Faith for Thought

We just had a Scripture class and it has given me new insights for the new year that I wanted to share with you all. It gives insight to our mission as the Daughters of St. Paul but also ALL of our mission as Christians overall!

The Scripture scholar who teaches the class (we listen to her on tape) knows everything about tradition and history. She has been breaking apart the Penteteuch for us and teaching of the different authors who were trying to share to their audiences back then about God, but also trying to make sense of their world. The first weeks of these classes kind of shook my faith a little bit, because if we are not careful, we get caught up in the human-ness of the works and forget they are divinely inspired and trying to show the action of God in our lives. But today in class, the lesson brought back the faith element for me and so I wanted to share with you the Good News :)

She said our job as evangelists and catechists is to come up with NEW metaphors and images to talk about Jesus. In other words, to put the Good News in the context of how people today will understand. When the authors of the Old Testament were writing, they were writing to a specific audience- people in exile. Of course we are still in exile today and the words apply, which is why the Bible is the basis of our faith. But we still need to explain, as Christians, how Jesus saves us TODAY in new ways. ESPECIALLY to a people whose world is changing so rapidly.

I share that just because I think that explains alot about the problems in the Church today. Some people are trying to speak about Jesus as we did as a Church 400 years ago. And while that is a part of our history, how are we going to praise and worship Jesus TODAY? Some of it is still relevent, but not all of it. It is more a preservation of history and old traditions, it seems, than moving towards what Pope John Paul II taught: the NEW EVANGELIZATION.

Pope Benedict's encyclicals, so far, I think, have been in tune to Pope John Paul II's message. I think the current pope speaks very much in our language and the encyclicals are easy to read. His latest one is on HOPE which definately what we need to look at as many of us look at the world in dismay.

I am reminded that the reason I entered this order is because our mission here is to come up with new ways to share the Good News of Jesus. But that is ALL of our mission as Christians. Let us in this new year come up with new ways for us to share our ever-changing encounters with Jesus! But always remember the history with love and respect as well. And look towards the merging of new and old with HOPE.

Amen!
Peace,
Julia

City Museum Pics

Above: The Awesome City Museum, Emily and the nuns discovering Ms. Pacman, Watching the 'Circus', and the reason we are not cloistered ;)

2008 is great.

Happy New Year! I rang in the New Year in front of the Blessed Sacrament last night along with Sr. Carmen, Alina, Emily, and my friend Cathy from home who was in town and staying with us.

We began with a community Holy Hour at 7:30pm and seriously, we stayed for four and a half hours. The time actually went fast. We could've left if we wanted to, but when Jesus is staring you in the face for the New Year, how could you say, 'See Ya later?' :)

Plus He was just saying all kinds of nice, good things :) 2007 gave me much to reflect on, and I am very grateful for all the ways the Lord used me and so many of you last year. He also gave me much inspiration and a spirit of Hope of much more to come in 2008. He reminded me there is much work to do and it won't always be easy, but He will always help me and give me the desires of my heart.

And so we prayed, and if I didn't mention you by name, know that you were definately covered in one form of petition or the other :) We always remember our families and friends and all those we promise to pray for in front of the Blessed Sacrament.

Last Sunday was the feast of the Holy Family and Alina's family was in town from Miami. My friend Cathy was also here. We went to a Gospel type Mass at a largely African American parish and it was AMAZING. When there are times that I question, I pray I will always think of that Mass. I really think it is what heaven will be like: peoples of all races just praising God in the Holy Spirit with true joy and happiness. Singing their little hearts out, not caring about anything else or anyone else- just God- and happy to do so. The Holy Spirit was truly present and I know He always is, but we don't always allow ourselves to be channels. I pray to be more of a channel for the Spirit like the people of that community were.

I realize I also didn't share with you about our Christmas! We provided the music for the 9am Mass at the parish we go to often. Emily played piano, I played guitar and cantored. Sr. Jerome, Sr. Carmen, and Alina sang as well. We had rehearsed for about a month, and I must say our work paid off. Jesus blessed us with a beautiful Christmas morning Mass.

That day we had a nice lunch together and then, in true Julia style, I had to provide our new family with some entertainment. So I called upon the ghosts of Christmas past when my sister, cousins, and I would perform our own skits, songs, and dances for our family. I made Alina and Emily help me choreograph a dance to one of our crazy Christmas songs from one of our Daughters of St. Paul cds. I can't describe to you the music that our Sisters record. Most of it is very beautiful, but there are some songs that just beg for cheezy, showtune choreography. And so, I took it upon myself to give my gift of cheezy choreography to the sisters. I wish I could post the video (yes there is a video, naturally. All my genius, geeky efforts are always captured on film or now digital it seems) but I wouldn't want to put the Daughters at risk for any critcism or chastisement for allowing such silliness to occur :)

And then there were presents!!! My advent angel turned out the be Sr. Agnes. Alina and I were pretty sure Sr. Caritas and Sr. Agnes had us, but I thought mine was going to be Sr. Caritas. I've always admired Sr. Agnes for her savvy fashion sense (the woman's got some cute shoes and sweaters for 74) so I'm glad that she had me! God is good! I got a nice bathrobe and we each get each other little things, so I got two miniture baby Jesus', a handmade pillow, pillowcase, and apron out of the deal as well :)

The day after Christmas was crazy fun. We went to this awesome museum in St. Louis called the City Museum. Once again, words will only fail me, so I'll post some pictures of the place. It's got a skateless skate park, tons of chutes and ladders for kids and parents alike, and a circus inside! And much of it is made of recycled materials. We all had an awesome time.

