Pentecost Weekend Festivities

Pentecost Weekend was very enjoyable.  We spent it with loved ones, many faith-filled people who are passionate about serving the Lord and others.  Saturday I had some good prayer, reading, study, and writing time.  In the evening, Kevin and I had dinner with my mom at a delicious Italian place on the Southside called Angelo’s.  Their stromboli is scrumptious!

From there we headed over to Church of the Epiphany, where Kevin and I were married on September 4, 2004.  Two of our friends from Cursillo were doing a concert as part of their Give Me Jesus tour.  The band S2K they’re in plays for Kairos retreat weekends.  I knew it would be a blast, because our two friends are characters on their own, but are even more hilarious together.  The concert was awesome, and the banter among the guys entertaining, as always! We got to sing along to the praise and worship music they performed, and heard their take a on a few classics that fit in with the theme of Kairos. 

   
In between sets, one of the men in the band would talk about how, when, and why they became involved in prison ministry.  Each of them has gone to one or more Virginia prisons to put on Kairos retreats for the inmates.  It was really awesome to hear the stories of how these men from a variety of faith denominations and backgrounds came together to serve men, women, and juveniles who are incarcerated. 

     
One of the most moving testimonies was from a gentleman who had been an inmate on the very first Kairos retreat that ever took place in our area back in 2002.  When released from prison, he began studying to become a minister.  Now he’s one of the chaplains who serves Kairos.  Talk about transformation and metanoia! There you have it!

   
Sunday morning Kevin and I went to 11:15 Mass at our church because our friend was doing the second reading in Hindi as part of the celebration for Pentecost.  It was neat to hear the reading in an unfamiliar language, and the music was beautiful.  Afterwards, we headed up the hill for the church picnic that the Knights of Columbus had organized and were preparing for.  I ended up sitting with a few friends from Christ Renews His Parish (CRHP), a couple of whom are now also Cursillistas, and we had a good time.  Good friends, good food, and good fun!

     
Then I got to catch up with a dear friend I met through CRHP who has been at pharmacy school in Chicago for the past couple years.  We were assigned to be roommates for the overnight portion of the CRHP retreat, and we stayed up half the night talking and have been good friends ever since.  We weren’t sitting at the same table when we made our retreat, so we wouldn’t have gotten to know each other as well had we not been assigned to the same room.  Another God incident indeed! 

   
Lord, thank you for surrounding us with so many people of faith to inspire us and pray for and with us.  We are grateful to have friends who are family steeped in the love of Christ and the dedication to serve His people.  Amen.

The Three Holiest Days of the Year: The Easter Triduum

We are about to enter into the three holiest days of the Christian calendar which are celebrated as one unbroken service.  Many people, including a number of practicing Catholics, don't realize that beginning at sunset on Holy Thursday, through Good Friday, and the Easter Vigil on Holy Saturday into Easter Sunday are the three holiest days in the year. These three days, starting Thursday evening and going through Sunday evening are known as the Holy Triduum.  They give us a wonderful opportunity to pray and reflect on Christ's Passion, death, and Resurrection.

A Holy Week overview in two minutes:

Over the years, I have prayerfully written a number of reflections on these three holiest of days and how they are observed.  Below, I've included links to those reflections as well as to those posts that chronicle the joyous, miraculous occasion of my husband returning to the Catholic faith.

Holy Thursday: Washing of the feet and Institution of the Eucharist

This evening we will remember what Christ did in His 72 hours on earth.  To read more about the significance of Holy Thursday and what we do to honor it, check out this reflection.

Good Friday: Veneration of the Cross

A reflection on The First Station of the Cross

A new look at Christ's words on the Cross: "My God, My God, why have you forsaken me?"

Remembering Christ's Sorrowful Passion

Easter Vigil: A culmination of the faith and summary of Christianity through Scripture reflection, songs, and sacraments.  Saturday evening is when people are Baptized and brought into the church through the Rite of Christian Initiation for Adults.

