Compassion in the rubble

On By dpavinatoIn Catholic faith, Daily Prayer, Every day Catholic, Spiritual JourneyLeave a comment

This week I have been touched by the story of Donaghy, Celtic name for “strong fighter”, a two-week old lamb that was rescued by Freedom Hill Sanctuary after undergoing all the normal procedures applied to young lambs on sheep farms. I will spare the details, you can research them, but after having these procedures done they wander in pain looking for their mothers again. For whatever reason, after five days, the farmer had compassion on this near lifeless and suffering creature, and called Freedom Hill Sanctuary to take him. Donaghy now has a chance at a better life. The pictures are difficult to see but they are caring for him and he has a warm cot and food to heal. He was taking food and improving but obviously still frightened. The image I used today was from Freedom Hill Sanctuary post this a.m. of Donaghy after healing touch and sound therapy (you can watch part of his response to the healing sounds on Instagram @freedomhillsanctuary). It filled my heart with such joy after seeing all the other pictures this week.

I haven’t seen the film “Sound of Freedom” yet with Jim Caviezel regarding child trafficking, but have heard it a deeply emotional and powerful story of a former CIA agent who goes undercover to rescue children. Last night on the news I watched a story of a restaurant owner from Highland Park who will be going to Ukraine to prepare meals. To have compassion – “to empathize with someone who is suffering and feel compelled to alleviate the suffering.”

This week, on one particular day, I was the recipient of three thoughtless comments, from separate individuals. Typically it throws me into judgement and criticism but for some reason I replaced my normal reaction with empathy for whatever the person was going through or simply the fact that they didn’t think about what they said before they said it. I certainly would like to do that more often! If I think about the number of times I have done the same, hopefully unintentionally, maybe it will be easier to respond with more grace and compassion.

During his homily this week, Fr. Carlson, our pastor at Holy Family talked about the weeds growing among the wheat, Matthew 13: 24-43, and how we see injustice around us in the world and wonder why. It can be challenging to deal with what we see in the world. The whole homily was rich with food for thought (you can find it on Facebook @holyfamilyoglesby, we livestream Masses) but the statements that captured my heart for reflection were: “There is evil that has to be endured. How much greatness within us would be lost if we didn’t have battles to fight? How much compassion would be lost if we didn’t have evil to endure?” By no means does this justify the evil. But we need to reflect on our own hearts and how we can look at these challenges in a different way. So I ask: Do I have a heart big enough for more compassion and what would that look like?

One of the authors we seem to return to over and over at work, for prayers of blessing, is Kate Bowler (@katecbowler and podcast – Everything Happens.). Her new book, The Lives We Actually Have, is full of lovely blessings. Her post on Instagram this morning was from another book, Good Enough: 40ish Devotionals for a Life of Imperfection. She says, in part of the blessing, “and while this life isn’t shiny, it does come with superpowers. superpowers of ever-widening empathy and existential courage that get you back up after another fall…” “and a deepened awe at the beauty and love that can be found amid life’s rubble. like flowers that grow from the cracks in the sidewalk. these virtues blossom in you. and thank God for you.” ending with “blessed are all of us who struggle, for we are in good company, and we’ll never walk alone.”

So let us pray for the grace of the “superpower” of compassion to help us bring more light and make the world a little brighter.

Blessings today and everyday, Deena

Image: As stated above, the image is from Freedom Hill Sanctuary Instagram and Facebook pages. I hope they would approve the use of their photo in hopes of raising awareness of their rescue organization and in hopes of creating a world with better farm practices for a more humane treatment of animals.

What seeds take root?

On By dpavinatoIn Daily Prayer, Every day Catholic, Life in the Spirit, Spiritual JourneyLeave a comment

Gardening is such a great analogy for life. There are so many parallels in writing or motivational thinking. You reap what you sow. If you have a dream, you have to nurture and care for it to see it come to fruition. From the Gospel for today, the Fifteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time, the seed that falls on rich soil produces fruit.

In the Strangest Secret by Earl Nightingale, one of my favorite motivational talks, Mr. Nightingale reminds us that what we do in life, and how we think, determines what we accomplish. We all begin with the belief in the possibility of our dreams and our intentions. Why don’t we achieve what we set out to accomplish? Mr. Nightingale suggests most people conform to life, and the belief of others, around us. The successful person is not a specific job or title, but rather someone who progressively works toward their desired goal or outcome. Without specific intention, direction, and guidance, we don’t end up where we want. His secret – “we become what we think about” or what we give our attention to.

