more sights from rome...

Hi everyone!

I have so much catching up to do on the blog from the last week and a half of traveling! I have arrived to San Giovanni Rotondo where I will be doing my project this summer, and I am very thankful to have internet here at my apartment. So now that I have internet I am going to start sharing photos and hopefully some stories too from the past two weeks. Here first are the rest of the pictures from Rome. Enjoy!

this is me with marcy, one of my brother's roommates, who met me at the airport and was an awesome guide through rome!

This picture is for Ryan-- the Church of St. Ignatius Loyola

the pantheon

trevi fountain!!

Roma!

To me this picture captures perfectly my first day in Italy. It was absolutely magical.

I will write much more soon, but had to share a few photos interspersed with part of my journal entry to explain what happened my first few hours in the Eternal City...

As we were on the bus for a second go around the city we were planning to get off at the Trevi Fountain, get some dinner, and then do a night walk through Campo de Fiori and then head to St. Peter’s (because I was just dying to see it in person not from the bus and in the glow of evening.) Something even better happened than I had thought. As our bus approached the majestic view of St. Peter’s from atop a hill, we heard the sound of choir singing, and saw that St. Peter’s square was flooded with candle-light. I was in love!

Marcy and I changed our plans, and decided to head to the square. When we go there, we saw several big screens projecting the image of a man who was speaking. I immediately thought it was the Pope. Marcy wasn’t sure, and said that she thought he came out publicly on Wednesdays and Sundays. We worked our way closer, and I asked a guard, “Is the man speaking the Pope?” “Si, si,” he said.

Marcy and I hurried closer into the group. We didn’t have candles, but were now surrounded by their glow. I found a program and with my limited understanding of Italian realized that it was a celebration in honor of Mary, I believe concluding the month of May in her honor (it was May 31st—the feast of the visitation.)


How beautiful and fitting that my first, long dreamed of visit to Rome was on Mary’s day of the Visitation. I have always thought of the visitation as a feast day of friendship, as Mary ran to Elizabeth to share her good news. She wanted to tell her friend, to be with her friend, to not be alone as she was waiting for Christ. As Marcy and I stood there in awe, the Pope raised his hand and offered his blessing. Blessed by the Pope! Less than 12 hours in Rome…

More to come soon!!! Love to you all!

La vita e bella...

As I write this I am up way too late getting my packing and last minute preparations done for what is still unbelievable to me... tomorrow I leave for Italy for the summer! I took a major hiatus from the blog while finishing up the school year, moving out of my apartment, etc, but I hope and plan to blog often from Italy. You all are and will be in my prayers on this journey.

I've also wanted to post this for about two weeks now, but I just wanted to say a big THANK YOU to all who made my 30th birthday such a special and memorable day. I will never forget it!!!!

Here are some pictures of our group celebrating with dinner at Bucca de Beppo's. What an awesome night full of beautiful people. I feel so blessed to have such great friends and family, and the night was exactly what I hoped it would be (and more)... a celebration of life. Birthdays are a wonderful time to remember that every human life is full of infinite wonder and possibility. I prayed that this gathering would be a time when everyone there would know how much they are loved and how special they are to me, and that we all would leave knowing in a new way that la vita e bella. Life is beautiful...

katie, megan and i
the "may birhtdays" -- katie, me, abby and cheryl

i had to include this photo of abby and me. she is such a doll!!

prayers

This morning I read the very sad news that Maria Chapman, the youngest daughter of Steven Curtis Chapman and one of his three daughters adopted from China, was killed last night in a tragic accident at their home. My heart just breaks for this family. Please join me in praying for them, especially for their son who was involved in the accident.

May God bless this family.


(One of Steven's latest songs-- "Cinderella"-- dedicated to his daughters, with his own explanation of its meaning after the song.)

ordinary life, extraordinary love

Today is the feast day of Saint Gianna Beretta Molla. There are so many reasons to love her, but one that I love so much is how she was said to harmonize the demands of the different aspects of her life and vocation (wife, mother, doctor) with simplicity and equilibrium. She has been a great role model to me and to so many, and will only continue to be so as her life story is told!

