Our First Pilgrimage Together...of sorts

     I hesitate to call the visit Kevin and I made to the National Shrine Grotto of Our Lady of Lourdes our first pilgrimage together, but technically I think it was. On the way home from my aunt Florence’s funeral in Vestal, New York, we stopped at Mount St. Mary's University in Emmitsburg, Maryland. Our first time on campus, we couldn’t find any bathrooms, the chapel, or the grotto. We got out of the car and Kevin took some pictures of the golden statue of the Blessed Mother way off in the distance, then I said it was okay if he wanted to keep going. I knew he was eager to go home, and I really appreciated how loving and considerate he’d been in taking care of everything so I could be present for and with my family during a difficult time.

     We couldn’t find our way around the campus in our car, so we ended up getting back on the highway. When Kevin saw a sign for the grotto at the next exit, he said we might as well take it since we were already there. Far be it from me to argue when Kevin’s suggesting we do something spiritual and/or religious together, so we went.

A Short Pilgrimage: I Thirst

     A few months ago John, our brother in Christ, made a pilgrimage to Emmitsburg, Maryland. I was more than a little confused when he presented us with the plastic water bottle pictured above upon his return. He described how hot and crowded it had been that day.
     I’m sure I looked both baffled and amused when he said he’d already drunk the water out of the bottle (he hoped we didn’t mind), and refilled it. I couldn’t figure out why on earth John had brought us a previously-used plastic bottle of what used to be spring water, so I examined the label for clues.

In Memory of Florence Niermeyer

The last time I saw my aunt Florence and Uncle Dave, they were in town for my dad’s funeral. The year before I had seen them at my uncle Bob’s funeral. This weekend we are gathering again with extended family to mourn a great loss and celebrate a wonderful life. My aunt Linda, Aunt Pat, and I have decided that three Niermeyer funerals in three years is far too many.
    
Florence R. Niermeyer loved dearly and has been dearly loved. She and her husband (my dad’s brother) Dave have always been close with my parents, my sisters, and me. When growing up, we’d regularly visit them at their house on our way to and/or from wherever we happened to live at the time and Rochester, New York, my parents’ hometown.

Dave and Florence always welcomed us warmly into their home. We have fond memories of spending time with our cousins: David, Eric, and Annelisa, sharing meals, hearing hilarious stories, seeing pictures from their worldwide travels, and meeting the many exchange students they hosted over the years.
    
There are few people I know whose hearts are as big as Dave’s and Florence’s. Besides opening their home to family and friends and hosting a number of exchange students who were treated as family, they founded a loving community in Nairobi, Kenya called Boystown where boys who’d been living on the streets can get wholesome meals, receive an education, learn a trade, play sports, make friends, and feel God’s love in concrete ways. They have been active as volunteers for countless organizations and causes. I can’t even imagine how many lives she’s touched during her seventy years on this earth.
     
I do know Florence will be missed by many. I also have good reason to believe she's already with the Lord, and was greeted with open arms by Nana, Pa, Paul, my uncle Bob, my dad…
    
Lord, thank You for the gift of this wonderful woman. Please help us to carry her memory and the lessons in love she’s taught us. Amen.

Who Am I?

     I must confess I’ve often gotten caught up in thinking that it is what I do that will determine whether or not other people will love me. When I’m not careful, I start thinking that God is that way—He’ll only love me if I do or don’t do certain things. Deep down, I know that’s not true about the people who genuinely love me, and I’m positive it isn’t true of God, either.
     “Who Am I?” is a wonderful song by Casting Crowns which I first heard when I made my Christ Renews His Parish retreat back in February. Here are some excerpts from it which remind me of the Truth about our relationship with the Lord Jesus Christ:

One in Ten Returned to Say Thanks

     In today’s Gospel reading from Luke 17:11-19, Jesus heals ten lepers who ask Him to have pity on them. Only one of the ten people who were healed returned to glorify God and thank Jesus. Would I have been in the group that was healed and just kept right on going? Would you?
     Anyone who knows me well can attest to my familiarity with and insistence upon following the rules. This is why I’m not certain what I would have done in these particular circumstances. Jesus had told the lepers to go show themselves to the priests. It was on the way to doing what they were told that they were healed. The one who leaves the group on the way to show themselves to the priests chooses to return to Christ, thank Him and praise God for the healing.

Grandma Turns 87 Today: Yes, I Believe in Miracles

      When I went to pick my grandma up from St. Joseph’s Little Sisters of the Poor this morning, she told the nurse’s aid in her room that she was going to have lunch with the bishop. Actually that wasn’t exactly what my mom and I had planned, though Bishop DiLorenzo did wish her a happy birthday at Mass before we gathered at the Lord’s table to share the Bread of Life and the Cup of Salvation.
     As I was driving my one living grandparent (my mom’s mom) from Little Sisters to the Pastoral Center, she made mention of the beauty of the trees and gardens, and she asked me

Respect Life Dinner: Fall 40 Days for Life Kick-Off

As I’m finally getting a chance to write about the amazing Respect Life Dinner that served as the 40 Days for Life Richmond, Virginia Kick-off for the Fall 2010 campaign, I can hear the song with the lyrics “How to Save a Life” playing on the radio in the next room. How appropriate!