When I go to my favorite garden centers and buy plants for the year, I don’t come home and plop them on the ground or in a pot, as is, and expect it to grow. Annuals need some nourishing potting soil, occasional fertilizer and even more water than plants in the flower beds. The perennials need the right spot of sun or shade, soil that is amended, proper pruning for the plant and of course, water. I care for the plants and then watch them take root and grow.

Today’s photo is of Black-eyed Susan (Rudbeckia) in my flower beds. I didn’t plant them in that spot. They are now growing along side a day lily plant and some echinacea (which looks like I have to give more space this year because of the Black-eyed Susan). The Black-eyed Susan are around the corner on the other side of the burning bush. The seed scattered, the soil was rich and it’s a sunny spot, which they prefer, so the plant has grown beautifully there. Perhaps too abundantly!

As we listen to scripture each day, or at least weekly, we are hearing and giving the Word of God a place to take root and plant seeds. Our faith grows as we mature spiritually. I don’t hear the Word proclaimed as a sixth grader and expect that level of faith to carry me the rest of my life, giving me counsel in every difficult or trying situation. I have to keep tending it, listening and growing, at the various phases of life. A deeply rooted and established plant in my garden isn’t going to topple in a storm. When the challenging situations come, the faith life that has been attended to over the years, is going to provide the firm foundation to help me navigate the difficult times. In his sermon on YouTube for this week, Bishop Barron suggests that the Word of God is creative (vs. descriptive or performative) and changes things. I would agree.

As a Benedictine Oblate and someone desiring a deeper faith life and closeness to God, I was reading daily scripture and reflections. But from the time, four or five years ago, on retreat when I heard (internal) the invitation to attend daily Mass things have changed. Oh believe me, I argued with God about that invitation – I was working and traveling, busy, etc. But the invitation persisted. I negotiated and said I would do the best I could. Do I still need to let that Word take better root, absolutely! There are days that it definitely falls among the weeds and is choked out by worry or lack of faith. But I keep listening. Over time, that Word we hear changes us, changes our perception of things and reaction to things. There are a ton of options, rather than being physically present at Mass if you find that challenging or you aren’t Catholic, YouTube or Facebook live streams, sites and apps like Hallow that you can simply listen to the scripture readings, etc. If you can become easily distracted, I would recommend listening to vs. reading scripture each day.

Whether success in work, family or faith, we become what we listen to and think about. Are you giving your attention to the things you want in life?

Peace, Deena

Both talks mentioned today can be found on YouTube

Photo is from my photo album of the Black-eyed Susan in my garden that is mentioned in the post.

Short and simple prayer

On By dpavinatoIn Benedictine Oblate, Daily Prayer, Every day Catholic, Spiritual Journey3 Comments

At some point this week I was reflecting on prayer during a time of distraction and focus on something that kept repeating over and over in my mind. I wanted it to stop! The Rule of St. Benedict is there for us seeking spiritual guidance in daily life, and especially for me as a Benedictine Oblate. In Chapter 20, St. Benedict says that “prayer should therefore be short and pure.” But Benedict often makes me smile because he always offers a modification or adjustment just in case the guidance is too harsh or doesn’t meet the needs of the individual. He adds in that same sentence “unless perhaps it <prayer> is prolonged under the inspiration of divine grace.”

Then Friday, reflecting on the call of Matthew by Jesus, Fr. Xavier of Conception Abbey, shared a quote from a book, Prayer of the Heart, by Fr. Jean Lafrance. Fr. Jean says “One of the greatest graces man may obtain in this world is to discover that, in the name of Jesus, he can integrate his whole existence, pray in all circumstances and be at ease everywhere.” Fr Xavier adds that we must, however, want to do it, to lift up our hearts to acknowledge God. He recommends that simply using the name of Jesus in prayer is a good way to do this. The message for me was when I keep worrying about something troubling or am upset by something someone said, I am acknowledging me, my thoughts, my desires. Of course, there are times to do that! But when it is troubling or preoccupying my mind, then perhaps my focus is ill-placed on my needs instead of making, as a follow up to my thoughts last week, God my priority in all things.

