Sunday, March 31, 2013

Christ Has Risen, Alleluia! The Easter Triduum Revisited

Holy Thursday
The Mass was one of my grandma’s favorites of the year.  The last time she joined us at St. Michael’s was for a Mass on Holy Thursday.  It was quite moving when someone went and brought my grandma down to have her feet washed without any of us asking. 

Being involved in Christ Renews His Parish (CRHP), Cursillo, and an Easter Triduum veteran, I’ve participated in the washing of the feet a number of times.  One of the most meaningful experiences I had was at Richmond Hill when I was on a Cursillo team overnight retreat.  The “rectora” ahead of the weekend and her “archangel” came and washed the feet of each team member, and there wasn’t a dry eye in the room.  Both women are very loving, compassionate—true Christian servants—and we were all overwhelmed by the incredible love they expressed through such a seemingly simple act.
    
This year is the thirteenth Easter Triduum Kevin and I have celebrated since our first one together in Roanoke back in 2000 when Kevin drove over 500 miles to spend four days going to church with me, and after the Triduum plus, was named by Fr. Remi Sojka “the patron saint of boyfriends.”  It was during that weekend Kevin began participating in the Sacraments and going to Mass on his own back in Rochester. 
    
My mom, Kevin, and I sat together for Mass, and all of us loved the sermon that Fr. Dan Brady gave about the importance of service to others as being the basis of what each and every one of us is called to.  He was inspired by Pope Francis’ visit to a juvenile detention center where he celebrated Holy Thursday.    


It has become my tradition to attend the Holy Thursday Mass each year, and for the past few years, I have stayed afterward in Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament as part of my observance of the Triduum.  At our parish, they hold Adoration from the end of the Holy Thursday service when they process in with the ciborium filled with the Eucharist that will be used for the Good Friday service into the chapel until midnight that evening.  Lately, I haven’t been as good about doing Adoration regularly or setting aside adequate time for prayer, so I was looking forward to my time in “the classroom of silence” as Matthew Kelly refers to it.
    
“Stay with Me” is a song that I often associate with my time in Adoration, especially on Holy Thursday as I think of Jesus’ disciples falling asleep when He was praying so hard He sweat blood in the Garden of Gethsemane knowing the suffering He was about to undertake for our sins. 
    
In the past, sometimes our beloved brother-in-Christ John Baab, the woman who is the go-to person for all things liturgical at our parish, Alison Eichler, and I would be the only three left at church come midnight.  I was really excited that there were a number of people who stayed the entire time keeping vigil with the Blessed Sacrament this Holy Thursday.         
  
Good Friday

I had a special role to play in the Good Friday service this year.  Our brother John and another seminarian from our parish Henry were serving throughout the Triduum since they were in town for Holy Week.  Knowing that Kevin and I are very supportive of religious vocations and have been close with John on his journey, Alison asked that I would be the third cross-bearer when we brought in a wooden cross for all to venerate.  Interestingly enough, I was worried about it being too heavy for me as those at some parishes are quite heavy and require a number of strong people, usually males, to move from one location to another.  Fortunately this cross was relatively light, and I felt quite comfortable in my role of following after the priest guiding us and the two seminarians holding the cross beams.  Kevin and I have been quite grateful that John has helped us carry our crosses, and we are eager to support him however we can, so my role seemed quite appropriate.
Kevin, me, and John Baab

It was beautiful to watch people come up and venerate the cross.  I think my favorite was when someone would come up carrying a small child, and the child would reach out and want to touch the cross and some even kissed it. 

The Easter Vigil

The past couple years, Kevin, John, and I have watched the movie The Passion some time between Holy Thursday and the Easter Vigil.  Saturday we watched it just before getting ready to go to church for the vigil.  I was deeply struck by the suffering Christ willingly accepted in order to reconcile us with God the Father.  I found myself praying throughout for those who are currently in agony in mind, body, and/or spirit, especially those who are tempted to lose hope in the Lord, in eternal life, in God’s mercy…
    
Kevin volunteered to serve as a Eucharistic Minister, as he often does whenever we attend Mass at our home parish, which reminded us of the first time he ever served which was on Easter Sunday at Church of the Epiphany where we were married.        
   
The vigil was quite beautiful, as it always is.  The many Old Testament readings that map out the beginning of Creation in the Bible and hit the highlights of our journey of trusting in God, the wonderful choir, music selections, and impressive instrument section were all glorious.  I’m always struck by the power and majesty of the Easter Vigil Mass, which is the pinnacle of all Masses.  Several people were Baptized, received their First Holy Communion and were Confirmed during the liturgy.
     
