How do you know when the inspiration and excitement that you feel about the possibility of doing something new (spiritual practices, prayers, pilgrimages, retreats, volunteer work, or ministry) is truly inspiration. Real inspiration. Inspiration of the Holy Spirit variety. This is one of the things that I wrestle with quite often. I feel inspired, motivated, and ready to incorporate something new into ________ (insert various object here). But then not long after, that fire burning within seems to be non-existent or at least squelched to a great degree. I start to wonder about my inspiration and then doubt it altogether! I have yet to find a tried and true method…
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Virtue & Vice Page updated!
This website has become a labor of love … although at times, nearly impossible for me to find the time to do the work that needs to be done. I was able to set aside the entire weekend to put in a good effort and I am so relieved to share that the page under TOOLS > VIRTUE AND VICE has finally — yes FINALLY — been updated and for now, is complete. The TOOLS section was left for last, knowing it would be the most time consuming as I attempt to swap information from my talks and workshops to the website medium. At this point I even wonder if…
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33 Days – #1
Last night was the orientation meeting for the first 33 Days to Morning Glory group retreat at our parish. I have a good feeling about this retreat. More than a decade ago (without going into detail) I found myself in a wonderfully new and eye opening relationship with our Blessed Mother. When I first read the book by Fr. Michael Gaitley, I found it appealing and it inspired me to acquire more knowledge about the four Marian saints he emphasizes in this work; Saint Louis de Montfort, Saint Maximilian Kolbe, Saint Teresa of Calcutta, Saint Pope John Paul II. My excitement about facilitating this group retreat program at our parish…
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Catholic Hipster?
Having a few spare minutes to browse a bit of social media — looking for a tweet worthy of re-tweet status, I stumbled upon a book review for The Catholic Hipster Handbook. First let me say that I didn’t know there was such an animal (Catholic Hipster), and second, after reading the reviews and write ups, I might have to purchase this book and see what all of the hub-bub is about. It sounds … interesting? Maybe just humorous? Different. After all, I am a book hoarder. These is a collection of essays and it might be nice to read something simple, faith-filled and of value. Here’s the book summary:…
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Mind over Matter
I’ve noticed over the past months … or few years … that just when I start to feel settled and at peace, someone throws a monkey wrench into the works and shakes up my world. My initial emotion is generally resentment or hurt over the situation (depending on who and what it involves) and I’ve come to recognize these sort of feelings for what they are: purely selfish. But alas, they are FEELINGS and being human, I really can’t prevent them. But what I can do is not dwell on them. Not let them overcome me. Not be consumed by them. It’s not as easy as it may seem or…
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Write your plans in pencil …
And give God the eraser. April was going to be my month to whip this website into shape. Get my documents completed and uploaded. You know — all the little duckies in a row. Needless to say that hasn’t happened and it doesn’t look like it will anytime soon. Maybe May? *sigh* I am hopeful. I have so many personal distractions at the moment that I feel completely scatter-brained! But I haven’t forgotten this endeavor. And I haven’t put aside the goals associated with it. And I haven’t forgotten the many, many, many people who have requested access to the information from my workshops. I promise — soon.
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Retreat!
Battle-hardened veterans might view the term ‘retreat’ as something akin to failure, withdrawal, or a need to regroup. For me, retreat is certainly a withdrawal and definitely time to regroup. But never failure. This past weekend was our parish annual women’s retreat at Saint Paul of the Cross Monastery Retreat Center, on the south side of Pittsburgh. The timing this year was definitely perfect for me, personally. I needed the withdrawal from stressful elements going on around me and I needed time to just think, ponder, consider, and discern. Although the start of the weekend was a bit rocky due to some family news, the rest was quite rewarding. I…