Waiting for Patience

--- 1 --- This has been the uneventful eventful week. Why you ask? Well yesterday was a snow day (and I still didn't write my quick takes or even work on the future weeks of the Latin & Me series, ugh! So it was eventful in the morning to make the declaration that there would be no events that day. I type that out and it's so ridiculous I should probably delete, but I won't because I don't have too much to say on this chilly, snow free morning! --- 2 --- Another installment of my journey toward the more traditional roots of the Church published yesterday . I wrote about how I started receiving communion kneeling rather than standing. One of the comments was that the EMCs at her parish have a really hard time giving communion on the tongue and are even sometimes confused. I can definitely relate. This is why, whenever possible, I try to get in the line for the priest. They seem to be the only ones who can get it right all of the time! No offense to anyone...

Well, here I am again to continue my series on my journey to an appreciation of the Latin Mass in the Extraordinary Form and the overall use of Latin in the Liturgy. If you are just stopping by and want to read the first two parts, check out one and two . This week I'd like to explore two things that both happened at our parish around the same time and were stumbling blocks for me. The first was the ceasing of distributing communion under both species at all Masses. The second was the addition of a kneeler in front of the altar to be used as an option for the reception of communion. At our parish, as with many large churches in this area, we had distribution of communion under both species. This necessitated the use of many ministers - 14 for each Mass for our parish, in fact. Additionally, because of the flow issues created by the area of the choir with the Organ, a Piano, and many people, one quarter of our parish received communion by going to the back of the church. Basica...

How do you travel as a single lady?! Any tips or tricks you'd like to share? Do you have anything fun planned for this year? Multiple times per week when I'm brushing my teeth in the morning I think about how boring my life is, how I never go anywhere. To be honest that is a complete and utter lie. I mean between July 2013 and March 2014, I hung out on four different continents - let along the time I spent traveling around the U.S. to Denver, New York City, Savannah, Orlando, and my parent's place. I'm the girl who bought a plane ticket to Africa and went into the bush all alone. (it's a great story ) Let me type that again - I went to the Congo, alone! I still can't even believe that I did that - it's the craziest thing ever ... but the most amazing experience of my life. So my off the cuff tips for traveling alone, they aren't super original, so be prepared to be underwhelmed! If you want to go somewhere, just do it - buy the ti...

--- 1 --- Well I missed the link-up with the Not Alone Series Gals  this week, so I'm going to write about my Spiritual Reading books for my Quick Takes and make this a Double Take! Prompt: What are some of your favorite or go-to books, devotionals or even blogs that help encourage you in your spiritual life? I don't know how great I'll be at giving suggestions, but I do have a few in my mind to share about, so here goes nothing... --- 2 --- I've written about this book before , but in recent memory it's been very helpful. Trustful Surrender to Divine Providence . The author discusses suffering a lot and how we get to where we are in the Spiritual Life. Some areas are a lot to take in, that all things are necessary and desired by God for our good. That's hard to handle a bit when we are thinking about bad things that happen to us. Overall the Lord wills the good in our life - the good that will get us to Heaven to be with Him for eternal li...

As I began last week - here's installment number 2 in my Latin & Me  series ... read part 1 here . Do with it what you wish, this is my journey - rooted in the Catholic Church's law governing Liturgy within the context of my personal experience at my parish. I will be the first to say that no one's personal explanation would have swayed me nor do the Church documents serve to change my heart. It is well documented - and even  beautifully explained  by my pastor if you want to read it for yourself. Following is my personal account of how my heart was converted. Over a year after my first Latin Mass experience, we had a change of pastor at our parish. We did not have an associate, but are where Fr. Kauth is in residence. His influence brought the issues surrounding Latin Mass back around to the forefront of my mind. We went through many changes to our Liturgy and the way we worship at the parish. One woman who I know very well once said to me, in the middle of...

--- 1 --- Well Hello there Quick Takes from Friday but now on Sunday! A day late and a dollar short I am this week, but still wanted to post as I feel like much has been happening around these parts! So here's to living the Friday dream on a cold Sunday morning! --- 2 --- This week we finished our sixth week of a Living your Strengths  small group in which I was participating. (if you're new to the LYS idea, check out this parish's explanation) I don't think I wrote about that, but it was really interesting the first couple of weeks, and the final few weeks felt like we were saying the same things over and over again. I have a natural talent for this that I'm acquiring skills in to turn into a greater strength. I've known my top five since the first year I worked at Saint Mark (my previous parish and job) when we were all required to take the test before a staff retreat. I am (in order): Input, Connectedness, Belief, Arranger, Achiever. To quickly ex...

I work in the office at a Catholic Church, and although there are many complains about the style  of our parish, one in particular comes forth most often and rubs me the most. I think it rubs me the most because I use to be the one on their side and have come to a great appreciation for the side I am on now. So in an effort to explain to me 5 years ago and all of those naysayers of today, I'm going to share about my relationship with Latin by writing about my experience of faith as I've grown in an understanding and appreciation of the use of Latin. Do with it what you wish, this is my journey - rooted in the Catholic Church's law governing Liturgy within the context of my personal experience at my parish. I will be the first to say that no one's personal explanation would have swayed me nor do the Church documents serve to change my heart. It is well documented - and even beautifully explained by my pastor if you want to read it for yourself. Following is my persona...

We all have times when we feel alone. What are ways that you combat loneliness? Pray? Join a group? How can we encourage each other to stay positive? Thanks to Laura P ! This week's topic is loneliness. I have many thoughts on this subject, and many instances of feeling this feeling - they don't all really go together, so I'm just going to bullet point my thoughts and see what happens! When I bought my townhouse and starting living alone, I thought I would be lonely. And there are times when I wish I had someone to come home to at night, a shoulder to cry on, or a listening ear to let go of all the craziness of my day. But most days I'm actually glad for the quiet, for the peace, and for the ability to do yoga in the living room, watch three episodes of Jane the Virgin , and cook whatever I please without having to do someone else's dishes before starting. Most of the time, at home, I am alone, but not lonely. As all of my friends get married, buy houses, ...

--- 1 --- Well, I completed my first Whole30 on Tuesday!  January 5th through February 3rd - 30 days of fruits, veggies, meats, healthy oils, and okay nuts. I've been thinking about what I might write about how it went and here are my thoughts, in no specific order, and with no scientific evidence beside how I feel. If you're new to whole 30 - basically it's a nutritional restart where you thinking differently about food. The No's  are: alcohol, sugar (including added sugar in condiments and processed food), grains, gluten, dairy, legumes (including peanuts), and bad oils (ie: I only used coconut oil and extra virgin olive oil). You are also supposed to avoid SWYPO foods, basically changing trigger foods into 'whole 30' foods. The point being to create a new you and a new outlook on food.  So how'd I do? --- 2 --- Well one of the blogs I wrote said not to dive in and cook every night - but I didn't listen to that at all. I cooked like craz...

What are the qualities and characteristics that you are looking for in your future husband? We have talked about what we don't want , but it's good to have an idea of those things that are important to us. Discerning religious life? This applies to communities, as well! This is a topic I think about all the time, if I'm being honest, too much really.  Since I was a little girl I've always wanted to be married and have children.  Now I'm almost (too close) to 30 and still unmarried and only have godchildren (lovely though).  I went back to look at the deal breakers post I wrote before and on the bottom I already listed what I'd like for in a marriage to recap: The men leads spiritually. The couple respects each other. Each spouse is trying to grow in virtue and they encourage each other. Since then and since having my house for a few months, I've come to have a few more qualities that I would like in a husband.  Nothing too specific, but I ...