Five years ago today I was in residence at Walter Reed Army Medical Center in Washington DC supporting my son Captain Jason as he recovered from Very Serious Wounds (VSI) in Iraq. (Please see www.CaptJason.blogspot.comm for info begin reading October 2005.)
On Memorial Day I was invited to a memorial service by a mother K of a son who had attended Tank Commander School with Jason. Ken was her only child and her only son. He was killed in Iraq shortly after the invasion began in 2003. K had contacted me at WR to see if Jason would talk about her son and their time together. K wanted to know everything she could about her son, now deceased 2 years.
Today she and her family, friends and Ken's finance who was a RN for Jason at WR will meet at Arlington National Cemetery. They will remember Ken with stories, tears and laughter. They will release a balloon and pour beer on his grave. My heart is with them today as I remember my time with them in 2006 and who they are today. K continues to speak strongly for an end to war.
Today I remember Gilda and her Marine Alex, her only son and only child. As a member of Military Family Speaks Out (MFSO) Gilda visited and offered support to Jason and I while I was at WR. Alex was killed in Iraq early May 2006 and I attended his funeral at Arlington Cemetery. His headstone a very short way from Ken's. I haven't heard much from Gilda in the intervening years. I pray that she has found peace on this 5th anniversary since Alex's death.
Today as I was reading the Liturgy of the Hours, I saw the reference to prayers for today in the Sacramentary. I would like to include some of these prayers for today as a deepening of our Memorial Day reflections and prayers.
Some words have been changed to be inclusive.
For Peace and Justice
God our Creator
you reveal that those who work for peace
are called your sons and daughters.
Help us to work without ceasing
for that justice
which brings true and everlasting peace.
and
Loving Creator,
you guide all creation with care.
As you have given all women and men one common origin,
bring them together peacefully into one family
and keep them united in love as sisters and brothers.
and
Loving God,
creator of the world
you establish the order which governs all the ages.
Hear our prayer and give peace in our time
that we may rejoice in your mercy and praise you without end.
and
God of perfect peace,
violence and cruelty can have no part with you.
May those who are at peace with one another
hold fast to the good will that unites them;
may those who are enemies forget their hatred and be healed.
Prayers in Time of War
God of power and mercy,
you destroy war and put down earthly pride.
Banish violence from our midst and wipe away our tears
that we may all deserve to be called your sons and daughters.
and
God our Creator,
maker of love and peace,
to know you is to live,
and to serve you is to live in the kindom.
All our faith is in your saving help;
protect us from violence
and keep us safe from weapons of hate.
and
Loving God remember Christ your Son who is peace itself
and who washed away our hatred with his blood.
Because you love humanity,
look with mercy on us.
Banish the violence and evil within us,
and by this offering (of gifts) restore tranquility and peace.
and
(for prayer after communion)
Beloved Creator,
you satisfy our hunger with the one bread
that gives strength to humanity,
Help us to overcome war and violence,
and to establish your law of love and justice.
All prayers end with
We ask this through Jesus Christ our Brother,
who lives with you and the Holy Spirit,
One God, for ever and ever. Amen
May you find peace and comfort today.
My heart is saddened to hold all those lost and injured in war and their families and friends; civilians and soldiers and the 18 veterans who commit suicide each day.
My own son returns to Iraq as a civilian contractor about July 1, 2011.
Monday, May 30, 2011
Saturday, May 28, 2011
Come to the Table, All Are Invited
On Friday evening, I attended the 8th grade graduation mass and ceremony for my oldest grandson, James Charles. He graduated from Nativity Catholic School in Brandon FL. We all sat in the same pew, the last section in the large church.
Before liturgy Lisa introduced me to the women behind us. One of them, I will call her Mary, said "I am an Episcopalian" I thought this a funny way to introduce herself, it was the graduation of her grandchild and not really connected to one's faith journey in a direct way. I felt she must be feeling out of sorts being in a Roman Catholic church with a grandchild graduating from a Roman Catholic school.
This parish priest is abiding by Roman's latest dictates about "Sacred Space and quiet before mass" instead of meeting your neighbor to become part of a worshiping community as became the norm after Vatican II. JC's aunt and I joked about his directives and wondered out loud how we could "disobey." We talked and laughed and violated this negation of the gathering of the worshiping community.
