Catholics
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Elaine will do. God willing that she may receive a lovely job at exactly the right time. XXX
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yes Elaine. I will too.
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FF is your son still studying or already working?
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Hi Astrid, my son was studying but dropped out of college and is working. Not lack of brains or ability, I think just wanted the quicker route to earning and independence. Of course we were disappointed and feel it is shortsighted but at least he is working and that is something to be thankful for.
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Feelingfeline,
My daughter is talking about leaving college as well, but she hasn't made a final decision. I try not to be disappointed; after all, she is a good kid and she has retained her faith when so many young people her age haven't. My husband and I are university professors, and we've seen many students who are academically-successful but who struggle to figure out their place in the world. In fact, in the last ten years, the number of our students who have mental health challenges has greatly increased. I pray for them all, of course, but I feel blessed that my daughter has her feet on the ground and her faith in the Lord.
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Maybe he needs this time off from school to figure out what he really wants to do with his life. Sometimes those who start later have a passion for their studies. Those kids who are doing what their parents want them to do often do not do well.
It was -13 F this morning, but I decided to go to Mass despite not feeling well. I was sitting much more than standing. Maybe I should have stayed at home. There weren't many people there, which was an advantage.
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FF, I am so glad your son had the opportunity to go to Panama. Such an experience can be do confirming and life-changing. I am praying for him (and for your daughter, ET). I think that the prospect and reality of commitment for a young person can be daunting and scary, which may be why so many struggle to make decisions and stick to things (at least, some of the young people I know!)
The culture in my family (part European) meant university was a must for me, at least as far as my grandparents were concerned. In some ways I felt pressured to prove myself academically and at 26 graduated with my PhD. It was great and I learned a lot, but I don't know that I would do it again if I could go back. I get comments sometimes that I should have studied something more practical (my degree is in art history).
My brother (24) was studying to be a primary school teacher. He has great skills with children and male teachers are desperately needed. Many people said how wonderful it is he is pursuing that. Anyway, just over a year ago he dropped out (perhaps deferred his degree, I'm not sure exactly), started working at a warehouse for a major whitegoods and bathroom supplies manufacturer, and now is the assistant manager there. My parents were initially disappointed, but I think he's really happy where he is and is doing well.
I think this time (20s) is a time of finding your feet, discovering who you are. Sometimes it takes a few tries. It's not an easy time to be a young adult...but maybe it never was!
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Sparrowhawk I think Art History can come in useful! Just think of the late Sister Wendy Beckett
I went to art college (Graphic Design) so I am a bit biased!!I'm glad your dear brother is happy and doing well in his career.
Yep, I would not want to be 20 again.
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Wise words re study/work in posts above.
This is the glorious Mary Chapel within St Francis Church Melbourne. No photos so far can really do justice to the full beauty of it.
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The roof is a more vivid blue...hard to capture.
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Such beauty. A vocation and art history and restoration go well together.
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yes! art is such an important way to convey spiritual truth.
I watch a few art restoration shows..Fake or Fortune, and the Art detectives..I learn so much from both, plus the wonderful doco's and art series that pop up from time to time.
and the religious art you get to see on your travels...so much a part of the whole experience.
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What a heavenly roof in the chapel!
Art and religion definitely go hand in hand as appreciation of beauty is one of many states that can help us draw closer to God.
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Astrid, five years ago I was in Melbourne for the Italian Masterpieces art exhibition. My mother and youngest sister went with me for the weekend and we stayed at a hotel within walkimg distance to this church, where we went for Mass. It blew me away.
Thank you for your kind words, FF. I absolutely love Sr Wendy and have a secret dream to do something like she did, though probably on a smaller scale!
Lately I have been really enjoying James Tissot - though actually, he's one of my favourite artists, so I always enjoy him. He's a French painter who did a huge series of paintings of the life of Christ and of scenes from Scripture. He actually spent time in the Holy Land, studying the terrain, architecture and people, to prepare for his work. If you haven't seen his paintings I recommend. I personally love his painting of Mary Magdalene at the feet of Jesus, and his Raising of Lazarus is amazing --- huge emotions!
