Do Not Be Afraid

During this Holy Week I am distracted by the inflammatory articles condemning Pope Benedict.  The media has taken it upon themselves to report only half truths in order to sell their anti-Catholic message this Holy Week.  If you inwardly cringed upon seeing these news reports, do not be afraid to dig deeper and then defend the truth and the Pope. 

The most enlightening information about this media created scandal is that the New York Times article which started this hysteria did not accurately and fully state the facts in the Father Murphy case.  In the 1970's, the Milwaukee Diocese took action to remove Fr. Murphy from contact with children and purposefully did not give him a new pastoral assignment. The NYT leaves out the fact that the police were notified in the 1970's of the accusations. This is most definitely not a case of the Diocese hiding sexual abuse or moving a priest around to a new congregation. Jimmy Akin at National Catholic Register does a wonderful job laying out the time line and facts, complete with links to the original documents for your review. 

Take a moment to read what Father Thomas Brundage, the former Diocese of Milwaukee judge, who presided over Fr. Murphy's trial from 1996-1998, says regarding the media's lack of accurate facts in the case, the Vatican's involvement in the case, his own investigation of the abuse allegations, and the current stance of the Church on abuse cases.  Fr. Brundage states in part, "The fact that I presided over this trial and have never once been contacted by any news organization for comment speaks for itself."

As always, Thomas Peters at American Papist and Catholic Vote Action provides an excellent compillation of articles and references guiding you through the myriad of anti-Catholic bigotry rampant in the mainstream press.

Discussing this latest media witch hunt of Pope Benedict with friends I learned that many people wrongly believe that a high percentage of Catholic priests are pedophiles and the Catholic Church continues to cover up any and all sex abuse allegations.  A 2002 survey for the Wall Street Journal-NBC News, found that 64 percent of the public think that Catholic priests frequently abused children.  This anti-Catholic slant is outrageously unfair, but not surprising given the media fixation on this issue.  While it would be unfair to blame the media for the scandal in the Catholic Church, the constant drumbeat of negative reporting surely accounts for these remarkably skewed results. 

  A 2004 study titled  Sexual Abuse in Social Context: Clergy and Other Professionals found that:

The issue of child sexual molestation is deserving of serious scholarship.  Too often, assumptions have been made that this problem is worse in the Catholic clergy than in other sectors of society.  This report does not support this conclusion.  Indeed, it shows that family members are the most likely to sexually molest a child.  It also shows that the incidence of the sexual abuse of a minor is slightly higher among the Protestant clergy than among the Catholic clergy, and that it is significantly higher among public school teachers than among ministers and priests.

More attention should be given to Pope Benedict's unprecedented advocacy for those victimized by Catholic clergy abuse.   After being elected Pope, Pope Benedict's first actions were in support of those victims and further disciplining members of the clergy.  Read "A Papal Conversion" by John L Allen, Jr. for additional facts on how Pope Benedict has led the church to address and face this issue.

Thomas Peters, offers us this advice: “Do not be afraid” – do not be afraid to learn the full truth about the Pope’s (lack of) culpability in these proceedings. Do not be afraid to ask the news outlets which have kept this story alive why they have a vendetta against the pope? Do not be afraid to ask if they are out to discover the truth or if they are out to silence the “inconvenient voice” of our pope?

Filling the Emptiness

Last week I attended one of my monthly Pastoral Council meetings. They begin just after the 7 p.m. Mass, and as I slipped into a pew for Mass it occurred to me that I’d been away a very long time. I’ve missed church for the last three weekends because of work travel and vacation. I realize there are people who travel extensively who use Mass Times to identify the nearest Parish to fit in their schedule, but my situation did not provide me with the opportunity.

There have been times, especially during the summer when Sunday morning CCE is out, that I’ve missed a number of Sundays here or there. It’s easy to tell yourself you’re too busy, you deserve an extra hour of sleep, it’s just this once. The longer you’re away, the easier it becomes. Life keeps moving and you might not even miss spending that hour in prayer and communion with Christ. But before you know it, a hollow emptiness grows unaware.

