I've been doing a lot of experimenting lately.
No, I haven't gotten into hard drugs or dubstep, I've just been making up dinner recipes, trying to be thrifty, healthy, and quick all at once.
Tonight I made an easy version of chicken and dumplings, and Trista gave me the great idea to share it. (Check out Trista's blog and the rest of the Bright Maidens, too!) So, here's how I did it:
1. I put just a touch of oil in the bottom of my big spaghetti pot and let it heat up while I salt, pepper, and garlic powdered two chicken breasts.
2. I cooked the chicken over medium/medium high heat, making sure each side was golden and delicious looking.
3. I let the chicken sit on my cutting board while I wiped out any excess oil (but left the chicken bits stuck to the pot).
4. I put a beer glass full of water in the pot (this is called deglazing maybe?) as well as a bag of frozen mixed vegetables. At this point, I wish I would have added some other veggies like squash, because I'm obsessed with squash right now. But, alas, I stuck to the classic green bean, carrot, pea, corn combo.
5. As the veggies were heating up, I added a can of "healthy" cream of chicken soup and a can of "healthy" cream of mushroom soup (simply because I only had one cream of chicken can). And I stirred.
6. I opened a can of pilsbury biscuits (the pop always freaks me out) and pulled off little pieces of dough and dropped them into the pot. I did five biscuits worth of dime-ish sized pieces, which meant that we had 3 biscuits left to enjoy with our meal...which is great because I love biscuits.
7. As everything was simmering away, I cut up the chicken into bite sized chunks and threw that in, too.
8. When it was all in the pot, I seasoned with salt, pepper, a bay leaf, garlic powder, some dried parsley, and just a touch of celery salt. I put on a lid and let it simmer for um, I really have no idea. I think maybe half an hour or so? It should thicken up nicely and the dumplings should become dumplings consistency.
It wasn't my grandma's made from scratch chicken and dumplings, but it was pretty good, and easy enough for a weeknight. J said it was make again worthy, and then he killed a scary camel cricket for me, so I will probably be making it again relatively soon.
Let me know if you have any ideas!
Tuesday, October 4, 2011
Wednesday, June 1, 2011
preview!
i wrote a little quip for a new book coming out (by David Kinnaman...check him out!) here is a preview of what might be in the upcoming text (still workingn on revisions and such, im sure):
Throughout scripture, prophets have preached counter-cultural, and sometimes counter-traditional messages, usually upsetting both secular and church leaders. These prophets saw past the human corruption and dug to the scriptural and moral roots of their faith. They simply begged people to return to the way of God and be good to each other. Young people are the prophets of today. Able to see both the secular world and the church as outsiders, our critiques can find the holes in teachings, hypocrisies, and inefficiencies.
Young people often have a save the world mindset. While we might be extremely idealistic, we also have a great ability to get things done. In a world of instant gratification, we are not satisfied with letting the injustices of the world work themselves out over time, but want to do something to help. Now. Neither are we satisfied with easy answers or sugar-coated truths. We need to explore the world and how we fit into it for ourselves, to challenge the rules and systems already in place, and to have our findings listened to and respected.
This is not to say that we young people have all the answers; far from it. Our idealism can be naïve at times, and our goals can be fickle and short lived. We need mentors, guides, and role models to whom we can bring our successes and failures and be comforted, applauded, and, most importantly, led into reflection, all without feeling judged or inferior.
We have infinite choices to look to for these mentors: millions of people throughout the world—all instantly accessible and preaching their own slice of the truth. Overwhelmed with decisions, we are not necessarily enamored by tradition, nor swayed by the promise (or threat) of salvation. In a world more diverse and connected than ever before, we see salvation in the faces of others, and we seek those who treat others well and who—like us—are working to make an immediate and permanent difference by fostering a mutual respect with all.
The flight of young people from our churches should encourage us to examine what we are doing to make sure that we have pure intentions and that we are working to the best of our ability. Young people recognize the ability to get things done, and seek those who listen to the word of the Lord.
Throughout scripture, prophets have preached counter-cultural, and sometimes counter-traditional messages, usually upsetting both secular and church leaders. These prophets saw past the human corruption and dug to the scriptural and moral roots of their faith. They simply begged people to return to the way of God and be good to each other. Young people are the prophets of today. Able to see both the secular world and the church as outsiders, our critiques can find the holes in teachings, hypocrisies, and inefficiencies.
Young people often have a save the world mindset. While we might be extremely idealistic, we also have a great ability to get things done. In a world of instant gratification, we are not satisfied with letting the injustices of the world work themselves out over time, but want to do something to help. Now. Neither are we satisfied with easy answers or sugar-coated truths. We need to explore the world and how we fit into it for ourselves, to challenge the rules and systems already in place, and to have our findings listened to and respected.
This is not to say that we young people have all the answers; far from it. Our idealism can be naïve at times, and our goals can be fickle and short lived. We need mentors, guides, and role models to whom we can bring our successes and failures and be comforted, applauded, and, most importantly, led into reflection, all without feeling judged or inferior.
We have infinite choices to look to for these mentors: millions of people throughout the world—all instantly accessible and preaching their own slice of the truth. Overwhelmed with decisions, we are not necessarily enamored by tradition, nor swayed by the promise (or threat) of salvation. In a world more diverse and connected than ever before, we see salvation in the faces of others, and we seek those who treat others well and who—like us—are working to make an immediate and permanent difference by fostering a mutual respect with all.
The flight of young people from our churches should encourage us to examine what we are doing to make sure that we have pure intentions and that we are working to the best of our ability. Young people recognize the ability to get things done, and seek those who listen to the word of the Lord.
