Take our poll: Caregivers, what do you find most difficult about caregiving?
Weigh in: What are the best and worst gifts for people with breast cancer?

Catholics

1…360361363365366…378

Comments

  • Astrid
    Astrid Member Posts: 1,033
    edited January 2019

    FF

    Thinking of you and hoping you are doing ok after your sad loss.

    Here is an extraordinary event that happened to me a few days ago re the Saint I was given Margaret Clitherow.

    I have been visiting local churches in my area and attending morning mass. I usually drive some way to my carmelite church amd community for lectio divina and talks, lectures etc or into the city to St Francis church.

    So Wanting to attend mass more, was looking for local.

    I do not have a good feeling at my closest church and am not alone in this.

    So......long story longer....

    I went to St Roch's about 7/8 mins drive away. Beautiful church! Sat down a few rows from the front. Was looking around at gorgeous wood panelled ceiling, statuary and many stained glass panels depicting Saints.

    Guess who I had sat down right beside?

    Yep. Sister Maggie as she likes to be called. I could not believe it....well I could and I saw it as a direct sign of grace which warmed my heart and filled me with wonder.

    I was so grateful and I prayed right then for you and your sweet Arthur.

    image



  • feelingfeline
    feelingfeline Member Posts: 5,145
    edited January 2019

    Astrid, thank you so much. Have to confess my heart is still heavy, I do think we have to hold on to the sadness a bit so as to know we have loved, I know that gradually the saddest, last memories become less prevalent. My DD (13) being away and not having seen Arthur suffering is a comfort to me though, I am so glad she does not have those memories.

    I am WOW-ED at that prompting of the spirit that sent you to the local church and right to the window of St.Margaret Clitherow. How wonderful. What a beautiful, beautiful confirmation.

    Not related to St Margaret Clitherow, but relating to both stained glass and bereavement, you reminded me about when I sang in a gospel choir for 1 year. It was fun but I just had too much on for the commitment, mainly at that time really my commitments were to my children and getting them to their activities and my son (now 22) was with the national broadcasters children's choir at the time and that in particular was an enormous commitment, so I gave up the Gospel choir after the year because it just was too much to squeeze in.The Gospel Choir, which was ecumenical, rehearsed in a very old Anglican church out in the countryside. Sopranos were in the rows on the right hand side as you went in. Somehow, without planning it, I always seemed to end up in a row beneath a window that said "Blessed be the Name of the Lord. The Lord giveth and the Lord taketh away. Blessed be the name of the Lord". We always rehearsed a gospel hymn by Matt Redman which was in fact "Blessed be Your Name". I would be singing this (more like belting it out) and looking at the window and the plaque underneath. This said it was donated by a lady whose husband died. Three months after his death she gave birth to their firstborn, a son. And three months after his birth this baby boy died. Each time I was newly awed by her ability to say Blessed be the Name of the Lord. These deaths had taken place in the 1800's and the window continued to give the message of humility and faith down generations. To see it while actually singing the words was memorable.

    Blessed be the name of the Lord.

    XXX


    Blessed Be Your Name

    Matt Redman

    Blessed Be Your Name
    In the land that is plentiful
    Where Your streams of abundance flow
    Blessed be Your name

    Blessed Be Your name
    When I'm found in the desert place
    Though I walk through the wilderness
    Blessed Be Your name

    Every blessing You pour out, I'll
    Turn back to praise
    When the darkness closes in, Lord
    Still I will say

    Blessed be the name of the Lord
    Blessed be Your name
    Blessed be the name of the Lord
    Blessed be Your glorious name

    Blessed be Your name
    When the sun's shining down on me
    When the world's 'all as it should be'
    Blessed be Your name

    Blessed be Your name
    On the road marked with suffering
    Though there's pain in the offering
    Blessed be Your name

    Every blessing You pour out I'll
    Turn back to praise
    When the darkness closes in, Lord
    Still I will say

    Blessed be the name of the Lord
    Blessed be Your name
    Blessed be the name of the Lord
    Blessed be Your glorious name, oh

    Blessed be the name of the Lord
    Blessed be Your name
    Blessed be the name of the Lord
    Blessed be Your glorious name

