in learning about the role models (also known as saints) that the Church holds up as practitioners of the holy life. In helping our children learn more about our faith, our faith is strengthened as well. There is always more to learn and understand.

There are many resources available to help you learn about the faith with your children. Every family should have access to the Catechism of the Catholic Church (available online at http://www.usccb.org/catechism/text/index.htm). While it isn't something that you would want to read with your younger children, it is great for looking up answers to questions that you or they might have about why Catholics believe what we do. It would make good reading for teenagers. A copy of the Bible is also indispensable. While the Bible is available online, every home should have a copy to encourage its use on a regular basis. The The New American Bible is the translation that is used for the readings at mass. The The New Jerusalem Bible is also a good choice. A good practice to get into for both adults and older children is to read the lectionary readings for the day. They can be found on the internet at http://www.usccb.org/nab/index.shtml.

For younger children, a children's bible is a must. For very young children, Catholic Bible Stories for Children by Ann Ball and Julianne M. Will is a good choice, as is the St. Joseph Catholic Children's Bible by Fr. Lawrence Lovasik. For older children, My First Catholic Bible illustrated by Natalie Carabetta is unique in that it provides child-friendly translations of passages in the Bible and is arranged to be used for devotions. Illustrations are very important in a children's Bible, in that children can often learn much about the Bible stories simply from looking at the pictures. They are also more inclined to spend time with the book if they like the pictures. If at all possible, bring your child with you to a Catholic bookstore so that your child can pick out a Bible of their very own.

Stories about the saints are wonderful for both adults and children. They provide examples of how to live a holy life and provide a counterbalance to the “heroes” often held up in contemporary society. The New Illustrated Book of Saints: Inspiring Lives in Word and Picture by Rev. Thomas Donaghy offers one page summaries of the lives of many saints along with a full-page illustration of each one. The Book of Saints series by Father Lovasik offers a similar format, but the books are smaller (32 pages each) and are very child-friendly. There are also books in the St. Joseph series that focus on individual saints. For older children, the Vision Book series published by Ignatius Press is highly recommended. These books allow children and adults to get to know some of the beloved saints more intimately. The stories are exciting and interesting and capture the imagination.

For learning about the mass and the faith in general, the St. Joseph series offers books on saying the rosary, attending mass, receiving communion, the works of mercy, and many other topics. The whole series is highly recommended.

It is often said that in teaching children, you learn much yourself. I have certainly found that to be true in introducing my children to the beauty of our Catholic faith and traditions. Even though I have a graduate degree in theology and have spent my life as a Catholic, there is always more to learn. I still find the lives of the saints fascinating and with each reading, even of old favorites, I find I gain some new insight. The same holds true with learning about the mass, different devotions, and the truths of our faith. Learning about the faith with your children can be a wonderful journey for all of you!

For Children of Divorced Parents

2008-06-28T00:01:00.000-07:00

Reading through the latest issue of Canticle Magazine, I learned about an organization dedicated to helping children of divorced parents heal and be able to go on to have successful marriages themselves. According to the article in "Canticle," studies show that 60% of women and 35% of men whose parents divorce get divorced themselves. Lynn Cassella-Kapusinski's parents divorced when she was eleven years old. She started Faith Journeys to help children of divorce and to help bring God into the process of healing. She writes:

Today's statistics – which state that children with separated or divorced parents are twice as likely as children living in intact families to experience difficulties -- speak to a need for help. A need that only God’s grace and direction can fully satisfy.

While not all children experience difficulties as a result of parental divorce or neglect, many note having academic problems, trouble with school authorities or the police, low self-esteem and depression. These children often have more difficulties getting along with siblings and peers also.

In adolescence, they are more likely to engage in delinquent behavior including substance abuse, to be involved in early sexual activity, and to experiment with illegal drugs. In young adulthood, they are more likely to have some difficulty forming intimate relationships and establishing independence from their families.

Faith Journeys offers three age-directed curricula: 1) for elementary school ages; 2) for middle schoolers and high schoolers, and 3) another for older teens and young adults. These curricula may be used for establishing group programs and retreats at Dioceses, schools, parishes, or community-based organizations.

For more information, visit http://www.faithjourneys.org/

Lemonade Anyone?

2008-06-27T17:19:00.000-07:00

Many years ago, my husband read Life's Little Instruction Book: 511 Suggestions, Observations, and Reminders on How to Live a Happy and Rewarding Life. For whatever reason, the one thing that he got from this book was to always stop at lemonade stands run by kids. As a result, we have always stopped at lemonade stands and the boys have been begging for ages to set one up.

I am not one to stand in the way of entrepreneurial pursuits, but we had a problem. We live at the end of a dead end street. The nearest street that even gets a small amount of traffic is 3 blocks away. Obviously this isn't the best place for a lemonade stand. So, I asked my parents if we could borrow their driveway for the day. They don't exactly live on a main street either but at least they live off of one. The boys and I made posters yesterday and I bought our supplies.