Wednesday, April 27, 2011
the support song
i've had this stuck in my head since the other night at the brown theater... definitely worth a listen.
Tuesday, April 26, 2011
Monday, April 11, 2011
your mountain is waiting
I think yearly readings of this classic Dr. Seuss book should be mandatory for all people. I was reminded by this great article by Christina Capecchi just how much sense Dr. Seuss makes, and how easy it is to get stuck in "the waiting place."
No matter what stage of life I am in, I run across things that about scare me right out of my pants. But whether we call it pulling ourselves up by our bootstraps, making a conscious decision to be happy, or putting ourselves in God's hands, only we can make ourselves start happening, too.
So, without further ado (or, hopefully, any lawsuits), I give you the unequivocal Dr. Seuss:
Oh! The Places You’ll Go!
Congratulations!
Today is your day.
You’re off to Great Places!
You’re off and away!
You have brains in your head.
You have feet in your shoes.
You can steer yourself any direction you choose.
You’re on your own. And you know what you know.
And YOU are the guy who’ll decide where to go.
You’ll look up and down streets. Look’em over with care.
About some you will say, “I don’t choose to go there.”
With your head full of brains and your shoes full of feet,
you’re too smart to go down a not-so-good street.
And you may not find any you’ll want to go down.
In that case, of course, you’ll head straight out of town.
It’s opener there in the wide open air.
Out there things can happen and frequently do to people as brainy and footsy as you.
And when things start to happen, don’t worry. Don’t stew.
Just go right along. You’ll start happening too.
Oh! The Places You’ll Go!
You’ll be on your way up!
You’ll be seeing great sights!
You’ll join the high fliers who soar to high heights.
You won’t lag behind, because you’ll have the speed. You’ll pass the whole gang and you’ll soon take the lead.
Wherever you fly, you’ll be best of the best.
Wherever you go, you will top all the rest.
Except when you don’t.
Because, sometimes, you won’t.
I’m sorry to say so but, sadly, it’s true that Bang-ups and Hang-ups can happen to you.
You can get all hung up in a prickle-ly perch. And your gang will fly on. You’ll be left in a Lurch.
You’ll come down from the Lurch with an unpleasant bump. And the chances are, then, that you’ll be in a Slump.
And when you’re in a Slump, you’re not in for much fun. Un-slumping yourself is not easily done.
You will come to a place where the streets are not marked. Some windows are lighted. But mostly they’re darked. A place you could sprain both your elbow and chin! Do you dare to stay out? Do you dare to go in? How much can you lose? How much can you win?
And if you go in, should you turn left or right…or right-and-three-quarters? Or, maybe, not quite? Or go around back and sneak in from behind?
Simple it’s not, I’m afraid you will find, for a mind-maker-upper to make up his mind.
You can get so confused that you’ll start in to race down long wiggled roads at a break-necking pace and grind on for miles across weirdish wild space, headed, I fear, toward a most useless place.
The Waiting Place…for people just waiting.
Waiting for a train to go or a bus to come, or a plane to go or the mail to come, or the rain to go or the phone to ring, or the snow to snow or waiting around for a Yes or No or waiting for their hair to grow. Everyone is just waiting.
Waiting for the fish to bite or waiting for wind to fly a kite or waiting around for Friday night or waiting, perhaps, for their Uncle Jake or a pot to boil, or a Better Break or a string of pearls, or a pair of pants or a wig with curls, or Another Chance. Everyone is just waiting.
No! That’s not for you!
Somehow you’ll escape all that waiting and staying. You’ll find the bright places where Boom Bands are playing. With banner flip-flapping, once more you’ll ride high! Ready for anything under the sky. Ready because you’re that kind of a guy!
Oh, the places you’ll go! There is fun to be done! There are points to be scored. There are games to be won.
And the magical things you can do with that ball will make you the winning-est winner of all. Fame! You’ll be famous as famous can be, with the whole wide world watching you win on TV.
Except when they don’t. Because, sometimes, they won’t.
I’m afraid that some times you’ll play lonely games too. Games you can’t win ‘cause you’ll play against you.
All Alone!
Whether you like it or not, Alone will be something you’ll be quite a lot.
And when you’re alone, there’s a very good chance you’ll meet things that scare you right out of your pants. There are some, down the road between hither and yon, that can scare you so much you won’t want to go on.
But on you will go though the weather be foul. On you will go though your enemies prowl. On you will go though the Hakken-Kraks howl. Onward up many a frightening creek, though your arms may get sore and your sneakers may leak. On and on you will hike. And I know you’ll hike far and face up to your problems whatever they are.
You’ll get mixed up, of course, as you already know. You’ll get mixed up with many strange birds as you go. So be sure when you step. Step with care and great tact and remember that Life’s a Great Balancing Act. Just never forget to be dexterous and deft. And never mix up your right foot with your left.
And will you succeed?
Yes! You will, indeed!
(98 and ¾ percent guaranteed.)
Kid, you’ll move mountains!
So…be your name Buxbaum or Bixby or Bray or Mordecai Ale Van Allen O’Shea, you’re off to Great Places!
Today is your day!
Your mountain is waiting.
So…get on your way!
No matter what stage of life I am in, I run across things that about scare me right out of my pants. But whether we call it pulling ourselves up by our bootstraps, making a conscious decision to be happy, or putting ourselves in God's hands, only we can make ourselves start happening, too.
So, without further ado (or, hopefully, any lawsuits), I give you the unequivocal Dr. Seuss:
Oh! The Places You’ll Go!