    You give and take away
    You give and take away
    My heart will choose to say
    Lord, blessed be Your name

    God you give and take away
    Oh you give and take away
    My heart will choose to say
    Lord, blessed be Your name

    Blessed be the name of the Lord
    Blessed be Your name
    Blessed be the name of the Lord
    Blessed be Your glorious name, oh

    Blessed be the name of the Lord
    Blessed be Your name
    Blessed be the name of the Lord
    Blessed be Your glorious name

    Blessed be Your name

    You give and take away
    God give and take away
    My heart will choose to say
    Lord, blessed be Your name

    God you give and take away
    Oh you give and take away
    But my heart will choose to say
    Lord, blessed be Your name

    Oh you give and take away
    God give and take away
    My heart will choose to say
    Lord, blessed be Your name

    Blessed be the name of the Lord
    Blessed be Your name
    Blessed be the name of the Lord
    Blessed be Your glorious name, oh

    Blessed be the name of the Lord
    Blessed be Your name
    Blessed be the name of the Lord
    Blessed be Your glorious name

    Blessed be Your name


  • Astrid
    Astrid Member Posts: 1,033
    edited January 2019

    Such powerful lyrics.

    They reallly speak to me. Thanks so much for sharing that story.

    🕊💖✨

  • mysticalcity
    mysticalcity Member Posts: 184
    edited January 2019

    feelingfeline--what a beautiful story and I love that song also. . . thanks for sharing!:)


  • feelingfeline
    feelingfeline Member Posts: 5,145
    edited January 2019

    image



    "If you follow the will of God, you know that in spite of all the terrible things that happen to you, you will never lose a final refuge.

    You know that the foundation of the world is love, so that even when no human being can or will help you, you may go on, trusting in the One that loves you."

    Pope Benedict XVI

  • Astrid
    Astrid Member Posts: 1,033
    edited January 2019

    beautiful. Thanks FF.

    How are you doing?Hug

  • feelingfeline
    feelingfeline Member Posts: 5,145
    edited January 2019

    Hi Astrid, doing ok. And you? XXX

  • Astrid
    Astrid Member Posts: 1,033
    edited January 2019

    yeah..all good thanks FF.

    image

  • feelingfeline
    feelingfeline Member Posts: 5,145
    edited January 2019

    image

    This one made me smile - Smoothies for Catholics!

  • feelingfeline
    feelingfeline Member Posts: 5,145
    edited January 2019

    As did this one. Losing her eyes at her martydom, Saint Lucy is the Patron Saint of eyes.

    Anyone needing glasses or contacts (like me Nerdy) will understand this visual

    image




  • feelingfeline
    feelingfeline Member Posts: 5,145
    edited January 2019

    DS is in Panama for WYD.

    His group went out 5 days before WYD opened as they are doing some voluntary work for Aid to the Church in Need in advance of the week.

    He is the one on the right.

    It is his second ever WYD as he went to Krakow also.

    image


  • mcbaker
    mcbaker Member Posts: 1,833
    edited January 2019

    Only in Ireland could you find such smoothies. We have such a wondrous sense of humor about ourselves. Jews do, too. Protestants are humorless, except for Garrison Keillor.

    I will miss my parish book club tonight, because I have a run of appointments today. I am going to miss it, I think the same group has met for three or four years. We are finishing "Resisting Happiness" by Matthew Kelly. Happiness comes from following God's will.

  • Astrid
    Astrid Member Posts: 1,033
    edited January 2019

    oh! He has such a kind face FF.☺☺

    What a great thing to be a part of.

    I love St Lucy...

    Came across a few art works of her in Italy.😀

  • mcbaker
    mcbaker Member Posts: 1,833
    edited January 2019

    He looks a bit like my nephew!!

  • feelingfeline
    feelingfeline Member Posts: 5,145
    edited January 2019

    Parish book club!!!! What a fabulous idea!!!! Making notes....

  • mcbaker
    mcbaker Member Posts: 1,833
    edited January 2019

    I think there are seven of us it is just an ordinary book club except we are all Catholic and go through Catholic books format is like lecto divinia. It was meant to be a six months thing but we decided to stay together.

