Merry Christmas Pi Team!

Merry Christmas Pi Team! Hope you and your families have a wonderful Christmas and a Happy New Year!


Many Blessings,
The Omicron Ladies

A Dance WIth The Sunlight

I looked out the window this morning and saw a beautiful palette of creams, pinks, lavendars and icy blues. As cold as it is outside, I've been a little irritated with mother nature, but this morning's display made up for it. And then, lo and behold, Earl The Squirrel decided to give me a show. I think he must have seen me at the window, for he was performing the most curious little dance. He was in a tree in my back yard, and he would give me a little peek with his head, then hide behind a limb, only to start the movement all over again.

He moved up and down the tree branch, fluffing his little tail, and I kept thinking, "That poor little thing. It's so cold, how does he stop from freezing to death?" But he was just a happy little camper ... twittering and twitching, dancing and hopping. And of course, Earl The Squirrel got me thinking.

Even during the harshest of times, whether it's the cold weather, whether it's friends or relatives in the throes of a terminal illness, whether it's sick children, a demanding job, the stresses of the holidays or the endless lists of things to do, we all somehow get through it. And if we're lucky, we find those moments when we want to dance a little jig, soak in the joys of minor moments in time filled with a child's smile, a beautiful sunrise, a loved one's kind words. We're built to last, to endure, to thrive and even conquer. I truly believe that it is those small moments in time that we're hear to cherish, to take in the palm of our hands and hold onto like a precious shell found in the sands of a rugged beach. Enjoy those small minutes or seconds of the day. They keep us going.

In Sickness And In Health ...

I'm writing today not about my marriage, contrary to the headline, but about my son. For it seems like there's nothing like a family member's problems to put things in perspective (see my last blog about Earl the Squirrel). After I moaned last week about the Christmas stress that comes with wish lists and party obligations, I got smacked upside the had (AKITA??) as my son came down with one of his horrible episodal migraines. It put my world back on its axis.

Sam gets these horrible migraine episodes that involve less headache and more dizziness, which the doctors call his "aura." He's been having these episodes since he was two, although at the time we didn't know what they were. Without going into too much detail, it involves three to four days of watching my son so dizzy that he can't function. I have to carry him into the bathroom, he needs to be carried down the stairs in the morning, and I have to cover the windows with heavy sheets and just wait it out. For those who have had sick children, you know there is nothing more horrible than watching your little one suffer. Whether it's a trip to the emergency room, sleepless nights monitoring rattled breath and spiking fevers, the moments that your child is hurting cause anxiety and stress that compares to nothing else.

So I'm back in the right frame of mind when it comes to the holidays. I haven't step foot in a store in three days and the earth hasn't stopped rotating. As far as I know, businesses haven't closed down, and I'm pretty sure that life has gone on without me. Which leads me to the much needed realization that I just don't need to get worked up about all these external things that have bothered me. I just want a healthy family, time with my friends, and maybe a sip of champagne on New Year's Day. And another meeting with my CRHP sisters .... I missed you last night. Have a great week, my dear friends!

Earl the Squirrel In Hiding

I have been hanging out at my laptop this morning, catching up on some of my work. I've glimpsed fairly regularly out my window, keeping an eye out for Earl, my favorite squirrel. He just isn't any where to be found. I think he must be like me ... chilled to the bone and wanting to just hunker down inside with my sweats on. Do you think Earl is sitting inside a tree somewhere with his Notre Dame sweatshirt on and a pair of fleece slippers?

So I've found myself already in a pre-holiday stress mode. And I swore that this would not be the case. I received my first Christmas cards in the mail yesterday, which prompted me to think, "Oh no, I haven't even THOUGHT about addressing mine." I casually strode down the aisles of Meijer's yesterday, wanting to see how much Bakugan's were for my son (a toy that I had never heard of until this year), and realized they are completely picked over. When I inquired about another shipment coming in, the saleslady just snickered and said, "Good luck with finding them in this town!" So now I'm stressed about finding the right gifts.