Congratulations!
Today is your day.
You’re off to Great Places!
You’re off and away!
You have brains in your head.
You have feet in your shoes.
You can steer yourself any direction you choose.
You’re on your own. And you know what you know.
And YOU are the guy who’ll decide where to go.
You’ll look up and down streets. Look’em over with care.
About some you will say, “I don’t choose to go there.”
With your head full of brains and your shoes full of feet,
you’re too smart to go down a not-so-good street.
And you may not find any you’ll want to go down.
In that case, of course, you’ll head straight out of town.
It’s opener there in the wide open air.
Out there things can happen and frequently do to people as brainy and footsy as you.
And when things start to happen, don’t worry. Don’t stew.
Just go right along. You’ll start happening too.
Oh! The Places You’ll Go!
You’ll be on your way up!
You’ll be seeing great sights!
You’ll join the high fliers who soar to high heights.
You won’t lag behind, because you’ll have the speed. You’ll pass the whole gang and you’ll soon take the lead.
Wherever you fly, you’ll be best of the best.
Wherever you go, you will top all the rest.
Except when you don’t.
Because, sometimes, you won’t.
I’m sorry to say so but, sadly, it’s true that Bang-ups and Hang-ups can happen to you.
You can get all hung up in a prickle-ly perch. And your gang will fly on. You’ll be left in a Lurch.
You’ll come down from the Lurch with an unpleasant bump. And the chances are, then, that you’ll be in a Slump.
And when you’re in a Slump, you’re not in for much fun. Un-slumping yourself is not easily done.
You will come to a place where the streets are not marked. Some windows are lighted. But mostly they’re darked. A place you could sprain both your elbow and chin! Do you dare to stay out? Do you dare to go in? How much can you lose? How much can you win?
And if you go in, should you turn left or right…or right-and-three-quarters? Or, maybe, not quite? Or go around back and sneak in from behind?
Simple it’s not, I’m afraid you will find, for a mind-maker-upper to make up his mind.
You can get so confused that you’ll start in to race down long wiggled roads at a break-necking pace and grind on for miles across weirdish wild space, headed, I fear, toward a most useless place.
The Waiting Place…for people just waiting.
Waiting for a train to go or a bus to come, or a plane to go or the mail to come, or the rain to go or the phone to ring, or the snow to snow or waiting around for a Yes or No or waiting for their hair to grow. Everyone is just waiting.
Waiting for the fish to bite or waiting for wind to fly a kite or waiting around for Friday night or waiting, perhaps, for their Uncle Jake or a pot to boil, or a Better Break or a string of pearls, or a pair of pants or a wig with curls, or Another Chance. Everyone is just waiting.
No! That’s not for you!
Somehow you’ll escape all that waiting and staying. You’ll find the bright places where Boom Bands are playing. With banner flip-flapping, once more you’ll ride high! Ready for anything under the sky. Ready because you’re that kind of a guy!
Oh, the places you’ll go! There is fun to be done! There are points to be scored. There are games to be won.
And the magical things you can do with that ball will make you the winning-est winner of all. Fame! You’ll be famous as famous can be, with the whole wide world watching you win on TV.
Except when they don’t. Because, sometimes, they won’t.
I’m afraid that some times you’ll play lonely games too. Games you can’t win ‘cause you’ll play against you.
All Alone!
Whether you like it or not, Alone will be something you’ll be quite a lot.
And when you’re alone, there’s a very good chance you’ll meet things that scare you right out of your pants. There are some, down the road between hither and yon, that can scare you so much you won’t want to go on.
But on you will go though the weather be foul. On you will go though your enemies prowl. On you will go though the Hakken-Kraks howl. Onward up many a frightening creek, though your arms may get sore and your sneakers may leak. On and on you will hike. And I know you’ll hike far and face up to your problems whatever they are.
You’ll get mixed up, of course, as you already know. You’ll get mixed up with many strange birds as you go. So be sure when you step. Step with care and great tact and remember that Life’s a Great Balancing Act. Just never forget to be dexterous and deft. And never mix up your right foot with your left.
And will you succeed?
Yes! You will, indeed!
(98 and ¾ percent guaranteed.)
Kid, you’ll move mountains!
So…be your name Buxbaum or Bixby or Bray or Mordecai Ale Van Allen O’Shea, you’re off to Great Places!
Today is your day!
Your mountain is waiting.
So…get on your way!
Tuesday, April 5, 2011
the nuts and bolts of young adult ministry
Last week, the Louisville Archdiocese had the wonderful privilege of hosting Paul Jarzembowski of the National Catholic Young Adult Ministry Association for several workshops focused on ministering to 18-39 year olds. I took some (very rough) notes which I am reporting to my staff (in hopes they'll start taking some to heart), and thought I could share with all of you as well. If you would like any more info. or for information on having a speaker from NCYAMA come to your parish/diocese/organization (doesn't have to be a church!), hit them up for sure (this doesn't do justice to the fantastic, inspirational and dynamic presentations in the least.).
website: www.ncyama.org
facebook: www.facebook.com/ncyama
twitter: @ncyama
The Nuts and Bolts of Young Adult Ministry
presented by the National Catholic Young Adult Ministry Association (NCYAMA), which exists to help and resource anyone who works with young adults (that’s everyone in a parish!)
I. Initial Concerns
A. Diversity: “young adult” is a frustrating term because it includes such a wide variety of life situations. All 18-39 year olds do not have the same needs.
