Last summer a friend challenged my Bible study group to read “The Hole in our Gospel” by Richard Stearns, president of World Vision.  After reading the brief summary posted on the back of the book,

“What does God expect of us?  Is our faith about just going to Church, studying the Bible and avoiding the most serious sin – or does God expect more?  Have we embraced the whole gospel or a gospel with a hole in it?  Ten years ago Rich Stearns came face-to face with that question as he sat in a mud hut in Rakai, Uganda, listening to the heartbreaking story of an orphaned child.  Steans’ journey there took much more than a long flight to Africa.  It took answering God’s call on his life, a call that tore him out of his corner office at one of America’s most prestigious corporations – to walk with the poorest of poor in the world.”

I am ashamed to say that I opted out of that challenge.  But God apparently intended for me to read that book.  So, due to my friend’s persistence throughout the year, the book was number one on my reading list for this summer,  and shortly I was engrossed by the testimony of the author and the plight of millions of children around the world.  I can assure you that it wasn’t light, happy summer reading.  However, I highly recommend the book as it truly opened my eyes and is prompting change within me and my family.

“Christ has no body on earth but yours, no hands but yours, no feet but yours.  Yours are the eyes through which Christ’s compassion for the world is to look out; yours are the feet with which He is to go about doing good and yours are the hands with which He is to bless us now”

St. Teresa of Avila

One of the reasons that I was attracted to the Catholic Church was the Church’s preferential option for the poor and caring for the least and the lost.  However, when it came to time to sign up for ministry activities in my parish and in previous churches, I always found myself drawn towards activities within the Church such as teaching Sunday school, facilitating Bible studies and working on the welcome committee.  While all these are worthy endeavors, I realized that serving the poor was left off the list.

Although I was familiar with Christ’s words in the passage of Matthew 25:31-46 where He tells about the final judgment, I don’t think I personalized this message as I should have.  What have I done to feed the hungry?  What have I done to give water to the thirsty?  What have I done to help a stranger?  What have I done to clothe the naked? What have I done to look after the sick?  What have I done to visit those in prison?

The book, the scripture, the truth in Christ’s words culminated in a very uncomfortable conviction for me.  I had been blessed to be a blessing to others– but I was allowing God’s blessing in my life to stop with me.  As you know when you reach the “aha” moment, it can be a little overwhelming.  How can I implement a life style of service into my already busy life? Mother Teresa’s words provided the answer and direction in which to begin – start small.

“We can do no great things, only small things with great love.”

Mother Teresa

Armed with that advice and some free days this summer, several of us have identified a few organizations in our hometown of Atlanta where you can serve on a moment’s notice.  That flexibility is helpful when you also have to navigate the family schedule filled with children’s activities, summer doctor appointments and trips.

While I haven’t personally served in all these ministries, someone in our Bible study group has.  Here is a list of groups that are in need of volunteers throughout the summer.  In most cases you can simply call the day before, reserve a spot to serve,  and/or make a commitment to bring food to a drop off location.

Must Ministries – is a faith based non profit charitable organization dedicated to providing services to persons and families in crisis while maintaining their dignity.  Must has several areas in which to serve.  The summer lunch program serves 2,000 plus lunches to children everyday totaling nearly 100,000 lunches per summer.  The ministry needs volunteers to provide lunches to be distributed at one of their service centers.  Instructions and guidelines can be found on their website at www.mustministries.org.

City of Refuge – offers both life saving resources and life building tools to individuals and families in Atlanta who are living on the margin.  There are also multiple opportunities here to serve.  One ministry within City of Refuge is called Meals on the Street.  Individuals or groups of 10 or less serve dinner on Wednesday evenings from 4 to 6 PM and breakfast on Sundays from 8:45 to 10 AM to homeless men and women on the streets.  For more information and/or to make reservations to serve, visit www.cityofrefugeinc.com.