Easter Triduum Observation

 Fond Memories from 2013 Triduum

Check out Very Special Fond Memories of the Holy Week for a more detailed account of one of the best Holy Week's of my life, when my husband Kevin returned to the Catholic Church in 2000 (and was named "the patron saint of boyfriends" by Fr. Remi Sojka, the priest who served our Catholic Campus Ministry at Hollins University and Roanoke College.

May you and your family have a very blessed and most Holy Triduum!

7 Quick Takes Friday (Vol. 102)

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Preserving Your Sanity I’ve learned a lot over the past 20+ years of taking care of children of all ages.  One of the most important lessons is that the sanity of the parent, caregiver, nanny, teacher…responsible for the nurturing of young bodies, minds, and spirits is absolutely essential to preserve.  It’s always better to ask for help, than to risk drowning in the deep end.  I personally would much prefer that a family member or friend call and let me know they could use a hand, someone to listen, a meal or dessert delivered to their door, help with the kids…than find out after-the-fact that they had a horrible time of it and worried about reaching out for support.  People have only so much time and energy in a day.  It's okay when you are at a point in your life when what's going on in your family and household is all you can manage to be on the receiving end of the outreach.    

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Grace on the Go I have taught the girls a slightly altered form of grace because it’s often once everyone’s chowing down on their breakfast or lunch that I remember we haven’t said a blessing.  It goes like this: “Bless us, oh Lord, and these Thy gifts which we are ALREADY receiving from Thy bounty through Christ Our Lord.  Amen.”  Usually after that I add a hearty: “Thank You, God, for giving us food!  Thank You, God, for giving us food!”  I think it makes up for not blessing the food before we consume it.  Not sure.  The last time I heard Vivi start saying grace without being prompted, she was sitting on the toilet.    

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Princess and the Pea Retold As those of you well-versed in fairy tales and hazardous waste removal already know, the proof is in the poop.  This week one of my three favorite little princesses had some interesting incidents with accessories.  She pooped a purple bead one morning, and I caught her teething on a bright pink toddler-sized ponytail holder.  Clearly she’s into accessories (or they're into her).  Perhaps when she’s a little older, she’ll start a new line of bling and things created with “bad ass beads” and “salivating hair duds.” 

      

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Technology Throwbacks My dear husband, bless his heart, was telling me yesterday that the doctor saw him texting me and told him: “The nineties called.  They want their phone back.”  For the amount of time it takes him to text me on my only slightly more advanced phone (which still can’t be called smart), he might as well just write me a note and deliver it in person.  We had this discussion when he said that he’d ordered a smart TV.  Yes, we’re just now replacing our tube TV in honor of Kevin’s upcoming 50^th birthday this July.  We don’t have an XBOX, Wii, iPod, iPad, a Kindle, or a Smartphone.  My husband, who loves music and has a vast collection of it, does have an MP3 player, but I still play CDs (and occasionally even an audio tape) on a boombox/portable stereo as often as I play Youtube videos on my laptop computer.  I also have been known to send handwritten letters via snail mail. 

    

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The Perks of Being a Wallflower I have to say that I was very impressed by both the book and the movie, which I had checked out from the library for the past couple of weeks.  The novel is a series of letters that are really more like diary or journal entries written by a teenager just starting his freshman year of high school.  I love how honest, vulnerable, realistic, endearing, hilarious, and heart-wrenching the characters are on the page as well as on the screen.  Stephen Chbosky, the novelist was also the director of the film.  I highly recommend reading the book and watching the movie.  (Quick disclaimer for regular readers since much of what I review is Christian fiction and non-fiction: This is not for kids, and there are some adult themes, scenes, and situations that clearly go against the teachings of the Catholic Church.) 
    
Don’t miss the commentary and extras on the DVD.  The one with the director and main actors his absolutely hilarious.  The commentary by just Chbosky is really interesting, especially for those who enjoy books, movies, writing, and/or stories of hope. 
    
One of my favorite things about The Perks of Being a Wallflower is that it has so many life lessons that are timeless.  One quote that has stuck with me is: “We accept the love we think we deserve.”

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Glimpses of Grandma In some ways, I’m definitely my grandma’s girl.  She rarely tossed stuff out if it could be recycled or reused by her or by someone else.  I am absolutely certain she’s quite tickled that Kevin and I currently have hanging in our bathroom a turquoise (her favorite color) shower curtain that my grandma must have had for 30 some years.  When I found it and realized it had never been used, and was still in its original box from a department store that went out of business awhile ago, I couldn’t bring myself to toss it, knowing my grandma would have wanted someone to use it.  For more recently observed, “glimpses of grandma,” click here. 
     

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Got the Holy Spirit? This weekend we’ll be celebrating Pentecost, the birth of the Catholic Church and therefore the beginning of Christianity.  Remember to wear red to Mass.  Please pray some extra prayers for the participants of the Cursillo Women’s Weekends going on locally and around the globe this weekend.  Also, I ask that you would lift up a wonderful woman of faith who’s going through some real suffering in mind, body, and spirit. 

     Come Holy Spirit!  Descend like a dove and fill us anew with God’s redeeming love.  Amen.  

                  

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

Catholicism DVD Sets: Buy One, Give One

     Catholicism is an awe-inspiring, around the world, journey into the mysteries of the Roman Catholic faith.  Without a passport, airline tickets, or hotel accommodations, you can go on pilgrimage to some of Christianity's most sacred spots on Earth with Fr. Robert Barron of Word on Fire as your esteemed tour guide.

     To see some highlights of the Catholicism series, check out the video below:

  

     My husband and I were inspired to view the Catholicism DVDs when our beloved brother in Christ, John, purchased a set and was very impressed by what he saw.  It was really interesting to watch many of the DVDs during this past summer while John was in Europe visiting a number of the holy sites described and featured in these DVDs.  Suddenly we had a deeper understanding of the inspiration behind his pilgrimage itinerary, and we could feel a sense of connection as he journeyed to these places to witness the beauty and faithfulness they contain.  

     My mom gave me the set of Catholicism DVDs as a gift, knowing that Kevin and I really enjoyed the series.  Several parishes and prayer groups have been offering viewings of Catholicism as part of ongoing formation, education, and evangelization for parishioners, families, and those interested in learning more about the Roman Catholic faith.  

     Right now, there is a special deal being offered where for the price of one set of Catholicism DVDs, you will receive two complete sets.  One for you, and one to give to someone else.  For more information and/or to take advantage of the buy one, give one offer that's available for a limited time only, click here.        

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. 

Divine Love Made Flesh: The Holy Eucharist as the Sacrament of Charity

Divine Love Made Flesh: The Holy Eucharist as the Sacrament of Charity is a masterfully written reflection on the Eucharist as source and summit of God’s love and the focal point of every disciple of Jesus Christ. 
     
Honestly, I love any book that inspires me to draw closer to the Lord just by reading it.  This one serves that purpose very well.  Divine Love Made Flesh is definitely a work that describes the Sacrament of the Eucharist in a way that makes it clear that the Passion and Death of our Lord was/is the most loving, perfect sacrifice.  The work of redemption takes place in the present each time Mass is celebrated, because the True Presence, Christ’s Body, Blood, Soul, and Divinity exist in time and space for us to consume and be transformed by. 
     
Through incorporation and explanation of the teachings on the Eucharist given to us by Blessed Pope John Paul II and Pope Benedict XVI, His Eminence Raymond Leo Cardinal Burke guides the reader to a greater understanding of the necessity of the Sacraments, the most central of which is the Holy Eucharist.

     

Reading this book has motivated me to find and read the original papal documents the author used (translated into English since my Latin is very limited) in creating this beautiful treatise on the significance of the Eucharist, the prominence it ought to have in the life of each Christian, and the ways in which we are to become Christ for one another through our participation in the Heavenly Feast.