B. Four Unifying Characteristics
1. Transitional
a. many “firsts”: first job, first apartment, first baby, etc.
b. lack of stability: many jobs in short amount of time, frequent moves
c. always thinking of next thing
d. average 7 jobs between 18-35
2. Mobile
a. global access, think multinational corporations
b. always active
c. socially networked=new definition of “community”
3. Digital
a. technologically conscious
b. google speed, can have instant access to information
c. wiki generation: we can all contribute
d. expect to be accessed as well as access
e. interactive
4. Absent
a. 26% of Millenials not connected whatsoever
b. only 15%-17% active young adult Catholics
II. What’s Working with the 85%
A. Moments of Return
1. Family oriented holidays: Christmas, Easter
2. Sacraments for oneself/family: weddings, baptisms
3. Sacraments of friends: others’ weddings, baptisms, funerals
4. Lent and Ash Wednesday
a. 61% of millenials abstain from meat during Lent
b. 50% of Millennials receive ashes on Ash Wednesday
III. Why Does It Work?
A. Catholic Tradition
1. Catholic subconscious/imagination/identity
2. parents & family relationships
3. experience rather than education, easy to understand
4. youth and campus ministry
B. Refuge and Rest
1. more young adults are unemployed/in poverty than since Great Depression
2. career loss and tinkering is stressful and causes unrest
3. it is a time to let go and abstain
4. during Lent the Church is welcoming “come to me and I will give you rest”
C. They like Jesus
1. profound prophetic and historical figure
2. he was Spiritual but not Religious
3. Christian/Spiritual values
4. No condemnation
5. like Jesus, not Church rules
IV. Best Practices for the 85%
A. Capitalizing on Lent/Ash Wednesday
B. Pastoral Care
C. Spirituality Programs
1. Spiritual Direction or Companionship
D. Ministry Pathways
1. Invite people to participate in ministries already present in the Church
E. Targeted Outreach
1. Have programs for a narrowed down audience, not just “young adults”
2. Target demographics, such as college students or a budgeting workshop
F. Technology and media
V. Active Young Adults (15%)
A. Silent Yet Willing
1. need to be noticed
2. less proactive: need to be asked very directly
3. usually willing to participate if asked
B. Seeking Answers and Meaning
1. insatiable curiosity
2. want apologetics, fine details
3. top questions: basic cath. beliefs, Mass, sacraments, Mary & the Saints, reading the Bible, other religions, social teachings
C. Catholic ≠ Parochial
1. Church shopping
2. Catholicism is Global!
3. Starbucks model: can go to different Starbucks locations, still Starbucks loyal
4. movements rather than parishes
5. collaborative efforts with other parishes/organizations
VI. Best Practices for the 15% and beyond
A. Preferential option in parish leadership
1. Empowering young adults to tell us what they need from the Church
2. visibility makes the environment more welcoming for other young adults
3. many yas are in transition and won’t wait for 3 year requisite to be on council
B. Service, volunteer, and justice opportunities
1. young adults really identify with this aspect of Church
2. advertise other ministries as service
C. Vocation discernment
1. not necessarily ordained
2. help thinking about the future and goals
D. Young Adult Catechesis
1. can be young adult specific by talking about certain topics
2. keep specific
3. also make current programs young adult friendly; don’t reinvent the wheel
E. Multi-parish clusters
VII. The Catholic Response to Young Adults: Sons and Daughters of the Light
A. Developing Catholic Outreach Efforts
1. Peer Evangelization Team: look for popular, dynamic, Alpha Dog types
2. Market Creatively: one step marketing, technology!
3. Technology and Social Media
a. blogs
b. links to blogs on social networks (Facebook, Twitter)
c. DON’T UNDERESTIMATE VIRTUAL MINISTRY
d. actively comment on fb, twitter=pastoral care
e. what would Jesus tweet?
4. Moments of Return
a. Lent/Ash Wednesday
b. greet and direct newcomers at funerals, etc.
c. show how welcoming Church is
d. use teaching moments, such as wedding rehearsals
e. reach out to guests, not just those receiving sacraments
5. Integrate social culture
a. American secular culture is a culture just like a foreign culture
b. think of perspective: to the Church, a cohabitating couple may be too worldly, but to their friends, getting married in the Church might be ridiculously conservative and old fashioned.
c. accept and foster baby steps
6. Tap into Youth and Campus Ministry Pathways
7. Parents of Young Adults
a. minister to parents
b. help parents be compassionate and affirming to young adults
c. a good place to look for funding
8. Targeted Outreach
9. Young Adult Oriented Youth Ministry
a. role models
b. prepare them for what comes next
c. young adult ministry fair
B. Parish Integration and Pastoral Strategies
1. Host parish summit on young adults
2. Parishioner Awareness of Young Adults/Issues
3. Welcoming and Hospitality
a. young adults want older role models, but have to be in touch w/culture
b. accept where people are and work from there
4. Enhancing/Adjusting Existing Programs to be more YA friendly
5. Visible Leadership Roles
6. Assess Pastoral Care
a. young adults need pastoral care, too
b. break-ups, job losses, growing up, etc in addition to all other situations
7. Develop Support Programs for Transitional Times
8. Personally invite the quiet
a. Young Adult Ministry is not a silo
b. all areas of ministry should invite young adults to participate
9. Be conscious of the suffering young adults in the midst of the parish
10. Offer Spiritual Direction/Companionship
C. Implementation, Execution, and Funding
1. Intentionally lay out vision and strategies
a. research enculturation
b. a missionary effort
c. not separate from vision of the parish, but integrated
2. Build Alpha Dog Team
a. ask people to do certain tasks with specific timeline
b. not only young adults minister to young adults
3. Go beyond the parish walls
a. ministry is not a 9-5 office job
b. your welcoming/hospitality/acceptance represents the church
4. YA Ministry ≠ YA Minister’s job
a. any ministry that touches YAs is YA ministry
b. YAs should be involved in all ministries of the Church
c. it is the parish’s job to minister to and be YA friendly
5. allocate your funds based on % of potential outreach
a. missionary effort, not based on current numbers
b. charge a little for programs
c. get parish donors
d. parents of YAs are a good group to ask
e. share resources with other ministries/parishies
f. grants
g. fundraise
6. Call forth gifts from Parish Roster and Young Adults
a. look to parishioners for presentation topics (i.e. financial planning, etc.)
