In 2019, Give Me 5

2019 - Holy cow, it feels like we're talking about some futuristic time period. Yet, the calendar flips to it tomorrow at midnight. I'm sure I don't need to tell you this, but time sure flies.

I know it's cliche to talk about goals for the upcoming year, but I figure I should put my own in writing anyways...and now is as good a time as any, isn't it? Now, some of these things I am already committed to, but I'm pretty sure they still count, even if I made these goals/commitments within the past few months:

1. Use my talents for the betterment of others --> Run a marathon for charity - I started training a few weeks ago for the annual ACE marathon in the spring. And I've raised about $200 so far (thanks to my amazing friends who have donated!). I convinced my sister to run it with me, and I have friends in the CA area who are planning to come out to cheer and visit, so it's going to be quite a weekend. I just need to buy that plane ticket...

2. Grow in community and share of my time --> Volunteer on a regular basis for the same organization - Recently I've helped out at various organizations and for random activities as the opportunities presented themselves. And those were all quite worthwhile. (My recent favorite was volunteering at Misericordia's bakery during the holiday season with a group from church.) But I started to feel like I was missing something - that I wanted to have a relationship with an organization, the people running it as well as other volunteers. So I connected with Mission OLA - the group of nuns and religious there do an amazing job in the Humboldt Park neighborhood and they are always looking for helping hands. It should be the perfect fit, and I'll hopefully make it over there on a weekly basis starting in a couple of weeks. And, who knows, I might end up doing another marathon (Indianapolis, perhaps?) to fundraise for them in the fall (see goal #1). I'll keep you posted...

3. Share my passion for Catholic education --> Present at a national conference - I have one of my grad school professors to thank for pushing me on this one. I've always wanted to attend NCEA, and this year it's in Chicago...and I submitted a proposal to present, which was accepted. (And I found out that several friends are also presenting at the conference!) Now that we're just a few months out, it's a little nerve-wracking, but I'm also excited, as my topic is along the lines of my grad school work on getting students engaged in preparing for, participating in, and reflecting on the Catholic Mass. I definitely have some work to do before April.

4. Grow in knowledge and cultivate (new) friendships --> Join a book club - Since grad school finished, I've found myself filling quite a bit of my time with books. I ended up stumbling across many good reads since July, but it tends to be, at least for me, more fruitful when you read in a group and for a purpose. Therefore, in January I plan to join a local Catholic book club at a church nearby. Their first read is a book about Pier Giorgio Frassati - he is a saint I've wanted to learn more about, so this might work out quite nicely!

5. Be brave and open up to others --> Take a chance on the opposite sex - Admittedly, I feel a little funny putting this one in writing, especially since everyone always tells you that love happens when you least expect it and that I've never been particularly skilled in the flirting department, but what the heck. After all, I no longer have grad school and my sister's wedding as excuses, do I? What do I have to lose (except my comfort zone)?


Five goals seems doable, especially considering many of them are already in motion. And I hope that these particular goals will help me become a better person and a more devoted disciple of Christ one day at a time. Cheers to 2019!

A Promise Worth Keeping

In my (nearly) 30 years of life on this beautiful earth, I have come to the realization that I like to spend my time (and money) on events/outings rather than on things/goods. That's not revolutionary, I know, but, even more so, I really appreciate good theater and music, so I naturally try to channel what little extra money I have (after food, rent, & Church- and school-related stuff) toward this.

Therefore, I want to make a promise to myself - and it's one that I think I'll be pretty good at keeping (especially since I live in Chicago): My goal is to attend at least one show/concert a month. In September Marisa and I are already lined up to see the "Q Gents" and "Side Show." In October we'll get a chance to see "Ride the Cyclone." After that, I better start looking at my options.

It may sound extravagant, but we have our ways of finding cheap tickets. (And it's also a good excuse to spend an evening with friends and/or family.) Plus, it supports the arts - these people are INCREDIBLE, and they need to be celebrated!

So yes, it's my little secret. It's a promise I'm looking forward to keeping. I'll keep you posted on how the shows go...

AWE-some

"Ice cream for my ears" is how one fan described it, and I would have to agree: The Piano Guys performed at the Chicago Theater last night, and it was absolutely mesmerizing. (And the performers were funny, engaging, and grounded.)

If, like many of my co-workers and friends, you haven't heard about the Piano Guys yet or taken the time to listen to their music, you are missing out. (Quick! Click HERE for their YouTube channel!) Most of it is completely instrumental (with some oohs, ahs, and occasional lyrics) and performed with piano and cello. (Yes, they are called the Piano Guys. Yes, they referenced the cello in many jokes over and over again last night. And, yes, it was funny each time.)

