Your Pastoral Coach

Ash Wednesday

Yesterday was Ash Wednesday and the beginning of Lent. I have been looking forward to it so much. I have been very busy lately. We need these different Church seasons to help us reconnect, recommit, and re-engage in our journey of faith. My family and I went to 5:30PM mass. It was a beautiful mass. When it came time to receive our ashes I stood in line like everyone else, feeling peaceful. Then the person put the ashes on my forehead saying "remember that you came from ashes, and to ashes you will return." I was immediately overwhelmed with emotion. This act seemed to have happened in slow motion. The finger on my forehead felt heavy. I felt such love in my heart. I sat down, while tears streamed down from my eyes.

Where did this come from? What does it mean? Is there a deep symbolism for it? What does it say about me and my life? Nothing. It is simply love. I took a step in our journey of Lent. Jesus held my hand and also took a step with me. And so we begin, in Divine love.

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God Unites Us All

I think I wrote about this last year, but it always makes such an impact on me. This past weekend my son Quique and I attended a football game at my alma matter, the University of Notre Dame, which is a Catholic university. The were 80,000 people for the game. Two and a half hours before the game the players and coach attend mass together at the Basilica. Then, they walked from church to the stadium through a "tunnel" of people that are lined up at either side wishing them well. When they first take to the field, they each go to the end zone, take off their helmet, and kneel in prayer. At the beginning of the game, in addition to singing the National Anthem, a prayer is said.

Then after the game, visitors rush to the basilica for Saturday mass, which is always 30 minutes after the end of the game. The church was packed, with people standing along walls. In the church, you have fans of both teams worshiping together. You have rich people all dressed up because they had box seats, and people in sweat pants, you have professors and stadium ushers with their yellow vests. Parents, students, visitors, old, and young gathered and holding hands. The mass is always angelic and you leave uplifted.

God, the great uniter. Let's also embody that peacemaking spirit!

Technorati Tags: Catholic Spiritiality, Hope

Silence, Peace, and Birds

This weekend I spent Friday night through Sunday afternoon in silent retreat. I had a chance to spend two full days without speaking to anyone (except night calls to my wife) and with no TV or radio. I was in a rustic cabin in the woods. At least twice a year I need a short retreat like this to re-energize my batteries. Time to pray, to ponder, to write, and to be. I was also working on a personal project and was able to go deep, spending hours at a time on it. I was able to sit in the porch and observe many birds like bluejays, chickadees, titmouse, woodpeckers, crows, and lots of squirrels. Also a wild turkey and a mama deer with her fawn. At night an owl was calling by the cabin. It's so wonderful to be close to nature. I came home refreshed and so happy!

Technorati Tags: Spirituality

Adoring God through Art

This weekend my family and I had a chance to visit a museum in New York City (the north end of Manhattan) called The Cloisters. Please take a look at the official website and this site full of gorgeous photos. I highly recommend it. The museum building looks like a medieval castle at the top of a lush hill overlooking the flowing Hudson river. It's focus is European medieval art, primarily from the 12th Century through the 15th Century. While in the museum you are totally transported to Europe at that time. Not only are paintings, tapestries, sculptures, and objects in exhibition, but also architecture and gardens. Things are shown in a setting reminiscent of their original home. Again, I loved it!

Although the focus of the museum is not religious art, it is evident that much of the art of that time was religious. The faith of the artists and clients of the objects is evident. They not only wanted to create a beautiful piece of art, they wanted to elevate their prayers through every stroke of a brush or carving with a knife. They sought to move the viewers in heart, but also in spirit. This let me think about my art. I don't really use art to express my spirituality. At times when I take photographs of nature I sensed a spiritual connection with the place and with the Creator. But I don't really paint, or sing, or sculpt, or write poems of praise and adoration. Do you? Let's see if the Spirit moves me...

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Confirmation Ceremony

Tonight we celebrated the confirmation ceremony at the cathedral for the Hispanic community of all parishes. Both teenagers and adults were confirmed and took classes together. I taught confirmation this year and was filled with emotion and gratitude. I felt like a father or godfather watching "my class" get confirmed. They looked so excited and their godparents and parents were so proud. I was particularly proud of the adults in the group that re-connected with their faith and dedicated the time necessary to continue receiving their sacraments. The Spirit is doing great work! Alleluia!