b. donations from parishioner/YA workplaces
7. Have patience, don’t break
8. Keep focus on the Mission, not the #s
a. know when to let a particular event/activity/method die
b. wholistic, not just wine and cheesers, but MINISTRY
9. Evaluate, fix, and rise again
Wednesday, March 30, 2011
stripped down catechesis
I think this is a great reminder that we are in the work of formation, not simply education. I consider it my job to provide transformative experiences, not the entirety of a student (of any age)'s knowledge of the Church. We have to give a foundation of the bare basics and show examples of positive Christian role models, not so that all the questions are answered, but so when a question arises, the student turns to the Church to look for the answer. I believe we are in the business of inspiration and conversion.
Go read this awesome blog post by Marc Cardoronella:
Go read this awesome blog post by Marc Cardoronella:
some inspiration from Edwina Gateley
When I was in second grade, all of my classmates and I got all dressed up in cute little suits and white dresses one day ready for our First Communion. There were plenty of complaints about uncomfortable ties and showings off of half inch heels, I'm sure. Probably tons of discussions about parties and gifts and dread of kisses from old aunts who smelled funny. I don't remember any of it.
When everyone was lining up to process into the Church, I (who was usually quick to do everything perfectly) was a ball of tears on my tiny little desk. I just couldn't imagine how, even with all of our prep-work and activities completed in our Religion books, I could possibly be ready or worthy of receiving THE EUCHARIST. Little ol me. The whole thing just seemed so overwhelmingly big. And holy. And scary. And wonderful. Luckily my eighth grade buddy from my Kindergarten days was there to calm me down some, and convince me to walk, tears still streaming, into the Church with my classmates.
Even (especially?) at such a young age, I felt the awe of the holy. I think that's what I loved about this reflection by Edwina Gateley. I'm afraid that life, and my very work in the Church has sometimes distracted me from that deeper, primal pull.
For example, this spiritual and reflective blog post was just interrupted by a call from the apartment complex saying that someone had rented the apartment I wanted out from under me. Stellar.
I need to read more reflections like this, and somehow reclaim my yearning for God. Ideas?
When I was a small girl, I was fascinated by all things religious and holy. God, obviously, fitted squarely into that category. God lived (so they told me) in our huge, greystone cathedral, and there, indeed, he was to be found-hiding in a gold box surrounded by flowers, candles, and velvet curtains. I spent hours in the silence and the darkness of the huge cathedral-often all alone-just sitting, breathing, awed by a deep, intuitive awareness that I sat with God.
Little did I know, at such a tender age, that I was engaged in contemplative prayer. I was simply absorbed by a sense of divine presence. It has never really gone away. As I grew older, however, life became busy and demanding. I went to college, then to Africa as a lay missionary teacher, and later founded the Volunteer Missionary Movement. I didn't really have the time to sit in dark and holy places, wide-eyed by mystery. I was very busy about the business of saving the world.
But I didn't save the world. That has already been done. I am in a sense-like everyone else-trying to save myself, to become fully myself for God. My journey is coming full circle. Older, wiser, and deeper than in those earlier years when I sat in the cathedral, I now sit again, not in my cathedral but in myself. I "sit" wherever I find myself, for my cathedral is within me.
I know now that no matter how far we travel, how much we accomplish, how deeply we suffer, or how joyfully we dance, God is always with us in all of those things for the whole of our life's journey. That dark, silent, and mysterious place stays with us, housing the holy. Like the Lenten experience, there are no extra props. There is just the darkness and the emptiness and, at the very heart of all that the divine presence, the Holy One whom we seek, breathing, hidden within us, eternally loving and waiting.
Edwina Gateley
Gateley is the founder of the Volunteer Missionary Movement.
Monday, March 21, 2011
self-compassion
A very admirable person in my life has an often-used phrase that I am in the process of stealing/adopting: "...and that's ok." Here's an example. To describe Chuck Berry playing guitar at age 84, he said, "He didn't hit a single correct note...and that's ok." I think it's kind of like giving ourselves permission to be human...something I need to practice.
I tend to be pretty darn hard on myself. When something doesn't go just perfectly, I feel awful. I constantly worrying about how other people are doing things better than I am: being more open and accessible to friends and kids, keeping a cleaner house, reaching more youth and families, eating more healthily, saving more money, training their dogs more successfully...the list goes on and on. It can leave me feeling quite overwhelmed and inadequate.
As Bob McCarty describes it, I am a "Lone Ranger." I feel like I have to do it all, by myself, all the time, perfectly. And, when something does prove difficult for me, when I have bad days or when I'm just darn tired, I would rather push through, stay up all night, and forget to eat for two days, or give up, let the dog pee on the floor, and leave myself to be even more overwhelmed the next day, rather than even think of admitting that I am struggling, worn out, or might need a little help.
