I am now the mother of a teenager

The first week of school is over. The hectic month of August is over. Time to get back to writing.

Within the past month, I have become the mother of a teenager. Logically and physically I know how this event has happened, but mentally I can't understand it. I'm not suppose to have a teenager. I know this sounds really odd, coming from someone who didn't have children until she was in her thirties. I still like to think I can act like I did when I was in college. How can I possibly have a child old enough to be a teenager?

Thirteen years passed along quickly. It seems like just yesterday that we took her to Disney for the first time. She was 2. She was short, really thin and still was shaky when she walked. Today she is over five feet, really thin and has legs that seem to move at one pace, a run. The child doesn't just walk into a room. She bounds into a room, much like Kramer on Seinfeld.

I was hit with a double whammy this month. My youngest daughter, Jane, is no longer a little kid. When I went to sign her up for park district classes, I noticed that she now part of that intermediate level between kid and teen. I'm told she isn't a tween until she hits 10, but all the park district classes begin new age ranges at 9. I don't even have a little kid at home.

I am fortunate that my daughters are good kids, smart and creative. I thank God for them every night. I just hope that I can help them grow up to become good, intelligent and creative adults.

Where is Everyone?

This blog was suppose to be my views on being a parishioner in a Catholic parish. All summer long I feel as if I have no material on which to write. Our parish seems to disappear during the summer. I find it odd. I would think most people don’t take three months of vacation from their jobs. Sometimes, my mind works overtime, and I think that a big aircraft hovered over the parish campus and beamed up all the people in the vicinity. Although, if that happened, I think it would have made the local newspapers.

I’m an Eucharistic Minister. Usually we are assigned to minister one or two Sunday masses during the month. In the summer, I perform the duties of Eucharistic Minister almost every Sunday because the assigned people aren’t present. My daughter is an altar server, she has served almost every Sunday. Neither of us mind serving because we both enjoy participating more fully in the mass. I usually tend to arrive about 10-15 minutes before mass. The last several weeks, there have been only 2 or 3 people in the pews when I arrive. Even right before mass starts, one looks around and wonders where all the people are. Of course, it amazes me that at Communion, there is a fairly steady stream of people coming towards the altar. I’m not quite sure when they arrive.

If you look in our weekly bulletin, there is almost nothing happening in the parish during the summer. There is a sports program for children run by our wonderful physical education teacher. We don’t have a vacation Bible school. July and part of August is about the only time that the Council of Catholic Women takes a break. Although, I forgot the CCW book club is in a couple weeks. Our parish, in general, seems to have given up on any adult education opportunities in the evening for working people. So, there isn’t a lot of opportunity to see others outside of mass.

Doesn’t it seem odd? I don’t remember this when I was a child, but then again summers are different when one is a child. I just wonder where everyone is, and why aren’t I there too?

We did get a new associate pastor, Fr. M. He seems nice. My husband was happy that Fr. M didn’t give a long homily. We have a couple priests who seem to like the sounds of their own voices. My husband is part of a toastmaster’s group and it drives him crazy to hear the poorly put together homilies that run on too long. Even my youngest daughter who has no patience at all in mass (she’s usually asking “Is it over?” about 2 minutes after mass starts) thought the priest was ok. I haven’t met Fr. M yet because nothing is going on at the parish, except for mass. He’s always outside chatting after mass, but now he is bombarded by those parishioners who are big talkers. I’m hoping that once the parish is back to being active in the fall, I will have a chance to meet Fr. M.

New priest

This week we get a new associate pastor, Fr. M. I wonder what people would like to see in an associate pastor. I know I would like someone who can give a decent homily. I would also like to see someone who is open to hearing all people in the parish. I don’t want someone who buys in to the country club atmosphere of our parish. I want someone to stand up when the parish needs help (help in the time and talent sense), and say we need the help of everyone, not just the 40 or so people that the staff feels comfortable asking for help. I want the priest to go out of his way to meet the quieter people, not those who are in your face. I know I am asking for a lot, but there is always some kind of hope when someone new arrives. Of course, I have learned not to expect much.