Witnessing so many of the Sacraments in one Mass with Kevin on the thirteenth anniversary of our first Triduum together and his return to the Catholic faith in which he was raised serves as a poignant reminder of the power of prayer and the Truth that nothing is impossible with God.     
    
Easter Sunday

Kevin and I didn’t have anything planned for today except a homemade family dinner this evening.  My mom set a very joyful table, made a delicious meal, and helped us really celebrate Easter this evening.  John joined us, and we had a really nice evening breaking bread together and discussing the Catholic faith and what we enjoyed most about this particular Triduum.
    
My mom’s always made holidays fun and festive.  This one was no exception.  She even had put together an Easter basket of goodies for Kevin and me. 

Lord, thank You for the gift of Your Son, who by His Passion, death, and resurrection, reconciled us with You, so that we might bask in Your love and spend eternity in Your Presence.  Amen.

Friday, March 29, 2013

7 Quick Takes Friday (Vol. 95)



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The Easter Triduum: By the time you read this, we will have started the three holiest days in the Catholic Church: Holy Thursday, Good Friday, and the Easter Vigil.   

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Proof of Miracles in Our Lives This is a very special time in the Church year when we reflect on Christ's Passion, death, and Resurrection. It is also a treasured time of memories for Kevin and me as we have journeyed together to grow closer to the Lord and one another. 
 

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Stay with me, remain here with me This week I've made sure to pray some extra prayers for all parents and caregivers who are deprived of sleep due to caring for loved ones of any age.  There are times when we would like nothing more than to go to sleep, but a more pressing need it at hand.  While taking care of others especially when it means going without much sleep, consider that you are keeping Christ company in the Garden of Gethsemane watching, praying, and staying with Him. Lord, be close to these loving people and take care of them as they take care of others. Amen. 

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40 Days for Life  It's still hard to believe it was snowing on Palm Sunday in Richmond, Virginia! We are continuing to pray for all around the world and in our town who are celebrating the wrap-up of another successful 40 Days for Life campaign. There were 601 children whose lives were spared (and whose parents were spared) from the tragedy of abortion, and those are just the ones we know about thus far. God is good! www.40daysforlife.com

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Christ Renews His Parish & Sisters Last Saturday evening, one of my CRHP sisters hosted a going away party for another member of our group who is returning to her home in Eastern Europe with her adorable baby daughter.  As is often the case when we gather, there was lots of talking, laughing, sharing, plenty of good food to eat, lots of hugs, more laughing, more food, and some tears in there, too.  We will miss our CRHP sister, but we're praying she and her beautiful daughter will soon be rejoicing with family members eagerly awaiting them. 


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Prayer Warriors  I felt very honored when one of my spiritual mentors asked me to pray for someone she knows who has been very sick and close to death.  Through the grace of God, this man has taken a turn for the better, so he's no longer in hospice.  God always hears our prayers, but it's such a joy to hear when they've help other be open to the Perfect Physician and Wonderful Counselor.    
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Consider it done! One thing we can offer others no matter what is going on in our lives is prayer.  When someone gives me someone to pray for or God places someone on my heart who He knows needs some extra prayer cover, I lift the person and their family up numerous times throughout the day.  I have to smile when my mom asks me to say some extra prayers for her or one of my sisters, since they are the very people who are often on my mind and heart, and therefore several times a day are in my prayers.  Actually, prayer requests are one of the reasons I check Facebook. 

I pray you and your family have a wonderful Triduum and a glorious Easter!
  
Check out Jen Fulwiler’s tradition of 7Quick Takes Friday at her tremendously popular blog Conversion Diary.

Thursday, March 28, 2013

Easter Triduum Observation

     
It’s hard to believe that it was thirteen years ago this week that my then boyfriend/now husband returned to the faith in which he was raised and began participating fully in the sacraments of the Catholic Church.
     
Kevin and I are looking forward to celebrating the Easter Triduum together, which begins this evening on Holy Thursday, and includes Good Friday, and the Easter Vigil on Holy Saturday, the eve of Easter Sunday.  Check out this quick video on the whole affair:

The Potters Unplugged
     
Since the Triduum is treated as one seamless service, after the Holy Thursday Mass this evening, I will be abstaining from e-mail, Facebook, blogging, watching TV, listening to music…in order to concentrate on the Lord Jesus Christ’s last days, His Passion, death, and Resurrection. (I'm hoping my beloved spouse will embark on this same fast with me, but he hasn't committed to it just yet.)

