I know I've not posted in a few days, but it's been a rather tiring weekend. Actually, come to that, I'm still really tired and am about to go have a gigantic herbal tea, watch a bit of Doctor Who and try to convince my brain to have an earlier night of it. I've started another entry in my series #ForAlltheSaints, but just don't have the mental capacity to finish it tonight. I'll finish it up and post it at some point tomorrow.
Instead, here's a clip of some scenes from one of my favourite Doctor Who episodes, "The Doctor's Wife" written by Neil Gaiman and starring Matt Smith as The Doctor. It explores the unique relationship between The Doctor and his time machine/spaceship called the TARDIS. The Doctor has been travelling through time and space with his TARDIS for 900+ years at this point and the relationship is a bit like a lifelong love affair. Enjoy!
Sunday, November 9, 2014
Friday, November 7, 2014
Five Minute Friday: Turn
Note: This post is my weekly contribution to the Five Minute Friday community that is hosted by Kate Motaung on her blog Heading Home. Click here for more information about Five Minute Friday and how you can get involved! To link up with all the other entries for today's prompt word, click here.
I watch as she dances, twirling, turning, swooping. She is all long blonde hair, long legs, and a snaggle toothed grin, her big sensitive heart evident in every movement and every word.
I watch as she turns over and over across the floor in cartwheels and forward rolls. She is compact and strong, a bundle of kinetic energy springing forth from her almost seven year old frame.
I watch as she toddles toward the door, giggles, and turns back to toddle to me again. She is growing every day, but still soft with baby rolls, baby soft hair, and laughter.
I watch as the days turn into years and my three girls grow and I long at times to turn back the clock. They are perpetual motion machines at times and then just as sudden, they turn into me for hugs, snuggles, and kisses. As much as my heart longs for days gone past, I am glad to watch them change to become the beautiful women that God is making them into with each turn.
****
I watch as she turns over and over across the floor in cartwheels and forward rolls. She is compact and strong, a bundle of kinetic energy springing forth from her almost seven year old frame.
I watch as she toddles toward the door, giggles, and turns back to toddle to me again. She is growing every day, but still soft with baby rolls, baby soft hair, and laughter.
I watch as the days turn into years and my three girls grow and I long at times to turn back the clock. They are perpetual motion machines at times and then just as sudden, they turn into me for hugs, snuggles, and kisses. As much as my heart longs for days gone past, I am glad to watch them change to become the beautiful women that God is making them into with each turn.
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| Join the fun at Kate Motaung's blog! |
Wednesday, November 5, 2014
My Little Flower from Heaven -- #ForAlltheSaints
Like most young girls, when I was a teenager, I longed for a boyfriend. I wanted a boy who would care for me and kiss me and hold my hand walking to classes. I wanted that thing that so many of us want -- romantic love. I dated a couple of guys in high school, had a deep friendship with a guy who I think wanted it to be romance, and definitely crushed hard on several guys who I found attractive both for their looks but also their personality and brains.
As I got into college, I found that I not only wanted a guy I could date, but I was looking at guys with a mind toward eventually getting married. Several of my college friends were in dating relationships and some of those led to engagements and marriages. I went to quite a number of weddings in my early-mid 20s. I was a bridesmaid a few times and sang for a few weddings of friends as well. As much as I was happy for my friends, there was a little piece of me that was heartbroken at every wedding I attended. There was always the thought of "when will it be my turn?" or "when will God bring a man into my life to be my husband?" I prayed and prayed and prayed for a husband.
As I got into college, I found that I not only wanted a guy I could date, but I was looking at guys with a mind toward eventually getting married. Several of my college friends were in dating relationships and some of those led to engagements and marriages. I went to quite a number of weddings in my early-mid 20s. I was a bridesmaid a few times and sang for a few weddings of friends as well. As much as I was happy for my friends, there was a little piece of me that was heartbroken at every wedding I attended. There was always the thought of "when will it be my turn?" or "when will God bring a man into my life to be my husband?" I prayed and prayed and prayed for a husband.
Tuesday, November 4, 2014
"Pray for us." Say what?? -- #ForAlltheSaints
So far I've talked about the Feast of All Saints, given you some background on my first experience with the saints, and a brief biography of my favourite saint, St. Dymphna. You may be wondering though, what do Catholics really believe about the saints?
There are a number of common misconceptions about what Catholics believe regarding the saints, but the biggest one is that we worship the saints or somehow place them ahead of Jesus. Another one is that because we ask them to pray for us that it somehow means we believe we cannot "go directly to Jesus" or that because we do ask for their prayers that we don't pray to God directly. In order to help clear up some of these misconceptions, here's a brief "what we believe" regarding the saints.