This isn't exactly healthy.
Now, obviously, I don't have all the answers; I'm still a work in progress, for sure. For those of you who know me, you know that I often over-schedule, over-commit...and over-achieve, too. But lately, I've really been working on it (with varying success), and here are some practices I've found helpful:
As I am writing this, I can't help but think of everything else I should be doing, the work that I will pour over this week, that email I should have sent, and the laundry I left on the floor that a better person would have already done by now. Obviously I still have a lot of work to do on my self-compassion...and that's ok.
I tend to be pretty darn hard on myself. When something doesn't go just perfectly, I feel awful. I constantly worrying about how other people are doing things better than I am: being more open and accessible to friends and kids, keeping a cleaner house, reaching more youth and families, eating more healthily, saving more money, training their dogs more successfully...the list goes on and on. It can leave me feeling quite overwhelmed and inadequate.
As Bob McCarty describes it, I am a "Lone Ranger." I feel like I have to do it all, by myself, all the time, perfectly. And, when something does prove difficult for me, when I have bad days or when I'm just darn tired, I would rather push through, stay up all night, and forget to eat for two days, or give up, let the dog pee on the floor, and leave myself to be even more overwhelmed the next day, rather than even think of admitting that I am struggling, worn out, or might need a little help.
This isn't exactly healthy.
Now, obviously, I don't have all the answers; I'm still a work in progress, for sure. For those of you who know me, you know that I often over-schedule, over-commit...and over-achieve, too. But lately, I've really been working on it (with varying success), and here are some practices I've found helpful:
- When it's sunny outside, put off the dishes and play with the puppy.
- Sorting the laundry, doing the laundry, and folding the laundry are three separate to-do list items.
- Keep a "resume" of accomplishments that you are proud of.
- Have a glass of wine when you come home, because, damnit, you like wine. Or coffee.
- Sometimes, just picking up the dog poop off the floor can make the rest of the list seem a lot more achievable.
As I am writing this, I can't help but think of everything else I should be doing, the work that I will pour over this week, that email I should have sent, and the laundry I left on the floor that a better person would have already done by now. Obviously I still have a lot of work to do on my self-compassion...and that's ok.
Wednesday, February 23, 2011
Are you sick of highly paid teachers?
With all this controversy about the education system going on right now, I found this startling and enlightening all at the same time.
Are You Sick of Highly Paid Teachers?
by Meredith Menden
Teachers' hefty salaries are driving up taxes, and they only work 9 or10 months a year! It's time we put things in perspective and pay them for what they do - babysit! We can get that for less than minimum wage.
That's right. Let's give them $3.00 an hour and only the hours they worked; not any of that silly planning time, or any time they spend before or after school. That would be $19.50 a day (7:45 to 3:00 PM with 45 min. off for lunch and plan-- that equals 6 1/2 hours).
Each parent should pay $19.50 a day for these teachers to baby-sit their children. Now how many students do they teach in a day...maybe 30? So that's $19.50 x 30 = $585.00 a day.
However, remember they only work 180 days a year!!! I am not going to pay them for any vacations.
LET'S SEE....
That's $585 X 180= $105,300 per year. (Hold on! My calculator needs new batteries).
What about those special education teachers and the ones with Master's degrees? Well, we could pay them minimum wage ($7.75), and just to be fair, round it off to $8.00 an hour. That would be $8 X 6 1/2 hours X 30 children X 180 days = $280,800 per year.
Wait a minute -- there's something wrong here! There sure is!
The average teacher's salary
(nation wide) is $50,000. $50,000/180 days
= $277.77/per day/30 students=$9.25/6.5 hours = $1.42 per hour per student--a very inexpensive baby-sitter and they even EDUCATE your kids!) WHAT A DEAL!!!!
Make a teacher smile; repost this to show appreciation for all educators.
Are You Sick of Highly Paid Teachers?
by Meredith Menden
Teachers' hefty salaries are driving up taxes, and they only work 9 or10 months a year! It's time we put things in perspective and pay them for what they do - babysit! We can get that for less than minimum wage.
That's right. Let's give them $3.00 an hour and only the hours they worked; not any of that silly planning time, or any time they spend before or after school. That would be $19.50 a day (7:45 to 3:00 PM with 45 min. off for lunch and plan-- that equals 6 1/2 hours).
Each parent should pay $19.50 a day for these teachers to baby-sit their children. Now how many students do they teach in a day...maybe 30? So that's $19.50 x 30 = $585.00 a day.
However, remember they only work 180 days a year!!! I am not going to pay them for any vacations.
LET'S SEE....
That's $585 X 180= $105,300 per year. (Hold on! My calculator needs new batteries).
What about those special education teachers and the ones with Master's degrees? Well, we could pay them minimum wage ($7.75), and just to be fair, round it off to $8.00 an hour. That would be $8 X 6 1/2 hours X 30 children X 180 days = $280,800 per year.
Wait a minute -- there's something wrong here! There sure is!
The average teacher's salary
(nation wide) is $50,000. $50,000/180 days
= $277.77/per day/30 students=$9.25/6.5 hours = $1.42 per hour per student--a very inexpensive baby-sitter and they even EDUCATE your kids!) WHAT A DEAL!!!!
Make a teacher smile; repost this to show appreciation for all educators.
Interesting Assessment of Catholics by a Prominent Jewish Businessman
Sam Miller on Catholics
(with thanks to John Brockmeier for sharing this)
Excerpts of an article written by Sam Miller, prominent Cleveland Jewish businessman-- who is NOT a Catholic.