It just made my heart happy to listen to their talented interpretations of classical and pop songs. In the encore number, the two producers came to the stage and joined in as the four of them gathered around the piano plucking, playing, and slapping the instrument to create a beautiful rendition of "What Makes You Beautiful"...and they looked like they had so much FUN doing it.

Their musical performance was the epitome of what happens when passion and talent come together - WOW.

Sooooooo, are they coming to a city near you...?

God's calling...

In our classroom, we LOVE kid-friendly language.

So, when it came time to defining a vocation, simply stated it means "a call from God."

Is it possible to have more than one vocation? we asked Fr. Pat (our pastor).

Absolutely - it's all about recognizing our talents (and God's gentle whisper in our ears) to best serve God and others.

Are you a good listener? Do you like animals? What about helping others - are you happy when you do that? What makes your heart truly happy when you are doing it?

These questions and more are ones Fr. Pat put the students' way today. And they are questions we should all consider from time to time.

Our vocation is constant - God's calling...Are you ready to answer?

P.S. Don't forget to sign up and vote (daily, if you're able) for my photos on the National Wildlife Federation website - the vote count just restarted for the week: http://www.nwf.org/PhotoContest/PhotoContestHome.aspx?perma=kfoyle11@gmail.com

Tuesday's out and about

It's amazing how many people are out wandering the streets, eating at restaurants, grocery shopping, and doing goodness knows what else after 9 p.m. on a Tuesday night...but it's true.

Wait, how do I know this? Why was I out and about?

I thought you'd never ask...

But seriously...tonight my parish hosted a dinner and discussion for all parishioners who participated in the Strengths for the Journey small group discussions during Lent. As it turns out, there were over 250 people who did this (not all of whom were at dinner), which speaks a lot about the parish and the initiative of its leadership.

Our strengths were even listed on our name tags...

The structure of the evening?

Food first, I always say - good rule, right? And they were smart to abide by it. There was quite a spread, especially of desserts, as everyone was asked to bring a favorite to share. Mmm...

Dinner was followed by a series of short personal accounts of three people's journeys through the Strengths process and then a brief talk by our pastor, Fr. Ken (who was enlightening, as per usual).

And then it was time for discussion - for which there never seems to be enough time - but it was fruitful, fun, and insightful. I met some new people and reconnected with some individuals who had been in my group.

One of my take-aways (of which I had a few but I won't elaborate at length here) from the evening was the idea of finding a sense of belonging through our strengths. As a group, we came to the conclusion that belonging to something or a group is not a passive process but an active one. You have to make an effort to belong - go to events, get involved, volunteer, meet new people. You have to put yourself out there to truly get that sense of being "home," and I think Strengthfinders (and the retreat I went on with YAC in February) provided such opportunities for me. It's such a tremendous feeling (and one that I've missed since leaving my home parish in Florida) to attend Mass and make connections - talk to people I know, share in discussions about faith, know about people in the parish and what they're up to.

And I am so grateful.

I pray that from this experience that I continue to deepen my involvement in the parish community and that I continue to truly feel that sense of belonging, friendship, spirit, and home.

I just have to remember (and I urge you to as well) - it's not a passive process.
It's up to me. Right. Now.

Getting to Know _____

Against my better judgment, I reread the first book of The Hunger Games series this weekend. However, who wants to hear more about that after all the hype that's been plastered all over billboards, websites, social media, and the news? I surely don't. It is what it is - although, it reminded me why I constantly caution both parents and students about the series (or the movie for that matter) being age-appropriate for a fourth grader. But I digress...

Let me shift focus to another book that's been on my mind a lot lately - Living Your Strengths. This Sunday was our third meeting (with just one more to go next weekend), and it provided yet additional insight and open conversation.

We reflected on a number of question, but one sticks out in my mind - "How can you learn enough about Christ to know how to live his life as our own?"

One person suggested that we look for trends in the Bible - Jesus was always searching out a specific person, from Zacchaeus to the woman who touched his cloak to Lazarus. And Jesus was always serving others.

Another person brought up that we never can really learn enough about Jesus - there's so much to know!

The question, for me, begged another question: "How do we really get to know anyone well?" We spend time with him/her of course. How else do we know what he/she is up to or what he/she is feeling at a deeper level than just what Facebook or Twitter tells us? (Check out This Ignatian Life blog today - it somewhat hits on the same topic - it's called "Intentional Friendship." It's totally worth the read.)