After Mass at our parish this evening, there will be time for Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament.  Tomorrow, we fast, pray, and wait for the Lord.  I plan to attend Stations of the Cross at noon, then Kevin and I will attend the Good Friday service for Veneration of the Cross.  We will pray, wait, fast, and listen on Holy Saturday, then we’ll take part in the joyous celebration of the Easter Vigil.

I have scheduled a few blog entries to post automatically while I’m observing the three holiest days in the Church year. 
     
I hope you and your loved ones enjoy a most blessed Triduum and have a Glorious Easter!

Friday, March 22, 2013

7 Quick Takes Friday (Vol. 94)


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Mass Effect Had some really good prayer time Tuesday. Kevin and I enjoyed that evening’s Mass at St. Benedict's for the Feast of St. Joseph and the Installation of Pope Francis. I got to have dinner with a dear friend/sister/spiritual diva, then our fave brother in Christ called to catch up for a bit. Lord, thank You for lovelines family!
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Lucky for Laughter Me: “I have a leprechaun in my pocket.  A girl at school colored it in, cut it out and gave it to me.”  A little later, after his third failed attempt to toss something into the recycling, Kevin says: “I didn’t have anybody give me a leprechaun today, so I’m fresh outta luck.”  Lord, thank You for my husband and his sense of humor!
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Thank Heavens for Sisters in Christ  Was just going through all of my Christ Renews His Parish photos. Everything from retreat planning meetings, Halloween and Christmas parties, book studies, and prayer sessions to being there for community outreach projects.  Wow! It's hard to believe that I first met this amazing group of women back in February 2010.  We've had some really fun times CRHP sistas! I'm looking forward to seeing everyone again very soon.  One of our sisters who had a little baby girl in December will be coming to this gathering.  I'm looking forward to meeting her for the first time and taking part in a send-off party for her mom. 
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Goes Hard Even at Home Had a wicked headache that started Thursday afternoon when Livie “the livewire” as I like to call her launched herself at my face for the millionth time in a nine hour period, and that time smashed into my nose with the part of her skull that is already formed and freakin' hard. Ouch!  My head was still hurting when I went to bed.  Watch out for the head-banger!  
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Tell-tale Poop I have learned many things over my twenty plus years of taking care of children.  One of those things is that the proof is in the poop.  When little ones aren't able to mash up their food due to lack of teeth or additional need for chewing practice once teeth have come in, the things they are unable to mash on their own and therefore can't digest (or get nutritional value from) end up basically whole in their diapers.  
     Seemingly small finger foods easy to make and grab can be deceptively enticing, though not the best of ideas.  Peas, corn, peppers, pretty much any veggies with skin on them, need to be pureed or mashed, otherwise, they go in one end and come undigested out the other.  Blueberries are another one, and of course grapes.  The other drawback to finger foods with skin they can't chew through is that they make for really messy poopy diapers and a higher chance of diaper rash.  

     Good rule of tongue: if you can't mash it or mush it up with your tongue and the roof of your mouth, then your little one isn't likely to be able to mash it with anywhere from 2-4 teeth enough to digest it.
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Give Me a Beat Vivi, Livie, and Sophie absolutely love music.  Singing, dancing, playing instruments (actual or make-shift) are high on their list of favorites.  Since I really like the music from Step Up 4, I've been playing the final mob dance scene on Youtube so we can dance to it.  I pull up a blank screen so they aren't watching the video (which certainly isn't meant for kids), but it's been fun to see how they dance and move to different beats and how they respond to me doing various types of dance.  Vivi's had lots of fun with the baby cello Holly gave me to pass along to her.              
     
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Fringe Benefits It never ceases to amaze me how much the things we use daily can quickly become a source of joy, fascination, and no small amount of giggling for small children and those taking care of them.  The girls love one of the blankets in the living room.  It's one of those you can make fairly easily by cutting one inch strips of material and knotting two panels together.  Vivi is always inviting everyone to "go hiding" with her.  Regardless of what else has been going on, playing with the blanket usually gets everyone in a better mood.     


Check out Jen Fulwiler’s tradition of 7Quick Takes Friday at her tremendously popular blog Conversion Diary.

Saturday, March 16, 2013

The First Station of the Cross


The First Station of the Cross: Jesus is condemned to death.

He was completely innocent, pure, and free of sin, but was sentenced to death for speaking the Truth the people found upsetting because it went against their way of seeing the world and God. 
   
