Blog Roll Update

If I'm going to come back to blogging again, I thought I'd update the blog roll. I took off a few dead blogs, blogs I don't really read or endorse and  then updated the blogs that have changed locations. Next I shall endeavor to tackle the link list. That, I suspect will be more difficult.

It's good to see that some of the blogs and bloggers I really like are still out there blogging away. Cool.

Playing Catch Up

I've been meaning to make some entries about my wedding. I've wanted to talk about my health, talk about my faith that has been shaken as of late and other things that are suited for this blog.

So, about my wedding, I think I'll start with the readings we used during the Mass. It is always nice to be reminded of the day and the the words that were read on the day we got married. We spent quite a few hours pouring through the readings that were suggested in our little wedding guidebook. We wanted to find the right words to capture our lives, our marriage and our hopes. I think what we picked fit us. I wish I could post the homily our pastor gave on our wedding day as well. He said some profound and poignant words that also fit us.

Our Wedding Mass, 2/12/11

 

From the Old Testament. 

Allow us to live together to a happy old age.

A reading from the Book of Tobit 8:4b-8

On their wedding night Tobiah arose from bed and said to his wife,
“Sister, get up. Let us pray and beg our Lord
to have mercy on us and to grant us deliverance.”
Sarah got up, and they started to pray
and beg that deliverance might be theirs.
They began with these words:
“Blessed are you, O God of our fathers;
praised be your name forever and ever.
Let the heavens and all your creation
praise you forever.
You made Adam and you gave him his wife Eve
to be his help and support;
and from these two the human race descended.
You said, ‘It is not good for the man to be alone;
let us make him a partner like himself.’
Now, Lord, you know that I take this wife of mine
not because of lust,
but for a noble purpose.
Call down your mercy on me and on her,
and allow us to live together to a happy old age.”
They said together, “Amen, amen.”
The word of the Lord. 

From the New Testament:

And over all these put on love, that is, the bond of perfection.

A reading from the Letter of Saint Paul to the Colossians 3:12-17

Brothers and sisters:
Put on, as God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved,
heartfelt compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience,
bearing with one another and forgiving one another,
if one has a grievance against another;
as the Lord has forgiven you, so must you also do.
And over all these put on love,
that is, the bond of perfection.
And let the peace of Christ control your hearts,
the peace into which you were also called in one Body.
And be thankful.
Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly,
as in all wisdom you teach and admonish one another,
singing psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs
with gratitude in your hearts to God.
And whatever you do, in word or in deed,
do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus,
giving thanks to God the Father through him.
The word of the Lord.

The Responsorial Psalm

Taste and see the goodness of the Lord.

I will bless the Lord at all times;

his praise shall be ever in my mouth.

Let my soul glory in the Lord;

the lowly will hear me and be glad.

 Taste and see the goodness of the Lord.

Glorify the Lord with me,

let us together extol his name.

I sought the Lord, and he answered me

and delivered me from all my fears.

 Taste and see the goodness of the Lord.

Look to him that you may be radiant with joy,

and your faces may not blush with shame.

When the poor one called out, the Lord heard,

and from all his distress he saved him.

 Taste and see the goodness of the Lord.

The angel of the Lord encamps

around those who fear him, and delivers them.

Taste and see how good the Lord is;

blessed the man who takes refuge in him.

Taste and see the goodness of the Lord.

  2. 34:2-3, 4-5, 6-7, 8-9

The Gospel

They are no longer two, but one flesh.  

A reading from the Gospel of Mark 10: 6-9 

Jesus said:
“From the beginning of creation,
God made them male and female.
For this reason a man shall leave his father and mother
and be joined to his wife,
and the two shall become one flesh.
So they are no longer two but one flesh.
Therefore what God has joined together,
no human being must separate.”
The Gospel of the Lord.

Where's the Love?

Recently, I got into a discussion with a friend on Facebook, who is married to one of my classmates. She's a Christian; a good example of what I'd call a Christian. In her post, we talked about how some Christians can be the most hate-filled malicious people in the world. I really hate to see examples of "bad Christians' in the world. I certainly am not a very good Catholic Christian at times, I recognize that I sin and fail many times but through my faith, through the sacraments, through Our Lord, and our Church I find forgiveness and salvation.  I just don't understand why such hate and bigotry is acceptable in in the world and especially Christianity. Oh yeah, we're human. But being human, don't you think we could be a little more humane?

