Easter Vigil

We are an Easter people! So it has been said of Catholics! We are! Easter revitalizes our faith, hope, love, and kindness. It reminds us that Jesus Christ, God made flesh, died for our sins - all of us - whether we believe or not. He was resurrected and still lives today. He was both human and divine. He saved us from our sinfulness. 

My faith in humans was restored last night at Easter Vigil Mass (btw, my favorite Mass of the year). Our church was filled, although not completely full, of family and friends of those coming into the Church but also faith-filled parishioners who were there because it was where they wanted to be. My heart was full seeing our Church filled with so much love for Jesus as well as for each other. 

Father Michael preached a beautiful homily directed, in part, to the soon-to-be neophytes. He introduced us to the term "militant joy" which means having joy in the moment, not because it is a happy or joyful moment, but because you know Jesus will help you through it and all will be well. Finding joy even when we are not joyfilled - "militant joy". I love the phrase and I will be using this to help myself appreciate the graces that our Lord has given me and continue to give me - I am thankful for every one of them. 

Until next time - may God bless you with all that you need and/or ask for. Enjoy a very happy Easter season!!

Three Years of Fear?

It has been 3 years since my aunt passed away. It was as we travelled to her funeral that we heard our illustrious governor lockdown everything in the state (schools, restaurants, spas, all non-essential businesses). We were told we shouldn't hug each other at my aunt's funeral, as if!! The government also told us that wearing masks would not keep us from getting sick (actually afraid PPE for Healthcare workers would become scarce) but staying away from other people would.

I am thankful that I was and am working in Healthcare and we were deemed essential workers. Our office environment looked differently and some worked from home but we were able to work.

Fast forward 3 years, several doses of Covid vaccinations later, lots of lost PTO due to low census, many variations of mask designs and costs, a great deal of fake news, live streaming masses (the good and not so good outcomes), and so many closed businesses worldwide. What did the worldwide lockdown really achieve? 

Fear. We have all become afraid of everything. If we hear a co-worker sneeze more than once, fear; if we hear the words covid positive, fear; if the media mentions a new virus, fear. What are we afraid of? Getting sick? Dying? Losing an elderly relative? Living? These are not new fears. They are as old as time itself. But these fears have been intensified by the government, the mainstream media, and social media. I, for one, am tired of living in fear. I will not be silenced. I will not be told where I can and cannot go and I will not be kept from my parish community ever again. 

If you haven't come back to your community, do it now!  Wear a mask of you need or want to. Do it on your terms. But just do it. We miss you!

God did not create us for fear, he created us for love. Love is a physical emotion that includes touch. Hug your family and your friends. Shake hands during the sign of peace. Be the physical person God intended you to be. 

We all must die, fact. When it is our time, we will die, fact. God is in control so.....

Be not afraid!

When Darkness Strikes...

When things are going perfectly, life seems to be filled with much light. But when darkness falls in whatever form, the light seems to fade. I happen to be going through a dark phase currently. This was frightful until I realised that it was simply a brief interlude and all that I needed to do was to ask God to get me through it.  Yes, brick walls often have to fall on my head for a realization to actually come to light.

It is quite easy to be a kind, loving Christian Catholic when life is going along smoothly. It is an entirely different matter when the weight of the world seems to be on your shoulders and nothing seems to be going your way. These are the times when we must depend on God to get us through. God is the answer.....to almost any question you might have.

While it may not be an instant fix, God is the long-term solution to the darkness this life can bring. He can bring light to pitch blackness, happiness to dispair, and love back to this loveless and unkind world. I have learned, yet again, that asking for God to take my free will and do with it what He wills is the ultimate cure for my darkness.

Ramblings

 Not at all sure what I am going to write about tonight; however, I made a promise to myself to write - no matter what. With moderate arthritis in both hands and wrists, my writing is going to have come in the form of typing on the computer. I love to write with a pen and paper; however, it is less satisfying especially with the additional pain that is often involved. Getting old is definitely not for the faint of heart!

I have often been asked: What is it to be a Deacon's wife? I would love to hear from other wives of deacons (in the Roman Catholic Church) and see what their answers are. But for me, the answer is first, you have to be willing to share your husband. If you must be the center of his universe, talk him out of wanting to be a deacon. The wives of deacons, while not "officially" being "called" to the deaconate, we are unofficially called to be supportive, loving, social (grimace), and pastoral to the parish that employs your husband. BTW, I use the word "employ" rather loosely - it does not usually mean an 8-5, paid position with church. It actually means 24-7, unpaid volunteer position that has high expectations including the occasional mind reading.

