tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-325595562012-01-02T15:45:36.097-06:00Up for a discussion? Information, inspiration, or a little of both? Just remember that if you comment on a post, please make it clear whether you are writing your own thoughts, something you "heard", or a first-hand experience...keeping in mind, "with reverence for all".Karenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09692979403936011731noreply@blogger.comBlogger1381100tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32559556.post-72571439937077937512012-01-02T08:04:00.004-06:002012-01-02T15:45:36.135-06:00

"It's never to late to be what you might have been." George ElliotThat quote is one of the few words that lay on my makeshift altar in the parlor. Too large to fit in my wallet, too small to hang on the wall, that small piece of cardboard lies flat at the foot of a statue of Jesus, amid other artifacts from my spiritual journey.Today I have removed the Advent candles from my altar and am set to

Karenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09692979403936011731noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32559556.post-83790531099386420852011-12-17T16:01:00.006-06:002011-12-17T17:03:37.952-06:00

"Why can't people just give people presents when they need them?" "Why do they have to make a big deal doing it at Christmas time?" Quotes from my twenty-something daughter about two weeks ago when I asked her to make a Christmas list for her relatives to take a look at. I understood what she was talking about but didn't really think about it until she called a little while ago complaining at the

Karenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09692979403936011731noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32559556.post-24953407116575348452011-12-10T17:48:00.003-06:002011-12-10T18:39:59.363-06:00

Although the Kings came from afar to arrive at the stable, I cannot really say how far away that 'nearby' field was from which the shepherds came to the manger. I mean, they were familiar with the terrain, did that make it a little more difficult to think that something miraculous was happening so near?Let a little light from that Star illuminate my surroundings, and let my curiosity about what

Karenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09692979403936011731noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32559556.post-87110840957747144582011-12-07T13:42:00.005-06:002011-12-07T14:53:48.274-06:00

It has been an interesting Advent, to say the least. Although initially I found yuletide encouragement by reading an article, my steps have been hurried as of late by my interaction with those who walk by me (and sometimes with me!) on their own Advent journeys. In the past two days I have encountered a couple of friends who seemed slightly spent. Disheartened? Never! But, spent, all the same.

Karenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09692979403936011731noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32559556.post-62463981627829731492011-12-04T11:15:00.003-06:002011-12-04T12:34:04.665-06:00

Sunday December 4, 2011 Today I must, can, outta, should, will put up the Christmas tree, decorate the house, write some Christmas cards,and make a list of presents to give to those I usually give gifts to. Yet, as I watch the overly commercialized season unwrap, the only real twinkling lights that flash in my mind spell out: DO I HAFTA?No one has ever accused me of being Martha Stewart. I once

Karenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09692979403936011731noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32559556.post-86412923181095512342011-11-20T09:07:00.010-06:002011-11-22T08:59:41.770-06:00

Growing up, I never understood why Jesus would say to the apostles, "Tell No one". If the miracles that they witnessed were life changing, why on earth would not Jesus let them shout it from the roof tops? On my spiritual journey I learned to view his message differently and I would like to think I now have a good grasp of that piece of Scripture. Yet this morning as I distributed the Precious

Karenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09692979403936011731noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32559556.post-72877864872634485712011-11-12T21:57:00.003-06:002011-11-20T09:06:06.869-06:00

A couple of weeks ago, someone asked me, "In ten words or less, what can be done to bring the two parishes together?" He immediately smiled softly when I quickly explaimed, "You KNOW I can't explain anything in less than ten words!" So, grinning as well, I gave him some short sentences in several blurts, and I think he knew what I meant. But I thought about it on my walk the next day, and after

Karenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09692979403936011731noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32559556.post-66963478940122413312011-10-29T18:01:00.003-05:002011-10-29T19:15:30.080-05:00

Entering the correct password to this blog, on the fourth try, indicated that I have had limited keyboard time lately. I could cite the usual reasons, busy at work, at home, and at church. But the truth may be that I have been at a loss for words lately. (Aw....come on, quit laughing!) Really! My fingers used to fly on this keyboard describing anything and everything that crossed my mind. Tonight

Karenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09692979403936011731noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32559556.post-53950768705763557802011-09-12T20:03:00.003-05:002011-09-12T20:24:59.530-05:00

Excerpts from a chapter of Jake Colsen's work "The Great Gathering":"Jesus saw the church as a reality, not an assignment for his followers to construct."One way to construct the church? --"stay focused on him.'"Where Jesus is given first place, the church simply emerges in wonderful ways. He will place you in the body exactly as he desires. And as those relationships grow, you may find yourself

Karenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09692979403936011731noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32559556.post-73328259683268861352011-09-07T10:51:00.001-05:002011-09-07T10:53:04.210-05:00

Aim at Heaven, and you will get earth thrown in.Aim at earth and you get neither.C.S. Lewis

Karenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09692979403936011731noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32559556.post-13174683690480481572011-08-14T12:44:00.002-05:002011-08-14T13:16:22.930-05:00

During his homily a couple of weeks ago, the visiting priest built his homily around the question, "What do you want?" Not that I shut down completely after I heard that question, but I must admit it reverberated across my being and stayed with me on my walk that whole next week. To answer the question I finally sat down and started to list what I wanted. I started to identify what would make me

Karenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09692979403936011731noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32559556.post-21823178271441403642011-07-17T13:11:00.003-05:002011-07-17T14:12:49.855-05:00

I have endured rolled eyes and glassy stares whenever I have given an explanation as to why I participate (endure?) in a body purification program maybe two to three times a year. The three week program basically gives your liver a rest from all of the detoxing it tries to do to combat the invasion of chemicals and preservatives that we daily consume. The Program encourages consumption of an

Karenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09692979403936011731noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32559556.post-31812976769950243442011-07-10T21:47:00.002-05:002011-07-10T21:51:58.037-05:00

From the Word among Us:"Time and again, God gives us opportunities to do something different, to make a new and better choice, even the choice to become a saint........Each of us has the opportunity to be a saint--not by becoming a world-famous missionary like Mother Teresa or an erudite theologian like Pope John Paul II or a martyr like Edith Stein, but by simply being the best version of

Karenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09692979403936011731noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32559556.post-28303688082425691712011-07-02T09:52:00.007-05:002011-07-02T13:54:51.960-05:00

'When someone asked me what that "Surrender" blog-blurt was all about, I had no ready answer except that I am tired of being anchored down by the gravity of the institutional church. The positives of Gravity in keeping all things secured to the earth, have to be overcome when one wishes to fly. Years ago, a small number of people thought differently about flight, and they changed travel forever.

Karenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09692979403936011731noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32559556.post-31821337472843155072011-06-28T08:37:00.003-05:002011-07-02T09:50:50.591-05:00

My copy of 'Falling Upward' by Richard Rohr is making the rounds among 'folks I know'. Before I let it go, I jotted down excerpts from the last few chapters to keep me company on my journey:"A. If you are on course at all, your world should grow much larger in the second half of life. But I must tell you that, in yet another paradox, your circle of real confidants and truly close friends will

Karenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09692979403936011731noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32559556.post-5762826465786158032011-06-19T09:55:00.004-05:002011-06-19T11:14:54.247-05:00

This morning's mass was for the Most Holy Trinity. As I listened to the Deacon's homily, I happened to glance down at my hands and gaze at three simple rings. I have never been overly interested in jewelry unless they express some significance in my life. The three rings that I wore today radiated a special symmetry of love, commitment and joy."To Have and to Hold": I actually have two wedding

Karenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09692979403936011731noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32559556.post-29642944622401611072011-06-15T16:36:00.001-05:002011-06-15T16:36:56.495-05:00

Karenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09692979403936011731noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32559556.post-49910809164498106232011-05-22T13:19:00.002-05:002011-05-22T14:43:14.855-05:00

My how times flies! It seems only yesterday that I could sit here peacefully and type without a steady barrage of "BONKS ! !" at my kitchen window. Let me see, actually it has been almost two months since 'my' cardinal arrived. People are shocked as to the force with which the cardinal (no, no, he has not been christened with a cutesy name) bonks against the window. The offers at extermination

Karenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09692979403936011731noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32559556.post-5937799574409376232011-05-15T15:30:00.004-05:002011-05-15T16:19:39.627-05:00

High up in the blue skyWings of hope are spreading wideA white dove is dancingFlying free and happily.White DoveWhite DoveFlying higher and higher.Lest my country'sclean and blue skiesshould be cloudy and grey.These are the lyrics to the Korean Peace Anthem. 'Casting Crowns' (Christian band) sang a version of this anthem during their trip to perform in North Korea. Part of the song is sung in

Karenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09692979403936011731noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32559556.post-70635494825433924622011-05-04T21:36:00.002-05:002011-05-04T22:06:30.386-05:00

"Falling Upward" by Richard Rohr has been a wonderful blessing, as books go. Every chapter struck a chord from the past, "I knew that!" or "Yes, happened to me." or resonated with ideas that intrigue me for future use."Life is not, nor ever has been, a straight line forward.""Well, after all is said and done, remember that church practice has been more influenced by Plato than Jesus.""Every time

Karenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09692979403936011731noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32559556.post-62687923392850702742011-04-30T16:18:00.006-05:002011-04-30T19:02:40.648-05:00

"Discharging your loyal soldier" was a catch phrase that the Japanese used to try and ease their WWII soldiers back into society. "the community needs you to return as a man, a citizen, and something beyond a soldier." "This kind of closure is much needed for most of us at the end of all major transitions in life. Because we have lost any sense of the need for such rites of passage, most people

Karenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09692979403936011731noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32559556.post-46485665480309015422011-04-29T18:28:00.006-05:002011-04-29T20:10:37.241-05:00

I thought I should probably state up front that this blog is evolving. A couple of parishioners intended to find a way to communicate during the closings, and a more techy person than I suggested blogging. During ( what I feel is) this transition phase, I will be chatting about what I am encountering on my journey and relating it to a couple of parishioners who are on their own expeditions.On

Karenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09692979403936011731noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32559556.post-7942712458561613122011-04-26T18:20:00.006-05:002011-04-26T19:04:54.845-05:00

I am reading the newest book of Father Richard Rohr titled, "Falling Upward, A Spirituality for the Two Halves of Life". I am not able to speed through this one( which as most of you Rohr Readers know is par for the course with his books) because of it resonates with wisdom for my life at age 50."The first part of life, success, security, and containment---'looking good' to ourselves and others--

Karenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09692979403936011731noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32559556.post-91112066387059297832011-04-19T08:32:00.007-05:002011-04-26T18:18:11.285-05:00

Saturday March 26, I came home early from work and rushed around to prepare for my overnight Confirmation retreat. My niece who was visiting from Pittsburgh said, "Do you know that you have this crazy bird knocking himself out on your window? He started it yesterday!" I remember vaguely glancing at the big kitchen window and saying with a shrug, "He thinks his reflection is another bird, he'll

Karenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09692979403936011731noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32559556.post-77861019704443636852011-03-06T21:41:00.001-06:002011-03-06T21:42:32.974-06:00

Discretion is being able to raise your eyebrow instead of your voice. Unknown

Karenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09692979403936011731noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32559556.post-86542745849079556372011-02-24T18:47:00.002-06:002011-02-24T18:51:25.800-06:00