Why would newspapers carry on a vendetta on one of the most important institutions that we have today in the United States , namely the Catholic Church?
Do you know--the Catholic Church educates 2.6 million students everyday at the cost to that Church of 10 billion dollars, and a savings on the other hand to the American taxpayer of 18 billion dollars. The graduates go on to graduate studies at the rate of 92%.
The Church has 230 colleges and universities in the U.S. with an enrollment of 700,000 students.
The Catholic Church has a non-profit hospital system of 637 hospitals, which account for hospital treatment of 1 out of every 5 people--not just Catholics--in the United States today
But the press is vindictive and trying to totally denigrate in every way the Catholic Church in this country. They have blamed the disease of pedophilia on the Catholic Church, which is as irresponsible as blaming adultery on the institution of marriage.
Let me give you some figures that Catholics should know and remember. For example, 12% of the 300 Protestant clergy surveyed admitted to sexual intercourse with a parishioner; 38% acknowledged other inappropriate sexual contact in a study by the United Methodist Church, 41.8% of clergy women reported unwanted sexual behavior; 17% of laywomen have been sexually harassed.
Meanwhile, 1.7% of the Catholic clergy has been found guilty of pedophilia. 10% of the Protestant ministers have been found guilty of pedophilia. This is not a Catholic Problem.
A study of American priests showed that most are happy in the priesthood and find it even better than they had expected, and that most, if given the choice, would choose to be priests again in face of all this obnoxious PR the church has been receiving.
The Catholic Church is bleeding from self-inflicted wounds. The agony that Catholics have felt and suffered is not necessarily the fault of the Church. You have been hurt by a small number of wayward priests that have probably been weeded out by now.
Walk with your shoulders high and you head higher. Be a proud member of the most important non-governmental agency in the United States. Then remember what Jeremiah said: 'Stand by the roads, and look and ask for the ancient paths, where the good way is and walk in it, and find rest for your souls'. Be proud to speak up for your faith with pride and reverence and learn what your Church does for all other religions.
Be proud that you're a Catholic.
(with thanks to John Brockmeier for sharing this)
Excerpts of an article written by Sam Miller, prominent Cleveland Jewish businessman-- who is NOT a Catholic.
Why would newspapers carry on a vendetta on one of the most important institutions that we have today in the United States , namely the Catholic Church?
Do you know--the Catholic Church educates 2.6 million students everyday at the cost to that Church of 10 billion dollars, and a savings on the other hand to the American taxpayer of 18 billion dollars. The graduates go on to graduate studies at the rate of 92%.
The Church has 230 colleges and universities in the U.S. with an enrollment of 700,000 students.
The Catholic Church has a non-profit hospital system of 637 hospitals, which account for hospital treatment of 1 out of every 5 people--not just Catholics--in the United States today
But the press is vindictive and trying to totally denigrate in every way the Catholic Church in this country. They have blamed the disease of pedophilia on the Catholic Church, which is as irresponsible as blaming adultery on the institution of marriage.
Let me give you some figures that Catholics should know and remember. For example, 12% of the 300 Protestant clergy surveyed admitted to sexual intercourse with a parishioner; 38% acknowledged other inappropriate sexual contact in a study by the United Methodist Church, 41.8% of clergy women reported unwanted sexual behavior; 17% of laywomen have been sexually harassed.
Meanwhile, 1.7% of the Catholic clergy has been found guilty of pedophilia. 10% of the Protestant ministers have been found guilty of pedophilia. This is not a Catholic Problem.
A study of American priests showed that most are happy in the priesthood and find it even better than they had expected, and that most, if given the choice, would choose to be priests again in face of all this obnoxious PR the church has been receiving.
The Catholic Church is bleeding from self-inflicted wounds. The agony that Catholics have felt and suffered is not necessarily the fault of the Church. You have been hurt by a small number of wayward priests that have probably been weeded out by now.
Walk with your shoulders high and you head higher. Be a proud member of the most important non-governmental agency in the United States. Then remember what Jeremiah said: 'Stand by the roads, and look and ask for the ancient paths, where the good way is and walk in it, and find rest for your souls'. Be proud to speak up for your faith with pride and reverence and learn what your Church does for all other religions.
Be proud that you're a Catholic.
Tuesday, February 15, 2011
Tuesday, February 1, 2011
The Top Ten Reasons It Sucks to be Single in the Church
a preview of my article for the NCYAMA newsletter:
Being single, my only hope for some chocolates for Valentine’s Day is a generous second grader. But a lack of sugary goodness is, by far, the least of my concerns; it seems that everyone at my church has a heightened awareness of my single-ness, and wants to cure this plague cast upon me. While I’m sure my fellow parishioners mean well, there’s a chance this match maker syndrome will lead to my demise—days later I’ll be found rocking on a kneeler, tearing apart the hymnal page by page. Rather than succumb to this pressure, I have comprised a top ten list of the reasons it sucks to be single in the Church…let’s commiserate.
10. Everyone has an awkward nephew that they are just certain you’ll hit it off with. They forget to mention that said nephew is completely incapable of holding an intelligible conversation, and picks his nose.
9. The president of Parish Council inconspicuously moves to sit next to you after communion to rather conspicuously point out the new guy in the back row who looks about your age. He could be the one, you know.
8. “You don’t have to pick up your kids from school, so you can just stay for the meeting tonight, right? And come in on Saturday?”
7. At least 50% of the young adults you try to minister to have asked you out.
6. “I work for the Church,” isn’t a good pick up line.
5. Whether people are glad you’re “taking your time,” or they tell you “not to worry because you’ll find someone great soon,” being single is all they ask you about.
