Faith of Childhood

Lately I have been greatly amused (and impressed) by some of the fun stories of faith I have heard from my family and friends about their children. So I thought I would take this opportunity to share a few of them with you here. The first story takes place before Christmas. My youngest niece always has a unique outlook on the world. It seems that the typical placement of Nativity figures just doesn't quite fit her sensibilities. In her mind, it is crazy that the figures are so far apart. We all know how important it is to be close to those we love and how we all snuggle in close! (She even gave Mary a scarf because it was cold outside!) Here are the two versions.

But her ideas don't end with the Nativity. She also finds that it is important to re-adjust the angels on the table to fit the loving image she has of angels. First we see the angels arranged nicely for decoration. Next we see her secret adjustment so that they look like they are chatting away, sharing stories and having a grand ole time!

The second story involves the youngest daughter of one of my friends. The other morning as she was getting ready for school, Emma asked her mom, "Mom, what will they call me when I become a Saint?" "Well, St. Emma of course." "Mom, there is already a St. Emma." "That's okay honey, there can always be more than one." "Okay, we should practice calling me that." Oh the confidence of childhood!

Finally, I want to end with another story about one of my nieces. When she goes to Church, she usually sits up front so that she can see what is going on. She knows to whisper if she needs to say something. However, as we all know, when a young child is suddenly “struck” by something he or she has just heard, or a revelation pops into their head, they have no control over the volume used to express their immediate thoughts. Such was the case when the homily was provided through a slideshow/video narrated by the Archbishop. The church went dark, a screen popped down from the ceiling, and a man’s voice began. Kayli suddenly sat up straight, began looking around, eyes darting back and forth like they do when you’re thinking hard, trying to figure out a complex problem. Then, she glanced once, then twice, towards the ceiling, turned toward her mom, and cupping her hand around the side of her mouth, as if she were trying to be discreet, loudly inquired “Uh, Mom, is that man’s voice talking to us from heaven???” “Is it God talking from heaven?” Quietly her mom assured her that it was not voices from heaven they were hearing, but she continues to look above the screen as if she's found evidence to the contrary.

So, now the slideshow is over and the priest reiterates the key points he wants the congregation to think about, such as how we all need to just “light that fire in our hearts!” “What?” Kayli perks up again. “What, Mom??? Did he say Light our Hearts on FIRE???” Her mom nods and tries “shushing” her as she shakes her head in disbelief, ignoring her moms attempts to lower her volume, as she bellows “WOW, that’s Gotta hurt!” The lady next to them had a hard time stifling a laugh.

May your heart be lit on fire, may your week be filled with the faith of childhood and may you too believe that one day you will be a Saint!

Just like GLEE

Today we had another group come and perform for us. This time it was Soundmasters from ACCHS. Their director is wonderful and brings the young people to perform each year. They do such a great job. I am including a couple photos and video clips for your enjoyment. God is truly good

A Few Short Video Clips

A Little Christmas Caroling

This afternoon a group from St. Benedict's Abbey across town came over to share a few carols and some cookies with the Sisters in Dooley Center. They did a wonderful job and even had song sheets available for the Sisters to sing along. Here are a few photos from the event.

The Monks of St. Benedict's Abbey

Sisters Theophane and Maria

Sisters Irmina, Joachim and Jeremy

Sisters Judith, Ann, and Rosina

More of the Monks of St. Benedict's Abbey

Finally, I end with a short clip of their performance.

What a wonderful Advent Gift!!

Cookie Baking

Well tonight was another wonderful evening here at the Mount.

Tonight was our annual Partners in Prayer Cookie Baking. We had almost 70 students from the college who came over to join us for Vespers, share a meal, and assist us in baking cookies to share with various groups in the Atchison area.

This year we made approximately 100 plates of cookies for the meals on wheels program. We are also giving plates of cookies to many friends of the community and are sharing the cookies with those who join us over the Christmas holidays.

I have attached a few photos of the evening for your enjoyment. Hope you enjoy them.

Some students playing a Christmas game

Sisters and students work together to solve the puzzle

Frosting cookies

Popping the cookies into the oven

Plenty of opportunities to be creative

Lots of choices for dipping

We are truly blessed!!!

National Catholic Youth Conference

Jenny, Colleen, Sr. Suzanne

Well today was day two of NCYC. What a great time it has been! Below are a few photos that I have taken while here.

Sr. Elizabeth overseeing a challenge activity

Downtown Eucharistic Procession

Sr. Judith and Sr. Molly

Sr. Barb, Sr. Barbara Ann, Sr. Judith

I can not wait to see what tomorrow brings!!!!

First Snow of the Year

Well it has officially happened. We have had our first snowfall of the winter. While I appreciate the beauty of the first snowfall (the photos are taken from my office window) I also am not a big fan of cold or snow. So today I will appreciate the beauty and tomorrow I will pray for sun!

Hope everyone enjoys the beauty and stays warm and dry. Remember to pray for all those who are without heat or shelter this day.

Oprah Day - O You

For the past couple years, my 4 sisters (siblings) have attended the Kansas City Oprah Day (also referred to as O You). This year they decided it would be nice to bring me along and so all 5 of us (and a few other friends) signed up for the day. And what a day it was.

As you enter the conference center, each person is given a personalized name badge, a journal, a pen and a bag to carry all of your things. (You are also given a bag of goodies at the end of the day). The day itself consisted of many things including presentations by various Oprah personalities, you pick which 4 you want to attend. There are 2 speakers in the morning, a lunch, and then 2 speakers in the afternoon. In between, are opportunities to visit booths (about a dozen specially picked booths), to peruse the bookstore and Oprah store, to get a massage, makeover, or new hair style, to try yoga or Wii Fit Plus or to wait in line to get autographs and speak with the presenters.

This year we heard presentations by Nate Berkus (Decorating), Suzi Orman (Finance), Dr. Oz (Health), and Martha Beck (Loving Your Life). Each person had a lot to say and was interesting and informative in their own way.

In between two of the sessions, I decided that since one of our sisters, Sr. Mary, really loved the show "What Not to Wear" that I would wait in line and get an autograph from Stacy London to bring home to her. Well after waiting in line for 45 minutes, I was finally up to the front. I knew I was one of the last to get her autograph since her time was running out, so I quickly gave her my book to sign and explained about the sister who loved her show and gave her Sr. Mary's name. As she looks up, she screamed out (as she is known to do) and started giving me grief about my outfit - see below. As you may know, Stacy hates holiday wear and flipped that I was wearing a Halloween vest. I was laughing, since I knew I would get grief but was willing to offer it up to get Sr. Mary the autograph. Finally, after what seemed like ages of her picking on my vest (she was fine with the rest of the outfit), she asked my name, since I only gave here the name of the other sister, and she writes an autograph and hands it over to me. It read " Sister Mary, Work Hard! Dress Right! Don't let Suzanne wear holiday sweaters EVER!!! Stacy London.

It just really made me laugh. And even though she was giving me grief, she really was very nice and friendly and seemed to be a good person. But it was quite the encounter and a wonderful shared experience of loving fun with my sisters.