Grace in a time of COVID-19

Aside from seeing my roommate (who is leaving to go to her parents' place for a few days), I have not been in normal contact or conversation with anyone outside of virtual chats, Zoom calls, or FaceTime.

One thing I have done regularly, though, is go outside for either a run or a walk (or two) every day. And on these excursions, without fail to this point, I have encountered a friend - one from ACE, one from my church Sunday night prayer group, and one parent from my previous school. And let me tell you - those short encounters have been true moments of grace from God.

Each interaction was brief.
No hugs were given.
But real conversation happened; we were present in that moment.
And it was wonderful.

In this time of uncertainty and isolation, I find consolation in these moments.
And I find grace in a time of COVID-19.

Seek and you shall...journal?

I bought myself a Christmas gift.

I've been meaning to get back into journaling for awhile now, so I decided to put an end to my excuses. This journal's format provides space to daily record morning and evening entries. The morning entry focuses on gratitude as well as anticipated challenges and grace you need from God. The evening entry focuses on the high and low moments from your day. At the end of each week, there is a weekly reflection as well as ponder questions and space for prayer intentions.

It's incredibly simple and structured...and that makes it all the more likely I will use it (thoughtfully). I think it makes a difference to go into each day naming a challenge you anticipate so that you are aware of it when it comes and how God can help you in that situation or with those feelings.

The back of the book includes a number of Jesuit prayers. I've included a few of my favorites here:

You can read more about the journal at the Ignatian Resources website. If you think journaling may help your relationship with God and others, I recommend you look into getting one (or at least getting a blank notebook).

In other news, I saw a post on someone's Facebook or Instagram about a Saint's name generator - it's a website that randomly gives the user a Saint. The idea is that you learn more about the Saint or you invoke the Saint's help for the year (or for a time period). Lo and behold, I got St. John Bosco! Needless to say, I was pretty excited (even if it is just a random online generator). I love the Salesians - and they keep finding a way to come back into my life...

The Saints are a great way to grow closer to God and to inspire us to live each day striving to be the best versions of ourselves. Inspired by this, one of my New Year's goals is to invoke the intercession of both John Bosco and Mary, Help of Christians, each day during 2018. (I'm also trying to cook more regularly and eat more healthily this year, but that's another story for another time...)

St. John Bosco, pray for us! Mary, Help of Christians, pray for us! I hope 2018 is off to a wonderful start for you and your loved ones.

What an Amazing Grace It Is!

I was never a huge fan of the song "Amazing Grace" growing up - it was one of those ones that, when we sang it, I didn't really feel anything special. It was just a song, one we had to sing every so often because it sounded good. (So, needless to say, I have, over time, committed it to memory.)

However, last night at my church's contemplative Mass, I had a different experience. I think what hit me this time was the word grace (which clearly is in the title, but which, also clearly, I have taken for granted) - it's not by any means of our own that we earn salvation; it's already been won by Jesus who died for us on the cross! (How many times have I sung this song and not really thought of that?!) I think all of the weekly Fr. Barron Catholicism lessons are finally starting to hit home...

It was, to sound cliche, amazing to finally (after all these years) come to this realization - what an amazing grace God has given us! Now, it's our turn to go out in the world, accept it, and share it with others!

~ ~ ~ ~ ~
On an unrelated note (but one that, in some way, has to do with graces), I am so grateful to the family and friends who helped Marisa and me celebrate our birthday this weekend. From enjoying a fish fry after conferences on Friday to phone calls and texts to St. Patrick's Day festivities to getting ice cream to gathering together for margaritas and chips after Mass last night - wow.

Now, if only Michigan State had won their bball game versus Wisconsin yesterday, it would have been pretty perfect... c'est la vie...

Planting Seeds of Faith

After the students' Confirmation vigil and rehearsal last night, one of the moms introduced me to her daughter's sponsor by saying, "This is the woman who's taught my daughter all about the Catholic faith." I was astonished that she would give me so much "credit," as this particular family is one I know of that practices the faith regularly and engages in opportunities of service and growth in relationship with God. It was a simple affirmation, and it was one I needed, as (in the education field, as anyone would likely tell you) it's hard to know sometimes if one is making a difference.

This ties into what my Bible Study group was discussing the other night - we often plant seeds but do not ever know if those seeds have taken root and blossomed. (If we saw the fruit of every seed "planted," I imagine we'd lose a little (or a lot of) humility.) We have to rely on faith and the grace of God.

I pray that the seeds that have been planted in these young people over their years at our Catholic school and over the experiences they've had with their family and friends will one day take root and hold firm. May God bless them abundantly and the Holy Spirit fill them with the Gifts and Fruit they need to be men and women for Christ. Amen.