In his homily for her canonization on May 16th, 2004 (which her husband and three living children attended!), Pope John Paul II said,

Gianna Beretta Molla was a simple, but more than ever, significant messenger of divine love. In a letter to her future husband a few days before their marriage, she wrote: "Love is the most beautiful sentiment the Lord has put into the soul of men and women".

Following the example of Christ, who "having loved his own... loved them to the end" (Jn 13: 1), this holy mother of a family remained heroically faithful to the commitment she made on the day of her marriage. The extreme sacrifice she sealed with her life testifies that only those who have the courage to give of themselves totally to God and to others are able to fulfil themselves.

Through the example of Gianna Beretta Molla, may our age rediscover the pure, chaste and fruitful beauty of conjugal love, lived as a response to the divine call!

On Saint Gianna's feast day, I want to share congratulations (and encouraging words from Saint Gianna) to Amy on her recent wedding to Bryan, and to Candace on the recent birth and baptism of her newest daughter, Cecilia Josephine. Like Saint Gianna, may your committed love in marriage and motherhood always be a sign to the world of the love of God. I love you both!

Amy and Bryan April 12, 2008

"Lord, keep Your grace in my heart. Live in me so that Your grace be mine. Make it that I may bear every day some flowers and new fruit". -Saint Gianna

Me with Candace's beautiful daughters, Gemma, Cecilia and Grace

"Look at the mothers who truly love their children: how many sacrifices they make for them. They are ready for everything, even to give their own blood so that their babies grow up good, healthy and strong." -Saint Gianna

saint luke passionist mission, haiti

It seems almost impossible to try to fully describe what we experienced in our time with Fr. Rick. I think the best I can do is to say that the closest I have ever felt to knowing Christ was walking in this man's footsteps.

"Saint Luke Passionist Haiti Mission" is the mission for the poor that he leads in Port au Prince (in addition to St. Damian's Children's Hospital and St. Helene's orphanage, which are funded separately).

At this website you can read all about this mission. The section titled "Investing in Humanity" gives a description of all of his team's works and projects, and is helpful in seeing the full range of what they are working to do.

"Rainbows at Midnight" is a collection of Fr. Rick's own personal reflections over the past several years. These are a gift from a man on the front lines of the work for human dignity.

As he says in the introduction:

These reflections are not properly about Haiti, though they are about real life incidents that happened there.

They reflect a reality about any place, and any time, where people of any race and any class live out an assault on their human dignity. Wherever and whenever the dignity of human beings is marred, the human spirit finds itself in hostile conditions and seeks desperately to preserve what is human about it. It is amazing how the human spirit finds light and hope in the most despairing darkness. This is the unfailing light of God's grace, ever present and faithful, fiercely persistent in trying to renew the face of the earth and the human heart.

In these reflections, the ancient human scourges of poverty, ignorance, illness and violence desecrate humanity and pulverize the spirit. And from these ashes many people, with the help of God, fight valiantly to rise.


Thank you for reading, and God bless you!

with love,
nicole


ps. Today begins a novena to Saint Gianna that would end on her feast day, April 28th. Here's a little about Saint Gianna from last year's blog-- more to come about her soon!

the passionist sign

This entry begins a series of entries dedicated to Fr. Rick Frechette-- the humble, strong and dedicated Passionist priest and physician we were so blessed to spend time with in Haiti. This first entry is about the sign of his order and the meaning of his life.

The Passionist Sign

The special insignia of every Passionist is the "Sign", the heart-shaped emblem you see on this page. It catches, in an image, the meaning of Passionist life.

In the middle of the emblem are the Words, JESU XPI PASSIO. Written in Greek and Latin, the languages of the early Church, those words mean: "the Passion of Jesus Christ," (The three nails at the bottom and the cross at the top remind us symbolically of his suffering and death.)