     
This review was written as part of the Catholic book reviewer program from The Catholic Company. Visit The Catholic Company to find more information on Divine Love Made Flesh. This is also a great online Catholic store for all your religious shopping needs, such as gifts for Confirmation and gifts for a baby baptism.

Saint Gianna Beretta Molla: The Gift of Life

     “When so many in our world do not respect the value and dignity of the human person, her life story teaches us the truth: each and every human life is sacred—from the youngest unborn baby to the oldest person on earth.  Each life is a precious gift from God, and each human person is created in God’s own image” (pg. 94-95).

     
This remarkable wife, mother of four, and physician lived quite an inspiring, profoundly loving life.  Her faith in the Lord even from a very early age (She prepared for and made her First Communion even before she turned six.) is testimony to the hope and joy which radiated through her during her relatively short time on earth, though she was faced with many challenges and struggles, sorrows, the loss of loved ones, and serious setbacks along the way.
     
Her devotion to God’s Will remained very strong as did the deep Catholic faith her parents and family passed on to her.  Gianna set out to become a physician and then a pediatrician because she wanted to care for people’s bodies as well as for their souls.  She and  Pietro were very prayerful, devout people even before they married and started a family.  They sought to live their lives glorifying God.      
     
You’ll want to read this short book and share it with others who want and need to aspire to holiness in their everyday lives.  Saint Gianna Beretta Molla is a powerful intercessor for struggling mothers, unborn babies, children, and families.    
     
This review was written as part of the Catholic book reviewer program from The Catholic Company. Visit The Catholic Company to find more information on Saint Gianna Beretta Molla - The Gift of Life. They are also a great source for a baptism gifts or first communion gifts.

Divine Mercy Sunday is today!

    Did you know Divine Mercy Sunday is today April 15, 2012?  It's always observed the Sunday after Easter, though many of the faithful don't know about this powerful prayer and important message from the Lord. 
     There are a number of beautiful ways to celebrate the Lord’s Divine Mercy and the messages of mercy given to the world, especially through Saint Maria Faustina Kowalska. I encourage you to read up on this feast day and find a church in your area that actually celebrates it. I love The Chaplet of Divine Mercy prayers.   This sung version is one of my absolute favorites! It's a very powerful prayer to sing with others. 
     We've used it on Cursillo and Christ Renews His Parish retreats with great success!  Some have said it was the most powerful part of the weekend for them. 
     Click to see a 15 minute video explanation of how to celebrate Divine Mercy Sunday here.
     Click here to pray the Chaplet of Divine Mercy on your computer.
     "Eternal Father, I offer You the Body and the Blood, Soul and Divinity of Your dearly Beloved Son in atonement for our sins and those of the whole world...For the sake of His Sorrowful Passion, have mercy on us and on the whole world."  "Jesus I trust in You!" - excertps from the Chaplet of Divine Mercy
    

7 Quick Takes Friday (Vol. 45)

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Divine Mercy Sunday is the weekend after Easter.  There are a number of beautiful ways to celebrate the Lord’s Divine Mercy and the messages of mercy given to Saint Faustina.  I encourage you to read up on this feast day and find a church in your area that actually celebrates it.  I love The Chaplet of Divine Mercy prayers.  This sung version is one of my absolute favorites!  It's a very powerful prayer to sing with others.  We've used it on Cursillo and Christ Renews His Parish retreats with great success!

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Still in the Danger Zone Kevin and I thought we were past the “if your husband gets an infection, he could lose his toe” phase of his post-surgery healing process, but apparently we’re not.  Kevin’s foot was really swollen Sunday night, so he texted a picture of it to his doctor, who called him and said he needed to come in Monday morning for an emergency appointment.  He’s back on the couch.  I never thought I’d reach the day when I would hope and pray that my husband would remain on the couch with his feet up as much as possible.  Please pray that Kevin will be a good bum over the next week he has to be recovering with his toe up.

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So Tired I’m Re-Tired Working lots of extra hours at two different locations and taking care of my homebound husband has been wearing me out.  This week, I have been exhausted, continuing busy and mostly exhausted until some much-needed rest this weekend (I hope and pray).