At some point during that simple weekday evening Mass, I became aware of that emptiness as new feelings between to sweep over me.

Rest.

Still.

Peace.

Love.

I stumbled on my Lenten journey in that I allowed the business of family, work, and travel to distract me from daily readings, meditation, and prayer. But returning to the Mass filled me up and I left feeling renewed and restored.

Health Care Bill - What's Left to Say?

I know we've been quiet here on Of Sound Mind and Spirit about the passage of the Health Care bill.  Since everyone is covering it from one side or another, what is left to say? 

For Pro-life advocates, the passage is gut wrenching.  While I recognize that Bart Stupak, Democrat "pro-life" Congressman from Michigan, said he would vote for the Health Care bill even with tax payer funded abortion in it, never did I imagine he would hold out for so long only to give in for a worthless piece of paper and $700,000 for his local airport.  The Executive Order President Obama signed this week with no press allowed states the intent to continue the Hyde Amendment ensuring no federal funds may be used for elective abortions under the new Health Care bill.  But an Executive Order does not prevail when in direct contradiction with a federal statute.  If the legislative language in the Health Care bill is held to include abortion funding, which most believe it does, the statute will prevail, not the Executive Order.  In addition, an Executive Order exists at the whim of the current President.  It may be changed or reversed at any time by the current or any future President.

For Catholics, watching 2/3 of the Catholics in Congress vote for this bill after our Bishops have taken a public and principled stand against it and repeatedly stressed the numerous problems with the bill was disheartening to say the least.  But then to watch members of our religious, like Sister Carol Keehan actively lobby in support of the bill, work against the Bishops, and confuse Catholics was unconscionable.  Her appearance of Catholic support lent such an influence on the passage of the bill that she was present at the bill signing and received one of the pens the President used to sign the final Health Care bill.  As Catholics, this is a sign that we must work harder to get our own house in order.

For those believing in the principles of our founding - Life, Liberty and the Pursuit of Happiness paired with limited government - this bill is an abomination.  It grows the federal government exponentially and gives them inherent control over 1/6 of the American economy.  For the first time in American history, the federal government is forcing all Americans to purchase a product or face a government enforced penalty. 

For those who believe that our government should exercise fiscal responsibility or restraint, there are numerous problems with the funding and counting of costs in this Health Care bill.  As it stands now, taxes will be increased on all Americans by 1/2 a TRILLION dollars to pay for this monstrosity of a bill, including on those Americans who make under $250,000/year who the President said he would not tax. And ask yourself, when has a government entitlement ever come in close to their projection numbers?  Everyone knows that they don't.  They continue to expand and grow while taxes are raised and benefits are cut to pay for it.  

With our federal government already on the edge of bankruptcy and with the federal debt projected to rise to 90% of the GDP over the next 10 years and so many Americans out of work, should this bill have been the top priority of the Congress and President? How does this Health Care bill, with taxes that begin in July of this year while the majority of benefits don't begin until 2014, help the American people?  Now that Congress and the President have passed this historic legislation against the will of the American people, the word on Capitol Hill is that they are now focusing not on jobs or the economy, but on taxing more Americans and businesses to save the planet from the fallacy of global warming.

First Communion Memories and Stories Contest

Now that the vacation is over, Lisa and I are both gearing up for First Communion Season. Both of us have daughters making this big Sacrament at the end of April.

Reflecting on it, this is a pretty big deal. This is their first major celebration sacrament since their infant baptism. Reconciliation isn’t really a “celebration” sacrament; the preparation, undertaking, and sharing of that sacrament is intensely personal. First Communion is an opportunity for the entire family – personal and church – to welcome a new member into Communion or being One with Christ. I forget the source, but I had someone explain coming to the Eucharist to me as our approaching not the church altar, but the table at the Last Supper. Christ is present and we come to Him. I think on that when I step from the aisle to go forward.