When Rev Dagmar RCWP attends a parish, she was the wife of the Governor of Ohio, she does not receive Communion by going through the line. Instead it has become the custom that a member of the parish will go to Communion, bring it back to the pew and offer it to Dagmar. Dagmar receives via the believing community, the ones that do understand that although she is "excommunicated by Rome" Dagmar remains a Roman Catholic.
As I joined the line to receive Communion, the Spirit prompted me, "Receive Communion but do not eat it. Offer it to Mary." I took the wafer in my hand and returned to the pew. Mary was sitting in the pew behind me. I remained standing, "Mary would you like to receive Communion?" "I am Episcopalian" she replied. "I know and I offer you Communion." "Yes," was her reply. I broke the wafer in half and gave it to her, "This is the Body of Christ." I received the host and sat down.
After the liturgy on the way out, Mary said, "I want to thank you for your hospitality. For giving me Communion." I smiled and whispered to her, "I am a RCWP and all are welcome at the table" She hung on to my hand, "I have heard of you, not you personally, but your group. I am so happy to meet you." We hugged and said, "God bless"
All are welcome at the table, in this offering we offer hospitality of equal daughters and sons in Christ our Beloved Brother. I had never had the opportunity to offer the Bread of Life before. I will again. I know that Sofia is happy that I stepped out of my comfort zone to extend God's love to another daughter.
A Blessed Memorial Day everyone as we remember.
Before liturgy Lisa introduced me to the women behind us. One of them, I will call her Mary, said "I am an Episcopalian" I thought this a funny way to introduce herself, it was the graduation of her grandchild and not really connected to one's faith journey in a direct way. I felt she must be feeling out of sorts being in a Roman Catholic church with a grandchild graduating from a Roman Catholic school.
This parish priest is abiding by Roman's latest dictates about "Sacred Space and quiet before mass" instead of meeting your neighbor to become part of a worshiping community as became the norm after Vatican II. JC's aunt and I joked about his directives and wondered out loud how we could "disobey." We talked and laughed and violated this negation of the gathering of the worshiping community.
When Rev Dagmar RCWP attends a parish, she was the wife of the Governor of Ohio, she does not receive Communion by going through the line. Instead it has become the custom that a member of the parish will go to Communion, bring it back to the pew and offer it to Dagmar. Dagmar receives via the believing community, the ones that do understand that although she is "excommunicated by Rome" Dagmar remains a Roman Catholic.
As I joined the line to receive Communion, the Spirit prompted me, "Receive Communion but do not eat it. Offer it to Mary." I took the wafer in my hand and returned to the pew. Mary was sitting in the pew behind me. I remained standing, "Mary would you like to receive Communion?" "I am Episcopalian" she replied. "I know and I offer you Communion." "Yes," was her reply. I broke the wafer in half and gave it to her, "This is the Body of Christ." I received the host and sat down.
After the liturgy on the way out, Mary said, "I want to thank you for your hospitality. For giving me Communion." I smiled and whispered to her, "I am a RCWP and all are welcome at the table" She hung on to my hand, "I have heard of you, not you personally, but your group. I am so happy to meet you." We hugged and said, "God bless"
All are welcome at the table, in this offering we offer hospitality of equal daughters and sons in Christ our Beloved Brother. I had never had the opportunity to offer the Bread of Life before. I will again. I know that Sofia is happy that I stepped out of my comfort zone to extend God's love to another daughter.
A Blessed Memorial Day everyone as we remember.
Saturday, May 14, 2011
A Prayer for Healing-for One Who Mourns
Tonight after liturgy, a woman asked for healing prayer.
Bishop Bridget Mary, Tom, Terry and myself would pray for her healing. I did not know that both Terry and Tom had been married before and each of their first spouses had died. This was the first time M and friends had come to Mary, Mother of Jesus community's liturgy.
M had recently lost her husband after only 15 days of knowing he was ill. "We thought he had sciatica" She is a Social Worker, "I thought I would be over it already" It has only been less than a month since his sudden death.
M said "I think God led me here tonight" She had been attending liturgy at her parish but needed a "caring community" she didn't find it in her own parish. We listened to M's story. We prayed for the Spirit of Comfort and Peace to come to her. Tom and Terry shared the story of each becoming a widow/widower. Their feelings and insights offered in comfort and M felt she had been listened to.
