"...and they all lived happily ever after." Most of us are familiar with this conclusion to all faerie tales, but do we truly understand it? When we think happily ever after we tend to interpret the phrase as meaning that everything was perfect in the lives of the characters, particularly in regards to their marriages. The average person upholds this image as the model for their own marriages. The ideal, however understandable, is still an unrealistic expectation. Are these classic stories urging us to live our lives in illusions or are they implying something else? There is more to the married life than we realize.
What were the lives of the princes and princesses really like after the wedding and honeymoon? did they fight, say things that they later regretted to each other, have temptations of infidelity, get on each other's nerves, or possibly have troubles dealing with the in-laws and or children? The to these questions is that these couples faced most, if not all of these problems and even more...just like the couples of today. Everything was not perfect for them but despite difficulties they ended up having a happy marriage anyway. They had good times along with the bad, forgave each other, made up, and persevered.
Often, we view the wedding day as the end of the story. We usually observe this flawed mentality in many engaged couples. On one reality television show entitled, "Bridezilla," we encounter high-maintenance brides scrupulously plain for their special day, wanting everything to be absolutely perfect. Though an amusing series, if one takes a good look at it one sees that they spend a great deal of time planning for the wedding day but very little, if any, time on planning the marriage. Is the wedding not merely the first day of the marriage and the marriage itself will last for the rest of their lives? Imagine preparing for one day of fifty years. If we really think about it this is completely silly. Famous author G. K. Chesterton once wrote a letter to his wife describing how their wedding was creation day. To him, it was not an end but a beginning.
During an engagement period a couple needs to discern if they should go through with the wedding or not. Certain issues need to be discussed and thought over. One of my high school Spanish teachers told us the story of her brother's divorce. He was young and in love but some time after he got married he discovered that his wife did not want to have children, yet he did. This led to conflict and then they divorced. Had this been brought to his attention earlier, the wedding never would have taken place and obviously the divorce would not have either. Fortunately, most churches have marriage preparation programs set up so that a couple can evaluate their relationship and properly prepare for their marriage, but both of the engaged persons and the pastor for that matter must take this time very seriously. Unfortunately, some pastors marry off just about anyone these days, some not even giving any marriage preparation (which by the way is illegal in Catholicism.) What they often don't see are the benefits to such a program and how without sufficient preparation, that they may be setting up the couple for divorce or at least significant marital problems.
Stories are meant to teach us real life lessons and faerie tales are no different, but we sometimes get caught up in its fantasy world. No perfect marriages exist. According to G.K. Chesterton, he knew plenty of happy marriages but no "compatible" ones. As one can clearly see, there is more to the married life than we realize.
Monday, September 29, 2008
Sunday, August 31, 2008
Pro-Life Messages Gaining Popularity in the Media
Sometimes, it's easy to see the negatives and to pay little if any attention to the positives. The pro-life movement still has a very long way to go until it is victorious but as they say, "the tides are turning."
Yep, you read that right. They are really are. Just look at what is going on in the media for over a year now.
1. Meet the Robinsons, is an endearing time travel film about an orphan boy named Louis who is distraught that no one ever wants to adopt him. He yearns to be loved by a family of his own and even seeks out his long lost mother who left him at the doorstep of the orphanage. Through his adventure through time, he learns the valuable lessons of hoping, learning from his failures, forgiveness, his own self- worth, that a wonderful future awaits him, and that he really is loved. By the end, we see the beauty of adoption as Louis finally comes home with his new family.
2. bella, involves a single waitress named Nina, who has to deal with an unexpected pregnancy. Fired from being late to work multiple times and in a state of almost total despair, she is befriended by a former co-worker of hers named Jose, who shares with her love and understanding, which she hasn't gotten from anyone else. Through Nina's relationship with him she eventually leaves the clinic and chooses to let her baby live and give her away in adoption.
3. The ever popular Juno, weaves the story of teenage girl who finds herself pregnant as well. After being told just before entering the abortion clinic that even in the early stages in the womb that her baby has fingernails, something that makes her realize that her baby is a human being. Then, she finds who she deems a worthy couple to give her child in adoption to. We even see a beautiful moment where Vanessa (the mother to be) feels her baby move in Juno's womb. Life is definitely inside of her. Unlike bella though we actually get to see the baby for ourselves and witness the joy of adoption with our own eyes.
4. Horton Hears a Who, retells the familiar tale of an elephant named Horton, who discovers life on the spec of a clover who will do anything protect the town that lives on it. A funny and heartfelt film that reaffirms that, "A person's a person no matter how small." Dr. Seuss would be proud.