I know it's a simple thought and not a very deep post but I'm not feeling overly deep today.

Can We Really See the Face of God?

Oh, a new site. My friend Fran who blogs at There Will Be Bread introduced me to "Picturing God" an Loyola Press website with daily images taken throughout the world that represent images of the divine. I would think most believers would agree that sometimes a certain sight be it a father holding a child, a rainbow or a majestic mountain depicts a bit of God.

Anyway, I'm adding it to the blog roll and I will probably update some links as I start blogging again. 

Stats Say A Lot

I haven't posted in this blog in quite some time.  I just looked at my feedit stats and it seems this search "Virgen de Guadalupe - Mañanitas a la Virgen 2007 - MEXICO" is hitting google and linking to this post I made three years ago.

I realize that tomorrow is the Feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe and here in the Americas, especially in the Southwest and Latin America, it is a big deal. I hope that everyone has a blessed day tomorrow.

Advent Thoughts

Testing, testing... is this blog on? I think I've asked that question before, or something thereabouts.  A lot has happened since I last posted anything. I really should try to catch up again. Let's see, I got married in a very romantic, very spiritual and faith filled Catholic Sacrament. It's been a good 10 months tomorrow, but we're on a rocky road right now over some health stuff. I'll make a separate post about it another time. It will be ok and the prognosis and outlook is good.

Our parish is doing quite well in taking to the changes of the new Roman missal. We still stumble as a congregation over a few of the parts and I really think the whole I'm not worthy for you to enter the roof of my mouth is the most awkward of all the changes. I'm not fond of "chalice" replacing "cup" in the Eucharistic Prayer, but in general, the changes really aren't so bad. It's odd to see the priests reading so much of the of the Prayer. They've actually put a small lectern in front of the presider's chair, as our priests are still not completely familiar with all the changes to their parts. They had a lot to familiarize themselves with, didn't they?

I'm still pretty conservative in a lot of ways when it comes to the liturgy. I dislike holding hands during the "Our Father" but will hold hands with others rather than be rude or seem aloof and not do it. I really dislike dancing. Grr... liturgical dance makes me cringe. At least when it's done at our parish, it's done outside of the Mass, but I just don't get it. I understand that dance is joyful and can show praise, but it just seems so out of place in the context of the Mass. I did mention somewhere recently I'm pro-Altar Girl, right? And I really take an issue with who has their feet washed on Holy Thursday, but I won't fight about it either way.

So... that's pretty much it so far. I'm going to try to drop by and post more often in this new year.
 
It's a little late to post this, as it is Gaudete Sunday, but it is one of the O'Antiphons, which are appropriate for the season.  Anyway, Happy Advent all.

Communion and Who Says Who Can and Cannot!

I'm thinking of jumping back to my blogging. Figures the first thing I post is about the Communion Wars and those who feel like they can determine who can and who cannot receive. A newish blog I've been following "Dating God" made an excellent post on the subject and I thought I'd pass it along. I must say having been in similar shoes as the Governor and his girlfriend, it's an interesting discussion. I must admit that when I do not receive the Sacrament of Confession for whatever sins I feel are necessary to confess to my confessor, I refrain from receiving the Eucharist. I was actually abstaining long before I lived with my boyfriend-then fiancé-now husband. (A little over a year before I felt like I was in a state of Grace again.)

It's a personal call and I don't think anyone should be judged for their actions-- other than by God-- and they should feel like they can always go to their confessor for absolution and a return to Grace without anyone else looking over their shoulder and declaring them unworthy to receive Communion.

Testing, testing... is anyone here?

Well everyone... this place has been truly quiet and the lights have been dim. I think my faith is still strong, but I'm not really much for writing about it. I have moments where I don't really pray or read much, but I still believe. I still have faith. I am actually feeling really blessed and grateful to God right about now. This year's Novena came and went. I didn't participate this year much. I went to a couple of Masses. I didn't take photographs nor walk in the processions. I was feeling a bit edgy and anxious and not like my normal self.