Their most important sharing was in response to M saying, "I want to know he is okay. I want to know he is all right." Tom and Terry each shared about how their first spouses are still with them-in their hearts.
We promised to keep M in our prayers till we met her again. I gave her my card so she could call anytime. I said, "I am ready for lunch and talk anytime you want."
We all gave thanks that M came to MMOJ and that our team of pray-ers was made up of two persons who had lost spouses. It was a synchronicity that reveals God's presence in the world.
Suffering and loss are inescapable as humans. What we can do is hold each other in love and the Compassion of God. God is the healing, we are vessels. From my point of view: we put a bug in God's ear, as the saying goes, "From your lips to God's ear"
It is a Sacred calling to be asked to pray for another, a sacred trust that must not be broken. Healing everyone from our God of Compassion.
Bishop Bridget Mary, Tom, Terry and myself would pray for her healing. I did not know that both Terry and Tom had been married before and each of their first spouses had died. This was the first time M and friends had come to Mary, Mother of Jesus community's liturgy.
M had recently lost her husband after only 15 days of knowing he was ill. "We thought he had sciatica" She is a Social Worker, "I thought I would be over it already" It has only been less than a month since his sudden death.
M said "I think God led me here tonight" She had been attending liturgy at her parish but needed a "caring community" she didn't find it in her own parish. We listened to M's story. We prayed for the Spirit of Comfort and Peace to come to her. Tom and Terry shared the story of each becoming a widow/widower. Their feelings and insights offered in comfort and M felt she had been listened to.
Their most important sharing was in response to M saying, "I want to know he is okay. I want to know he is all right." Tom and Terry each shared about how their first spouses are still with them-in their hearts.
We promised to keep M in our prayers till we met her again. I gave her my card so she could call anytime. I said, "I am ready for lunch and talk anytime you want."
We all gave thanks that M came to MMOJ and that our team of pray-ers was made up of two persons who had lost spouses. It was a synchronicity that reveals God's presence in the world.
Suffering and loss are inescapable as humans. What we can do is hold each other in love and the Compassion of God. God is the healing, we are vessels. From my point of view: we put a bug in God's ear, as the saying goes, "From your lips to God's ear"
It is a Sacred calling to be asked to pray for another, a sacred trust that must not be broken. Healing everyone from our God of Compassion.
Our First Reported Healing Tonight
I have been attending ARCWP Bishop Bridget Mary's parish Mary Mother of Jesus in Sarasota. Tonight was our final night together as Bridget Mary and her father return to VA until November. Our community has begun a journey to find, understand and live our God of Compassion.
It is our tradition to pray for healing/concerns of all who request prayer after Mass. Usually three or four of us pray, laying our hands on the person requesting prayer. Jack and Tom each pray in tongues as I have never received that gift of the Spirit.
A month or so ago a woman came for prayer. I will call her M. She had been injured in an accident 2 years prior and had not been without pain since. She couldn't leave her home. M attended our liturgy and asked for prayer from our prayer team. Earlier this week Terry received a phone call from her aunt.
After the healing prayer for M, the same night the woman woke in the middle of the night. M knew something had happened in her body but couldn't tell, the pain was lessened. And each day after the pain lessened until M was completely pain free. She gives her healing over to God and our intercessory prayer for her.
M is now again active in her life, driving and delivering meals to shut-ins twice a week.
We give thanks for God's grace and healing for M. We give thanks to the God of Compassion expressed in the world through our words and actions. Amen.
It is our tradition to pray for healing/concerns of all who request prayer after Mass. Usually three or four of us pray, laying our hands on the person requesting prayer. Jack and Tom each pray in tongues as I have never received that gift of the Spirit.
A month or so ago a woman came for prayer. I will call her M. She had been injured in an accident 2 years prior and had not been without pain since. She couldn't leave her home. M attended our liturgy and asked for prayer from our prayer team. Earlier this week Terry received a phone call from her aunt.
After the healing prayer for M, the same night the woman woke in the middle of the night. M knew something had happened in her body but couldn't tell, the pain was lessened. And each day after the pain lessened until M was completely pain free. She gives her healing over to God and our intercessory prayer for her.
M is now again active in her life, driving and delivering meals to shut-ins twice a week.
We give thanks for God's grace and healing for M. We give thanks to the God of Compassion expressed in the world through our words and actions. Amen.
