Sunday, August 14, 2005
Deo Gratias!
Brother Anthony made simple vows today. God is good. :)
St. Dominic, pray for us.
And...first off, I would like to thank the anonymous poster for their health advice in the post beneath the Santa Chiara picture. As y'all may know, I'm very cognizant of my health, especially when it comes to cholesterol. As I sit here eating my fried eggs and bacon, I can't help but really dwell upon the importance of watching your cholestrol intake levels. Everyone out there in blogland, be sure to take anonymous's words to heart. It could save your life. ;)
So, realization of the day:
I'm genetically mutated.
Or adopted.
Because clearly, I do not belong to my family. I've been told this many times...especially by my parents. However, this morning proves my case. Abundantly.
I'll write the scene out in script form, so as to aid in comprehension (or at least, attempt...)
Characters: Me, my mom and my dad
::Leaving house for church, brother still sitting on couch and not making effort to join family::
Me: Isn't he coming?
Mom: No, he's been absolved, just for today.
Me:what the hell does that mean?> He's been what?
Mom: He's not coming. Just for today.
Me: Why not?
Mom: He broke up with his girlfriend last night. He's too upset. He says he hates God and just can't come.
Me:hated God before> Wait...that's a GOOD reason to not go? He should be coming EVEN MORE now!!
Mom: He just isn't coming. He said he can't. It's only for this week.
Me: Mom. This is a mortal sin. He will need to go to confession. He can't receive communion until he does. I can't believe this. I am not backing down.
Mom: Fine, he will.
Me:Sure.
Mom: You know, I wish you would just try to see his side. He's upset.
Me: HE'S UPSET, SO HE CAN'T GO TO CHURCH?
Mom: YOU'RE NOT BEING REASONABLE.
Me:I can't believe this.
Mom: You know, I understand where he's coming from. Sometimes you're just mad at God.
Me: Mom, I've been there. I still went to church.
Mom: But you're different. You have faith, and a special calling (referring vaguely to religious life, as always).
Me: Mom! Do you not remember how tough high school was for me? I was not like I am now! And I still went!!
Mom: You know, you have to realize something. He's the only one on the football team who even goes to church. None of the other guys go. You need to realize that.
Me:realize> Wait, so that justifies this? He normally goes, so he can skip, because he's still better than the other guys? That's the most ridiculous...
Mom: They are teenage boys!
Me: AND TEENAGE BOYS DON'T NEED GOD?!
Mom: No, I don't think so. At least, not necessarily.
Me:WHAT?! Mom! That doesn't make sense! Everyone needs God!! And if they think they don't, they're wrong. They're not happy without God!
Mom: Well, they're happy with who they are. They're just teenage boys.
Me: I can't believe this. You need to learn something about theology!
Dad:Well, we're just allowing him to stay home this one time so he can realize that tomorrow he won't feel any better...and that he really does need to go to church...
Me:Oh.
And that's where that conversation ended.
Later on, my mom says something about my brother going to see his ex-girlfriend compete in the beauty pageant at the county fair, and...
Me: What? You'll allow him to go to that, but he can skip church? Are you serious?
Mom:Yeah... Maybe I'll tell him to go to the movies or something instead.
Me: Oh my gosh. Mom, if he goes to the fair but doesn't go to church...well, I can't handle that. I'll move out. That's the most...
Mom: Ok, fine.
I'm adopted.
Seriously...where did I come from? I love the Church, I love Truth, I love learning...and none of this reflects anything I grew up with. How this happened is beyond me. God surely formed my heart in secret, because there's no other way...all that I am is not a reflection of the external world!
On a lighter note:
I talked to Sister Mary Emily on Thursday, and it was wonderful. I just enjoy talking to her so much. She always challenges me. She's so good. I was telling her about how I'm going to be finishing up my Spanish minor this semester, and she's like "You know Spanish?" and I'm like "Well, I can read it, write it, and understand it, but I'm not good at speaking it." And she's like "Angela. You need to speak it. You must. You need to work on it. Keep trying." And I, of course, said "Yes, Sister." I know she's right. It's just that I get so shy when I try to speak Spanish, and I forget everything! I had a woman come into work the other day and she spoke Spanish to me, and I had to speak English in response, because my brain froze up when I tried to speak Spanish. I don't understand it, and I wish I didn't do that, because I know I know the language pretty well (not an expert by any means!!!), and I know I could improve greatly if I just spoke it. Ugh. Anyway, I will accept Sister's challenge, and try to speak it more. Hopefully I will actually do it this time. I've said this "I'm going to try" thing over and over, and I never carry it out because I get too shy. But this time...maybe, just maybe, it'll be different. Maybe I'll post in Spanish some time. That's writing, but it's more conversational, so it's almost like speaking, since the only writing I'm used to is formal writing for class. I wrote a 5 page paper on cryogenics and the ethics of such in Spanish, however, I cannot carry on a conversation. There is something seriously wrong with that...