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Astrid
Those are gorgeous pics of the Marian chapel! Well I've been praying for the docs doing cancer research so was excited to get this link from my sister today:
https://www.jpost.com/HEALTH-SCIENCE/A-cure-for-ca...
not sure how far out timewise or accurate this is, but feels exciting just to see their direction. God is Good. All the Time.
Holding everyone close in prayer,
J.
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Our local convent has a beautiful chapel, but they have very few pictures online. I think I have one on my kindle, and I have a friend who spends a lot of time over there who has some. It, also, is beautiful. https://www.fspa.org/content/chapel
That article in very interesting, and a highly reputable source. I think Mayo is also doing research in that area. I also notice an alarming note on the price of insulin in USA. People are going to Mexico to get it.
I have chemo rescheduled for Friday, because of the bitter cold expected today and tomorrow. We have fresh snow on the ground, and even the local ski-slope is closed because of the -50 F (-46 C) wind chill. Interesting instant calculation. https://www.weatherforyou.com/weather_computer/
I will pray for our whole group today.
My birthday was yesterday, and I felt good. Especially in having been assertive and rescheduling chemo. The fundraiser for National Breast Cancer Foundation I have on FB is doing well.
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Congratulations on your fundraiser and HAPPY BIRTHDAY MC. Every birthday is a gift.
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Indeed! Hoping you had a joyous day MC.
Your local church is magnificent!! Wow..beautiful.
Thank you for praying for us.
Mysticalcity thank you for posting such a hopeful article.
(And All the time, God is Good.
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Happy Birthday, MC! I hope your day was as wonderful as you are!
Thank you for your prayer.
I would like to request special prayers for my family at this time. My grandfather passed away yesterday at the age of 89. It is the first death of a close family member which I've experienced. I feel very odd...very numb and not wanting to do anything except lie down, at least yesterday. I slept all night but had nightmares. I made myself eat as I know that's important. I have studied and read about grief but never experienced it on such a scale.
He was ready to die. Apparently he died very peacefully with his rosary beads in his hands and my grandmother by his side. They were married for almost 60 years. It makes me sad to think of her on her own...and to think I hadn't seen him for two years (because of my formation) and was so hoping to see him aftwr vows. But in a way I think it would have been harder to see him so sick.
My mum told me that when she saw him he was so happy to hear about my vows and couldn't stop talking about it. That just made me cry. I was just so happy to hear he was happy. He always believed in me, had the best stories and was a true gentleman.
His name was Allen. Please pray. Know of my prayers for you all.
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Sincere condolences Sparrowhawk. A huge loss for you and your family. I will of course pray for your dear grandfather.
I was 28 when my Grandpa, Cyril, died. He too was 89. Almost 24 years later I still miss him and I have to say that one of the things I most look forward to in the next life is a happy reunion with him.
How very lucky we both have been to have loving grandparents in our lives right into adulthood.
How wonderful that you have certain knowledge of just how happy he was that you would soon make your vows.
Dear Sparrowhawk, do not doubt your Grandfather is close to you. Far closer than your eyes can see. He will know the day you make your vows. Life after death is love without limits.
Eternal rest grant to Allen, O Lord; and let light perpetual shine upon him. May his soul, and the souls of all the faithful departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace.
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Dear FF, your words mean so much and have given me peace. I consider myself blessed to have lived until now with all my grandparents still living, and to have been so loved by them.
My sisters asked me how I feel. I really don't know. I'm very tired, my body aches and I'm physically weak, like if someone touched me I'd fall over. I think that could be the emotion or grief. I haven't had a good cry, but I know that is okay. I spent this morning cleaning our whole convent...surprisingly, it did help me to be physical and to use my mind for other things.
When I became a postulant, I spoke to my grandfather on the phone and he told me he wanted to give me something. He gave me a set of wooden rosary beads which his father received as a young man (I'm not sure if for his 21st birthday or his Confirmation). I have no idea how old they are, almost 100 years. They are so precious to me. Even that small gesture told me that my grandfather loved me and was happy and proud.
I know he will be with me on that day. I carry him at my heart's core. One of my aunts (his youngest sister, who is a nun in a different congregation) wrote to me and said that she realised many years ago that each time someone she loved died, a part of her died too. But she believes by faith that they are with God. So a part of her is with God, too.