There are a number of common misconceptions about what Catholics believe regarding the saints, but the biggest one is that we worship the saints or somehow place them ahead of Jesus. Another one is that because we ask them to pray for us that it somehow means we believe we cannot "go directly to Jesus" or that because we do ask for their prayers that we don't pray to God directly. In order to help clear up some of these misconceptions, here's a brief "what we believe" regarding the saints.
Monday, November 3, 2014
My Best Saint Friend -- St. Dymphna -- #ForAlltheSaints
I was going to write about All Souls Day yesterday, but to be honest, my friends, I had a really really bad day. Some of you who are reading started reading during my 31 Days series last month which was a chronicle of my journey through a particularly dark episode of depression. As I said during that series, that journey is ongoing even now. As of November 1st, it has been 22 months of putting one foot in front of the other and trying to make my way through this. Some days are kind of okay, but I have a lot of days where the struggle is super real and super hard. This past weekend has been like that but in particular, Sunday. All this is to say that I just didn't get anything written like I had planned.
Saturday, November 1, 2014
The Feast of All Saints -- #ForAlltheSaints
Welcome to the new series! I hope you'll enjoy this month long series on the Saints!
The Feast of All Saints is, just that. A celebration of all the saints -- all the holy men and women who have died and gone on to heaven before us. These are men and women whose lives have been examined by the Catholic Church and found to be holy examples, worthy of imitation. In short, these are those who have been canonized by the Church as Saints. Of course, the Church views all Christians as saints inasmuch as we are children of God, but the people who we celebrate on this special feast day are those who are saints with a capital S and have the title of Saint (abbreviated St.) in front of their name.
Because all of these people are important in the history of the Church and have a special role within the Body of Christ, this is a very important feast day. It is so important that it is a Holy Day of Obligation and Catholics are obligated to attend Mass that day.
Even though all the saints are special, they are as varied and unique as non-canonized saints and those of us who are still living. They have been doctors, nurses, teachers, mothers, fathers, scientists, popes, bishops, nuns, monks, priests, children, husbands, wives, martyrs, virgins, kings, queens, servants, nobles, and the poorest of the poor. They have come from every race, most every culture, and many nations across the globe. They are a truly representative cross-section of humanity and as such, certain saints appeal to some people while others saints appeal to others. Of course, the big commonality amongst all the saints is their love and devotion to God and their service to Him with their lives. And that is something we're all called to do as Christians -- love God and love our neighbour.
Their varied lives, experiences, and backgrounds are why the Church assigns each saint a particular patronage that is reflective of some facet of that saint's life. For example, the recently canonized Pope St. John Paul II instituted World Youth Day during his papacy and as such, he has been designated as one of two patrons of World Youth Day (Blessed Theresa of Calcutta is the other one).
Here's some links to some more information on this Feast of All Saints:
Do you celebrate All Saints Day in your faith tradition?
If so, what do you do to celebrate or honor the saints on this special day?
If not, have you ever heard of or do you know of a particular saint that you identify with or that intrigues you?
Let me know in the comments below!
The Feast of All Saints is, just that. A celebration of all the saints -- all the holy men and women who have died and gone on to heaven before us. These are men and women whose lives have been examined by the Catholic Church and found to be holy examples, worthy of imitation. In short, these are those who have been canonized by the Church as Saints. Of course, the Church views all Christians as saints inasmuch as we are children of God, but the people who we celebrate on this special feast day are those who are saints with a capital S and have the title of Saint (abbreviated St.) in front of their name.
Because all of these people are important in the history of the Church and have a special role within the Body of Christ, this is a very important feast day. It is so important that it is a Holy Day of Obligation and Catholics are obligated to attend Mass that day.
Even though all the saints are special, they are as varied and unique as non-canonized saints and those of us who are still living. They have been doctors, nurses, teachers, mothers, fathers, scientists, popes, bishops, nuns, monks, priests, children, husbands, wives, martyrs, virgins, kings, queens, servants, nobles, and the poorest of the poor. They have come from every race, most every culture, and many nations across the globe. They are a truly representative cross-section of humanity and as such, certain saints appeal to some people while others saints appeal to others. Of course, the big commonality amongst all the saints is their love and devotion to God and their service to Him with their lives. And that is something we're all called to do as Christians -- love God and love our neighbour.
Their varied lives, experiences, and backgrounds are why the Church assigns each saint a particular patronage that is reflective of some facet of that saint's life. For example, the recently canonized Pope St. John Paul II instituted World Youth Day during his papacy and as such, he has been designated as one of two patrons of World Youth Day (Blessed Theresa of Calcutta is the other one).
Here's some links to some more information on this Feast of All Saints:
- The irrepressibly hilarious and insightful Simcha Fisher talks about why she loves certain saints, why she isn't a fan of others, and why that's perfectly okay
- Ever wondered just how many canonized saints there are? Stephen Beale at Catholic Exchange gives an answer.
- Lacy Rabideau at the blog Catholic Icing gives some great ideas for celebrating All Saints Day with kids -- including costumes, treats (I love the Saintly Stigmata Sandwiches!), crafts, games, and more!