My youngest daughter is very impatiently waiting for her First Communion. While she’s still mildly unnerved at the thought of eating Christ’s Body, she’s sees being allowed to receive Communion as a tangible sign of her growing up. Having an older sister who receives Communion and Altar Serves at Mass, my younger one is frustrated with being the youngest and having to approach the Eucharistic Minister with crossed arms.

Lisa and I both received emails about this really cute First Communion Stories Contest sponsored by Aquinas & More. From now until March 31 (next Wednesday) they’re inviting you to submit a story based on a true and positive memory about you or your child’s First Communion. Come back to the site during the month of April to vote on the stories and winners will be announced on May 3. First prize is a First Communion Dress or a $100 gift certificate.

The offer of a First Communion dress prize made me think about my own dress. When I made my First Communion in 1978, the dresses were shockingly short. Our shoulders were covered, but our bare knees stood out. My veil, a mess of tulle scrunched onto a too-tight, ear-pinching headband with a long piece of my mother’s original veil laid over it, draped far below the hem of my dress.

When I shopped for my older daughter’s dress, we had no trouble finding one of sufficient tea or floor length. However, we had trouble finding one with sleeves that covered her shoulders, so many dresses used spaghetti straps or were sleeveless. I’m sorry that Lisa and I don’t live closer so that we could more easily shop for our daughters’ dresses together.

Do you have a fun or interesting memory about First Communion? Consider sharing your story.

On the Road Again

Once again, our blog fell silent for a week as we joined our combined families in our second 1800 mile caravan to the Trans-Pecos region of West Texas. Just like last year, Shelly & I planned to write and schedule posts in advance of our absence and expected to use this "vacation" as an inspirational opportunity for future posts.

I guess we didn't learn from last year.

If you've ever embarked on a similar journey, you know the amount of preparation and planning that goes into coordinating a driving trip of this length for four families: eight adults and seven children. All of the hustle settles down once we hit the road: the kids chat happily with their cousins, adults swap vehicles during stops, and there is a laughing banter back and forth on the walkie-talkies necessary for keeping in touch between cars. We stayed in the Marathon Motel and Chianti Mountains, before moving down the River Road into Lajitas for some Big Bend hiking and horse riding. On our last day we stopped in Sonora, where a first day of Spring snowfall caught us unaware as we darted into the Caverns for a short walking tour.

Last year my husband fell in love with West Texas and repeatedly announced we would be moving. This year he resumed this mantra as soon as we hit the Davis Mountains. As he announced his plan to move over and over, I grinned from ear to ear. It's hard to visit the West Texas/Trans-Pecos region and not fall in love with this special place.

As city girls, visiting this area is an amazing adventure. Everywhere you look there are breathtaking views of deserts and mountains, unbelievably blue skies and beautifully rugged individuals whose friendliness surprises even these fellow Texans. Having grown up in the fourth largest city in the U.S., I love imagining what life must be like in these towns with fewer than 1,000 residents. Even the nearest "big" city, an hour away, only boasts 6,000 inhabitants. With few people scattered between these towns, the development of technology keeps them from feeling isolated.

Shelly and I feel so extremely blessed to be part of our wonderful family, who embraces the togetherness that comes from sharing 1800 miles over nine days in three minivans. And we are equally blessed to have loving husbands who enjoy our loud, opinionated family even in very close quarters for a week.

True Meaning of Easter

With Palm Sunday just ahead, you still have the opportunity to immerse yourself in meaningful reflection and meditation on the Passion of our Lord. There is still time to order a copy of The True Meaning of Easter, an audio CD containing the scripture of the Passion combined with excerpts of classic recordings by Archbishop Fulton Sheen. You will be touched and moved by the words of Bishop Sheen, as he provides thoughtful reason and understanding of the scriptures.

When the movie “The Passion of the Christ” first appeared in theaters, I heard repeatedly how watching this movie would change me and my understanding of the Passion & Resurrection. But I challenge that these recorded passages by Bishop Sheen are more moving, more passionate, and more thought-provoking.

