Do You Really Mean That...?

Today's Gospel is the one where one of the disciples asks Jesus to teach them how to pray. And so, Jesus says the words we know today as the Our Father.

But these words seem to have lost their meaning today for many of us...

We say the words without thinking...
We say the words in a hurried rush, doing our Christian duty or keeping up at Mass...
We say the words because that's what we were taught - that is a prayer we have memorized since we were small children...

But what are we saying...?

I used this version of the Our Father as a hook to the lesson with my 8th graders when we learned about the meaning of the prayer. It really makes you stop and think - Do I mean what I say? or am I merely doing my Christian prayer obligation?

And so, I would like to start this Wednesday by offering up a simple prayer:

Dear God, Please help us to take the time to pray with meaning and to work to live out our prayers and relationship with you in our daily lives. Amen.

A Little Bit o' Nostalgia and Hope

It's a day like today - a perfect Fall - that fuel the soul.

It's a day like today that remind you of the more important things - friends, family, good conversation & company, etc. - in life.

It's a day like today that make you nostalgic for things that have been and hopeful of things to come.

Today was a pretty historic one for me - first time apple picking. Ever.

(Yes, I'm 27 years old.)

Growing up in Florida, I never went apple picking. Strawberry picking? Absolutely. But apples, no.

It was so much fun! And the weather was absolutely beautiful - not too hot, not too cold. (All you need is a light jacket.)

Here are pictures from the day - I will spare you my apple jokes...

There will be many an apple in my lunchbox this week...

She looks so "Midwestern", doesn't she?

Yes, I even picked my own pumpkin to carve. It's sitting in the corner of my living room by the window - I'm hoping it will inspire me to carve something brilliant...or, at least, something cute.

And I will definitely be roasting (and eating) the pumpkin seeds.

There was a sign that pretty much summed up my feelings for the day pretty perfectly:

Oh, yes indeedy...

Weather or Not...But Lucky Us!

I can't believe how well my school lucked out with the weather yesterday - we held our annual Fall Fest, complete with bouncy house, obstacle course, magic tricks, pumpkin painting, and more!

(Let's just say, it wouldn't have been nearly as much fun inside or in the rain.)

I'd never been to Fall Fest before, but I went yesterday in order to supervise the 8th graders who are earning hours in preparation for their Confirmation this year. So, I was back and forth among the different stations making sure the 8th graders were working hard and doing all right - for the most part, I think they enjoyed themselves. (They even got to try out some of the bouncy stuff.)

As soon as we were done packing up all the stuff, the skies opened up and it began to rain and lightning. Boy, that was timing it. (I made it to my car only getting mildly wet.)

I'm glad I was able to spend time with the families and students yesterday. And last night, I went up the street to a local bar to hang out with my sister and some friends from Church for the Notre Dame game. And today I'm going apple picking for the first time ever!

(Speaking of the Notre Dame game, this week's "What Are You Fighting For?" ad was for ACE!)

So much excitement in one weekend has left me little time to lesson plan. I guess I better get some of that done now before we head out. More lesson planning and Mass tonight when we get back!

Happy Sunday!

Friday!

Happy Friday! Yes, there's a whole day standing between us and the weekend, but we're almost there!

The morning will hopefully move along quickly for a few reasons:

1) Spending time in Adoration with the 8th graders. (10 minutes of silence in Church will probably seem like eternity for them, but they have some resources and prayer ideas, so here's hoping it's at least a little meaningful...)

2) Fire Drill - I personally hope this happens when we are at Church for Adoration. :)

3) CPR training for 2 hours in the middle of the day - yes, I am only teaching about 1/3 of my 7th grade class period.

I hope you have a lovely, fast-moving Friday and a slow-moving, fun- and family-filled weekend!

No Time...?

In 7th grade this morning, we were talking about the Resurrection of the Dead and the implications of only having one life...yes, YOLO. After reading a few articles, I shared with them a poem (see below). It made them stop and think - there is time...always...but how are they spending it?

How are you spending your time?



 

No Time To Pray

by Kathryn Neff Perry

I knelt to pray but not for long, I had too much to do. I had to hurry and get to work For bills would soon be due. So I knelt and said a hurried prayer, And jumped up off my knees. My Christian duty was now done My soul could rest at ease. All day long I had no timeTo spread a word of cheer. No time to speak of Christ to friends, They'd laugh at me I'd fear. No time, no time, too much to do, That was my constant cry, No time to give to souls in need But at last the time, the time to die. I went before the Lord, I came, I stood with downcast eyes. For in his hands God held a book; It was the book of life. God looked into his book and said "Your name I cannot find. I once was going to write it down... But never found the time."



Student-led

The best part about having students lead prayer is that I just never know what they will prepare or lead.

Today was no different.

In my second 6th grade class, the students leading prayer were debating among themselves if the video was appropriate for class. "It's a talking vegetable!" one said, while another assured him, "It's just Veggie Tales."

I'm so glad they resolved to show the video.

It's just so cute - I definitely teared up, and we all laughed a little here and there.

And so, I asked my students how they find these videos for prayer...

I google "prayer" videos.

I think of the topic I want to "teach" and then google that. For example, if I want to talk about helping other people.

Sometimes I pick videos I have seen before.

I really is amazing to see some of the stuff they come up with. (It's much better than me leading prayer every day, I can tell you that much.)

It's good to let go...even on small things like daily prayer.

October - What a Beautiful Month!

Today marks the beginning of October - what a great month!

October 1st is also a special feast day in the Church - it's the feast of St. Therese of Lisieux (the little flower). I had my 8th graders watch a video by Fr. James Martin, SJ at the end of class - I think it's important to expose them to as many great Saints as possible before they choose one to take as their Confirmation name.

Speaking of Confirmation...Call me a Catholic nerd, but I definitely chose to celebrate the occasion, donning my Confirmation earrings (a gift from my Confirmation sponsor) and (almost) matching flower cross (a gift from my parents).

(Yes, Mrs. Hosack, I still have them.)

For me, taking the name of St. Therese has been such a blessing. While I originally took her name in memory of my cousin who passed away very young, I have come to know and embrace this beautiful Saint for helping me grow closer to God. Her idea of doing little things with great love is something I strive to do every day. And, I can't write this post without acknowledging that her autobiography, A Story of a Soul, is one of the most incredible, honest, and life-changing books I've ever had the privilege to read.

Okay, enough gushing in one post, right? I'll leave you tonight with some of Therese's own words: