November 12, 2009

Say Something Nice About a Priest Meme

Swissmiss tagged me for the “Say something nice about a priest” meme. We are to say something nice about a particular priest and we are to pass it on to three other bloggers to do the same.

In 1984 my brother was rushed to the hospital. He was brought home from school early by my Dad. The school nurse called him because Wayne was acting disoriented for no apparent reason. Dad worked at night so he was home and available. I was home from school for the day and I went with Dad to the hospital. I think Mom joined us later because she was still at work. Wayne was acting disoriented. He didn’t seem to know where he was or what was going on.

It was a horrible afternoon and evening. We waited and waited and waited. Everything was a blur. First there were scans that showed a mass at the base of his brain. Then, a biopsy. Eventually, we ended up in a room-the three of us on a couch being stared at by three doctors. A priest appeared in the doorway. The lead doctor told us again that the scans revealed a mass at the base of Wayne’s brain. There’d be an operation, as soon as possible, to remove it.. Due to the location of the mass, it was entirely possible he’d die on the table or if he survived he may never walk again. There was more. It was cancerous and malignant. Even if they got it all, he may only live for two years. It was a nightmare. I can still remember what I was wearing. My Dad was stunned, my Mom was angry. I, completely, lost it and fell on my Mom bawling and my Dad reached over and held my hair. We got to go see my brother before surgery. The priest Anointed him and granted him the Apostolic Pardon (Wayne was unconscious). He went into surgery and we waited in a waiting room-staring at the TV but not watching it. My Dad was calling the family. This is before cell phones so he was using the pay phone in the hall. Most of the family lived out of state or in outstate Minnesota. It was just the three of us. I was a person of little and indifferent faith then. I’m sure my Angel was there but I ignored him-as I usually did. I didn’t even think to pray.

The surgeon came in, preceded by the priest again. The priest, immediately, walked straight over to me and put his hand on my shoulder. He didn’t say anything. I put my hand up to cover his. I couldn’t say anything. Remember, Father had seen me break down in the counseling room earlier. Father stood there, silent, but a reassuring presence nonetheless. The surgeon told us he felt the surgery was a great success. He felt he’d gotten all of it. However, were were still facing the cancer and the possibility of more tumors appearing later. He was right. We did face that. My brother died in January 1989 at the age of 17. He lived 5 years. 5 very difficult years. I learned much from it and I can see now how the trial deepened my faith. But, it took a while to see that.

To this day, I’ve no idea who that priest was. I’ve no idea who called him. Did anyone call him? Maybe the doctors told him we may need him? How did they even know we were Catholic? Maybe it was a regular practice to call the ‘on call’ chaplain and he happened to be a Catholic priest that evening. I can’t even remember what he looked like. I could barely look him in the eyes. I don’t know his name. Maybe I never will. It doesn’t matter. I’ve never forgotten him and his kindness. He said nothing that I remember but his presence is unforgettable. What a tough duty. What do you say to families in that situation? He tried. God bless him.

This is a post for the simple priests among us. They are not famous. They are not asked to speak at a public event. They don't have cooking shows. They don't write for newspapers. They don't have their own blog. They are not notorious. They are not "conflicted". They are neither progressive nor conservative; they are Catholic. Period. They are always ready to administer the Sacraments at a moments notice without complaint. They may be tired but they are tireless.

I'm not faulting any priests who are high-profile but there walk among us a great number of priests who are not well-known. Their simple ministry is taken for granted. They are rarely thanked because they do what they do and we are too complacent because we've grown to expect they will always be there when we need them-like a rock.

To those simple and humble men of God and, in particular, that hospital chaplain: Thank you. I will pray for you, all of you, during this Year of the Priest.

I tag: Ray, Terry, Adoro

November 11, 2009

Thank You Veterans!



Take a moment today to thank a veteran for their service. Take a moment today to pray for them.

Today, I'm praying, in a special way, for Angela's son!

November 09, 2009

Quantitative Methathesis Sighting!

Argent of the Eagle Eye spotted our buddy, QM out for a autumn walk, apparently to identify leaves, (;-)) in a photo series on the Passionist Nuns of St. Joseph Monastery in Kentucky's blog.

QM is in a period of Aspirancy with the order. Please pray for her and the sisters! Please pray for vocations. Yes, this is the Year of Priest and priestly vocations are needed, but don't forget we need our contemplative and cloistered brothers and sisters as well!

I don't know about you, but I need all the prayers I can get! Knowing brothers and sisters are engaged in a life of continual prayer, sacrifice and reparation for the world and our individual intentions is a source of strength to me-probably to you as well!