When I read that it gave me real relief.
On top of all this, one of our sisters had a car accident yesterday. She blacked out and hit a tree. She is in hospital and they are monitoring her to work out why it happened. The car looks like a write-off. Honestly I think it's a miracle she's not hurt more seriously and that no other cars or people were involved. Please pray for her and for our superior, too, who is dealing with the hospital, mechanic, insurance, etc.
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oh sparrow
I am so sorry for your loss.
YesI will pray for your dear grandfather. FF has written some beautiful words of comfort and I believe them with all my heart.
I will also continue praying for your happy union with the Lord and that your receive peace in your time of mourning, and feel the arms of the Lord around you.
May the gift of treasured rosary beads bring much strength and comfort to you.
And for your injured sister too... I hope she will be alright and no underlying problems for her.
Sending love
Xx
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Dear Sparrowhawk,
such beautiful consolation from your Aunt. So true.
I will of course add your sister in Christ and your superior to my prayers. I hope, in spite all the stress and the grief of lossbereavement in the weeks leading up to it, that you and your sisters will all the more rejoice when you take your vows.
By sad coincidence a priest (only 50, which is a young priest in Ireland) died here yesterday in a similar accident. He seems to have lost control of his car in the drive of the parochial house. It is not known whether there was a medical or mechanical incident. May God gather him straight to heaven.
Truly to love is to give hostages to fortune. Love seems, by some reckonings, to bring us sorrow. But reflection shows us the joy of love far outweighs the sorrow, and that having loved we would always choose to have loved, despite the sadness that may come. To love is to live and not to love is to die.
Susanna XX
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Thank you so much, both of you. I had a bad dream again with some traumatic content. Rarely do I have vivid dreams which I remember very well, so I believe it is connected to the loss. I happened to see my doctor yesterday and spoke to her about what's happened, which really helped. Even with the dream, I feel a bit better today and less foggy.
I am not sure that I will make it to the funeral. It's quite far and not an easy time with vows and all. Some sisters (not my superior) are telling me I have to go. My mother is very understanding and I know my grandfather would understand. For me it would be much nicer to visit my grandmother privately at a later time and then go to my grandfather's grave.
I will pray for the deceased priest. How terribly sad.
I am reminded of C.S. Lewis' words, "To love at all is to be vulnerable". Loving others does involve risk: they may hurt us, or leave us. But as you say, Susanna, the joys of love are beyond any sorrow. Your words touch my heart and I thank you so deeply.
Please also offer special prayers for me today - I have a job interview! It was very sudden (the closing was only on Monday) but I'm excited.
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Good luck today Sparrow. I am keeping you close in prayer. FF will also pray for your priest. What an awful thing to happen.
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Sparrowhawk,
I was so sorry to read about your grandfather's death. Even if it doesn't make sense to attend his funeral, I'm sure you will be there in spirit. I live far from my family, and haven't been able to make some funerals, too. Hold your memories of your grandfather in your heart, and best wishes for your job interview!
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Very best wishes for a successful interview Sparrowhawk. His will be done.
Which reminds me to share that I have learned my patron Saint St. Maximilian Kolbe had a formula.
v is My will
V is God's will.
He said we should not look for v+V
He said that the plus sign in v+V, it is also a cross. v+V will bring a cross.
He said we are aiming for v=V.
He never said it was easy to achieve v=V, but I just thought that little formula was so easy to picture and remember.
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Thank you all! My grandfather was a wonderful man. I didn't see him often as we lived four hours' drive away, but I have such treasured memories. He never finished school as his father became sick, and as the eldest boy he had to run the farm - he was 13. He grew up to be a policeman and a shearer. He received some awards for shearing, and I only found out after he passed that he was awarded some special honours for his police work - I am so proud. He absolutely loved writing letters but had the worst handwriting ever, so reading his letters was no mean feat!
interview was probably the best one I've ever had. The interviewers were really lovely and seemed genuinely interested in me and grateful for my honesty and openness with them. I entrust my cause to the Lord. As one sister said to me afterwards: if I get the job, super. If I don't, it's still okay. It's not the end.
Susanna, I love what you shared about v=V. So simple and true. Thank you.
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