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Masters in Pastoral Theology... All done!

Yesterday was my graduation at St. Mary-of-the-Woods College. It is the culmination of a 3 year journey in which moved by my faith, I was seeking greater understanding of God (rephrasing Anselm of Canterbury's definition of Theology). I felt the call from Jesus, the Good Shepherd, to join him in caring for souls, to join him in feeding the sheep, and be also a shepherd with Him (in Latin, a pastor). Although I was hearing Jesus calling me by name, I hesitated. It was so different from my professional career. My wife Angie helped me see how aligned this path was with my talents and passions, and helped me gain the confidence to take the first step.

In the past years I have learned about Theology, Scripture, Ethics, Cannon Law, Ministry, Christology, Liturgy, Church history, and spirituality. I have learned to appreciate the beauty and elegance of our faith, the mystery and and complexity of some of our beliefs, and I have been able to see God with a renewed sense of awe. The more I studied, the more I realized how little I could comprehend about God and His works. The studies helped me immensely, yet, only love, and service, and community and grace, have truly helped me to better know and experience our wonderful God.

If anyone reading this is wondering about pursuing a similar program, I highly recommend the graduate program at St. Mary-of-the-Woods College. The convenience of distant learning and the quality and competency of the faculty are great, but the best traits is how much Virginia the program Director and her faculty care about the students and their growth. They really invest themselves completely and at the end you finish with not only increased knowledge, but also with deep friendships. The sense of community among the students is one of the best gifts of this program. Mixed with the joy of not having to write more papers was the sadness of not been an active member of this wonderful community of shepherds. Well, there's e-mail and the annual Summer get-togethers...

And the journey continues. I love my career in Information Technology, helping companies increase their business value through technology and helping grow IT leaders. Yet, I love to compliment that with a vocation as a Pastoral Coach, helping people grow in their careers, in their personal development, and in their relationships by integrating Christian spirituality with the rest of their lives. With God's grace, I will continue to answer the call to act with justice, love tenderly, to serve one another, and to humbly walk with God (David Hass and Micah 6:8)

Technorati Tags: Accomplish Goals, Catholic

Spring Cleaning Within and Without

I'm definitely a Summer person and Spring fills me with joy as Summer approaches. The birds are singing, the grass is green for once, and the flowers are opening up. What a great time of the year. I'm glad we celebrate Easter during Spring. It' so appropriate. For the first time in many years I took Holy Week off and did not travel, which is my norm. I stayed home with some of the kids. I have been doing a lot of Spring cleaning.

Fixing things in the computers, replacing old and underused furniture in the home office, and going through old stacks to keep only what's needed. The most daunting task has been to clean the 3-car garage. I'm half-way there. The last time I did a major cleaning was two years ago. I have thrown away countless of useless things: empty seed packets, boxes, gloves missing their partners, cans with dried-up paint, etc. AND THE DIRT! It's amazing how much dirt accumulates in corners and behind furniture when we don't move things around. I have also found very useful things that were buried underneath the rubble.

As I worked on the "without" I was thinking and praying about the "within," our soul. Lent is like Spring cleaning for the soul. A time to examine our conscience and confess our sins, a time to offer sacrifices and reflect on the passion and upcoming resurrection of Christ. Without this time of reflection and cleaning, not only would we continue to accumulate useless and dirty things inside, we will fail to see the useful and beautiful things that can add value to the world. Well, back out to the garage to finish in time for Church tonight...

Technorati Tags: Spirituality

Praying with Jesus During Eucharistic Adoration

In the post below Lorna politely said "That said I have to say I'm not sure I get the adoration of the Eucharist. I realise that it's because of our diffent theologies concerning this. But I'm glad it worked for you." There are many links through Google about the history and practice of Eucharistic Adoration. Here is one website called The Real Presence Adoration that has many interesting links and articles. Instead of re-stateing what others can say better, let me share my experiences. In addition to participating in mass and praying the rosary, Eucharistic adoration is one of the most impacting devotions I practice. There is a church (not my parish) in my town that has a perpetual adoration chapel. This is a chapel where the consecrated host is exposed and there are people that pray in shifts for 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. I began this practice 5 years ago. My shift is Fridays at 3:00 AM. Imagine the impact this devotion has on people that the church is able to staff prayer shifts round the clock for many years. I believe this church has practiced this devotion for at least 10 years. There are 3-5 other churches in my town with perpetual adoration chapels.

