After the Rain

The many shades of green from the Master's palette.

~~~^j^~~~

Thanks be to God!

Patron Saint's Day

Saint Catherine of Siena
Photo by Lawrence, OP

I have the privilege of being named after Saint Catherine of Siena. Today is her feast day and every year I am again pleased to remember this woman of God was chosen for me by my parents. She was gifted in many ways. I'm proud to be "Catherine."

"Your neighbors are the channel
through which your virtues are tested
and come to birth...just as those
who are evil give birth to all their vices
through their neighbors."

Catherine, born in 1347, was 23rd child (a twin) of Jacopo and Lapa Benicasa of siena. When she came of age, her parents wanted her to marry but she insisted that she was betrothed to Christ. In anger, her parents insisted that she act as a servant to the rest of the family. Finally, her father relented and she was allowed to follow her mystic calling. She did not become a nun but joined the Third Order of St Dominic.

Catherine is famous for her Dialogues (written accounts of her revelations from God) and her Letters which initially gave spiritual instruction and encouragement, but gradually began to deal with public matters. Many of her letters were directed to popes, kings and othe public leaders.

These were the days of the Avignon Papacy, when the pope and his staff had moved from Rome to sourthern France. Catherine not only wrote to Pope Gregory XI, respectfully chiding him for leaving Rome, but in 1376 (she was 29 years old) visited him in Avignon and did the same.

Catherine died on this date in 1380 at the age of 33. In 1970, Pope Paul VI declared her a doctor of the Church.

The Little White Book

~~~^j^~~~

Thanks be to God!

Praise God!

Iris
April 26, 2009

For the Praise and Glory of God!

~1 Praise him for all thing bright and beautiful

~2 Praise him in the laughter of the children.

~3 Praise him in the dignity of the elderly.

~4 Praise him in thanksgiving for the opportunity to serve.

~5 Praise him for the ministers at his alter.

~6 Praise him in all things for he made all things.

~~~^j^~~~

Thanks be to God!

If you have reason to praise God, join us at Jennifer's house, My Chocolate Heart to add to the joy, wonder and glory of God.

ET First Look: 'Monsters vs. Aliens'!

This was just soooo much fun. We went to see it last night and had a grand time. It was entertaining and I was awed by the realism. Thank you, Neil. Grandpa and Grandma were glad you came to stay, because we got to see this movie.

Crazy Eight

I was challenged by Sarah at Journey of Truth to Jump in with both feet. Well, here is my """Splash"""

8 Things I'm Looking Forward To:

*1 Watching Neil play soccer today.
*2 Going to INDY to see Ainsley and Lindsey play soccer (do you see a pattern here?)
*3 Going to Charlotte in June to visit David, Kelly, The Boys and Maddie.
*4 Visiting my mother, Phil, Deb and Megan in July
*5 Visiting Linda and Norm in July, too. We're not flying this year. We're driving from here to MT and home through CO or.....maybe the other way.
*6 Finishing Laura's birthday present.......4 years in the making a Counted x-stitch (red faced!!!!)
*7 The CAJE (Congregations Acting For Justice and Empowerment) Annual Assembly meeting 4/30 at St Benedict's Cathedral.
*8 OH! Watching Kellie perform in OKLAHOMA in July...(July is a busy month!)

8 Things I Did Yesterday:

*1 Played Scrabble with Dot
*2 Worked
*3 Worked on the Laura's counted x-stitch
*4 Watched Murder She Wrote rerun
*5 Had lunch with girls at work
*6 Said "good-bye" to Christine, the office manager, who was leaving us after 10 years. [sadness]
*7 Visited my blog neighborhood.
*8 Thanked God for the opportunity to share time with others.

8 Things I Wish I Could Do:

*1 Swim
*2 Play the harp with skill...and motivation to do so.
*3 Visit Ireland again soon.
*4 Add subtract, multiply and divide.
*5 Volunteer more time in service
*6 Meet Jenelyn our sponsored child through CFCA
*7 Visit all the kids more often
*8 Sew. My mother is a gifted seamstress and I was passed over with that gene.

8 Shows I Watch:
*1 NCIS
*2 MONK
*3 Journey Home (EWTN)
*4 Masterpiece Theater
*5 Numbers
*6 Murder She Wrote [reruns]
*7 Matlock [reruns]
*8 TCM


8 I name to carry on the tradition:

*1 Lisa at Are We There Yet
*2 Suzy at Sailing by Starlight
*3 Lisa at Unexpected Journey
*4 Marcy at Blessings Each Day
*5 Danette at A Crocus in the Valley
*6 Tracy at Catholic Mom in Minnesota
*7 Eileen at Eileen on Him...at least, I try!
*8 Kelly at Musings


I would add here that if any of the above have already done these please link so we can read them. And all others who wish to jump in the water with us, know the water is fine!

