Happy feast of St. Dominic, especially to those of you affiliated with the Order of Preachers! (And those of you with O.P. leanings!) Here is the little prayer from our Picture Book of Saints:
O God, let St. Dominic help Your church by his merits and teaching. May he who was an outstanding preacher of truth become a most generous intercessor for us. Amen!
Craig has started teacher orientation again. This summer flew by, especially since we were out of town most of the month of July. His return to work, and my non-return, have raised a number of questions for me again. ”Can we really afford to live on one income? Why did we get such a nice car so now we have those payments to keep up with? Where can I spend a few less dollars? Can I really handle two little girls all day?”
Since my dad starts his chemo tomorrow, I thought it would be a good time to start a novena for him. I picked St. Joseph, since Dad used to teach industrial arts and enjoyed carpentry until he got sick. Maybe in a few months he will be able to get back to his shop!
Here is the novena I’m doing, but I found several others, so if you want to pray any of them along with me I would love the company!
I had been wondering where the burst of cleaning and ordering energy that I’ve had for the last couple of weeks had come from, and I now have a couple of theories. (For two pregnancies I looked forward to the “nesting” phase when I would actually want to clean – it never came. Maybe this is what it feels like!) Freedom from the requirements of a job has certainly helped, since I have hours back in my days with no commute, no papers to grade or lessons to plan, not to mention the time I actually spent teaching.
“Those who love God should attempt to preserve or create an atmosphere in which He can be found. Christians should have quiet homes. Throw out television, if necessary — not everybody, but those who take this sort of thing seriously. Radios useless. Stay away from the movies — I was going to say ‘as a penance’ but it would seem to me to be rather a pleasure than a penance, to stay away from the movies. Maybe even form small agrarian communities in the country where there would be no radios, etc.
I have officially declared June the “Month of Merton” for the sake of my spiritual reading. I was looking for something new to start on when Craig showed up with a pile of free spirituality books, including Pray to Live, which is Henri Nouwen explaining the life and thought of Thomas Merton. I’ve tried a couple of Merton’s works unsuccessfully, so this struck me as a perfect starting place. If this goes well, the Month of Merton may become the Summer of Merton. : ) Quotes and reflections should be forth coming soon, provided I am able to make my way to the computer for any extended period of time. Anyone more experienced with his work, feel free to suggest which book I should pick up next!
My mom will be having both knees replaced this Friday (5/29) at 7:30 AM. Please pray for a sucessful surgery and a speedy recovery! (If you want to leave her a message here, that would be cool. I know it would make her feel better to know there are lots of prayers being offered for her on Friday morning!)
I was on my way to pick up Lucy and go home from work today, when I wandered by the chapel at school. ? (How great is it that I work at a school with a chapel and on-site daycare in the building!) ? I glanced into the chapel and there were four seniors sitting/kneeling there, and one of them had a guitar. ? I started toward the daycare, then turned around and went to the chapel and sat in the back row. ? Not only were they singing praise and worship, but songs that I knew! ? Samantha was sleeping in the wrap (after a fussy spell) and I got to spend fifteen minutes reliving those days at Tulane when we would stay up to all hours singing in the TCC chapel. ? It was so refreshing, and to hear those beautiful female voices was truly holy. ? In fact, it was one of the holiest moments I have experienced in some time. ? I came out of it so calm. ? These girls always manage to be an inspiration to me when I least expect it.
Here’s a challenge for you for next Sunday (or Saturday.) ? I’ve done this a few times, and it can be an eye-opening experience. ? When you go to church, sit near the front. ? (That’s not the challenge–wait for it!) ?
I wish everyone had gotten to hear the homily I heard tonight for the Feast of the Immaculate Conception. Father took us through Mary’s life, from her “Yes” to becoming the mother of God, through a desperate journey to Egypt, through giving up her son to his public ministry, to watching him die on the cross. I had to imagine giving birth in a stable – suddenly a hospital doesn’t look so bad! I highly recommend this as a spiritual exercise, especially for mothers. Put yourself in the Blessed Mother’s place for some of these events. Remember losing sight of your child at the park? Imagine losing him in Jerusalem! Anyone know of a book or web site which does this well? If I can’t find one, maybe I’ll have to write it!
Loyola Kids Book of Heroes: Stories of Catholic Heroes and Saints Throughout History by Amy Welborn
The Desert Fathers: Sayings of the Early Christian Monks (Penguin Classics) by Unknown
The Duty of Delight: The Diaries of Dorothy Day by Robert Ellsberg
The Disappearing Spoon: And Other True Tales of Madness, Love, and the History of the World from the by Sam Kean