Friday, April 15, 2011
The Past Month has been Very Busy with Vacations and MD visits
I have been away from the blog too long.
The last week of March Lisa and my grandchildren and I headed N to Hilton Head where Lisa had found a time-share week open. We thought we should go because I had the real possibility of having surgery on my lower back this summer. I went to the specialists at USF Spine Institute in Tampa on St. Patrick's day.
The MD,after I waited for 3 hours, said, "The risks of surgery are high and you are doing well now." So I will not have surgery until "the pain is uncontrollable" I didn't want to wait THAT long but here I am ready to go for acupuncture and a visit with the MD of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation this coming week. I am trusting the rehab MD to prescribe necessary PT AND most importantly to set up a program of exercise. I have not exercised aerobically since September 2010. And it is driving me crazy. I know I can do something but I am afraid without MD input that I would exacerbate my lower back condition, not improve it. So hopefully I will have feedback this week.
So on to vacations:
1. Hilton Head was a "make lemonade from lemons" as the weather was just awful the full week of our stay. Rainy almost everyday and cool, very cool. We swam in the heated, thank goodness, outdoor pool only one day. We attended workshops on the wildlife as HH has a wonderful program of such lessons. We made a memory plate with a bingo prize of $10 gift certificate. The bingo was a lot of fun. Stand up and sit down, wear funny costumes "if you acted up" and of course the adults wore the dunce caps. It was fun but much different than what we planned for.
On the way home we ran into wind and rain almost the whole way. Lisa said, "I have a headache!" as she was trying to get the kids to the practices. However on arrival into Brandon we found that we had just missed all kinds of tornadoes! One down the main street of Bloomingdale about 2 miles from Lisa's. The boys' practices were canceled one because the school lights were out from the storm. We were glad to be home and the weather has been great ever since! Warmer and very sunny.
2. Last week, our niece Cierra, age 15 stayed with Lisa and kids and my sister Connie stayed with me. Trying out my trundle day bed in the living room. Connie had a great time and was reluctant to return to MI as they had snow the Tuesday before she left to come here and it would be in the 40's when she returned.
Connie arrived on Thursday and we spent Friday settling in to Sun City Center and my showing her the "town." On Sat morning the family walked 1 mile against CA at Lisa's employers University of Tampa located downtown by the river. An absolutely beautiful campus in the heart of the city. I made the hour walk however my femur head did "give out" one time. I just go weak and feel like I am going to stumble. I corrected and finished the walk which took about 45 minutes in grueling sun!
Saturday evening Connie and I attended a talk by Bishop Patrica Fresen from Germany who told her harrowing story of standing up against apartheid when she was a Dominican nun and principal of a school. The Dominicans integrated their schools while Mandela was in prison, the 70's. The State defunded the teacher's salaries. The Dominicans sold property and paid the salaries until 1994 when apartheid ended. Those feisty nuns are everywhere, God bless them! If you get an opportunity, do hear her tell her story.
After Lisa and family attended Sunday Mass, we met at a nearby resort where we had rented 3 kayaks. Again Connie and Cierra enjoyed the one hour in a quiet inlet. However Jon (13) and JC (14) were together. Jon put his paddle in the water and Whoosh! a huge round tail broke the surface. Jon had "paddled a manatee" he was scared as he thought he had hit a shark! Cierra later said that she had seen a large shape under the water also. Connie, Lisa, Ellie and I did not. Lots of osprey nests were seen everywhere.
The highlight of the week for me was Monday. I had promised Jon "a special outing" for his 13th birthday as I had done the same for JC last year (he went para-sailing) Jon didn't seem able to decide so I proposed we go on a Nature Safari with MOTE, the Gulf research institute located on Sarasota Bay. It was an absolutely gorgeous day blue sky, very warm and the water as warm as the air.
We were boated to sandbar, given a net and for the next hour trolled the bottom of the grass beds for creatures large and small and we did find them. JC found a dwarf sea horse, I didn't know they existed, at one inch and perfectly formed.
