An Ode to a Saturday Morning

It is the first Saturday of Advent and I am sipping my coffee in my pajamas after spending almost 3 hours leisurely reading some great in-depth articles at the Crux, the Atlantic, Sick Pilgrim on the Patheos Blog and just discovered an on line journal called Image.
I recently swore off social media for a while after the election. I took a break from the meanness of the posts that all sides were vomiting out.

It took a day without any duties for me to go deeper and see the redeeming qualities of some of our social media.  If not for the internet I would have never read Pope JP2's Encyclical on the Eucharist.. I never would have found Crux and would have assumed the only media outlet for Catholics was EWTN. I never would have met (virtually) Laticia Adams and her frank talking blog or even read a great GQ interview of Stephen Colbert as he describes Catholic Suffering in a way that makes sense.

I sat down to write this blog not to praise social media but to praise the art of leisure.  I am pushing away the guilt of not being more productive. It is the first Saturday of Advent after all. I should be shopping, cleaning and decorating. At the very least, I should be catching up on work emails and projects.  As I started this blog a pain of guilt ran through me as I saw the Day 13 of my 31 day writing challenge from October sear through my brain and remind me of taking up challenges that I did not finish. (Not unlike cleaning my closet!)  A few weeks ago when I swore of social media. I did so because I was wasting my time on shallow and mean facebook posts that compelled me to respond. Even though I know the shocking adage "Oh No! Some is wrong on facebook." craziness, I fell into it.

My experience this morning of social media was so different... so enriching. Along with the in-depth articles I messages my sisters and a far away friend. I watched a few videos that were only for laughs and saw that a nephew in law was hosting his fellow Olympic swimmer friends in California.

Leisure used to be for this. Catching up on reading the newspaper (when the world had such things) reading a book (the kind you held in your hands) and catching up with friends.  Today it is not so different if I use social media with the same intent. I can do all of those things via my computer and that is what I did today.

It is all in how we use it. Technology is not, in itself evil or driving us into secluded walled off lives; technology can open our doors, enlighten our minds and foster relationships, but we do need a "firewall" of sorts to to keep us out of the virus of negativity.

If you find yourself on-line today... find an unexpected place to go deeper and leave the internet trolls under the bridge.
We also need to sign off and hold a book or newspaper in our hands and talk to friends face to face. It is all about balance.
Enjoy your Saturday!

Morning Pages 31 Day Challenge Day 13

Yesterday I met the seminarian that is assigned to the parish where I work. I actually knew him from before I worked there from when I worked at the Archdiocese. He had come to my rescue once at a time when I was putting together a prayer vigil and Mass at the Seminary for post abortive men and women. I needed some liturgical help and he was right there!
I work at a parish called Mary, Mother of the Church. It is a complicated place to work with a definite history. Sometimes I can be discouraged in my work but this seminarian reminded me of something- Mary.
The church (and not just this particular parish) is entrusted to Mary. Mary wants what is best for her children and she is in a particular way, watching over this particular parish and wants to point them to Christ.
I began thinking of my own consecration to Mary. A few years ago,  I did the 33 day retreat praying and studying about how Mary points us to Christ. A sence of peace comes with knowing Mary is working with you.
I am headed today to New Orleans for the very first WINE:Women In the New Evangelization conference outside of our diocese. By happenstance I will be staying with a wonderful woman I haven't met yet. Judy Klien who wrote a book on intrusting your children to Mary. I have the book but frankly thought this really doesn't apply to me. I was sure that it was written for someone with small children. Now I am wondering if the life lessons she writes about can be applied to my work as well as my adult children. I plan on reading it on the plane.
I also will be staying with Colleen Connell Mitchell - look her up, I love her book. Who Does He Say You Are?
So blessed to be surrounded by such talented women.
I hope I'll have time to write this weekend. I will do my best!