I look around my house at the clean clothes that need to be put away, at the layer of dust on my window sill, and the stacks of paperwork handcrafted by my children that I must secretly recycle one day, and I feel overwhelmed and underperforming as a wife and mother. And unless the magical cleaning fairy comes to pay me a visit, I'm thinking that I need a miracle in order to get my house in a presentable fashion.

So the yearly question during this time of year is: What is important? And even though I know the answer to that question, why is it so hard to breathe and stay focused on that thought? Aren't we supposed to be enjoying the season? Aren't we supposed to be relaxed, smiling and soaking in the warmth and love that surrounds us this time of year? Why is it so easy to get rattled, to get worked up, and to obsess about decorations that need hanging, presents that need wrapping, and cards that need signing?

I don't have a good answer. But I do know that staying connected to the church, that having our community around us, that staying in touch with friends and allowing ourselves the time to reflect, helps keep us focused on the bigger picture. Christmas is a time of rejoicing, of celebration, of sharing love and recognizing the greatest gift of all: Our Father.
Do you think Earl the Squirrel would understand? If I see him, I'll be sure to ask.

Formation Calendar 2008/2009 (updated 12/1/08)

Date	Time	Location	Meeting Topic	Reflection By…	Witness Review	Witness	Notes
09/18/08	7:00pm	PLC	Evening of Discipleship
09/22/08	7:30pm	PLC	HG & FS	Dan & Heidi
09/29/08	7:30pm	PLC	HG & FS	Kate & Michelle
10/06/08	7:30pm	PLC	HG & FS	Deana & Diana
10/13/08	7:30pm	PLC	HG & FS	Jill & Terry
10/20/08	7:30pm	PLC	HG & FS	Stephanie & Tammy
10/25/08	5:30pm	SEAS	CRHP Mass & Hog Roast				Kids are invited to Hog Roast!!!!!
10/27/08	7:30pm	PLC	HG & FS	Jackie
11/03/08	7:15pm	DC	Evening of Discernment
11/10/08	7:30pm	PLC	Review of Ministries	Katie & Dan		(Cindy & Barb will be at Continuation Meet.)
11/17/08	7:30pm	PLC	#1: Commitment
11/24/08	7:30pm	PLC	#2: Shared Ministry
12/01/08	7:30pm	PLC	#3: Evangelization		Renewal	Kate Lustig
12/08/08	7:00pm	PLC	#4: New Life in Christ		New Life in Christ	TBD
12/15/08	7:00pm	Cnf. Rm.	#5: Prayer		Spirituality	Jill Ehnes
12/22/08			Flex Week (No meeting?)
12/29/08			Flex Week (No meeting?)
01/05/09	7:00pm	Conf.	#6: Parish		Cx. Community	Terry Mohr
01/12/09	7:00pm	PLC	#7: Gospel Values		Cx. Awareness	Diana Arnold
01/19/08	Moved to 2/16		#8: Reconciliation	Fr. Brendan	(witness review make-up date)
01/26/08	7 p.m.	Conf.	#9: Eucharist	Fr. Ted			Walk-Through Mass?
2/2/2009	7:00pm	Conf.	#10: Scripture		Scripture	Tammy Moskal
02/09/09	7:00pm	PLC	#11: Prayer		Father.Love.Care	Stephanie Meier
02/16/09		Conf.	Flex Week: President's Day (No meeting?)
02/23/09	7:00pm	Conf.	#12: Spiritual Growth		Discipleship	Michelle Momper
03/02/09	7:00pm	Conf.	Weekend Preview & Finalize plans for Men's Dinner
03/06/09			CRHP-Family Prayer Service
03/07/09	4:00pm	SH	Pi Women serve dinner to Xi/Omicron Men for retreat.
03/09/09	7:00pm	PLC	(Fr. Brendan: Reconciliation Make-up date)		Eucharist	<Teen Witness>
03/11/09	7:15pm	BSC	Team Reconciliation followed by Adoration/Benediction in Day Chapel
03/16/09	7:00pm	Conf.	Flex Week				Alternate Date for Walk-Through Mass
03/20/09	3:00pm	URm.	Set-up meeting, team prayer service, dinner
3/21-3/22			The BIG WEEKEND!
03/25/09	7:00pm	??	Rho Women Evening of Discipleship