7 Bridges to Recovery is a non-profit ministry rescuing the last, the lost and the least from the streets of Atlanta.  There are several opportunities here to serve including a street ministry where teams of volunteers go into the street and under bridges to bring food and needed items to the homeless and pray with them.  The ministry also operates a shelter called The Garden.  Volunteers can provide food items for dinner and/or assist with serving dinner at the shelter every night.  For more information on how to become involved, visit www.7bridgestorecovery.org.

Saint Francis Table –is a ministry of The Shrine of the Immaculate Conception.  The ministry feeds over 500 people every Saturday.  Volunteers are needed beginning at 7:00 AM on Saturday mornings to prepare sandwiches.  Groups and individuals can donate sandwiches and food items.  For more information visit the website www.catholicshrineatlanta.org

So whether you are a seasoned volunteer who is looking for a new opportunity in which serve this summer or you are just starting small like me, there are plenty of places in which to get involved.

Chick A

1. I wish more people knew about  Sirius XM station 117, the Catholic Channel, and especially the show called Word to Life.  I happened upon it on Sunday (a replay) where several Dominican priests were discussing the universal readings for Sunday’s mass.  (have I mentioned how much I like the idea of universal readings?).  The website describing the program is terrific.   More Catholic and non-Catholic Christians need to check this out.

2. I’ve never really thought of Jesus having grandparents, but yesterday being the feast of St. Joachim and St. Anne (parents of the Blessed Mother) has given me something to consider.  You never contemplate this as a non-Catholic – at least I didn’t.  Also, it was interesting to hear where we learn about Mary’s parents- from the apocryphal writing of James and others – see this article from Catholic News Agency to learn more.

3. Why did I not give the homeless lady who approached my car some money at the grocery store?  She kind of scared me.  The real scary part is that I have been wanting more contact with the homeless for me and for my children as we do service work.  Jesus showed up in His most distressing disguise (thank you Mother Teresa), and I denied Him help.  Some days it feels like I have a long way to go.

Chick B

Chicks A and B

Starting out, I thought to myself that this whole idea was kind of “fun” – that I could really make a morning of it by going to Starbucks or Barnes & Noble after mass was finished. (oops- I forgot money).  The air was crisp and cool, and I didn’t mind all the drivers rushing past on their first morning back to work after a holiday weekend.  My pace got me right to the church on time, and I entered the nice cool building feeling a little stiff but grateful to be there.

When mass was over, I began the walk home by cutting through the parking lot and passing a statue of the Holy Family, with Jesus looking to be about the age of 7 or 8, a time in his life on which Sacred Scripture is silent.  Passing that image and beginning the walk home got me thinking about Joseph and Mary and all the traveling they had to do early on in their family life.  Between registering for the census, fleeing to Egypt, and settling in Nazareth, they must have been worn out with all the walking/donkey riding that they had to contend with.  Suddenly, my little self-imposed penance seemed incredibly trivial.

And what about Jesus and the disciples, walking from town to town and shaking the dust off their feet and sandals when the townspeople would not accept them.  Sandals – are you kidding me?  I had on a pair of $50 walking shoes and still felt practically crippled by the time I got home.  And Abraham – being told by God to leave his home and go to a place that God would reveal to him?  I just don’t know if I could do it, not knowing my destination.  At least when you walk to and from church you know your destination, about how long it takes to get there, and what awaits you once you arrive.

That walk home gave me plenty to think about, and plenty for which to be grateful.  Try it sometime, and with each step say a prayer of thanks to those of faith who persevered long before there were bikes, cars, and Starbucks.

Chick B

Sunday, June 6, 9:00 am: excitement building when we load the kids in the car for a 6 hour ride on the first day of the road trip.

Noon: First stop on the way to L.A. (Lower Alabama) is the Cracker Barrel just south of Montgomery.  Our Cracker Barrel national map shows it to be the only one in the area.  Kids are buying candy, sniffing candles, and waiting to be seated.  Vegetable plates and biscuits- this is some kind of good.  Next stop- the Marriott Grand in Point Clear for a few days of swimming and beach fun.  Wondering if we will see tar balls in the sand.