The website and Facebook page, Contemplative Outreach, based on the work and writings of Fr. Thomas Keating, reminded me that the desert fathers and mothers relied on the verses of the Psalms in their daily prayers. The Psalms offer so many helpful verses in short and succinct sentences that are easy to remember and repeat. We are probably all familiar with “The Lord is my Shepherd, I shall not want.” Today’s Responsorial Psalm, for the Fourteenth Sunday is an uplifting prayer of joy and gratitude; “I will praise your name forever, my king and my God.”

Many of us are familiar with the “Jesus Prayer”; “Lord Jesus Christ, son of God, have mercy on me a sinner.” I have used that in the past, especially during Lent, but it isn’t one that I find especially helpful when trying to quiet my mind. During the week I came up with my own version of a mantra or short prayer to use; “Jesus, Word made flesh, you chose to come among us, be with me.” I found it quite helpful. It was easy to repeat when driving, moving about the house or whenever I found my mind wandering back to the troubling thought.

Give it a try this week. If you are so inclined, I would love to hear one that you create or are currently using. Please share in the comments of this blog or on the Facebook or Instagram posts for this week’s blog.

Peace, Deena

Image: My photo album/a view of the hummingbird feeders at a monastery I visited.

Mid-year pause

On By dpavinatoIn Catholic faith, Daily Prayer, sacred listening, sacred waiting, Spiritual Journey3 Comments

My intention this morning was to sit down and let you know I was going to pause on a blog update for today. It’s been a busy, and at times trying, week. So, on this morning of rain and clouds, I reflected on taking the time to rest in the quiet of a Sunday morning. I don’t know about you, but slowing down often brings about a deeper listening to the stirrings within. Maybe all the other noise stops long enough to listen to the yearnings on a soul level.

As we begin a new month, and enter into the second half of this year, maybe it is a good time to pause and reflect on what is to come. For me, it will be the excitement of returning to Italy in October. In addition, my part-time work is at an exciting threshold space. Effective July 1, we boldly stepped into the world of non-profit ministry and are preparing for the official launch of the new website and offerings in August. All of our discernment and planning is about to bear fruit. As a result, I am finally beginning to feel settled into a balance of semi-retirement and doing work that is fulfilling on a vocational level. Yet, there are so many questions I still hold about my personal vocation and living out God’s call in my life.

This weekend Fr. Paul Carlson, our pastor at Holy Family Church, during his homily, asked us to consider the priority we give to God in our life and how that is reflected in our relationships, choices we make regarding how to spend our time and even decisions we make regarding how we spend our money (ugh, did I really need one more “special” cleaning cloth when I have at least 10!). He invited us to use this summer as a time to consider that relationship, to spend time in prayer with the desire to go deeper in our relationship with God.

As I caught up on some emails, I read Saturday’s Pause+Pray by Franciscan Media (you know by now it’s a favorite daily reflection page for me). In A Matter of Trust, some of these very questions to consider were raised regarding our level of trust and faith. “Am I willing to let go of…?” The more I trust and can respond “yes” to each question, the more deeply I enter into a trusting relationship with God. I begin to get a better understanding of the priority God has in each of those various aspects of my life.

I think they are great questions to ponder this month/this summer. I hope you find them helpful too.

Peace, Deena

Photo from my PicMonkey account/Shuttersplash

Careful and thoughtful listening

On By dpavinatoIn Benedictine Oblate, Catholic faith, Every day Catholic, sacred listening, Spiritual Journey2 Comments

In her book, The Monastery of the Heart, Sr. Joan Chittister said “Benedictine spirituality requires careful listening and responding to the Word of God, to the call of the Jesus who leads us, and to the call of the community, that is the foundation of our spiritual life.” As a Benedictine Oblate of a monastery, I do listen to the guidance and call of the community of which I made my profession but it’s not the same way as a religious sister of that monastery. I can do what I want each day and work where I want. But as a Catholic Christian woman, I do try my best to listen and respond to the Word of God proclaimed each day in the scripture readings during daily Mass or for my personal reflection.