Lisa found the catch of the day. If you know hermit crabs, usually you see them in small shells about a dollar piece size. Lisa found a humongous hermit crab brilliant red in color. She said he was "on the grass" I guess moving from one spot to another so she had no trouble in scooping him into her net. On the ride back, as the biologist was holding the crab he crawled out of the shell and fell onto the deck. Holy cow was he big, I am not exaggerating to say that he weighed in at a pound or more. The biologist said, as he very delicately tried to lift him up to a bucket, "I do not want to be pinched" and I said, "Right On!" For me he was a hermit crab on steroids! The biologist said that they will keep growing as long as they can find a shell larger to migrate too. I can't imagine a conch shell much larger so I think the crab is maxed out!
Connie caught a baby flounder-really cute and about 2 inches long. I netted a pipe fish, I think I have heard them called pencil fishes. They just float along in the grass like a leaf, really neat and very strong as I had to pick him up and put him back into the water, we had already caught one.
As we netted pelicans dove for the fish very near us. I loved the experience and hoped that Jon did also. It was so good to be out with my family and to spend time with them in the sun and water. A very special blessing for me.
The last week of March Lisa and my grandchildren and I headed N to Hilton Head where Lisa had found a time-share week open. We thought we should go because I had the real possibility of having surgery on my lower back this summer. I went to the specialists at USF Spine Institute in Tampa on St. Patrick's day.
The MD,after I waited for 3 hours, said, "The risks of surgery are high and you are doing well now." So I will not have surgery until "the pain is uncontrollable" I didn't want to wait THAT long but here I am ready to go for acupuncture and a visit with the MD of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation this coming week. I am trusting the rehab MD to prescribe necessary PT AND most importantly to set up a program of exercise. I have not exercised aerobically since September 2010. And it is driving me crazy. I know I can do something but I am afraid without MD input that I would exacerbate my lower back condition, not improve it. So hopefully I will have feedback this week.
So on to vacations:
1. Hilton Head was a "make lemonade from lemons" as the weather was just awful the full week of our stay. Rainy almost everyday and cool, very cool. We swam in the heated, thank goodness, outdoor pool only one day. We attended workshops on the wildlife as HH has a wonderful program of such lessons. We made a memory plate with a bingo prize of $10 gift certificate. The bingo was a lot of fun. Stand up and sit down, wear funny costumes "if you acted up" and of course the adults wore the dunce caps. It was fun but much different than what we planned for.
On the way home we ran into wind and rain almost the whole way. Lisa said, "I have a headache!" as she was trying to get the kids to the practices. However on arrival into Brandon we found that we had just missed all kinds of tornadoes! One down the main street of Bloomingdale about 2 miles from Lisa's. The boys' practices were canceled one because the school lights were out from the storm. We were glad to be home and the weather has been great ever since! Warmer and very sunny.
2. Last week, our niece Cierra, age 15 stayed with Lisa and kids and my sister Connie stayed with me. Trying out my trundle day bed in the living room. Connie had a great time and was reluctant to return to MI as they had snow the Tuesday before she left to come here and it would be in the 40's when she returned.
Connie arrived on Thursday and we spent Friday settling in to Sun City Center and my showing her the "town." On Sat morning the family walked 1 mile against CA at Lisa's employers University of Tampa located downtown by the river. An absolutely beautiful campus in the heart of the city. I made the hour walk however my femur head did "give out" one time. I just go weak and feel like I am going to stumble. I corrected and finished the walk which took about 45 minutes in grueling sun!
Saturday evening Connie and I attended a talk by Bishop Patrica Fresen from Germany who told her harrowing story of standing up against apartheid when she was a Dominican nun and principal of a school. The Dominicans integrated their schools while Mandela was in prison, the 70's. The State defunded the teacher's salaries. The Dominicans sold property and paid the salaries until 1994 when apartheid ended. Those feisty nuns are everywhere, God bless them! If you get an opportunity, do hear her tell her story.
After Lisa and family attended Sunday Mass, we met at a nearby resort where we had rented 3 kayaks. Again Connie and Cierra enjoyed the one hour in a quiet inlet. However Jon (13) and JC (14) were together. Jon put his paddle in the water and Whoosh! a huge round tail broke the surface. Jon had "paddled a manatee" he was scared as he thought he had hit a shark! Cierra later said that she had seen a large shape under the water also. Connie, Lisa, Ellie and I did not. Lots of osprey nests were seen everywhere.