I love going to the chapel in the quiet of the night and spending an hour with Jesus. As soon as I enter I can feel His presence very strongly. The place feels so holy and His presence so palpable. It is like sitting with your most beloved friend. Sometimes I tell him my problems, others I share my joys. I surrender my worries and also my plans for the future. Many times I pray to Jesus for people, but when I'm in this chapel I feel as if I'm praying WITH jesus for the world and for the needs of others. Sometimes I read a spiritual book, pray the rosary, or read the Bible. Most times I just sit, and allow Him to reach and touch my heart. I never allow anything, sickness, snow storms, thunderstorms, etc. to interfere with this precious moment. I'm sure all of this may sound strange and confusing to non Catholics, but it has really made a difference in my spiritual life. Then, I crawl back in bed at 4:45AM and my wife always says, "How was your time with Jesus?"

Technorati Tags: Catholic, Spirituality

My New Friend St. Joseph

I have never had much of a relationship with St. Joseph. I don't usually say prayers of intercession to him or think much of him. My main connection to him is that my deceased grandfather was named Jose after St. Joseph. I've been dealing with some tough decisions and issues and while in prayer three days ago I suddenly saw an image of St. Joseph in my mind. I began to pray for his intercession and felt that he was going to help me and intercede for guidance. I have continued to pray to him daily. Yesterday a new solution appeared out of nowhere and I'm really excited about it. I feel at peace and excited. As I was walking to the car after work I was thinking that I really don't know any prayers for St. Joseph and would like to learn some. When I opened the mail there was a letter from a Carmelite monastery with a card containing the picture of St. Joseph and a prayer to do a novena for St. Joseph from March 12-20, 2006. His feast day is March 19th. Isn't this wonderful? Do any of you have a close relationship with St. Joseph? Do you have any preferred prayers?

Technorati Tags: Catholic, Saints

The Spirituality of Eastern Catholics

As Roman Catholics we often forget that the universality of our religion also includes Eastern Catholics. Last year I did some research on their spirituality and found it rich and beautiful. I have not been in one of their liturgies, but I would like to go some day. Mary Poppins NOT of Crazyacres has a series of posts, beginning with this one about her liturgies and their emphasis on the Holy Trinity . Please visit her, learn, and enjoy...

Here are some thoughts on what I learned about their spirituality...

Do You Pray to the Father, the Son, or the Holy Spirit?

Who do you pray to?  Why?  One of the most awesome mysteries of our faith is that we believe in the Holy Trinity.  We believe that God has one nature and three persons:  Father/Creator, Son, and Holy Spirit.  Do you pray to one person more than others?  Is it based on the nature of your prayers?

I was thinking about this and most of the time during morning and evening prayer I pray to God the Father.  Also during my on-going conversation with God during the day.  I pray to Jesus during and after the Eucharistic celebration and also during Eucharistic adoration.  During meditation I focus on the presence of Jesus. 

I typically end my prayers with "Holy Spirit, enlighten my heart so that I may see the things of God, Holy Spirit enlighten my mind so that I may know the things of God, Holy Spirit enlighten my soul, so that my soul beling to God.  Sanctify all that I think, say, or do so it will be for the glory of God."  That littler prayer is trypically my only prayer directed to the Holy Spirit.

I believe that in some Eastern Rites they have many prayers directed to the Holy Trinity.  Just curious...

A Christian Garden

One of my hobbies is growing a vegetable garden. With this cold weather all I can do is dream about it. This caught my eye. It's from My Catholic Reflections.

For Green Thumbs
Received this as an email today and thought it worth sharing.

For the Garden of Your Daily Living

Plant three rows of peas:
1. Peace of mind
2. Peace of heart
3. Peace of soul

Plant four rows of squash:
1. Squash gossip
2. Squash indifference
3. Squash grumbling
4. Squash selfishness

Plant four rows of lettuce:
1. Lettuce be faithful
2. Lettuce be kind
3. Lettuce be patient
4. Lettuce really love one another

No garden is without turnips:
1. Turnip for meetings
2. Turnip for service
3. Turnip to help one another

To finish our garden we must have thyme:
1. Time for each other
2. Time for family
3. Time for friends

Water freely with patience and cultivate with love. There is much in your garden because you reap what you sow.