After Eve

We saw Evan Almighty last week. In it, Evan mentions that Noah, his wife and sons built an ark. I don’t remember Noah’s wife building the ark. Genesis just seems to indicate that Noah’s wife and the wives of his son got on and off the ark. I tend to think that the ark doesn’t get built if left to Noah and his sons alone. There are households like men where the men aren’t particularly handy. Also, the men I know don’t tend to finish projects on a real timely basis. The ark would be about ¾ of the way done and they would come up with the next project. Another of my favorite circumstances during projects is the long discussion about how to do the project. So, I think that Noah’s wives and daughter in laws probably had the task of keeping the boys focused on the project.

Between Eve and Noah’s wife, a couple other women are mentioned. We find out Cain has a wife and she bears Enoch. Later, we learn Lemech has two wives, Adah and Zillah. Adah gives birth to Jabal and Jubal. One is the ancestor of all who dwell in tents and the other of all who play the lyre and the pipe. Zillah gives birth to Tubalcain, the ancestor of all who forge instruments of bronze and iron. Tubalcain has a sister named Naamah. The Bible does not indicate if Naamah is Zillah’s daughter.

Before Noah’s wife makes her appearance, Eve has another son. We also learn that men and women like each other and bear children.

St. Aquilina

What were you doing when you were 12? I was in 6th and 7th grade, going to school, reading books and probably thinking about high school. In 7th grade, I made my confirmation, so there may have been some thoughts about becoming a “soldier of Christ”. When St. Aquilina was 12 in 293, she was condemned for being a Christian.

Aquilina was raised a Christian in the Phoenician city of Byblos (in the modern day country of Lebanon). She persuaded either one or several young pagans to convert to Christianity. Unfortunately, this was during the time of the Emperor Diocletian. The Emperor Diocletian was Emperor during the tenth and final persecution of early Christians. She was brought before the Magistrate Volusian (a great villainous sounding name). When Aquilina refused to deny her Christian faith, Volusian ordered her flogged. She was brought back to the Magistrate. Again, Aquilina passionately refused to deny her Christianity. Volusian ordered her ears pierced by hot rods. Aquilina fainted and was considered dead. Her body was thrown outside the city walls. That night an angel appeared to the still living Aquilina. After gaining consciousness, Aquilina came before the Magistrate again. This time he ordered her beheaded. Aquilina was found dead the morning she was to be beheaded. It is believed her head was chopped off even though she was dead because the executioner feared the governor.

Her body was buried outside the city’s wall. Her relics were transported to Constantinople. Aquilina’s feast day is June 13.

Some sources for St. Aquilina:

• Aquilina the Martyr Saint of Byblos, Lebanon
• Catholic Online
• The Holy Virgin-Martyr Akylina of Syria
• Cederland: Lebanese Saints

I Want Summer Vacation

This is the first week that the kids are off of school for the summer. I spent the prior week whining that I want 3 months of vacation each summer. I even investigated earning a masters degree in teaching. I can’t figure out how to earn one without being unemployed for a period of time (so that’s not going to happen).

When I was a kid, summer meant hanging around with friends, riding bikes, two weeks at a Girl Scout sponsored art program, and reading books. I can handle that for 3 months or so. When I was a kid it drove me nuts, because I loved school. Even now, if I was a student, I could see passing on vacation. But I’m not a student (haven’t been for a long time), I’m just a drone in the office world who wants three months vacation during the summer.

My kids have a different summer than I did. They have things to go to like drama and creative writing camp at a local high school, sports programs at the grade school, one will go to Fencing camp, and the other is venturing off to an overnight camp for a week. Not only that, they are subjected to homework. We have worksheets to do (some from the school, but most from a mom who is trying to improve the grades of a child entering Jr. High). Even if I had to do worksheets, I still would like a summer vacation.

I would love to go to drama camps and sports programs. Even if I had to work ½ a day, just like I was doing worksheets, I’d be happy to pursue other interests in that free time while the sun shines brightly and the wind feels warm upon my skin. I never appreciated summer when I was a kid. I guess it is just another example of something being wasted upon youth.
So, I guess my summer vacation has to be crammed into my weekends. Last Saturday, we went to the Printers Row Book Fair, the Blues Fest and Millennium Park. My kids are finally old enough that we can enjoy these types of outings. Saturday was such a “Chicago summer day”. The only problem is that when you try to cram three months of summer into weekends only, is that it is tiring. I don’t remember being tired as a child. No matter how tiring it is, I appreciate my summer weekends. Now, only if I can somehow be employed in a field that I got three months vacation during the summer.