The highlight of the week for me was Monday. I had promised Jon "a special outing" for his 13th birthday as I had done the same for JC last year (he went para-sailing) Jon didn't seem able to decide so I proposed we go on a Nature Safari with MOTE, the Gulf research institute located on Sarasota Bay. It was an absolutely gorgeous day blue sky, very warm and the water as warm as the air.
We were boated to sandbar, given a net and for the next hour trolled the bottom of the grass beds for creatures large and small and we did find them. JC found a dwarf sea horse, I didn't know they existed, at one inch and perfectly formed.
Lisa found the catch of the day. If you know hermit crabs, usually you see them in small shells about a dollar piece size. Lisa found a humongous hermit crab brilliant red in color. She said he was "on the grass" I guess moving from one spot to another so she had no trouble in scooping him into her net. On the ride back, as the biologist was holding the crab he crawled out of the shell and fell onto the deck. Holy cow was he big, I am not exaggerating to say that he weighed in at a pound or more. The biologist said, as he very delicately tried to lift him up to a bucket, "I do not want to be pinched" and I said, "Right On!" For me he was a hermit crab on steroids! The biologist said that they will keep growing as long as they can find a shell larger to migrate too. I can't imagine a conch shell much larger so I think the crab is maxed out!
Connie caught a baby flounder-really cute and about 2 inches long. I netted a pipe fish, I think I have heard them called pencil fishes. They just float along in the grass like a leaf, really neat and very strong as I had to pick him up and put him back into the water, we had already caught one.
As we netted pelicans dove for the fish very near us. I loved the experience and hoped that Jon did also. It was so good to be out with my family and to spend time with them in the sun and water. A very special blessing for me.
Sunday, March 6, 2011
Liturgies March 6, 2011
Yesterday I attended my Bishop's parish in Sarasota; Mary Mother of Jesus. The mass is totally inclusive language with many images of the Feminine face of Godde.
Today I attended a traditional parish liturgy at the school where my three grandchildren are in 8th, 7th, and 4th grades. My granddaughter Ellie 9 read the first reading of the liturgy.
I was disjointed spiritually after the mass today and began to remember the liturgies I have attended in my life:
1. I was raised pre-Vatican II so I began RC my journey with a mass totally in Latin and we saying the rosary etc because it was in a foreign tongue except for the homily. Only the altar boys responded to the priest in Latin. Our prayer books had one column of English and one column of Latin on each page of the Mass. We spent the mass in private prayer as we had not role in the service.
2. After Vatican II and the change to English for the mass and music; the liturgy took on a communal form: we sat in a circle, the priest faced the people, guitar masses, home masses many different "experiments" took the mass to the People of God. We all participated: lectors and Eucharistic ministers were roles for adults not altar servers. Altar servers were boys and girls in many parishes.
3. In Floyd county VA (early 90's) I attended my first house church with Women Church Convergence. I wondered if I was going to be condemned for attending? We said the words of consecration, no priest present. The next day I attended a "traditional parish" and during the Mass I entered in Kyros time. For my WC-C liturgy was "super imposed" over the liturgy before me. I even became nauseated because of my "being in two places at once" I concluded "all liturgy is an acceptable offering to my God" The spiritual journey of women gathered is a different journey and relationship with God. Both are valid ways to worship and I never looked back theologically. I know all worship is acceptable to God across the world's religions.
4. Moving to Chicago in 1996 I began to attend The Harold, a small intentional community every Sunday and became one of the "in the monthly schedule" presiders for 13 years until I moved away in 2009. Here I learned and practiced "What can the liturgy look like, still remembering the passover meal and life and teachings of Jesus our brother, but without all the trappings of Empirical Rome. I loved the liturgy as I developed my own "style" and would love to use again. Maybe Sun City Center will have a small RC faith community.
From large to small faith circles gathering to worship our Godde. I have had rich liturgical life experiences which formed my faith and my faith formed them. Yet I know when I meet God face to face all this will be as naught for what I experience now through communal prayer will compare as nothing to the direct experience of God.
Today I attended a traditional parish liturgy at the school where my three grandchildren are in 8th, 7th, and 4th grades. My granddaughter Ellie 9 read the first reading of the liturgy.
I was disjointed spiritually after the mass today and began to remember the liturgies I have attended in my life:
1. I was raised pre-Vatican II so I began RC my journey with a mass totally in Latin and we saying the rosary etc because it was in a foreign tongue except for the homily. Only the altar boys responded to the priest in Latin. Our prayer books had one column of English and one column of Latin on each page of the Mass. We spent the mass in private prayer as we had not role in the service.