And so the same must be true of how we come to know Jesus - we must spend more time with him in prayer and in conversation about him with others.

 

So simple. So true. Yet, at times, so difficult.

But, as we came to realize as we continued our discussion, in spending more time in prayer, our outlook on the world changes - it changes for the better, allowing us to see Jesus in all things and in all others.

Difference in the moment

One of the questions we focused on in tonight's Strengths for the Journey group was this:

"Do you sometimes pause just to notice how God is with you in simple, everyday moments? What difference does this make in your life?

After thinking quietly for a few moments, a memory from this school year made itself very clear. I distinctly remember standing out at recess on a gorgeous fall day - one of those days when the air was crisp and Thanksgiving vacation was drawing near - and I remember having a certain feeling of peace (mixed with satisfaction and joy) wash over me. It was a feeling I felt down to my very core. It was a feeling that made my heart happy. It was a feeling that said, "I am exactly where I should be at this very moment - with these children, with these co-workers, serving God in this capacity."

It was one of those a-ha moments, one of those God moments. And it really gave me some perspective and patience for the rest of that day.

It was a reminder to pause and let God speak to me through the everyday (just like I know He does when I pray the Examen). It makes a difference. Trust me.

Finding Strengths...for the Journey

I'm not going to rush into posting too much about this too soon, but I'm fascinated already...

Okay, so, Kelly, what on earth are you talking about?

Well, in response to an invitation on retreat a few weekends ago, I joined a small faith-sharing/discussion group called "Strengths for the Journey" - we've had one meeting so far, and then we were given an assignment to take an online assessment that would calculate (in order) our top 5 "strengths" (more about what "strengths" are at a later time - once I understand them more).

I'm still reading up on my results, but here are my Top 5:

1- Strategic
2- Responsibility
3- Includer
4- Learner
5- Adaptability

And what's especially interesting in reading more about the different strengths is that each one is discussed in the book using certain Bible passages (okay, it's the Catholic edition of the book) to give further insight.

For example, take the strength "Strategic" - here are 2 Bible passages centered on this strength:

"Without knowledge, even zeal is no good; and he who acts hastily, blunders." -Proverbs 19:2


"No trial has come to you but what is human. God is faithful and will not let you be tried beyond your strength; but with the trial he will also provide a way out, so that you may be able to bear it." -1Corinthians 10:13


I think those match up pretty well with me.

Now, once we've all taken our assessments, we are going to read the book Living Your Strengths (Catholic Ed.) and participate in 3 more weeks of small group discussions about the book, our own personal strengths, and, finally, how we can best capitalize or use our strengths to serve God and others.

This is turning out to be a pretty worthwhile and meaningful Lenten promise. Amen to that.

Having Our Fill

Here's a little scenario for you:

You have two glasses - one is a tall thin one and the other is a bit smaller and more like your typical shot glass. Which one is more full?

       

(No, I did not ask you which one you would rather have...)


The correct answer (drum roll please) is that they are both equally full.

But they are of different sizes - How is this possible?

Well, in her autobiography Story of a Soul, St. Therese of Lisieux explains this phenomenon rather simply as it was once explained to her. (Well, actually, her example was with a tumbler and a thimble, but I decided to take a more modern twist - forgive me.) Both glasses, or containers, are filled to the brim, leaving no room to add any more water. Therefore, even though one glass (meant to represent a person) has more than the other (meant to represent another person), the one with less should not be jealous of the one who has more because he is already full as God has seen fit.

Ok, so St. Therese is obviously better at explaining this than I am. But, hey, I tried.

Others have tried and succeeded better than I as well - one such example of stressing how we should not strive to make our lives a competition can be found in the Notre Dame Daily Inspiration Prayer Archives. (This reflection is short and well worth the read.)

Remember, God has filled each of us as He has seen fit. It's not about who has more or who is on top. God knows our needs and has entrusted us with such.

Let us strive to remember this as we prepare our hearts to enter into this holy Lenten season.

---

On a related note, here's a small selection of Lenten resources on the web that may be of use -->

*Pope Benedict XVI's Message for Lent
*Lenten Calendar (free printable)
*Living Lent Daily (Loyola Press)
*Other 6 - Daily topics and prompts to help in the Lenten Journey
*Huffington Post - A Lenten Journey
*Praying Lent - An online Creighton University Resource

Actions Speak Louder Than Words

“Example is not the main thing in influencing others. It is the only thing.”