5. The Secret Life of the American Teenager, is the relatively new television series about a fifteen year old girl named Amy who, yes you guessed it, has discovered her own unplanned pregnancy. She nearly has her child aborted as well but then takes responsibility for her actions and gives her unborn child life. Amy even gets the love and support she needs from her own family and learns an untold secret about her own mother's past that helps her to cope with her own situation.
I've heard that Plato said that if you want to change the culture, don't go into politics to change the laws but go into the arts to influence people to get those laws changed. There's definitely hope for the pro-life movement then.
Yep, you read that right. They are really are. Just look at what is going on in the media for over a year now.
1. Meet the Robinsons, is an endearing time travel film about an orphan boy named Louis who is distraught that no one ever wants to adopt him. He yearns to be loved by a family of his own and even seeks out his long lost mother who left him at the doorstep of the orphanage. Through his adventure through time, he learns the valuable lessons of hoping, learning from his failures, forgiveness, his own self- worth, that a wonderful future awaits him, and that he really is loved. By the end, we see the beauty of adoption as Louis finally comes home with his new family.
2. bella, involves a single waitress named Nina, who has to deal with an unexpected pregnancy. Fired from being late to work multiple times and in a state of almost total despair, she is befriended by a former co-worker of hers named Jose, who shares with her love and understanding, which she hasn't gotten from anyone else. Through Nina's relationship with him she eventually leaves the clinic and chooses to let her baby live and give her away in adoption.
3. The ever popular Juno, weaves the story of teenage girl who finds herself pregnant as well. After being told just before entering the abortion clinic that even in the early stages in the womb that her baby has fingernails, something that makes her realize that her baby is a human being. Then, she finds who she deems a worthy couple to give her child in adoption to. We even see a beautiful moment where Vanessa (the mother to be) feels her baby move in Juno's womb. Life is definitely inside of her. Unlike bella though we actually get to see the baby for ourselves and witness the joy of adoption with our own eyes.
4. Horton Hears a Who, retells the familiar tale of an elephant named Horton, who discovers life on the spec of a clover who will do anything protect the town that lives on it. A funny and heartfelt film that reaffirms that, "A person's a person no matter how small." Dr. Seuss would be proud.
5. The Secret Life of the American Teenager, is the relatively new television series about a fifteen year old girl named Amy who, yes you guessed it, has discovered her own unplanned pregnancy. She nearly has her child aborted as well but then takes responsibility for her actions and gives her unborn child life. Amy even gets the love and support she needs from her own family and learns an untold secret about her own mother's past that helps her to cope with her own situation.
I've heard that Plato said that if you want to change the culture, don't go into politics to change the laws but go into the arts to influence people to get those laws changed. There's definitely hope for the pro-life movement then.
Wednesday, July 30, 2008
Why do I blog?
"Ah blogging... So many written and updated throughout the entire world. If one ever commits to composing one's own, realistically few will even view it, let alone take any of it to heart if has any meaning to it. So what is some college kid who is typically behind with technological advances doing writing a blog about her Catholic faith? What does she have to tell us that we haven't already heard at the pulpit? Why should we take her seriously? Really what do kids know about orthodox faith? How much time do they even have?
Ahem. Young lady. Young lady. YOUNG LADY! Get up and answer!"
"Oh. Eh? Is it morning already?"
"Miss, we have our choice of scoping out other blogs. All of them in the whole world really and you're not replying to our hard thought questions. You're asleep even. "
"Sorry about that. Those questions were getting much too serious and profound. I'm no philosopher and thankfully I fell asleep before you said anything that would make my head hurt, or if you did I dozed off well before that. I may be knowledgeable about some aspects of the Catholic faith but I'm no St. Thomas Aquinas! This isn't a lecturing session, and though I want to teach people about my beliefs I don't want to bore them or make them think that this is for those pursuing their doctorate in theology.
You want to really know why I blog, then that's the only question you need to ask."
"Alrighty then, smart alec. Go on."
"Well, St. Paul had his letters and I have my blog, though his works are far more worth checking out than this silly thing on the net. I want to reach people, encourage them in their faith, possibly even open the door to conversion for some, and even for my own sake. No, not in a vain sort of way. I pray that that doesn't happen, but I mean that I want ME to grow spiritually from composing such work. Teachers do a great deal of learning themselves. I'm not expecting anything terribly big from writing this. I know that not everyone in the world is reading anything that I write and only a small number ever will most likely. I'm just doing what I can where I am right now using my God given gift of writing. We as Christians are all called to be missionaries and this one of the ways that I do it.