They were so excited today. I told them not to be disappointed if they didn't get any customers, but I said a prayer that they would get at least one. Of course, my parents bought some. Thankfully, one very nice lady stopped and bought a glass as did the mailman so they actually got 2 customers! Not a hugely successful venture, but enough to make them feel like they accomplished something. It was fun and something that I hope that they will remember.

Saying Good-Bye to an Old Friend

2008-06-25T18:19:00.000-07:00

Last week, our Diocesan Newspaper announced that our local Catholic Book and Gift Store, "The Open Window" would be closing at the end of July. Like so many other independent bookstores, they were the victim of hard economic times, but I feel like I'm losing an old friend. When I was a little girl, my mother used to take me every month when I would have a half day at school so that I could pick out a religious book or item. I absolutely loved our trips and looked forward to them so much. When I got older and my mother couldn't drive anymore, I would take her on field trips to go visit and pick out items that she wanted. I purchased a cross for my husband and my bedroom there when I was getting married. When I was pregnant with David, I went and picked up a couple very simple children's books that I could read to him while he was still in the womb! I admit in recent years, I have been a less-than faithful shopper, often turning to the convenience of the internet to purchase my religious books, but I tried to get there at least a couple times a year with the kids so that they could have the same joy that I had as a child.

David and Isaac were sad to hear that the store was closing as well, and so today we took one last trip to say good-bye and purchase a few books and holy cards. Honestly, if I had enough money, I probably would have purchased one of everything! As I looked around, I realized with sadness that it was just nice to know that the store was there if I needed a religious object. While books are easy enough to purchase sight unseen from the internet, the same is not necessarily true for religious gifts. There is now no Catholic store nearby for me to go to purchase a gift for David's 1st communion next year. I guess I'll have to buy something on-line, but it just won't be the same.

Good-bye "Open Window" - we will miss you!

Amazing Grace for Those who Suffer

2008-06-23T17:33:00.000-07:00

Amazing Grace for Those Who Suffer: 10 Life-Changing Stories of Hope and Healing
by Jeff Cavins and Matthew Pinto
Ascension Press, 2002

In the introduction to Amazing Grace for Those Who Suffer: 10 Life-Changing Stories of Hope and Healing (The Amazing Grace Series), Jeff Cavins and Matthew Pinto write "Our lives, no matter how good, are often interrupted and complicated by difficulties. For some of us, the suffering is minor; for others, intense suffering accompanies every heartbeat of every day. . . One thing is for sure: Any type of suffering can take a person to the breaking point." The ten people who share their pain in "Amazing Grace" have faced seemingly insurmountable suffering. Janet Moylan watched her husband and daughter be swept out into the ocean, while she could do nothing to save them. Peggy Stoks suffered molestation at the hands of her grandfather. Mike Clarey's eleven year old daughter was murdered while out delivering papers. Dr. Kim Hardey's son Brad was killed by a speeding car. Debbie Harding faced breast cancer and life married to a drug addict. What all these people share, however, is the knowledge that God brought some good out of their suffering (a fact that can only be seen looking back).

Of course, none of us want to suffer, but suffering is part of life on this earth. These ten stories offer lessons in how to suffer, how to understand suffering, and how to continue to trust in God even when we are suffering.

The Faithful Traveler

2008-06-23T17:24:00.000-07:00

The Faithful Traveler™ is a fun, new travel show with a Catholic focus.

Join Diana von Glahn, the show’s host, on her quest to discover amazing churches, shrines, and places of pilgrimage throughout the United States and beyond!

At each location, she’ll uncover and discuss the art, architecture, historical fact, Scripture, and Church teaching behind the location in a fun and lively manner that’s sure to appeal to all ages!

Explore the site to learn more about the show, watch clips from our video series, read what people are saying about the show, and check out the resources behind what is discussed on each show.

Sports and Spiritual Formation

2008-06-22T18:31:00.000-07:00

I have spent this afternoon and evening watching the U.S. diving and gymnastics trials for the Olympics coming up in August. These young people have spent their entire lives working and preparing for this moment. They have gone over every move thousands of times. They have focused and trained and they and their parents have sacrificed to get them where they are. For a few moments the world’s eyes will be on them, admiring their artistry, their grace under pressure, and their determination.

Sports and competition have been part of the human experience since the first two children decided to see who could run the fastest. God made human bodies capable of doing amazing things, and he created some people with truly astounding athletic gifts. Even those of us who were blessed with less athletic ability can enjoy sports. Each of us can help our bodies be strong and healthy and enjoy friendly competition. For most of us, participating in sports is not so much about winning or losing as it is about taking part, trying to improve, and making use of the bodies God gave us.