Speaking of recycled materials, I was inspired to start a new hobby and make things out of recyclables as well. My first project has been a gift for Sr. Caritas birthday today. My friend Cathy introduced me to Mod Podge, so I'm honing my skills. I"ll let you know how it works out. You may see my work in a museum someday.

God bless your NEW YEAR!!! Hope to see you in 2008!!!

Peace,
Julia

The Pre-Christmas

The 'rents were in town for a little Pre-Christmas since I now spend Christmas and Easter with the Sisters. Mom and Dad came in for Janet's birthday and her Nutcracker performances this weekend as well. I still can't believe how amazing it is that Janet and I both live in the same city. That seriously hasn't happened since high school. I think it made for a really nice weekend because when she was in rehearsal or performance, they could hang with me, and when I had commitments at the convent, they could hang with her in her.

They came in Thursday and Thursday night the three of us, minus Janet, went to see Wicked at the Fox Theater. It was such a great show! Really great script, story, and music. And of course, really great dancers (the reason we went is because one of the main monkeys is a friend of the family's :) But it was a late night out and though I told Sr. Carmen not to wait up, of course she did. This would only be the first of a few late nights, though, (unfortunately maybe for her) 'cause parents are keeping it real and keepin' real busy!

Friday and Saturday night Janet had performances. My parents got the sisters tickets for Saturday since Janet was dancing one of the main parts that night. Friday we had our December Faith and Film night here at the convent, so it worked out that I couldn't go Friday anyway. Friday morning I had class and prayer with the sisters, and in the afternoon I met Janet and the 'rents for lunch and then we went to the art museum.

Saturday I prayed and went to Mass with the Sisters, but Sr. Carmen covered my Book Center shift so I could hang with the 'rents. We went to Our Lady of the Snows Shrine in Belleville, IL and then to the Anheiser-Busch plant! A little Mary and a little beer- the perfect balance! That's why I love being Catholic! :) It was snowing a lot, and we didn't get the whole tour of the beer plant, so I guess I'll just have to go back!

Saturday night was the Sister's big night out! But the weather was HORRIBLE and I had to put my Cleveland driving skills into action to get us there. Sister Carmen and the other sisters were saying rosaries in the other car :) We made it safely, by the grace of God, and everyone really enjoyed the performance.

Sunday I spent all day with my parents- we met a friend for brunch, went to the history museum (St. Louis has an extensive history museum by the way! They sure love their city around here!), Blueberry Hill for some beer, the mall, and then to Maggiano's for Janet's birthday dinner.

Monday morning the parents came to the convent for breakfast and that was the final event for the very full weekend!!!

It really was a pleasant weekend and a great Christmas before Christmas!!! And I can't wait for the actual day! Come Lord Jesus, Come! It's gonna be great, I just know it.

We decorated the convent last night as a community- put up some trees and wreaths, etc. Today Sr. Jerome and Emily have been baking....yeah, Christmas! It's only a week away!!!

We each picked an "advent angel" to buy a special gift for for Christmas. We can get everyone else something little, but something special for our "angel". I have a feeling I know who has me, and I can't wait to see what they get me!! It's gonna be fun!!!

I hope you all are preparing well and not getting too caught up in the man-made stress of a God given gift of a day! God bless your last week of Advent!

Peace,

Julia

Glimpses of our day: The sisters coming together for the Baby Jesus Party '07!

Prepare the Way...for Baby Jesus!

Okay, so since Advent has started, Jesus has pretty much told me, I need to completely abandon myself and I will be rewarded. We began Advent last week with a retreat, as we do at the beginning of each month, and again, it was much needed. But this month it was needed in a different way. Usually I look forward to a day to have Jesus all to myself, a day to take a long walk, a day to stay silent and not talk to anyone!

But this retreat was very others focused. Sister Carmen began our retreat with a scene from the Nativity Story- the Annunciation and the Visitation. It was just what I needed to focus on as I had started to become very 'me' focused, as we can all get during this holiday season, even though it's supposed to be the other way around. (ex-What's God going to do for ME this Advent?) Instead, in the movie, I saw Mary receive a message she may not have wanted to hear, was afraid to hear, and say 'yes' for the good of humanity. And then she went and shared it with her cousin, who in turn forgot about her own joy (for Elizabeth was with child too!) and they only focused and shared the joy of the other. Which, isn't that what Christmas is about? Yes, God comes to save US in the form of Jesus, but Jesus wants to rejoice and help each other get to heaven as well.