No one likes to have their way of life challenged or judged.  We don’t like being criticized or forced to change.  However, when we get swept up in the ever-changing public opinions rather than seeking Truth at all costs, then we are very likely to become one of those in the crowd yelling: “Crucify him!”

What does mainstream society advocate today that condemn people to death? 

Abortion, embryonic stem cell research, the selling body parts of human fetuses for scientific experimentation, euthanasia, the death penalty, ethnic cleansing, in vitro fertilization, harvesting organs, the one-child policy in China, contraception most of which are actuallyabortificients, sterilization, test tube babies…

How do we wash our hands of the responsibility for protecting innocent life?

By not researching and learning about what the Bible says about it or what the Catholic Church teaches and why, by promoting lies about the physical, moral, emotional, and spiritual effects of abortion, ignoring clear Church teachings and advising others to do the same, donating money and/or time to organizations whose moneymaking centers on abortion, euthanasia, genocide, gendercide, taking advantage of the poor, slandering the innocent, and otherwise contributing to the culture of death.

Silence is acceptance.

We are just as guilty as those who carry out the crimes against life if we know something to be not only morally wrong, but intrinsically evil, if we do not speak out against it and take what action we can to inform others of the implications and ramifications the Lord has made clear to us. 
           
Out of sight, Out of Mind 

The decisions we make and actions we take that purposely jeopardize, damage, or destroy lives of others aren’t stains washed away from our hearts or souls by the passage of time, by the so-called justification of hateful practices, the fervor of public approval, or the legalization of such practices.  Once we have innocent blood on our hands, those stains remain on our hearts and souls until we acknowledge our sinfulness, ask for and are willing to receive God’s mercy.

Music Meditation: This song by music missionary Danielle Rose addresses a number of the evils that our society condones rather than condemns. The song's lyrics are here: "Crucify Him."  


Making it a Matter of Prayer
     
Lord, please help us use the courage and conviction You give us to teach others and show them by our lives how sacred human life is in all of its stages.  Keep us focused on You, Lord God Creator of Life, Love, and Truth, so that we may not be dissuaded or discouraged by the culture of death, but rather draw closer to You in prayer and an ever-growing hope in that which is holy, compassionate, merciful, and eternal.  Amen.

Friday, March 15, 2013

7 Quick Takes Friday (Vol. 93)


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My Prayer for Our New Pope: 
Lord, thank You for watching over the conclave and guiding the cardinals by the ever-present gift of the Holy Spirit as they discerned who our next pope should be.  Jesus Christ and Blessed Mother Mary, keep your servant Pope Francis focused on the Will of the Lord above all else.  Give him the courage to carry out the tenets of the Catholic faith which protect and respect the dignity of human life from conception to natural death.  Make him a bright light and lasting inspiration for priests and laity as we do our best to live, teach, and preach the New Evangelization.  May his deep prayer life and joy in serving the Lord be an example for us all!  Amen.

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Such a Cutie!  After waiting what I consider to be a long time before getting to meet my new nephew—three whole days after he was born—last Saturday afternoon, I got to meet the little peanut and hold him for a while. Ezra, our youngest nephew, is my sister Mary and Jordan's first child. He is so flipping adorably cute! I asked to hold him as soon as we came in, and then I held him again for a bit before we left since he was just asleep in his swing so I scooped him up for some more cuddle time.




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Now It’s My Turn!  It was kind of funny when my mom and I went over the first time I got to meet Ezra.  Jordan greeted us at the door holding the swaddled not-so-little (10lbs 13oz natural birth) newborn.  I gave his proud papa a hug and congratulations, then scooped up the little guy the second I got the go-ahead.  My mom kept giving me jealous looks and making comments about how I was getting to hold him more than she did.  I told her she needs to ask to hold the baby or just scoop him out of the swing when he’s fast asleep.  She was so busy cooking, doing dishes, laundry, and such to help my sister and her husband that she forgot to make time for the best part of all, snuggling up with her grandson.  It’s hard raising grandmas these days!   
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From the Under Five Crowd I always hear a number of hilarious things in a week, many from the little people in my life.  Here are a few of my faves from recent days: “Do you want me to hold the Earth up with one hand or two?”  “The spring is coming up soon.  I saw a purple flower.”  “It’s my turn to count.”  I feel a poem could easily come from these quotes or maybe a dialogue for a children's book or maybe the lyrics to a country song or... 
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We’re Just Sayin’ Kevin gets me laughing quite often.  There are many reasons why LAUGHING TOGETHER is the perfect acronym for what’s most important in our relationship!  His sense of humor is one of the reasons I fell in love with him to begin with.  While telling me about his work day, he commented that his supervisor had complimented him on “making it happen.”  My response: “That’s about right.  You spend your day making it happen, and I spend mine keeping it from happening.” He works in a call center where it’s important to make things happen.  And for my regular paying jobs, I nanny and substitute teach—where I have found it’s often most essential to keep things from happening, such as: major outbursts, serious injuries, mid-morning meltdowns, whining, tattle-telling, potty accidents, objects from nature used as weapons, hard to mop up sticky messes, teasing, pinging off the walls, coloring on the walls… you get the idea.