Coming to be fed

On Sunday, the Gospel reading was about Jesus feeding his followers with 2 fish and 5 loaves of bread. Our priest tied it nicely into his homily by talking about how we come to the table to feed on the body of Christ. Fr. K mentioned that Jesus knew he would have to feed these 5,000 men (and Fr. K also mentioned that woman and children just didn’t count at the time). This fit in nicely with the Feast of Corpus Christi.

Fr. K is leaving our parish soon to become a pastor at a nearby parish. He talked a bit about how he was at his new parish a few weeks ago, and one mass was sparsely attended. Suddenly, he was waking up at night with fears about how he was going to get people in the pews. I don’t think Fr. K will have any problems feeding his parishioners. I realized on Sunday I was seeing a priest who had really matured and grown into his own priest.

Fr. K is from Kenya. He’s been our associate for the past 6 years since he was ordained. I’m sure coming to our parish was quite a big of culture shock and perhaps intimidating. It wasn’t long until Fr. K was a vital part of the parish. Fr. K taught us about Kenya and has helped make our parish more aware of social justice, international and immigration issues. I’m sure we have taught him a thing or two, such as the Italian custom of the St. Joseph’s Altar.

Recently, our parish has gone through some turmoil. It was just my observation that Fr. K wasn’t as happy, as he once had been. I think it also showed in his homilies. He was giving homilies from the alb instead of walking around the center aisle. He was not as animated. Last week, there was a party in Fr. K’s honor. Unfortunately, I was unable to attend, but I heard stories of all those that came to say good-bye to Fr. K. This Sunday, I sat at mass and heard the best homily that Fr. K ever gave. He was back in the center aisle, being personable, and talking to the people instead of at the people. After mass, a number of people waited for a blessing from Fr. K. I skipped the line because I know I will see Fr. K again after he leaves our parish. But this Sunday, I really felt I had seen a man truly grow into a priest. A man may be designated a priest through ordination, but our parish has been fortunate to witness an individual truly embrace the priesthood.

1st woman mentioned in the Bible: Eve Part 1

I haven’t sat down and read the bible since high school (which was many years ago). At that time, I remember reading it in English class as literature (this was in a Catholic school). So, I’ve decided to read the Bible and focus on the stories of the women in the Bible. Lately, I’ve read several historical novel that use biblical women as their main characters. I am not a person who believes the Bible word for word. I tend to see it as literature that may be a written oral history, but much of it is stories to impart a lesson or to support a belief.

So, I started at the beginning. Suddenly there was Eve. Things were nice and good in the Garden of Eden when she let her self be persuaded by a snake. (I imagine a number of women can say that.). I finish reading about how Adam and Eve ate of the fruit of life and realized they were naked. Eve sewed together some leaves to cover themselves. My first thought: Eve not only invented sewing, but she invented clothing. What has Adam been doing until then?

So, God is not happy (understandably). Women are subjected to pain in childbirth and to consider their husbands as their masters. Men are subjected to toil in labor and get food from the earth. I live in a city. My husband has never toiled to get food from the earth. He doesn’t even pick tomatoes off the plants in the garden. Of course, I don’t consider my husband, my master either. Now, why are men no longer subjected to toiling, yet women are subjected to the pains of childbirth?

Have you ever known women who seem to thrive despite obstacles set before them? We all seem to know women who say “Go ahead, throw whatever you can at me, and I will overcome it.” Some people think it is being stubborn, I prefer thinking of it as persistence. Eve is a great example of that. God has told her she will suffer severe pain in childbirth, yet she goes on to give birth. I just picture Eve standing there and saying, “Go ahead God, bring on the pain, yet I will do as you ask and give birth to people.” I’m sure she was much nicer than that, but the whole image makes me chuckle.
I know some will think my view of the readings is irreverent. It’s not meant to be, it really is just the result of a mind that sometimes goes off on a tangent.

New Beginnings

I’ve really let this blog fall off, and that was just after it was begun. My only excuse is that life was busy.

As of May 15, I am done with my term as President of the women’s group in my parish. I served as President for 2 years and Vice-President for 2 years. I never planned to be an officer when I first got involved in the group. I figured I would just help out here and there; attend an event or two. I was just going to be a somewhat active member, but not a leader. I think this is the case of circumstances change or God works in mysterious ways.