Every Passionist takes a special vow, a solemn promise, to spend his energies in promoting remembrance of the sufferings of Jesus. This vow defines the purpose of the Passionist community. We pledge to keep deep in our hearts the memory of the cross and to do what is in our power to remind others of it.

Why promise to do something like this? The answer lies with the meaning of the cross and death of Jesus Christ for the world.

First, the death of Jesus was no mere brutal execution of an extraordinary Jewish teacher and prophet long ago. His death was an event that changed human history. Jesus died that others might live. God so loved the world that he allowed his only Son to give his very life for us. The cross becomes the symbol telling us God's love is stronger than death. Passionists want to tell the world about that love.

But there are other reasons for the Passionist vow. Jesus' death on the cross was a death in the cause of justice. He was executed because he challenged accepted values. He sided with the poor and the outcasts. He condemned oppressive structures. Jesus was a prophet and prophets meet strong opposition.

His cross reminds us that Christians must listen to the cries of the poor. We are in solidarity with those whom society may forget or even exploit. The cross is a sign of justice. To remind the world about the cross is to challenge the world for its injustice and neglect. Passionists are pledged to that challenge.

Finally, remembering the cross means remembering those in the world who bear the cross today: the disabled, the sick, the dying, the grieving, those isolated and alone -- all who bear the burden of pain. Jesus identified himself with the "least". He shared their burdens and brought them hope. He, too, bore the cross.

Christians who believe in Jesus find strength in the memory of his Passion. Jesus knew pain and death. He also tasted the victory of everlasting life. Death is not the final word for those who believe. This , too, is part of the Resurrection message Passionists proclaim to the world.

The special sign we wear is meant to symbolize a solemn commitment to proclaim God's great love made known through the cross of Jesus. We nourish that memory in our hearts through prayer. We share that good news with all the world. We proclaim it through preaching, in our parishes and retreat centers, through radio and television, and by our presence in hospitals, classrooms, campuses, missions and those ministries of service to the community.

(From "St. Paul of the Cross Retreat Center" website)

good times, great cause

Our class officers planned an awesome event that was held last night-- a med school semi-formal and fundraiser for Gilda's Club. It was a great night!

Much more to come about Haiti soon too. Abby is working on uploading 300+ pictures. Much more soon...

Beginning to tell the stories from Haiti...

Hi again everyone. Hope you are all having a good day today. Thanks again for all of your prayers and support for our group who went to Haiti. On behalf of Abby, Christine, Shanti, Gil, Arun, Nikesh and myself, I truly thank all of you who kept us in your thoughts and prayers. There is so much to share, and I know that it will take some time to do so, but I want to begin with sharing this video. The man we spent the second half of the week with is Fr. Rick Frechette. He is a Passionist priest and a physician, and in my humble opinion, a living saint. He has dedicated his life to the poorest of the poor in Haiti, and I do not know words adequate enough to describe his goodness. He is the beautiful man in the video with the gentle voice and the stethescope around his neck.

We were with him both at the street clinics in the worst slums and at St. Damien's children's hospital. The images from the slums tell the story better than I ever could, and are just as we witnessed. Watching this video feels as if I was holding the video camera myself. To have walked with him those several days has changed us all, I believe. Time will tell how...

good news

Hi everyone,

Thank you all so much for your prayers while we were in Haiti. There is so much to share about our experiences, and I promise that I will share much in the very near future. Tonight, though, I just wanted to share some very good news. My good friends Paola and Joey just found out that they have a daughter waiting for them in Ethiopia. Paola sent some pictures, and she is absolutely beautiful. Their court date will probably be in late May, and Paola asks for prayers that it is sooner.

Paola and Joey are adopting through an organization called "All God's Children International" inspired by a woman named Heather Beazely when she was 18 years old. (The video becomes an infomercial for a cd, but the story is really something.) Also, in case God is moving in your heart, here is a list of some of the children who are waiting for families.