The media these days is at our very finger tips with so much room for the average person to evangelize. Just think about it; blogs, myspace, facebook (yes even that can be used for evangelization,) creating videos on youtube, posting comments on youtube, podcasting, and for those especially talented creating one's own website.
I'd like to have the blog going for years. I apologize for not updating as much as I probably should. We all have our schedules, especially in my case during the school year. College isn't so carefree and this summer I'm working a minimal of forty hours a week. I'll probably just do a once a month post on average.
I've written down a bunch of ideas for posts ranging from movie recommendations, satire, random musings, poetry, etc. Believe me that's just the start of the list. Just wait and see what I have in store for my viewers and if at any time I write or show a link to something that's contrary to the truth of the faith please do (charitably) let me know. "
Ahem. Young lady. Young lady. YOUNG LADY! Get up and answer!"
"Oh. Eh? Is it morning already?"
"Miss, we have our choice of scoping out other blogs. All of them in the whole world really and you're not replying to our hard thought questions. You're asleep even. "
"Sorry about that. Those questions were getting much too serious and profound. I'm no philosopher and thankfully I fell asleep before you said anything that would make my head hurt, or if you did I dozed off well before that. I may be knowledgeable about some aspects of the Catholic faith but I'm no St. Thomas Aquinas! This isn't a lecturing session, and though I want to teach people about my beliefs I don't want to bore them or make them think that this is for those pursuing their doctorate in theology.
You want to really know why I blog, then that's the only question you need to ask."
"Alrighty then, smart alec. Go on."
"Well, St. Paul had his letters and I have my blog, though his works are far more worth checking out than this silly thing on the net. I want to reach people, encourage them in their faith, possibly even open the door to conversion for some, and even for my own sake. No, not in a vain sort of way. I pray that that doesn't happen, but I mean that I want ME to grow spiritually from composing such work. Teachers do a great deal of learning themselves. I'm not expecting anything terribly big from writing this. I know that not everyone in the world is reading anything that I write and only a small number ever will most likely. I'm just doing what I can where I am right now using my God given gift of writing. We as Christians are all called to be missionaries and this one of the ways that I do it.
The media these days is at our very finger tips with so much room for the average person to evangelize. Just think about it; blogs, myspace, facebook (yes even that can be used for evangelization,) creating videos on youtube, posting comments on youtube, podcasting, and for those especially talented creating one's own website.
I'd like to have the blog going for years. I apologize for not updating as much as I probably should. We all have our schedules, especially in my case during the school year. College isn't so carefree and this summer I'm working a minimal of forty hours a week. I'll probably just do a once a month post on average.
I've written down a bunch of ideas for posts ranging from movie recommendations, satire, random musings, poetry, etc. Believe me that's just the start of the list. Just wait and see what I have in store for my viewers and if at any time I write or show a link to something that's contrary to the truth of the faith please do (charitably) let me know. "
Friday, June 13, 2008
Franciscan University Visit
During my spring break last March I went for an overnight campus visit to the very Catholic Franciscan University of Steubenville. Quite a long drive to Ohio but well worth the distance. Mom and I entered Steubenville late that night and wanted to see where the school was before checking into our hotel. Fortunately, we found it very quickly and were surprised at the sight of the campus.
A sign pointed upward. Neither of us expected it to be on top of a hill. I had expected a school at a common level, but being up away from the rest of the town was actually a plus instead of a minus. In this way you're totally in Franciscan and free from the distractions of the world, so you are Christ-centered.
What an impressive school! Imagine a Catholic university where each year the professors take an oath of fidelity to the Church. Prospective students, parents, and guardians can rest assure that they will only be instructed in the truth of the faith.
Daily is mass is offered four times a day and guess what? Students and faculty actually attend! It's celebrated reverently in a pretty chapel filled with people. By no means is this boring, for in the reverence one is surrounded by the beauty of the mystery of God. A little Latin is even sung, so we have a taste of the past.
Throughout my stay there I noticed how Eucharistic centered the campus was. In the multiple daily masses, the small chapels in each residence hall where adoration takes place, and in the Portiuncula. The Portiuncula is chapel built that was remodeled after a church that St. Francis of Assisi restored and the place of the founding of the friars and clothing of St. Clare as a nun. Such a beautiful place for Eucharistic adoration! Other places for prayer include the outdoor stations of the cross, the grotto built in honor of Our Lady, and a tomb of the unborn which is in sorrowful memory of five aborted babies.