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A Rare Gem Thursday evening, I found out after driving all the way home that my sister Theresa had arrived at my mom’s.  They were planning on watching a movie, and my mom said to come on over.  We had a fun evening.  I’d never seen or even heard of Moonrise Kingdom before then (and since they started the movie before I got there, I still haven’t seen all of it), but what I saw was quite entertaining.  The two kids in it who fall in love are quite endearing, the supporting cast has lots of adults you’ll recognize and laugh along at/with, and it’s a good, very entertaining story.  
     I would have to say that my absolute favorite part of the movie was a real life scene that was inspired by watching it with two people I love dearly and find very amusing.  After making a comment about dysfunctional families, my mom said that the main family in the Moonrise Kingdom movie wasn’t that dysfunctional.  My sister and I looked at each other and burst out laughing.  My mom (definitely a rose-colored glasses kind of gal) was completely serious which is why Theresa and I were in hysterics.  It’s always nice to know that we still put the fun in dysfunctional.       
     
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My Sisters the Saints on Virtual Book Tour Can women with very different lifestyles focused on doing the Lord’s will above all else be companions, true guides, and sisters for women of today?  Absolutely!
     This book illustrates the truth of the adage that you should choose your friends wisely because you will become like them in some interesting and unexpected ways. 
     The six saints most prominent in Colleen Carroll Campbell’s life and spiritual memoir are holy women also very dear to me: Teresa of Avila, Thérѐse of Lisieux, Faustina Kowalski, Teresa Benedicta of the Cross (Edith Stein), Blessed Mother Teresa, and Our Mother Mary...To read the rest of the review, click here.  To check out other stops on this virtual blog tour, click this.     
  
Check out Jen Fulwiler’s tradition of 7 Quick Takes Friday at her tremendously popular blog Conversion Diary.

Wednesday, March 13, 2013

We Have a New Pope!


My Prayer for Our New Pope: Lord, thank You for watching over the conclave and guiding the cardinals by the ever-present gift of the Holy Spirit as they discerned who our next pope should be.  
Jesus Christ and Blessed Mother Mary, keep your servant Pope Francis focused on the Will of the Lord above all else.  Give him the courage to carry out the tenets of the Catholic faith which protect and respect the dignity of human life from conception to natural death.  Make him a bright light and lasting inspiration for priests and laity as we do our best to live, teach, and preach the New Evangelization.  May his deep prayer life and joy in serving the Lord be an example for us all!  Amen. 

Monday, March 11, 2013

My Grandma's Hands


This morning
I held your worn red rosary
to pray the joyful mysteries
just before your funeral began.

You cared for so many
and prayed for so much.

This mourning
I must do alone.

I sift through your prayer books,
Miraculous Medals, Mass cards,
special intentions, and charitable deeds.

I’m not sure where
I fit in them now
you’ve passed from this life
into the next.

You’d cut up fresh fruit,
slice raw vegetables,
knit slippers for your grandchildren,
work in your garden,
play cards with your friends,
receive the Body and Blood
of Our Lord Jesus Christ.

You’d roll your hair in curlers,
put homemade cold cream on your face,
ponder for periods forming the longest words
when you played Scrabble.
 
You saved a pile of newspaper clippings,
stories from magazines, and articles
to pass on to a family member or friend
you thought might find them of interest.

I still have some of the garage sale
finds that you’d give us each holiday
along with a savings bond receipt,
put aside for our higher education. 

A passion for learning, current events,
international travel, new foods, and
exotic places kept you moving, tasting,
experimenting long after others
had slowed down, given up
or thrown in the towel.

You longed to be useful and needed
always wanting to know
what you could do to help.

You came to Mom’s rescue
when Dad was away
traveling for business,
or not available in some way.

Making meals, cleaning up,
decorating the church for holy days,
being one in the Legion of Mary
who interceded daily for many petitions.

Recycling pieces of foil,
scraps of paper, collecting
packages of salad dressing,
and reusing paper towels,
you didn’t waste or trash things
before their usefulness had run out.