Technorati Tags: Spirituality

The Spirituality of Solidarity

My 16-year old son is now bald.  He shaved his head this week.  Why?  He is not in a swim team, or in a gang, or too hot.  He did it as an act of loving solidarity with a relative who just lost her hair due to chemotherapy.  I asked him, are you doing this as some sort of sacrifice for God? An offering? Are you thinking that if you do this for her God may take pity and help?  No.  He is doing this because he loves her and he shares in her pain.  This is an act of solidarity.  It is a way for her to know that she is not alone, she belongs.

Which Wolf Are You Feeding?

The Battle Inside

One evening an old Cherokee told his grandson about a battle that goes on inside people. He said, "My son, the battle is between 2 wolves.

"One is Evil. It is anger, envy, sorrow, regret, greed,
arrogance, self-pity, guilt, resentment, inferiority, lies,
false pride, superiority and ego.

The other is God. It is joy, peace, love, hope, serenity,
humility, kindness, benevolence, empathy, generosity,
truth, compassion, and faith."

The grandson thought about it for a minute and then asked his grandfather, "Which wolf wins?"

The old Cherokee simply replied, "The one you feed."

Forgive Me Father, for I Have Sinned

I went to confession yesterday and today I feel so grateful. Grateful that we have the Sacrament of Penance and Reconciliation, grateful that there was a long line of people wanting to receive it, and grateful that with God's grace and mercy I can have a cleaner heart to praise and adore God with. Ever since Friday I have had the words to this song playing in my head over and over... "Create in me, a clean heart oh God, and renew a right spirit with me..." As I cradle Catholic I grew up with this sacrament. As a teenager I used to walk a mile or more to go to church on Saturday, on my own, to confess. I see this sacrament differently now, my preparation for it is different, but the results are the same: deep peace, divine love, and joy in my heart.

Delight in Constant Conversation with God

"There is not in the world a kind of life more sweet and delightful,
than that of a continual conversation with God.

Those only can comprehend it who practice and experience it."
... Brother Lawrence

May our whole life be lived in constant communion with God. May we always taste the sweetness of His presence...

Technorati Tags: Living in the presence of God, Spirituality

My Hunger for God

Spiritual growth and holiness are such interesting things. One one hand I hunger for God so much! On the other hand, I can't seem to be able to easily do what will satisfy my hunger. I crave to be in His presence all the time, all the days of my life, in fact all eternity. I know that for where I am, what would help me the most is to live in His presence by doing something simple: before every single task I say "God, please be with me as I start this meeting, or answer e-mail, or drive to work, or make coffee, or give this presentation, etc." Basically, the whole day becomes a constant and simple prayer. This week work has been insanely busy and difficult. I get very focused doing the task at hand and juggling many priorities. My success at doing these prayers? Maybe 20%... So simple in concept, yet so difficult for me to do... Nevertheless, I believe the benefits would be immense. And thus, I will continue, I will keep trying. This quote sums it up for me...

"You called. You shouted. You broke through my deafness. You flashed, you shone, and you dispelled my darkness. You breathed your fragrance on me. I drew in breath and now I pant for you. I have tasted you. Now I hunger and thirst for more. You touched me and now I burn for your peace" (St. Augustine, Confessions, Book 7)

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The Rosary Prayer by Prayer

I strongly recommend the book "The Rosary Prayer by Prayer" by Mary K. Doyle. Mary is a dear friend and former classmate in St. Mary of the Woods College's Masters program in Pastoral Theology. This is a great book to give people that are just now learning about this wonderful prayer. Because of the beauty of the illustrations, scriptural reflections for each mystery, and historical information about the development of this precious prayer, this is also a good book for people that are experienced with the Rosary. I had the opportunity to recently talk with Mary about her book...