So my week has been trying to abandon my opinions and my desires to Jesus. If I get mad about something, I tell Him. And I've always done this, but I go through phases where I really have to envision myself letting go. On retreats with some of the teens when I was a YM, I would make them do something physical, to help them visualize giving everything over to God. Like making a cross, and placing it at the altar. Well, now I'm having to do that like every day in my head, but in a good way, with little, little things. Things that shouldn't bother me, but do and may not bother anyone else, I have to accept and then give to Jesus.

One way we are doing this as postulants is kind of what the elementary kids at my old parish would do, but it is helping me so much! We have a little crib set up for Baby Jesus in our study and each time we do a small offering, offer up something we didn't want to do, but did for Jesus, we put a piece of hay in. We joke that Baby Jesus is going to be feeling GOOD when He arrives! He will be sleeping in luxury! But I guess He will be happy with the offerings we made in reality,too.

So one way I can share that I had to make an offering this week- we all know how I feel about small children. They are great for other people, but not really for me :) I recognize they are gifts, but I don't choose to play or spend time with them. I'm much better with teens who I can talk to on a normal level. (And don't have grossness and snot dripping from their faces at all times....for the most part ;)

Well, something each of our Book Centers in the US do is put on a Birthday Party for Baby Jesus. And that was this Saturday! I told God and the sisters I'd do whatever they wanted me to do. And they were faithful! I mainly took care of the volunteers and customers (all adults :) with a little singing with hand motions when the kids started to get antsy waiting for pictures or clowns or whatever. Since I did the singing with hand motions thing with teens anyways, I was happy to oblige. And usually Sr. Carmen or Emily, my co-postulant would come help me, which I am grateful for.

It was overall a beautiful day of community and humanity. Everyone, even those of us who are not "kid people" see the hope and innoncence in kids. I have to admit when they would sing and mainly scream those songs about Jesus we were teaching them, there was a definate sharing of Jesus going on. I wondered, at first, why our community had this as one our major events in all the Book Centers. But after experiencing it, I see that this is what humanity should be. Sharing Jesus with one another. We were talking about Jesus and singing about Him, and thinking about Him all day. And everyone who came into the Center knew that is what was going on. And everyone (except for the occasional crying kid ;) was happy in that place!

For those of you, like me, who have never experienced a Baby Jesus party before, probably the main event is getting your picture taken with Baby Jesus. The sisters have costumes for adults and kids and many families come in to take their picture as their own version of the Nativity (Santa is nowhere to be found :)

We also have birthday cake for Jesus (which I loved calling to order, btw: "what do you want the cake to say? Happy Birthday... Jesus? Like J-e-s-u-s?" haha- we were evangelizing everywhere this week!)

And we have clowns, and crafts, and singing songs...and it brings so many people to shop in our Center, which we have really needed lately.

So it was a really beautiful and blessed day. So many things could have gone wrong, like with the cameras and such, but God gave us His Grace ALL DAY.

I'll leave you with my favorite part of the day:

At the end of the day, Alina- who had been putting together the Baby Jesus party the past few months and my co-postulant- and I were cleaning up and there were just a few kids left finishing the cake while their parents shopped. The other morning after a week of preparing and studying, Alina and I had kind of gone crazy and we started singing and dancing (we kind of make fun of how its a requirement, it seems, for the sisters to 'sing and dance'. We have concerts and they do shows with choreography and we like to pretend we are at the level already or will be one day...I can't explain it) Anyways, we had come up with this little Latin Lounge singer version of "Feliz Navidad". Alina is Cuban and from Miami so it is okay for her to poke fun at the hispanic community :) She has watched all those Latin soap and variety shows, and so our act was something similar to that. Really bad accents, funny hats, roaving guitarists, bells...you get the picture?

So we started doing our act for the other sisters and these last few customers. I played my guitar and she rang her little bell and danced around me.

Then she decided it would be a good idea to go up to the kid eating his cake on the floor, innocently watching the spectacle. She rang her bell in his face and I cannot describe the kid's reaction well enough. His eyes got huge, half excited, half startled, and he just threw his cake in the air. The cake in his hand went FLYING and we all burst out laughing.

Baby Jesus is funny. Baby Jesus is good to us. In the words of Will Ferrell...Dear Baby Jesus, we thank you!

Happy Second Sunday of Advent.

Peace,

Julia

Happy Advent!

Happy Advent! We took this pic to put in all our Christmas Cards this year. You will be most likely seeing it soon :) It's only fair since everyone else sends me their pics of their babies and pets and such (not that I'm complaining. I'm just realizing this is now the point we are at in our lives!). This is our version of the "family" Christmas postcard!