Morning Pages - 31 Day Challenge Day 12

On Sunday I took a break.
I took a break from writing but I also took a break from daily things and spent an extended period of time with God. I just sat and read and reflected and thanked God for the blessings in my life.
It was a retreat. I couldn't afford a whole day. Even though it was Sunday I worked that day (occupational hazard when you work for the church), but I set aside the afternoon to just feel the sun on my face and remember I am a child of God.
It is essential to do this. If we don't remember that we are God's precious children, how will we remember that everyone else is God's children too.
The person who cuts you off on your drive to work. God's child.
The person who wrote you a nasty e-mail. God's child.
The neighbor who mows their lawn at 7:00 a.m. God's Child.
or even...
The candidates in the presidential debate. Yup - both of them are God's children too.

I might need to spend more time with God!

Morning Pages 31 Day Challenge Day 11

Ok, ok, I missed day 9 and 10!
Maybe this blog should be about imperfection.
One of the best book I have ever read is "The Gift of Imperfection" by Brene Brown.
She clearly tracts her own growth to recognizing the imperfections in her own life and that by embracing them, you find joy and happiness.
Being imperfect allows you to:
Grow
Learn from your mistakes
Be compassionate
Rely on humor
Become resilient

Being imperfect allows you to be you!
We are all  imperfect  or as I love to say...
You are unique... Just like everybody else!  :)

Embrace your imperfection!
I am- and please excuse any typos in this blog. I am late for work!

Morning Pages - 31 Day Challenge Day 8

Unexpected Joy

I went to a daily Mass yesterday and wandered into an unexpected joy!
I have made it a discipline to catch a First Friday Mass.
Expecting a regular daily Mass in the chapel, I saw that everyone was gathering in the main church. I also saw the school children in the choir area.
There was a larger crowd than the normal daily Mass crown and it was the Feast of the Holy Rosary so maybe that was the reason for the crowd, but then they announced that it was an anointing Mass.
If you have never been to an anointing Mass, you should go; even if you don't need the anointing of the sick, it is beautiful to see. At a point in the Mass, after the homily, the priests anoint anyone who is ill, having surgery, recovering or because of advanced age is suffering.
You might think that an anointing Mass might be depressing. A bunch of sick people waiting to be anointed, but this was beautiful. After Mass they even had a reception with breakfast treats and coffee!

A little more about anointing of the sick:

In the Church's Sacrament of Anointing of the Sick, through the ministry of the priest, it is Jesus who touches the sick to heal them from sin – and sometimes even from physical ailment. His cures were signs of the arrival of the Kingdom of God. The core message of his healing tells us of his plan to conquer sin and death by his dying and rising.
The Rite of Anointing tells us there is no need to wait until a person is at the point of death to receive the Sacrament. .A careful judgment about the serious nature of the illness is sufficient.
When the Sacrament of Anointing of the Sick is given, the hoped-for effect is that, if it be God's will, the person be physically healed of illness. But even if there is no physical healing, the primary effect of the Sacrament is a spiritual healing by which the sick person receives the Holy Spirit's gift of peace and courage to deal with the difficulties that accompany serious illness or the frailty of old age.
~from the United States Catholic Catechism for Adults | en españolUnless you run across an anointing Mass, many people don't understand it. It was great to have the 5graders from the school there to lead the music. What a great opoutunity for them to see this sacrament in action!

Look today for an unexpected joy. I am off to an expected joy this morning by visiting the farmers market with my daughter.
Ta! Happy Weekend! 

Mornin Pages- 31 Day Challenge Day 7

Ok, this might be one of those days when I have absolutely nothing to say.
Interesting, because I feel the same way in my prayer.
Maybe I will practice silence today and use less words and room for more quiet. 

Morning Pages - 31 Day Challenge- Day 6

I failed.
I was going to spend an hour in prayer yesterday but I only spent 15 minutes.
This got me thinking. What is prayer? How do you pray?
What is prayer?
When I was very new in exploring my faith, prayer came easy. God loves me and I would bask in His love. Distractions, doubts and a busy schedule didn't detract me. Now things seem different. Prayer can be hard for me. Or am I making it hard by my expectations.
Prayer, like Morning Pages, doesn't have to be perfect. It just has to be. It is the discipline of it that is what you need.
Morning Pages, the practice of writing one page every morning, is not for others. I have made that exception with this challenge by posting it. It should be a non-edited stream of thought and if all you can write is "I can't think of anything to write" over and over until your page is full, then you have succeeded!  (Thankfully I haven't resorted to that yet, but the month is young!)
There have been times in my prayer that all I have been able to say to God is "Dear  Lord, can you throw me a bone here. I need something to help me " or sometimes my prayer can be as simple as saying "Jesus, help me believe in you."
It helps me to recall a memory of prayer: recall prayer moments.
Today I will sit in the sun and feel it's warmth on my face and bask in the love of God.