Your eyes filled easily with tears
after all you’d been through—
the loss of your sister so young,
your mother, your daughter,
your long-suffering husband,
your health, your independence,
your memories—
quite a bit over the years. 

Ever-appreciative of a visit,
time spent outdoors,
bouquets of flowers,
spicy beef with broccoli,
chocolate candy,
a hearty laugh, a good book,
an old movie, a familiar song.

Now forever
won’t be long.

I wrote the above poem in honor of my maternal grandmother Marilyn Lohwater, on the day of her funeral & burial, February 9, 2013.

Saturday, March 9, 2013

My Sisters the Saints: A Spiritual Memoir

Can women with very different lifestyles focused on doing the Lord’s will above all else be companions, true guides, and sisters for women of today?  Absolutely!
    
My Sisters the Saints illustrates the truth of the adage that you should choose your friends wisely because you will become like them in some interesting and unexpected ways. 
    
The six saints most prominent in Colleen Carroll Campbell’s life and spiritual memoir are holy women also very dear to me: Teresa of Avila, Thérѐse of Lisieux, Faustina Kowalski, Teresa Benedicta of the Cross (Edith Stein), Blessed Mother Teresa, and Our Mother Mary.  The concept of considering female saints as sisters is one I believe in and have embraced wholeheartedly.  For many years, I have felt a greater closeness to some of the saints and my sisters in Christ than I have sometimes shared with my two biological sisters.
   
I have had a strong devotion to the Blessed Mother and a deep admiration for the four Teresas since I was young.  The bravery of saints named Teresa was one of the main reasons why I suggested Theresa as the name for my youngest sister 20+ years ago when I was still only in fifth grade.    
    
Sometimes I try hard to resist being affected by something I read, particularly when it surfaces a wellspring of pain, unanswered questions, and what feels like fruitless prayers, but with My Sisters the Saints, I couldn’t help it.
   
I expected to find some similarities between this Catholic woman’s journey and mine, but I didn’t think they would hit quite so close to home.  The challenges of keeping up a long distance romance relationship, deciding about education and career goals, watching the painful deterioration of family ultimately consumed by Alzheimer’s, being one of the main caregivers for my father as his health declined while I was still in my twenties, and mourning the loss of his life, are just some of the ways our journeys overlap.The depth of suffering and longing Campbell and her husband experienced is too powerful to overlook and too poignant not to react to on some level.
   
I love how Campbell describes and defines motherhood in a much broader sense than many people tend to think of it these days, and how she holds up the six saints that have been integral in her faith journey who lived out the feminine genius in their own lives of nurturing others in mind, body, and spirit. 
    
The inclusion of Catholic prayers and how they affected Campbell, her relationships with her husband, family members, work, and the Lord, make this book accessible to both non-Catholics and cradle Catholics alike.  Though Campbell is by nature an avid researcher and scholarly writer, she emphasizes the necessity of studying, then letting God speak to you in the silence of your heart in order to discern His will. 
    
By weaving Scripture verses, excerpts from related papal encyclicals, writings of and/or about the six female saints whom she considers to be her sisters, and the telling of her own struggles in faith, we are given a picture of what holy women now in Heaven can teach us about doing God’s will on while still on Earth. 
    
Infertility was a heavy cross that Campbell and her husband John carried for many years.  They were deeply hurt by well-meaning people who told them matter-of-factly that if you just do this or that, then you’d have children.  Again and again they were sorely tempted to give up hope that they would ever have a child of their own by means not morally objectionable to the Catholic Church (because they are not respectful of human life from the moment of conception). 
    
Why is it worth holding on and living out all of the tenets of the Catholic faith if it might rule out the possibility of having biological children?  Find out.  Here’s a hint: Nothing is impossible with God.
   
For more information about this spiritual memoir and/or to purchase your own copy, check out My Sisters the Saints at Image Catholic Books.

This book review post is part of a special virtual book tour you can read more about here.         

Friday, March 8, 2013

7 Quick Takes Friday (Vol. 92)



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Our Newborn Nephew I'm being patient. Guess I'll have to wait until this weekend to meet Ezra Lewis, our newborn nephew. After 36 hours of labor and still not having slept at all Wednesday night, Mary and Jordan haven’t been up for visitors. They just want to sleep in their own bed. Hopefully, Ezra is tired from the move as well and will join them in a much-needed snooze.