Much more soon about Haiti. In the meantime, enjoy this song I've just discovered. It's beautiful...

a message for darlene

I just received a very sweet guestbook entry from Darlene-- thanks so much for saying hi! You asked if you could share the blog, and you most definitely can. I wasn't sure how to write back to you, so thought I'd put up a note to say hi & welcome to the blog. I hope to have more videos up soon from Danielle's concerts. I know how much her heart through her music is blessing everyone!!! (I love all the notes you all send me about that too. I will pass them all on to Danielle!)

love,
nicole

ps. A group of seven of us from the med school leave on Saturday for Haiti. I'll try to post a few links of where we'll be going before we leave. Please keep us in your prayers, and know that I'll be praying for all of you too!

black bag ball

Last night we had the Pitt Med "Black Bag Ball." It was a great time! Thanks to Karen for the pics... hope you enjoy!

why i love the internet

This is one of my favorite internet finds in a long time.... a blog from a family living and serving in Haiti with a ministry called Children's International Lifeline. (Check out "cast and crew" to learn who's who in their family.) I have to warn you... you won't be able to stop reading!! Stories like this and this are an example why. God bless this family!!
(one of the pictures of their beautiful family from their site)

Some good words to think about from their website...

"Better to love God and die unknown than to love the world and be a hero; better to be content with poverty than to die a slave to wealth; better to have taken some risks and lost than to have done nothing and succeeded at it." - E. Lutzer

ps. Check out the blog of Jen (the pediatrician who is currently serving with them) as well: "this isn't grey's anatomy"

true love

I posted this last year too, but love it so much I had to share it again...

"For God so loVed the world,
That He gAve
His onLy
BegottEn
SoN
That whosoever
Believeth In Him
Should Not perish
But have Everlasting life"
- John 3:16

Ps. If you want to hear a great story, read my friend Shannon's newest post called "God provides." It's an amazing testament to God's faithfulness, and I am so happy for you Shannon!! (It reminds me of Danielle's song "Abraham's Offering.")

150th anniversary of Our Lady of Lourdes

Today is the 150th anniversary of Our Lady of Lourdes, who first appeared at a grotto in Lourdes, France on February 11th, 1858 to a young girl named Bernadette Soubirous. (The same grotto that is the inspiration for the grotto at Notre Dame.) Here is a bit of her story taken from a Catholic website.

Miracles happen.

love,
nicole

OUR LADY OF LOURDES

MONDAY, FEBRUARY 11, 2008

In 1858, in the grotto of Massabielle, near Lourdes in southern France, Our Lady appeared 18 times to Bernadette Soubirous, a young peasant girl.

She revealed herself as the Immaculate Conception, asked that a chapel be built on the site of the vision, and told the girl to drink from a fountain in the grotto.
No fountain was to be seen, but when Bernadette dug at a spot designated by the apparition, a spring began to flow. The water from this still flowing spring has shown remarkable healing power, though it contains no curative property that science can identify.

The Virgin appeared 18 times to the little peasant who would latter become St. Bernardette, but the most important apparition was the 16th: On the evening on March 24th, Bernadette told her parents of the feeling she had that she was being called to the Grotto once more by an interior impulse - she intended to return there in the morning. It had been a long time since the Lady had visited her - more than two weeks! How long that night was - try as she might, the child was unable to sleep. As soon as the first light of dawn began to pierce the darkness of night, she rose and quickly dressed.

Bernadette arrived at the Grotto at five in the morning, with her blessed candle in her hand. Her parents were with her. Even before she reached the rock, she could see the wondrous light filling the niche, in which stood her beautiful Lady.

Bernadette herself describes the conversation and events which followed this moment - "Whilst I was praying, the thought of asking Her name came to my mind with such persistence that I could think of nothing else. I feared to be presumptuous in repeating a question She had always refused to answer and yet something compelled me to speak. At last, under an irresistible impulsion, the words fell from my mouth and I begged the Lady to tell me who She was.