    
On Tuesday, September 14, 2010, over 150 people gathered at St. Michael the Archangel Catholic Church in Glen Allen for a gathering to promote the sanctity and dignity of human life. Men, women, and children of all ages from a number of different churches and denominations came to break bread together in the parish hall. Thanks to the St. Michael Knights of Columbus Joseph P. Solari Council #11172, the lasagna dinner complete with salad and dessert were delicious and served with a smile.

    
Due to the hard work and planning of many, especially Carl, Cathy, Matt, and John Baab, we had the privilege of hearing Dr. John W. Seeds, who is a parishioner at St. Benedict Catholic Church one of the first few churches where National 40 Days for Life Director and Founder David Bereit came to pitch the idea of doing 40 days of peaceful, prayer vigil and fasting for an end to abortion.

    
Dr. Seeds came to speak to us about the scientific, medical and ethical perspectives of the miracle of life, human development in the womb, and abortion. He is the immediate past Chair of the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, and currently Associate Dean for Professional Education Programs at Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU).

An added bonus was the respect life ministry fair set up in the commons. Leaders and representatives each were given a few minutes at the end of Dr. Seeds presentation to tell us a little bit about their ministries mission and how to get involved. Groups/organizations represented at the respect life fair were: 40 Days for Life Campaign in Richmond, the Virginia Society for Human Life, the Pregnancy Resource Center of Metro Richmond, and Rachel's Vineyard.

    
This fall 40 Days for Life campaigns of prayer and fasting began September 22 and go through October 31 in a record 238 locations in the US, Canada, Australia, England, Northern Ireland and Denmark. Check out the main website for the location nearest you.

    
My mom, Ann Niermeyer, is heading up Richmond’s fall 40 Days for Life prayer vigil. Check out our local 40 Days website and sign-up to pray an hour or two.

Already There - Letting God Find You

Sometimes it’s wonderfully satisfying to be proven wrong. This was one of those times. To be honest, when I chose Already There - Letting God Find You based on the title and brief summary listed on the website, I assumed the “weird” connections the author makes between spiritual/religious things and pop culture might be corny and rather loose, but still moderately effective in getting the attention of young adults more steeped in modern culture than the Catholic faith tradition.
    
My assumption was completely wrong. Not only are the connections between pop culture and spirituality/fundamentals of the human condition
well thought out and thoroughly explained, but they also serve as profound models of basic human truths, needs, and longings evident throughout the Bible.    
    
It is truly a God-incident that I chose this book and began reading it when I did, as I’ve spent quite a bit of time recently looking at how my past experiences have in many ways created and/or contributed to my current fears when it comes to being vulnerable before God and others. So many of the thoughts and questions that have come to my mind regarding God’s love and mercy, especially as they relate to my past, present, and future, are found in this book.
    
Fr. Mark Mossa invites the reader to recognize God in everyday living and more importantly, in who we are and who He calls us to be. The portrait of a spiritual life isn’t painted with profane or shocking, yet irrelevant associations to pop culture. If anything this book provides more of an inspiration and some wisdom to paint or envision then live out a spiritually enriching life, one in which we glorify God by using the unique palette of talents He’s given us in order to draw others closer to Him.
    
Instead of prescribing each person follow an elementary paint-by-number approach to finding God within and building that relationship, the author as artist shows us the complex canvas on which he depicts his own story, blends in popular movies, TV shows, music, etc. with in-depth Scripture reflections, and very moving insights from well-known saints. Regardless of what genre of art typically resonates with you, you’re likely to see in this work the unmistakable beginnings of a masterpiece: a life lived for God.
    
I appreciated the personal stories, deep insights about what it means to be human, and the acknowledgments time and again that we are each special and irreplaceable. God has given us different gifts and our spiritual journey to Him might vary considerably from another’s though the motivation to love and be loved by God and others flows from the same source.
    
I only have two qualms about this great read. The first is that it’s marketed mostly for a young adult audience when people of all ages will be able to relate to the fundamental truths contained in this treasure of a book. The second is that there are numerous typos and missed copy edits bound to bother the average English major, journalist, and/or editor at least a little.
   
I highly recommend reading this book to discover or rediscover how God is already there...in your heart, in the people around you, in your past, in your present, and in your future.
    
This review was written as part of the Catholic book reviewer program from The Catholic Company. Visit The Catholic Company for more information on Already There - Letting God Find You and be sure to check out their great selection of Mary statues while you are there. I receive free product samples in exchange for an honest review.