Sports can also help us in our spiritual life. The discipline it takes to sacrifice and train and practice and focus is similar to the discipline it takes to sacrifice and pray daily and focus on living the Christian life. Even St. Paul compared his spiritual journey to an athletic experience: “I have fought the good fight to the end; I have run the race to the finish; I have kept the faith.” 2 Timothy 4:7. More recently, Danny Abramowicz, former player for the New Orleans Saint and longtime NFL coach, compared strengthening one’s spiritual life to strengthening one’s physical condition in “Spiritual Workout of a Former Saint” (Our Sunday Visitor, 2004). He advocates getting the Holy Spirit as one’s personal trainer, scouting out the enemies of the spiritual life, stretching out in prayer, running away from temptation, receiving spiritual nutrition, and resting in the spirit.
Those who have the responsibility for coaching young athletes, especially through Catholic organizations, have a unique opportunity to connect sports with spiritual formation. The National Center for Catholic Youth Sports (www.nccys.org) encourages Catholic coaches to have a strong foundation in their faith and to use sports as a means of catechesis and spiritual development. NCCYS states that the following should be the goal of any Catholic sports program: “To empower young people to live as disciples of Jesus Christ in our world today, to draw young people to responsible participation in the life, mission and work of the Catholic faith community, and to foster the total personal and spiritual growth of each young person.” Parents as well have the duty of instructing and modeling good sportsmanship and the integration of sport and faith.
The Olympics provide a unique opportunity to reflect upon the role of sports in our lives. They offer the chance to appreciate the beauty of sport as well as the incredible stories of the athletes who have the honor of competing. They can also inspire us to get off the couch and increase our own athletic efforts. The most important race of our lives, however, is not the one that takes place on a track and field course, but rather the journey we take towards God. St. Paul instructed the Corinthians to “run to win” (1 Cor 24). May the lessons learned from sports help propel us to that greatest victory, union with God in heaven.

Does God provide?

2008-06-21T08:30:00.001-07:00

Here is the Gospel for today:

Gospel
Mt 6:24-34

Jesus said to his disciples:
“No one can serve two masters.
He will either hate one and love the other,
or be devoted to one and despise the other.
You cannot serve God and mammon.

“Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life,
what you will eat or drink,
or about your body, what you will wear.
Is not life more than food and the body more than clothing?
Look at the birds in the sky;
they do not sow or reap, they gather nothing into barns,
yet your heavenly Father feeds them.

Are not you more important than they?
Can any of you by worrying add a single moment to your life-span?
Why are you anxious about clothes?
Learn from the way the wild flowers grow.
They do not work or spin.
But I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendor
was clothed like one of them.
If God so clothes the grass of the field,
which grows today and is thrown into the oven tomorrow,
will he not much more provide for you, O you of little faith?
So do not worry and say, ‘What are we to eat?’
or ‘What are we to drink?’ or ‘What are we to wear?’
All these things the pagans seek.
Your heavenly Father knows that you need them all.
But seek first the Kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be given you besides.
Do not worry about tomorrow; tomorrow will take care of itself.
Sufficient for a day is its own evil.”

I admit, this is one of those Gospels that I have always had a hard time with. I certainly agree that worrying doesn't do us much good. Yes, it is prudent to prepare for life's uncertainties, but constantly worrying about what might happen isn't conducive to enjoying the present moment. The message not to worry doesn't trouble me.

What does trouble me is that God promises that He will provide, and yet so many in our world are not provided for. So many in our world are starving. And so, the question becomes how we balance the message of this Gospel with the reality of our world. I do believe that God provides. After all, everything that we have is a gift from God. Without God's providence, we would have nothing. We also have free will, however. We (all of us) have a moral obligation to provide for our hungry brothers and sisters. While God certainly good make all the world's problems go away in a heartbeat if He chose to do so, He chose to give us free will and to make us responsible not only for ourselves, but also for each other. My goodness, how often do we as individuals and as a society screw that up? I certainly don't have the answer to world hunger, but I do know that we are each called to do our part to feed the hungry. God does provide, but He uses us to help the process.

Why some people live in extreme poverty and others live in affluence is one of those mysteries I don't think I'll understand this sign of heaven. This Gospel will continue to trouble me, and I will continue to try to do my part to help those who are hungry by supporting my local food bank and praying. It isn't enough, but at the moment it is all I can do.

Last Day of School

2008-06-18T17:27:00.000-07:00

Today was David's last day of school. While he was happy to be done with the year and free for summer vacation, he was sad to be leaving his friends and his teacher, especially because he knows he isn't going back next year. I know that is normal. He wants to go back to school for 3rd grade. I told him we would see, which is an honest answer. I have mixed emotions as well. It is hard for me to leave the familiar path of sending my children to school. It is hard for me to be different, although there are more and more home schoolers and I have received nothing but overwhelming support. At the same time, I am excited about this new venture.