"The Lady did as She had always done before; She bowed Her head and smiled but She did not reply.

"I cannot say why, but I felt myself bolder and asked Her again to graciously tell me Her name; however, She only smiled and bowed as before, still remaining silent.

"Then once more, for the third time, clasping my hands and confessing myself to be unworthy of the great favour I was asking of Her, I again made my request.

"The Lady was standing above the rose bush, in a position very similar to that shown on the Miraculous Medal. At my third request, Her face became very serious and She seemed to bow down in an attitude of humility. Then She joined Her hands and raised them to Her breast. She looked up to Heaven.

"Then slowly opening Her hands and leaning towards me, She said to me in a voice vibrating with emotion

'I AM THE IMMACULATE CONCEPTION'

"She smiled again, spoke no more, and disappeared smiling".

ps. Saint Bernadette's body was exhumed 30 years after her death, and she was found to be incorrupt.

Be nice. Work Hard.

My friends Ryan and Sarah O'Connor are two of the most inspiring people that I know-- they are both dedicated teachers at St. Rose of Lima school in Denver, and constant reminders to me of what is truly important in life. I just read their latest blog about their students and their dreams for them, and had to share it.

In this latest blog Ryan and Sarah write about one of their biggest heroes, Rafe Esquith. I've just spent some time on his website & all I can say is that you have to check out this man and his students' website. If you have ever wondered if one person can change the world, just check out this story. It is truly amazing.

Year after year, The Hobart Shakespeareans excel. They read passionately, far above their grade level; tackle algebra, and stage Shakespeare so professionally that they often wow the great Shakespearean actor himself, Sir Ian McKellen.

Yet this takes place in Room 56, at a large urban public elementary school. All of the children at Hobart Elementary School qualify for free breakfast and lunch, and few speak English as a first language. Many are from poor or troubled families.

What's the winning recipe? A diet of intensive learning mixed with a lot of kindness and fun. These children come to school at 6:30 a.m. and often stay until it is dark. They come during vacation. They take field trips all over the world. They play rock and roll music. Mediocrity has no place in their classroom. And the results follow them for life, as they go on to outstanding colleges.

It is not easy, but these children dare to defy society's expectations. These kids are hungry, and they want out. They work their way out. After all, there are no shortcuts.

major league

This week is my dad's "dream come true/60th birthday gift week" at the Cleveland Indians Fantasy Camp in Winterhaven, Florida. My mom reports that he is having the time of his life!!
We've been having fun following his team (under 'smoke signals') and hope they get a win soon :-)

Have fun Dad!!!!!!!!!

the authority of love

I had a day today that I will not forget for a long time. God's grace was so abundant, and the message was so clear-- our God is a God of life. It's hard to capture all of the joy of this day in words, but I do want to share a few glimpses of how God has been moving in my heart today.

Maggie's Place is a home for expectant mothers who are in need of all of the support that's needed to give birth to and raise a child. Maggie's Place was started by a few young women in their early 20's who felt God placing the invitation on their hearts. Tonight as I watched their Christmas video I was so overwhelmed with joy to see the faces of many, many beautiful children and mothers whose lives have been forever shaped by the "yes" of these women. This is true joy!

"How do we persuade a woman not to have an abortion? As always, we must persuade her with love and we remind ourselves that love means to be willing to give until it hurts. Jesus gave even His life to love us. So, the mother who is thinking of abortion, should be helped to love, that is, to give until it hurts her plans, or her free time, to respect the life of her child. The father of that child, whoever he is, must also give until it hurts." -Mother Teresa

Another Maggie that is close to my heart is my blogging friend Gwen's baby Maggie, who was recently adopted from China. Pray for this little angel, and for her beautiful family! Gwen is truly a saint, and remains in my prayers each day. I am so inspired by her heroic love for her children, and by her great faith. Although we've never met, she is a sister in Christ and I just encourage you to stop by her blog (especially to watch the video "Maggie's Journey" on the right.) This is love-- the sacrifice of one's life for another. It doesn't get more beautiful than this.