Today’s Gospel Reading reminds us that we don’t have to be afraid, we are seen, known and loved. Why then, do we have sleepless nights? Why do we spend hours imagining the worse scenarios in situations that we don’t have any control over? You wouldn’t believe some of the things I have worried about at 2 a.m. each morning this past week! They weren’t even concerns in my life, events that I cannot possibly impact the outcome of. Fortunately at some point I turned the worry into prayer over those impacted.

Fr. Paul Sheller’s comments for Conception Abbey’s Scripture Reflection for the Twelfth Sunday in Ordinary Time, for their Online Spiritual Journey series, quoted Trappist Monk and author, Dom Eugene Boylon saying “But Jesus also saw clearly that the only obstacle to the achievement of His cherished purpose for me was my own refusal to trust Him, to believe Him, to cast all my cares upon Him, to take Him at His word.” Whether a spiritual vocation, a decision regarding how to spend time or when reflecting on the meaning of daily Scripture, the suggestion that I am refusing to trust Jesus and cast my cares on God is one I am going to reflect on this week.

I wonder if some of you are feeling the same way. How might we trust in God more this week?

Peace, Deena

Photo: a finch in my flower garden a couple of years ago, trusting the seed they want will be there.

A Canticle of Living

On By dpavinatoIn Catholic faith, Every day Catholic, Spiritual Journey, Teachers and Guides on the journeyLeave a comment

Most high, all powerful, all good Lord! All praise is Yours, all glory, all honor, and all blessing.

Yesterday I attended the 75th jubilee of my cousin, Sr. Mary Frances Seeley, at the “Motherhouse Chapel” as it is still fondly called although the building has been sold to the University of St. Francis for administrative offices and classrooms. Sr. Mary Frances, along with several other members of her Franciscan Community, the Sisters of St. Francis of Mary Immaculate, including sisters from their community in Brazil, celebrated their jubilees. Combined there was a celebration of 480 years of religious life and another 100+ of Associate commitment (Associates are lay members of the Franciscan community just as I am an Oblate of a Benedictine Community.). I was so happy I attended but it was a day flooded with memories too.

When I was a college student at St. Francis we did not attend Masses or religious services in the “Motherhouse Chapel”, we had a separate chapel in the Tower Building of USF. But I have been in the Motherhouse chapel many times. My aunt, Sr. Evarista, was also a member of this community. Of course we visited the Motherhouse when I was growing up, during those years we weren’t allowed to go in the living areas. Sr. Evarista was the one that invited me to consider the possibility of attending college at St. Francis. She was also the person that ignited my high school interest in psychology and sociology. As I sat in the chapel and reflected on the years of service and faithfulness being honored I reflected on the many hours that Sr. Evarista would have prayed in that chapel or walked those halls. I was overwhelmed with her presence. I visited with Sr. Kathleen, being honored for her 60 year jubilee, who was the campus minister when I attended St. Francis. She counseled and consoled me many times during my years, particularly the early ones when I was trying to figure things out and find my way. She remembered me and looked at me with the same loving, caring eyes that she did over 40 years ago. A college friend, Sr. Jeanne Bessette, is now President of their community. I watched her lead the community on this special day with the same grace, humility and humor that she had as a young college woman.

As I watched, remembered and prayed for these women, I found myself questioning all my life decisions and what would have happened if I responded “yes” to Sr. Carlene’s invitation to join the community. Where would I be now? What work would I have accomplished? Would I feel that my life has had more meaning and purpose?

The reflection, given by Sr. Margaret Hoffman, after the gospel (Amen to that!) shared lovely stories of trusting in God’s providence and handing worries over to God. I am sure the many years of service in various areas have not been without worry and have demanded great confidence that God will provide. They have served in many areas such as teaching, financial and administrative positions, community services, hospital and care for the elderly, and crisis care and suicide prevention (Sr. Mary Frances founded the Upper Room Crisis Center, is working on the publication of a book and has spent many years in leadership training and consulting in crisis management and suicide prevention ).

Sr. Margaret’s message hit me hard. The decisions I have made have led me where I am. There is no point in regret or questioning. “Can any of you by worrying add a single moment to your life-span?” (Matthew 25-27, 33-34) I must say the same as Sr. Margaret in her closing comment, and the theme for their Jubilee Celebration: For all that has been, Thanks. To all that shall be, Yes. (Dag Hammarskjold).

Laudate et benedicete mi Signore et rengratiate e seruiteli cum grande humilitate.

