"Ordinary" Time

So much has gone on since I last wrote! I graduated! Pentecost happened! My students have graduated! And summer is finally HERE! One more day of giving exams and it is time to grade, pack up the classroom, and be FREE!

Here are some snapshots from the past month or so:

 My mom, my grandmother and I at my MA graduation in May

 Getting that diploma!

After graduation with some of my fav student graduates 

I recognize now what I somewhat surmised before- that my some of my students have taken to reading this blog. So HELLO student stalkers! Are you surprised to see that this blog is pretty much exactly what I talk about in the classroom? That is- nerdy liturgy speak?? Well....WELCOME. You don't get extra credit for this.

My reflections have really started to center around the liturgical seasons, it seems. And with the Easter season now over and Pentecost come and gone, we are left to be sent out into summer and, well, ordinary time.

There are still plenty of feasts hidden within Ordinary Time, however, and I enjoy finding them as I go to daily Mass...which, I really need to get back into the habit of going to daily Mass. But that's what summer is for, right?

I've struggled to get into a routine with this new-found freedom of living in my own place and having all of the free time! But I'm making it a goal this summer to get back into a routine of prayer and daily Mass. It seems that I was able to do this much in the summer of 2011- my first summer after teaching. Last summer was a whirlwind of travel! Which has left everyone (myself included) what does this summer have in store?

An opportunity presented itself for me to nanny for two children ages 12 and 10. I met the family, and said yes. I didn't have any plans for this summer and although working with children in my time away from children wasn't in my plans, I also didn't want to be bored all summer. I wanted a plan, a routine. I think this opportunity will be a good experience for me and a good outlet this summer. I do feel like it's part of God's plan for whatever reason.

And even though I haven't been in much of a prayer routine of late, I do continue to see God's hand in my life all over the place. I know He is at work through His Spirit especially in this time post Pentecost. I really loved this line from today's reading from St. Paul (me? enjoying something from St. Paul? I know you are shocked):

I want you to know, brothers and sisters,
that the gospel preached by me is not of human origin.
For I did not receive it from a human being, nor was I taught it,
but it came through a revelation of Jesus Christ. - Galatians 1:11

I've been getting very wrapped up in the human aspects of our faith recently for whatever reason. And I've forgotten that religion and faith is about REVELATION and a personal revelation from Christ.

Hopefully, that is what our faith is for you all, too. Not solely the human infrastructure that can be broken and fallible at times. But the infallible movements of the Spirit of God in our Church and in our lives.

The last time I met for spiritual direction, Father suggested that I re-visit the writings of St. Teresa of Avila's Interior Castle. I had tried reading it once before, but I found I couldn't get into it once again. I was praying, though, and realized that I really get inspiration from the documents of the Church and Vatican documents. (Once a Theology student, always a Theology student, apparently!). We have a new pope, so I thought I'd check out some of his new writings. Then I saw a former teen that I had worked with in my youth ministry days posted about this book:

and I was sold. I've only read the first few chapters but I am inspired by what our current Holy Father and this holy rabbi he is writing with have to say about dialogue between faiths and with non-believers. They don't speak about dialogue with non-believers in a "we must convert them way" but in a "we need to listen and meet them where they are at because they have value" kind of way. Love it! I believe the Holy Spirit is truly moving in our Church still!

I'm also excited because a friend of mine who I got to see ordained three years ago will be joining my colleagues and I as the chaplain at our school this fall!

Summer weather and some time off certainly help to put me in a good mood, but I also just love this "ordinary" time post- Pentecost to get back in a routine of my own with God and enjoy the fruits of His Spirit. 

Happy Summer, everyone!

Peace,

Julia

Ascending...

I called my parents on this Sunday evening as I am ought to do as a part of my Sunday routine and have done since the fall of 1999 when I went off to college. Back then, we had calling cards and shared a land line phone in our dorms with our roommates. Today, even though I have my cell with me at all times and voicemail instead of a machine, it is still expected and anticipated that I will call my parents on Sunday evening just as I did ten + years ago.

When speaking with my mother, she mentioned that Pentecost was fast upon us (we were discussing this because it happens to be the same weekend as my graduation. We do not often talk about liturgical feasts as part of our Sunday conversations. Though, this is ME we are talking about here, so...sounds about right.) - and she is right! Two weeks! That means: "the advocate is coming!" (John 14: 15-21)

I need not remind you how- in addition to geeking out over the Triduum- that I also have a thing for Pentecost. See exhibits A, B, and C. I also have come to appreciate the feast of the Ascension since I have been teaching my Paschal Mystery course (it is the often forgotten, but oh so important feast that completes the Paschal Mystery, after all! Christ suffered, died, and rose and then when His mission was complete, the Ascension was that ultimate grand finale.)