"I will tell you something beautiful. We are fighting abortion by adoption - by care of the mother and adoption for her baby. We have saved thousands of lives. We have sent word to the clinics, to the hospitals and police stations: "Please don't destroy the child; we will take the child." So we always have someone tell the mothers in trouble: "Come, we will take care of you, we will get a home for your child." ... Jesus said. "Anyone who receives a child in my name, receives me." By adopting a child, these couples receive Jesus..." - Mother Teresa

Another gift from God today was learning about the John Paul II Life Center that is a Catholic-based health care center serving the women and children of Austin, Texas. I am so excited to learn of such a place, if it's God's will, I hope to be able to spend some time there maybe even this summer. God is so good.

"The child is God's gift to the family. Each child is created in the special image and likeness of God for greater things - to love and to be loved. In this year of the family we must bring the child back to the center of our care and concern. This is the only way that our world can survive because our children are the only hope for the future." -Mother Teresa

Next, God worked in an amazing way on a retreat in December, and I learned of a man named Fr. Rick Frechette who is a missionary priest and doctor in Haiti. You have to check out the link. Fr. Rick has led the building of an orphanage and children's hospital in Haiti, and I am so inspired by this man. I haven't had the chance to share this yet, but over spring break a group of 7 of us from Pitt med school will be going to Haiti & are planning to spend time with Fr. Rick. Please pray for us, that God will change, open and grow our hearts during this time, and that we would be open to His will.

"We are touching the body of Christ and we are always in his presence. You too must bring that presence of God into your family, for the family that prays together, stays together. There is so much hatred, so much misery, and we with our prayer, with our sacrifice, are beginning at home. Love begins at home, and it is not how much we do, but how much love we put into what we do." - Mother Teresa

Today I received a return phone call from Sr. Bernadette, who is a Sister of Life. The Sisters of Life are a religious community dedicated to the protection and enhancement of the sacredness of all human life. The sisters have such a beautiful and vital ministry, and I am so excited that they invite lay men and women to consider joining them as co-workers who "share their talents, time and their very self in service to pregnant women in need."

What can co-workers do? "Women with the “Heart of Mary” offer friendship and availability to pregnant women in need while families and single women open their homes as Holy Respites. Men put their gifts towards projects like moving furniture and building cribs or in mentoring the father of the baby in learning to support the mother of his child. Spiritual Leaders, Business Professionals, Medical Doctors, Counselors and Lawyers assist with their services, while throughout the country, College and University contacts help with placement and transfer credits for vulnerable pregnant women." If you are interested in learning more, just check out their website & be prepared to be inspired!

Today I also received an e-mail from Dr. Jim Withers who in the early 90's started an outreach program here in Pittsburgh for people who are homeless called Operation Safety Net. Dr. Withers is someone I greatly admire, and he also let me know of a new free health clinic recently opened here by Catholic Charities. I've been praying for good and holy mentors, and look forward to meeting and learning from this man. God is so good.

"I want you to find the poor here, right in your own home first. And begin love there. Be that good news to your own people first. And find out about your next door neighbors. Do you know who they are? "- Mother Teresa

Just as I was wondering how one day could be full of so much grace, I talked to my best friend Katie who told me a sweet story. Last night before bedtime Katie asked her two year old daughter Abby if there was anyone she wanted to pray for and Abby said, "Cole." It's so fitting to me that the prayers of a little child would bring such tremendous blessings.

Tuesday is the 35th anniversary of the legalization of abortion in our country. To prepare for this day I invite you all to read Mother Teresa's speech given at the National Prayer Breakfast on February 3rd, 1994. (The above quotes from her on this post come from that speech.) This is not political-- this is her life's testimony. She, the one who loved until it hurt, speaks with authority not because she asks for it, but because she never asked a person to do something that she was not willing to do herself. That is why this is not a lecture-- this is a woman speaking the Truth in love. Consider carefully these testimonies for true authority (in my opinion) is directly proportional to such sacrifices made with unconditional love. (Hence, the cross.)