I am a child of God. He loves me. All I do is love him back. 

Morning Pages- 31 Day Challenge - Day 5

At 3:00 yesterday Sister J, who works with me at the parish, reminded me that it was time to recite the Chaplet of the Divine Mercy. She leads it every day. I begged off siting that I was too busy. 

Really! I am too busy to pray. 

What is the quote again?  Everyone should take 10 minutes of prayer a day, unless you are very busy, then you should take an hour! 

I really need to examine my schedule and take a step away. 

When is my sabbath? I think those that work for the church, those whose lives are busy, those who work odd days and hours, those who are students, or parents, or are taking on extra work really need to ask themselves that question? When is my time for God?

Today I will take a Holy Hour. An hour dedicated to just be. To be with God - not to read, study, or write. 

I'll let you know how it goes tomorrow. 

Morning Pages- 31 Day Challenge - Day 4

Ok, it is day 4 and already I have nothing to write about. I slept terrible, I am tired and I am cranky.
Morning pages is about writing in graditude and prayer each day, but it is also about being real with yourself, learning about yourself and growing. Morning pages is also about writing about whatever comes to mind at the moment.

One thing I have learned is that I have to watch my coffee intake. Too much coffee, especially the high octane kind, will wreck my sleep hours later.

I wonder what other things that I do in the morning that wreck things later in the day.
There is a saying, "You got up on the wrong side of the bed."  This's might be one of those days.

I can choose to be grumpy, focus on all of the difficulties I need to work on at my job and begrudgingly get up and go on with the day or I can thank God for a roof over my head, a great family, satisfying work and a life better than most of the world. I don't have to worry about where I will get food, where I will find shelter or how to keep safe.

There is a homeless man living in a van in the parking lot of the church where I work. It is one of the problems I need to work on when I get to work. He has been talking to our pastoral care person at the church. I haven't  met him, but I have been thinking about him. We need to have him move on but as I spoke with the Sister who does our pastoral care, I realize that their is very little we can do to help.

I suppose he is thankful for his van and for not sleeping outside in the elements.

It is all on how we look at things.

Pray for your day, for those you will encounter. Just because you wake up on the wrong side of the bed doesn't mean you can't be thankful for your bed!

Morning Pages -31 Day Challenge Day 3

The trouble with looking on Facebook on a Monday morning is that everyone posts the great things they did that weekend and sometimes I can end up feeling like a slug.
I saw that friends were at the Ryder Cup, went canoeing, hiked in Duluth and one even rode an elephant. It all sounds so exciting!
Sure, this last weekend was great and I posted pictures from the wedding and even wrote about my time with family, but envy  can creep in even when you are having a great time!
Envy is a tough sin for me. I suppose it relates to my need to want to have more. Growing up in a family of six can probably train you to work for what you need and grab it quick before it is gone. Wanting more of something really good is bad when you compare yourself to others. It is also bad when you don't want others to have what you have.
One year for Lent I gave up comparing myself to others.
Gods love is endless and so is his goodness. Why should I limit my love and goodness by comparing it?
Resolve for today: Live in the moment. Love what's in front of you. Don't compare your life to anyone else's.
You are unique! (Like everyone else! Haha)