Hot Weekend Viewing

Kate requested that I post this for you all to see. You'll have to follow the link, as I haven't figured out yet how to get the actual image on here. So this is from Kate. Enjoy!

http://www.godtube.com/view_video.php?viewkey=dc2f048762b98cb7ad78

Lyrics to In This Place

1. We are all hungry people, we need shelter and strength.We are one in our hurting, we are one in our pain.In our suff'ring and sadness,we are saved by the graceof the power and the Spirit that is here in this place.
RefrainWe are gathered at table*as one in the Lord.We are gathered as people who are living the Word.Our hearts and our spirits are nurtured by grace.It is Jesus who fills us. He is here in this place.
2. All our lives are a Myst'ry;we see not where they lead.We are asked now to trust youand we know we must believe.As our feet become Christ's feet,we go forth with the graceof the power and the Spirit that is here in this place.
3. Though the world may tell us to look at ourselves,we reach out to anotherwhere suffering dwells. As our hands become Christ's hands,we are healed by the graceof the power and the Spirit that is here in this place.
4. In the bread that is brokenis the Christ that restores. As we take, now receive him,we find love evermore.As the bread becomes Body, we are filled with the graceof the power and the Spirit that is here in this place.

Invisible Mother - Posted for Stephanie

Hi All --I wanted to share this with you. It's called "Invisible Mother" -- I received it today and I am not real savvy at copying and pasting, but I think you can understand the message. Enjoy!Invisible Mother.....


It all began to make sense, the blank stares, the lack of response, the way one of the kids will walk into the room while I'm on the phone and ask to be taken to somewhere. Inside I'm thinking, 'Can't you see I'm on the phone?' Obviously not; no one can see if I'm on the phone, or cooking, or sweeping the floor, or even standing on my head in the corner, because no one can see me at all. I'm invisible. The invisible Mom. Some days I am only a pair of hands, nothing more: Can you fix this ? Can you tie this? Can you open this? Can I have some money?

Some days I'm not a pair of hands; I'm not even a human being. I'm a clock to ask, 'What time is it?' or I'm a car to order, 'Right around 8:30, please.'

I was certain that these were the hands that once held books and the eyes that studied history and the mind that graduated college- but now they had disappeared into the peanut butter, never to be seen again.

She's going, she's going, she's gone!

One night, a group of us were having dinner, celebrating the return of a friend from England. She had just gotten back from a fabulous trip, and she was going on and on about the hotel she stayed in. I was sitting there, looking around at the others all put together so well. It was hard not to compare and feel sorry for myself. I was feeling pretty pathetic, when she turned to me with a beautifully wrapped package, and said, 'I brought you this.' It was a book on the great cathedrals of Europe. Initially I had thought, oh she remembered I wanted to travel this year. Until I read her inscription: "With admiration for the greatness of what you are building when no one sees.'

In the days ahead I would read - no, devour - the book. And I would discover what would become for me, four life-changing truths, after which I could pattern my work: No one can say who built the great cathedrals - we have no record of their names. These builders gave their whole lives for a work they would never see finished. They made great sacrifices and expected no credit. The passion of their building was fueled by their faith that the eyes of God saw everything.

A legendary story in the book told of a rich man who came to visit the cathedral while it was being built, and he saw a workman carving a tiny bird on the inside of a beam. He was puzzled and asked the man, 'Why are you spending so much time carving that bird into a beam that will be covered by the roof? No one will ever see it.' And the workman replied, 'Because God sees.'