Anxiety and stress have come calling in my life and I'm working through them the best I can. I need to return to my workouts and my writing, but lately, I haven't had much desire to do those things. I see the light at the end of the tunnel and I don't think I'm seeing things as dim as I had been, but my life has changed a lot in a year. Honestly, the changes in my life are for the good, but they don't come without stresses, worries and fears. Not only do I have worries of my own, I worry about my parents. My dad is struggling with health issues. He and my mom fight and argue. I get caught in the middle. Dad has some financial worries about a tenant of ours, but as the economy recovers, I believe the tenant will be more financially stable. I'm in a relationship that is serious. He proposed last Saturday. I worry about him, just because I love him so much.

I remember praying to the Blessed Mother for her intercessions last year. I truly felt like I was going to have to accept living a single life and all that came with that life. I honestly didn't believe that there was anyone out there for me. That Novena ended late, nearly in July, and three weeks later, the man I'm going to spend my life with, sent me a facebook friend request. I didn't think of it then. He was an old classmate from high school wanting to reconnect as facebook friends.

I tried to make the novena and offer thanksgiving for answered prayers. I believe he was sent by God. It's the only time in our lives when we could be together. We've talked about that and we know this time is our time. We both feel the presence of God in our lives and I need to remember that God is always there. That when things get frustrating or overwhelming I can turn to Him for strength. I also have a wonderful and beautiful man to lean on now. I am very blessed and those are the things I need to remember when things get bad.

I know where the stresses come from and they tend to overwhelm me sometimes. I also need to find a full-time job come fall. I'm hoping to be hired as a teacher's assistant or a sub with the archdiocese this fall. I could always go back to real estate. So, if you're still out there reading, thanks. Keep me in your prayers too.

Can't promise that I'm back to blogging full time, but this was a heartening news story about a "Father" presiding over the marriage of his son. A man who left the priesthood to marry, requested permission to exercise his ministry after his wife died a few years ago and was presider at his son's wedding.

I've missed out on a lot but I'm kinda hibernating from all the news and all that is going on right now. I'm still teaching catechism, things my change next year, as there might not be a Saturday class, so who knows where that will leave me as I teach the Saturday class. My students make their First Communions tomorrow. I feel like they're not as prepared as last year's class but they know the important aspects of the faith and that should be good enough. My life has changed so much. A year ago, I didn't think I'd be where I am and who knows where I will be next year. It's all good but it's also overwhelming.

One good thing-- falling in love. It's amazing.

I will try to check in from time to time and I will try to post more often.

A Little Black Spot

As Lent is coming up, I found this bit on the Deacon's Bench and it's pretty damn funny. It's also rather poignant too.

I can't believe that Ash Wednesday is next week. As of late, I've been a bit weak and really struggling in my faith. I'm hoping that Lent will revive me as it always seems to do. My students made their First Confessions and I think I've turned the tide with them. Now, to make it to First Communion and we'll be good.

It amazes me how fast time flies. Easter is my favorite season.

Oh Hi...

Is this thing on? It seems that I've taken a long hiatus from blogging. I've been drifting away from matters of spirituality lately. I'm not even sure I'll ever get back that vim I once had for blogging, but I'm going to try because I still need an outlet for my thoughts and reflections. I do have to say that I haven't been keeping up with the general Catholic blogosphere all that much, many of my favorite Catholic bloggers have been quiet and quite honestly, I've been way too caught up in falling in love to pay attention to anything else. :)

I'm finally feeling like I'm making a dent with my students. This year, the children are not as engaged in the sacrament as they were last year. Of course, I don't think I'm as engaged as a teacher as I was last year. Now that First Confessions are coming up, I think all that will change. I have got to go myself. It's been over six months and I've been wanting to go for ages. I've actually refrained from the Eucharist since last fall, when I needed to go to Confession. I think some mortal sins are worse than others and those are the ones which trouble me more than the others. Sometimes, I think what they say about having Catholic Guilt is true. Of course, none of this I want to instill in my children. I want them to learn that Confession is a sacrament of healing and not to be afraid. I was most certainly terrified to go when I was their age. I still get nervous and frightened.

At my parish all the priests know me in some way and I've felt comfortable chatting with them in any situation but now I'll only confess to behind the screen. The children, more than likely, will be making their confessions face to face as we have one confessional that has a screen for privacy. On Saturdays, there is always a line of people waiting for confession but our church has one room. But for the children, there will be a service with individual confession. There should be about 10 priests offering the sacrament, so most will go face to face.