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Special on Aisle Six You know you're life's gotten a bit crazy when you're friend comes to meet you at Aisle 6 of the grocery store while you finish your shopping because she knows it's probably the only time in the next four or five days she'll get a chance to see you.  I’m so glad she did come to visit with me.  She had me laughing hysterically a number of times, especially over the story she told me in the parking lot.  Who wouldn’t be amused hearing about an aspiring discalced Carmelite postulant concerned about the high heel wedge shoes her mom gave her?  We decided the shoes were probably a part of the problem, and that she should indeed be seriously discalced.       

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Smartphone & Pre-occupied Parents This week I’ve been in a number of public settings and play places for kids while taking care of Vivi.  I’ve noticed that many parents/caregivers will sit or stand on the sidelines with their eyes glued to their Smartphones instead of watching their young children play.  It made me kind of sad.  I’m not saying I never check my phone or text when I’m watching little ones or talking with other people, but I do make a point to spend the majority of my time being present to the person and situation in front of me.

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My favorite play-break habit! There are many great advantages of watching and listening to children.  They are just so honest, hilarious, and precious!  My personal favorite of Vivi’s habits when we’ve been at the indoor play area at the mall has been when she suddenly looks over at me, catches my eye, then runs full-speed into my open arms for a hug.  After a hug and a kiss, she’s off ready to play again.  My heart melted when after one of her hug breaks, which at times occurred as often as every two minutes, she shouted, “I love you!” over her shoulder to me as she ran off.  

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Worst Mom…Evah!  I have fallen way behind on reading and commenting on blogs, but during this hectic week, I just had to read the latest Matthew Archbold gem on raising children.  I’m sure you’ll find it a good pick me up. 

Head over to Conversion Diary, to read Jen Fulwiler's wonderful tradition of 7 Quick Takes Friday.   

Two Minutes Holy Week Explanation on Youtube

Many people, including many practicing Catholics, don't realize that Holy Thursday, Good Friday, and the Easter Vigil on Holy Saturday are the three holiest days in the year.  These three days known as the Holy Triduum give us a wonderful opportunity to pray and reflect on Christ's Passion, death, and Resurrection.  This is a great video to explain the who, what, when, where, why, & how of Holy Week:

 

The Boy Who Met Jesus: Segatashya of Kibeho by Immaculée Ilibagiza

Segatashya’s story is amazing, spellbinding, miraculous, and riveting! The Boy Who Met Jesus: Segatashya of Kibeho is the well-documented and researched account of how a very poor, illiterate, pagan farmer boy from a town in Africa so small it literally wasn’t on the map came to be a prophet and evangelist before he was murdered.  I’ve read quite a bit about the saints and various apparitions over the years, but there is something about Segatashya’s experience that makes him stand out. 

     
Just for the record, Segatashya’s apparitions of Jesus have not (as of yet) been officially approved by the Vatican.  Most members of the Commission of Enquiry assembled to investigate the apparitions of the Blessed Mother to the three schoolgirls in Kibeho and later Segatashya’s visions were brutally murdered in the Rwanda genocide in 1994.  Also at that time, a vast amount of the proof collected was destroyed in fires.
    
As has often been the case over the centuries, the suffering these four youth endured for receiving and delivering the messages they were given to pass on was severe.  The courage of this young man in following God’s will as it was revealed to him by Jesus Christ and the Blessed Mother is nothing short of miraculous. 
     
Through the grace of God, and the warning from one of the visionaries, the lone psychiatrist in Rwanda Dr. Muremyangango Bonaventure who was on the Commission of Enquiry, kept the copious notes, reports, interviews, and transcripts from his time investigating Segatashya’s cause were preserved.  It is in using the detailed notes, research, and spending time with author Immaculée Ilibagiza that the quotes and vivid details included were passed along.
     
I highly recommend The Boy Who Met Jesus: Segatashya of Kibeho and the others Immaculée Ilibagiza has written with Steve Erwin.  Click here to read more about the book or to order your copy.