Morning Pages 31 Day Challenge Day 2

So the point to morning pages is to write every morning before you really do anything else. You are trying to capture your first thoughts in the morning.
The reason I want to combine this discipline with prayer is because all to often I start my day thinking of what I need to do instead of being grateful to God for all I have.
Yesterday I spent the day at my great niece's wedding. It was awesome that they were married in the beautiful church in New Prague, St. Wenceslaus, the church I was baptized.
Being with family really gives me a lot to be grateful for. My four sisters (and one in heaven) have a bond that has grown in different ways throughout the years.
This is always the most evident when someone is in crisis. A few years ago I was having some extrem difficulty through my workplace and was having, what I guess I would call, a nervous breakdown. I took a leave from work to work things out.
I emailed my sisters to let them know and the following week we all met for dinner. It was a different gathering than most of the time we meet. We didn't talk about our kids, but instead talked about our experiences growing up. Birth order, experiences and personalities had all made us view the world slightly differently, yet there is a deep bond that draws us together. Just this one experience with my sisters helped in healing some wounds I was dealing with.
My sister Maureen commented yesterday that we probably only all get together 5 or 6 times a year, if even that much, but the love and support is always there.

Resolve for today- make a point of spending time with those you love; family and close friends near and far.

Morning Pages a 31 Day Challenge

Today I am starting a 31 Day writing challenge. I realized that I have not blogged here for so long, that I had forgotten my log in.
For me, writing is one way in which I pray, so I will be writing my morning pages (a discipline that has helped me write and pray in the past) each day.
Morning pages are about the consistency of the writing habit but it also is about the disipline of prayer.
There are no rules in Morning pages except to write every day!
Wish me luck and follow along.

A little late in sharing this but I want to introduce 

the book I helped publish with Fr. Kevin Finnegan! 

I have a confession to make. Since it is Ash Wednesday, it seems like a good day to lay out the truth.

Here goes: For as long as I can remember, I have never liked praying the Stations of the Cross! I mean I never “got” it. As a child, I remember waiting out the time repeating words I didn’t understand. Later, when I taught physical education at a Catholic school, I jokingly called it “Catholic aerobics.” Stand, genuflect, kneel, repeat.

I suppose, as with other beautiful Catholic devotions I didn’t immediately take to, I needed to explore the stations more deeply and see how God could make them personal for me. And that’s exactly what He did last year.

On Good Friday, my husband and I attended the Stations of the Cross at our parish, Divine Mercy Catholic Church in Faribault, MN. Fr. Kevin Finnegan, our previous pastor, had compiled beautiful reflections from various Catholic authors and saints that fit each station perfectly. My husband and I were in tears at the end of the service. The journey of Christ’s passion, through the stations, finally became personal for me.

The Stations of the Cross are Christ’s journey to the Cross. We follow in His footsteps with each station, and reflect on our own journey through life and the specific trials we have encountered.

After my experience with the Stations of the Cross, coupled with the beautiful reflections Father compiled, I set out on another journey: to share these stations with others. After Easter, I approached Father about the possibility of publishing these stations as a book. Perhaps if I struggled with the Stations of the Cross, maybe others did, too. Perhaps these additional reflections could assist them in growing in their love of this timeless devotion, like they helped me.

Well, I am happy to share that these stations are now available in a book called A Walk of Mercy: The Divine Mercy Stations of the Cross. Inspired by the prayers of St. Faustina, it includes reflections from various Catholic saints and writers, and is a moving devotional for personal or communal use. Along with the stations, Fr. Finnegan gives instruction on how to pray the stations. Also included in the book are striking photographs of the 100-year-old Stations of the Cross from the old German Catholic Church in our community.

Here is an excerpt from Bishop Andrew Cozzens’ foreword in the book:

This Walk of Mercy is meant to draw us more deeply into the merciful love of Jesus. It is meant to teach us that our own sufferings and failings are places of mercy, not places of condemnation. It is meant to show us that the merciful love of Jesus knows no limits. This is what allows us to surrender our whole lives to him: we know the depth of his mercy for us, so we can pick up our cross and follow him. As you pray these stations and meditate on Jesus’ mercy poured out for you, I pray you will be able to say in every circumstance what Jesus himself said the night of his passion, “for his mercy endures forever.”

Thankfully, I don’t hate the Stations of the Cross anymore! And I am recommitted to exploring other Catholic traditions that haven’t penetrated my heart yet. (The key word here is yet.)