My emailers never cease to amuse me:An Irishman goes into the confessional box after years of being away from the Church.There's a fully equipped bar with Guinness on tap. On the other wall is a dazzling array of the finest cigars and chocolates.Then the priest comes in. "Father, forgive me, for its been a very long time since I've been to confession, but I must first admit that the confessional

Karenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09692979403936011731noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32559556.post-86043003590375119852011-02-13T09:33:00.003-06:002011-02-13T09:40:39.406-06:00

From one of my magazines:"After a hard West Virginia rainstorm filled all the potholes in the streets and alleys, a young mother watched her two little boys playing in a puddle from her kitchen window. The older of the two, a five-year old lad, grabbed his sibling by the back of the head and shoved his face into the water hole.As the boy recovered and stood laughing and dripping, the mother ran

Karenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09692979403936011731noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32559556.post-37107402650570109132011-02-02T10:06:00.003-06:002011-02-02T10:29:01.743-06:00

As I flipped through the pages of a six week devotional journal, I stopped at the Bold -faced SHUT UP !!! I immeidately thought, "No, that can't be right, this is a devotional journal, it couldn't say that as a title." But, there it sat, defiantly stating its obvious message, SHUT UP !!Now, excerpts from the article:"It sounds so harsh. When my girls were growing up, we did not allow them to

Karenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09692979403936011731noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32559556.post-12747562032917915152011-01-01T10:24:00.002-06:002011-01-01T10:29:54.665-06:00

"As long as you seek for something, you will get the shadow of reality and not reality itself." -Shunryu Suzuki

Karenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09692979403936011731noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32559556.post-46347024331833268962010-12-19T13:19:00.002-06:002010-12-19T13:23:00.213-06:00

Found this among my Christmas reading:"A Toast at a Dickens Party"'The Spirits had shown Ebenezerthat it was wrong to cheat and steal,But I say the spirits were mistaken.We must cheat!We must steal!We must drink!We must cheat death!We must steal time to be with loved ones!And we must drink in the happiness of this holiday season!'

Karenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09692979403936011731noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32559556.post-10949504899322895412010-12-05T09:46:00.004-06:002010-12-05T10:37:55.961-06:00

Remember those stories that we had to read in literature way back in the day? I cannot remember the author or the title of the story. I cannot tell you whether or not I was in junior high or high school when I read the story. What I can tell you is that I never forgot the basic premise of that written work.Two men had an argument over what a man truly needed to live. After a rather lively debate,

Karenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09692979403936011731noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32559556.post-44962435190995545532010-11-29T16:53:00.002-06:002010-11-29T17:21:13.906-06:00

"Waiting in silence, waiting in hope."Those words, from Sunday's entrance hymn, ushered our parish into Advent. Yet it was the words spoken before mass that ushered many into another waiting period. Our deacon informed we parishioners at the weekend masses that our pastor was being treated for fourth stage cancer. "Father Bob has cancer in his bones, liver and thyroid." were difficult words to

Karenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09692979403936011731noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32559556.post-90668506528540169782010-11-23T18:29:00.003-06:002010-11-23T19:19:01.148-06:00

I had the day off today and went to the grocery to gather the ingredients for the Thanksgiving recipes that my family would prepare in the next couple of days. Even though I found everything on the list, I felt an unexplainable tenseness enveloping me. I thought about the Christmas displays and the "Holiday" music that blared over the store's sound system. "That's It!" (as Lucy was soooo found of

Karenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09692979403936011731noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32559556.post-12196994861805861052010-11-23T18:00:00.003-06:002010-11-23T18:03:34.198-06:00

Lets get ready for Advent! Joseph's song........In the Lord I place my confidence and trust,For it is only in his strength that I can overcomethe fear of this awesome responsibility.Generation after generation will strugglefor the meaning of the Lamb of God.But only those who dare to risk,will hold the promise in their arms.

Karenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09692979403936011731noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32559556.post-59517672876703575392010-11-23T17:48:00.003-06:002010-11-23T18:00:03.762-06:00

A quote I ran across on an old notecard:"Wolves, after all, were like people. If you feared them and ostracized them and excluded them, they eventually turned into what you were afraid they were anyway."Murray Bado "Francis, Journey and the Dream"

Karenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09692979403936011731noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32559556.post-53070107406792323772010-11-14T14:41:00.002-06:002010-11-14T14:44:11.203-06:00

Just for today, I will let go of anger.Just for today, I will let go of worry.Just for today, I will give thanks for my many blessings.Just for today, I will do my work honestly.Just for today, I will be kind to my neighbor and every living thing. Dr. Mikao Usui

Karenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09692979403936011731noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32559556.post-71332251719273665252010-10-10T10:11:00.004-05:002010-10-10T18:28:12.463-05:00

One of my very first blogs was about 'Double-bagging'. Bringing groceries in from the car on a cold winter day, I watched in disbelief as one plastic grocery bag split down one side, and spilled all of its contents on my cold, dark garage floor. I spent well over twenty minutes cleaning up a large glass jar of applesauce that had shattered over quite an area under my car. I swore, that never

Karenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09692979403936011731noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32559556.post-74714324857334485852010-09-26T13:17:00.006-05:002010-09-26T15:15:40.267-05:00

Last night I had the opportunity to attend the wedding reception of a member of my daughter's volleyball team from years past. Although I knew that my husband would have difficulty getting off work that evening, I sent back the response that there would be two attending. Yesterday morning I had to decide if I would go to the reception on time with my daughter and her husband and enjoy watching

Karenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09692979403936011731noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32559556.post-75188063240432080072010-09-12T12:02:00.003-05:002010-09-12T13:36:09.683-05:00

My family went out to Pittsburgh during August for my niece's wedding. My husband and I decided to take a couple more days off to vacation around Pennsylvania and as usual, we kept an eye out for small colleges to stop and purchase souvenir T-Shirts for our daughters. (The only criteria was that the school names be unique.) When we saw a sign off of the interstate that read "Messiah College",

Karenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09692979403936011731noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32559556.post-23056966039169089642010-08-29T10:36:00.004-05:002010-08-29T13:12:00.533-05:00

When asked by my eldest daughter, on the phone from Cincinnati, what I was up to, I mentioned that I was up in "The Blue Room" sorting through my life. The mere mention of that local tavern brings the usual eye rolls and snickers because at our house that title doubles for the upstairs vacant bedroom which is a showcase for my pack rat tendencies! As I waited for her usual rapid fire comments to

Karenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09692979403936011731noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32559556.post-58442869803481799112010-08-18T14:07:00.004-05:002010-08-18T14:22:28.183-05:00

Lyrics from Casting Crown's "Voice of Truth":Oh what I would do to haveThe kind of faith it takesTo climb out of this boat I'm inOnto the crashing wavesTo step out of my comfort zoneInto the realm of the unknown where Jesus isAnd He's holding out His handBut the waves are calling out my nameAnd they laugh at meReminding me of all the timesI've tried before and failedThe waves they keep on telling

Karenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09692979403936011731noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32559556.post-59082250603865248682010-08-06T21:49:00.004-05:002010-08-06T22:38:55.905-05:00

An excerpt from "Things Hidden: Scripture as Spirituality":" This warning from Jesus, after the Transfiguration, not to talk is often called the 'messianic secret' by scriptural commentators. It is common for Jesus to demand silence after many of his actions and miracles. He does not allow demons "who know who he is 'to speak' (Mark 1:34). So interesting! Why do you think he tells people not to

Karenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09692979403936011731noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32559556.post-26892772916823277692010-07-31T15:13:00.002-05:002010-07-31T15:19:10.276-05:00

I ran across this Mission Statement from another church: (T.R.E.E.S)"Transforming lives throughRadical hospitality,Equipping relationships,Experiencing God's presence andServing people's innermost needs."More than once I have read this mission statement and nodded my head.

Karenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09692979403936011731noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32559556.post-67249305031267712422010-07-09T21:37:00.005-05:002010-07-09T22:50:11.112-05:00

Philippians 4:8Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just,whatever is pure, whatever is lovely,whatever is gracious,if there is any excellence and if there is anything worthy of praise,think about these things.I wrote this verse on a card and carried it with me for a couple of days, reciting it over and over. Why? I came upon it by chance while reading and felt

Karenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09692979403936011731noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32559556.post-63413533863478988692010-06-08T20:36:00.002-05:002010-06-08T21:35:25.013-05:00

Trying to decide on a birthday present for someone special is tough. What would they like? What do they need? What can I afford to give to them? Where can I find their present? When should I give it to them? Send it in the mail? Give it to them in person? Sometimes we may put to much pressure on ourselves to find the perfect gift.The perfect gift. Today is Father Bill Bodart's birthday and I have

Karenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09692979403936011731noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32559556.post-7405796788855010942010-06-06T11:32:00.005-05:002010-06-06T13:11:43.901-05:00

When I heard the hymn "We Come to Share Our Story" at mass this morning, I could not help but think of all the stories that must be stored inside the parishioners who were in attendance. Although I have chatted with almost all of them at one time or another, I was thankful for those who had really shared their story with me. You know, shared 'their' story: their coming to Christ, their encounters

Karenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09692979403936011731noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32559556.post-25827832399548379212010-06-01T11:56:00.001-05:002010-06-06T11:31:02.953-05:00

Priest, parishioners provide accordion accompaniment for Polka MassI recently purchased a laptop to become more mobile for seminars and retreats. I started to make my 'favorites' list, so that I could pull information up to use more quickly. As I added the Catholic Chronicle's website, I ran some names through to catch up with what people were doing. Typing in Father Kent's name brought up the

Karenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09692979403936011731noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32559556.post-49292751766155938612010-05-10T20:00:00.003-05:002010-05-10T21:06:20.169-05:00

I highlighted a couple of things from the first chapter of Rohr's Book, "Things Hidden", but finally realized that I was not going to read the second chapter until I jotted down a couple of notes here. The title to me was interesting as I seemed to have picked up somewhere that if I am given and properly absorb the proper information from Church doctrines, then, a long-awaited transformation

Karenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09692979403936011731noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32559556.post-55573700667253445632010-05-01T17:20:00.003-05:002010-05-01T17:47:48.199-05:00

Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate.Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure.It is our light and not our darkness that frightens us.We ask ourselves, "Who am I?to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented and fabulous?"Actually, who are you not to be?You are a child of God.Your playing small doesn't serve the world.There's nothing enlightened about shrinking so that other

Karenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09692979403936011731noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32559556.post-22854132258673034162010-04-15T19:21:00.006-05:002010-04-18T12:54:46.099-05:00

During the homily this last Sunday, our deacon related how he was asked to leave his home parish and become part of the Upper Sandusky parish. I may not be quoting him exactly, but he made the comment that he told the powers- that- be that he would not be interested in the position if he would merely be used to serve coffee and doughnuts to the pastor! We all got a chuckle out of it and he went

Karenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09692979403936011731noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32559556.post-19780893977287581102010-04-10T11:45:00.007-05:002010-05-10T19:55:28.295-05:00

What is this awesome mysterythat is taking place within me?I can find no words to express it;my poor hand is unable to capture itin describing the praise and glory that belongto the One who is above all praise,and who transcends every word...My intellect sees what has happened,but cannot explain it.It can see, and wishes to explain,but can find no word that will suffice;for what it sees is

Karenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09692979403936011731noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32559556.post-25510758616564993302010-03-15T14:38:00.002-05:002010-03-20T21:59:03.880-05:00