Go to Joseph! Jesus and Mary did.

 I can vividly remember praying while I was studying abroad in France that the Lord would make me more like the Blessed Mother and make Kevin more like St. Joseph.  I believe it’s when I was in France that I was first inspired to pray this particular intention for both of us.  In previous years, I had prayed that I would become more patient, more loving, more submissive to the Lord’s Will in all areas of my life, like Our Mother Mary.  It seemed to be fitting that I would ask the Lord to make Kevin a God-fearing man who would be a loving husband and a good father when we had been talking of marriage for a few years by then. 

     
A couple years ago I wrote a review on an inspiring book called Go to Joseph which you can read more about here.  The book really opened me up to an aspect of Christ’s life I hadn’t really spent a lot of time meditating on or considering before.  I highly recommend reading this retreat in a book on St Joseph. 
     
What’s really amazing is that the Lord has granted those fervent prayers in many ways, some of them as recently as over this past year.
     
Here are two magnificent posts on St. Joseph you won’t regret checking out:

Ite ad Joseph by Gerard M. Nadal and St. Joseph Husband of Virgin Mary by Jean M. Heimann

Reflection questions that might be prudent to ponder: Who are your role models?  What would it take for you to become more like them?  Where will they be spending eternity?  Will you be there with them?

Catechism of the Catholic Church

I honestly never thought I’d write a review of the Catechism of the Catholic Church, but here I go.  I selected this complete and updated edition of the tome because I figured this is one book along with the Bible that every Catholic ought to read from cover to cover at least once.  I presumed the commitment to writing a review of it would help motivate me to read through the 846-page paperback even if the academic dryness I suspected it would have bored me at times. 

    
Imagine my complete and utter astonishment upon discovering this summation of the Catholic faith, as it has been handed down to us through Sacred Scripture, Divine revelation, the apostles, and the saints, is a fascinating read.  I looked forward to diving into the Scriptural texts and tenets of the faith, because they are presented with such brilliance.

     
My heart rejoiced in reading the explanations and explications of the Creed, the Our Father, the proclamation of the Word of God, and the foundations for the celebration of the Liturgy of the Eucharist.  This passionate portrayal of the faith handed down to us by God the Father, Jesus Christ, and the Holy Spirit blends the elements of Catholicism I have read about, experienced, and come to understand through prayer in a way no other book has.  The Catechism of the Catholic Church beautifully explains the basic beliefs, moral and ethical teachings, as well as the eternal Truths professed by the Church.  Along with the Bible itself, it is the perfect reference for any questions regarding the history of Christianity and present application of the principles of it.

     
Want to rediscover Catholicism or really grasp it for the first time?  Read the Catechism of the Catholic Church.

    
I wrote this review of Catechism Of The Catholic Church for the free Catholic book review program, Tiber River. Tiber River is the first Catholic book review site, started in 2000 to help you make informed decisions about Catholic book purchases. I receive free product samples as compensation for writing reviews for Tiber River.

The Transfiguration Lost in Translation

     I’ll never hear the Gospel account of the Transfiguration Mark 9:2-10 without thinking of two really funny stories shared with us many years ago when Kevin and I went to Mass at St. Charles Borromeo Church in Rochester, New York, the parish where my parents were married.  

     The Readings that day were those we have today about the Transfiguration.  A religious sister in the community gave the homily, and included in it a great anecdote about a couple who came to her to receive ministry and informed her that they used to belong to “The Church of the Disfiguration.”  She found that to be very interesting, and all of us thought it was a hilarious misnomer. 

     It got me thinking, though.  That would be kind of a fitting name for a parish since we, the people, who make up the body of Christ on Earth, are indeed all disfigured to some extent, due to our own sinfulness and turning away from God.  Fortunately our Church isn’t focused on the darkness of sin and suffering (which I tend to be sometimes), but rather is built upon and springing forth from God’s gifts of forgiveness, mercy, and salvation.   