Tuesday: in search of old-fashioned soda shop that Chick B had visited on previous trip to the area.  While driving, shocked to see large, relatively new Catholic church on side of the road- St. Margaret’s of Scotland- near Foley, AL.

Late Tuesday, 9:00 pm: Chick A’s daughter bumps chin on giant pool slide.  On ambulance ride to nearest medical facility to get stitches, driver tells Chick A that there is a rather large population of Catholics along the road stretching from Foley to Gulf Shores.  Who knew?

Wednesday, 11:00 am: Arrive at the Bayou!  Pick up husbands at New Orleans airport and head into New Orleans, Catholic capital of the South.

Wednesday, 2:00 pm: visit the international shrine of St. Jude to pray for sick family members.  Multi-tasking stop- trying to light candles and pray, give a donation to a homeless couple who needed bus fare, and learn about St. Jude.  Wondering what that tuft of hair (or something) is on top of St. Jude’s head.

Wednesday, 5:00 pm: Visit St. Louis Cathedral on Jackson Square.  Light more candles, say more prayers, and try to figure out the life of Louis.  A true treasure of a site less than a few blocks from Bourbon Street.  One kid comments on the possibility of the confessional boxes being real busy in that part of town.

Thursday, 7:30 am: Chick B (early riser) makes it to 7:30 mass to receive unexpected blessing.   Father Maestri, celebrating the mass that morning, had spent a year in Atlanta at Chick B’s parish.  Former Protestant in her just loved and appreciated his homilies.  He nailed one again that morning.  Hung around to try to say hello, but never saw him.

9:00 am- Breakfast at Cafe du Monde with special entertainment from Hack Bartholomew whose calling is to “lift up the name of Jesus down in New Orleans.”

10:00 am: NOLA food hangover setting in.  Burning hot- not even noon.

11:00 am: Horse and buggy ride in the French Quarter pointing out all the beautiful sites, including the Old Ursuline Convent, once home to the first girls-only school in the United States.

Noon: second meal in less than 2 hours, ignoring onset of food hangover.  Great conversation with business colleague on Catholic culture in the Big Easy.

2:00 pm: Trolley ride to Loyola.  Church of the Holy Name closed for renovation.  This place gives hot new meaning – sweating hot, that is.

Thursday, 7:30 pm: in total denial of food hangover.  Dinner at another one of the Brennan family restaurants.  After dinner, begin planning a water and fruit juice fast once we get home.

Friday, 11:00 am: Husbands back at the airport.  Put kids in car and head across the Lake Ponchartrain bridge to Covington, LA to see Walker Percy’s grave at St. Joseph’s Abbey.
More on Walker Percy later.

Friday night, somewhere along I-65 North: one last meal at the Cracker Barrel on the way home.  All is right with the world.

Chicks A and B

Hanging With Jesus:  A Guide for the Faint of Heart

In spite of my cradle Catholic upbringing and having attended Christ the King school for six years, it wasn’t until about five years ago that I learned about Eucharistic Adoration. Not only did I not understand what the words meant – other than the obvious “adoring the Eucharist,” but I had no idea “how” or “why.” When I stopped to think about it, actually, the whole idea of Eucharistic Adoration seemed a bit odd to me. Yes, I believed in the Real Presence of Christ in the consecrated Host, but what did that really mean for me in terms of a chapel visit, a monstrance and being a guardian? And if I did go to Adoration, what on earth would I do for a whole hour?

Unlike many “firsts” in my life, I don’t have a specific memory of the first time I made my way into the “old” St. Mary’s Chapel – just for a visit. I am sure it was on a First Friday after my mother’s Bible Study; one of the moms must have mentioned that she was going and asked if I wanted to come too. I feel certain I was very nervous and aware of the profound silence, the bright candles and dimmed overhead light. While those details might be a little blurry,  I distinctly remember the first time that I gazed at the beautiful monstrance (the receptacle in which the consecrated Host is exposed for Adoration). I had only one overwhelming thought:  it looked to me like the Host actually embodied what would be the “heart” of the Cross. Could that be Jesus’ heart on the Cross?

