Tuesday, January 5, 2010
Creation
In a couple of weeks I will be presenting at a Confirmation session on Scripture and the Gifts of the Holy Spirit. As I was preparing a bit for this talk I was reading a resource that discussed "engaging the senses" in faith formation. It used art as an example, and I thought of the St. John's Bible. It is the first hand-written, illuminiated Bible in over 500 years, and it was done in Minnesota! I think I'll use this image with the high school students. It's an interpretation of the creation of the world.
Monday, January 4, 2010
Happy New Year
This morning I walked into my office at the parish and everything appeared normal at first. It's always nice to see a clean desk! But then I noticed something different. Upon my clean desk, tucked in by my computer, I found a little dark blue teddy bear. Ok, well that's not so weird, you might think. Someone in the office left me a surprise gift. Well, on his chest is a year, and it's not 2010! In gold stitching it reads, "2000." Why would someone give another person a bear that is ten years old!? I'm not offended or upset, it certainly was a sweet gesture, but also very odd.
Recently I've been thinking about that time period between 2000 and 2010. I've heard a lot of mention of this past decade, and on Saturday morning I definitely stayed in bed listening to the American Top 40 countdown. Turns out Usher's "Yeah" was the number one song of the decade. Who would have thought?!
This past decade has probably been one of the most influential ones for me: it encompasses all of my major schooling, from high school to my Master's degree. And I must say, I believe these years are the ones when we are most formed into who we are and who we become. Of course we cannot disregard our childhood and upbringing, but high school and college were the places were I certainly had my fun, but also my struggles, and I grew into the woman I am today. The year 2000 does not seem like it was that long ago, but it really was!
I thought I'd have more to reflect on, but I went to a meeting and lost it all. Oh well! Today I've been listening to the band A Fine Frenzy, and I really enjoy them! Check them out!
Recently I've been thinking about that time period between 2000 and 2010. I've heard a lot of mention of this past decade, and on Saturday morning I definitely stayed in bed listening to the American Top 40 countdown. Turns out Usher's "Yeah" was the number one song of the decade. Who would have thought?!
This past decade has probably been one of the most influential ones for me: it encompasses all of my major schooling, from high school to my Master's degree. And I must say, I believe these years are the ones when we are most formed into who we are and who we become. Of course we cannot disregard our childhood and upbringing, but high school and college were the places were I certainly had my fun, but also my struggles, and I grew into the woman I am today. The year 2000 does not seem like it was that long ago, but it really was!
I thought I'd have more to reflect on, but I went to a meeting and lost it all. Oh well! Today I've been listening to the band A Fine Frenzy, and I really enjoy them! Check them out!
Tuesday, December 22, 2009
Micah
I never knew the book of Micah was so cool and had so many Bethlehem references until this past week and the readings for Mass. :)
Monday, December 21, 2009
I'm Dreaming of a White Christmas
Oh hey, looks like my dream has come true! It is 61 degrees in Fort Worth and 20 degrees in Eau Claire (although it says it feels like 12), and there is about a foot of snow here. Brr. According to the weather we are supposed to get a lot of snow this week! I'm so excited! Snow on Christmas eve/Christmas day is a wonderful gift... unless, of course, it keeps my mom and I from driving to my grandma's house out in rural Wisconsin on Christmas day.
One of the best parts about being home are the lazy days. Sleeping until 10am, not showering, and not caring about looking nice because I'm not going anywhere today! I hope to do some reading, praying, and writing today (and throughout break). I would like to blog more, hence my random post for today, and I haven't been writing poems lately, so we'll see what I can scrounge up over this break.
It is fantastic to be stress-free and not worry about homework or real work! Happy (last days of) Advent!
One of the best parts about being home are the lazy days. Sleeping until 10am, not showering, and not caring about looking nice because I'm not going anywhere today! I hope to do some reading, praying, and writing today (and throughout break). I would like to blog more, hence my random post for today, and I haven't been writing poems lately, so we'll see what I can scrounge up over this break.
It is fantastic to be stress-free and not worry about homework or real work! Happy (last days of) Advent!
Sunday, December 20, 2009
The 4th Candle
Well, here it is, the fourth and last Sunday of Advent. I started a blog post reflecting on Advent a long time ago, but I never finished it so I never posted it! I have never experienced a more busy and stressful month, but amidst the hussle and bustle I praise God that we have the liturgical season of Advent to remind us all to slow down and prepare for Christmas. To wait with a purpose. Right now I'm waiting to go to Mass. Today I'm waiting to go home (I fly up to WI at 6pm this evening). And during this Advent season I am waiting to celebrate the birth of Christ, to rejoice with Mary and Joseph and to worship and adore like the shepherds and wise men.