Translated: Praise and bless my Lord, and give thanks, and serve Him with great humility.

Peace, Deena

Opening and Closing Verses from Canticle of the Creatures, by St. Francis.

Image – art by Guistina de Toni I found hanging on the walls of the Motherhouse. I can’t find anything on this artist except to confirm the name. I am on a mission to find out more!

A Procession of Faith

On By dpavinatoIn Catholic faith, Every day Catholic, Life in the Spirit, Spiritual JourneyLeave a comment

After graduating from college, my friend Jane and I took a trip to Europe. Our first stop was London. The gentleman we sat next to on the flight from Chicago to London was quite kind and gave us lots of tips on what to do and see during our time in Europe. I am sure he saw these two naive young women and thought – they will either be afraid to explore or they will get in trouble. It was a different time then but his best advice, be adventuresome. He helped us mark our travel book with “must see” destinations. We arrived in London on a beautiful sunny day, I don’t think we saw one typical foggy English day during the several days we were there, so we dropped our bags off at the hotel and found “the Tube” and headed to Hyde Park. Hyde Park is the largest of the Royal Parks and has beautiful large gardens and a network of paths and sidewalks linking the gardens, fountains and places of interest in the Park. I remember all the sidewalks because as we arrived and looked around, I saw several religious processions around the Park with gold vestments and canopies. I remembered it was the Solemnity of Corpus Christi, the Most Holy Body and Blood of Jesus. It’s a memory that comes back to me each and every year on this beautiful feast day we celebrate today.

I don’t recall processions growing up. Growing up in the 60’s and spending several years in upstate New York, perhaps the age-old tradition had waned here in the Illinois Valley and in New York State but in more recent years I have seen a revival. My local parish began having processions around the church, or one year even inside the church because of rain, when Fr. Gary Blake was our pastor. The picture I used for today’s blog is an annual procession, that seems to get bigger each year, hosted by the LaSalle Catholic Parishes. It travels from St. Hyacinth’s church to Shrine of Our Lady of the Holy Rosary, just under one mile, through the streets of LaSalle. It includes the Eucharistic procession, music, horses, school children dressed in their First Communion outfits, parishioners with special t-shirts and concludes with Eucharistic adoration stops. It is amazing! I am moved each year but the devotion to our Lord in the Blessed Sacrament. It is a public statement, a profession and a procession, of faith to community members.

Today also marks the beginning of The Year of Parish Revival, the second phase of three, as part of the Eucharistic Revival movement. I am honored to be one of the two parish representatives for Holy Family Parish. The revival, grew from concern over the results of “pew studies”, and declining Catholic belief, that Jesus is truly present in the Blessed Sacrament. Two-thirds of Catholics reported that the Eucharist was merely a symbolic representation of Jesus’ presence. Bishop Robert Barron, Chair of the Committee on Evangelization and Catechesis at that time, shared with fellow bishops that there was a serious problem that needed to be addressed. Committees and meetings took place and the Revival was launched. Bishop Andrew Cozzens, now Chair of the Committee on Evangelization, has brought the fruit of those discussions to fulfillment. If your parish is involved, find out more. If not, ask your priest how to part of the parish-level revival. There are beautiful documents, parish kits and trainings to aid us during this special year of grace.

During graduate school, I attended a Newman Center for Mass and special liturgies. It was a wonderful Center, a peaceful place to study and a place of fellowship. At one point I found myself questioning my beliefs, particularly in the Eucharist, and asked to speak to one of the priests serving at the Center. I shared my concerns and questions. He asked me “Would you throw the Eucharist on the floor?” I said, “No! Of course not!” He replied then that I had a reverence for the Eucharist and that my questions were normal. I appreciated his help but now looking back I see it was misguided and perhaps the reason that many Catholics began to see the Eucharist as representing something holy, as reflected in the 2019 Pew Forum, but not actually the Body and Blood of Jesus. Our catechesis was lacking!

There are a couple of ways to look inward at your own belief, if you are Catholic, in the Eucharist. First, and most importantly, is to revisit the Church’s teaching on the Eucharist as the “source and summit of the Christian life”. Each week, or perhaps daily, at Mass, we witness the transubstantiation, bread and wine used for Communion, becoming the body and blood of Jesus. It is a miracle repeated each and every day. Another way is to spend some time researching the documented Eucharistic Miracles throughout the world. I had the great privilege of visiting the Church of St. Stephen in Santarem, Portugal and seeing the Sacred Host that has been enclosed in a reliquary since the miracle in (or around) 1247. It continues to liquify the Holy Blood over the centuries.