2. After Vatican II and the change to English for the mass and music; the liturgy took on a communal form: we sat in a circle, the priest faced the people, guitar masses, home masses many different "experiments" took the mass to the People of God. We all participated: lectors and Eucharistic ministers were roles for adults not altar servers. Altar servers were boys and girls in many parishes.
3. In Floyd county VA (early 90's) I attended my first house church with Women Church Convergence. I wondered if I was going to be condemned for attending? We said the words of consecration, no priest present. The next day I attended a "traditional parish" and during the Mass I entered in Kyros time. For my WC-C liturgy was "super imposed" over the liturgy before me. I even became nauseated because of my "being in two places at once" I concluded "all liturgy is an acceptable offering to my God" The spiritual journey of women gathered is a different journey and relationship with God. Both are valid ways to worship and I never looked back theologically. I know all worship is acceptable to God across the world's religions.
4. Moving to Chicago in 1996 I began to attend The Harold, a small intentional community every Sunday and became one of the "in the monthly schedule" presiders for 13 years until I moved away in 2009. Here I learned and practiced "What can the liturgy look like, still remembering the passover meal and life and teachings of Jesus our brother, but without all the trappings of Empirical Rome. I loved the liturgy as I developed my own "style" and would love to use again. Maybe Sun City Center will have a small RC faith community.
From large to small faith circles gathering to worship our Godde. I have had rich liturgical life experiences which formed my faith and my faith formed them. Yet I know when I meet God face to face all this will be as naught for what I experience now through communal prayer will compare as nothing to the direct experience of God.
Tuesday, March 1, 2011
How the Universe Works if I Pay Attention
My plan for tomorrow was
AM attend a discussion of news and views at a local church.
PM get a perm and cut at a local salon.
I try to follow the Path of Jesus. I think at the age of 68 I am beginning to tread more trustingly on the Way. And here is how it works:
I got up this morning and checking my voice mails my beautician had called and asked if I wanted to move my appointment (cut and perm)up tomorrow till the morning. At that time I had a conflict so I called back and said, "I am sorry I cannot come tomorrow at that time" As the morning went on my schedule changed and I really wanted to do the morning appointment so I could participate in a phone conference on Faith and Economics by Jim Wallis of Sojourners taking place in the mid afternoon.
I called her back "I would like to take the morning appointment" even though I would then miss my Wed morning discussion group.
"I am sorry it is filled, but can you come today?"
"Yes, I would be very happy to!"
So off I went for the cut and perm.
Knowing God had given me a way to attend my discussion on "News and Views" in the morning and be home to attend the phone conference in the afternoon. To add the final reason why God rearranged the schedule, later today an automated message from Home Depot who will deliver a new stove to my apartment between 12 and 4 PM tomorrow.
Trusting in God in the Now, my total day was rearranged to meet my needs!
God bless everyone, and see if you can catch the universe rearranging your day to meet your needs and desires.
AM attend a discussion of news and views at a local church.
PM get a perm and cut at a local salon.
I try to follow the Path of Jesus. I think at the age of 68 I am beginning to tread more trustingly on the Way. And here is how it works:
I got up this morning and checking my voice mails my beautician had called and asked if I wanted to move my appointment (cut and perm)up tomorrow till the morning. At that time I had a conflict so I called back and said, "I am sorry I cannot come tomorrow at that time" As the morning went on my schedule changed and I really wanted to do the morning appointment so I could participate in a phone conference on Faith and Economics by Jim Wallis of Sojourners taking place in the mid afternoon.
I called her back "I would like to take the morning appointment" even though I would then miss my Wed morning discussion group.
"I am sorry it is filled, but can you come today?"
"Yes, I would be very happy to!"
So off I went for the cut and perm.
Knowing God had given me a way to attend my discussion on "News and Views" in the morning and be home to attend the phone conference in the afternoon. To add the final reason why God rearranged the schedule, later today an automated message from Home Depot who will deliver a new stove to my apartment between 12 and 4 PM tomorrow.
Trusting in God in the Now, my total day was rearranged to meet my needs!
God bless everyone, and see if you can catch the universe rearranging your day to meet your needs and desires.
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