November 29, 2005
Holy Advent
+JMJ
Feastday of St. Cuthbert Mayne
I think I can speak for many Catholics when I say "ack! how did we get to Advent already?!" Well it's true, last Sunday was the 1st Sunday of Advent. I think this is the first Advent when I've really understood what the season is all about. When I first learned that nuns are not allowed to write or receive mail during Advent (or Lent) I was really confused. I didn't get how Advent and Lent could be related.
Advent is a season of preparation; joyful waiting for the Christ Child. There is also a penitential dimension to Advent, which is reflected in the use of purple on the altar. It's very interesting in a culture where the Christmas preparations and shopping is being hyped, the Church gives the opposite message. We are supposed to slow down and reflect what the coming of Jesus means to each one of us. Just as the austerity of Holy Week and Good Friday prepares us for the joy of Easter, so should the silence of Advent prepare us for the joy of Christmas.
In the spirit of the season, I got myself a virtual advent wreath! If you want one for your blog, just go to the Curt Jester and he'll hook you up.
I might not be blogging for a bit while I'm finishing my thesis and my semester, but have a very blessed Advent!
Feastday of St. Cuthbert Mayne
I think I can speak for many Catholics when I say "ack! how did we get to Advent already?!" Well it's true, last Sunday was the 1st Sunday of Advent. I think this is the first Advent when I've really understood what the season is all about. When I first learned that nuns are not allowed to write or receive mail during Advent (or Lent) I was really confused. I didn't get how Advent and Lent could be related.
Advent is a season of preparation; joyful waiting for the Christ Child. There is also a penitential dimension to Advent, which is reflected in the use of purple on the altar. It's very interesting in a culture where the Christmas preparations and shopping is being hyped, the Church gives the opposite message. We are supposed to slow down and reflect what the coming of Jesus means to each one of us. Just as the austerity of Holy Week and Good Friday prepares us for the joy of Easter, so should the silence of Advent prepare us for the joy of Christmas.
In the spirit of the season, I got myself a virtual advent wreath! If you want one for your blog, just go to the Curt Jester and he'll hook you up.
I might not be blogging for a bit while I'm finishing my thesis and my semester, but have a very blessed Advent!
November 12, 2005
little prayer request
+JMJ
Feastday of St. Josaphat
I'm off to the library for a bit to work on my thesis, so if you could all pray for me it would be much appreciated. I'm not where I should be with it, considering the first draft is due on Tuesday ahhhh! The only good thing is that Thanksgiving break starts the 23rd, so if I can survive this upcoming week, I'll be good. Yea, I hate being a senior if you couldn't already tell.
one more thing, in my total Catholic dorkiness, I downloaded all the mysteries of the Rosary on to my iPod so I can pray on the go! If you want to be cool like me, just check out Rosary Army
okay I'm really going to the library now, see you all later!
Feastday of St. Josaphat
I'm off to the library for a bit to work on my thesis, so if you could all pray for me it would be much appreciated. I'm not where I should be with it, considering the first draft is due on Tuesday ahhhh! The only good thing is that Thanksgiving break starts the 23rd, so if I can survive this upcoming week, I'll be good. Yea, I hate being a senior if you couldn't already tell.
one more thing, in my total Catholic dorkiness, I downloaded all the mysteries of the Rosary on to my iPod so I can pray on the go! If you want to be cool like me, just check out Rosary Army
okay I'm really going to the library now, see you all later!
November 07, 2005
Monday Night Musings
+JMJ
Feast of All Saints of the Order of Preachers (Dominicans!)
Well my friend Greta has been Sr. Greta for about three hours now and it just blows my mind. I met her when I first visited the Summit Dominicans and I was as nervous as ever! She picked me up at the train station and put me totally at ease. She was an aspirant who was finishing her last week there. The rest they say, is history. It's funny, but she's the first person who I've actually known before they entered. I've talked to some people online and stuff, but never met them until after they entered.
I can't imagine what it must be like for her, but I'm sure it's amazing! Actually she's probably finished up her first meal with the sisters as I'm typing. Anyway, I'm sure we'll be reading lots more about Sr. Greta on the nun's blog and amen for that!
Feast of All Saints of the Order of Preachers (Dominicans!)
Well my friend Greta has been Sr. Greta for about three hours now and it just blows my mind. I met her when I first visited the Summit Dominicans and I was as nervous as ever! She picked me up at the train station and put me totally at ease. She was an aspirant who was finishing her last week there. The rest they say, is history. It's funny, but she's the first person who I've actually known before they entered. I've talked to some people online and stuff, but never met them until after they entered.
I can't imagine what it must be like for her, but I'm sure it's amazing! Actually she's probably finished up her first meal with the sisters as I'm typing. Anyway, I'm sure we'll be reading lots more about Sr. Greta on the nun's blog and amen for that!
November 04, 2005
Happy Friday!
this is back dated because I wrote it on Friday and I just didn't get around to posting. I'll have an update soon!
+JMJ
Feastday of St. Charles Boromeo
I'm very happy it's Friday because a) duh it's Friday b) I get paid and c) My mom is coming to visit! All in all not to bad..... Also it's St. Charles Boromeo's feastday which is very cool. When I went with my family to Italy in 2000, we stayed on Lake Maggiore and got to visit the Boromean Islands. Isola Bella is where the family has this amazing palace and gardens.
Anyway, things are going well, except for the fact that I have sooo much to do. Right now my priorities are getting my paycheck cashed, doing laundry and cleaning my room. I want mom to think my room is always neat and orderly (ha!). The senior class is holding a mother-daughter champagne breakfast so I joked to mom about us getting drunk together. Ahhh how funny would that be! No, don't worry there will be drunkenness.....
In other news, I found the church of my dreams! Unfourtunately, it's in Chicago. It's almost enough for me to move out there. It's St. John Canitus and it is just amazing! Not only do they have Tridentine and Novus Ordo Mass in English and Latin but they have Greek and Latin classes. They even have Latin for kids, which is great because then they understand what they're saying and not just saying it. So if anyone it in the Chicago area, I would say check it out!
+JMJ
Feastday of St. Charles Boromeo
I'm very happy it's Friday because a) duh it's Friday b) I get paid and c) My mom is coming to visit! All in all not to bad..... Also it's St. Charles Boromeo's feastday which is very cool. When I went with my family to Italy in 2000, we stayed on Lake Maggiore and got to visit the Boromean Islands. Isola Bella is where the family has this amazing palace and gardens.
Anyway, things are going well, except for the fact that I have sooo much to do. Right now my priorities are getting my paycheck cashed, doing laundry and cleaning my room. I want mom to think my room is always neat and orderly (ha!). The senior class is holding a mother-daughter champagne breakfast so I joked to mom about us getting drunk together. Ahhh how funny would that be! No, don't worry there will be drunkenness.....
In other news, I found the church of my dreams! Unfourtunately, it's in Chicago. It's almost enough for me to move out there. It's St. John Canitus and it is just amazing! Not only do they have Tridentine and Novus Ordo Mass in English and Latin but they have Greek and Latin classes. They even have Latin for kids, which is great because then they understand what they're saying and not just saying it. So if anyone it in the Chicago area, I would say check it out!
