Wednesday, March 7

Freaking Out

I know it has been far too long but some system settings changed my access and well it is really hard to get on the computer in the evenings. 

Anyway, I have been really really really busy which is good.  I am still volunteering a lot at our rectory.  I still love it.  I am taking some Catechetical type classes.  I need to get back to reading the bible but I am still reading a bunch in regards to my Catholic faith.

What has been difficult is the more I get involved with church the less my husband wants anything to do with it. 

I am freaking out though because word came down today about the bishop's closings being reversed by the Vatican.  I don't think they will affect us too much but so many things are back up in the air.  I know change is hard but the more you fight it the harder it becomes.  And personally the change we went through already has been the best for me.  I really don't want to lose some of the people I have come to love.

BTW - when did this format change?  I think I like it.  :-)

Monday, November 21

Touched

It is amazing how one person can touch another person's heart at any given time. 

I like to believe I touch other people in ways that is beneficial to them but I know there are people who touch my heart. 

In our times of greatest need you really find out who will stand by you.  Through thick or thin.  And people who will love you unconditionally.  And sometimes the people that you think will be beside you in your worst moments are not the ones who actually do it.  It isn't an easy thing to stand by someone at their worst.  Sometimes our self preservation is at war with standing by someone else.  And when it comes down to whether or not we will be there for someone else sometimes simply boils down to can we live with ourselves while being there for someone else.  Sometimes these are not easy questions or answers.

If you had to count how many people love you unconditionally, how many can you come up with?  For me I would say 2 maybe 3.  But my answer for how many people I love unconditionally is probably the same number.  Funny how love works. 

And if someone makes a mistake should they be persecuted for the rest of their life?  If someone can so thoroughly forgive the murderer of their son should someone who makes financial mistakes pay a higher price?  Or can they both be forgiven. 

During this week of Thanksgiving I am reflecting on so many of these ideals.  And I am giving thanks for the many blessings I have.  I have one less person who loved me as I loved him unconditionally in my life this year but I am still thankful for the 41 years 9 months and 2 days that I had my grandfather with me.  I miss him terribly but he will always be in my heart.

Thursday, November 10

Connections

Did you ever feel a connection with someone?

Did you ever wonder if they felt it too? 

And I don't necessarily mean romantic connections.  Just that feeling like you and another person have something special. 

I was listening to my favorite show on the Catholic Channel on XM radio yesterday and they have a priest who is one of the hosts and this subject came up.  The other host asked the priest if this is talked about in the seminary.  And how are they instructed to handle it.  He had said he heard that priests will fall in love with someone every 10 years.  Father said he didn't know about the every 10 years part but in the seminary they definitely go over how to handle being attracted to women or even feeling a special connection with someone.  Basically it is OK even though they can't do anything with those feelings.  I wish I could have heard the whole conversation.

I guess I hadn't really thought about it from the priest's perspective.  Many people probably adore them for many different reasons but what makes a priest feel a connection with someone else.  And I would have to think in so many ways that has to be hard to handle.  And sadly I can see many women thinking the collar is no deterrent.  Boy, I wouldn't want to be a priest having to deal with over jealous women.  :-)

I know a couple people who used to be either a nun or a priest but I am not in the position to ask why they left.  Although, both are married. 

The question still remains...

If you feel a connection to someone how do you know if they feel it too?

Monday, October 31

Happy Halloween

This is going to be another crazy day/week for me.  I feel like everyday I am just trying to meet that day's deadlines.  I know there are more deadlines looming but I can't even think about them unless they are due TODAY.  I am trying to get a grip but so far not so good.

So today's post will be short and sweet but not before I leave a funny observation I have had over the past couple of weeks or so.
-- Just because someone works in a church it doesn't mean they don't talk smack about each other.--

The drama and back stabbing is amazing.  And they all confide in me.  Another funny thing that was said to me is that one of the rectory volunteers was told by the secretary that I know Father better than the secretary does.  How would that even be possible.   That is very funny to me.  And sadly may be true.  I think they are a bit scared of him.  Which again is funny to me.

