All posts by CadyLy

On Death and Rollercoasters

Of Trials Opportunities and Gifts, , ,
Skyhawk - DSCN9430

Cedar Point was fun. I love rollercoasters. Ironically, I’m also scared of both heights and falling. And I am part-Houdini in the fact that no matter how tight people strap me down, I end up being able to wiggle out of the restraints. So while everyone else is waving their hands in the air, I am — as Damien points out — putting claw marks in the grab bar … and laughing. 🙂 And I didn’t get a good reply to this in confession: if I am standing before some monstrosity of a fear-inducing ride that my friend are bent on torturing me with, is it taking the Lord’s name in vain to say “Oh Dear God!” when you follow that up with “Please help me not die on that thing!” and a few Hail Marys??

Erwin and Rob on Dragster - DSCN9394

When thinking of my experiences with these rollercoasters, it always seems to follow the same formula. I look at one of them and am not sure about it. As I stand in line and contemplate it further, I get anxious and don’t think that I can handle it. I pray my way through this and end up making myself go despite my fear and try to trust that God would not allow me to be the one person to die at Cedar Point that day (despite the fact that I’ve always felt that I would die on some freak rollercoaster accident… LOL). Then, I end up having a lot of fun and realize that my fears were silly. (Or maybe not “silly,” after all, as a kid, I’ve been on several rollercoasters and rides where the restraints have had mechanical failures and I’ve had to wrap myself around the grab bars to keep from falling out of the ride. That’s gotta induce some long-term trauma or something….) And I think about death, and how one’s view of death is typically like my view of rollercoasters. From far away, it might not look fearsome, but the larger it looms and the more proximal it is, the greater your anxiety. You try to find ways to avoid it or delay it. It’s not a ride you want to go on, but you are in line already and the wait until your turn gets shorter with every passing minute. You pray and this helps to alleviate your fears a bit. Eventually, the time comes and you put your trust in God and get on the ride. And it ends up being so much better than you could have thought and you wonder why you were afraid to begin with. Had you known at the beginning of the line what you knew at the end, you would have eagerly looked forward to the trip.

And this is one of the many reasons why I know that God is alive and present in my life. I am in that line. But I am not afraid, because He has given me such grace and such peace. And while I know that I am securely fastened and safe in His hands, it’s nice to know that He allows me to cling back.

Prepare Yourself!

Jennspeak

… because Jaibee is learning a new language this semester!

That’s right! This fall, I will be tackling … Latin!

Then, finally, I will be able to read things like: In his quae de necessitate fidei non sunt, licuit sanctis diversimode opinari, sicut et nobis.

Cardinal Pierre de Bérulle

Saints and People of Note
Fleur-De-Lis, Cinq

Other than a recommendation from Jesus Himself, what better character reference can you have outside of THIS:
“His disciple, St. Vincent de Paul, said of him: ‘He is one of the most saintly priests I have known,’ and his friend St. Francis de Sales declared: ‘He is everything which I should desire to be myself’.”

I stumbled upon this guy when reading, “The Shape of Catholic Theology,” by Fr. Aidan Nichols, who notes him as asserting that “the hypostatic union between the divine Word and Jesus’ humanity is the exemplar and prototype of all union with God,” (310).

The Catholic Encyclopedia gives us more information about him. He lived at the turn of the 17th century and was devoted to the conversion of Protestants. We already know that he kept pretty rarified company with St. Francis and St. Vincent, but he was also instrumental to bringing the Carmelites to France. His life’s work was to make Jesus Christ “better known and more loved.” If that’s not enough to convince you that this is a guy worth looking into, HE DIED WHILE SAYING MASS!

I’ve heard my priests say this before, that if we truly knew God, in that moment of knowledge, we would die from the overwhelming love. I think that might be what happened here. What a way to go! However, I wouldn’t want to be one of the parishioners at that Mass. Traumatized for life.

Word of the Day! St. Abbo

Word of the Day
The Oxford Dictionary of the Christian Church

Another catholidorkerrific idea from Yours Truly! 🙂

I was looking at that nice, big Christian dictionary on my shelf and thought about what a shame it was that I didn’t pull it out more often. Then, I was struck with an idea! I had been toying with the concept of reading it from cover to cover, but really, what is the fun in that if you cannot share your findings with friends? So I thought that I would bless you nice folk with the fruits of my reading and select a “word of the day” — something that piques my interest or an entry with which I was previously unfamiliar. I won’t recreate the entire entry, but just lay out some basics.