Mary, what gave you the idea to write about the rosary? "Five years ago I began visiting Marian shrines and bringing back rosaries from the sites. I found a great desire for these rosaries. People would call and email me requesting one and then carefully select the perfect rosary. They would tell me about their experiences with Jesus and our Holy Mother. They would tell me of personal experiences they had but had never told anyone else. Some would even cry....

Blessings from my Retreat

I just returned from taking a few days to do a private retreat. Although I spent many hours in silence, I did have good conversations with the sisters during meals. These are my top 10 blessings from my retreat...

• Beginning the retreat by praying a rosary in front of the Blessed Sacrament in a candle-lit chapel, while I could see 7 inches of snow silently falling on tall pine trees...
• Learning from Brother Lawrence how to live n the presence of God every hour of every day of my life...
• Participating with 50 to 60 Benedictine Sisters in praying the Liturgy of the Hours every morning and evening, thus learning about the power of community to advance our spiritual growth...
• Enjoying 1.5 hours of spiritual direction with Sister Rachel and learning about little ways to overcome my spiritual barriers...
• Participating in daily mass...
• Having unhurried time to pray, think, and write my thoughts in my journal...
• Having time to reassess my life purpose, intent, roles, strengths and goals in anticipation for 2006 objectives...
• Enjoying perfect silence since, due to the time of year and days of the week, I was the only person in a 48 room conference center. I got a kick out of walking to the chapel in my pajamas to pray late at night before going to bed...
• Observing the vibrancy of this community of religious sisters. I loved the fact that they had so many young sisters and many on formation. Praise God!
• Enjoying the intense and uninterrupted love of God in my heart. May He give me an insatiable hunger for His love and His presence...

Technorati Tags: Catholic, Spirituality

Away on Retreat...

Two or three times a year I take a few days to walk through the wonderful threshold of a retreat, leaving the noise and worries of the world behind me to spend precious time re-connecting with the wonderful God within. In an hour I'm leaving to a Benedictine convent for two and a half days of silent retreat. I hope to sit with my God in a candle lit chapel for hours, I hope to stroll through the fields as snow falls, I hope to reconnect and refresh my life purpose, my gifts, and how I'm doing living my calling. There are two topics I'm hoping to understand more. One is how to better live in the presence of God. I'm using the book "The practice of the presence of God" by Brother Lawrence of the Resurrection. The other one is the topic of God's grace.

Well my dear friends, I'll be back later this weekend. I'll be praying for you and I hope you pray that I may quiet my mind enough to listen to God's whispers...

I'm thankful for my family that always understands and encourages my need "to retreat to a cave" every now and then...

God bless everyone!

Technorati Tags: Spirituality

A Dream About Heaven or... My Soul?

I had an interesting and vivid dream last night. I was with my family walking through this house, it was a huge mansion, but as a ranch in U shape with a nice lake in the middle of the "U." There were many hallways and many rooms. All the rooms were warm and cozy and different. Even though it was a mansion in terms of size, it was not luxurious at all. We felt joy and excitement as we walked through the rooms.

A Lesson in Peaceful and Joyful Anticipation

This morning God gave me a lesson in proper preparation for Advent, which begins this Sunday Novemeber 27th. I went to my 3 AM shift in the Perpetual Adoration chapel,only to find everything completely dark in the church. It turned out the electricity went out at 1 AM. There were no lights... how am I going to do Lectio Divina? How am I going to read inspirational books? Should I sit by the altar so that I can read from the light of the candles?

Prayer to Sacred Heart of Jesus and Immaculate Heart of Mary

Most Sacred Heart of Jesus and Immaculate Heart of Mary, I CONSECRATE myself and my whole family to you. We consecrate to you: our very being and all our life. All that we are. All that we have. and all that we love. To you we give our bodies, our hearts and our souls. To you we dedicate our home and our country. Mindful of this CONSECRATION, we now promise you to live the Christian way by the practice of Christian virtues, without regard for human respect.

O most Sacred Heart of Jesus and Immaculate Heart of Mary, accept our humble confidence and this ACT OF CONSECRATION by which we entrust ourselves and all our family to you. In you, we put all our hope and we shall never be confounded.