"America needs no words from me to see how your decision in Roe v. Wade has deformed a great nation. The so-called right to abortion has pitted mothers against their children and women against men. It has sown violence and discord at the heart of the most intimate human relationships. It has aggravated the derogation of the father's role in an increasingly fatherless society. It has portrayed the greatest of gifts -- a child -- as a competitor, an intrusion, and an inconvenience...

Human rights are not a privilege conferred by government. They are every human being's entitlement by virtue of his humanity. The right to life does not depend, and must not be declared to be contingent, on the pleasure of anyone else, not even a parent or a sovereign." -- Mother Teresa

God bless you all,

love,
nicole

ordinary time

After John had been arrested, Jesus came to Galilee proclaiming the gospel of God: "This is the time of fulfillment. The kingdom of God is at hand. Repent, and believe in the gospel." As he passed by the Sea of Galilee, he saw Simon and his brother Andrew casting their nets into the sea; they were fishermen. Jesus said to them, "Come after me, and I will make you fishers of men." Then they abandoned their nets and followed him. He walked along a little farther and saw James, the son of Zebedee, and his brother John. They too were in a boat mending their nets. Then he called them. So they left their father Zebedee in the boat along with the hired men and followed him. - Mark 1: 15-21

Today (the day after the feast of the baptism of Jesus) begins the Church's season of "ordinary time". I am excited because this, for me, is when the rubber hits the road. Christmas has passed, and now we're called to live into the day-to-day reality of the miracle that we have just celebrated: God is with us-- and calls us to holiness within, not despite, our humanity.

The Gospel today says it so clearly... the time is now to follow Him. Andrew and Simon (Peter), James and John are living their ordinary lives doing their ordinary day to day things when Jesus walks towards them on the Sea of Galilee. No angels announce his arrival, no star lights the way overhead. Jesus simply comes to them, right where they are in the midst of their lives, with the simple, life-altering invitation that is anything but ordinary... 'Come after me, and I will make you fishers of men.'

A reflection I read today by Eileen Burke Sullivan (I definitely recommend reading the whole thing) explains it so well--

"One of the earliest and most persistent heresies within Christianity is the exclusive focus on Jesus’ divinity. It is precisely within his human nature that Jesus is able to save the created order. It is the human Jesus that the fishermen are called to follow... Not in some ideal future, rather we are called now, in the midst of fishing, or teaching, or at the market, or in the operating or board room to become the disciple who assists in disclosing the reign of God already unleashed within humanity. ... (If) we take up the Gospel and hear the human Jesus ask us to drop everything to follow him now in our current situation, today is the first day of... God’s reign in our ordinary life in this New Year."

God calls the most ordinary people doing the most ordinary things to a life that's anything but ordinary. Why? Perhaps it's in the ordinary moments of our lives when we are most real, and most likely to give Him an honest answer.

One last thought-- I also just learned that the term ordinary in this case does not mean common or plain, but is derived from the term ordinal or "numbered." So happy ordinary time. Let's not just count the days, but make the days count...

should have been a cowboy...

My brother Ryan was in Nashville for New Year's, and started off the year with a few purchases he's been waiting a long time for...

"You don't find the right cowboy hat... it finds you." -Ryan

"... disguised as our life..."

I read a quote in my mom's most recent copy of St. Anthony Messenger the other day that I has stuck with me since I read it~

"God comes to us disguised as our life" -Paula D'Arcy

Tomorrow, January 2nd, is the birthday of Saint Therese, and tonight I read something about her that reminds me so much of this quote. The story is about her Christmas conversion at age 14 after she realizes that she will no longer be receiving gifts in her shoe on Christmas Eve. The point of the article isn't the magnitude of the conversion (it changed her whole life and as a result the life of the Church), but that the incident that sparks this conversion seems so insignificant and small. As the author of the article writes:

Thérèse would probably have agreed that the whole incident seemed small. For her that was the big deal. All the events recounted in her life were small. They were middle class, and seemingly insignificant. They were a “big deal” because Thérèse realized God himself was working his miracle of grace through the little everyday events of a very ordinary life. Thérèse recognized that in the midst of a 14-year-old girl making a step toward maturity, God’s grace was thundering through.