I closed the book, feeling the missing piece fall into place. It was almost as if I heard God whispering to me, 'I see you, I see the sacrifices you make every day, even when no one around you does. No act of kindness you've done, no button you've sewn on, no cupcake you've baked, is too small for me to notice and smile over. You are building a great cathedral, but you can't see right now what it will become.'

A t times, my invisibility feels like an affliction. But it is not a disease that is erasing my life. It is the cure for the disease of my own self-centeredness. It is the antidote to my strong, stubborn pride.

I keep the right perspective when I see myself as a great builder. As one of the people who show up at a job that they will never see finished, to work on something that their name will never be on. The writer of the book went so far as to say that no cathedrals could ever be built in our lifetime because there are so few people willing to sacrifice to that degree.

When I really think about it, I don't want my son to tell the girlfriend he's bringing home for Thanksgiving, 'My Mom gets up at 4 in the morning and bakes homemade pies', that would mean I'd built a shrine or a monument to myself. I just want him to want to bring his friends home. And then, if there is anything more to say to his friend, to add, 'You're gonna love it there.'

As mothers, we are building great cathedrals. We cannot be seen if we're doing it right. And one day, it is very possible that the world will marvel, not only at what we have built, but at the beauty that has been added to the world by the sacrifices of invisible women.

A Day of Reflection

Today is the third anniversary of my step-mother’s death. Her name was Johnnie, and she lost a horrible, unspeakable battle with pancreatic cancer. This, combined with Tammy’s news yesterday regarding the loss of her co-worker, has me thinking about losing loved ones. Many in our group have dealt with it, and some of us try to grasp unexpected losses, unfair circumstances, and the sudden void that you feel when someone you’re close to is gone.

Although it’s never easy, I sometimes wonder if my situation was a little less brutal. Since my brother and step-sister live closer to home, they were the ones that helped my dad nurse her, cajole her and deal with hospice workers. While, living hundreds of miles away, I knew the details were unimaginable, and I spoke with everyone over the phone frequently, because I didn’t see her every day I almost feel like she’s still living. In other words, the absence of her wasn’t felt dramatically. I feel it mostly on holidays, or on special occasions. In fact, many times I’ll see someone in the mall or at church that reminds me or her, and I actually have to think, “Remember? She’s gone.”

Those of you who have lost loved ones that you saw more often, whether at family get-togethers or every day at work, must feel such a bigger void. Your everyday activities are altered, and the roles that those loved ones played are no more.

It’s ironic that today is also Veteran’s Day. We are all probably reflecting a bit, watching memorial services on television, or thinking of lost loved ones. So today, as I reflect on those souls that have moved on, I also try to think of the joys and blessings I have experienced. I hope you all have a good day, and I’m happy that you are a part of my life.

Read A Good Book Lately?

As I packed last Thursday to get on the plane for Santa Fe, I grabbed a book off the "to read one day" pile that I have collecting dust by my bedside. The book, "Three Weeks With My Brother," by Nicholas Sparks, of "The Notebook," fame, had been given to me at some point but I had never actually examined the content.

Turns out it was the perfect book to read. Okay, everybody ..... "Coincidence? I think not." The book reads like fiction, but is a factual account of the author, as he embarks on a three week adventure with his brother. While Sparks illustrates the amazing places they visit, like India, Cambodia, Australia and Peru, he also flashes back to his childhood and young adulthood. Just as all of us, he has ups and downs, highlights and tragedies, insecurities and strengths. He is also Catholic, so he reflects often about his faith, the faith of his brother, and how that faith can get you through hard times. Although he paraphrases the version that is found in our Bible, he refers to First Corinthians, Chapter 10, verse 13. I thought I would share it with everyone today. This is directly from "Three Weeks With My Brother:"

"God keeps his promise, and he will not allow you to be tested beyond your power to remain firm; at the same time you are put to the test, he will give you the strength to endure it, and so provide you with a way out."