The Ascension is THIS THURSDAY but will be celebrated in my diocese next Sunday. I'm hoping to make it to Mass on Thursday, though, because as I said, I've really come to appreciate what is meant by Christ completing His Mission and this feast.

Maybe that's because I AM ALMOST 33- the age when Christ ascended! (I turned 32, two weeks ago. I never thought I'd be so grateful for a Taylor Swift song, but because of her song "22" I had THIS to post all over my FB and Twitter for my birthday) Phew! I've been suffering, "dying" and "resurrecting" anew for most of my teens and twenties. There's something to be said for these early thirties and finally getting to reap the benefits of those other parts of the Paschal Mystery. We all, of course, experience the cycle of the Paschal Mystery in various sufferings, "death", and resurrections throughout our lives, but when we complete our goals, we ascend.

I have completed many goals this year. One that I will be celebrating the same weekend as the feast of Pentecost!! No coincidences there. I know the Lord knows how important both receiving my Masters AND Pentecost are to me. I truly will be filled with the Spirit on that day!

And this weekend, I also achieved a goal of mine. After living with roommates/housemates for 32 years of my life- I FINALLY have my own place. We all know I chose to live in community for many of those years, sometimes for financial reasons, but also for personal growth. When I spoke of the cycle of the Paschal Mystery, living in community has very much been a source of those aforementioned elements: suffering, death, and resurrection. I have suffered, died to myself many times and in many ways, and then been made new.

The time has come, though, to ascend! And it feels so good to have my own place! I moved in with the help of a very awesome friend who now is only going to be a couple miles away from me! I am so grateful for the generosity of people, especially when it is just freely offered. I fully intended to just get movers and not need anyone's help like I did the last move, but since I am now by myself, it was fun to have someone here to help unpack boxes and get some beer and pizza in the end :)

Some last thoughts on these next two weeks of Ascension and Pentecost. One: I will be doing my annual novena to the Holy Spirit! When I need something done fast, I definitely call on the Holy Spirit. So please join me by praying THIS between this Thursday and Pentecost.

Two: the readings from Revelations have been so different for me this Easter season since having gone to Greece and seeing the Cave the Apocalypse in Patmos. Now, when I read the words of St. John such as these  I can picture exactly where he was when he received these words and visions. It was such a blessing to go there. We couldn't take pics inside, but here are some from the isle of Patmos last year:

 outside Cave of Apocalypse

 View St. John most likely had from his window!!

Me at Patmos

Anyways, I'm just really, really grateful right now. Things are definitely looking...up! Ha! Get it? Ascension?

Sigh. I'm such a nerd. But I'm finally totally okay with that. 32 is going to be great!

Peace,
Julia

Ascending Hope

I had my "Easter Alleluia" last week when Jesus broke out of the tomb and I broke out of the DC cold! I spent the Easter Octave- as I often try to do- somewhere sunny. I have such generous friends in LA as you know, who have let me come and stay with them three times this past year: Last summer, this new years, and now my Spring Break as well.

I am fully clothed in this picture because I got BURNT the first day I was over zealous with the sun. 

Before I left for LA, I had a stern talking to with the DC weather and told it it better get warm and stop this winter nonsense by the time I came back! So, DC dwellers, YOU ARE WELCOME because I take full responsibility for this 90 degree weather we had last week and I'm not even sorry. I'm just not.

So Alleluia! It is the Easter Season and finally Spring! The Cherry Blossoms are finally in bloom because they just weren't happening before I left. Here's a sad, sad shot of the (lack of) cherry blossoms on Easter Sunday:

So I spent Easter in DC, then whisked away to LA for the Easter Octave and spent a lovely Divine Mercy Sunday at St. Monica's parish in Santa Monica, CA. I have been to Mass there before and really like the way they do liturgy there. The music was beautiful, the priests homily was concise and heartfelt, and the parishoners play an active role- all the things you hope for when attending Mass on Sunday.

But now I'm back in DC and back to work and in the midst of some stress again as I figure out my move to my new apartment in VA ( at least the weather has been beautiful!) I'm trying my best, though, to hold onto that Easter joy.