I blame my involvement in the women’s group on my children. (Believe me, they are reaching the age when they will blame me for every perceived wrong in their lives, so I can shift some blame to them). Raising girls, and perhaps having been a girl, I am very aware of showing girls that women can do anything. Also, I’m big on the girls taking opportunities that they think they won’t like in order to develop or find some hidden talent. When our women’s group was in need of leadership, I thought the best way to teach my children was to show them. See, it is their fault.

Presently, my feelings on having spent the last several years entrenched as “somewhat” of a parish leader are ambivalent. I’m hoping that I’m not far away enough from my experience to really understand how I’ve grown or to access the skills I have developed. Right now, all I seem to see is how much is wrong. The women’s group is the most active group in a parish with more than 60 ministries. We are more prominent and available than the Parish Pastoral Council. Yet, you get the impression that we aren’t considered parish leaders by the powers that be. I think often we were considered the parish troublemakers. I’ve seen too much politics. I’ve seen a community where men and the little actual work they do is valued much more than women and the work they do. I have seen the odd way volunteers are treated and respected. I’ve seen too many people say they are going to commit to something, exist things are done their way, not follow through and then I had to be prepared to make the event happen. So, honestly I’m frustrated with the politics and the work ethic that exist, and I feel to initiate any change until the hierarchy of the parish changes.

On the other hand, I have met women with whom I would not have a chance to associate. I’ve met older ladies that have caused me to blush with the stories. I’ve met women who own businesses. I’ve met women who have changed careers in their lifetime. I’ve met women who have chosen to stay home with children. I’ve met a lot of women who feel the parish, the Church and religion are a big part of their lives. I have met a lot of interesting people, all with stories to tell. Many of these people have shared their wisdom and experiences with me. I am honored to consider many of these women my friends.

Often, someone ask me what I plan on doing now. I tell them I’m going to just observe from the pew. Many people laugh and insist that there is no way I can do that. I’m about two weeks into the observing period. It’s driving me nuts. I think I have to stop observing and put on blinders. Maybe then I won’t see issues or feel the need to jump up and do something to assist in a situation. Then what scares me even more is thinking about all the people who are sitting there wearing blinders. But, I can now understand why it happens. Now, I guess, the real issue is if I a going to allow myself to wear blinders or to battle the issues.

St. Blase Day

As a child, I can remember St. Blase day. If St. Blase day did not fall on a Friday, each class would assemble in church and wait in a long line to get your throat blessed. It always took place at the end of the day. On Friday the school students attended mass and the blessing took place after mass. As a young child who hadn't yet made first Holy Communion, this was just so cool. You got to walk up to the altar area just like all the big kids and adults. There was some kind of mystery about how this blessing would keep you from getting sore throats. Maybe it was just luck or a self fulfilling prophecy, but I never got sore throats as a child.


This Saturday was the first time I got my throat blessed as an adult. Parishes don't really add a special mass or blessing in the evening for working adults to get their throats blessed. As an adult I have suffered from numerous sinus infections and those are often accompanied by a bit of a sore throat. I happen to be at mass this morning because we had a CCW recruitment meeting afterwards. I was thrilled to be there for the blessing of the throats. The blessing was done after the homily. I didn't have that special feeling I had waiting in line as I did when I was a kid. There was still a big part of me saying "This is pretty cool."

If I'm lucky maybe St. Blase will ward away any sinus infections.

Looking for a transfusion

Recently, I was at a deanery meeting for CCW. In four months, I will be finished with my presidency of our parish CCW. The deanery president asked what I was planning on doing. The deanery is looking for new officers, but this person and I grew up in the same parish, so our families know each other. I told her, "I'm going to just sit in a pew and do nothing like most people in our parish." She looked at me, and said, "No, you're not . That's not in your blood."

I think that is what bothers me, sitting around and being passive isn't in my blood. A lot of things have been happening in our parish lately. None of it is good. I've come to the conclusion that our parish is not very Christian. Believe me, everyone is to blame for the way our parish is acting from parishioners, to staff, to the pastor, to the bishop. I am really at the point, where I want no part of it. I would leave the parish but I have kids in the school, family history and there is a core community of good people. Part of me, so wants to sit and watch the destruction from a safe place. Part of me wants to fight and try to solve the problems. A large part of me is scared, that I won't sit back and not be involved. Instead I'll get myself embroiled in some ministry or project and again it will hurt when things go wary because of parish politics.