- A recording of my favourite hymn for All Saints Day which inspired this series' title -- "For All the Saints" as sung by the Choir of King's College Cambridge, complete with lyrics.
Do you celebrate All Saints Day in your faith tradition?
If so, what do you do to celebrate or honor the saints on this special day?
If not, have you ever heard of or do you know of a particular saint that you identify with or that intrigues you?
Let me know in the comments below!
Introducing A New Series
As I got toward the end of the Write 31 Days Challenge that ended yesterday, I started thinking about what I want to do going forward with this blog. Several ideas came to mind and of those, I think I will definitely be pursuing a couple of them in the future, but in the more immediate present, I want to continue the momentum of daily blogging (I did make a commitment to blog daily back in September -- see more about that here) and do another series.
One of the things in the title of my blog is a reference to my faith. I have been a Christian for almost my entire life, but am an adult convert to Catholicism. I came to the Catholic faith after much prayer and discernment and it is a central part of my identity and informs everything in the way I live my life from the way I raise my children to my politics to my relationship with my husband to the way I view the world and society around me. I am always happy to share what I believe (and why I believe it) with others and as such, am always reading and studying my faith. 1 Peter 3:15 says, in part, the following: "...Always be prepared to make a defense to any one who calls you to account for the hope that is in you..." which is a good thing to consider for any Christian -- Catholic or not.
Keeping this in mind, my new series for the month of November is going to be one on.......
......the Saints. What I want to do is provide an overview of what Catholics believe regarding the saints, some biographies of common saints, and a little bit about the process of becoming a saint. I may also write some on other things that are tangentially related to the subject or post some links to articles or other blogs I have found interesting and informative on the subject.
Given that today, November 1st, is the Feast of All Saints, the title of this new series is going to be called "For All the Saints" which is the first line of one of my favourite hymns about the saints:
"For all the saints, who from their labours rest
Who thee, by faith, before the world confessed
Thy Name, O Jesus be forever blessed
Alleluia! Alleluia!"
I know that not all the folks who have been reading my blog of late are Catholic, so this may not immediately be of any interest to you, but I sincerely hope you'll read along anyway. You may have always wondered why Catholics talk about saints or what the big deal about them is or whether or not we really worship them or not (Spoiler: The answer is a very emphatic "no"). I'll try to make it a fun series with interesting trivia, maybe a song or two, and some good information too.
Do you have a question about the saints or Catholic beliefs regarding them?
Do you have a favourite saint or one you'd like to know more about?
Let me know in the comments below and I'll try to answer your questions and maybe do a feature on a saint of your choice! Also, just so you know, this series will probably not run every day, but about 4-5 days a week. In between, I'll be posting other stuff. Just look for one of the hashtags in the title -- #ForAlltheSaints or #TFASCMSaints!
One of the things in the title of my blog is a reference to my faith. I have been a Christian for almost my entire life, but am an adult convert to Catholicism. I came to the Catholic faith after much prayer and discernment and it is a central part of my identity and informs everything in the way I live my life from the way I raise my children to my politics to my relationship with my husband to the way I view the world and society around me. I am always happy to share what I believe (and why I believe it) with others and as such, am always reading and studying my faith. 1 Peter 3:15 says, in part, the following: "...Always be prepared to make a defense to any one who calls you to account for the hope that is in you..." which is a good thing to consider for any Christian -- Catholic or not.
Keeping this in mind, my new series for the month of November is going to be one on.......
......the Saints. What I want to do is provide an overview of what Catholics believe regarding the saints, some biographies of common saints, and a little bit about the process of becoming a saint. I may also write some on other things that are tangentially related to the subject or post some links to articles or other blogs I have found interesting and informative on the subject.
Given that today, November 1st, is the Feast of All Saints, the title of this new series is going to be called "For All the Saints" which is the first line of one of my favourite hymns about the saints:
"For all the saints, who from their labours rest
Who thee, by faith, before the world confessed
Thy Name, O Jesus be forever blessed
Alleluia! Alleluia!"
I know that not all the folks who have been reading my blog of late are Catholic, so this may not immediately be of any interest to you, but I sincerely hope you'll read along anyway. You may have always wondered why Catholics talk about saints or what the big deal about them is or whether or not we really worship them or not (Spoiler: The answer is a very emphatic "no"). I'll try to make it a fun series with interesting trivia, maybe a song or two, and some good information too.
Do you have a question about the saints or Catholic beliefs regarding them?
Do you have a favourite saint or one you'd like to know more about?
Let me know in the comments below and I'll try to answer your questions and maybe do a feature on a saint of your choice! Also, just so you know, this series will probably not run every day, but about 4-5 days a week. In between, I'll be posting other stuff. Just look for one of the hashtags in the title -- #ForAlltheSaints or #TFASCMSaints!
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