I'll be back.- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -March 20I wanted to talk about what I was doing for Lent,( kind of a nautical theme), but am having trouble making it to the computer. I am reminded of the story about the minister who was upstairs working on his sermon when his wife yelled up the stairs that

Karenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09692979403936011731noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32559556.post-28434135561507689132010-02-21T12:12:00.002-06:002010-02-21T12:29:18.673-06:00

"Change our hearts this time, your word says it can be.Change our minds this time, your life could make us free.We are the people, your call has set apart.Lord, this time, Change Our Hearts."This refrain from the last song at mass this morning started to erase the film that I saw at the start of mass. We watched a presentation from Bishop Blair that was supposed to play during

Karenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09692979403936011731noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32559556.post-69125433189645346162010-02-12T14:11:00.003-06:002010-02-12T14:52:39.891-06:00

One poet said,"An old man, traveling a lone highway,Came at evening cold and grayTo a chasm vast and deep and wideThat barred his way at eventide.The old man crossed in the twilight dim;That turbid stream held no fear for him.But he turned, when safe on the other side,And builded a bridge to span the tide."Good friend," said a fellow-traveler near,"You're wasting your time in building here.You

Karenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09692979403936011731noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32559556.post-46081320759596551792010-01-21T18:56:00.003-06:002010-01-27T21:49:24.492-06:00

Lyrics from an oldie but goodie: Simon Peter, put that net down.Follow me I'll lead you out of this town,to a place where no boat has ever been.I will make you a fisher of men.

Karenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09692979403936011731noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32559556.post-49402900492301668762010-01-11T10:58:00.005-06:002010-01-11T21:15:05.948-06:00

P R A Y E R ! !! !!! !!!!When a new priest comes to town, one expects that there will be changes. Father Bob decided that after each petition we would sing, "Jesus, Jesus, hear our prayer", rather than stating, "Lord hear our prayer".A young toddler in the congregation has recently started to recognize the refrain and belts (and I mean, BELTS!) out in her most earnest voice, PRAYER!!!!!"Some

Karenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09692979403936011731noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32559556.post-63790272740314285352010-01-01T08:31:00.005-06:002010-01-01T19:47:22.111-06:00

Happy New Year !!!!!!!!!!!And your New Year's resolution is ........................?????????????Years ago I had started to write down verses on notecards and carry them with me until I had the verse memorized. I came across a worn card one day during Advent, 'Joseph's Song', and refreshed myself mentally and spiritually with it on my daily walk:"In the Lord I place my confidence and trust.For it

Karenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09692979403936011731noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32559556.post-66947358133501647342009-11-17T20:57:00.002-06:002009-11-17T21:02:40.719-06:00

I just received this unique email................"HOW I LEARNED TO MIND MY OWN BUSINESS"I was walking past the mental hospital the other day, and all the patients were shouting, ' 13...13...13'The fence was too high to see over, but I saw a little gap in the planks, so I looked through to see what was going on...........Some idiot poked me in the eye with a stick!!!Then they all started

Karenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09692979403936011731noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32559556.post-8449192858252706432009-11-08T19:49:00.001-06:002009-11-08T20:20:33.403-06:00

Well, Father's homily today had the rapt attention of many!!He spoke of sacrifice. He spoke of the widow who gave away part of her last flour and oil to a stranger. He spoke of the Gospel story of the old widow who gave her two coins. And, he spoke of not enough health insurance, and too many weapons of destruction. As I listened, I became uneasy, as my priest's remarks became more intense

Karenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09692979403936011731noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32559556.post-40352429538876473682009-11-01T10:41:00.004-06:002009-11-01T11:18:24.713-06:00

"I will give you back your health and heal your wounds, says the Lord. Now you are called an outcast----'Jerusalem for whom nobody cares." Jeremiah 30:17While recently sorting out 'stuff' for my daughters to take to their new residences, I came across a book that someone had given one of them, "90 Minutes in Heaven." At first I tossed it in a box because there was absolutely

Karenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09692979403936011731noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32559556.post-77050131521310920382009-10-07T16:21:00.002-05:002009-10-07T16:29:10.218-05:00

I am not on staff at Transfiguration of the Lord Parish.I am not on staff at Transfiguration of the Lord Parish.I am not on staff at Transfiguration of the Lord Parish.I am not on staff at Transfiguration of the Lord Parish.I am not on staff at Transfiguration of the Lord Parish.I am not on staff at Transfiguration of the Lord Parish.I am not on staff at Transfiguration of the Lord Parish.I am

Karenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09692979403936011731noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32559556.post-79537611579320942302009-10-05T19:23:00.002-05:002009-10-05T21:40:18.802-05:00

Age to Age we will love you.Dawning light we will wake with you.Into night we will follow you.We will love you Age to Age.

Karenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09692979403936011731noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32559556.post-74185468933308543282009-09-27T09:44:00.009-05:002009-10-08T20:45:51.252-05:00

Ah..the Sabbath!I made it to church on time, found the homily interesting, the music soothing, and the sincere smiles of the congregation endearing. My husband had to work, so I was to have a rather quiet Sunday morning by myself. A breakfast of eggs, toast, juice and a rare cup of caffienated coffee, coupled with the bulletin and yesterday's paper,!seemed quite inviting.I dutifully poured in the

Karenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09692979403936011731noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32559556.post-71708995817861707842009-09-20T11:29:00.010-05:002009-10-08T20:55:26.576-05:00

Father's homily this morning was about service. He related how in Confirmation, ninth graders were expected to perform various service projects. A woman in a previous parish lamented how she failed to see how her daughter would be expected to do tasks for strangers when she never offered to do laundry, wash dishes or sweep floors at home. Father thought that maybe many kids needed to see adults

Karenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09692979403936011731noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32559556.post-80023842684488814482009-08-05T21:30:00.004-05:002009-08-20T10:56:52.095-05:00

St. Mary's Center now has new energy efficient doors. New doors require new keys. The Facilities Committee had to decide how best to distribute the new keys to its parishioners. One member wondered aloud how many old keys were 'out there'. Were there forty, fifty, or even more than sixty?? Enough keys were then ordered for staff and all committee heads. If more keys were needed, then more would

Karenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09692979403936011731noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32559556.post-43828208056429500282009-07-26T13:42:00.005-05:002009-07-26T14:24:30.267-05:00

I have sat here at my computer for twenty minutes trying to find out what to technically call Salem St. Joseph's community and how many years they have been in existence. I know it has something to do with the 'historial society' or 'heritage foundation' and that the number 160 keeps popping up in my mind. Then, laughing at myself (which I frequently do...often with others....) I realized that I

Karenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09692979403936011731noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32559556.post-54640301991688730712009-07-05T12:07:00.003-05:002009-07-05T12:52:57.658-05:00

The refrain, "The Lord is Kind and Merciful" made me wince today. At first I smiled when I heard the first few notes and thought, "Yes, He is." But then to mind came the friends and families, especially the mothers (two of them were a grade ahead of me in highschool), of the three young men all under 20 years of age who died this week. I thought, "Yeh, try to convince them that the Lord is Kind

Karenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09692979403936011731noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32559556.post-48736800899932077952009-06-19T19:38:00.003-05:002009-06-19T19:59:19.890-05:00

Sorry, I have an email address that I made up for confirmation and just checked it. Someone left me about five pieces of mail, one with RIDE IT LIKE YOU STOLE IT !!!!!!" in HUGE letters. It made me laugh and sent a rush of adrenalin through me. I have a brother, who is a little over a year older than me, with whom I was seemingly always either following after or running from! Isn't it great to

Karenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09692979403936011731noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32559556.post-21718023523376432572009-06-07T13:53:00.005-05:002009-06-19T19:38:06.454-05:00

My daughter is taking a couple of nursing classes, and had to examine a book, "On Caring" by Milton Mayeroff. I was proofreading her paper based on the book, and was surprised how it related to all that our church had gone through the past four or five years. As we talked about the book, I kept using examples of what had happened personally with me and others during those years of conflict. She

Karenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09692979403936011731noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32559556.post-7964983331066252802009-05-31T10:29:00.004-05:002009-06-07T13:53:03.022-05:00

At the Confirmation ceremony a couple of weeks ago, the Aux. Bishop gave a short homily, or should I say, sang a short homily? He sang "When people always ask me who I am, who I am, who I am....when people always ask me who I am, I tell them I'm a child of God!" Egad , I first thought, how hokey! But he eventually had the kids do it weakly, then fairly audibly. The sponsors joined in next and it

Karenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09692979403936011731noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32559556.post-69045457923604540492009-05-14T19:09:00.003-05:002009-05-14T22:03:30.248-05:00

Yes, I know. I have not written since January 20, 2009. I had a couple of people question me whether or not I had taken the last book I had read ('So You Don't Want To Go To Church Anymore') waaaay too seriously! The answer was a definite NO! I did finish the book, loved it, and took a long walk with it. A walk through Confirmation (three seminars and one overnight retreat), Lent, my uncle's

Karenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09692979403936011731noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32559556.post-47082681266092831022009-01-20T18:09:00.005-06:002009-01-20T19:05:37.574-06:00

When I ordered a copy of "The Shack" to read more than six months ago, a partner book was offered with it, titled "So You Don't Want to Go to Church Anymore." "The Shack" had had great reviews, so I thought that the partner book would be definitley worth the purchase price. Unfortunately, I mislaid the book. I looked for it a few times (after I had long read "The Shack" and distributed several

Karenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09692979403936011731noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32559556.post-62919598721304625762009-01-04T09:10:00.004-06:002009-01-04T17:09:44.998-06:00

In the movie "Runaway Bride", the central character repeatedly became engaged and then always left each fiance on the wedding day. A reporter, who interviewed each of the men she left at the alter, always asked, "How does she like her eggs?" Ironically, each man gave a different answer: "Scrambled", "poached", "over easy" etc, but then added, "Just like mine." The bride was surprised when the

Karenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09692979403936011731noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32559556.post-47841537148738027052008-12-17T19:52:00.005-06:002008-12-17T20:46:04.039-06:00

"A voice crying out in the desert: Prepare the way of the Lord, make straight his paths,......The winding roads shall be made straight," (Luke 3:4-5)As I listened to that Gospel reading at mass, I was reminded of a segment we are developing for confirmation. The section is about "Construction" and from the "Signs of Faith " book, I am selecting Highway traffic signs that are associated with

Karenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09692979403936011731noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32559556.post-85536047821383710812008-11-30T09:51:00.007-06:002008-11-30T11:35:02.079-06:00

Happy Thanksgiving!!I have heard so many people over the years say that they liked this holiday the best because the focus is on gathering with family to share a meal. Thanksgiving is a time for reflection about all we have, and all that others don't have. It should remind us to share.We recently held a confirmation retreat for 31 freshmen. At lunchtime we handed out envelopes at random which

Karenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09692979403936011731noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32559556.post-83585222470644317542008-11-11T19:59:00.002-06:002008-11-11T20:11:09.701-06:00

A priest had the privilege of meeting Mother Teresa many times as he taught her contemplative sisters in the South Bronx. She once came up to him as he finished saying mass for her sisters in Harlem, grinning ear to ear, she said to him, "Father, have one of my business cards!" It simply said:"The fruit of silence is prayer. The fruit of prayer is faith. The fruit of faith is love. The

Karenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09692979403936011731noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32559556.post-85217947105857819472008-10-30T21:08:00.002-05:002008-10-30T21:15:18.645-05:00

I've been wondering how to get through this political season. Any help from God's Word today about the prophets?"Prophets relied on oracles, visions, dreams, and interpreted signs to glean God's will in their times. They also rested on the following assumptions:Politics and religion do mix. All authorities rule only at God's pleasure.The world stage, and not just Israelite history, operates

Karenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09692979403936011731noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32559556.post-26297565194805445342008-09-04T16:36:00.004-05:002008-09-04T19:12:25.819-05:00

I just sat down at my computer to check my email and I found this little message waiting to be posted on the blog:Hello????Is anyone out there???Is anyone listening???Does anyone care anymore????If so Please a little chatterThank you.I promptly posted the comment under 'Don't get emotional'.That comment did evoke a chuckle and a grin from myself. What have 'we' been doing lately? Why haven't 'we'

Karenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09692979403936011731noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32559556.post-72989497664648508262008-08-24T10:33:00.009-05:002008-08-28T11:04:39.847-05:00

I have been taking a break these last couple of weeks from "church stuff"( as my family dearly loves to call it!). Our recent change in leadership has offered me and many others in the parish a chance to stop and smell the roses, so to speak. I always thought it ironic when our former Pastor would lament that someone had taken a rosebush from his back yard. I would smile at every mention of the

Karenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09692979403936011731noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32559556.post-30508457016362729502008-07-16T17:53:00.003-05:002008-07-16T18:20:51.347-05:00

I always chuckled (ok, maybe not ALWAYS) when church leaders, during the closings, would tell parishioners that they had to learn to accept change and not get so emotional. I never understood how they could know what 'real' change was better than anyone in our community. I was reading David Yonke's blog a couple weeks ago and he mentioned that he was to read "The Shack" by William Young. I

Karenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09692979403936011731noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32559556.post-39820670694391490322008-07-06T09:45:00.003-05:002008-07-06T14:35:02.187-05:00

Many parishes across the Toledo Diocese this weekend welcomed their new priests to the area. People have asked me all week whether or not I had met our new priest. I would reply, "No, but that will come soon enough." I had mixed feelings about meeting the new priest. Always warned by my older brother not to be a "suck up", I have never felt the need to be the first introduced to anyone. Our last

Karenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09692979403936011731noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32559556.post-63751149503629521332008-06-07T09:16:00.009-05:002008-06-07T12:50:50.873-05:00

"We need to be unified! What can we do to have unity? Why do people stand in the way of unity?"Any phrase with the word 'unity' in it has raised the hair on the back of my neck for the past three years. Any time legitimate questions were brought up in group discussions about how to deal with our parish merger, ultimately someone would try to end the conversation with "Can't we have unity?" I have

Karenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09692979403936011731noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32559556.post-33917455901121279512008-05-30T19:43:00.004-05:002008-05-30T20:14:46.488-05:00

I was chatting about the blog the other day, with those who helped 'get it off the ground' so to speak, and we felt it might be time to move in another direction. Our original intention was to find a way to communicate more 'freely' with the members of our clustered parish. Actually , we ended up finding many ways to communicate and we all benefited from them.We thought that now, since the

Karenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09692979403936011731noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32559556.post-47558150655644099482008-05-23T21:27:00.005-05:002008-05-25T14:33:38.002-05:00

PSALM 16: 7-11I bless the Lord who councils me;Even at night my heart exhorts me.I keep the Lord always before me;with the Lord at my right, I shall never be shaken.Therefore my heart is glad, my soul rejoices;my body also dwells secure,For you will not abandon me to Sheol,nor let your faithful servant see the pit.You will show me the path to life.Abounding joy in your presence,The delights at

Karenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09692979403936011731noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32559556.post-62818603128435932032008-04-13T13:29:00.012-05:002008-04-13T19:58:45.434-05:00

How many times has someone knowingly, with great wisdom, said, "It's none of your business."As a youngster, on hearing these words, I would always become quiet and glance downwards. I would resolve to never, never again become interested or involved in another's business. But of course, in time, I would hear about another's situation and become interested. I never knew quite where those 'my

Karenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09692979403936011731noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32559556.post-83844130383542384822008-04-08T18:54:00.002-05:002008-04-08T18:57:41.538-05:00

Holy Spirit, come like a mighty rushing wind and awaken us out of our complacency, our apathy, our indifference. Disturb us, for we are too content to let things go on as they are, and to let people go on not knowing you. Penetrate the closed gates of our hearts and make us live again. O Holy Spirit, create among us a mighty Christian revolution and cast the fear of the unknown out of our lives.

Karenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09692979403936011731noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32559556.post-54310945732856496742008-03-11T19:06:00.006-05:002008-03-11T21:18:47.803-05:00

Does it matter where you sit in church? I know, I know, there are psychological studies that show that those who sit in the front of class get better grades than those that sit in the back of class. And thinking along those same lines, those parishioners that sit in the front of church are more likely to volunteer and support the church than those who sit in the back.This topic came up about a

Karenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09692979403936011731noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32559556.post-52759093124257120302008-02-10T19:55:00.001-06:002008-02-22T11:50:43.500-06:00

A friend of mine wrote me a note a couple of weeks ago after I had written "Baptism Blues".She admitted that we seem to have a communications problem in the parish. "From the beginning, tact and/or consideration for how someone might feel hasn't appeared to be a high priority in most of his (Father's) dealings. Obviously, from the Bishops' experience, there was some communication, but not clear

Karenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09692979403936011731noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32559556.post-16243817845994641132008-01-10T18:08:00.000-06:002008-01-15T21:09:38.777-06:00

Jan. 10th(I only had the title 'Baptism Blues' up from Jan.10th-Jan13th, hence the reason behind comments one and two)Jan. 14thOk, I cannot promise that I am done sighing, or shaking my head, but I am ready to communicate. I would like to think that most of us are pretty 'good natured' about a lot of things that happen in our parish. Most of us readily acknowledge our humanness and move on.Once

Karenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09692979403936011731noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32559556.post-77984316436927895412007-12-30T11:40:00.000-06:002007-12-30T11:54:17.878-06:00

Someone sent me the following and it struck a chord:Three things in life that, once gone, never come back-- 1. Time 2. Words 3. OpportunityThree things in life that can destroy a person-- 1. Anger 2. Pride 3. UnforgivenessThree things in life that you should never lose-- 1. Hope 2. Peace 3. HonestyThree things in life that are most valuable-- 1. Love 2.

Karenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09692979403936011731noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32559556.post-11626502331034098162007-12-11T19:00:00.000-06:002007-12-12T22:27:10.679-06:00

Who can forget watching "Charlie Brown's Christmas", as Lucy sat before Schroeder's piano and asked him to play Jingle Bells? He enthusiastically played very intricate and moving renditions of Jingle Bells. Lucy listened very carefully, but did not hear Jingle Bells. Schroeder, exasperated, finally pecked out, note by single note, J- I-N-G-L-E -B-E-L-L-S, J-I-N-G-L-E -B-E-L-L-S !!! Lucy suddenly

Karenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09692979403936011731noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32559556.post-15300251883616523632007-11-07T20:11:00.000-06:002007-11-08T05:18:28.271-06:00

I attended the Confirmation ceremony tonight at our parish. As I opened the hymnal to sing the offertory song, I realized that I could not see the lyrics. I now need my glasses to read smaller print, so I reluctantly reached over to get my glasses out of my purse. Before I knew it, the top flap spewed out a jumble of coins and pens that rumbled across the pew! Everyone in the pew ahead of me

Karenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09692979403936011731noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32559556.post-7524465764916756922007-10-07T16:29:00.001-05:002007-10-07T16:46:37.423-05:00

Last week, I found myself humming the 70's protest song "One Tin Soldier". I had written the lyrics down last year as I pondered many of the actions taken by the diocese and the local church in the last few years: "Listen children to a story that was written long ago. "Bout a kingdom on a mountain and the valley folk below. On the mountain was a treasure buried deep within the stone and the

Karenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09692979403936011731noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32559556.post-34005731641925232082007-09-13T21:32:00.000-05:002007-09-13T21:49:30.046-05:00

A friend of mine has a habit of sticking things in her Bible. She recently sent me a note that she had cleaned out some papers from her Bible, and found a prayer that she had used for a prayer service that was held a few years ago."Lord Jesus we pray to you to ask your Blessed MotherThe Patron Saint of our ParishTo intercede for us that we may continueas a community of faith here at St.

Karenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09692979403936011731noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32559556.post-453141734729655642007-08-06T21:43:00.000-05:002007-08-06T21:53:44.684-05:00

I was browsing through a list of recommended books this evening and came across this quote from "The Spy Who Came in From the Cold." :"And suddenly, with the terrible clarity of a man too long deceived, Leamas understood the whole ghastly truth."Now, why would this quote stop me dead in my tracks, and cause me to reach for pen and paper? In the Catholic Identity classes I took years ago (yes,

Karenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09692979403936011731noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32559556.post-38096657071048542952007-07-15T20:56:00.000-05:002007-07-15T21:14:50.196-05:00

Friday's edition of the Daily Chief "Group going to trial over the closure of parish" has caused many to ask, "What should be done with the church at Salem?"The basic point brought out in the article was that Bishop Blair, in his deposition, said that what happens to Salem's church is up to Father Kaufman. The goal is now to set up some type of "a settlement conference to hopefully resolve the

Karenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09692979403936011731noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32559556.post-59167619021206051322007-06-28T19:46:00.000-05:002007-06-28T20:22:14.710-05:00

Wow ! How long has it been? I just realized that I have not written on this blog for over a month ! Has it been because there has been nothing to write about??? Nah, that hasn't been the case. I have written many blogs in my head, during my daily walk, but I never ventured towards the computer. Why? I reread the previous blog about the Psalms, and then I remembered why I haven't written.I guess I

Karenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09692979403936011731noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32559556.post-82395285577727979792007-05-25T22:09:00.000-05:002007-05-27T10:32:55.429-05:00

The following is the introduction to "Singing A New Song: Unlocking the Treasure of the Psalms"from the World Among Us Press."How do you deal with problems that beset you? How do you react when faced with some of the unavoidable trials of life? You may be surprised to discover that even the psalmist, when faced with life's hardships, was tempted to despair. Just imagine the state of his heart

Karenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09692979403936011731noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32559556.post-75575301578848310702007-05-17T17:35:00.000-05:002007-05-27T10:20:38.243-05:00

More graduation sentiments. "Have Confidence in Others" was written by Cardinal Theodore E. McCarrick:"Among all the words of congratulations that my classmates and I received in the numerous graduations of our lives, we were often told to have confidence in ourselves, to make a difference, to change the world and to be successful. That is always good advice, I guess, but as I look back at it, it

Karenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09692979403936011731noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32559556.post-59030656098143971142007-05-09T19:44:00.000-05:002007-05-09T20:07:20.734-05:00

In the May 7th issue of 'America Magazine', there is an article about 'Advice for College Grads'. Different individuals shared their advice. Therese J. Borchard wrote that one of her professors encouraged her to stretch her mind and remember that there is 'no black and white on this side of death--there's not even a Crayola box of primary colors.'She said that after she graduated from school she

Karenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09692979403936011731noreply@blogger.com0