I went to Mass today at a parish close to where I live and have found myself at for the past couple of months now mostly because the pastor at my actual parish has changed and my spiritual director is in residence at this other parish. I know you're aren't supposed to follow around or float because of the priest (Mass times also have something to do with it). The parish I have been attending recently has a slightly later Mass, so that's probably the real reason I have been going there. They also have a nice Blessed Sacrament chapel that I like to pray in before going into Mass. I spent much of my Lent praying in that chapel.

So I went to Mass this morning at this *not my parish* parish that I am speaking of and scooted myself into the middle of one of the pews (because let's be honest, I always end up getting scooted to the middle when late arrivals squeeze in, so why not make my start there?) and OF COURSE a family with children squeeze in as the processional music begins. But no big deal, that's what happens. The three elementary aged girls sit down and all have iphones in hand. They are all playing games on said iphones and don't even look up as the priest processes in.

Now, I KNOW I am not a parent. I know getting children to keep still in Mass is difficult. But I also know, some how, some way, that my parents got my sister and I to do it. I may have squirmed and tried to go on a trip to the bathroom ever week to get out of that pew, but more Sundays than not I was sitting, listening to the readings, maybe daydreaming, but always standing and sitting and kneeling and singing.

These girls were doing none of that. I of course wanted to judge them and their mother. I was so appalled that they were not being told to put the phones away! They sat and played iphone games right through the Gloria, the Liturgy of the Word, I had to reach over them to hand their mother the offertory basket...it continued until their family left right after communion. It took all I had within me not to huff or puff or roll my eyes as they did so.

I was upset for many reasons, as you can imagine. 1.) I don't care where you are at, it's probably not healthy to play a video game for almost an hour straight, especially when you are in the presence of a real live community and have the opportunity for actual human interaction. 2.) these girls were old enough to be able to participate in the liturgy. 3.) I was just so sad that God was present in front of them- in the Word and then in the Eucharist and they were missing it! God's Word being spoken to them and they not able to hear it. God coming alive for them in the Sacrament and they not aware of it.

I also was upset at myself because in this situation I become the high and mighty Catholic, judging instead of welcoming. Wanting to condemn instead of setting an example or inviting them to participate.

So in this moment, I actually was having an opportunity to put into practice the "new evangelization" that we talk about and that I studied. Here are some young girls who are here at Mass... And I had to tell myself that, too. They are at least here. But that made me all the more upset that they were here and missing everything going on around them. So I tried to set an example. I tried to really listen, to really pray. To not be hateful or judgmental or disapproving at the sign of peace, but rather joyful. And to keep myself in check for my motives throughout the Mass for what I was doing in each moment that I was there.

It was difficult not to be hopeless in those moments. Here is the youth and future of the Church- playing video games on iphones and blatantly ignoring God present in front of them. But that is only one face of the Church, and they are not hopeless. I see attentive, bright faces each day in my classes and many of my students give me hope for the Church.

And another face of the Church are those of us who want to judge or condemn others for their actions or inactions. That is another reality that makes me hopeless. Our motivation to evangelize cannot be to "save" others or to show others that we are "right" and they are "wrong." I really had to call on to myself what my motivation as a catechist is in that moment. What did I want those girls to see? I wanted them to see a young woman who likes participating in the liturgy, who likes to pray and NEEDS to pray. I wanted them to see joy, not disgust.

We all fall on one side of the spectrum at one time or another. We can be the ones on our phones, not listening or aware of God's presence right in front of us. We can also be the ones letting our judgment and disgust get in the away of effective, helpful, real ministry.

The Fruit of the Mystery of the Ascension is HOPE. I want to enter into these days of Easter before the Ascension and Pentecost with lots of it. We can help each other!

Happy Easter!
Peace,
Julia

The Most Wonderful Time of the Year: Triduum 2013

It's that time of year again. The time of year I geek out and write all of the blog posts and go on and on about how much I love the Church's liturgies during the Triddum. Exhibits A, B, C, and (phew!) D:

Last year's Holy Thursday 2012

Easter Vigil 2010

Holy Week 2010

Holy Week 2 2011

Holy Week 2013 began for me with the usual Palm Sunday celebration (while I love the drama of Palm Sunday, I want to give a shout out to the parish I went to for doing the "shortened version" of Luke's Gospel!!! ;) And I awoke Monday of Holy Week to this:

A Snow Day!