Thursday, December 17, 2009
Who's on First
I've seen this played out before and ran across it on youtube. It's funny, so I thought I'd share.
Wednesday, November 18, 2009
Reflecting
On my drive home today I was thinking about a lot of things and one question that popped into my mind was: Can you love someone even when they don't love you back? Even if it's just a friend, is the relationship one sided? Well, after that question I immediately thought about God's love; He loves each and every one of us, but not everyone loves Him in return. Even when we strive to have a relationship with God we experience our failures and human nature. He is always there, waiting for us, but how much can we compare this divine relationship with our human relationships? When do we have to let go? Why don't we want to let go? Even when I get hurt I continue on, thinking things will be ok. I think I have too much faith and hope in humanity.
Tuesday, November 17, 2009
Fresh Poems
I have not been writing lately, but it turns out when I experience a lot of different emotions in a 24 hour period I get very inspired to write. Here are two poems I wrote last night before going to bed.
Hello Love
Hello Love,
Where have you been?
I must have missed you
on the street,
passing by.
I missed you at the store, too.
I thought you'd be stocking up
on batteries and
light bulbs.
I thought I would see you
at work today,
we had a meeting.
Wasn't I supposed to
meet you at church?
Wait, here you come,
touching my eyes,
so I never miss another
glimpse of you
again.
That Dog
He chases shadows and bugs,
scaring away the nothingness
of the night with his bark.
He stalks the fence,
preventing dreams from
happening at the house next door.
He interrupts my thoughts,
keeping my tired mind awake
on my warm pillow.
Hello Love
Hello Love,
Where have you been?
I must have missed you
on the street,
passing by.
I missed you at the store, too.
I thought you'd be stocking up
on batteries and
light bulbs.
I thought I would see you
at work today,
we had a meeting.
Wasn't I supposed to
meet you at church?
Wait, here you come,
touching my eyes,
so I never miss another
glimpse of you
again.
That Dog
He chases shadows and bugs,
scaring away the nothingness
of the night with his bark.
He stalks the fence,
preventing dreams from
happening at the house next door.
He interrupts my thoughts,
keeping my tired mind awake
on my warm pillow.
Wednesday, November 4, 2009
This Year in Ministry
I have only been back at my parish for just over two months now, but I feel as if I have learned and experienced what true ministry is in these months than I did in all of last year. It is probably due to my lack of ignorance and my increased responsibilities in my ministries.
Like any place of employment, there are issues with the staff. We all have our different personalities and ways of working. Some of them I absolutely love and I have been incredibly blessed to have the opportunity to work with them. I do feel as if I've grown into the "family" of my staff and the parish. Some of us even go out for "Girls Night Out" - aka, Happy Hour. We play well together. :)
This morning I called a friend up, but I had young adult business things to talk to him about. I knew he wasn't going to exactly like what I had to say, but I was not expecting him to get so frustrated. He did not even understand me correctly! I had to explain myself a couple times, but I still did not appreciate hearing his anger and frustrations.
I have also been learning how to work (and deal) with catechists. They're only volunteers and sometimes I think we try to hold them to higher standards. Which...maybe we need to at times, so they take their work seriously. Sometimes it seems like a game, having to word e-mails just right to people do not get offended or misunderstand what you are trying to say. There is also fine line between micro- and macro-managing things. This fall has had it's ups and downs, challenges and joys, but overall I continue to love what I'm doing.
Like any place of employment, there are issues with the staff. We all have our different personalities and ways of working. Some of them I absolutely love and I have been incredibly blessed to have the opportunity to work with them. I do feel as if I've grown into the "family" of my staff and the parish. Some of us even go out for "Girls Night Out" - aka, Happy Hour. We play well together. :)
This morning I called a friend up, but I had young adult business things to talk to him about. I knew he wasn't going to exactly like what I had to say, but I was not expecting him to get so frustrated. He did not even understand me correctly! I had to explain myself a couple times, but I still did not appreciate hearing his anger and frustrations.
I have also been learning how to work (and deal) with catechists. They're only volunteers and sometimes I think we try to hold them to higher standards. Which...maybe we need to at times, so they take their work seriously. Sometimes it seems like a game, having to word e-mails just right to people do not get offended or misunderstand what you are trying to say. There is also fine line between micro- and macro-managing things. This fall has had it's ups and downs, challenges and joys, but overall I continue to love what I'm doing.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)