I got to sit in on a theology and catechetics (religious education class) that I must say are very impressive. Franciscan is the perfect place to study such subjects. The pre-theology program is top notch and the catechetics major is the best in the country. My mom and I even got to take a tour of the set where the television show "Franciscan University Presents" is filmed for EWTN. Another interesting thing about the school is that one can join what are called households-- a group of peers that come together for prayer, socialization, etc. Each has its own charism whether it be Our Lady, a saint, etc. They become like a home away from home for an individual.
The pro-life movement is absolutely huge at this school and there is no doubt that it is Catholic. The only place more Catholic than Franciscan University of Steubenville is the Vatican. A very different environment than my current secular college to say the least. When you pray no one thinks you're weird or gives you strange looks. Heck, they may even join you. Not that Franciscan students are holier than thou. They act like ordinary people; hang out, have fun, get involved in non-religious activities on campus, watch movies, etc. They're not perfect little angels, but they certainly do put their faith first in their lives. You may even encounter a religious sister in a classroom or spot a Franciscan friar strolling around campus. If I do attend, I'll be in a safe environment filled with people with the same set of values as me. About 2,400 undergraduate students where the classes tend to be smaller, students get the personal attention needed and are not just one of hundreds in a room.
The school's motto is, "academically challenging, passionately Catholic." Believe me, it lives up to it. So if you're looking for a rock solid Catholic campus, Franciscan University of Steubenville is the place to be.
A sign pointed upward. Neither of us expected it to be on top of a hill. I had expected a school at a common level, but being up away from the rest of the town was actually a plus instead of a minus. In this way you're totally in Franciscan and free from the distractions of the world, so you are Christ-centered.
What an impressive school! Imagine a Catholic university where each year the professors take an oath of fidelity to the Church. Prospective students, parents, and guardians can rest assure that they will only be instructed in the truth of the faith.
Daily is mass is offered four times a day and guess what? Students and faculty actually attend! It's celebrated reverently in a pretty chapel filled with people. By no means is this boring, for in the reverence one is surrounded by the beauty of the mystery of God. A little Latin is even sung, so we have a taste of the past.
Throughout my stay there I noticed how Eucharistic centered the campus was. In the multiple daily masses, the small chapels in each residence hall where adoration takes place, and in the Portiuncula. The Portiuncula is chapel built that was remodeled after a church that St. Francis of Assisi restored and the place of the founding of the friars and clothing of St. Clare as a nun. Such a beautiful place for Eucharistic adoration! Other places for prayer include the outdoor stations of the cross, the grotto built in honor of Our Lady, and a tomb of the unborn which is in sorrowful memory of five aborted babies.
I got to sit in on a theology and catechetics (religious education class) that I must say are very impressive. Franciscan is the perfect place to study such subjects. The pre-theology program is top notch and the catechetics major is the best in the country. My mom and I even got to take a tour of the set where the television show "Franciscan University Presents" is filmed for EWTN. Another interesting thing about the school is that one can join what are called households-- a group of peers that come together for prayer, socialization, etc. Each has its own charism whether it be Our Lady, a saint, etc. They become like a home away from home for an individual.
The pro-life movement is absolutely huge at this school and there is no doubt that it is Catholic. The only place more Catholic than Franciscan University of Steubenville is the Vatican. A very different environment than my current secular college to say the least. When you pray no one thinks you're weird or gives you strange looks. Heck, they may even join you. Not that Franciscan students are holier than thou. They act like ordinary people; hang out, have fun, get involved in non-religious activities on campus, watch movies, etc. They're not perfect little angels, but they certainly do put their faith first in their lives. You may even encounter a religious sister in a classroom or spot a Franciscan friar strolling around campus. If I do attend, I'll be in a safe environment filled with people with the same set of values as me. About 2,400 undergraduate students where the classes tend to be smaller, students get the personal attention needed and are not just one of hundreds in a room.
The school's motto is, "academically challenging, passionately Catholic." Believe me, it lives up to it. So if you're looking for a rock solid Catholic campus, Franciscan University of Steubenville is the place to be.