My visits to the chapel on the First Friday of the month slowly became more frequent. I would arrange for a sitter to come watch my (then) young children so I could scoot off to St. Mary’s Chapel for a visit, a brief one at first, working my way up to more time. I would pray for a few minutes and then look around to see what others were doing. I might try to pray part of a rosary, but I was new at that too, so I was self conscious of how I looked fumbling around with my guidebook. I was very fidgety a lot of the time. Other times I would fight back one distraction after another, as though I were swatting at mosquitoes on a summer evening:  grocery lists, Christmas gift ideas, dinner plans, birthday party ideas, random things I needed to get my husband to take care of around the house – you name it, and I thought of it. Anything and everything popped into my mind except for a prayer. Sometimes I would even nod off. And then guiltily I would think back to an exasperated Jesus’ words when he said to Peter in Gethsemane, “So, could you not keep watch with me for one hour?” (Mt. 26:40). Everything just seemed wrong, and the hour seemed like an eternity.

Friends offered suggestions to help guide me when I was in Adoration. One friend suggested that I view my distractions as logs floating on a swiftly moving river. When I was trying to pray if a distraction came along, I could just envision the distraction as a log and watch it float down the river. Another friend shared that her favorite place to pray in the chapel was in the back on the floor sitting up against the wall. I found changing positions to be extremely helpful, and the more comfortable I became, the easier it was to focus on the Lord. Other friends encouraged me to write down my thoughts, as though I were actually engaged in a conversation with Jesus. An extroverted, perpetual talker, I found being able to record a stream random thoughts to be invaluable in sharing my inner most fears and desires with the One who loves me so completely.

Over time I came to understand that there is no formula for a “perfect” Adoration experience – no guarantee that what worked for me one week will work again another week. Just like sometimes I might have lunch with a friend and find there’s hardly a pause in the conversation because we both have so much to say.  And other times, I have lunch with that same friend, and we both just sort of enjoy each other’s company without saying much at all. One experience may seem more meaningful than the other, but both are equally important because I know I gave of myself to be with my friend.

Eucharistic Adoration is a bit like that. Sometimes the experience is so incredibly beautiful – I’m able to spend quality time in prayer, fit in some spiritual reading and/or write in my journal. I might have so much to share with Jesus – or have the patience to sit and hear Him talk with me. It just clicks. There are other times, however, when the experience is just not working for me– all I am is there, sitting in the chapel, waiting for my hour to end. That’s okay, too, because I know that Jesus wants to be with me, even if I am tired or grumpy or too distracted to concentrate. I know that He loves me and wants me to take that time out of my day – even if all I “think” I am getting out of it is some “down time.”

A priest helped me understand that while I could talk with Jesus anytime and anywhere, there was something different about Adoration which made that time with Jesus extra special. A prayer to Jesus in the car or at home, for example, could be likened to talking with a friend on the phone. A visit to a church or the chapel might be little like visiting with your next door neighbor in the backyard, talking across the fence. You can see each other, but there is still a barrier. But when you are able to prayerfully sit in front of the Blessed Sacrament, you’ve hit the jackpot:  it’s like sitting right next to your best friend. It’s just you and Jesus, hanging out together; you just can’t get much closer than that.

I was recently forwarded an e-mail sent out to staff at the Catholic Center by Monsignor Joe Corbett who said:  “Why Eucharistic Adoration? Why should we consider spending time visiting with Jesus in the Chapel? Because Jesus himself, our best friend, invites us. He said it so warmly, ‘Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened. Come to me and I will refresh you.’ Who could refuse such an invitation from our very best friend?” Take the time – an hour or whatever you can spare– to visit with Jesus. Just show up to hang with Him; he’ll take care of the rest.