  • mcbaker
    mcbaker Member Posts: 1,833
    edited January 2019

    I think there are seven of us it is just an ordinary book club except we are all Catholic and go through Catholic books format is like lecto divinia. It was meant to be a six months thing but we decided to stay together.

  • Astrid
    Astrid Member Posts: 1,033
    edited January 2019

    Hi MC

    Missed your post before mine last nite😀that book sounds interesting.

    I know what you mean.

    I love our carmelite lectio group. Quite a few elderly men but the women are around my age or a bit older...a couple of youngies and occassionals. We have bonded in a beautiful way by our discussions. It is such a nourishing thing to do each week.☺🕊💖🌹

    ..

  • Astrid
    Astrid Member Posts: 1,033
    edited January 2019


    image

    image

  • mcbaker
    mcbaker Member Posts: 1,833
    edited January 2019

    Amazing man. Ninety percent in accord with Catholicism, and never had a word to say against it. Some are amazed that we read his works with appreciation.

  • Astrid
    Astrid Member Posts: 1,033
    edited January 2019

    yes!

  • feelingfeline
    feelingfeline Member Posts: 5,145
    edited January 2019

    ThumbsUp

  • sparrowhawk
    sparrowhawk Member Posts: 77
    edited January 2019

    Just writing to say hello and that you are all in my prayers. I remembered you all on my retreat (which was beautiful!). Astrid, I hope things are picking up with your legal situation! To answer your questions: I first felt a call when I was twenty. About a year after that experience, I happened to find my congregation in a list of institutes posted online. I went on the website, saw such joy and love (and that they were hosting a retreat the following weekend), and thought WOW. I discerned with them about a year and a half before I asked to enter. I look back and marvel at just how amazing God is.

    All is good here...busy, exciting, much joy and new opportunities. I am still getting post-surgical pain from time to time, the other night quite strong, but am well recovered --- even to (finally) wearing a nice bra. My incision is on the side of my breast and quite long, and I wasn't sure how it would affect my comfort, which is most important. It's very good! I'm getting used to having the scar. The bra just makes me feel more like a lady, which is funny, as there's an old joke that nuns and sisters are a third gender! 😉

    And FF, I am so sorry to read about your Arthur...I am holding you and your family in prayer. A pet can be so loved, such a part of us. I like what you wrote - loss reminds us that we have loved.

  • mcbaker
    mcbaker Member Posts: 1,833
    edited January 2019

    Good to see your post, sparrowhawk.

    My sleep schedule is radically changing. I go to bed at eight, and get up at four. I now have a lot of time for meditation. But I still get hyper and jump up to do this or that. I have been withdrawing socially, using fear of germs as an excuse. I think I will start going to 8:00 AM Mass rather than 5:30 PM and 2PM. I hate the long winter evenings. It is predicted to be below 0degF overnight for the next week, sometimes double digits, and two times below -20. Maybe fear of the cold should be another excuse for isolating. At least with my ankle-brace and big shoes I can wear double socks, and with my stretchy leggings I can wear long underwear under comfortably. If I wear my head-wraps comfortably, even that is no excuse for isolating. Yes, the pain of detaching hair and the bald spots finally drove me to shave the rest of it off.

    I am still wearing my post-surgical bra, it is so comfortable, and reduces the sensation of numbness. Won't switch until after TE is replaced.

    I would love to go visit Australia right now.

    God be with you.

  • mysticalcity
    mysticalcity Member Posts: 184
    edited January 2019

    Found this beautiful novena this morning I wanted to share here.

    image

    http://yeahcatholic.com/powerful-novena-to-mary-for-impossible-requests/?fbclid=IwAR1B0ZU7L4lGNJjmp3QWQ_UjPSbg2mAgY0B83cpFUCRVCHAKihE1Xc8CSy0

  • feelingfeline
    feelingfeline Member Posts: 5,145
    edited January 2019

    Thanks Sparrowhawk. I have been thinking of you too.