Blessed Carlo Acutis, an English-born Italian tech savvy teen, who died at the age of 15 in 2006, documented over 136 Eucharistic Miracles onto a website before he died. He was extremely devoted to the Eucharist, attending daily Mass and offering his sufferings from leukemia for the intentions of Pope Benedict XVI, who was the sitting pope during Blessed Carlo’s final years. He was like any other child in family videos singing at school plays or a typical teenager enjoying films, soccer, and video games. But Carlos also spent time after school volunteering to help the homeless of his city. He asked his parents to take him to many of the sites of Eucharistic Miracles in Europe. The website he created can be viewed or pdf’s downloaded to use in parishes. A traveling Eucharistic Miracle exhibition visited our area last year and exhibits continue to travel around country. He is one of the patron saints of the Eucharistic Revival movement.

St. Thomas Acquinas, Doctor of the Church and one of the greatest scholastic philosophers, said that “the Eucharist is the sacrament of love. It signifies love. It produces love.” To that I say, Amen.

Peace, Deena

Image used is from the Corpus Christi Procession in LaSalle, IL 2021

Summertime, let’s make the living easy

On By dpavinatoIn Benedictine Oblate, Every day Catholic, Spiritual JourneyLeave a comment

I read a quote posted on social media this morning from an author and “behavioral change” expert I follow, Karen Salmansohn that said “Sit. Breathe. There are 1440 minutes in a day. You can use 3 of them for self care.” I have been challenging myself to do it more – more pauses to breath, to sit on a patio for a few minutes with the cats to listen to the birds and enjoy my flowers, to make a cup of tea, or to read. Simply, more savoring the moment and giving myself permission to pause.

I recall from trips to Europe that there were times in the afternoon when the shops closed and people rested. A riposo (in Italy or siesta in Spain) is a time to break from the summer heat, have a meal, and spend time with family. The English have the lovely tradition of pausing for afternoon tea. In the past that might have been an energy drink or tea at my desk, which is getting up but not really pausing. I am being more intentional about taking a break after working in the morning and early afternoon, before starting my errands or tasks, to take a few moments of quiet rest or stillness. You might still be at work full-time so this sounds impossible, but perhaps it could be to step away from your desk to the break-room area or a picnic table outside. I wonder how the rest of the afternoon might go after a few relaxing minutes?

Over the past few years the invitation to make Sunday the “Lord’s Day” has hit home for me. It was harder to do when working full-time than it has been the past couple of years, but I have been pausing on Sunday to read, journal, pray and reflect or spend time with family. It is not a day for errands, washing clothes or cleaning. In the Chapter 48 of the Rule of St. Benedict, the guidance is to use Sunday for reading. In Jane Tomaine’s book, St. Benedict’s Toolbox: The Nuts and Bolts of Everyday Benedictine Living, we are reminded that Benedict creates a balance of daily activities that are comprised of “work and prayer, study and recreation, rest and activity, time alone and time together”. Taking time for self-care, physical and spiritual, is an important aspect of this balance. Jane reminds us that even St. Benedict allowed a time of rest for the monks, on their beds, after lunch.

Yesterday, after watering the flowers and plants in the landscaping, I paused to rest from the heat but also to enjoy the beauty of the plants flourishing around me. For those of you with school children or grandchildren, the school year has concluded. Days and activities change, days at the pool or evening baseball games are now part of the schedule. How can you find a moment to enjoy the time outside allowing it to restore and nurture you, despite the busy schedule. Of course, don’t forget to protect your skin from the sun too!

If I have learned one thing living with cats it is to stretch and take long naps. Even though they are in the house with the air conditioning, they seem to slow down a bit in the summer, savoring the time to rest during the afternoon heat.

I was reminded of the song Summertime this morning when I sat down to write this. I thought you might enjoy a couple of different renditions of the song. Stop for a few minutes, pause and breathe as you listen to one or all of them.