4. No, I don’t plan on becoming a nun, but thanks for asking. Again.
3. That old couple who always sits in the front row asks if you’d like to join them for brunch...out of pity.
2. When you go out on a date with someone, coworkers start hinting about marriage prep and asking if they should mark their calendars.
1. You inevitably run into the parish gossip on your first date, who starts countless rumors. See number 2.
After this awful awful play by play of last weekend, I am tempted to post a nice little article about dating—something light and fluffy and maybe a link to catholicmatch.com. However, I am a young woman who has far more to her life than dating, so, instead, I thought I’d focus on me a little bit and share this sweet video. One of five kids, I was not used to being alone, and it scared the hell out of me when I first moved out of the house. But I’m starting to like my hanging-out-with-me time; it even helps me deal with aunts of nose-picking nephews. Sometimes.
Thursday, January 27, 2011
girl effect
first of all, this is such a cool video. watch it.
i always have a nagging feeling in the back of my mind with things like this that we (wealthy northerners) might be pushing our own agendas...doing a service for, rather than working with, the people we see as underprivileged. now, don't get me wrong, i'm not saying that there's not a problem or that girls are being treated in a fair and just manner, but i think we need to take a breath before we plunge right into something.
in the field of youth ministry, it seems like the thing to do is have some sort of youth leadership council so that we can, first of all, hear the needs of the youth straight from the horses' mouths (so to speak). when those needs are recognized and addressed, it is much more effective, and the teens are significantly more invested in the ministry, when they have the responsibility to carry it out, as well. these teenage girls discussed by girleffect.org are no different...
from what i can tell from their website, girl effect is trying to do this. (woohoo) it seems like they are a sort of umbrella funding source for different ngos in different countries, and i'm sure they fall all over the spectrum of how they work with the girls they target.
this site just reminded me how often we/i want to swoop in and save the day, when, really, what i should be doing is putting my type-A, efficiency-driven, let's-make-a-binder-for-this self away for a second. when christmas rolls around, the Church gives me a fruit basket. it's really a nice gesture, but i'm just one person; i can't eat two boxes full of fruit in the week before it goes bad, and, to be honest, i don't even like the grapefruit component. if the amount of money that was spent on the fruit basket was added to my salary, i could probably afford to buy twice as much fruit, and space it throughout the year to better meet my needs.
every time i think of something brilliant to save the world, i can go back a step and think of a bigger problem behind it: i should send a pencil...no don't send a pencil, send a nickel so she can choose her own pencil...no don't send a nickel, buy something she made so she can earn a nickel to buy a pencil...no, don't do that, then she's working and doesn't have time to go to school...maybe i should send that pencil after all...hey, why should i spend $30 to ship some pencils, when that same amount could buy so many more pencils there?...any why can i afford to spend that money, whereas there are people working ridiculously hard and still unable to make a living wage?...where's the invisible hand?...wow this is getting depressing.
i don't have a "do this" answer that would so nicely round out my rant, but i do have some hope. i like to think that people look out for themselves and the people that are close to them; we don't want bad things to happen to the people and places we know and care about. so, as the world gets smaller, it is my hope that we will be concerned with the flourishing of more and different people: not just our siblings, but our facebook friends who live on the other side of the planet. (and that this concern will permeate corporate practices as well)
in the mean time, donate some money.
Wednesday, January 26, 2011
some asl fun
i unexpectedly like this song (thanks, Jake), and i like asl, so it all in all is very enjoyable. and it reminds me of certain final projects at xavier...
Tuesday, January 25, 2011
helmet pigFriday, January 21, 2011
Prayer for Protection from Daisies
by Joseph R. Veneroso, M.M.
Spare me, O Lord, from a garden overrun by only daisies
a lake infested with nothing but trout and swans
a forest where just maple trees grow.
Deliver me, O God, from a world where
everyone looks like me, talks like me,
thinks like me and totally agrees with me.
In your infinite wisdom, my Lord and my God,
you fashioned the stars, planets, galaxies
and peoples where no two are alike.
Like the snowflakes that blanket the spinning earth
when seasons change and weather varies,
everything on earth reflects your wisdom in diversity.
And so I sing your praises, my God, with many voices
offering all kinds of hymns and songs
sung in different keys and tempos and harmonies.
I bless your Name and power revealed
through countless cultures and varied tongues
and different races and beliefs, a sacred symphony,
a veritable garden of splendid humanity
a motley patchwork of people's faces
creating a holy mosaic to your glory.
Spare me, O Lord, from a garden overrun by only daisies
a lake infested with nothing but trout and swans
a forest where just maple trees grow.
Deliver me, O God, from a world where
everyone looks like me, talks like me,
thinks like me and totally agrees with me.
In your infinite wisdom, my Lord and my God,
you fashioned the stars, planets, galaxies
and peoples where no two are alike.
Like the snowflakes that blanket the spinning earth
when seasons change and weather varies,
everything on earth reflects your wisdom in diversity.
And so I sing your praises, my God, with many voices
offering all kinds of hymns and songs
sung in different keys and tempos and harmonies.
I bless your Name and power revealed
through countless cultures and varied tongues
and different races and beliefs, a sacred symphony,
a veritable garden of splendid humanity
a motley patchwork of people's faces
creating a holy mosaic to your glory.
Monday, January 10, 2011
bible in a minute
this is like spark notes, only so much less useful and so much more entertaining.
[suggested alternate title: what catholics remember about the bible...]
[suggested alternate title: what catholics remember about the bible...]
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