Chick “K”

]]> http://southerncatholicchicks.com/2010/06/02/hanging-with-jesus-a-guide-for-the-faint-of-heart/feed/ 1 http://southerncatholicchicks.com/2010/05/25/to-sanctify-the-christian-people/ http://southerncatholicchicks.com/2010/05/25/to-sanctify-the-christian-people/#comments Tue, 25 May 2010 10:07:37 +0000 2scc http://southerncatholicchicks.com/?p=825 10 days from today the Archdiocese of Atlanta will host its annual Eucharistic Congress, a spectacular gathering of over 30,000 Catholics that includes a procession with the Blessed Sacrament, internationally-known speakers, confession opportunities, a Catholic marketplace, and a concluding mass that causes you to realize just what the Church means by calling herself  The Universal Church. There are tracks for kids, teens, and adults, some in languages other than English.  The speakers are both “cradles” and converts whose love of our faith is incredibly motivating.  When Chick A and I only had been Catholic for a few days several years ago, the Eucharistic Congress was our first official event as new members of the Church.  It made a huge impression on us.

In fact, we will be there again this year on Friday night, June 4, helping our friend Allen Hunt sell copies of his new book: Confessions of a Mega Church Pastor- How I Discovered the Hidden Treasures of the Catholic Church.  Come see us, get Allen’s book, and be inspired by his journey of conversion and joy at having been received into the Church.

For more information and details on the Eucharistic Congress, visit www.archatl.com

Chicks A and B

The month of May will always be the time that we reflect on our reception into the Church, and what a blessing our reception has been!  From the relief of our first general confession to the on-going graces that the sacramental Catholic life provides, Chick A and I keep pinching ourselves.  Will we ever stop being astonished at the way Christ blesses his followers by giving them the guidance, authority, and rest that comes from becoming a member of the Universal Church?  I hope not.

A few things stand out from our Catholic confirmation several years ago.  First, I’ll never forget the sweet smell and feel of the anointing oil that the priest used to mark our foreheads when we were confirmed and hoisted onto the “Barque of Peter.” I just didn’t want to wash it off- I wished it could stay on forever.  (similar to when someone has shaken the hand of a celebrity and doesn’t want to ever wash that hand…..only better).  The day after the confirmation, I ran into a Catholic friend of mine who commented, “Wow, your face has such a glow and peace about it.”  The first response that came to me was,”The Holy Spirit…..He’s better than Botox!”

I hear that the effectiveness of Botox eventually wears off, and you have to keep going back for more.  While I’m not discounting the possibility of ever having Botox, I think I’ll start with this goal – keep my wrinkles in perspective, save some money, and try to stay in step with the Spirit.  Our Lady of Perpetual Help, pray for me!

Chick “B”

Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting;
but a woman who fears the LORD is to be praised.  Proverbs 31:30

In addition, just this week in Atlanta, the President of Catholic Exchange will be giving a lecture at Holy Spirit College entitled “Awakening the Sleeping Giant- the Catholic Laity.”  A convert to Catholicism, Mr. Harold Fickett is sure to inspire the audience with his motivating and encouraging words to those of us “in the pews” on how we can best use our gifts and talents to proclaim the Gospel in our daily lives.  For more information, visit the Holy Spirit College website.

Chicks A and B

According to our kids (both Chicks A’s and B’s), it only takes two years for a tradition to develop.  Their rule in tradition setting goes something like this – you do something one year and it is just a fun event,  but if you continue it the next, it becomes tradition.  So, this year for the Easter Vigil Mass (which we have attended for the last three years with Chick B’s family) the decision had already been made regarding where would eat dinner.

It just so happens that three years ago, we selected Taxco, a small neighborhood restaurant that serves the most delicious Mexican fare.  We chose this establishment for two reasons – convenience,  and our husbands and kids like the food.  Unbeknownst to us at the time, a tradition was born.  So this year there was no need to figure out dinner plans.  We already knew we were going to Taxco.

As my daughter and I were getting ready to go, I mused (out loud) “Don’t you think it is rather odd that we go to a Mexican restaurant to celebrate Easter?”  She glared at me (like I might try and change the plan) and said rather firmly, “No mom – this is tradition.  Besides it all fits just perfectly.  Taxco is a Mexican restaurant; Mexico is a predominately Catholic country; and we are going to Mass to celebrate Easter!”

Follow the logic?  Yes – but a curious tradition no doubt!

Chick A