Advent Day 2

The second chapter of Luke tells us the very familiar story of Mary and Joseph traveling to Bethlehem. Mary gave birth to Jesus in a manger because there was no room at the inn and he wore swaddling clothes. The shepherds are visited by the angels and told of the birth. They went to Bethlehem. 

Jesus was named and then presented at the temple. Simeon, inspired by the holy spirit, recognizes the Christ child, blesses God and then blesses Jesus's parents.

Jesus grew up in Nazareth.  After the Passover feast at Jerusalem the year Jesus was 12 years old, he stayed behind when his parents returned home. The first night they realized he was not with the group and returned to Jerusalem. After searching for him, they found him in the temple. Jesus said to them .."did you not know that I must be in my Father's house?"

Upon their return to Nazareth, Jesus was obedient to his parents. And Mary "kept all these things in her heart" - most earthly mothers would understand this. Jesus grew up and gained wisdom. 

This chapter covers the period of Jesus's life from birth to adulthood. Not much else is known except those events described here. Nearly everyone I know wants to know about those formative years that are not chronicled for us. However, I like to think that those events not told at the ones Mary and Joseph kept in their hearts - special, private, and not for public consumption. 

Advent Day 1

I am going to try to read the Gospel according to Luke (read here on the USCCB site) this Advent - 24 chapters, 1 a day from now to Christmas Eve.

In chapter 1, we read about the foretelling of the birth of John the Baptist to his elderly parents Zechariah and Elizabeth. What a wonderful surprise for both - although Elizabeth had a fairly peaceful nine months because Zechariah did not believe the angel Gabriel when he was told this would be happening and was struck mute!

And then Mary, a virgin betrothed to Joseph, was chosen to birth the son of God! What an exciting and terrifying time for her. When the angel Gabriel announced this to Mary (called the Annunciation), we are all indebted to her for saying "yes". Without her consent, our world would be very different. Thank you Mary, our Blessed Mother, for consenting to this great responsibility and world changing birth. The "Canticle of Mary" is a beautiful song from Mary blessing God and all of His great works - I love reading this passage.

We also read about the first person to recognize that the child Mary was carrying was "my Lord" -  John leaped for joy in Elizabeth's womb when Mary entered. A very humbling and amazing occurrence.

This chapter also tells of the birth of John and that Zechariah's speech was returned once he agreed with Elizabeth that their son's name is John. Oh, the peaceful silence has been lifted! John would be raised without strong drink and filled with the Holy Spirit. He would "make ready for the Lord a people prepared."

Please join me in the reading of Luke and leave your own comments here.

Stay tuned for tomorrow and Chapter 2.

Advent 2020

Thanksgiving dinner is done - some stores are already opened for "Black Friday" and more will be opening soon. I don't buy into the Black Friday hoopla; however, I am getting very excited! Advent begins in just a few short days! Are you ready? I am frantically trying to decide which Advent resource we will use this year and what I am going to do to make it an even better Advent than the last.

Advent is not about how many Christmas cards I can get written and in the mail in the morning, although I do enjoying getting them sent out early (for many reasons). Advent is not about how many Christmas parties we have to attend. Neither it is about how many gifts need to be purchased and wrapped or what I am getting for my husband for Christmas (not even about what he is getting me!).

Advent is a time for preparation and anticipation. It is a time to ask God for forgiveness, forgive those who have wronged you, give of our time, talent, and treasures - especially for those who are less fortunate, and to celebrate the birth of our Lord and savior, Jesus Christ.

Also Advent appears to be a time when new deacons are ordained - at least in the Yakima Diocese. Next Saturday several men will be ordained as permanent deacons - including one from our parish. Mike, we are so happy that you have answered God's call to service. We will be praying for you and Carol this week as you prepare for this huge step. God bless you both.

So please join me in praying for the new deacons and preparing for an amazing Advent season. It is a busy time for all - especially the priests, deacons, and others in the parish who plan the amazing "special effects" for Advent. From the decorations, flowers, candles, and beautiful music to those who are lectors, acolytes, and alter servers - everyone is busy with the preparations and the extra Masses, etc. Remember to take time to thank God for all of your blessings and to pray for peace, kindness, and mostly for love. Our world needs all the love (and prayers) it can get.

Happy Advent all!

Growing Up in a Small Town

I moved around quite a bit growing up. My parents divorced when I was 5 years old - we moved from country to city. We lived in a great neighborhood - I still have friends from those days. We moved to southern California when I was in 3rd or 4th grade and then we moved back to the Pacific Northwest with a new stepfather. My twin sisters were born when I was 10 years old - and we moved a few more times before settling in the Tri-Cities for a few years. My brother, 3 years older, and I moved to a very small town in Idaho with our father and stepmother. This is the town I grew up in (from 12 to 17; and then from 19 to 40-something).

This small town was filled with little old ladies (and men) who gossiped all day, stuck their noses in other people's business, and did not hesitate to pick up the phone and call my parents to report my "nefarious" activities regardless of the hour of the day. It also contained lots of good people who truly cared, sprinkled with a dash of not-so-good (but actually not bad) folks who just wanted to have a good time.