I must admit that before receiving this recording I had never heard of Bishop Sheen, but I have since learned that he was a true pioneer in Catholic broadcasting. He used the “new media” of radio and television to spread God’s word to the masses. His words may be read and heard in over 100 books, pamphlets, radio and television broadcasts. I’ve also picked up a copy of his autobiography Treasure in Clay to read to better know this scholar.

The audio CD begins with the story of the Last Supper, followed by Bishop Sheen’s commentary on this piece of scripture. In a calm, soothing, voice, he recalls the history and understanding of the Passover. He reminds us that even before the Passover even, the “sacrificial lamb” played an important role in man’s relationship with God. As the tracks continue through various other scriptures with following commentary, Bishop Sheen's voice grows stronger and more passionate. When he speaks of Jesus at the Garden of Gethsemane, Bishop Sheen examines and compares how the fate of humanity revolves around two gardens - Eden & Gethsemane. Likewise, he examines the two natures of Jesus; at Gethsemane Christ did not pray “Our Father,” but “My Father.”

Bishop Sheen speaks with passionate authority that is not condescending, but emotionally strong and resonant. I strongly recommend that you listen to these words as you prepare for Holy Week and the Easter Season. Bishop Sheen states that the purpose of God coming to this Earth is to bring us in perfect union with our Father. Take advantage of this CD from The Catholic Company to help you develop that union and meditate on the True Meaning of Easter.

As a reviewer for the Catholic Company, I received a free copy of this product in exchange for my honest review.

Springtime

Oh, what a beautiful morning!
Oh, what a beautiful day!
I've got a beautiful feeling
Everything's goin' my way.

- lyrics by Rogers & Hammerstein

I can't help singing at the top of my lungs this morning. It seems to me that Spring has arrived almost overnight. Last week the Houston Rodeo trail riders came into town through the cold wet rain and everything looked gloomy. This week the grass is growing, the trees are budding, and the azaleas are blooming. I looked at the azaleas on Monday and saw nothing to lead me to believe there would be blooms by the end of the week, but yesterday afternoon we returned from school/work and spied two blooms, with dozens more loosely wrapped just waiting for today.

The birds have returned; I awoke this morning to the brilliant composition of a multitude of songbirds in the backyard. Even my husband, laying beside me, commented that we were being sung awake. Our backyard feeder attracts cardinals, house finches, chickadees, blue jays, and while we've seen these for a few weeks, we now have our first robin perched on the edge of the birdbath.

The sky is deep blue with a radiant sun, pleasant breeze, and temperatures expected to reach the high 60s. As I breathe in the fresh air and feel the warm sun on my face, I marvel at the overnight changes. Is it any wonder that we use the rebirth of springtime to celebrate Jesus' rising from the dead? This beautiful weather is just a small physical experience compared with the wonder and glory of Christ's Resurrection and Rebirth.

As we continue on our Lenten journey toward Easter, let us not be discouraged by the sin and darkness that want to overwhelm us. Let us turn our faces and our hearts to the rising sun and know that this rebirth of Spring is only a mere symbol of the beautiful morning promised to us in Easter.

Lenten Activities for Children

I thought I would share a few Lenten Activities my children are working on this year.

For the first time we made homemade pretzels this year. It was only recently that I discovered that the making and eating of pretzels was a Lenten tradition dating back to ancient times.  The kids were surprised and thrilled to learn that the criss-cross shape of the pretzel is symbolic of arms crossed in a prayer position.  Now, to be fair, when I say we "made" pretzels, I must admit we were not extremely successful.  While they tasted OK, they were horrible to look at.  I think we missed a step somewhere in the new recipe.  It was still a great time and my kids, my two nieces, and I  had a wonderful time making a huge mess in the process. It was so much fun that I hope to make it a yearly Lenten tradition in our house, but with tastier results.