Peace, Deena

Ella Fitzergerald: Summertime

Norah Jones: Summertime

George Gershwin’s Summertime by the All Virginia Orchestra 2014

Why we do what we do

On By dpavinatoIn Catholic faith, Doing what we love, Life in the Spirit, Spiritual Journey, UncategorizedLeave a comment

This morning, reading Maria Shriver’s Sunday Paper, I reflected on the question she and her team were asked by a facilitator brought in to conduct an offsite session to assess where they are and where they want to be, as writers for the Sunday Paper. They were asked “Why do you do this?” “To what end?”. Great questions for all of us. Why do we do what we do?

Many of you have shared in response to my posts from Maria that you started following her after I have shared her articles or that you admire her too. We post sunsets and flowers and graduation pictures. I have friends on “vacations”- one on a long trip to Israel visiting many of the holy sites I long to visit, others now returning from an incentive cruise to Norway as a result of great success with their stamp & paper crafting businesses and recently a group that traveled to Italy with my friend and author, Judith Valente, visiting lesser known Benedictine spiritual sites. I have enjoyed each and every picture they have shared from their journeys. I think we share those moments with each other to make a connection, to have companions for those special moments or to impart some information that we found helpful.

We recommend recipes and great restaurants because we want others to have the wonderful experience we had. We share the ordinary moments that make us smile, like my cats in their new cardboard box, which they won’t let me breakdown yet, or a friend who takes his dogs to establishments in Florida for lunch or refreshment and afternoon music. Are these things going to change the world? No, but they bring moments of happiness as we share them and as our friends participate, albeit virtually, in those moments with us. My morning posts of a coffee cup or an inspirational quote are not going to change your life, that’s for sure, but I hope it gives each of us a minute to pause and think about something pleasant in the world.

I share my love for essential oils, or a new system I have found to reduce pain and promote healing and restoration, because I want others to experience the same benefits I have found. Whether it’s health and well-being, kitchen items or jewelry, I believe that my friends are sharing these items because it brings them some delight or comfort. Maybe that’s what small communities used to be like. People set up their small businesses because they knew it was a trade they were good at and wanted to help others.

I am looking forward to reading a new book I found out about this week from author Kate Bowler, written by her former Yale professor Miroslav Volf, Life Worth Living; A Guide to What Matters Most. To be a complete fan girl of Maria Shriver today, she wrote opening comments to the book regarding her new venture, Open Field, and she said “We are all seeking the same things. We’re all seeking dignity. We’re all seeking joy….seeking to be seen, to be safe….We can all give each other these (spiritual) gifts if we share what we know-what has lifted us up and moved us forward.” Her new venture, Open Field, with Penguin Books is the publisher of this book. My initial sense of the book so far is that it asks all the Questions – questions that challenge us, inspire us to define what’s really important, face the limiting beliefs that prevent us from pursuing it and then start making the changes to get there.

Hopefully we do the work we do, paid or volunteer, because it brings us joy and fulfillment. At some point we must have reflected that it would be work we would enjoy or it is a gift or talent that we have. If it no longer does that, perhaps it’s a good time to ask why not and how we could change that activity to become more meaningful again. Or maybe it’s an opportunity to consider doing something new. It may be a stretch to think about a new venture. My transition from corporate life to ministry work has invited me to use a prayerful, discerning heart and mind over a rational, pragmatic one. It isn’t always easy to change but it may make a difference in each and every day of your life and potentially to the lives of those you impact on a daily basis.

Today is the Solemnity of Pentecost. We celebrate the birth of the Church with Mary and the Apostles but that continues to come alive each day in us. Ronald Rolheiser’s reflection in Give Us This Day for today, May 28, was poignant. He said “We are always dying in some ways, though never dead. We are always alive with new life. But we need to grieve what’s dead, adjust to the new, and let the old ascend. If we do this, Pentecost will happen in our lives. We will receive a new spirit for the life that we are, in fact, living.” Then he made a statement that perhaps is the answer I have been seeking for many years. He said that the Holy Spirit brings about the “dissatisfaction and restlessness” that we feel until our lives, and the spirit by which we are living them, is integrated and aligned. To that I say, Come Holy Spirit! Let us continue to pray for the gifts of the Holy Spirit in our lives: Wisdom, Understanding, Counsel, Fortitude, Knowledge, Piety, and Fear or Respect of the Lord.