Let’s get started! 🙂

St. Abbo

  • c. 945 – 1004
  • Abbot of Fleury, France
  • Helped in the restoration of monasticism in England
  • Notable works:  Passio S. Eadmundi and Quaestiones Grammaticales
  • Supported the Cluniac Reform, was an ardent defender of Papal authority and the freedom of monasteries from episcopal and secular interference
  • He was killed in a revolt occasioned by the reform of a priory
  • He also wrote on logic, math, astronomy and the lives of the Popes
  • Feast day:  13 Nov

A Catholic Lifetime Reading Plan

Spiritual Reading
The Oxford Dictionary of the Christian Church

A Catholic Lifetime Reading Plan by Father John McCloskey
Titles highlighted in green are ones I own. If I’ve read it, the date of completion will follow the entry.

Catechism of the Catholic Church – Catholicism Explained/Theology
Adams – The Spirit of Catholicism – Catholicism Explained/Theology
Augustine – City of God – Spiritual Classics
Augustine – Confessions of St. Augustine – Spiritual Classics
Aumann – Spiritual Theology – Spiritual Reading
Baur – Frequent Confession – Spiritual Reading
Baur – In Silence with God – Spiritual Reading
Belloc – The Great Heresies – History and Culture
Belloc – How The Reformation Happened – History and Culture
Belloc – Survivals and New Arrivals – History and Culture
Benedict XVI – Opera Omnia – Misc
Benson – Lord of the World – Literary Classics
Bernanos – The Diary of a Country Priest – Literary Classics
Bouyer – Spirit and Forms of Protestantism – Catholicism Explained/Theology
Boylan – Difficulties in Mental Prayer – Spiritual Reading
Boylan – Tremendous Lover – Spiritual Reading
Burke – Covenanted Happiness – Spiritual Reading
Carroll – History of Christendom (All Volumes) – History and Culture
St. Catherine – Little Talks with God (modernized version of “The Dialogues”) – Spiritual Classics
Cervantes – Don Quixote – Literary Classics
Chautard – Soul of Apostolate – Spiritual Reading
Chesterton – Everlasting Man – Spiritual Classics
Chesterton – Orthodoxy – Spiritual Classics
Chesterton – St. Thomas Aquinas
Chesterton – St. Francis of Assisi – Holy Men and Women
Chevrot – Simon Peter
Cizek – He Leadeth Me – Spiritual Reading  4/7/2011
Crocker – Triumph – History and Culture
Caussaude – Abandonment to Divine Providence – Spiritual Reading
Dante – Divine Comedy – Literary Classics
Dawson – Christianity and European Culture – History and Culture
Day – Long Loneliness – Holy Men and Women
de la Palma – The Sacred Passion – Spiritual Reading
de Sales – Introduction to Devout Life – Spiritual Reading
de Sales – Treatise on the Love of God – Spiritual Reading
d’Elbee – I Believe in Love – Spiritual Reading
Eliot – Christianity and Culture – Literary Classics
Endo – Silence – Literary Classics
Enzler – My Other Self – Misc
Escriva – Christ is Passing By – Spiritual Reading
Escriva – Way, Furrow, Forge – Spiritual Reading
Escriva – Way of the Cross – Spiritual Reading
Faber – All for Jesus – Spiritual Reading
Garrigou-Lagrange – Three Ages of Interior Life, I – Spiritual Reading
Garrigou-Lagrange – Three Ages of Interior Life, II – Spiritual Reading
Granada – Sinner’s Guide – Spiritual Reading
Guardini – The Lord
Guardini – End of the Modern World – History and Culture
Hahn – Rome Sweet Home – Catholicism Explained/Theology
Hannam – God’s Philosophers – History
Hildebrand – Transformation
Hildebrand – The Privilege of Being a Woman
Holzner – Paul of Tarsus – Spiritual Reading
Hopkins – Hopkins: Poetry and Prose – Literary Classics
John XXIII – Journal of a Soul – Holy Men and Women
John of the Cross – Dark Night of the Soul – Spiritual Classics
John Paul II – Opera Omnia – Misc
Kelly – Rediscovering Catholicism – Spiritual Reading 2/2/2011
Kempis – The Imitation of Christ – Spiritual Reading
Knox – Enthusiasm – History and Culture
Kreeft – Christianity for Modern Pagans – Catholicism Explained/Theology
Leclercq – Love of Learning and the Desire for God – History and Culture
Lewis – Problem with Pain – Spiritual Classics 7/18/2009
Lewis – Mere Christianity – Spiritual Classics 6/30/2009
Lewis – Screwtape Letters – Spiritual Classics 11/16/2007
Liguori – 12 Steps to Holiness and Salvation – Spiritual Reading
Liguori – The Practice of the Love of God – Spiritual Reading
Liguori – Uniformity with God’s Will – Spiritual Reading
Martinez – True Devotion to the Holy Spirit – Spiritual Reading
Montfort – True Devotion – Spiritual Reading
Lovasik – The Hidden Power of Kindness – Spiritual Reading
Manzoni – Betrothed – Spiritual Reading
Masson – Companion Guide to Rome – Misc
Merton – Seven Storey Mountain – Holy Men and Women
Monti – King’s Good Servant but God’s First
More – Sadness of Christ – Spiritual Reading
Muggeridge – Something Beautiful for God – Holy Men and Women
Neuhaus – Catholic Matters – Misc. 9/26/2010
Newman – Apologia Pro Vita Sua – Holy Men and Women
Newman – Essay on Development of Christian Doctrine – Catholicism Explained/Theology
Newman – Idea of a University – Literary Classics
Newman – The Rule of Our Warfare
O’Connor – Flannery O’Connor: Complete Stories – Literary Classics
Ott – Fundamentals of Catholic Dogma – Catholicism Explained/Theology
Oursler – The Greatest Story Ever Told – Spiritual Classics
Percy – Lost in Cosmos – Literary Classics
Percy – Love in the Ruins – Literary Classic
Perquin – Abba Father – Spiritual Reading
Pieper – The Four Cardinal Virtues – Catholicism Explained/Theology
Phillipe – Opera Omnia
Plus – Winning Souls for Christ – Spiritual Reading
Rice – 50 Questions on the Natural Law – Misc.
Rohrbach – Conversation with Christ – Spiritual Reading
Scupoli – Spiritual Combat – Spiritual Reading
Sertillanges – Intellectual Life – Misc
Sheed – Theology for Beginners – Spiritual Reading
Sheed – To Know Christ Jesus – Spiritual Reading
Sheen – Life of Christ – Spiritual Reading
Sheen – Three to Get Married – Spiritual Reading
Sienkiewicz – Quo Vadis – Literary Classics
Stein – Woman – Misc
Suarez – Mary of Nazareth – Holy Men and Women
Tanqueray – Spiritual Life – Spiritual Reading
Mother Teresa – Meditations from a Simple Path – Spiritual Classics
St. Teresa of Avila – Interior Castle – Spiritual Classics
Teresa of Avila-Way of Perfection – Spiritual Classics
St. Therese of Lisieux – Story of a Soul – Spiritual Classics
St. Thomas Aquinas – My Way of Life – Spiritual Classics
Tolkien – Lord of Rings – Literary Classics
Trochu – Cure of Ars – Holy Men and Women
Kristen Lavransdatter 1 – Literary Classics
Kristen Lavransdatter 2 – Literary Classics
Kristen Lavransdatter 3 – Literary Classics
Vann – The Divine Pity
Walsh – Our Lady of Fatima – History and Culture
Waugh – Brideshead Revisited – Literary Classics
Wegemer – Thomas More – Holy Men and Women
Weigel – Witness to Hope – Holy Men and Women