For more information on Sacred Heart Devotion see A Catholic Life and The Sacred Heart

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Meditating on Scripture through Lectio Divina

Are you familiar with Lectio Divina? It is a wonderful method to meditate through the Word of God, another aid in our journey to holiness. I typically read scripture on a daily basis and occasionally I get the big "The New Jerome Biblical Commentary" and other resources to study Scripture. Lectio Divina is different. It is connecting our hearts to God's love and wisdom through His Word and I really recommend it. It's a wonderful way to allow the Holy Spirit to personally and intimately relate with you. I just do it once a week, on Fridays at the Blessed Sacrament chapel, and I meditate on Sunday's Gospel reading.

Steven Riddle from Flos Carmeli has a comprehensive post about Lectio Divina. He says, "After this quieting and prayer one takes up scripture and reads. Generally this is not done as reading a novel or a nonfiction book. Rather, it is done slowly, as though weighing each word, or allowing each word to distill about it an image or a sense." Please go over and carefully read what he wrote on the topic and his association to the Carmel tradition. This is another wonderful and ancient tradition.

Additional resources:

from St. Andre's Abbey "Accepting The Embrace of God: the Ancient Art of Lectio Divina" "ONCE WE have found a word or a passage in the Scriptures which speaks to us in a personal way, we must take it in and "ruminate" on it..."

from the Carmelites' on Lectio Divina

from Contemplative Outreach, "The Classical Monastic Practice of Lectio Divina"

Enjoy and God Bless!

Technorati Tags: Carmel, Catholic, Meditation, Lectio Divina

Freedom to be Formed by God

Freedom

There are very few people
who realise what God would make of them
if they abandoned themselves into his hands,
and let themselves be formed by his grace.
(St Ignatius)

Technorati Tags: Catholic, Life Purpose, Quotes, Spirituality

Can Religion Bring You Health?

I was reading Catholic News Services' story entitled "Catholic Medical Association links medicine and spirituality" and was wondering what you thought of how our religion and spirituality impact health. Doctors from this association credit religion with better health. In one passage they say...
"He described what has been called the Rosetto effect, named after a southeastern Pennsylvania town founded by Italian immigrants.

He said scientists found that this town, which was rich in religious, ethnic and community tradition, had practically no deaths from heart attacks in the 1940s and '50s, despite residents' fat-heavy diets and frequent smoking. The residents' life at that time was centered on the church -- with a lot of the glue supporting their lives provided by local businesses as well as time spent on front porches and a rejection of outward displays of wealth.

But in the 1960s, church life diminished, people began to build patios and decks on the back of their homes, displays of status became prominent and local businesses folded. By the 1970s, the town's rate of death by heart attack matched the rest of the country, he said.

One way to change that outcome, argued McElynn, would be to bring back traditions and communal life that revolve around people rather than around commercial success."

Is God in the Midst of Your Work?

Is work a place that helps you live the presence of God or a distraction from God? By work I'm talking about an employment, being a homemaker, ministry, volunteer work, etc. Do you feel that you have to put your nice, contemplative relationship with God on hold while you do other stuff, only to come back again to His presence at night?

"It is not the nature of the task, but its consecration that is the vital thing."

Martin Buber

Meditative Blogging

Is it possible that our practice of blogging could in fact become our meditative practice? I believe so...

"When one goes to Obaku temple in Kyoto he sees carved over the gate the words "The First Principle". The letters are unusually large, and those who appreciate calligraphy always admire them as being a masterpiece. They were drawn by Kosen two hundred years ago.

When the master drew them he did so on paper, from which the workmen made the large carving in wood. As Kosen sketched the letters a bold pupil was with him who had made several gallons of ink for the calligraphy and who never failed to criticise his master's work.

"That is not good," he told Kosen after his first effort.

"How is this one?"

"Poor. Worse than before," pronounced the pupil.

Kosen patiently wrote one sheet after another until eighty-four First Principles had accumulated, still without the approval of the pupil.

Then when the young man stepped outside for a few moments, Kosen thought: "Now this is my chance to escape his keen eye," and he wrote hurriedly, with a mind free from distraction: "The First Principle."

"A masterpiece," pronounced the pupil."