I have no idea how this year of homeschooling will go. I only know that for whatever reason, God wants me to do this for this year. I've learned in my life not to plan too far ahead. While some people can make five-year plans and carry them through to fruition, I have found that God usually has some bend planned for my road. So, we will take this coming year day by day and see what happens. I'll keep you posted!

Thoughts on Suffering

2008-06-18T17:19:00.000-07:00

Here is a quote from Grace MacKinnon:

Suffering is indeed a great mystery, but the Lord has revealed to me its secret. It is all about love. If we look beyond the suffering of the cross, beyond the nails in His hands and his feet, we will see love. That is why today we wear the crucifix - to remember the love that Jesus' sacrifice took. We must never forget. If we attend Mass, for example, and witness His suffering for us in the sacrifice, yet walk away from it not transformed it Him, not ready to go out and love, then we have missed the whole purpose of the Mass.

That is why I believe suffering is unique when it takes place in a visible way. It becomes a transforming sign of love. If I suffer in a manner that can be seen through my life, I can show the world that when we live in Christ, although we may look weak, in Him we are strong!

From Amazing Grace for Those Who Suffer: 10 Life-Changing Stories of Hope and Healing (The Amazing Grace Series)

Does Googling Make Us Stupid?

2008-06-17T17:50:00.000-07:00

Leonard Pitts has written a very interesting article on Does Googling Make Us Stupid?. He is responding to an article in "The Atlantic" which talks about how our attention spans have shortened because of the internet and the ease of getting information. We are now programmed to scan information quickly, searching for what we need, rather than pore over books.

Now, I don't think anyone involved in scholarly pursuits would like to revert to needing to do all that research by the labor-intensive methods we used to need. I love the ease of being able to find what I am looking for with a few key strokes. It sure beats hours spent in the library only to discover that what you need is actually in a library in Europe! It is also helpful for answering all those random questions that my children come up with that I don't know the answer to. When I say, "I don't know," they immediately ask if we can Google it.

Still, I think it is true to say that we have been accustomed to sound-bites of information. I still read a lot of books (as regular readers of this blog are aware), but reading often does feel like a guilty pleasure. After all, if we can get the information we need in a three paragraph blog post, it seems like a waste of time to read a 200 page book. I agree with Pitts that there is value in taking the time to read the longer version, to develop ideas, and think about complex issues that can't necessarily be addressed in a short article.

So, yes, we need and love Google (and the various other search engines which have made life so much easier), but we need to remember how to assimilate larger blocks of information. Like any other skill in life, that takes practice. We need to continue to read books and to teach our children to do so as well.

Conquering Fear One Step at a Time

2008-06-15T13:34:00.000-07:00

My older son David (age 7) has always been very fearful. He somehow got an extra dose of the “cautious” gene. This can be a good thing. After all, I feel fairly confident that he will never decide that racing his car or jumping out of airplanes are good ideas. When his fear stands in his way of his accomplishing tasks that aren’t dangerous and that he actually wants to do, however, it is my job to encourage him and help him overcome his fear so that he can do these things.

Yesterday, he and his brother were playing on the monkey bars we have in our backyard. They haven’t mastered getting across yet, but they like to see how long they can hang and then fall into my arms. I told them that they are actually big enough now that they can drop to the ground themselves and not get hurt. David was terrified. He really wanted to try, but he was so scared. He was having a full-fledged argument with himself about whether to attempt this or not. His brother successfully accomplished the task, but even that wasn’t evidence enough for him that he would be OK. He asked for a cushion on the ground. So, I went inside and grabbed a soft chair cushion and put that on the ground for him. Then, he was willing to try. As it turned out, he actually missed the cushion and landed on the ground, and he was just fine. He was so excited to have accomplished this task! He and his brother took turns for quite a while hanging and falling and were having a great time of it. David talked the rest of the night about how he had fought his fear and won. He was so proud of himself.

Today was his turn to help me face my fears. Each summer at my parish we have a program in which parishioners are supposed to visit and bring flowers to one of our homebound parishioners. It is optional. You have to pick a name to take part. Doing this terrifies me. I am an extremely introverted person. I can write a letter to anybody, but actually talking to someone I don’t know takes every ounce of my courage. Last year, the boys wanted to take a name, but they didn’t quite understand the process. I wrote a note and bought the flowers and stopped by the person’s house, praying that they wouldn’t be home. They weren’t. I left the flowers and note and hoped that they got them. This year, my children “get it.” I told David I really didn’t want to take a name this year, but he was insistent. “Mom, it makes God happy to visit someone who is sick. You have to take a name.” Of course, he was right. After mass, we took a name. While I am already stressing about this, with God’s help, I am determined to conquer my own fears and carry out my appointed task. It’s time for me to take the same advice I’m always giving my child.