When God Lowers the Kneeler

I don’t know about you, but I am fully prepared to petition that the month of February be officially removed from the calendar (sorry those of you with February birthdays!). One needs a lot of endurance to make it through February sanely. Though teachers can get a lot of work done during the month, students are struggling to stay with the program-even the ones who agreed to it in the first place. For me, one crazy thing happened after another, and though most things in my life were in place, it felt like anything but. 

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Keep Your Eyes Open

I’ve always been one to hope for miracles. When my godmother, Betty Lou, passed away, I was left a little gold-colored bean bag angel holding a star that says “Expect Miracles”, and after looking at it every day, I guess I’ve begun to.

A True Disciple of Christ

This past Sunday I was at a loss for words. I learned that the assistant principal of my grade school, Mrs. Susan Ponder, passed away that morning. For those of you who have never met this wonderful woman of God, she was the epitome of our school mission long before we stated it. At St. Joseph Cathedral School, the students recite in their sleep: “We will be disciples of Christ and fishers of men.” With the example of Mrs. Ponder, we are certainly on our way to doing just that. 

Parce Domine (Spare, Lord)

Can it be that Lent is upon us so soon? I know that I, for one, am not ready. Though I am ready for Christ’s triumph, I am steadfast in my complacency and my sin. Change my ways? Ehh, better not. I will, however, vow to not eat sweets and work out three times a week, because “giving up” and “adding” things will help me reach my goal of a smaller weight!

Though I have never taken part in Lenten work-outs, I have given up sweets in the hopes that it will lead me to a better lifestyle; and while neither of these are always bad things to do for Lent, we must do them for the right reasons (ie; not because you want to lose weight!).

Catholic Education Appreciation Post!

What a wonderful liberty it is to be able to write such a title! In a world that still struggles so greatly with religious persecution, I feel so blessed to have not only grown up within a huge community of faithful, but to have received a formal education within that community as well. 

A Holy Pilgrimage, Part 3

I am at a loss for words over what I have experienced this past week. The president of my high school, Father Jones, told us many times that this was a mission trip of witness rather than service, and that it is just as important. Our main contributions were physical presence and prayer, and though it may not seem like much, I feel in my heart that it was. 

A Holy Pilgrimage, Part 2

Wednesday we traveled to the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum. The purpose of the group going there was to be reminded that all human life is sacred, and that man has power to commit horrible atrocities to fellow man. The museum itself is a beautiful remembrance of something that is so prevalent in human history, but to me it represented so much more. 

A Holy Pilgrimage, Part 1

Today I am journeying to Washington D.C. for the 2015 March for Life. This morning we had a Eucharistic procession through our town to the Cathedral, where Bishop Gaydos generously said mass for us. Now we are on the bus, passing the time with prayer and anticipation of the joy to come.

I would like to share my journal entry from today with you; it is written to God through the intercession of Blessed Anton Martin Slomsek:

                                          January 20, 2015
Dear Blessed Anton,
       We’re off! Today in his homily Bishop Gaydos told us: “Stand up for life. Stand up for justice. I am proud of you all. God bless you!” What fuel for this pilgrimage!
        He talked about how the media has in the past and will continue to keep silent about this holy pilgrimage. To them, we are not here. This saddens me beyond belief, but does not dampen my spirit. I will stand my ground and march for what I believe in until someone takes notice. We are not fighting a losing battle.
        According to the Guttmacher Institute, 205 abortion restrictions were enacted by the United States from 2011 to 2013, in comparison to only 189 enacted from 2001 to 2010!
         This journey will not be in vain. I am so excited to see what it will bring, though I know it may be difficult. Please turn my suffering into salvation.

                         Love,
                                  Maura Clare

The Cotton Ball of Sin

If you’re looking for a sign, this is it. Growing up at a Catholic grade school and then attending a Catholic high school, I have seen many, many signs for vocations awareness. I have heard talks from priests and religious sisters alike, and have been encouraged by many to pursue a future in vocations. What was never really explained to me, or any of us really, was that matrimony is a holy vocation as well. We heard a couple of talks later on in our education from beautiful people who were following the vocation to marriage, but is always seemed emphasized that to live a truly holy life, you must give everything to God, and that didn’t seem to be possible in marriage.

With all of the emphasis that the Church must put on vocations to the religious life, I found myself lost in what God actually wanted me to be.

Bring Us Living Water

As Catholics, how often do we ponder our own baptism? For many of us, it was long before we could remember, and that seems to hide it from the forefront of our mind. The Church explains to us that Baptism is necessary for salvation. This is why you must be baptized to be ordained or even to be married in the Church. At Baptism we are given the key to the gates of Heaven, and that is not something to be taken lightly.