Thoughts Along the Journey

Like so many others in our country, the events of 9/11/01 will forever be emblazoned in my mind:  The initial shock of the report that a plane had hit a building in New York City.  The horror of watching live TV as another plane hit the tower adjacent to the first.  The continuing agony as I learned of more hijackings, more downed planes, and the loss of so many lives.  Anguish as people began leaping from the infernos.  Overwhelming grief as hour after hour of coverage unfolded:  firemen and other rescuers dying to save lives, heroic passengers giving their lives to protect others on the ground...and on and on it went.  The angry realization that someone plotted these attacks in the name of honoring God and their religion.  The feeling of unity with our entire nation, as all citizens were called to prayer.  Even in the midst of tragedy, America was at her finest, standing strong against terrorism. But now, fourteen years later, what have...

Well, friends, it's that time of year again.  Our oldest son has begun his second year of college.  Our younger son is in his junior year of high school.  (When I began this blog, they were 10 and 7!)  We're not quite "empty nesters," but are feeling the beginnings of what that will look like.  If you have children, nieces, nephews, grandchildren, or close friends that have children, you can probably relate.  They grow up so quickly.  Those toddler years seem interminable.  Then, suddenly, you're in the teen years and dealing with that new world of raging hormones and roller coaster emotions.  Blink your eyes, and they're turning 18--joining the world of adulthood. Today is the Feast of Saint Monica.  If you're not familiar with her story, she was an incredibly faithful servant of God.  She was a Christian, but for whatever reason was given in marriage to a pagan man named Patricius.  He was a man given to fits of anger, an...

I don't often use this blog for "hot button" issues.  This post has been burning in my heart for two months, though.   ___________________________________________________________________ Take a good look at my profile picture (but not too closely!), and you will immediately realize that I am white, and come from European lineage.  There's a bit of English, German, Scottish, Irish--and probably several other nationalities--blended into my DNA.  I have honestly never sat down and mused on what that means for me as a person.  It is just "what it is." Having said that, my interaction with those of other races was quite limited until after I graduated from high school.  (And honestly, I never really thought of any of my schoolmates as being anything other than that, no matter the color of their skin.)   One of my first memories of encountering an African American child was quite positive.  While visiting a church, the only girl who spoke to ...

The past month has been a busy one for our family.  During this time, our oldest son came home after his first year in college.  Other memorable events: Nine men were ordained as permanent deacons in the Diocese of Cleveland.  This is the first class in five years.  A very exciting milestone in our diocese! Four men were ordained priests as well.  We continue to pray for vocations to the priesthood. My husband's godson received his first Communion.  It seems like just yesterday he was baptized! A young man from our parish received his vestments, as he continues to discern a vocation as a Franciscan Friar Minor.   A young woman from our parish began her time as a postulant with the Children of Mary , a community of nuns near Columbus,  Ohio.   My husband finished his second year of formation as a deacon. Our youngest son is wrapping up his sophomore year of high school. I'm preparing my piano students for our first-ever recital....

Last night and today, our parish hosted a women's retreat.  Our speaker was Father Nathan Cromly , who is a priest in the order of the Community of St. John .  He also heads up Eagle Eye Ministries . The weekend's theme was "The Better Part," taken from the passage in Luke 10, where Jesus visited the home of Mary, Martha, and Lazarus. Without going into great detail, I had passed along the link to the music  of my "journey song."  Our retreat coordinator, Mary, quickly decided it should become the theme song of our retreat. And so, for the first time, I had the privilege of singing it with other women, and hearing their voices join with mine to call on Jesus...to take us, and shape us, as we sat at His feet. In 2006, I had no idea. Wow. Father Nathan Adoration Father Nathan and friends  :o)