Snow in late March around here is pretty surprising. Our Spring Break for school begins during Holy Week and so my already shortened work week got even a little shorter!

I had set my alarm to go to Mass that Monday morning because it was March 25- aka the Feast of the Annunciation. That is...it is USUALLY the day we celebrate the Feast of the Annunciation, but as Twitter informed me in the form of one of my sassy priest friend's tweets: "Jesus is a preemie this year" (it's funny because the Annunciation marks when Mary conceived Jesus by the power of the Holy Spirit. And then we celebrate Christmas Dec. 25...nine months later...get it? ) and since March 25th falls during Holy Week, the feast is being moved to April 8 (presumably after we also celebrate the Easter Octave). Ah, the Church in her infinite wisdom :)

But as we also know, Mary has an interesting place in my heart and I sometimes struggle with my relationship with her. But here I was! All ready to go to Mass and reflect on her fiat: her "yes" to the angel at the Annunciation! And now the feast was moved?! Humph.

I know I've also mentioned several times before on this blog (I really need new material) that this Ohio girl always scoffs at the reaction to snowfall around these parts. I was grateful for the snow day on this particular day, but I knew I could still drive wherever I wanted. We had about 2-3 inches, I think, of snow and it wasn't really sticking.

So I decided to make a little retreat out of my morning- feast or no feast. Snow or no snow. I hopped in my car and did a little mini-church pilgrimage (okay, so mine was like 2 or 3 vs. the Seven Church Pilgrimage that is custom during this time of year).

The snow and the silence of Lent, particularly during Holy Week, made for a very nice backdrop for my morning reflection, though I still couldn't get the feast of the Annunciation out of my head. I read the Gospel passage from Luke (Luke 1: 26-38) and thought of this young, unmarried girl who had "found favor with God" and was chosen for a special mission.

Earlier during my little "retreat" I was waiting in line for confession and the parishoners were praying the Litany of Loreto . The title "Mother of our Creator" really stood out for me- probably because I had just taught the Creation stories in my courses- but I tried to wrap my brain around that title for Our Lady. This is what she was asked to be at the Annunciation and was really set aside for since her Immaculate Conception in St. Anne's womb: to be the Mother of our Creator, the Mother of God.

The other moment in my reflection that gave me peace and hope was Luke 1:37: "For nothing is impossible for God." I have since found out that I PASSED MY COMPS! What I once thought might be impossible (though I know many of you told me that I would be totally fine...much easier said than done as we know!) has finally arrived: I will be graduating with my Masters in May! It is truly finished!!! But the question my aunt so immediately pointed out to me on Facebook is: "What now?"

What now indeed. Well, first, I am going to enjoy this Easter Triduum and wait with the Lord through this Holy and Easter Week (s). (Also, going to LA again...three times in less than a year! I just can't stay away from the beach and the sun!) And then I'm just going to wait. I'm going to move into my new apt and get my diploma and wait for what is next. I don't expect an angel to appear to me (though it might be nice!!) but I will contemplate with Mary and trust that all things are possible with God.

I hope you are able to enter into these Triduum and Easter festivities! We all know that I can't wait!
I leave you with a pic from one of the parishes I prayed in Monday morning. I thought it captured this spirit of Lent and Holy Week:

Oh, and a cute pic of a sign that some of my students hung up in my room after I found out I passed!

Blessed Triduum!
Peace,
Julia

Francis: Rebuild My Church

So I'm in the midst of studying and taking my comprehensive exams to receive my Masters in Theology, as you all well know. After finishing my four hour exam IN two hours (never can tell if that is an excellent or terrible sign!) I head home for a quick respite and then pack up to go back to my *favorite* Starbucks library to claim my usual table to begin studying for day 2 of the exams. Day One was the catechetical stuff, tomorrow is the hardcore Theology. And as you all know, I am NERVOUS. Especially about the latter exam. 2000 + years of material! You can't screw that stuff up!

As I am driving to said Starbucks, the texts, the tweets, and the emails start coming in: Habemus Papam! We have a new pope! So instead of engaging in the texts and tweets, I turn on AM radio (for I'm pretty sure the first time of my life). I quickly park my car and run into my favorite 21st century library, take my usual spot, throw open my laptop and turn on CNN streaming. The crowd is waiting. Curtains are moving. We are gonna get the big reveal soon!