St. Teresa of Avila, My Beloved Companion

Tomorrow we celebrate the feast of St. Teresa of Avila. This holy woman is a mystic, a Saint, a Doctor of the Church, and my beloved companion in the journey to the center of the interior castle, to the center of my soul. She guides me, inspires me, and lovingly challenges me to live my holiness. My son and I had the opportunity to go to Avila, Spain last year. We walked the streets of Avila, walked atop its impressive wall, sat in Teresa's room when she was a child, saw her garden, and visited the Carmelite Monastery of the Incarantion.

Religious' Stimulus of the Senses

Have you ever been to a Hindu temple? A few years ago I was able to experience one in New Delhi, India. In addition to the deep spirituality and reverence I observed, it was a banquet for the senses. Then this weekend I was reading Life of Pi, which is an absolutely delightful novel. In it, Pi described what it was like to visit the temple, which reminded me of my experience there,which let my mind wonder to my early recollections of "experiencing" church through my senses...

The Presence of God

God is with me, but more,
God is within me, giving me existence.
Let me dwell for a moment on God's life-giving presence
in my body, my mind, my heart
and in the whole of my life.

Sacred Space



Prayer is the raising of heart and mind to God

Catechism of the Catholic Church

Technorati Tags: Catholic, Mindfulness, Prayer, Spirituality

Living the Divine Presence in Work Meetings

How do you stay in the presence of God during work, church, or club meetings? Do you ever get caught up in the politics, hidden agendas, or turf wars? Or do you get so caught up in the details of the discussions that a long time passes without you thinking, feeling, or living the Divine presence?

October is the month of the rosary

Saying the rosary is so important to me! I'm blessed that my teenage daughter says hers nightly. I always have my Rosary with me. It is my companion for times of joy and need. ukok wrote such a fantastic piece on the Rosary that nothing I could say will match it. Please visit her post, "It's October ~ break out the Rosary's~ but don't break 'em!"

Technorati Tags: Catholic, Prayer, Rosary, Spirituality

Magnificent Magnificat!

I'm so excited! I just received my first issue of the Magnificat spiritual guide for the month of October. I've been looking in the mailbox every day for weeks. It looks awesome! I can't wait for October 1st so that I can use it to guide me through my daily prayer practice.

Technorati Tags: Catholic, Prayer, Spirituality

The Anima Christi

I just saw this beautiful prayer at martha, martha... I always loved this prayer. I first encountered it after mass at the Missionaries of Charity convent. The nuns say this prayer daily after mass. It is a prayer from around the 14th century which is widely used after receiving the body and blood of Our Lord, Jesus Christ in Holy Communion. Talk about being in love with our Christ!

Soul of Christ, sanctify me
Body of Christ, save me
Blood of Christ, inebriate me
Water from Christ's side, wash me
Passion of Christ, strengthen me
O good Jesus, hear me
Within Thy wounds hide me
Suffer me not to be separated from Thee
From the malicious enemy defend me
In the hour of my death call me
And bid me come unto Thee
That I may praise Thee with Thy saints
and with Thy angels
Forever and ever
Amen

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God, Country, Notre Dame

My son and I had the pleasure to go to Notre Dame this weekend to watch the ND-Michigan State game, my first game since graduating in 1986! Ahhh..., the happiness of meeting friends, the traditional sounds of the bagpipes, the joy of tailgate parties, the exuberant anticipation before the game, the thrill of coming back from behind, the agony of defeat, and the spiritual high of gathering around the Lord's table...

Technorati Tags: Catholic, Notre Dame, Spirituality

What is Spirituality?

What is your personal definition of spirituality? What is Christian or Catholic spirituality? What is the difference between spirituality and religion?

I am blessed and honored to be asked by St. Mary of the Woods College to be part of a consulting committee to help them explore the need for a graduate certificate in Spirituality and other pastoral needs. In fact, I better make this post short so that I can make it there on time...

Alister McGrath, author of Christian Spirituality, says: "Christian spirituality concerns the quest for a fulfilled and authentic Christian existence, involving the bringing together of the fundamental ideas of Christianity and the whole experience of living on the basis of and within the scope of the Christian faith."

It has to do with the way we understand Christian life and the devotional practices that help us have a close relationship with God. Brother Lawrence (1614-1691) said that it was about "practicing the presence of God."

I have read that it is about knowing God, not just knowing about God. It is about transforming our existence to think, love, and act as Christ would. To live authentically and to walk in the presence of God always...