I was not a pretty teenager but I wasn't ugly either. I had long legs and loved wearing mini skirts very much. I also loved wearing blue jeans and t-shirts. I loved my parents but had a huge stubborn streak and did not do well with authority.

My brother died when I was 15 and my life was never the same. I hadn't been living at home at the time of his death but I went back for a short time because I knew that is what my brother would want. That didn't last very long.  I considered suicide briefly but made my mind up that I wouldn't give the people in this small town the satisfaction of going to my funeral - so that was that.

I did my fair share of partying and started smoking at 16. I lived life in that small town and never lied about who I was. I never tried to pass myself off as a "goodie two shoes" or the perfectly groomed "girl next door". I went to school, got good grades without a lot of effort, and graduated after 3 1/2 years of high school. I couldn't wait to get out of this small town and on my own! I did leave - got married - but was "back home" within a year. I got pregnant and discovered this just after my divorce was finalized. My daughter saved my life.

Eventually I met and married a man with three older kids and we had another one together. He adopted by daughter and life was good - or so I thought. That is a story for another post. We were married for nearly 15 years (the oldest kids were gone, the youngest was the only one at home).

The problem with a small town is everyone knows everyone and everyone's business - personal public - nothing is private. I learned a long time ago to not give two rips about what other people thought of me. But when my husband (yes, my third) and I decided we wanted to convert to Catholicism, we made the logical choice of going to the nearest Catholic Church (in the small town where I grew up). The very first time we walked through that door early one Sunday morning, I did not feel welcomed at all. Come to find out I knew a lot of people who were Catholic! Who knew? And they all knew every mistake I had made since I was 12.

While that didn't go well, we persevered and found a Catholic Church in a neighboring city that welcomed us with opened arms and so much unconditional love. Even when they learned that I had been married twice before and that not one, but two annulments had to be filed, they still loved us unconditionally. We were not judged for anything in our past. That is how every single Catholic Church should be - welcoming to ALL - even if we know the person to be a sinner (aren't we all sinners?); even if we know the person has had three husbands; it is NOT our place to judge anyone that walks through the door.

We no longer live in that small town. Both of my parents have passed and are buried there. I still have a few friends there; however, I have no desire to go back to that small town for any reason. I have moved on to another chapter of my life and while I was shaped by my life in that small town, there is nothing for me there.

I have learned a few things especially useful in my ministry as a Deacon wife from my time in the small town: 1) judging others is not right and should be left to God; 2) loving others is unconditional and given freely to all; and 3) welcoming newcomers to our parish/Church should be the responsibility of all parishioners.

The Beginning - Part II

The initial installment of the Beginning post told our Deacon journey story. This second installment should actually be subtitled "God's Path" or even "Prayers Are Answered" - depending on your perspective. If you haven't read The Beginning post - it would be best to start there and then continue to read this post.

After graduating from WGU with my B.S. in Health Informatics, we decided that I would begin apply to various hospitals in south-central Washington (my baby sisters and step-father lived there) and in the Boise area as our youngest grandsons lived there and what grandparent doesn't want to watch their grandchildren grow up (go to games and special events)? We prayed that God would put us someplace where we would be needed. Ken wanted to be a Deacon - not just be called a deacon. He wanted to serve a parish that needed his service.

Nothing much happened in the Boise area except a lot of rejection letters. I call them that but they were much nicer than that. Most of them said "we found someone who fit our organization - see ya". So when I received an email from the director of IT at a hospital in the Tri-Cities, I was extremely excited but kept my emotions in check - just in case. After several weeks (interview and then an acceptance meeting), I was offered the position and I immediately accepted (Ken & I had talked about what had to be met in order to accept it).

I lived with my baby sister and her husband for 9 months while Ken put our house up for sale and finished up his instruction with our parish Deacon. He drove 100 miles, one way, to pick me up on Friday afternoons and drove me back on Sunday evenings. It was difficult but it actually worked very well for a temporary situation. I loved spending lots of evening time with my sister, but I did miss my husband quite a lot.

Finally, everything lined up and in February we purchased our current home. It would be another year before we actually sold our previous home; however, everything in God's time. Ken was obligated to continue at our "old" parish through Easter Sunday. After that, he was free to contact the local diocese and parishes to find his/our new parish home. After many phone calls and in-person meetings, it was decided that he would start at the Parish of the Holy Spirit. What we did not know at this time was just how much this parish NEEDED him.

The back story was very sad. Their "current" Deacon had just been put into hospice. Deacon Ron passed away just days after Ken began at Holy Spirit. Deacon Ron was so loved - that much was obvious to us both. Ken actually served at his funeral mass. The parish priest, at the time, was in his early 80's but was very mobile and thoroughly enjoyed his role at the parish. He loved this parish. However, he knew he could not continue indefinitely on his own - so they had several gentlemen from the parish trained and installed as acolytes. These men continue to be a blessing to our parish.