    Mysticalcity ThumbsUp


    Th Irish gang in Panama (DS in grey cap at back) This photo is on the front of The Irish Catholic (national newspaper).

    image



    "Christianity is not a collection of rules or prohibitions.

    Christianity is a person who loves us so much, and asks us to live with the same love.

    What unites us is the certainty of knowing we are loved.

    Do not be afraid to love."

    Pope Francis first Day of WYD2019 Panama



  • Astrid
    Astrid Member Posts: 1,033
    edited January 2019

    oh Francis!🕊💖

    Thank you mysticalcity

    MC..You poor lamb. I am wrapping my arms around you in prayer. So glad you are doing mass and meditating. I belive with all my heart that our inner room where we meet with the pure love of God in His many forms is where we are truly healed. The embrace of Mother Church and our family there, re-inforces that love, and helps encourage us back to our contemplation time and sacred reading.

    We truly need both to guide us and lead us steadily forward to closer union with Jesus.

    (In my experience and understanding...)🌾💖🌹

    Sparrow!!!

    So nice to see you back here and thank you for sharing your story.HeartI am in awe of tour upcoming vows. To know so young...what a great blessing.

    All our little family here are in my prayers. FF I know how long it takes to mourn our beloved pets. So wonderful for your son to have these experiences.

    I lost my case.

    St Therese and St Maggie(as she likes to be called) helped me so much. I believe they are still around. I am so blessed because I feel the most wonderful peace and only want to get closer to Jesus every day. I never thought I could be so calm....but there it is.

    My lawyer is furious and you know it is a very unjust system that favours the insurers and not the injured workers. He will do everything he can to see if we might challenge again.

    I will write to the ombudsman(woman) who is currently investigating our worksafe system for corruption. Hopefully others in future, will have a more just and merciful outcome.

    Thank you with all my heart for praying for me.

    Xx

  • feelingfeline
    feelingfeline Member Posts: 5,145
    edited January 2019

    Astrid,

    I am so sorry for the outcome not being what you had hoped, but so glad that you are being given abundant graces to strengthen and soothe your soul. Just to read your post it sounds so sanguine, for such a disappointment that it has your lawyer spitting .... I absolutely hear you that you are receiving the benefits of intercessory prayer and the gift of grace from God.

    Thank you so much for you kindness about Arthur. I got a lovely slate plaque made with a printed photo of him, it's on a stand on the kitchen counter and today I opened a jar of mayonnaise just in front of it and then remembered how much he loved mayonnaise, he would come running from anywhere when he heard the jar open. I will admit the tears flowed.

    Sending you love. XXX

  • Astrid
    Astrid Member Posts: 1,033
    edited January 2019

    oh Arthur!!

    Mayonaise...😂

    They are so quirky and funny aren't they.

    Katie liked to join me on the bath rim to share in bathtime. She liked to dip her paw in and take a little sip or wash along with me.

    She particularly liked when bath was empty so she could get me to run the tap gently. She loved drinking the bath tap water. 😀

    Thank you so much for you kind words.

    Xx

  • elainetherese
    elainetherese Member Posts: 1,635
    edited January 2019

    Sparrowhawk,

    Thanks for checking in and holding us in prayer. I'm glad to hear that your retreat was beautiful.

    Astrid,

    I'm sorry to hear about the outcome of your case; earthly justice is far from perfect.

    McBaker,

    I'm with you on the long evenings. But, we're past December 21, so our evenings are slowly but surely getting shorter every day. Take it easy!

    Feelingfeline,

    Thank you for sharing pictures of your son and his group, attending World Youth Day! What an exciting event for you and your son.


    We're doing OK here. I'm STILL trying to lose the weight I've gained since going on Zoladex + Aromasin. My 20 year old daughter has decided to take a break from college and work for a semester. Unfortunately, due to the government shut-down, E-verify has been down and that has slowed hiring. So, she's been at home, helping us out and going to daily Mass. (There are worse ways to fill the hours.) Could you pray for her, that she finds a job soon? She's feeling discouraged. Love and prayers to you all!

Categories

Join Us on Zoom: Upcoming virtual meetups. Read more...
Give your account some personality! Add a profile photo.