This takes me back to 2005 when Benedict XVI was elected. I was at my first real job after graduating from CUA for the *first* time. I was at the parish in which I was a youth minister and my colleagues in the Religious Education department had their computers and radios on trying to get word and catch a glimpse of who the new pontiff would be. I had heard of Ratzinger. I knew he was well written and a big name in Theology. He seemed like a solid choice, though I will admit, I was a little apprehensive. He seemed a little too "safe" in my mind. *Too* intellectual.

Eight years later, I am *still* very much involved in religious education and youth ministry and reading texts written BY Ratzinger as I wait upon my second graduation from Catholic University. Our methods of communication are a little more evolved this time. People were talking about "pope alarms" and websites, but I KNEW Twitter would not let me down. Any time I want to know what is going on, I immediately turn to Twitter, and so this is how I watched the election of the 266th pope: on my laptop, in a Starbucks, with Facebook and Twitter live streaming. As any 21st Century Catholic would :)

While I had my proverbial money on the 55 year old Filipino from Manila, Cardinal Tagle, in our second time running "pope pool" (yes, this is what CUA graduates do...) I am excited about our first Latin American pope. Our first Jesuit pope. Our first "Francis".

Twitter is my favorite because people are SO damn clever and quick and among my favorite tweets from others were: "A Jesuit name Francis? This IS a first!" and "Christ commanded Francis: Rebuild My Church."

That latter tweet. really got me. Francis of Assisi didn't understand that commission and tried to rebuild an ACTUAL church- San Damiano. We know now, though, that Christ wanted a new movement, a new ministry. One focused on a life of poverty and simplicity rather than the opulence of the time. I think the name Francis is much more enlightened and inspired at this time than any of us can even fully know right now...

I was a little disappointed that our new papa is a little on the older side- 76. I thought with this resignation we might learn our lesson. But my friend (who I was texting while live streaming and tweeting , etc :) said to me: "They weren't looking for another JP2!" But I replied to her: "But maybe *I'M* looking for another JP2!" I mean, come on...POLISH POPE! Even Babci - the woman who cried to the other sisters when I entered the convent about how she didn't want me to enter- has a picture of JP2 framed in her kitchen.

But I guess I need to realize that it is rare that for 24 years of my life I only knew one pope. And JP2 is already on the fast track to being canonized which is also special and rare.

I think these "firsts" with Francis already seem positive. I pray for him and for the Church that we can all embrace that commission to Francis: Rebuild My Church.

Also, can we just appreciate that it is amazing that I wrote ANY of this after taking part 1 of my comps this morning?!? Miracle of miracles!!

Peace,
Julia

Lenten Check-In: Laetare Sunday

The priests are all wearing pink (aka "rose") today...rejoice!

Rejoice(!), first of all, because pink is just so much more fun than purple. Some of you might disagree, but you see, my sister and I, close in age, would often get similar dresses, toys, etc. growing up. Except *I* would get the pink dress/toy/etc and *she* would get the purple dress/toy/etc to differentiate. I don't have anything against purple, but I have clearly always preferred pink.

Second of all, rejoice! because it means we are more than halfway through Lent! Last blog post, I wrote about how I couldn't believe that my friends were actually embracing (as opposed to abhorring, like I tend to) Lent. Again, nothing against Lent, but I am particularly glad that we are almost halfway through, though I do feel like this has been a pleasant and successful Lent so far (as far as Lents go :)

Other reasons to rejoice:

- Papal Conclave begins March 12th FINALLY! We have been two weeks now without a pope!

- I am FINALLY taking my comps this week! They will be OVER on Thursday! And there will be much rejoicing!

- My roommates and I are going are separate ways this summer, not a reason to rejoice necessarily, because that means another MOVE. And I dislike moving more than I dislike Lent. However, REJOICE! because I am FINALLY getting  my own place and have already found a new, cute apartment!

- Also, the obvious reason that EASTER will soon be here! My favorite season! And I'm going back to LA for Spring Break! Warm weather! Rejoice!

- Lastly, I celebrated this Polish nonagenarian recently...aka my Babci. 90 years of life! And vodka! Rejoice!

The Guest of Honor with the family...

 Honoring the Guest of Honor...

Um, yes, this is my 90 year old grandmother taking a vodka shot at the bar. May I still be doing shots at 90...:

Imparting words of wisdom as usual...

That's all for now...back to studying I go! I am feeling pretty confident right now, but only because I KNOW that people are praying for me, so please keep up the prayers this week and thank you for your awesome support!

ALSO- I will be starting a novena to this guy, St Joseph. To end on- um, duh- St. Joseph's feast day: March 19th! Join me if you wish!