Saturday, May 10, 2008
Boy With Clubfoot
For my English class I had to look at an older painting and then write about it. The title of it is "Boy With Clubfoot" and yes you guessed it, this is a picture of a boy with a clubfoot. After pondering what to write about for a little while it hit me to write a poem- a pro-life poem.
sweet, energetic, bright boy
...with a clubfoot
so much to give yet so little given to him
mother's abandonment at two
after multiple doctors told her that his condition was permanent,
uninvolved father
claiming that she should decide,
rejoicing her freedom from him,
sent to an old orphanage,
five years and no one has come to adopt him
because of his clubfoot,
saying that he isn't like other children
or he would be too difficult to take care of,
made fun of by the other children
mocking him by inviting the boy to play sports
knowing full well that he couldn't
no family
no friends
only given pity from those who work at the orphanage
to some a nuisance
a challenge
an inconvenience
to others just a clubfoot
not a person but a body part
sweet, energetic, bright boy
...with a clubfoot
so much to give yet so little given to him
mother's abandonment at two
after multiple doctors told her that his condition was permanent,
uninvolved father
claiming that she should decide,
rejoicing her freedom from him,
sent to an old orphanage,
five years and no one has come to adopt him
because of his clubfoot,
saying that he isn't like other children
or he would be too difficult to take care of,
made fun of by the other children
mocking him by inviting the boy to play sports
knowing full well that he couldn't
no family
no friends
only given pity from those who work at the orphanage
to some a nuisance
a challenge
an inconvenience
to others just a clubfoot
not a person but a body part
Tuesday, April 15, 2008
Defying Gravity- Defying Society
Last summer I saw the awesome musical "Wicked" which is the story of the wicked witch of the west with a whole new creative twist. My favorite song from it is "Defying Gravity." Now whenever I listen to it or think about it I can't help but be reminded of living out the Catholic faith, for nothing is as radical as holiness. So I've tweaked the song a little bit for you. Instead of "Defying Gravity" it's "Defying Society." May this encourage you during times when you feel so weird or attacked for your beliefs. I know what it's like to have people think that you're crazy and narrowminded for fidelity to the Church.
Defying Society
Something has changed within me. Something is not the same. I'm through with playing by the rules of someone else's game. Too late for second guessing. Too late to go back to sleep. It's time to trust my instincts, close my eyes, and take a leap of faith. It's time to try defying society. I think I'll try defying society and you can't pull me down...
I'm through with accepting limits because someone says they're so. Some things I cannot change but til I try I'll never know. Too long I've been afraid of losing love. I guess I lost. Well if that's love it comes at much too high a cost. I'd sooner buy defying society. Kiss me goodbye. I'm defying society and you can't pull me down...
So if you care to find me look to the western sky. As someone told me lately everyone deserves a chance to fly. But I won't be flying solo. Our Lord and I we'll be flying free and to those who ground me take a message back from me. Tell them how I am defying society. I'm flying high defying society and soon I'll match them in renown. And nobody in all the world, no culture that there is or was is ever gonna bring the Church down.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=btU7hXLOYHA
Defying Society
Something has changed within me. Something is not the same. I'm through with playing by the rules of someone else's game. Too late for second guessing. Too late to go back to sleep. It's time to trust my instincts, close my eyes, and take a leap of faith. It's time to try defying society. I think I'll try defying society and you can't pull me down...
I'm through with accepting limits because someone says they're so. Some things I cannot change but til I try I'll never know. Too long I've been afraid of losing love. I guess I lost. Well if that's love it comes at much too high a cost. I'd sooner buy defying society. Kiss me goodbye. I'm defying society and you can't pull me down...
So if you care to find me look to the western sky. As someone told me lately everyone deserves a chance to fly. But I won't be flying solo. Our Lord and I we'll be flying free and to those who ground me take a message back from me. Tell them how I am defying society. I'm flying high defying society and soon I'll match them in renown. And nobody in all the world, no culture that there is or was is ever gonna bring the Church down.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=btU7hXLOYHA
Friday, March 21, 2008
Crown of Thorns Reflection
| One Halloween years ago I was getting my costume ready. I was going as St. Philomena and my mom was pinning the crown of flowers around my head. One of the hair clips jabbed my head accidentally and led out an "ow!" Then it reminded me of how Jesus was pierced by a whole crown of long and thick thorns. After the soldiers slammed it on His head they pounded it into his very skull so that it would stay on. I saw that my own pain was absolutely nothing compared to what He endured. No matter what we suffer, whether it be physical, emotional, mental, or spiritual, will never add up to what Jesus suffered. He loves us that much and wants us to seek Him in times of sorrow and joy as well. There is nothing that He has held back from us: His Body, His Life, His Time, His message, His love, and even lowered Himself- body, blood, soul, and divinity, down to the Eucharist in the form of bread and wine. So why do we struggle in giving ourselves totally to Him? (I ask this more to myself than anyone else.) |
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