This Lent, consider exploring a devotional tradition that has slipped away from our modern lives. Maybe it is the daily Rosary, a particular novena, lectio divina, Eucharistic Adoration, or Stations of the Cross. Maybe it is recommitting to the practice of fasting and abstinence. Maybe it is answering that question, “What are you giving up for Lent?” in a way that allows real commitment to journey with Christ in the desert.

Our Catholic Church is rich in so many traditions, and we are blessed to have God working in our hearts in so many ways.

A Walk of Mercy: The Divine Mercy Stations of the Cross can be purchased on Amazon.com. Proceeds for the book go to the Garden of Mercy at Divine Mercy Parish in Faribault, MN.

For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him might not perish but might have eternal life. (John 3:16)

This Scripture quote is from today's Gospel. One can hardly not know this reading from John. It is plastered on bumper stickers, signs at football games, coffee mugs, and T-shirts. It has been called he most famous Bible verse. It has also been called the "Gospel in a nutshell," because it is considered a summary of the central theme of Christianity.

It takes on as many personal stories and meanings as there are people.

Today, it holds a special meaning as I reflect on these words.

Yesterday was the 23rd anniversary of my own son’s death. At three weeks old, he died of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome, leaving behind his twin sister and his two very broken parents. In this short post, I can’t fully explore what this Gospel passage means to me, but I know that it has taken 23 years to fully reflect on the gift Christ gave me in knowing that Jordan David Wilson did not perish but waits for me to join him in eternal life.

Today, reflect on some aspect of the gifts you have received because you believe in this “Gospel in a nutshell.”

*The above photograph is from the Garden of Mercy at Divine Mercy Catholic Church in Faribault, MN. Inspired by Sharon Wilson, the garden came into fruition by a group of volunteers from the parish. It is dedicated to all who have lost a child, before or after birth. A stone with a child's name can be placed in the garden as a memorial. For more information, please visit Divine Mercy Catholic Church or call (507) 334-2266.

 merry “little” christmas!

By Sharon Wilson

In my husband’s family, we celebrate “Little” Christmas. I have no idea if this is a wider tradition than the Wisconsin Wilson family, but it mostly consists of an opportunity to give a small gift to loved ones.

“Little” Christmas lands on the Feast of the Epiphany—traditionally January 6 though celebrated liturgically last Sunday.

From my vantage point, I think it is a tradition made up by my mother–in-law so that she could give the gifts that she had forgotten to give on Christmas Day. These gifts were most likely purchased in July and hidden under the bed until Christmas. But in the bustle of wrapping a multitude of gifts, they were missed.

The Feast of the Epiphany is the celebration of the Magi reaching Christ in the manger.

And behold, the star that they had seen at its rising preceded them, until it came and stopped over the place where the child was. They were overjoyed at seeing the star, and on entering the house they saw the child with Mary his mother.

—Matthew 2:9-11

The word epiphany is also used when we have an experience of sudden realization. Realizations, like Isaac Newton’s “discovery” of gravity by the falling of an apple, are characterized as an epiphany. We hear these words used so differently—epiphany as a realization and Epiphany as the celebration of the Magi—we sometimes forget that they are related.

Psychologists have studied the process of innovation, and despite the idea that an epiphany comes “out of the blue,” they have found that epiphanies are generally followed by a process of significant thought about a problem. Often, they are triggered by a new piece of information, but a depth of prior knowledge and effort is required to allow the leap of understanding.

Applying this to my spiritual life, I think about all of the epiphanies I would like to have infused into my brain. Some mysteries of the Catholic faith are harder for me to understand, and though I accept them on faith, I long to have a clearer understanding of the mysteries of the Trinity or the Eucharist. I have had a few “eureka” moments, but like the Magi, who sought long and hard to find Christ, I need to put the effort into it.

The Feast of Epiphany is a time for me to reflect and recommit to the life-long study of our faith and maybe, like the long forgotten gift under the bed, an epiphany will come as a welcome gift to be shared with others.

Today, pick an aspect from our faith to study. Or recommit to Bible study or prayer time. Like the Magi, we should search long and hard for Christ every day. We just may find that the gift we seek was under the bed the whole time!