Ok, so, I’m not going to give the UNIVERSE the LONG of it, just the SHORT of it.  Suffice it to say that my life led me to the Catholic Church.  Interesting, isn’t it?  When the subjects of faith and religion come up, I spend a great deal of my time accepting eye-rolling, but it doesn’t impact the peace I have at the core of me.  I stand firm.  I feel such utter joy about my decision to become Catholic while in University,  that I pretty much thank God every day for that and would not view myself as needing to be defensive about that decision.  I hang out with some very smart people and I trust that they can deal with my views being different from theirs.  I love and accept my friends who have different views from my own.  In the meantime, I hold fast to the promises of my Lord, the Maker.

I think that what I have most gleaned from life and Holy Scripture is that it is important to lead by example.  I have been most impacted by those people who were fine examples of kind and loving people who proclaimed the Blessed Trinity through their every gesture and word.  God can not help but speak through his faithful servants.

Prayer to the Sacred Heart of Jesus
by Blessed John Henry Newman

Most Sacred, most loving Heart of Jesus
you are concealed in the Holy Eucharist,
and you beat for us still.
Now, as then, you say:

“With desire I have desired.”

I worship you with all my best love and awe,
with fervent affection,
with my most subdued, most resolved will.
For a while you take up your abode within me.
O make my heart beat with your Heart!
Purify it of all that is earthly, all that is proud and sensual,
of all perversity, of all disorder.
So fill it with you, that neither the events of this day,
nor the circumstances of the time,
may have the power to ruffle it;
but that in your love and your fear, it may have peace.  Amen

“Breathe Me”

by Sia

Help, I have done it again
I have been here many times before
Hurt myself again today
And, the worst part is there’s no-one else to blame

Be my friend
Hold me, wrap me up
Unfold me
I am small
I’m needy
Warm me up
And breathe me

Ouch I have lost myself again
Lost myself and I am nowhere to be found,
Yeah I think that I might break
I’ve lost myself again and I feel unsafe

Be my friend
Hold me, wrap me up
Unfold me
I am small
I’m needy
Warm me up
And breathe me

Be my friend
Hold me, wrap me up
Unfold me
I am small
I’m needy
Warm me up
And breathe me

Breathe!

April 1, 2012

Since attending the Roman Catholic Diocese Faith Life Stewardship Forum on Faith, I’ve been inspired, even by the people who I meet during the social afterwards.  This has been a true blessing, a time for me to grow at my core.  I’ve learned a recent devotion to St. Monica and I’m grateful for that grace.

Dear St. Monica, 
troubled wife and mother, 
many sorrows pierced your heart during your lifetime. 
Yet, you never despaired or lost faith. 
With confidence, persistence, and profound faith, 
you prayed daily for the conversion 
of your beloved husband, Patricius,
and your beloved son, Augustine; 
your prayers were answered. 
Grant me that same fortitude, patience, 
and trust in the Lord. 
Intercede for me, dear St. Monica, 
that God may favorably hear my plea for 

(Mention your intention here.)

and grant me the grace to accept His Will in all things, 
through Jesus Christ, our Lord, 
in the unity of the Holy Spirit, 
one God, forever and ever.

Amen.