When I was a child, I found that comforting. I also made sure my mom was close by. I also don't know how well prepared I was for my first confession. I don't really remember much from my catechism classes. I don't remember what the sisters names were who taught us. I remember a few songs and learning that we'd be receiving the real Body and Blood of Jesus and that we could not chew on the host. I've never chewed on it since. I remember we got to drink the Blood. My parish always gives Communion in both species.

So, I'm still teaching catechism. My life, meanwhile is a bit unhinged. I was hoping that I might be able to get a teaching assistant job at the parish school, but my resume and messages have gone unnoticed and unreturned. There is a position for an assistant and I hoped I would at least be interviewed, considering I am interested in becoming a teacher in a Catholic elementary school. It seemed perfect, almost divinely inspired. But nothing! I need a career change and so far, nothing.

I can't let it get me down. I can always go back to school. I can always still try to get in with the public schools and work toward my teaching certificate this fall. I just need to start the process.

And one of the things I realized as well, is that while our lives get busy and caught up in the ennui, sometimes we put God aside. Or at least to the bottom of the list. I got to the point where I was barely making it to Mass. Until last week, the last time I was at Mass was the 4th Sunday during Advent. I did attempt Midnight Mass, but fell asleep. My mom and D. were wide awake and me, the night owl, couldn't stay awake so we left.

Meanwhile, my prayer life has dried up, but I'm trying to find my way back. It's times like this when I realize God doesn't abandon us or leave us. He patiently waits for us. And with all that I'm dealing with right now, I'm so glad that He is always there. I believe He brought D. into my life.

Now, all I have to do is open the door and let God back into my life.

Remember Me?

This is a nice post over at the register's site about Jimmy Stewart and psalm 91 and how It's a Wonderful Life has meaning for everyone, even today.

There has been a lot I've wanted to post lately, but I've been so occupied with other real life stuff that I haven't made time to post any thoughts or reflections. I'm also feeling a bit more distanced right now Church wise. I suppose the politics will always creep in, huh?

Still, the last few days of Advent linger and then it will be Christmas. This year, I'm grateful for finding love. Somehow I knew last year that it would be my last year alone (I'm never really alone as I have friends and family) and somehow I'd be with the one I'd spend my life with. It was a strange flash but I truly felt that. I also feel that God has orchestrated bringing this wonderful, loving man into my life. We've known each other all our lives and have crossed paths periodically but the time for us was never right. We have been waiting until this moment. It feels right, it feels comfortable and I'm falling more and more in love every day. One day I'll post more about our rediscovery.

I have a lot to write about. And deep down I know that God has always been there. It's really a blessing to know that.

Just Wanted to Say Hey

At some point, I plan to come back to blogging. With Advent, I almost feel remiss for not blogging. This is one of my favorite seasons of the Church year, how can I not blog. Anyway, I'm falling in love and focusing on my new blossoming romance. We bought a Christmas tree the other day. I've not had a real tree in 20 years or so... the house smells wonderful.

We put up our Christmas Tree the other night. We got about half the ornaments up tonight, (There are 21 days left to get the tree completely done so there is no hurry.) and will finish on Friday.




Me trying to hide under the tree.




Me, David and Iggy.



The redheads on one side and the brunettes on the other. ;)




David, Me and Estrella.

Betcha, he's not what you expected. ;P We're telling everyone we made a pact in kindergarten that one day we'd get together and fall in love. Granted, I don't think we remember each other from kindergarten, but our paths crossed a lot in high school and college, only we never were aware of it. It's actually really pretty neat how our lives were always a hop, skip and a jump away from each other, but we didn't find each other until now, when we were supposed to.

I really am in love. It's sickening huh? ;)

Procession Slide Show

Posting this for someone. Yes... I am still alive. Just happily in love. He went to Mass with me Yesterday. It was lovely. Maybe I'll talk about it later.

A Storybook Story...

Wow... three weeks since I've last posted. Well, I have a good excuse. Three weeks ago today, I reconnected with a classmate of mine from high school and we're really busy now falling into something more than "really Like".

Will keep you posted. Wish I could go to the All Souls Mass at my parish tonight, but I have to teach my class. Meanwhile, it's Kinda a Wonderful Life around here.