Last Chance Mass

Sacraments
Cyril and Methodius

This weekend I did … pretty much nothing. I didn’t feel very well and spent the weekend on the futon watching episode after episode of Kyle XY, followed by (when I had seen all the episodes) 17 Kids and Counting. Exciting times.

I didn’t make it off the couch and into the shower in time for 10:15 am Mass. Then, I got hungry and didn’t have the requisite hour fast for the 12:15 pm Mass. Ditto the 5 pm.

I was still not feeling well and permenently affixed to the couch at the end of the night. Time for the Last Chance Mass. Ss. Cyril and Methodius Slovak Church has an 8:30 pm Mass on Sunday night. I made it over there, but was still in my shorts and T-shirt. So, I hid in the chapel with people who were there for Reconciliation. It was quite nice. All the lights were off, so we were praying in the light of the vigil candle.

As Mass proceeded, however, I felt increasingly dizzy and nauseated. Finally, I felt that I had to leave early while I was still able to drive home. So, shortly after Communion began, I headed to the car.

And entered a monsoon. It was *pouring* out. I was soaked in 5 seconds. What is this? A second baptism? Is God angry I left early?

But…

I *love* storms. And heavy rains. I thought it was great. 🙂 So, I was the idiot heading to her car (at the far, far corner of the lot) with her hands orans, giggling at the water. And I felt a little bit better. 🙂

Is Something More Needed?

Health and Medicine
Stethoscope

I went to the doctor’s office last week.  I have a lot of different medical conditions, and as we were discussing one of them, my doctor suggested that I go on a particular medication to try and ameliorate one of the symptoms of this disease.  However, this particular drug is contraindicated in patients who have a clotting disorder, which I have.  My doctor knows of my clotting condition, yet wasn’t thinking of it, or the side effects of the drug, when she suggested it.

I reminded her of my clotting disorder, and she agreed that I should not be on the suggested medication.  No harm, no foul.

However…

I couldn’t keep from wondering about other patients.  What if they didn’t know the ramifications a medication could have on other medical conditions that they have?  What if they blindly trusted the suggestions of their doctor?