Can you be spiritual without community? Can you be spiritual without being religious? Can you be spiritual and socially conscious?

Technorati Tags: Catholic, Spirituality

Seeking Silence in England

I arrived in England today after a 12 hour door to door trip. I don't sleep well in planes, so my plans were to take a nap from 12:00PM to 1:30PM, go to the train station, and head over to Winchester for sightseeing. I woke up at 1:45 PM and was still beat. What am I doing? The last two weeks have been so crazy with work, volunteering, church activities, taking my daughter to college, and the stress of hurricane Katrina. I haven't slept enough either. Why am I pushing myself so much? This is my third time in England and it won't be my last. There's nothing I want more than rest and silence. This time I listened and chose to rest. Seeking silence in England is easy. This is the quietest hotel I have ever stayed in. The weather is in the 50s, overcast, and rainy. Ahhhh......

I spent most of the afternoon in that delightful state between deep sleep and being awake, going back and forth in some type of pleasant cycle. After a hot shower, I had English tea and time to pray and contemplate. It was so easy to go within and feel the love of God in Julian of Norwich's country. I felt as if I was falling, softly sliding on silk, and someone was gently holding me as I was surrendering the noise of my mind. There are so many riches, so much wisdom, such connection and intimacy in silence. I do meditate daily, but there's always something I need to do immediately after my 15-30 minutes of prayer and it must affect how deep I go. Today, I just had to be. Although I was in a foreign land and I could have seeing something new, no matter which direction I traveled, I went to a place I think I know, but I really don't. Instead of going to see the cathedrals and palaces of England, I experienced the kingdom within. I return on Thursday after three days of work. I hope I can keep this presence all week... I need time to think of an answer to, "so, what did you see..."



"There is nothing so much as God, as silence." Meister Eckart

Technorati Tags: Catholic, Meditation, Silence, Spirituality

Julian of Norwich is teaching me...

I took this little fun quiz and came up with Blessed Julian of Norwich as a Saint with whom I had things in common. I knew a little bit about her, but in the last couple of days I have been reading some more. This is what Julian of Norwich is teaching me...

To recognize Divine love in all circumstances. Her visions ("showings") of Christ's crown of thorns helped her see the love and sweetness of life, even when faced with sickness or the painful consequences of sin. I have a saying (not sure if I made it up or read it somewhere) that life offers only blessings and opportunities.

To completely trust in the greatness and love of God and to embrace mystery. She had a vision in which Creation amounted to no more than a hazelnut. Physically, a small and simple thing, but spiritually measured by the greatness of God's love. "To gaze into the heart of darkness itself is to enter the mysterious immensity of God's goodness.

To meditate on the feminine qualities of God. "Jesus, she says, is our Mother, who bears us in the womb of his love and nourishes us with his own flesh."

To be more optimistic (imagine that!). She emphasized focusing on the bliss and glory of the Earth with exquisite joy, rather than on sin and the things that are negative. She thought that with the crucifixion of the Son of God, the worst that could ever happened happened and God overcame it. Therefore... "All shall be well, and all shall be well, and all manner of things shall be well"

Finally, Julian of Norwich teaches me to have intimacy with God as an all consuming goal. To seek to see His face in all the days of my life...

Some references...The Website of Unknowing and Julian of Norwich.

Technorati Tags: Catholic, Hope, Optimism, Saints, Spirituality

What saint are you?

What saint are you?  Take this fun and short quiz at martha, martha...

Me?

"You are Julian of Norwich! It's all about God, to you. You're convinced that the world has a happy ending. Everyone else is convinced that you're a closet hippie, but you love them anyway."

Must be my love for silence and contemplation...

Mother Teresa's Silence

Today we celebrate Blessed Mother Teresa's feast. We often think of this saintly woman in action: caring for the homeless, opening orphanages, feeding the hungry, etc. However, she was as much a "Mary, as she was a Martha (Luke 10: 38-42)." Mother Teresa spent many hours a day in private and community prayer. Here is a quote from her...

"We need to find God, and he cannot be found in noise and restlessness. God is the friend of silence. See how nature -- trees, flowers, grass --grows in silence; see the stars, the moon, the sun, how they move in silence...

The more we rece