~~~^j^~~~

Thanks be to God!

Must Reads For All Mothers...

As a young mother and recently graduated nurse I felt that mothering was right up my alley. Snuggle, nurtured, bathe, babble, reprimand, educate, snuggle, hug, read, play, snuggle, nap, color, teach, cuddle, it was all in the texts I had read. What I failed to read or chose not to grasp when I read these books about mothering was the anger, sadness, frustration, self-pity, and used feelings that "mothering" can manifest. Then I "met" Erma Bombeck in her books. As the saying goes, "Laugh, I thought I'd die!" I needed to be told that a mother needs, AT THE TOP OF HER LIST OF SKILLS, is a Sense of Humor. Erma Bombeck offered me that! It was a lesson that has given me strength on many occasions and helped me to realize that life it too short not to laugh at every opportunity!


DID YOU KNOW...

When Erma Bombeck graduated from high school in 1944, she was determined to go to college and become a successful writer. She enrolled at Ohio University, but her future as a writer seemed bleak. Articles for the college newspaper were rejected, and she struggled to pass freshman composition. Discouraged, she enrolled at the University of Dayton.

Brother Tom Price, faculty advisor for the university magazine, invited here to do some humor pieces. Erma gave it a try and one day Brother Tom turned to her and said three key words which changed her live: "You can write."

Upon her 1940 graduation. Erma got a job at the Dayton Journal-Herald where she launched the career that would make her famous. Her column, based on her experience as a wife and mother, eventually spread to 900 newspapers.

While at the University of Dayton, Erma converted to Catholicism.

The Little White Book

~~~~~

In her humor she taught me a lot about mothering. And LAUGHING is so good for one's health. I learned not to take myself so seriously! Please. If you don't do another thing, go to your local library and get one of her books. Look for: If Life Is a Bowl of Cherries, What Am I Doing in the Pits?; Family--The Ties That Bind and Gag; The Grass Is Always Greener over the Septic Tank. These books were passed around from mother to mother and when I got my copy back it was warn and tattered, but all of us mothers greeted each other with smiles and could say, "I've been there." And then laugh heartily!

~~^j^~~

Thank you, Erma Bombeck
and especially
Thanks be to God!

Imagine My Surprise!

The Pieta
Basilica of Saint Anne de Beaupre
Quebec, Canada-2003

"Christ delivers us from death;
come let us give thanks, alleluia!"

As I read my morning prayers this morning before Mass in the Magnificat the first words I read were "Christ delivers..."

My goodness, indeed he does deliver. Everyday he is delivering. But are we there to receive the delivery?

This delivery from death takes many forms. Ten years ago I was "dying" in my job. I had a very difficult employer. I, however, in my imminent wisdom was NOT going to allow her to defeat me. I kept this stance for 18 months. I was in a constant state of "alert" never quite knowing what each day would bring. One day I was the best nurse she had ever had or or the next day I would be reprimanded for something she considered I had done wrong. I lost 15 pounds, but I would not surrender to her.

I believe the Holy Spirit intervened, however. I found there was a position available in another clinic for a half-time nursing position. Did the math and found that taking a 50% cut in pay could be managed. I applied and was offered the position. This was only the 1st step in that Special Delivery, for I had only been at work there a shore two weeks when one of the nurses came to me as said she had found a position elsewhere, would I consider taking her position if it was offered to me. IMMEDIATELY I was immersed in a wash of serenity and giddiness that I cannot even begin to describe in words. When she left me I wept for joy! You see, without even asking Christ had delivered! He probably would have delivered sooner if I had just swallowed that silly pride I had, but I suspect this is where has wanted me all the time.

He is a God of Providence. A God who delivers! I have been in this position now for 10 years. As in any place of employment there are ups and downs, but there is no other place I would rather be.

From my death through pride he brought me to life in a place where I could be of value to others without fear of reprisal or self-doubt.