However, the funniest part of the conversation was when I was informing her of my schedule for the semester, including my Christian Sexual Morality class. She was quite uninterested until I was like "yeah, the teacher...is a Quaker" and she was like "WHAT?!" Haha, it was hilarious. She told me to be sure to defend the Truth in Dr. Oatmeal's class. (except, she didn't say Dr. Oatmeal...that's just the nickname we've all taken to when referring to her)... I'm actually kind of excited for the class. I've never had class with a Quaker before. There are oh so many possibilities for interesting adventures, many of which will be shared with all of you in blogland.
Well, that's enough for now. Except I do remember that I promised to post about the St. Clare's day Mass, and in regards to that I say: It was beautiful. The nuns are amazing, and I really love to hear them sing. It was very special, and orthodox. Hoorah.
And speaking of St. Clare...one of the new postulants that entered Nashville today is named Clare, and she's from Australia. How cool is that? :)
God bless the new postulants, and all of last year's postulants who are now novices! How exciting.
And on the most exciting note: Loras countdown: 11 days. Yessssssssss....
Caritas et veritas!
Brother Anthony made simple vows today. God is good. :)
St. Dominic, pray for us.
And...first off, I would like to thank the anonymous poster for their health advice in the post beneath the Santa Chiara picture. As y'all may know, I'm very cognizant of my health, especially when it comes to cholesterol. As I sit here eating my fried eggs and bacon, I can't help but really dwell upon the importance of watching your cholestrol intake levels. Everyone out there in blogland, be sure to take anonymous's words to heart. It could save your life. ;)
So, realization of the day:
I'm genetically mutated.
Or adopted.
Because clearly, I do not belong to my family. I've been told this many times...especially by my parents. However, this morning proves my case. Abundantly.
I'll write the scene out in script form, so as to aid in comprehension (or at least, attempt...)
Characters: Me, my mom and my dad
::Leaving house for church, brother still sitting on couch and not making effort to join family::
Me: Isn't he coming?
Mom: No, he's been absolved, just for today.
Me:
Mom: He's not coming. Just for today.
Me: Why not?
Mom: He broke up with his girlfriend last night. He's too upset. He says he hates God and just can't come.
Me:
Mom: He just isn't coming. He said he can't. It's only for this week.
Me: Mom. This is a mortal sin. He will need to go to confession. He can't receive communion until he does. I can't believe this. I am not backing down.
Mom: Fine, he will.
Me:
Mom: You know, I wish you would just try to see his side. He's upset.
Me: HE'S UPSET, SO HE CAN'T GO TO CHURCH?
Mom: YOU'RE NOT BEING REASONABLE.
Me:
Mom: You know, I understand where he's coming from. Sometimes you're just mad at God.
Me: Mom, I've been there. I still went to church.
Mom: But you're different. You have faith, and a special calling (referring vaguely to religious life, as always).
Me: Mom! Do you not remember how tough high school was for me? I was not like I am now! And I still went!!
Mom: You know, you have to realize something. He's the only one on the football team who even goes to church. None of the other guys go. You need to realize that.
Me:
Mom: They are teenage boys!
Me: AND TEENAGE BOYS DON'T NEED GOD?!
Mom: No, I don't think so. At least, not necessarily.
Me:
Mom: Well, they're happy with who they are. They're just teenage boys.
Me: I can't believe this. You need to learn something about theology!
Dad:
Me:
And that's where that conversation ended.
Later on, my mom says something about my brother going to see his ex-girlfriend compete in the beauty pageant at the county fair, and...
Me: What? You'll allow him to go to that, but he can skip church? Are you serious?
Mom:
Me: Oh my gosh. Mom, if he goes to the fair but doesn't go to church...well, I can't handle that. I'll move out. That's the most...
Mom: Ok, fine.
I'm adopted.
Seriously...where did I come from? I love the Church, I love Truth, I love learning...and none of this reflects anything I grew up with. How this happened is beyond me. God surely formed my heart in secret, because there's no other way...all that I am is not a reflection of the external world!