I hope this brings comfort or reflection to you today. Definitely something to think about, straight from a good book ... or a Good Book! See you tonight!

Here we go ......

As you all know, Heidi and I met for lunch yesterday with Dan, Cindy and Katie. We discussed details about the meetings to come, and we reflected on Monday night's gathering. I just wanted to let you guys know that as Heidi and I thought about our group, we just couldn't get over how lucky we are! We are made up of so many "deep souls," with amazing stories to tell, and amazing gifts. Each and every one of us was chosen to come together, sort of like a Perfect Storm. And here we are, on the verge of something big. We will leave behind us a path of love, kindness, peace, warmth, and yes Stephanie ..... more hugs than you can imagine!

We will all grow on this journey, and discover things about ourselves and each other that will enrich us in ways unimaginable. I'm leaving for Santa Fe today, to a land of enchantment and beauty. It has always been a very spiritual place for me, and this trip will not only be fun, but I have a feeling I will be experiencing it in a new way. I will be thinking so much of you all, and I will be spending time reflecting for sure. Thank you for all the gifts you've given me. Have a great weekend!

A Sigh Of Relief

I think it's safe to say that, after our meeting this evening, we are all experiencing a little bit of lift in our step. Without going into too much detail, I know I feel a sense of relief in having a clearer picture of what's to come. As we dispersed, our group acted as giddy as school girls before a Jonas Brothers concert.

So now we can relax for a bit, take a deep breath, and anticipate what is to come. As we went through this evening together, I remember slowly looking around the room, at this circle of friends that has become so important to me, and thinking, "How blessed I feel." I looked into each and every one of your faces and felt a special bond that only we can experience.

So get some rest and enjoy the ride. I think we're going to have some serious fun!

A Little Quote From Maya Angelou

“I've learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.” ~ Maya Angelou

Speaks volumes, don't you think? Enjoy. Hope you guys are having a great week! See you Sunday at 9:30 or Monday evening!

Your Sister in Christ,
Barbara Moore

Hello everyone-

Just wanted to drop a quick note and say that I was so happy to see everyone last night. I missed you all so much and the few hours that we get to spend together every Monday. You truly are such a BIG part of my life now. I thank God for bringing us all together...I thank Him for all of you.

Anyway, I found this little prayer this morning and thought I'd share. How appropriate!!

Love and peace to all-

Heidi

Sisterhood Of The Traveling Prayer

When I think of the friends that have become my sisters, I know I have been blessed. Just months ago, we all had such different lives. These ladies were not part of my family. Now, the Lord has blessed all of us with the love, compassion, wisdom and each other. Thank you my sisters, for I know your prayers have been heard. The Sisterhood is getting larger. There is always room here for more! So come and join us!

Meeting Re-Cap 10/27/08

Song: (Stephanie Meier) "Amazing Grace (My Chains Are Gone" - Chris Tomlin
Prayer: (Terry Mohr) A Litany of Women For the Church
Scripture: (Deana Keen) 1 Corinthians 12:31-13:? (the famous wedding reading)
Snack: (Kate Lustig) brownies and bruschetta, the perfect pair

We were reminded by Stephanie that "Grace is received, not achieved."
(We should recognize it within us & then put it to work.)

Terry's prayer choice touched the group, especially, because St. Elizabeth Seton is mentioned:
"...who broke down boundaries between lay women and religious by wedding motherhood and religious life."

Deana spoke of the significance of the Love-reading in her life and marriage. Having been married for several years, the scripture has taken a much deeper meaning than the pretty words it seemed to have on her wedding day.

Diana shared a very moving story about the power of prayer in her life over the past week.