O Saint Joseph, whose protection is so great, so strong, so prompt before the throne of God, I place in you all my interests and desires.

O Saint Joseph, assist me by your powerful intercession and obtain for me from your Divine Son all spiritual blessings through Jesus Christ, Our Lord; so that having engaged here below your heavenly power, I may offer my thanksgiving and homage to the most loving of Fathers.

O Saint Joseph, I never weary contemplating you and Jesus asleep in your arms; I dare not approach while He reposes near your heart. Press Him in my name and kiss His fine head for me, and ask Him to return the Kiss when I draw my dying breath. Amen

O Saint Joseph, hear my prayers and obtain my petitions. O Saint Joseph, pray for me. (Mention your intention)


May the rest of your Lent be blessed!

Peace,
Julia

Best Lent Ever?

I had one of my very dearest friends in town last weekend to come and see a show with me. This girl (though she will say we were not really friends until we life-guarded together my first summer in college) grew up where I did, went to the same schools as I did, and we were in youth group together. We have traveled together and she even came to stay with me when I lived with the sisters in the convent! She wins.

We are very similar- strong willed, well educated, quick witted, and we love us some Jesus and good music.

We even make going to visit gardens in the dead of winter fun!

When my friend was here, she was talking about how *excited* she was for Lent. Like, genuinely excited. All I could do was wrinkle my nose. I'm more of an Easter girl, myself. I love the drama of Holy Week and then the celebration of the Easter 50, which all leads to my FAVORITE day of Pentecost, as we know.

My women's prayer group also met last week and so we naturally reflected on Lent, too. And we discussed some of our "best fasts of Lents past" which led me to reflect on:

What makes a "good" Lent??

Each year with my students, I do a Lenten reflection on the gospel from Ash Wed: Matthew 6:1-6;16-18. Prayer, Fasting, and Almsgiving. And each year I try to steal some of their ideas for what they are going to do for each :)

No, but seriously, they come up with some great ideas! One girl suggested she fast from not using her phone after 7pm. My geriatric self is practically in bed watching Wheel of Fortune in my snuggie at that time of night, but I know teens will start their idle text chatter and snap chat nonsense that carries well into the early AM at that time. I thought that was a really good idea for teens!

Even though, Matt 6:1-6:16-18 suggests that we don't go on and on about our fasts and observances, I do think it's interesting to share what we are observing for Lent with others. And so I will, as is now tradition on this blog, share my Lenten observances with you.

I was going back and forth about what to give up this year. I went to spiritual direction and Father and I agreed that I could give something up that I wanted to eliminate from my life (like swearing or gossip) but that I also should perhaps give up something that I could *celebrate* with on Easter. (For example, no one wants to give their Easter Alleluia by swearing up a storm just 'cause you now can again!). And so, I've given up gossip and particularly texting gossip. You may remember one year I gave up gossip, so this is the upgraded 2.0 version.  I've also given up beer and wine so that I can truly celebrate with something on Easter!

For almsgiving, I always try to be a little more charitable and patient with those around me (though I don't know if I'm succeeding thus far) and this year I'm also praying for the women in my women's group and their intentions. These women surprised me at the end of our meeting last week to tell me they were saying a Memorare each day for the next month or so for *me* leading up until my comps! I was sooo touched! And so I've joined in their extended novena by offering up my prayers for their intentions.

I'm also doing a kind of cool thing that my SD came up with me for prayer, but I don't know if it's worth explaining on my blog :) Maybe once I start to see the fruits of it I will share, but it's kind of tailor-made for me...prayer couture, if you will. Oooo! Get that phrase trending!! #PrayerCouture. I'm very fancy.

As I sat in Mass this first Sunday of Lent, I was really struck by the liturgy. As a music minister, I know that we are not supposed to do as much with music during Lent. And the parish I attended yesterday took this very seriously. And it was pretty cool, actually. The psalm was done acapella. The offertory was just piano, and there was no recessional song. Just silence. It reminded me of how are liturgy is supposed to help us enter into the season.

And then I began to think like my friend. Maybe Lent is pretty cool. It's kind of a mysterious time and certainly sacred. I'm going on another Kairos retreat this week and then going to Richmond this weekend- two of my favorite things! And the retreat will definitely be a great way to begin the Lenten season.

What have been some of your most fruitful Lents? What made them fruitful?
Now is the acceptable time!

Peace,
Julia