On a lighter note:
I talked to Sister Mary Emily on Thursday, and it was wonderful. I just enjoy talking to her so much. She always challenges me. She's so good. I was telling her about how I'm going to be finishing up my Spanish minor this semester, and she's like "You know Spanish?" and I'm like "Well, I can read it, write it, and understand it, but I'm not good at speaking it." And she's like "Angela. You need to speak it. You must. You need to work on it. Keep trying." And I, of course, said "Yes, Sister." I know she's right. It's just that I get so shy when I try to speak Spanish, and I forget everything! I had a woman come into work the other day and she spoke Spanish to me, and I had to speak English in response, because my brain froze up when I tried to speak Spanish. I don't understand it, and I wish I didn't do that, because I know I know the language pretty well (not an expert by any means!!!), and I know I could improve greatly if I just spoke it. Ugh. Anyway, I will accept Sister's challenge, and try to speak it more. Hopefully I will actually do it this time. I've said this "I'm going to try" thing over and over, and I never carry it out because I get too shy. But this time...maybe, just maybe, it'll be different. Maybe I'll post in Spanish some time. That's writing, but it's more conversational, so it's almost like speaking, since the only writing I'm used to is formal writing for class. I wrote a 5 page paper on cryogenics and the ethics of such in Spanish, however, I cannot carry on a conversation. There is something seriously wrong with that...
However, the funniest part of the conversation was when I was informing her of my schedule for the semester, including my Christian Sexual Morality class. She was quite uninterested until I was like "yeah, the teacher...is a Quaker" and she was like "WHAT?!" Haha, it was hilarious. She told me to be sure to defend the Truth in Dr. Oatmeal's class. (except, she didn't say Dr. Oatmeal...that's just the nickname we've all taken to when referring to her)... I'm actually kind of excited for the class. I've never had class with a Quaker before. There are oh so many possibilities for interesting adventures, many of which will be shared with all of you in blogland.
Well, that's enough for now. Except I do remember that I promised to post about the St. Clare's day Mass, and in regards to that I say: It was beautiful. The nuns are amazing, and I really love to hear them sing. It was very special, and orthodox. Hoorah.
And speaking of St. Clare...one of the new postulants that entered Nashville today is named Clare, and she's from Australia. How cool is that? :)
God bless the new postulants, and all of last year's postulants who are now novices! How exciting.
And on the most exciting note: Loras countdown: 11 days. Yessssssssss....
Caritas et veritas!
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Ugh. I know what you mean.
When my twin sister was confirmed (I was her sponsor) I reminded my non-Catholic Dad about not receiving Communion.
During the ceremony (it was the same afternoon JP2 died,) our parents sat in the pew directly behind us, and at Communion time, I turned around and reminded him. Again.
We got home, and everyone was happy and sad because of the Pope and the Confirmations, and suddenly my sister blurted out: "I think Dad went up for Communion."
So I asked him if he did, and he said our born-and-bred-Catholic Mother told him to go up. My sister and I were basically screaming at them at this point. And Mom said: "I don't get you guys. You're so rigid. It was a special occassion."
Huh?
Seeking to retreive some shred of my serenity, I told Dad: you believe in the Real Presence, at least, right? So it's not absolutely horrific that you went up.
And he replied: "No, its just a symbol."
Seeeeth. They were completely bewildered as to why we were so upset. I explained before AND after: it's an insult. And a lie. And a sacrilege. They just. Didn't. Get. It.
My parents always said my sister and I were the blue light special at K-Mart ... 2 for 1 ... I think it's true :)
When my twin sister was confirmed (I was her sponsor) I reminded my non-Catholic Dad about not receiving Communion.
During the ceremony (it was the same afternoon JP2 died,) our parents sat in the pew directly behind us, and at Communion time, I turned around and reminded him. Again.
We got home, and everyone was happy and sad because of the Pope and the Confirmations, and suddenly my sister blurted out: "I think Dad went up for Communion."
So I asked him if he did, and he said our born-and-bred-Catholic Mother told him to go up. My sister and I were basically screaming at them at this point. And Mom said: "I don't get you guys. You're so rigid. It was a special occassion."
Huh?
Seeking to retreive some shred of my serenity, I told Dad: you believe in the Real Presence, at least, right? So it's not absolutely horrific that you went up.
And he replied: "No, its just a symbol."
Seeeeth. They were completely bewildered as to why we were so upset. I explained before AND after: it's an insult. And a lie. And a sacrilege. They just. Didn't. Get. It.
My parents always said my sister and I were the blue light special at K-Mart ... 2 for 1 ... I think it's true :)
Ah, someone who understands. I am sorry for your experience...that would be deeply saddening and aggravating, especially when you had done what you could to prevent it. I am still not comfortable with my family the way I normally would be, just because I cannot believe that this was actually approved by my parents. That strikes me as too wrong.
I see that you have the Nashville Dominicans linked on your blog...do you know them?
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I see that you have the Nashville Dominicans linked on your blog...do you know them?
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