Forgiveness

I just finished reading the book The Secret Life of Bees by Sue Monk Kidd.  I noticed a lot of parallels with CRHP and this book.   The author demonstrates the power of women coming together to heal those wounds, to mother each other and themselves, and to create a sanctuary of true family and home...hmmmm sound familiar??? It is out at the movie theater now, but it is a great read.  

A few pearls from the book are the following:

It is the peculiar nature of the world to go on spinning no matter what sort of heartbreak is happening.

                                                              How nobody is perfect.  How you just have to close your eyes and breathe out and let the puzzle of the human heart be what it is.

People can start out one way, and by the time life gets through with them they end up completely different.

I guess I have forgiven us both, although sometimes in the night my dreams will take me back to the sadness, and I have to wake up and forgive us again.

I feel her in unexpected moments, her Assumption into heaven happening in places inside of me.  She will suddenly rise, and when she does, she does not go up, up into the sky, but further and further inside me.  August says she goes into the holes life has gouged out of us.

Enjoy!!!

Meeting Re-Cap 10/20/08

Song: (Kate Lustig) "Where the Streets Have No Name" - U2
Prayer: (Michelle Momper) Thanksgiving Prayer
Scripture: (Jill Ehnes) James 1:2-5
Snack: (Deana Keen) chips and cheesy chili from the crock pot - Is this a faith sharing group or Monday night football?

I'm posting Kate Lustig's e-mail for her.

Hi everyone...I would like to post this on the website but I'm at work and should be working of course, but just had to get this out. I was definitely in a funk last night (a few of us were)...feeling uninspired and agitated and just generally out of sorts. Hearing Jill and Terry's awesome faith sharings and being with my team helped alleviate that funk to some extent but I woke up this morning and felt still some of the same. I suppose we can't all be floating on the CRHP cloud 24/7 ... as much as we'd like to be. So I'm driving Kaiya to my parents' house and we get to the roundabout at 131st and Hazel Dell and Kaiya says, "louder, Mommy" which means turn up the music, so I do just in time to hear Cat Stevens and the opening lyrics to "Morning Has Broken". The sky was was a gorgeous purple dappled with clouds.
As I listened to the CD (Omicron Women's Greatest Hits) I recalled each of the witnesses given on our CRHP weekend and the amazing stories of strength and grace that we were so privileged to have heard.
I pulled in to the parking lot at work singing "Yahweh, I know you are here" at the top of my lungs and boo hooing just a little.
Oddly enough, I feel more calm and like I am ready to refocus my energies...I feel renewed.

Thanks for the tunes and the inspiration, Omicron women!

Peace everyone, have a great day!

Kate

Meeting Re-cap 10/13/08

Song: (Deana Keen) "Here In This Place" - Trevor Thomson
Prayer: (Heidi Becker) Prayer to the Father to Live Each Day
& Prayer for Our National Elections
Scripture: (Kate Lustig) Ecclesiastes 1:2-8 "Life is an enigma beyond human ability to solve."
Snack: (Diana Arnold) more of the good stuff - and some dinner for Fr. Brendan

Everyone seems to have fallen into an emotional slump this week. The prayers and scripture reflect that. However, both the prayer and the scripture passage tell us to trust in God, that History repeats itself, that our situation will improve, and this isn't the worst that could happen. Chin-up, everyone!

We heard two more faith-sharings at this week's meeting. Fr. Brendan graced us with his presence for the second of the two, and we closed our meeting shortly after 11:00pm!

The CRHP manuals were handed out this week, and the reading assignment for next week's meeting is: Part 2, pages 1-49.

You've Lost That Lovin' Feelin?

