7 Quick Takes (v. 2)

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So first, I have to explain why there was no second week of 7 Quick Takes, or even a link to another one, last week. I've been on vacation now for nearly two weeks and finally am at a place where I have regular internet connection. It's been nice not having internet, seeing family, friends, but it did mean no 7 Quick Takes last week.

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Part of my vacation was the final vows of Sr. Marie Caritas, C.K! What a beautiful day for this Bride of Christ, for the community, and for the whole Church! I'll be honest though... I took no pictures, so I can't share anything like that with you.

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As I prepare for classes this semester, I am getting excited again about youth ministry-- and so following some people on Google+ and on blogs. A friend posted this one and I think it's a good suggestion for youth ministers gearing up for a new school year. It's 48 hours of "retreat"-- more like intentional planning and praying about the future of your ministry. Good thing to do. Check it out here.

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On that note, I would have to also recommend youth ministers block in some weekend, either now or sometime during each semester, for "personal retreat days." No, that's not some title for time to clean your house and do laundry and catch up on things, but not have to go into the office. That's you, going to some cabin in the mountains, some retreat house, some place where you can disconnect from the world, attend Mass, and ideally Adoration, and spend some time in silence and prayer, grounding yourself. I took a day for this when I visited the Sisters in my last two weeks of travels and it was exactly what I needed to begin to prepare for my semester.

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For a good laugh, see the Ironic Catholic's 10 Bad Assumptions, 1 Good Assumption post here.

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Since my photography this week is down to about two pictures taken, and make that in the last two weeks (I know, I've been horrible, but hopefully better soon?), I guess I'll share a photo I saw on a blog that I liked. It really captured the modern architecture and I love the clouds too! Check it out here.

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I found this short post wonderful and moving this week and wanted to share it. Yes, you'll have to link to the blog to get the whole thing though.

There is nothing worse than the groaning of a heart in the dark. It wants but will not have. Speaking without works, the mind cannot (or will not?) comprehend. It is an ache that seeks to consume all. I must learn ...

In Christ through Mary.

7 Quick Takes (v. 1)

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This is not only my first 7 Quick Takes post, but also my first post in nearly a year, so I guess my quick takes will be a brief update of life and a few highlights from this week. Oh and can't forget a couple old and a couple new photographs. After all, that's how this blog first began.

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I came home from the convent in June. Being with the School Sisters of Christ the King for nearly nine months was wonderful--exactly where God was calling me. And now I continue to seek Him and His will.

Here's some previously posted photos of some of the sisters (with links to the original posts):

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Since being home, I've seen family and a number of friends. One highlight of the summer so far: Fourth of July with some of the usual family friends in the evening, but an unusual beginning of the day--walking along side my brother and his band's float in the parade.

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Quotes have, throughout my life, inspired me. I recently finished a set of four, to be hung together, paintings using quotes from some of my favorite people: Pope Benedict XVI, Blessed Teresa of Calcutta, Blessed John Paul the Great, and St. Therese of the Little Flower. My latest favorite quote of Mother Teresa's:

"Let us conquer the world with our love."

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While I dearly miss having Archbishop Charles Chaput here in my home Archdiocese, I am happy for the Archdiocese of Philadelphia and warmly welcome our new Archbishop Samuel Aquila! I have not been able to attend a mass of his yet, but hopefully someday. I loved his words only days after his installation and the tragic shooting in Aurora: "The love of the Father is stronger than the bullets." Check out this article on the National Catholic Register, which includes this quote.

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I have really been enjoying watching the women's gymnastics in the Olympics this week. Congratulations to the USA's team on winning Gold! It's amazing to see what they can do. I also can't help but think of the pressure put on the athletes though. The pressure to perform well and get a gold, coming not only from themselves, their families, coaches, teammates, but really the country as well. Imagine if we put the same effort into becoming saints--our lives, families, country, and world would be completely different!

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It was St. Alphonsus de Ligouri's feast day on Wednesday. In the last year, I have read more about him and read some of his writings as well. One of my favorites is Visits to the Blessed Sacrament and the Blessed Virgin Mary. Filled with wonderful meditations and prayers, I especially like what I read today:

"My Lord, would it not have been enough for You to remain in the Blessed Sacrament during the day only, when You could have someone to adore You and keep You company? Why remain the whole night as well, when all the churches are closed and men retire to their homes, leaving You quite alone? But I understand You. It is love that has made You our prisoner. It is the very great love You have for us that has kept You on earth, unable to leave us either night or day."

In Christ through Mary.

The End of a Family Filled Summer

This summer has been filled with times with family and I wanted to dedicate a post to all of them, from immediate to extended, I love you all and am so grateful for having each of you in my life. God has blessed me so abundantly! It's been amazing to see almost everyone in my extended family over the course of this summer and I am so thankful for the opportunity to travel so much in order to do so.

The first major trip of the summer was to Arizona in May, where I was able to see much of my extended family, even if only for a short time. I was, sadly, sick with a 24 hour bug during part of the time I was there, shortening my time with much of them. But it was still good to see so many of them and visit with my Tias, cousins, and see my Nana.

The next trip of the summer was with my family to Oregon for my cousin's wedding, where my aunts and uncles and a few cousins were able to join the fun celebrations. It was great to do some sight seeing and meet the new family!

 

  

Within a week, Mom and I were off to Minnesota where I saw a friend from BC, and a whole lot of family! From cousins I hadn't seen in years, to my Grandpa and Aunts and Uncles, it was wonderful to sit around a campfire or at Pizza Ranch talking and enjoying everyone's company. It was a beautiful opportunity to see my cousin's newborn twins as well! They are so incredibly adorable and I can't believe how tiny babies are!

 

 

 

Tonight, I wrapped up my summer spending the evening with my immediate family. We enjoyed a wonderful homecooked meal, angel food cake, and fun. It was so fun, I never even took out my camera.


At the posting of this, I will be disabling all comments on my blog and will not be posting anymore... as we leave tomorrow to head to Lincoln! We'll arrive at the Motherhouse and Guesthouse tomorrow night after spending the afternoon with some BC friends in Lincoln. Then Sunday after Mass and Brunch, I will wave goodbye to my parents and head into Sunday's Holy Hour.

"Leaving a place is easy.  But leaving the people who have shaped me with their friendship, opened their homes to me,  and welcomed me into the happiness and sorrows of their lives – that’s very, very hard.  All I can say to them is thank you." -Archbishop Charles Chaput

I will see you in the Eucharist.





May Christ always reign in your heart and in the hearts of all those you meet this day.


In Christ through Mary.

Little Flower Novena: Day 8 & 9

Here is the novena prayers for days 8 and 9.

Day 8

St. Therese Martin, pray for us.