Anyway, that is all I have for right now.  Sad I know.

But Happy Halloween!!!!  (that is also causing me drama but I will wait to see how it plays out before I share).

Thursday, September 29

Vacation

Sorry so much time has passed but I have been busy. 

Let's see, I spent 9 days in Disney which was awesome as usual.  I just love it there.  This time we ventured over to Universal and that was good and it was cool to see the new Harry Potter area but I don't feel the need to go back anytime soon.  They just really missed the mark.  They had the chance to make that the most amazing thing but they didn't make it big enough.  It gets soooooo crowded you can't even see anything or enjoy yourself.  The little shops and restaurants are elbow to elbow with just a few people in them. 

My daughter fell in love with our waiter at the Crystal Palace, though.  He was just so nice and good to her and us.  His Australian accent didn't hurt anything either.  She even said he was one of the best parts of the whole vacation.  I want to write a letter to them to tell them how good he was. 

Since getting back things have been crazy busy (although when aren't they).  I am trying to get everything caught up so I can start reading my daily readings and the Bible again.  It is making me antsy not having the time to do those things.  All is still really good with my volunteering at the rectory still.  I am grateful for that.  Even though there are a couple things that I find mildly frustrating I still love it.  My biggest thing is I just wish I could run with the projects and not have to wait on a staff member to try to coordinate when that staff member is dragging their feet a bit due to either no time or lack of focus.  It just puts me in a bit of a difficult spot when the pastor is looking to me to get it done.  I just don't want to step on any one's toes.  I just need to figure it out and go from there. 

Ok.  I need to get some more stuff done.  Hopefully, I will be able to check back in sooner.  :-)

Wednesday, August 24

To Vent or Not

I am not sure how I can go from a post about inspiration to a post about venting but it seems that is what I may do.

I have been told in not such a nice way that I am different.  I don't think I am.  The only thing I am sure about is that I have less patience for people being mean or unsupportive to me.  And I am spending a little time (maybe on a busy week 2 days totalling 4 hours or so away from home) volunteering.  The rectory has really become my happy place.  It is quiet and people are nice to me there.

The only things I am not doing at home as often are cooking dinner and sitting and watching tv with the other people in my house.  Keep in mind I don't usually cook much during the summer anyway and only a few times a week the rest of the year due to other activities. 

I did have a major event in my life take place this year and that has profoundly affected me.  Not that anyone besides my sister understands this.  But people don't like to hear that you are unhappy or miss someone who passed away.  They just want you to act happy.  And for the most part I am happyish but it still affects me.  I feel at peace when I am at church.  I feel closer to my grandfather when I am volunteering at the rectory.  It is something he did and something I don't plan on giving up.  It is something that I can carry on for him and hopefully teach my daughter it is good to give back.  And as it turns out I am getting way more out of it than I am giving which is a great bonus.

This Friday we are having a memorial service for my grandmother-in-law who passed away several years ago but my mother-in-law just recently got her ashes back from California so she can bury them and fulfill her mom's final wishes.   I am hoping and praying I handle it well. 

I guess this was a vent post after all.  Although, there is so much more I would like to complain about I think I will keep myself in check. 

On a fun note, we have had so much excitement at work.  Movie stars and explosions.  I can't wait to see the movie next year!

Wednesday, August 3

Inspiration

I am working on gathering responses to a list of interview questions I sent to all of the staff at our parish.  Since I am trying to maintain the parish website and Facebook page I am going to use their answers to post on both of those sites.  Staff bios and information was non-existent before this project.  Plus there are quite a few new faces around. 

Out of about 9 that I sent I have gotten 3 back so far.  And the answers are all so very interesting to me.  Most of them had the same or similar questions to each other except for Fr. and the new principal who is a Sister.  They had extra questions surrounding being a priest or nun.

One of the questions was what do they find inspiring.  And while I thought I may have a small idea of one of the ways this question would be answered I have to admit the actual answers have given me things to think about and have in turned inspired me.

What do you find inspiring?