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Cardinals & the Conclave It’s a beautiful thing that the cardinals know enough about this process and its importance that they didn’t even mention setting a date for the conclave, yet.  If you would like an accurate report of what’s going on, who’s saying what, and how the process works, then be wise and check out a credible source for Catholic news.
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Help Save Aquinas and More Since February of 2010 one of the awesome companies for whom I have been writing and posting my reviews of their books, movies, and music is Aquinas and More.  If you go to their Tiber River review site, you’ll see Top Reviewers, and I’m one of them.  There are many reasons I have written and posted 52 reviews for this company over the past three years.  Here are a few more reasons to help save their company from closing: they’re the only Catholic company that 1.)  has registries for seminarians and military chaplains 2.)  Our Good Faith guarantee  3.)    No products from China 4.) Get Imprimatur information on books offered on their website.
  
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Creative Writing for Kids Monday I subbed at school in a 1-3 grad Montessori classroom, and since the teacher knows me and has asked me to come in for her before, she gave me free reign to do some fun creative writing with the kids in the afternoon.  I had them pretend that someone had asked them to write a mystery chapter book.  I had them each answer a series of questions and thereby create their main character, main conflict, setting, and point-of-view, then start writing.  It was really fun to see the kids so excited about what they came up with and eager to share with others their ideas.  Their teacher asked me if I’d like to come back and do some more creative writing with them.  Of course, I’d love to!

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Just Visiting This Tuesday, our dear friend Laura, was taking care of the girls for the first full day, so I stopped by to visit.  It’s always so nice for me and the girls when we have visitors, all of whom love seeing the three cuties (of course), so I thought it’d be fun to swing by and say hi.  I ended up staying for an hour or so holding the twins, answering questions, and listening to what’s going on in my friend’s life. 
     It’s so easy to forget how much fun it can be to stop in and laugh, giggle, love on some little ones without having the larger responsibility of mealtimes, playtime, naptime, learning basic manners, gross and fine motor skills, potty training/diaper changing management to oversee.
     No wonder Kevin, Laura, and others have such a blast when they come over.  Pure cuteness, love, laughter, and none of the responsibility.  It can be a refreshing change and good way to see things from another angle. 
     I suggest parents not only have a date night, but that they also have some strictly fun, and (whenever possible) one-on-one playtime with each of their kids during the week.  We don’t forget how to enjoy and fall in love all over again with our spouse or our kids!          

-6-
What about…? I’ve gotten to ask a number of seemingly random questions, do some interesting research, and have some amusing exchanges with close friends via text and e-mail as I’m gathering bits and pieces for some of the scenes I’m working on for a young adult novel.  I had to laugh when I realized that the best person to ask about pranks would have been my dad (and his brothers).  I asked my mom, instead, since she knew a bunch of the ones he and his roommates pulled while in college.  If you’ve got any good ones that don’t involve causing permanent damage to property or serious physical harm to others, please let me know.      
     
-7-
Step Up Revolution Since I was young, I’ve loved dancing and watching amazing dancers perform.  After watching some of the clips of this movie online, I knew that Step Up Revolution would be a really mind-blowing blend of different types of modern dance. It is that indeed! It’s rated PG-13 for good reason.  This isn’t something to watch with young kids, but if you like dance, then you will absolutely love how creative, innovative, and explosive this choreography is.  Here’s the finale which is off-the-chain:


Check out Jen Fulwiler’s tradition of 7 Quick Takes Friday at her tremendously popular blog Conversion Diary.

Thursday, March 7, 2013

My Not So-Little Newborn Nephew

I'm being patient. Guess I'll have to wait until this weekend to meet Ezra, our newborn nephew. After 36 hours of labor and still not having slept at all, Mary and Jordan aren't ready for visitors. They just want to sleep in their own bed. Hopefully, Ezra is tired from the move as well and will join them in a much-needed snooze.  
   
My sister Mary and her husband Jordan had their baby yesterday.  Their first child (who they didn’t know was a boy until the actual birth) has been named Ezra.  The not-so-little one was born Wednesday, March 6, 2013, at 12:12pm weighing it at a whopping 10lbs 13oz. and measuring 22in. long. 
    
Baby, mommy, and daddy are doing well, though all of them are way beyond exhausted.  My mom got to hold her first grandchild last night (in case you didn’t hear the sheer delight exuding from downtown), which she’s been looking forward to eagerly ever since she found out they were expecting.  Of course, she says he’s “cute as a button.”
    
It feels very, very strange to have my younger sister and her husband be the first to have children, but apparently I did something right that has helped prepare my mom to be a grandparent to a little boy. 
    