This enlightenment, and the spiritual theology that flowed from it, transformed the Catholic Church and brought Thérèse the status not only of being the greatest saint of her time, but eventually being named a Doctor of the Church.

If God was working out his purpose in the midst of an ordinary girl’s family life and growth, then God’s work was just as constant and ubiquitous in the lives of all those who simply trusted him and obeyed the promptings of his love.

That Thérèse’s conversion was a “Christmas conversion” is not simply a sentimental touch weaving in Christmas and presents and children. That it was a “Christmas conversion” has a deeper meaning, for Thérèse’s lesson that the grace of God is constantly at work within the nitty gritty of everyday life is the lesson at the heart of Christmas itself.

The poet Henry Vaughn wrote, “Here in dust and dirt, O here, the lilies of his Love appear.”

The realization that God is working his purpose out within the dust and dirt of ordinary life is the message of Thérèse.

It is also the message at the heart of the Christmas story, for there in the ordinary, warm earthiness of a stable God is born. There within the most ordinary event — a mother and a birth — new life comes to earth.

It's also interesting to me that I found this reflection tonight because it resonates with many thoughts and feelings I had as I was able to spend the past two days with my good friends Candace and Nate, and their young daughters Grace and Gemma. It's hard to capture in words the beauty of these two as they live out their vocation of marriage and family life, but as I spend time with them, and with their neighbors and good friends Matt and Mary, I witness the joy that Jesus speaks of in the beatitudes. My own heart grows as God comes to me through the lives of these beautiful people!

Candace and Mary are both pregnant with their third child & it was especially meaningful to welcome the new year with them because my saint for the year ahead is Angela Merici, and my intention is to pray for mothers. Candace and Mary, you are both such loving mothers and examples of true beauty. Your hearts are a gift to this world, and I can't tell you how grateful I am for your example in my life! I love also that today is the feast of Mary, the Mother of God, the mother who GK Chesterton said "grows more beautiful as new generations rise up and call her blessed." As I pray for you and for all moms this year I will pray that she will always be your guide for mothering the little ones that God entrusts to you. Thank you again, and God bless you all in this new year!

candace, mary, nate and matt
it was an honor to celebrate the new year year with such amazing people!

our yummy new year's eve fondue

Christmas '07

We're having so many good times with family and friends this Christmas. Hope you all are having a blessed Christmas season too! (The rest of the photos are here.)

My brothers and sister and I at our Grandma's house on Christmas day

Morgan, Angela, Karina, Matthew and Andrea singing "Jingle Bells"

Angela and "Dr. Morgan" (how she referred to herself all day) working on Diane

Zack is happy...

to be a Browns fan!!

Ana and Zack dancin' in the kitchen

Christy is always a big hit with the kids!

Chrissy, me, Paula, Lisa and Erika at Aunt Dottie's house

It's good to be two... especially on Christmas!

Beth and Stephany came to visit from Cleveland... thanks for coming to Y-town! It was so great to see you!!

Love has come

I pray for all of you this Christmas the gifts I most long for myself...

~the wisdom to seek Him

~the experience of God speaking in a dream

~the faith to journey back another way

~the wonder of an angelic encounter

~the heart full of love for Jesus that consumed His mother

~and silence, that we might ponder it all in the depths of that most sacred of all places, the human heart...

"... the Light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it." -John 1:5

Merry Christmas!

twins?

It was great to get to spend time with both of my brothers last night doing a little Christmas shopping and watching the movie we all know by heart, Christmas Vacation. Christy gets home tomorrow... yay!!