Joining the Philly-loving Kelly today for some quick takes, head over there for all the news of the WMOF!
{one}
Guys, I say this every week, but I truly mean to blog more than once a week! What's happening to me?!?! Actually I know what's happening to me, it's September and we've been firmly enmeshed in trying to get back on track school wise. Man, homeschooling is so pesky about the mom being all self-disciplined and in charge and stuff. So I've been really trying to go hard on making everyday routines stick, and making sure we get stuff done. You know, kicking ass and taking names. Or; in my case, teaching small children their ABC's while keeping smaller children from dismantling the furniture. So glam.
{two}
Yesterday was the quintessential fall day here. The leaves are turning golden, the air is still warm even though the sun sets early and there's frost on the ground in the morning. It's just dreamy. The leaves are on fire right now as I write this at sunset, and I wish that the leaves lasted more than the week they usually do. September is a really beautiful month. (I'm choosing to completely disregard the other day where the high was 5 degrees and I could barely send the kids out....lalalalala)
{three}
I've become a complete Pope nerd this! Actually, I've always been a Pope nerd since my World Youth Days, my reading of encyclicals for fun...yeah, pretty nerdy. But this week has been so exciting to watch the Holy Father on his visit to America. I really wish I could be there because that excitement in seeing the Pope in person is really incredible. I still remember crying as Saint John Paul II cruised past me. I just love hearing what he has to say, and honestly I love watching the side show that is the media. It's really fascinating to watch all sorts of media reactions and make something out of nothing or nothing our of something.
{four}
I did however have to bite my hand off as I saw him alongside politicians that I think are so contemptible and completely devoid of integrity. I know, they're people. I need to respect them. They have immortal souls that deserve to be blessed by the Holy Father. God loves them. But still....holy hand biting, Batman!
{five}
I really liked the Pope's address at the White House even though it was a bit disjointed and focused a bit heavy-handedly on climate change. But the first paragraph is what I really loved:
"American Catholics are committed to building a society which is truly tolerant and inclusive, to safeguarding the rights of individuals and communities, and to rejecting every form of unjust discrimination. With countless other people of good will, they are likewise concerned that efforts to build a just and wisely ordered society respect their deepest concerns and their right to religious liberty."
I felt defended! Catholics aren't intolerant! We want justice and to treat people equitably! We want to work together for a better society!
After the summer of brow beating, it felt good to be defended in that way, to say to America and the West what Catholics are about by Pope Francis who is so easily beloved by main stream media. Maybe that's just me blowing something out of proportion, but it really struck me and I appreciated it.
{six}
I'm glued to the tv today for the Pope's address to the UN and am really looking forward to his statements at the World Meeting of Families. I think they're going to be important, still subtle and personal to his style of public speaking, but important.
I'm also loving following Kelly as she hits up the World Meeting of Families, make sure you check in with her!
{seven}
In other non-papal new...we had a terrific episode of the podcast air this week in which Mary Lenaburg shares the powerful conclusion to her daughter Courtney's story. Mary shares the initimate moments of being with Courtney as she died, and it really brings to light the power and importance the journey of death is. I really hope you get a chance to listen to it as it's really amazing. Part 1 of the interview was here.
Also; in case Facebook refused to show you, I guest posted at Jenny's last week talking about abstinence in marriage and why we never talk about it. So cheery topic! I'm going to also publish it here in my archives in case you ever want to find it again. Or you can email me if you wanna talk.
Happy Fall weekend everyone - drink a Pumpkin Spice Latte for me! (I'm still enduring the Whole 30)
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I'm so with you on #4 and #5. I have been praying for Pope Francis by asking for St. JPII's intercession for him during this trip, because there's nothing like the western media to go all spin cycle on something fairly innocuous that the Pope said. I also felt that he totally made his point about religious freedom by seeing the Little Sisters of the Poor instead of hanging at the White House after his opening remarks, and LOVE that he went to eat lunch with the homeless.
ReplyDeleteLove the Batman reference!!! I've recently been binging on the 1960s Batman, so those expressions are often bouncing in my head :)
ReplyDeleteHaha, I've definitely had some interesting reactions to this papal visit (one notably occurring at the White House, when President Obama spoke about our nation's dedication to religious freedom, and I was like, "Mr. President, where have you been for the last few years???"). I'm totally excited that you've read encyclicals for fun, because I do that too!!!!!! Or any ol' documents from the Holy See. I think there's some pretty neat stuff out there! This week, I have gotten so little done in the realm of my "To Do" list, because I'm in "All Papal Visit All The Time" mode. When I'm not live-streaming it, I'm read through his speeches, blogging about my reactions and what he's said, reading blogs about it, looking through adorable pictures of the pope...you get the idea. I'm a total fan of how he has been super loving, kind, gentle, and compassionate as well as BLUNT. Super straightforward. I'm enjoying it, and I'm excited to see what he does in Philadelphia!!
I'm so with you on the hand-biting, uggggghhhhh! Also, I wanted to add that I absolutely LOVED your piece on abstinence. It was so refreshing and perfectly stated. Thank you!
ReplyDeleteMy husband asked me yesterday if Canadian Catholics were upset that Pope Francis is in the U.S. and not their country. As the "expert" on things Canadian/Catholic...what would you say to that?
ReplyDeleteI have been saving my papal visit reactions until I get a chance to read, then watch, everything. The Catholic approach is usually to react slowly, and I like it that way.
ReplyDeleteI think my favorite reaction was a parish's LCD marquee that said, "Like Pope Francis? Come to the church he leads!"