One of the most popular activities the kids have done so far is the 2010 Lenten Calendar - 40 Crosses from Catechist's Journey and Loyola Press.  Each day on the printable calendar has a cross.  Every day, the child colors the cross according to an assigned color for the type of good deed done on that day.  Ours are on the fridge so they remember not only to color in the cross, but to make sure they accomplished their good deed each day.

During these 40 days, the kids are making a special effort to connect with their 3 living great-grandmothers.  For the two who are local, it includes more visits, but for all three, they are drawing pictures and writing letters to put in the mail.  In our world of super fast communication, it is still nice to receive mail sent with lots of love.  My husband and I hope to provide lasting memories for the kids and stress the importance of remembering our loved ones. 

For my two older children who can read, I have printed and taped prayers on their bathroom mirror for each of them to learn or practice.  After watching how much it reminds them to start the day in prayer, I have done the same for myself, only mine are on the wall above my computer.

My oldest daughter had the pleasure of participating in the sacrament of Reconciliation for the first time this Lenten season.  She told me that she was thrilled for Father John to teach her a new prayer and really loved being told all her sins were forgiven.  If your children are old enough, Lent is the perfect time to participate in the sacrament as a family.

One of the most successful Lenten activities for my kids has been a Paper Fortune Teller found on CatholicMom.  You remember the folded up sheet of paper with the numbers that you wrote a message under the number back in school.  This is the same thing, only the messages are things like "Hug someone today," or "Say I Love You Jesus 10 times."  It is great fun to figure out how to fold it like a pro and then to get people to guess numbers. We've made it three times already.

For more Lenten Resources for Children

• CatholicMom.com Lenten Activities for Children
• Catechist's Journey - 40 Ideas for 40 days Calendar
• Lent Begins at Home - Family Prayers and Activities
• Lent is for Children
• Holy Heroes Lenten Adventure

There are so many resources available for children and Lenten Activities I would love to hear what your family is doing this year.

Lisa Jones

Finding the Balance

Bryan told me a story he’d read years and years ago about a worry tree. The main character (a man) would come home from work and hang all of his worries on the tree before entering the house to spend time with his wife and kids. It’s a story I’ve tried to emulate in my own career.

Finding the right balance for myself, my husband, my kids, and my career took a lot of thought and work. So what’s the secret?

Staying organized?

Being a type A personality?

Loving what I do?

It’s all about focus. When I’m at work, I mentally shut off the part of my brain that is thinking about meal planning, grocery shopping, softball practice, vacation plans, and library book due dates. When I lock up the office and walk to the car, I switch gears. I mentally shut off the part of my brain that wants to continue thinking about reference questions, document processing, catalog data entry, exhibit outreach, and meetings.

When I’m at work, I’m at work and when I’m at home, I’m at home. And ideally, never the twain shall meet. (Ha!) It’s when the two of me begin to overlap that things get a little crazy and out of balance.

It's Not to Late for Lent

At Mass yesterday, our priest pointed out that we find ourselves suddenly about halfway through Lent.  He asked us how our Lent was coming.  Are we following through with our resolutions?  Are we fully preparing for Christ's passion and resurrection?  Or, do we keep promising to start tomorrow? 

Reflecting on his homily, I can honestly say that on a few resolutions I am definitely following through.  I have made a pillowcase for the 1 Million Pillowcase Challenge and filled 10 bags for the 40 Bags in 40 Days, I pray daily for the 40 Days for Life and am actively reading Consoling the Heart of Jesus.  I've also been pretty good about working with the kids through their Lenten activities, diligent about turning off the TV each night by 10 p.m. and not talking on my cell phone while driving.

However, some of my more personal, spiritual resolutions are not going as well. These are the ones I struggle with every year.  I want to pray a daily rosary, attend a weekly adoration and read the daily scriptures.  As I get to the end of each day, I realize I did not set these as priority before I got tired.  