November 08, 2009

I'd Rather Have Jesus Than Silver and Gold

Occasionally, I amuse myself and get home decorating ideas (sorry, there’s still no “Decorating Eye for the Straight Guy” Mitchell!) by watching HGTV. You may have watched some of the shows too. Some of them have solid, relatable advice and people. Other shows: I wonder what planet these people are on. The answer is, sometimes sadly, they live on our planet. They are humans like us. Prideful and stubborn. Very much in love with possessions, status and money.

You may have watched the house hunting/my first home shows. I have too but I can’t relate to them. Usually, there is a gripe and a pout about how the kitchen is “not gourmet”, the appliances are dated (read: more than 2 years old), there are not enough closets in the master bedroom, there is no spa tub in the bathroom. A rule of thumbs for cat owners, like me, is a litter box per each cat plus one. I have two cats so I have three litter boxes in the house. Somewhere along the line, humans adopted this rule to mean a bedroom for each child plus one. Oh, no, we have 3 kids! We need at least 5 bedrooms! (Don’t forget that big master bedroom!) Plus, everyone needs their own toilet! God, forbid we have to share or wait!

When I canvassed real estate this summer for my temp job, some of my properties were self-storage units. The prices to rent these units, a 5x5 or an 8x12 were so high; sometimes +$500/month that I, seriously, asked a property manager, how many people actually lived in their unit? It used to be these units were solely used for the motorcyle or the boat or the convertible-items that were seasonal and that required storage that you couldn’t provide on your property. Not so much anymore. Now they are full of stuff. Plastic tubs of stuff. Papers. Extra clothes. Knic-knacs. Scrapbooking materials. Extra dishes. Furniture you don’t have room for but don’t want to part with.

I wonder how my parents and grandparents survived? My Dad grew up in a home with no indoor plumbing or running water. He had to go to an outside pump every day and draw water for his Mom. In winter he had to pour hot water over it to prime it. The eight kids shared beds. Literally, sleeping crosswise on them. How did my family survive with no shower and no bathroom on the 2nd floor? How do monks and nuns survive in their tiny cells?

We not only survived, but we thrived. We survived on love, faith and each other. It was not our home, our funishings and our stuff that sustained us.

I worry about this present age.

We may think that the people on HGTV are not “us” but I hear, continually, from friends trying to sell their ‘aging’ homes that the first thing people mention is how “small” the kitchen is; the basement is not ‘finished’, there’s no room for the big TV. Clearly, either the programs have influenced us, or we have influenced the programming. In any event, it’s real.

Wealth is transitory. My Dad always says: “I can’t take it with me”. St. Teresa of Avila would hardly believe the Interior Castle or the mansions to be a literal McMansion in some exurb.

If we are only defining ourselves by our stuff, rather than our relation to Christ, we will be completely impovershed at our End. We can’t take our stuff with us. We will only have our love of Christ to enjoy forever. If we don’t even have that, then we will have nothing. Forever.

November 05, 2009

Argument of the Month Club-for Women

Note: not for LADIES, but for WOMEN! Ok, LOL! Yes, we should be ladies too, but as, Adoro says: "This ain't yo Mama's sewing circle!"

Adoro, me and one other woman are in the planning stages of a local, female, version of the current, local, Argument of the Month Club which is male only. I want to be clear, and I know Adoro will agree with me, this is not some feminazi attempt to insinuate ourselves into a male-only club. The male-only Argument of the Month club is needed and God bless 'em. May they continue for many years.

I've long been at odds with many other females of my generation. I've long believed that there are instances where single gender education, events and clubs are needed. There was a reason I went to a woman-only college. When I got out of high school, I needed the confidence boost of single gender education. My alma mater may have many faults, but I give them mad props for building my confidence.

Read more about the plan, such as it is now, on Adoro's blog. If you are interested in knowing more (and even better-helping organize!), contact one of us thru a blog comment or you can send me an email at: cathyofalex@gmail.com

November 04, 2009

Prayer Request

I'm advancing far into an interview process with an employer. I need to ask my prayer warriors (y'all!) for prayerful assistance. In all things God's will be done; but the prayer assistance, if not giving me what I think is best, gives me a confidence boost to know even ONE person is praying on my behalf.

Update: November 5, 3:45 p.m. Interview went well. I am one of two finalists. Now I wait.

November 03, 2009

I've Seen the Ghost of Elvis!



I don't know what the deal is with that (pick one or insert your own):

a)corset
b)boxing title belt
c)doily
d)hernia girdle

In any case, oh mercy, is that ugly! It's not "Who are you wearing, dearie?" it's "What ARE you wearing, dearie?"

*Deep curtsy to Argent who sent me the laugh.
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