I took a walk with my son this morning. Or rather, I walked while his little legs powered his Hot Wheels bicycle. It was cool and crisp, a perfect fall morning. It was just what I needed to get back in a positive frame of mind. Yes, I've lost that lovin' feeling'.
How, you ask? I had one of those weeks, with too many scheduled events, too many errands to run, and not near enough time to breathe. I have felt stressed, in demand, and under appreciated. I needed a pity party. It was the first time since our CRHP weekend that I'd lost touch with the afterglow, that peaceful calm. Reality hit me in the face in a big way.
So during my walk, I took a minute to notice the shades of yellow, red and orange in the trees. I had a deep discussion with my son about mosquitos and dragonflies. I noticed the occasional flowers still in bloom. And I'm going to make the time today to get out my CRHP bag and reconnect with my spiritual self. Will it work? I hope. I'm open to suggestions ...

Mother Teresa’s Wisdom

The verses below reportedly were written on the wall of Mother Teresa's home for children in Calcutta, India, and are widely attributed to her.

Some sources say that the words below were written on the wall in Mother Teresa's own room. In any case, their association with Mother Teresa and the Missionaries of Charity has made them popular worldwide, expressing as they do, the spirit in which they lived their lives.

They seem to be based on a composition originally by Kent Keith, but much of the second half has been re-written in a more spiritual way.

People are often unreasonable, irrational, and self-centered.
Forgive them anyway.
If you are kind, people may accuse you of selfish, ulterior motives.
Be kind anyway.
If you are successful, you will win some unfaithful friends and some genuine enemies.
Succeed anyway.
If you are honest and sincere people may deceive you.
Be honest and sincere anyway.
What you spend years creating, others could destroy overnight.
Create anyway.
If you find serenity and happiness, some may be jealous.
Be happy anyway.
The good you do today, will often be forgotten.
Do good anyway.
Give the best you have, and it will never be enough.
Give your best anyway.
In the final analysis, it is between you and God.
It was never between you and them anyway.

10/6/08 Meeting Re-Cap

Song: (Michelle Momper) "When You've Been Blessed (Feels Like Heaven)" - Patti LaBelle
Prayer: (Tammy Moskal) Desiderata - See post below for link to read the full text.
Scripture: (Terry Mohr) Psalm 37: 8-17, 21-24, 28 - From "Aunt Lucy's Bible"
Snack: (Heidi Becker) Garlic Supreme!

The team completed Team Commitment Sheets.

There was a lot of discussion on current events, especially financial issues. Tammy's poem/prayer and Terry's choice of Scripture both related really well to this topic. If we just exercise patience, the Lord will take care of us!

(Note to Michelle: I'm really sorry, but I can't locate your song to add to the playlist. -katie)

Tammy’s “bathroom-reader”

Written by Max Ehrmann in the 1920s --
Not "Found in Old St. Paul's Church in 1692"

Go placidly amid the noise and the haste, and remember what peace there may be in silence....

http://www.fleurdelis.com/desidera.htm

Music

This week I have recognized a theme of music.  From Michelle's mention of the change of season and relating it to a song by the Eagle's.  To Dan's "Name That Tune" song spun out of a Psalm.  I also noticed the playlist of 'Music We Are Inspired By' on the blog.  I find that when I have music playing in the house, I feel more relaxed and the day seems to go a little smoother.  I love listening to the stories that a song tells.  I have been listening to a lot more Christian/Gospel music since CRHP and I feel God speaking through these musicians. The music director at the Cathedral in Lafayette commented to the congregation that if we don't sing in church to God, it would be like someone not singing the Happy Birthday song to us at our party.  I found the following quote by Saint Augustine and wanted to share it with all of you.  I think it says it best.  Enjoy!!!

Singing is praying. When one sings one prays twice - so said the great Saint Augustine. While singing in the front of the Lord, we are in touch with the deepest center of our heart. Whatever moves there, comes out before our Creator as a loving offering to Him. The emotions of joy, grief, anger and frustration pour out in the presence of the Lord in loving trust and total self-surrender. In that ecstatic moment, we feel that gentle touch of the Divine wiping away the tears from our eye; we are filled with a new hope in the Almighty, guiding our destiny.

Singing together is praying together - brothers and sisters in deep communion with each other in the overflowing love of God.