whew... thank goodness for Sunday

Ah Sunday.

St John's Catholic Church

I love Sundays.  Sunday is a glorious day. I use to be be a very good Catholic that went to church regularly.  Although I do not attend regular Mass anymore, my heart is filled with the Lord, especially on Sundays.  I want to return to Mass... Just need to make a decision on which one.  At Catholic churches they flip our priest around and sometimes that is good, sometimes just sad.  You get comfy and wham! Time for change. I understand. I get it. But, I also am being a tad stubborn.

I need to be back in church.  I need church.

This is the church we most recently attended.  After years with a closer church, that the girls attended for grade school & we followed throughout their high school, we ventured to this lovely favorite downtown.  It is wonderful. Fr Steve Giannini is so similar to the priest that brought me into the Catholic Church. I felt an instant connection with his preaching & teaching the Word.  But, he has moved on to another church :(... We need to give the new Priest a chance, but with the current downtown construction, particularly at the church, we have made a rare appearance here and there.  Also, I hate going by myself.  I feel ...pitied. We are a church that meets & greets during the service & I always feel lonely when solo, during this. Hubby is traveling much (en-route as I type, to Michigan again), and the girls, would go if I ask, but, Em doesn't even live here, and Annie, cherishes sleeping in on the rare occasion.
I am a Godly Woman. I am proud to serve our Lord. I live my life accordingly to His plan for me. I follow His lead.
I know, I know... stop making excuses.
I know in my heart where I should be. Here, enjoying services, looking at this:

A Lovely Italian Catholic Farewell

Several years ago, I showed my Grandma Kitty a grand "Life Center" that recently was build in Indy. Life Center. Fancy word for Funeral Home. I was in awe with it because it had a huge Chandelier that was lit every evening. You could see it for quite a ways. I thought it was beautiful. As did Grandma Kitty, however, she said something that really stuck with me. She thought it was so wasteful to have a funeral at such an "expensive place". She said that she would never want to have hers like that.

When Grandma died, we had a simple service in a full church. Then we gathered in the Reception Party House at her apartment complex. It was a pitch in. With barbecue, salads, and all the fixings. Just the way she'd want it. We laughed more than we cried. We celebrated a wonderful life, her way.

Today I attended a Catholic funeral for a lovely 89 year old Italian woman. It was perfect too. This was the mother of our Best Man from our wedding. She also had two other sons and a husband she left behind. Betty, was a grand woman. She came to America as a young girl from Italy. She met an Italian man, and the rest is history. She was a strong Catholic and came to the church not just once a week, but several times.

Sergio loved going over to their house as a boy. He, the Mexican, and his Italian, Cuban, & Cicero friends ran the neighborhood. They grew up together in a tight Catholic neighborhood. In the late 60's, and early 70's these kids ran the neighborhood. They had a blast. It didn't matter "where" they came from, they were St Bernadette boys.

Today these "boys" gathered again to say goodbye to one of their Mothers. It was touching.

Betty had a full Mass. A beautiful salute, and the most delightful Ava Maria sang in Italian. I was moved.

To have ones wishes given, regardless to what they are is a beautiful thing. I have been to so many funerals. These were two of my favorites. I look at them as a celebration of ones life. We are showing respect and condolences to the family. Both of these women would be proud of how their funerals were handled. To their wishes. Beautiful, touching and well, happy. I left both of these feeling happy to have known them.

Amazing Grace

Lucious Newson passed away August 18th. He was 93 years young. Although I never officially meet him, I heard him speak, I participated in his quest and I shook his hand while thanking him for all he does.

I admired him and looked up to him more than anyone I have ever met or knew of. This was the most selfless loving man that made his life mission in helping others. He became my hero.

A few years ago, we visited Nativity Catholic Church. There this old black man with bib overalls, kindof stuck out among the other members. There was something about him that mesmerized me. He was so full of faith. He was almost glowing. He was introduced by the priest at the end of the sermon. Lucious wanted to show his appreciate for the Church’s help in feeding the poor. He sang “Amazing Grace”. I have heard this song a million times, but never as beautifully as this old man sang it. He sang acappella, no music other than his voice. I cried.

Lucious had made it his mission to feed the poor. He was known as “the Lord’s beggar for the poor”. He helped establish “Anna’s House”, a clinic & learning center that offers food, dental care, medical help & services for people in need.

For the past twenty years he has been assisting Indianapolis’ poor, feeding them and teaching those of us more fortunate how to treat the poor. His heart was very big. He was the most generous of all. Lucious had said, “I go to bed so thankful that God gave me this job. I’m just thankful I can serve Him, & that He can use an old guy like me. I live by faith. I’m going to keep doing this until God calls me to heaven.”

He was truly a wonderful Christian man. His work will continue through the lives he touched.

Christian Catholic

I was raised a Christian. Baptized in the Methodist Church, switched to the Presbyterian Church as a teen. Settling in the Catholic Church when I decided to marry a Catholic Man. I gave poor Father Harry Keneven, a tough time with questions and wanted to know exactly what I was getting into when I became a Catholic. He taught me well, and I appreciate his patience with me. I think I have "done him proud". It is said that those who join the Catholic Church as an adult have a better understanding and a sometimes stronger grasp on our religion. Some say we make better Catholics. i don't buy it. Religion is what you make of it. You should be with your faith because you believe in it and you are it.

I have always been active with my church. sometimes more often than other times but I love my church and it makes me feel more a part when I am actively involved. I taught Continuing Catholic Education one year, that was interesting. My favorite memories are the ones that I was a Confirmation Leader. I had the most awesome kids ever! All three years. And I still love every one of them and pray for each of them too. I wanted each to walk away after our year of discovery and growth in the church and wanted them to make their own decisions. Be a Catholic because it is who they are & what they believe, not because ..they had to. We succeed. And I truly feel that each of them left me with a greater love of the church.

I am currently perplexed with someone I love deeply as she is struggling with her beliefs. She has always been one of the strongest Christians I know, and now she is doubting her belief in Jesus Christ as our Savior. She tells me she believes in God, just not sure anymore about Christianity. I am blown away! I want to shake her! I want to say the right things and help her through this challenging time. I don't want to say the wrong things and push her further. I pray for her even stronger today as I try to find the right words and hope that by example to show her the love of our Lord. I need help in knowing how to guide her.

I shared with her this quote my Emily gave me from C.S. Lewis:
"I believe in Christianity as I believe that the sun has risen, not only because I see it, but because by it I see everything else."