The wife of a deacon is not expected to be all the things I've mentioned; however, it does make the parish life and that of your husband much easier. If you don't want to attend the same parish where your deacon husband is assigned, you don't have to. However, it gives exactly the wrong message to the parishioners. They could think that you feel you are too good to associate with them. Or perhaps that you simply do not like them. You have to consider the repercussions of your actions - think ardently before making such an important decision.

I am not the most social person; however, I do make a point of trying. I allow my husband to accept dinner invitations on our behalf - as long as he consults our electronic calendar - as my initial response is actually "sorry, we can't make it". The other ministries that we are called to are relatively easy - at east in my case.

We walked into our current parish as complete strangers; however, we walked out as a welcomed addition to the parish community family. This entire group of people have become fast and loving, faith-filled friends. We have never regretted joining this parish.

So the best advice I can give to others who are considering or already in deaconate formation is this: be open to God's call to you both; communicate with one another and pray together about this huge decision; and above all - take time to be together in every way - don't forget that you were married to each other first - give it the time, energy, attention, and love it requires and deserves. 

God's blessings to each of you and until next time - kindness is cool!

Writing Makes a Writer

I have to admit that I have cooled my writing aspirations after being rejected by 3 or 4 Catholic publishers last year. I had high hopes for the book written for Deacon wives and wives of men in Deacon formation. But it was not meant to be. Self-publishing is not my thing so that book is relegated to the back burner - at least for the time being.

Alas, I have done little writing since last fall when I received all of the rejections. So that will be my first step, to write more....more words on paper, more words on the computer...just more words and thoughts coming out of my head. This blog will likely get much of my writing but I am also hoping to reclaim a spot at Catholic 364.com as well.

Stay tuned and pray for me. May God bless you abundantly.

Public Masses Return

While our public Mass today is defining to look different, we will be celebrating with 200 of our sisters and brothers today. We also continue to provide a livestream Mass for those that cannot or do feel comfortable attending the public Mass. 

My amazing Deacon husband has been called on to be our parish's COVID-19 coordinator. This is a role that did not exist 6 months ago so it has a very steep learning curve. He must make sure the different ministries are provided with ministry-specific training to help keep us all safe and in compliance with the state regulations.

Also in this role, he is coordinating the calling of all registered families to help to get them scheduled for a future mass, if they wish. Connecting with these parish families is almost more important than getting them the mass information. Many do not have access to the Internet or simply do not have the interest to participate in social media or surfing the net. Some may feel completely cut off from their family and/or friends - including their parish family. Catholics are community....so that parish family is extremely important.

I will not be attending the outdoor Masses today as my husband is serving at the livestreaming Mass early this morning. Although there are about 10 of us in attendance, I am wearing a mask as is the new norm for our masses. It is the one little thing that I can do to keep others safe. It does not mean I am weak or afraid.

I pray that we can return to the indoor mass soon but unfortunately I don't believe normal will ever look the same again. Praying for peace, love, and civility to return to this broke society. May God bless each of you and keep you safe and healthy.

So Much Has Changed

It seems like years since we were at the LA religious ed Congress just before Lent. So much has happened locally, in our state of Washington, in our country, and in the world. We all know that I am talking about COVID-19 - the "plague" of the century. 

Thankfully I am still employed and working half the time at home and half the time at work. But having to stay home the rest of the time has been interesting for me.  I did not fully appreciate how much I love and depend on my parish community for support,  love, and so much more. 

But even more importantly,  we are both still healthy and virus free. I do miss mass,  the body and blood of Christ, Father Michael's homilies (and Ken's, too), and our parish community! I am praying for everyone and for your country's health and healing.

Everyone has ideas to keep us from getting bored so I am not going there. But I will challenge you to, at least once a day, clear your mind, turn off the TV, devices, and all distractions (yes, that may mean locking yourself in the bathroom for 5 minutes); and say the Our Father (for the Protestant folks - the Lord's Prayer) specifically for the healing of our world. Then ask God to tell you what He needs of you - then be still and listen for God's answer. 

Sending much love and prayers to all. Comment here or on Facebook and tell us all what you heard.