Peace be with you, Deena

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I am with you always

On By dpavinatoIn Catholic faith, Every day Catholic, sacred waiting, Spiritual Journey3 Comments

Today is Ascension Sunday in most dioceses. I can only imagine the feelings of the apostles as Jesus reminds them He will be with them always, that He will send the Holy Spirit but then leaves them again. They watched Him suffer and die, He appeared to them after rising from the dead. He taught them and then He was gone again.

I read a reflection this morning, from Conception Abbey, for Ascension Sunday, in which Fr. Martinez shares a connection between the Ascension and the anniversary of his mother’s passing. He shares that he and his siblings came to understand that their mother was always with them if they lived as she had raised them. I think we probably have all had that kind of experience after losing someone we loved.

I will always remember the first time I was going to start planting a garden, the Spring after my dad’s passing. I said “Ok Dad, let’s do this”. I got all my holes dug, tomato plants lined up and knelt down to begin the task of putting them in. I heard, as clearly as if he was standing behind me, “You forgot the MiracleGro!”. I laughed out loud, got up and headed to the garage and proceeded to plant them “correctly” as I watched him do for so many years!

Fr. Martinez concludes that the apostles, and us, as children of faith, do the same if we listen to and follow the ways of Jesus. I am sure the apostles heard Jesus’ voice in their hearts and minds at times after the Ascension, just as clearly as I heard my Dad’s voice in the garden. It is the spirit of our loved ones that lives with us and keeps them alive, always with us, in our hearts. It was with the coming of the Holy Spirit that the disciples were able to go on and be witnesses to Him throughout the world, to be the new body of Christ. The same is true for us.

During the Mass of the Ascension of our Lord, the Easter candle is extinguished. Jesus has ascended to the Father and the Easter season has concluded. The sanctuary light, by the tabernacle in every Catholic Church, reminds us that Jesus remains with us, in the Most Blessed Sacrament. I have seen people walk in a church and genuflect toward the windows, the altar, and a variety of other directions. In newer church designs, it may be that they don’t know where the tabernacle is, so they are just kneeling toward the front which has the altar used for Mass. In other cases, it perhaps reflects that they don’t understand that we are kneeling, in reverence, to our Lord, present to us at all times in the Blessed Sacrament.

If you walk in a church and don’t know where the tabernacle, with Jesus is, just look for the red sanctuary candle. It burns at all times, until after The Mass of the Lord’s Supper on Holy Thursday when Jesus is removed during the holy days of Triduum, until Easter Vigil. My aunt, a Franciscan sister, used to make the sign of the cross as my Mom would drive by a church between my house and my other aunts home, during her visits with us. I thought she was doing so because it was a church. It wasn’t until I understood my faith more and learned that she was doing so because Jesus was present in that church, as He is in all Catholic Churches, in the Blessed Sacrament, in the tabernacle.

My essential oil classmate, Pat Brockman Iannone, shared this beautiful photo from her trip to Jerusalem, that I am using today with her permission, from the Church of the Holy Sepulchre. She wasn’t sure if there was a tabernacle by the hanging candle, but I did research to learn that there is an Orthodox tabernacle in the Church at the altar of Golgotha. Her photo reminds me of the older beautiful hanging sanctuary lights that were used in churches in Europe or older, more traditional design churches. Regardless of the style, the sanctuary lights remind us that Jesus said “Behold, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” (Matthew 28:20)

I still have a preference for Ascension on Thursday, old-fashioned I guess. It provides an opportunity to savor the 10 days of waiting for Pentecost. My team at work decided to take this time for a “mini-retreat” and pray a novena between Ascension Thursday and Pentecost with prayers to the Holy Spirit to fill our hearts and minds as we continue discernment and work toward the official launch of Ignatian Ministries as a non-profit and our new website. This week, how might you reflect on the ways that Jesus is always with you and prepare for a deeper union with the Holy Spirit on Pentecost Sunday.

Peace, Deena

Photo by Patricia Brockman Iannone. Pat is also an essential oil educator and practitioner. Her website is gingkotreehealing.com. GingkoTree Healing is also on Facebook.

Concluding Prayer of the Divine Praises: May the heart of Jesus, in the Most Blessed Sacrament, be praised, adored, and loved with grateful affection, at every moment, in all the tabernacles of the world, even to the end of time. Amen.