So, I need some kind of tranfusion. I need the blood of people who sit back and let everyone take care of them. I realize I am bucking the legacy of my ancestors, but maybe it is time to break the cycle of being an active participant. I need to get over the idea that if I am not helping solve the problem that means I am part of the problem. I've been to more than one spiritual event where the theme is "Yes, God." And we prayer for the wisdom and courage to say, "Yes" when God calls. Lately, I'm beginning to think maybe I need to say, "No" even when I think it is better to say "Yes."

Why We are Like Pencils

Fifty percent of the time, I don't remember anything in the homily by the end of mass (I'm sorry but some priests really aren't speakers). I'm quite impressed when 2 weeks later I can remember a major part of the homily. On January 14th, Fr. Andy gave a great homily at the Boy Scout mass. Since I can still remember the main point, I thought it would be great to share.

Why We Are Like Pencils
1. A pencil is sharpened, and it will hurt. We are sharpened by our experiences and at times it will hurt.
2. The inside of the pencil is important. What is inside of us is what is important.
3. A pencil is useful when in someone's hands. We are in the hands of God.
4. A pencil always leaves it mark. We leave our mark with our actions.
5. A pencil comes with a big eraser. We have the ability to erase our marks and start over again.

I never knew how important a pencil was.

Finding Women's Names

Our church women's group is honoring the women who have served as presidents of the organization over the years. We are fortunate that we have a large and active women's group in our parish. That group has been in existence since the beginning of the parish, although the name has changed. These women have served and a number of them still serve in leadership positions in our parish and community.

Until the last few years, everything the organization did was on paper. I am a computer person. We have moved to a computer system in the last few years. For the last ten years or so, we have been able to track who has been an officer and when. The only way to do that for the 70 prior years is to read through bulletins and meeting minutes. A task which seems daunting. So, I thought I would ask those women who are wiser and more experienced than I what years they served as officers in the organization. No one ever remembers. I'm beginning to think it's like childbirth, they just block those years out of their mind. Just like childbirth, being a leader in an organization has painful moments, but that is often outweighed by the feeling of fulfillment when a service project brings help to others, or the value of the friendships made along the way.

So, while I am amazed that no one can really remember when they were officers, I am saddened that we have several women without first names. Back in the 30s and 40s, women didn't have first names. They were referred to as Mrs. Michael Smith or Mrs. Joseph Jones. I realize it was the convention of the day, but I feel somewhat sad about these unnamed women. Of course, their names don't appear in print either. So, I'm on a quest to find the names of our first few presidents. Unfortunately, the parish database doesn't go back that far. I was talking to one of our older parishioners and she remembers some of the women because they were her mother's contemporaries. She couldn't remember their names either because she always referred to them as Mrs. Smith or Mrs. Jones. That makes perfect sense to me, because moms don't have first names. I'm sure my kids don't realize the first names of some of my associates because they always call them Mrs. or Ms .

I like that my acknowledging these women who worked hard to build an organization and a parish are being recognized. I think many of the women like it also. I've seen several past presidents in the last few days, and they are almost giddy about a night honoring them. It's somewhat of a reminder that we all have a place in history. As I look at the names of women who proceeded me, I wonder what they were like and what was their lives like. It would be interesting to see if there was something all the women had in common besides the willingness to come forward and be a leader.

Vocation vs Job

The deacon at the Epiphany mass also requested that we encourage our children to consider the religious vocations of the priesthood, brotherhood, and sisterhood (Guess what? There is a collection next week for the vocations.). Again, my mind went off down another path. Why aren't we praying and encouraging our children to consider vocations in the ministries such as pastoral associates, liturgists, theologians, directors of religious education, etc. The number of people in the traditional religious vocations are dwindling. Wouldn't it make sense to also promote the lay ministries.

