When I write the words Ordinary Time, I am taken back to the late 90s. I have a distant cousin in Nashville, TN who writes her own music, sings and records her CDs in her home studio. The title of one is "Ordinary Time" based on ordinary time in the Church. Marie Bellet is the proud mother of nine children...the last I heard.
The last time I checked she was still at http://www.mariebellet.com/ singing her folksy songs about being a Catholic Mom. I love her music. She is quiet talented.
No Catholics existed in my family of origin--paternal or fraternal. So when my late father's cousin Dr. Ben Williams came back to the old home place looking for Daddy, he was a few years too late. Let me add here that the land my parents lived on and where I grew up had been in our family since 1854, when it was purchased by my grandfather Doc Hayward Williams. He is the connecting dot.
He is my great- grandfather as well as Marie's. Marie's father became Catholic when he attended St. Louis University. (I think that is what it is called.) Anyway it was a devout Catholic school and Ben fell in love with the Church along with a Catholic woman. They were blessed with 8 children.
One of those sons became a priest and was ordained in Rome. When I met him via email, he was back in Rome studying. I managed to go to Rome and meet him for the first time in St. Peter's Square.
The joy of having a priest in the family was overwhelming for me. I will continue in ordinary time.
Thursday, February 4, 2010
Wednesday, February 3, 2010
St. Blaise
How many times I've had my throat blessed on the feast of St. Blaise, I don't know. Not as many as someone who went to Catholic schools I can assure you. The question is: Has my throat been blessed enough? Or is the blessing suppose to be done yearly regardless? I don't know.
What would a priest say? I think I know. I think we are supposed to go to daily Mass as often as possible when we can. At least that is what I learned when I studied the Carmelite way for two years.
I don't attend daily Mass now. Why? My first answer is because I no longer work out of my home. Therefore I don't jump up and get dressed first thing to go to work.
You know how I got to work on time all those years? By going to daily Mass, that is how. I arrived at 7 a.m. or shortly thereafter read from my Breviary, prayed before the Tabernacle and then received the Eucharist at Mass. I was ready for work then and arrived right on time.
Today after years of that schedule, I enjoy being at home. I keep up with current events as much as I can. Call it addicted to FOX News! But I really like knowing the political world. Like right now I am appalled at what is going on in Haiti. I don't know how to link an email yet, but I got one today telling about how the UN is misusing the money they have received.
Finally the computer gets my attention nearly every day. If it doesn't, my BlackBerry catches my important messages.
So St. Blaise on your day, I recall the times I was on the liturgy committee and helped arrange the candles to use for your sacred blessings. The Church is rich with many sacred traditions, and yours is one I admit I am taking lightly right now.
What would a priest say? I think I know. I think we are supposed to go to daily Mass as often as possible when we can. At least that is what I learned when I studied the Carmelite way for two years.
I don't attend daily Mass now. Why? My first answer is because I no longer work out of my home. Therefore I don't jump up and get dressed first thing to go to work.
You know how I got to work on time all those years? By going to daily Mass, that is how. I arrived at 7 a.m. or shortly thereafter read from my Breviary, prayed before the Tabernacle and then received the Eucharist at Mass. I was ready for work then and arrived right on time.
Today after years of that schedule, I enjoy being at home. I keep up with current events as much as I can. Call it addicted to FOX News! But I really like knowing the political world. Like right now I am appalled at what is going on in Haiti. I don't know how to link an email yet, but I got one today telling about how the UN is misusing the money they have received.
Finally the computer gets my attention nearly every day. If it doesn't, my BlackBerry catches my important messages.
So St. Blaise on your day, I recall the times I was on the liturgy committee and helped arrange the candles to use for your sacred blessings. The Church is rich with many sacred traditions, and yours is one I admit I am taking lightly right now.
Tuesday, February 2, 2010
In the beginning...
My first blog thanks to my friend, Hugh!
Many thoughts are running through my head this wintry day, Feb. 2, 2010, the feast day of the Presentation of the Lord in the Temple. Yes, Jesus' parents took him to the Temple when he was of age and presented him to the elders. Oh the delight of the happy couple who knew they were holding God in their arms! And who was it but Simeon who said that now he could rest because he had seen the Christ Child. He knew! I long to know more the presence of God in my life as most of us do.
So many priests have taught me and book after book I have read and yet the insatiable thirst is still there. One I believe that will exist until the end of my days. St. Augustine said it best when he said his soul was on fire for love of God and would not be satisfied until he was with God. I know that holy longing.
I will close with these thoughts as I go about finishing my blog. Here am I Lord. I have come to do your will. Kathy
Many thoughts are running through my head this wintry day, Feb. 2, 2010, the feast day of the Presentation of the Lord in the Temple. Yes, Jesus' parents took him to the Temple when he was of age and presented him to the elders. Oh the delight of the happy couple who knew they were holding God in their arms! And who was it but Simeon who said that now he could rest because he had seen the Christ Child. He knew! I long to know more the presence of God in my life as most of us do.
So many priests have taught me and book after book I have read and yet the insatiable thirst is still there. One I believe that will exist until the end of my days. St. Augustine said it best when he said his soul was on fire for love of God and would not be satisfied until he was with God. I know that holy longing.
I will close with these thoughts as I go about finishing my blog. Here am I Lord. I have come to do your will. Kathy
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