- Albert Schweitzer (1875-1965)

In taking just a moment to let the words of this quote sink in, I realized how true it is. We can say a whole lot of things, give tons of directives, or make a lot of promises - but what good are these words without actions to back them up?

This quote made me think back to this past Saturday when I was at the hospital. Jack, the minister of care I was shadowing, kept talking about how the ministry program coordinator doesn't just tell everyone where to go (words) - she gets out there (action) and works in one of the toughest places, the psychiatric ward. Jack was clearly impressed by her actions because he knows her heart is in the right place, and he can trust her to help direct his part of the ministry too.

And in the classroom, am I not called to do the same? How can I expect students to do something (and to do it successfully) if I haven't done it first for myself? How can I teach about being a follower of Christ if I'm not living out such practices in my own? 

<Cue "And They'll Know We Are Christians"> 

(Just me?)

But seriously, aren't we all (in whatever line of work we're in) supposed to get in there and get our hands dirty? Haven't we all had that boss or supervisor who stands out because he/she did the work right alongside us?

(You know exactly what I'm talking about, don't you?)

Bottom line - When it comes down to it, words don't influence people; actions do. So, be a doer - and be a model for others. As Ben Franklin said, "Well done is better than well said."

(For more quotes about action, click here. There's some good ones...)

Whatsoever you do...

After a string of late nights (one due to a friend's visit but the others due to sheer stupidity) this past week, the last thing that I wanted to hear was my alarm clock going off at 7 this morning.

But it did. And I got up. I had somewhere to be...

Back in December, I had seen postings in some of the local Church bulletins and young adult listserv emails about a Minister of Care program - its purpose is to visit and give the Eucharist to people in the hospital or at different facilities in the downtown area. I had met with the director of the program before Christmas break, and she had set up a date (today) for me to shadow one of the "veteran" ministers.

When I got to the hospital, I was greeted by Jack (a gentleman in his late 60s, I'd guess) who warmly shook my hand and then proceeded to show me "the most important place in the building" - the cafeteria. Over a cup of coffee, Jack told me a little about himself, and I did likewise. (Although, I have to admit, he is quite a talker, so I did more of the listening.) He has been doing the ministry at that hospital for about three years.

Then, it was time to learn the ropes. He showed me how to check in, prepare the blessed hosts, and figure out what rooms to visit. (Today we were only assigned to 2 floors.)

On our "rounds," we met people of varying illnesses and attitudes. Most patients were optimistic, and they were enthusiastic to receive the body of Christ. I mainly observed as Jack did the prayers and gave the Eucharist. Even though he told me to "do as I say not as I do", I realized that he is well-suited for the ministry and I could learn a lot.

After introducing ourselves to the woman in the last room, she spoke to us about a priest who would be coming to visit at some point this weekend. When she said his name, it didn't take me long to realize that she was talking about the pastor of the Church associated with the school where I teach. It turns out she is the grandmother of one of the students in the other fourth grade classroom at the school. What a small world! She remarked that she couldn't wait to tell her granddaughter about how she had seen me at the hospital.

Overall, it was quite a good experience and one which I believe I would like to pursue. I will probably never see any of the patients I visited today again (except maybe the grandma of the student at my school), but it was a blessing to interact with them today.

It's true that it ended up taking about 3 hours of my morning (including travel time), but those were 3 hours well spent.

We don't want perfect

“If we all did the things we are capable of doing we would literally astound ourselves.” 

- Thomas Edison

There is so much pressure on kids these days to "be perfect." Parents and students already have their sights set on college, graduate or med school, and beyond.

That's all well and good, but it's setting these kids up for failure...or for a nervous breakdown. Plus, it's creating a culture in which students are oftentimes afraid to try the harder path because they are afraid of failure. Even a small homework mistake may throw a student into a tizzy.

But without some failure, there will be no growth. Without accepting the fact that we might fail at something, there is no possible way we can be at our bests. And if we're not at our bests, then how are we able to achieve our true potential? 

Isn't it often that the hardest tasks and activities we do are often the most rewarding?

Let's let kids be kids - mistakes happen! Those mistakes won't kill them. In fact, if they learn from them, they'll be much better off in the long run. Failure from time to time gives us the opportunities to look at things from a new perspective and figure out better ways to tackle the tasks at hand.

Face it, playing it safe is not an option. The game is won by the ones who risk failure and push to success.