Ken arrived when he was most needed. It was the most amazing thing - but God can move mountains so he absolutely could move us a hundred miles south! Duh! Ken has been told that he was an answer to prayers but honestly, the Parish of the Holy Spirit has been the answer to our prayers as well. We have found a true home where we are needed, respected, and appreciated. And the love? Totally amazing and unconditional. We have the most amazing parish full of family and friends! We are truly blessed. I pray that every deacon and deacon candidate find their perfect parish as we did. Pray and then step aside so God can take the wheel. He's got this....believe me!

Faith from High School....Imagine that....

I have not been inspired lately to write anything special or meaningful; however, I do feel the need to write. Please excuse me if I get slightly off topic or if I am not making complete sense.

Inspiration is defined as: a sudden brilliant, creative, or timely idea! Just a small inspiration...a nudge perhaps....anything really!

Ahhh....let's talk about something controversial (this was my favorite kind of topic when I was young)....let's talk about abortion. I don't know about you, but I have always felt very strongly about the legalization of abortions (yes, I'm that old). The following is a true story from my "good ole high school years" - the stories I could tell.....maybe next time.

To preface this story you must know: 1) I went to high school in a very small town in Idaho; 2) I was a rebel in every sense of the word; 3) I graduated from high school in 3 1/2 years because I had to get that part of my life over with quickly; and 4) I had some amazing teachers in those 3 1/2 years. One such teacher was Gary Curtis. He taught histories and government. He encouraged us all to think for ourselves, do our research, and stand up for what we believed in. He died very young - it was heartbreaking - but he left a lot behind, including this teenager confident in what she believed in.

One class during high school included participating in a formal debate. Most topics were about current events. One such debate that I as involved in (remember this is in the mid-1970's) was on the legalization of abortion. With the supreme court decision in the historic 1973 Roe vs. Wade case just a few short years before, this was a hot topic - even in a very small logging community. Sides were picked in our class and I, along with a couple other students, found ourselves on the Against side of the abortion debate. Fine by me. I didn't believe in abortion at 16 and I don't believe in it now.

I remember that the debate began with opening statements and then a gentle back and forth banter between the two sides. We had an audience (the rest of the class) but it soon grew quite large when voices were raised and tempers flared a bit. I should have mentioned that this small school was designed with an "open concept" - meaning there were no real walls or doors - just room dividers and open space. So if one classroom got a bit rowdy, the other classes definitely noticed. This day was one of those days.

We argued - giving a few facts here and there but mostly hearing the spouting of the For group and how it was a woman's right to do whatever she wanted with her body - including killing a baby. Well, they didn't call them babies - they called them "it" or "fetus" but never personalized anything by calling "it" a baby. If memory serves me correctly, a friend of mine who had given birth and decided to raise the baby when she was 14 or 15 was also on the Against side of this debate. We were both adamant that all babies were, in fact, small humans and had rights, too. We repeatedly stated that this was morally wrong and that we considered abortion a "legalized" form of murder. We were not popular before or after this debate - not that that mattered much to either of us. I did not have the strong Catholic faith that I have today; or the wisdom and knowledge that I have now have after living several more decades on this earth.

But when I think back on this experience, I believe that I was Catholic since the time I was a young child and believed as a Catholic would through my teenage years and continuing into my twenties. Yes, I was a bit of a wild child; however, I hurt mostly myself and did not intentionally hurt others.

I knew I was missing out on something but it took me about 5 decades to find that missing "thing". I held on tight and here I am....knowing abortion, capital punishment, euthanasia are all wrong - morally, spiritually, and logically. Murder is murder regardless of the age of the person. I think the debate in high school was just preparing me to come into the faith later in life. I recently realized that God has been preparing me to be a Catholic my entire life.

Sometimes Life is Hard.....Perspective is Everything

There are times when I feel that I, yes personally, am being pushed aside in the name of service to the Church. I am human - I feel hurt and upset when my husband's ministries take precedence over mine or me. Don't get me wrong, my husband is an amazing man, husband, father, grandfather, and Deacon - but he is just a man. Neither of us is perfect.

So when I am feeling sorry for myself, I can do one of two things. I can either wallow in self-pity or I can pray for help from God. When Ken was ordained, I received a prayer card in one of the "Deacon's wife" gifts - I use it often:

Lord, 
I said "yes" when my husband was ordained a Deacon. The "yes" meant my support, my love, my sharing him as he serves our brothers and sisters.
Thank you for our marriage and our life together. I ask for your help in my supporting him in his service to others as a Deacon.
I know you love me Lord as your unique creation. You have gifted me in many ways. Help me to know my gifts and to use them wherever you desire - within my family circle, and in this world when I am called to love and serve others as Jesus did.
Amen

This is what I try to do each time I find myself feeling sorry for me. Pray to God because I am nothing without Him.

So if you are the wife of a Deacon (or Deacon candidate), I highly recommend writing this prayer down - it may be the lifesaver that you need one day (or today). God's blessings to all who read this.