    Later on, the priest celebrating Mass that Sunday shared an even funnier memory before we began the Liturgy of the Eucharist.  When he was growing up, one Lent his Italian grandfather recounted to the gathered family members in broken English what Jesus said to his disciples when they were descending the mountain, “No tell o’ vision ‘til the Son of God come!”  This rather rough summary of Mark 9: “As they were coming down the mountain, he ordered them to tell no one what they had seen, until after the Son of Man had risen from the dead,” led to a new Lenten sacrifice unintentionally imposed on everyone in the priest’s family.   And with that, the priest added, “None of us could watch TV for the rest of Lent.”  The Gospel reference was lost, but Grandpa made quite an impression by declaring that there would be no television until Easter.

     What aspects of your life is God asking you to sacrifice on the altar in order to grow closer to Him?

From Ashes to Ashes

My personal favorite blessing from last Lent was that my husband Kevin, prompted by the Holy Spirit, was inspired to start attending daily Mass with me.  As many Christian traditions observe the practice of prayer, fasting, and almsgiving as part of Lent, a number of people take stock of their spiritual lives and their outreach to others, ask God for guidance, and come up with a plan that will help them grow closer to the Lord between Ash Wednesday and Easter Sunday.      

     
Last year, I had the jaw-dropping experience of my husband Kevin informing me that he was going to begin attending daily Mass with me as part of his Lenten observance.  By then, Kevin was participating fully each Sunday and on holy days when we attended Mass.  He’d even been open to going on a couple different retreats and later served as part of two different teams for other groups of men seeking spiritual renewal.  He was living out the Catholic faith, something that I had begged, pleaded, and hoped for over a period of years when we first began dating.

     
Hearing about Kevin’s plan to join me for daily Mass made me excited, then it made me wonder how long it would last.  Praise God Almighty, since it came directly from the Holy Spirit, he started and hasn’t stopped!  For the past year, even when we’ve been on vacation, he’s accompanied me to daily Mass. 

     
This is one of the major reminders for me that not only is God still in the business of miracles, but He’s also continuing to grant prayers He inspired me to start praying years ago.  When Kevin and I first met, he’d been away from the Church for a number of years.  He’d never lost his faith in God the Father or Jesus Christ, but he fell away, sometimes ran away, from the Catholic faith. 

    
Only the Lord God could change that man’s heart and mind.  I tried many times, and I failed completely or had minimal success at best.  I prayed for Kevin’s conversion, but I had a hard time picturing the day when he wouldn’t think it was “a bit much” to go to Mass on Sundays in addition to going a few times during the week. 

     
If I think about spending 40 days focused on how sinful and selfish I am, then I’m likely to get depressed.  If I focus on how amazing the Lord is— how incredibly loving, merciful, and compassionate our God is—that He would give us His only Son as expiation for our sins, then I’m likely to be hopeful.  I’m likely to submit more fully to the Lord’s Will in all areas of my life.  I’m likely to invite God in my heart and mind to remove the lies and replace them with His infinite Truth.

     
What or whom are you going to focus on this Lent?

     
Is spending quiet time in prayer something you schedule into each day?

     
What’s the most important thing you can give up this Lent?

Whose Requests Are Pending?

     Is it a more a sign of the times or willful defiance that makes me not feel too disturbed by the fact that I have seven pending requests God wants me to know?  Maybe both, or perhaps it’s because the messenger in this case is merely an application on Facebook telling me there are seven things God has been trying to tell me between January 31 and today. 