Honestly, I could see my daughters being a pastoral associate or liturgist much more than I can see them as a sister. Actually, I giggle somewhat when I think of my youngest daughter, who really wants to be a zookeeper, as a sister. I guess she could preach to the animals. Of course, this is the same child who argues each week that going to church is boring and there is no way for her to do something like the rest of us. She ends up going to church but she does have a valid point as a 2nd grader the homilies sure aren't geared to her, she's too young to be an altar server or in the choir. Maybe this is where we need to start promoting religious vocations by making the children a vital part of the community.

The other night I had a conversation with a few people in our parish about vocations and careers. Some of our parish staff (and they seem to be the ones in favor with the pastor) will mention how much they work and how little they are paid. I'm around the parish a lot. These people tend not to be around in the evenings or on Saturdays when parishioners aren't at their jobs. Their hours are really flexible especially if something is going on in their personal lives. Parishioners notice these things especially when parishioners are putting in 40-60 hours in the workplace, taking care of families, and then volunteering at the church.

Now, I have a job. I go to work for 8 hours each day and it is over. I knew once I had children that this is how I wanted to handle my work life. I asked one of the people I was talking to, if these professional lay ministers realize that they are in vocations. That in a vocation, you work when people need your assistance and your busy seasons happen to be at the holidays. Everyone participating in the discussion agreed that you know this, when you decide this is the path you are going to take. I worked in a university library. If I remained in that field, I knew that my workday would not be 9-5. I would probably have evening and weekend hours. I knew I would have to be there when students (my customers) would be there. Eventually, I decided I needed another path. That doesn't seem to happen at this parish. If parishioners really need staff assistance, they need to meet the hours of that staff person.

People with vocations are lucky. I realize sometimes they do work many hours and pay could be better. But these people are doing something they supposedly love. They are working in a field where there work does make a difference. Presently, I work in a job, that works better for my young family now. As my children get older, I can see myself changing paths again and going to a vocation. That vocation maybe secular or maybe a professional ministry position, but I expect it to be more personally rewarding than doing a job. And if I get to the point in my life where I do have a "vocation", I hope I remember to make myself available when needed and to offer my assistance rather than wait to be asked.

God's Gift

On the feast of the Epiphany, we got a homily on the importance of vocations. Vocations as in the priesthood, brotherhood and sisterhood. The deacon explained how on this weekend, the Archdiocese of Chicago is sending out the deacons to talk about the importance of religious vocations. This deacon seems like a truly nice guy. He talked about how the Archdiocese has given him the gifts of education, spiritual guidance, room/board, etc. He talked about how being a priest (in his case becoming a priest) was a gift.

Now, while he is talking, I'm thinking about how my mother would refer to someone who thought way too highly of themselves as people who thought they were "God's gift to the human race." My thought patterns tend to take odd little sideroads, so I'm sitting in the pew thinking, "There's the problem, priests think they are God's gift to the human race." It explains a lot. With men thinking so highly of themselves, it is easy to see how their is a problem with the abuse of power in the church. I'm not just thinking of scandals on the international and national level like sexual abuse, but things that happen every day. I see and hear priests order volunteers to do things rather then ask them to do things. I rarely hear priests say the magic words of "please" and "thank you". I know priests who expect you to celebrate the anniversary of the ordination and their birthdays, but these same priests don't respect their active parishioners enough to remember their names and who is in their family. But now, I know why, they are God's gifts to the human race. We seemed to have forgotten that God's greatest gift was a humble person, who served others, treated those who society frowned upon with respect, and who died so we may live.

Church/Religion Everywhere

It's just been one of those days where church and religion seem to pop up everywhere and sometimes in unexpected places.

I woke up this morning and heard a news report about a priest being prosecuted for taking funds from a parish to fund trips. Of course, I'm cynical, and immediately figured it was nothing new.

Then I had to publicize a program night at church that was going to be publicized via email and word of mouth. With December being so crazy with odd deadline for items for the Church Bulletin and all the other things that go with the month of December, I never even got our program night mentioned in the church bulletin. At our parish, it is not an easy thing either to get something in the bulletin. So, I've sort of been boycotting the bulletin also, because I can take the inefficiency of it.

Then after work, I had a drs. appt. I always take a book or something to do because I don't have the capacity to just sit. Right now, I am reading Good Catholic Girls: How Women Are Leading the Fight to Change the Church by Angela Bonavoglia. I put the book down when the doctor comes into the office. I have only seen this doctor 2 times in the last 12-18 months, so I don't really know her well. She sees the title and asks about the book. She was really interested in it. It was odd, because I just wasn't prepared to talk about the church while I was in the doctor's office.