~~~~~

How has Christ delivered for you?

~~^j^~~

Thanks be to God
and
Christ who delivers!!!

Covenent Reminder

My first rainbow of the year! Isn't it glorious. God is good all the time...Yeah!!!!

~~~^j^~~~

Thanks be to GOD!

Praise God!

All the things I have to praise the glory of God for today. And it's only 5:45 a.m. Imagine what the day can bring!

~~1. The beauty of the shades of green this spring day brings.

~~2. For Mr. and Mrs. Cardinal as they were out gathering to build their nest.

~~3. For Kellie as she begins her new adventure in the genre of the high school musical to be performed this summer, Oklahoma.

~~4. For the power of prayer in my life.

~~5. For friends who gather weekly to share the wonder of God's word in Bible study.

~~5. For the support of a wonderful husband and helpmate.

~~6. In PRAISE of this Glorious Day!

If you have reason to praise God, join us at Jennifer's house, My Chocolate Heart to add to the joy, wonder and glory of God.

~~~^j^~~~

Thanks Be To GOD!!

Praying with St. Paul...

One of my favorite Scripture verses is the topic of the reflection in Praying With Saint Paul edited by Father Peter John Cameron, O.P. There is comfort in this and reassurance in the workings of the Living God.

Baby Talk

by Father William M. Joensen

There are different kinds of spiritual gifts but the same Spirit;
there are different forms of service, but the same Lord; there are
different workings but the same God who produces all of them
in everyone.
[1Cor 12: 4-6]

Good babysitters and daycare personnel come at a premium these days. There is something gifted about the person who can overcome the sadness and fear experienced when mom or dad drops a child off and steps away. Part of the task is to redirect the child's attention to something colorful, curious,entertaining in that moment--some partial good that can distract the child from his or her own sadness, the awareness of the absent good. There is something charismatic about the manner of a worthy babysitter, the creativity of a devoted daycare provider. Who they are is not a diversion, a surrogate, but a participation in--a reference to--the love and presence of the parent. Trust and peace are engendered not simply in the learned awareness that mom or dad will return at the end of the day; rather, because the caretaker allows the longing for reunion to be a source of expectation, hope, and joy.

The Spirit is no surrogate, but the alter ego for Christ's activity of mutual service, secure belonging, and enduring presence. The Spirit does not level difference into an uninflected monotone, but parses and punctuates gifts for the good of everyone who is to produce and partake in the varied activity of Spirit.

The one who seek to fill himself first ends up only being full of oneself. In contrast, our primary work is to be an ongoing refraction of the Spirit's sufficiency. We communicate the tenderness of God who is always present as parent, lover, friend. We realize that no one is meant to be more that a heartbeat away from the cadence of God's compassion, the embrace of mercy. Child of God care is the consecrated service produced in everyone generated by god--the God whose sameness is not something profane, but the point of departure for diverse gifts to be expressed.

Spirit of the living God, your presence wells up in me as I will to witness on your behalf. Endow me with strength; counsel me with creativity and insight; grace my gestures and speech with your gentleness and love. do not abandon me, but draw me ceaselessly into the company of the Father and the son, the same God now and always.

~~~~~

And the reassurance of a Loving Father that God is the same now and always. For what more could we ask?

~~~^j^~~~

Thanks be to God!