As I sat in Mass thinking over both my successful resolutions and the ones I struggle to meet every day, I was gently reminded that it is not to late to get it right.  We must make every day fruitful and not put it off till tomorrow.  Today, I ask you to pray for my continued resolve to meet my spiritual Lenten goals and I will pray for yours.  Even if you have not started any yet, it is not too late to begin.

Your Voice Needed on Health Care Reform

The threat of the current Health care bill passing still looms large over all of us.  In its current form, it provides for a federal funding of abortion, raises health care costs for all of us, and drastically increases taxes on all working families.

We must press on and not give up.  It is imperative to bring the pressure on the House members who have a chance to stop this bill in its tracks.  If your own representative is on the fence or says they will vote for the bill, let them know where you stand.  Call their office, both the DC office and/or a local office.  Take a few minutes out of your day and walk into a local office for your representative.  Let them put a face to your opposition. 

Senator Jim DeMint from South Carolina recommended on the radio yesterday, gathering a few friends to accompany you on a visit to your Representative's local office.  For even greater impact, call your local newspaper or television station for coverage of your visit.  Follow up with the media to let them know the results of your visit.  Don't forget, this is an election year and all House Representative are up for re-election in 2010. 

If your Representative is staunchly against the bill be sure and thank them for their representation and vote. They need to know we are behind their position.

As always, please pray.  Not only for God's will to be done, but continue to ask for His guidance of our elected officials, the health of our nation and for your fellow citizens.  Prayer is powerful.

As we saw at the Health Care Summit last week, there are many alternatives to reform health care that would focus on bringing down costs that are not being considered by the majority and Administration. Representative Paul Ryan from Wisconsin gave a detailed description of the fiscal problems with the President and Democrat's Health Care bill at the Summit.

Not only does he conclude that this bill creates an unsustainable fiscal liability that we as a country can not afford, he believes in sincere health care reform for our country and has provided a road map of his plan.  The Republicans in the House Budget Committee have a website providing their plans for not only Health Care Reform, but also Tax Reform and Social Security Reform.  It is very informative on the alternatives proposed and worth reading.

The Courage of Senator Bunning

This week, Senator Jim Bunning of Kentucky took a couragous stand in the Senate .  For four days, he blocked the passage of a bill that contributed an additional $10 billion to our national debt due to  Congress not providing a way to pay for the bill before enacting it. For his actions blocking the extension of unemployment insurance costing taxpayers another $10 billion in debt, Senator Bunning has been excoriated in the main stream press.  In reality, he deserves praise for standing up for the future of our grandchildren.

The basis for his objection was a law recently passed by the Democrat controlled Congress and signed by President Obama called "Pay-Go".  This legislation calls on Congress to pay for spending bills without adding to our national debt.  This $10 billion extension of unemployment flies in the face of that Pay-Go law. 

While watching CNN rip Bunning apart on Tuesday, the question I found they repeated over and over was, "Why now?"  The anchor and reporter both alleged that his actions were immediately causing Americans to suffer and simply a partisan ploy by an abrasive old man who is not respected by his party.  For some reason it never occurred to the anchor that Bunning might be listening to the majority of the American people who are calling for a reduction in out of control federal spending.  Bunning admits he has cast some bad votes in his thousands of votes over the years, but  the idea of Congress treating American's tax dollars as an endless slush fund  for their personal benefit must end.

While most Americans do approve of extending unemployment benefits, they want Congress and the President to have a way to pay for those benefits without encumbering our future generations with more debt.  I must mention in this discussion that there exist respected economic studies showing that extending unemployment benefits actually causes a person to remain unemployed longer, especially when extending benefits to an unprecedented 99 weeks as they do with this bill.

In spite of what the media reported, Bunning did not simply object to the passage of the bill, but he also submitted an amendment offering a way to pass the extension of unemployment benefits while paying for it out of the unspent money left over from the Stimulus Bill.   The Democrat majority  on Tuesday agreed to allow a vote on Bunning's amendment to fund the bill, but in the end used a procedural maneuver to avoid the vote on his offered amendment.  The Senate was not permitted to debate or vote on a bill that provided funding for the extension of benefits.  Only an up or down vote on passing unfunded benefits that would add $10 billion to the national debt.