     Quite honestly, I’m sure there have been a whole lot more than just seven things He’s been trying to get through to me in the past nineteen days.  Fortunately, I do unplug from the computer, TV, my phone, etc. to tune in to God’s will during the day, so He’s reached me through a number of other methods.    
     Lent is just around the corner.  I’ve begun asking the Lord in my quiet prayer time how He would like me to observe this holy time of preparation and transformation leading up to Holy Week and Easter.  I’m still listening and waiting for specifics.  
     Recently I’ve been inspired to do Morning and Evening prayer in addition to attending daily Mass.  All three have been very powerful ways and times during which the Lord has spoken to me and/or helped me understand an aspect of Scripture in a new way.  My husband and I have also been praying the Rosary, especially as we are lifting up the participants of the Men’s Cursillo weekend going on right now. 
     I can't even tell you how many times the Lord speaks through my husband.  Sometimes, I'm more open to that messenger than others. :) I’m clearly feeling a nudge to spend more time in Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament.  This evening Kevin assured me that he's not giving daily Mass up for Lent, which is indeed some great news!

Questions for reflection:

     When was the last time you spent some unplugged quiet time alone with God? 

     What methods has the Lord used to speak to you or through you in the past month?

7 Quick Takes Friday (Vol. 38)

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Best Valentine’s Gift EVER!  Some women go gaga over flowers, jewelry, sappy cards, a romantic dinner by candlelight, and whispered sweet nothings, all of which my husband has tried over the years with somewhat comical success.    
 

Take One: When I was still in college, Kevin arrived at Hollins to take me out to dinner and could only whisper since he’d sung the entire 500+ miles he’d driven to see me.  We did have a romantic dinner out, but his voice was gone so there was lots more whispering. 

 

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Take Two: Another Valentine’s day, we pulled up in the parking lot in a driving rain, Kevin motioned me over to the trunk of his car.  He pulled a vase from my mom’s house out and handed it to me. I gave him a questioning look. He said, “You’re going to need that,” looking at the vase, then he thrust a paper grocery bag into my free hand, adding, “for these.”  I looked inside and saw a dozen roses.

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Take Three: That same year, he gave me a card that had two poodles dressed up sitting at a café table not far from the Eiffel Tower.  I thought it was cute since the year before I’d been studying abroad in Paris, and when Kevin came to visit, we had a bit of a whipped cream incident at a café near Notre Dame. Kevin reminded me of this in a most creative way.  He had put a little spot of white-out on the male’s elbow sleeve. 

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We have a winner!  This year my husband has blessed our marriage with a gift I honestly didn’t realize I’d ever be celebrating.  For almost an entire year, since the beginning of last Lent, my husband has been accompanying me to daily Mass.  Yes, this was the man who had fallen away from the Church and planned never to go back.  The Holy Spirit is still in the business of miracles!  I’m so glad Kevin said yes to the inspiration.  I can’t think of a more beautiful, more loving gift than to have a husband who is a man living out the Catholic faith and responding to Divine promptings for deeper conversion! (The chocolate with toffee in it wasn’t bad, either.)

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DEC OLORES indeed! My husband and I are saying some extra prayers this weekend for the participants of the Men's Cursillo Weekend taking place at Shalom House February 16-19, 2012.  Please join us in raising these individuals up in prayer.  Thanks!  To find out more about the Cursillo movement in your area, click here.

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Rediscover Lent is a wonderful companion for Catholics young and old who desire to make this Lent a time of true transformation in their lives.  This book by Matthew Kelly contains a list of daily readings, a Scripture passage, a reflection, meditation questions, and a prayer for each day of Lent and Holy Week.  With his customary finesse, Kelly invites the reader into a deeper relationship with the Lord through simple practices and disciplines that have been the habits of many popes, saints, priests, religious, and devout laypeople over the centuries…Read more here.  http://printsofgrace.blogspot.com/2012/02/rediscover-lent.html

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40 Days for Life  From Wednesday, February 22, through Sunday, April 1, 40-day campaigns of prayer and fasting, peaceful vigil and community outreach will be held in 258 cities all across the United States (44 states and the District of Columbia) plus Canada, Australia, England, Ireland and Spain!  To see the location closest to you, please go to: http://40daysforlife.com/location/

Head over to Conversion Diary, to read Jen Fulwiler's wonderful tradition of 7 Quick Takes Friday which this Friday is actually being hosted by blogger friend Hallie Lord of Betty Beguiles.