It’s not a question of the doctor’s culpability — everyone makes mistakes and can’t be expected to keep everything in mind.  This is why on most patient’s medical charts, a list of their allergies is featured prominently.  So that a medication to which the patient is allergic would not be accidentally prescribed.  However, I am not aware of any such alert system for other medications which might be contraindicated for whatever reason.

Perhaps another section should be featured on medical records?  A list of medications which should not be prescribed for the specific patient?

An Awesome Morning!

Uncategorized
Sanctuary by CadyLy
Sanctuary, a photo by CadyLy on Flickr.

I’m not sure why this morning was so great, but I loved it! 🙂 I was feeling quite sick last night and went to bed ridiculously early. Like 7 pm early. Which meant that I woke up at 1 am. I tried to go back to sleep, but there was nothing to be done. I was up for the day. Finally, at 1:48 am, I gave up and giggled my way out of bed.

I had my 2 am Cheerios and checked my e-mail, Facebook and all that necessary news.

Then, I had a great idea! 🙂

See, Fr. John had asked in one of his recent homilies for people to be stationed at the doors of the Church to greet people as they arrived for Mass.

Looking at this, and in particular the 6:30 am Mass that I was about to attend, I saw a critical problem.

Who was going to greet Fr. John?

I mean, this is a serious oversight, right?

I wouldn’t want my priest to feel unwelcome. And I *certainly* want him to keep coming back for Mass. We kind of need him. 🙂

So, I got the great idea of arriving early to greet him at the door. Of course, he prays a holy hour prior to Mass, so I’d have to arrive before 5:30 am in order to catch him. Which pretty much means leaving the house at 4:30 am, since I had to stop and get gas and Starbucks on the way. Good thing I was already up! 🙂

At Starbucks, there was a uniformed Marine openly mocking an Air Force serviceman who had a photo up on the community board. I chastised him for his lack of military solidarity. “Dude. You are so uncool…” 🙂

It was raining on the way there, but once I arrived, it had tapered off a bit. Sadly, the only place to sit was on the sidewalk leading up to the door. Which was wet. Oh well.

I didn’t even know if Fr. John had this Mass. But I took the chance and even packed my last chocolate pot de creme dessert for him … just in case. If he didn’t have Mass, I would take it in for a lucky co-worker. 🙂

But he did arrive. As he walked up, he said, “Hey! Look who’s huddled in the corner!” And I chirped in reply, “Good morning! Welcome to Mass!” He ended up greeting me to OLGC. LOL!

I got to spend my own holy hour in the chapel reading “The Living God” and the Bible prior to Mass.

And this is how I started my work day: seeing friends, getting a new book (Thanks, Jeff!), praying a holy hour, drinking an iced mocha, and receiving Jesus. Just try to tell me that my morning was not awesome! 🙂

St. Alphonsus De Liguori’s Conclusion to a Short Treatise on Prayer

Neat Things I Didn't Author, Prayer/Prayer Requests
Saint Alphonsus Liguori

I found this on the internet here, and thought it was so good, I needed to share with you!  Enjoy!

Let us pray, then, and let us always be asking for grace, if we wish to be saved. Let prayer be our most delightful occupation; let prayer be the exercise of our whole life. And when we are asking for particular graces, let us always pray for the grace to continue to pray for the future; because if we leave off praying we shall be lost. There is nothing easier than prayer. What does it cost us to say, Lord, stand by me! Lord, help me! give me Thy love! and the like? What can be easier than this? But if we do not do so, we cannot be saved. Let us pray, then, and let us always shelter ourselves behind the intercession of Mary: “Let us seek for grace, and let us seek it through Mary,” says St. Bernard. And when we recommend ourselves to Mary, let us be sure that she hears us and obtains for us whatever we want. She cannot lack either the power or the will to help us, as the same saint says: “Neither means nor will can be wanting to her.” And St. Augustine addresses her: “Remember, O most pious Lady, that it has never been heard that any one who fled to thy protection was forsaken.” Remember that the case has never occurred of a person having recourse to thee, and having been abandoned. Ah, no, says St. Bonaventure, he who invokes Mary, finds salvation; and therefore he calls her “the salvation of those who invoke her.” Let us, then, in our prayers always invoke Jesus and Mary; and let us never neglect to pray.

I have done. But before concluding, I cannot help saying how grieved I feel when I see that though the Holy Scriptures and the Fathers so often recommend the practice of prayer, yet so few other religious writers, or confessors, or preachers, ever speak of it; or if they do speak of it, just touch upon it in a cursory way, and leave it. But I, seeing the necessity of prayer, say, that the great lesson which all spiritual books should inculcate on their readers, all preachers on their hearers, and all confessors on their penitents, is this, to pray always; thus they should admonish them to pray; pray, and never give up praying. If you pray, you will be certainly saved; if you do not pray, you will be certainly damned.