In the end, the Democrat controlled Senate, which had passed "Pay-Go" just a few weeks ago, passed the Temporary Extension Act of 2010 without providing a way to pay for the benefits granted in the bill. 

What Bunning did, took great political courage.  He stood up for the majority of Americans who want runaway federal spending stopped.  His actions revealed the hypocrisy of the majority - they claim to utilize fiscal discipline with laws such as "Pay-Go", but actually are only paying lip service to the principles of fiscal responsibility.  Senator Bunning's words say it best,

 "If the Senate cannot find $10 billion to pay for a measure we all support, we will never pay for anything."

Their actions should be a wake up call to all of us.  If we want our elected officials to be fiscally responsible, we must require them to be fiscally responsible.  Call them, visit their offices, campaign against them, and then vote them out of office in November if they continue on this path. 

"When the people fear their government, there is tyranny; when the government fears the people, there is liberty."

   -Thomas Jefferson

Stations of the Cross

Sunday morning, our CCE students were invited to watch the middle school CCE students perform a living Stations of the Cross. Like many others, our parish offers the opportunity to pray the Stations of the Cross every Friday during Lent, but I’ve only attended this living version with my CCE students.

Eighth graders portray Jesus, Mary, Simon, Veronica, the guards and the women, with a narrator introducing each station and reciting a prayer about that station. When Jesus is crucified, a lone guitarist played Were You There When They Crucified My Lord, a beautiful haunting melody. The song played again at the end when they placed the stone in front of the tomb.

I love that our church offers this opportunity to the younger students to witness the stations acted out. Growing up in a world of media, television, video games, our children are surrounded by visual learning. What better way for them to understand and develop their spirituality, so that as adults they too might feel the desire to prayerfully meditate on Christ’s passion.

The First Station - Jesus is Condemned to Die.

The Second Station - Jesus Carries His Cross.

The Third Station - Jesus Falls the First Time.

The Fourth Station - Jesus Meets His Mother.

The Fifth Station - Simon Helps Jesus Carry His Cross.

The Sixth Station - Veronica Wipes Jesus' Face.
The Seventh Station - Jesus Falls the Second Time.
The Eighth Station - Jesus Meets the Women of Jerusalem.

The Ninth Station - Jesus Falls the Third Time.

The Tenth Station - Jesus is Stripped.
The Eleventh Station - Jesus is Nailed to the Cross.

The Twelfth Station - Jesus Dies on the Cross.

The Thirteenth Station - Jesus is Taken Down from the Cross.
The Fourteenth Station - Jesus is Laid in the Tomb.

I’d never really considered the history of how and why this tradition came about in our church, but found a well-written essay on the origins of the Stations of the Cross from Our Sunday Visitor. I encourage you to read it, but a very short summary might be: Medieval travelers making a pilgrimage to the Holy Land would stop and pray at specific locations along a route from Calvary to Pilate’s home in their effort to connect with Christ’s passion, suffering and death. Upon returning home, many pilgrims brought back sacred relics and fostered a desire to recreate this sacred way for those who couldn’t travel and experience it firsthand.

The Franciscans are often credited with the modern development of the Stations of the Cross; Pope Innocent XI granted them the exclusive right to build stations in 1686. Pope Clement XII extended the right to non-Franciscan churches in 1731. Knowing this brief history, I can almost picture it in my minds eye. Travelers coming to connect with Christ, to seek Him in the physical as well as the spiritual; being so moved by the journey that they feel called to bring the experience to others. I hope you have an opportunity to walk and pray the Stations of the Cross during this Lenten season.

Texas Independence

The hostilities known as the Texas Revolution did not begin on March 2, 1836, but the day marks our formal and official Texas Independence Day.

On March 1, 1836, fifty-nine delegates representing the settlements in Texas gathered at Washington-on-the-Brazos for the Convention of 1836. On the first day, George Childress introduced a resolution calling for independence.

An earlier Declaration made on November 7, 1835, had announced that the principle intentions of the conflict against Mexico were to restore the Mexican Constitution of 1824 and achieve separate Mexican statehood for Texas. Though the members had hoped for popular support for the Texan cause from the other Mexican states, by the time the Convention of 1836 gathered, the men determined that Independence was the necessary outcome.

Fellow-Citizens of Texas: The enemy are upon us. A strong force surrounds the walls of the Alamo, and threaten that garrison with the sword... Now is the day, and now is the hour, when Texas expects every man to do his duty. Let us show ourselves worthy to be free and we shall be free. -Henry Smith, Washington - March 2, 1836

On March 2, 1836, the delegates unanimously adopted the resolution for independence, declaring a free and independent Republic of Texas. At the time, the Alamo lay under siege and would fall four days later. Fannin's men at Goliad faced their execution on Palm Sunday, March 27. General Sam Houston, who marked his 43rd birthday on March 2, began a eastward retreat across Texas now known as the Runaway Scrape, before turning and facing the enemy on the banks of the San Jacinto in a final, definitive battle.

Though our great state only existed as an independent Republic for nine years, our patriotism and pride in our Texas Founding Fathers and their vision still remains. I invite you to read the comments made by Dr. Steven Hardin on The Myth & Meaning of Texas Independence.

Texas is a state of mind. Texas is an obsession.

Above all, Texas is a nation in every sense of the word. - John Steinbeck

Working Mom

I was having a conversation with Lisa this week about her new regular column at Catholic Mom. I’m so proud of her in how she’s developing as a writer and I’m impressed with her Little Moments and insights about daily events. She wanted to know when I’d be submitting regular columns to Catholic Mom. She seemed surprised when I told her that I don’t really feel like a “Catholic Mom.”

And I don’t. When someone asks me who I am or what I do, Mom is not the first response that comes to mind. I’m simply “Shelly” and the titles that follow are complex.

After years of developing and evolving my own self-identity as a daughter, sister, college student, graduate student, employee, Archivist, wife, sister-in-law, mother, and Catholic, I never considered myself just one of those things. Because I had a career that I loved first, and did not have the choice of leaving it when I had my first child, I’ve never really thought of myself as “Just a Mom.” I’ve always been a “Working Mom.” I’ve worked hard to find and maintain a sufficient balance in my two lives and do what works for our family.

I still love my career. I’ve been very fortunate to have a supportive employer and access to positive, trustworthy, childcare. My job is five minutes away from the house and elementary school. The school is dominated by some wonderful stay-at-home moms who are as high-powered in their role as “Mom” as I am at my office. Ironically, at a time when many of my friends who left their careers to stay home with infants ten years ago are re-entering the workforce, I find myself wondering what it would be like to stay at home.

When I read posts that are 100% focused on being a Mom, I don’t always connect. I can easily see and understand the working-mom vs. stay-at-home mom debate. I occasionally listen to Lisa vent about having to do this or that and not having any time and in the back of my mind I’m thinking, “Yeah? Well I have to do the same things and I’m working 40 hours a week around it.”

I’d like to write more for Working Moms out there – our struggle to find that balance. My challenge will be finding the right tone. I don’t want to come across as complaining. I love my job. I love my family. I want to be successful at both, even though I recognize that I won’t be perfect at both.

I want to connect with more women who know what it means to feel conflicted when they can’t take a day off work to go on the school field trip with their kindergartener. Or who have to say to their older child you can’t join the church choir because they practice from 4-5 p.m. and I just can’t get you there. But they also love their career, their job, and know that feeling of satisfaction on the days when it all just clicks into place and you feel like you truly have it all.

So I’m challenging myself to write more, perhaps once a week, for those of you in the same situation. Please let me know you’re out there and what you’d like to hear about. We’re “Catholic Moms” too, even if we don’t feel like it all the time.