Then I get home, and there are emails about the Girl Scout Religious Medals. Emails from a couple people. I teach a religious medal class and it is turning out to be an interesting experience. I'm sure it will come up in a later entry.

The best thing was that my youngest daughter had already finished her homework by the time I got home. She makes her first communion this year. We had a chance to do a few exercises in her gold communion book. She enjoys doing them and we had to sing Alleluia a few times. It's one of her favorite things to sing.

Finally, I decide to check email one last time, and our pastoral associate was very kind and passed along my email invitation for our program night to a whole bunch of people from both within and outside our parish. Staff at our parish aren't big on encouraging people to attend things unless it is one of their projects. So, it was so invigorating to see someone take an interest and encourage people to attend something.

So, its been a rather busy church life day, even though there was nothing big. Just a lot of small things that came together.

O Holy Family and Feast Days of Obligation

Sunday was the feast of the Holy Family. I wonder if Jesus gave the same look to Mary and Joseph that my 12 year old gives to me whenever I ask a question. The look where they sigh, roll their eyes a bit, but not extremely, and maybe put one foot forward as if they are going to stomp their foot like a three year old. The kind of look that is produced when one asks "Is your homework done?"

As parents, we often struggle with the talents and possible futures of our children. We spend a lot of time (and money) encouraging our kids to find their interests and talents. We monitor their progress. Sometimes we have to give them a little push when we know that they can do something but they hold back. At other times, we have to slow them down, and nurture and develop their talent before they move on to the next level. There are those times when suddenly we witness our children come into their own with their talent. A sense of awe at what the child has accomplished is mixed with the realization that the child and their talent has moved beyond parental control.

Can you imagine how Mary and Joseph felt when they found Jesus in the temple once they got past that immediate fear of not being able to find a child? There had to be that sense of amazement that their child had taken huge step into his future. But at the same time, did Mary and Joseph also have that feeling that in a sense their child had outgrown them, and that they would not be able to protect him. They could be comforting and encouraging, but now the development of the talent was all within the hands of the child. It had to be one of those sometimes harsh moments of reality when you realize your baby is not ababy, and in this case, not even a child anymore.

Now, normally on Jan. 1st, we would attend mass because it is a Holy Day of Obligation. This rather new idea in the US Roman Catholic Church where if the Holy Day of Obligation is on a Monday, then you are not obliged to go to mass confuses and somewhat saddens me. I am more than willing to bet the decision was made based on church attendance and priests shortage. I just find it confusing to say these days are important, but not important if they fall on a Monday. Then I am confused by attending mass on Sunday, and focusing on the Feast of the Holy Family, and the Solemnity of Mary isn't mentioned. None of the hymns were even about Mary. Now, on the other hand, I would have felt bad if the focus was only the Solemnity of Mary and no mention of the Feast of the Holy Family was made.

So, my parish did offer 1 mass this morning for the Solemnity of Mary. I thought about going and didn't go, although if it was a real Holy Day of Obligation I would have gone. Normally, my parish offers 2 morning masses. Today there was only the one. It was at 10 am. Although I was up and even dressed, I just wasn't ready to go out, I was kind of enjoying the fact that I didn't have to get up and go to work this morning. I also wasn't up to dealing with the unorganization that would have accompanied mass. For some reason, our parish really doesn't prepare the added mass for a Holy Day of Obligation (usually they add a 7 pm mass). They don't assign or request ministers of the Word, Eucharistic Ministers and sometimes altar servers. If you ask the priest if they need Eucharistic Ministers, the priest usually has no idea, and they have no idea of how many they might need. It is always up to the ministers to go into the sacristy and check if help is needed. It's weird. Most of the time, it just seems like the attitude is "we added this mass for those of you who can't come in the morning, but we aren't putting any extra work into it." It's not like people don't attend, but I guess we are at fault because we can't make a 6:30 or 8:30 am mass (hard to do if you start work at 7:00 am). I really just need to find if a parish by work does one around the lunch hour. Probably not, I'm sure my parish isn't alone in acting the way that it does.

Happy 2007!