When I nannied for “my two little guys,” they were unofficially adopted into our family.  My mom, who they referred to as “MissAnn” or “TrishaMommy” both said all as one word, was a frequent visitor and someone we went to see regularly.  At one of boys’ homes was walking distance from the Pastoral Center offices, so I’d often pack the boys up with snacks, milk, and such, and we’d walk over to the VCU area and visit my mom who worked in one of the row houses near Monroe Park. 
Seeing how absolutely adorable the boys were, hanging out with us, hearing stories about them, and looking at the pictures I’d taken, my mom readily became their “grandnanny” so to speak.  She had a photo of each of them up on her desk at work, and she’d talk about them with friends, taking the opportunity to introduce me and “the boys” to anyone and everyone. 
    
My mom told me today that she’s grateful I nannied for the boys or she wouldn’t have such wonderful experiences being around baby boys to go on before Ezra was born.  Having raised three girls, she might have felt like she was unprepared for the joys of boys if it weren’t for her first two non-related grandcuties.

Already an Aunt & a Great-Aunt!
   
When Kevin and I married, I immediately became an aunt to his siblings' children, and in the past eight years, we’ve become a great uncle and great aunt.  My husband’s Goddaughter, and her husband who own a neat jewelry shop in upstate New York have two children.
    
I’m excited that now I’ll get the opportunity that Kevin had for many years before we met of watching his seven nieces and nephews grow up.  Obviously, this is the first time one of my siblings has had a baby.  We’re looking forward to being an aunt and uncle to a newborn nephew who lives in town!    

Wednesday, March 6, 2013

Help Save Aquinas and More!



     Since February of 2010 one of the awesome companies for whom I have been writing and posting my reviews of their books, movies, and music is Aquinas and More.  If you go to their Tiber River review site, you’ll see Top Reviewers, and I’m one of them.  There are many reasons I have written and posted 52 reviews for this company over the past three years.  Here are a few more reasons to help save their company from closing. 

 What makes Aquinas More special?    
If we aren't, with your help, able to raise the funds we need, several unique services we offer will vanish from the Internet because we are the only Catholic site that has them. Here are a few:
  • ·         Registries for seminarians and military chaplains - we've sent over 7000 items to Catholic military chaplains to distribute to their flocks
  • ·         Our Good Faith guarantee
  • ·         No Chinese products - It's been our commitment from the start and over 200,000 orders later, it still is
  • ·         Imprimatur information on books



A Message from President of Aquinas and More Ian Rutherford
Dear friends,

I ask you first to pray for our campaign. We will be praying the Saint Michael the Archangel prayer daily for this endeavor. Will you pray too? Second, please take a moment to visit our “Aquinas Angels” site, where you can read more about what brought us to where we are right now and what our plans for the future entail. You can visit the site at: http://www.gofundme.com/aquinasangels

I want you to know that if we don't reach our goal, your Angel donation will not be processed. It's as simple as that – it's all-or-nothing. We will not be benefiting from any support until and unless our goal is reached. And if we don't reach it, Aquinas and More will likely shut down. So, our next step is in His hands. If you choose to join us, we have different levels of support, and will be "giving back" for your generosity.

I also ask you to please help us spread the word about our “Aquinas Angels” . With the relationships we've built over the years, I firmly believe this is a “We” Campaign. We can't succeed without your help!

If you would like the work of Aquinas and More to continue, if you have had a positive experience with us, please share our story, our site, and your story out there with others you know.
Aquinas and More is truly not just a Catholic store. Aquinas and More is a way of life for myself, for my wife, for my ten children. 

We are unabashedly and authentically Catholic in all that we do – our policies, our products, and our outreach projects. You know the value of our Good Faith Guarantee.

As part of the Year of Faith, we are called to deepen our faith, believe in the Gospel message, and go forth and proclaim the Gospel. That is the essence of Aquinas and More. Giving to our “Aquinas Angels” Campaign means helping to build and restore an authentic Catholic culture. I know in my heart that there's nowhere else out there where you can find such a ministry and mission – a living and serving, Catholic approach to shopping. I'm willing to put myself out there like this to keep it going.
We would be honored and grateful if you can become an Aquinas Angel for us and help us reach our $250,000 goal.


Oremus,

Saint Michael the Archangel,
defend us in battle.
Be our protection against the wickedness and snares of the devil.
May God rebuke him, we humbly pray;
and do Thou, O Prince of the Heavenly Host -
by the Divine Power of God -
cast into hell, satan and all the evil spirits,
who roam throughout the world seeking the ruin of souls.

Amen.

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